The Infirmary Report: Preseason Week 2

by Jason Allwine · Dynasty Leagues

The worst part of our beloved game is the frequency of injuries. It’s an unfortunate byproduct of such a fast-paced, contact-heavy sport. It’s something that is important to remember as we approach the first full week of the preseason. Luckily for the NFL players, they have access to some of the best doctors in the world and can usually return to form at least by the next season.

Unfortunately for us fantasy players, it’s not always easy to know when a player will get hurt. To another degree, sometimes your roster isn’t big enough to plan ahead for an injury. This series, the Infirmary Report, will give you advice on the injuries that have happened every week during the season. Without further ado, here are the injuries from last week.

Matt Corral, QB, Panthers

Injury: Matt Corral suffered a Lisfranc injury in his foot during the preseason game against the Patriots.

Expected Return: Season-Ending IR

Player to Pick Up: Unfortunately, no one’s stock increases because of this injury as Corral was third string and a rookie. However, if you own Corral it is likely worth it to drop him for another dart throw.

CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys

Injury: CeeDee Lamb cut his foot and required stitches due to an injury sustained off the field.

Expected Return: Week 1

Player to Pick Up: Dalton Schultz, TE

The 2021 Cowboys WR corps has been decimated. The only player left now that hasn’t had an injury or left the team is Dalton Schultz. Schultz finished 2021 as TE3 while being the third target on this offense. This year, he will be the second target which should send more targets his way. He had 104 receptions, 808 yards, and 8 touchdowns last year. If you’re unsure about which tight end to draft or if you want a hand in the Cowboys passing attack- Schultz is the perfect option.

Andrew Ogletree, TE, Colts

Injury: Andrew Ogletree tore his ACL at practice this week.

Expected Return: Season-Ending IR

Player to Pick Up: Jelani Woods, TE

While Woods hasn’t impressed at camp the way Ogletree had before tearing his ACL, he still profiles amazingly. He is a prototypical TE who’s only competition now is Mo Alie-Cox. Alie-Cox has never had more than 400 yards or four touchdowns in a season. Woods now has one more week of preseason and practice to showcase his potential. At the very least, Woods should take this starting job by the end of the season.

Mecole Hardman

Injury: Mecole Hardman injured his groin at practice this week.

Expected Return: Questionable Week 1

Player to Pick Up: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR

While there are multiple WRs on the Chiefs that are worth taking a shot at, the one closest to Hardman’s role would be Valdes-Scantling. And while this specific injury isn’t serious, one thing we know about speedster wide receivers is that injuries come often and linger. Both Valdes-Scantling and Hardman are playing the stretch role. Some weeks Valdes-Scantling will be out and some weeks Hardman will be out. Valdes-Scantling has a more extensive injury history than Hardman, but at least he hasn’t been injured yet. This is Hardman’s second injury this offseason. He tweaked his hamstring during OTAs.

Isaiah Spiller, RB, Chargers

Injury: Isaiah Spiller injured his ankle in the preseason game against the Cowboys.

Expected Return: Questionable Week 1

Player to Pick Up: Joshua Kelley, RB

Kelley has higher draft capital, a better profile, and better college production than Spiller. On top of that, he already has two years with the team under his belt. And while he hasn’t quite produced at the level expected, he has also been the RB3. This offseason was a competition to see who would get the RB2 spot and any missed time by rookie Spiller plays in Kelley’s favor. Kelley’s ADP is over 100 spots lower than Spiller’s. Even if Ekeler misses time due to injury, the Chargers backfield would go into a committee. This would not result in a workhorse role for either Spiller or Kelley.

Somehow BOTH Cam Akers and Darrel Henderson, RB, Rams

Injury: Both Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson are dealing with soft tissue injuries.

Expected Return: Questionable Week 1

Player to Pick Up: Jake Funk, RB

Two Rams RBs were released following their preseason loss this weekend- A.J. Rose and Raymond Calais. Rookie Kyren Williams broke his foot in OTAs, and his return still unclear. So that leaves Funk and Trey Ragas. Out of these two, Funk has the best profile and has a history with the Rams on special teams. Funk has earned McVay’s trust and he will likely start if both Henderson and Akers do miss time.

Kristian Wilkerson, WR, Patriots

Injury: Kristian Wilkerson suffered a concussion during joint practices this week.

Expected Return: Questionable Week 1

Player to Pick Up: Considering Wilkerson is a bubble roster player, there’s not anyone to pick up in particular. It’s a crowded WR room, and Wilkerson was a fun dart throw for those with deep enough rosters.

Tyquan Thornton, WR, Patriots

Injury: Tyquan Thornton injured his collarbone this week.

Expected Timeline: Expected to miss 8-10 weeks.

Player to Pick Up: Nelson Agholor, WR

Thornton was hoping to be the upgrade to Agholor, but unfortunately for him Agholor will happily take the stretch role for at least the next eight weeks. Last season, Agholor finished No. 9 in average target distance and averaged 12.8 yards per reception. He’s a former first round pick with 88th-percentile 40 yard dash who did shine a few times last season. He’s cheap to acquire and has a solidified role on the Patriots offense, which is more than any other wide receiver on the team can say.

Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots

Injury: Hunter Henry is dealing with a minor undisclosed injury.

Expected Return: Week 1

Player to Pick Up: Jonnu Smith, TE

Last season, we all expected an explosive tight end duo of Smith and Henry. What resulted was nowhere near that as Smith was nearly non existent last season. We probably won’t see a tight end duo this season either. However, Henry missing time with an injury is eyebrow raising. Last year was his first fully healthy season in his career. Smith should find himself starting at least some point in the season.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Seahawks

Injury: Kenneth Walker had surgery to repair a hernia last week.

Expected Return: Week 1

Player to Pick Up: Rashaad Penny, RB

While Walker is expected to play Week 1, it is possible that Penny takes the bulk of carries as the Seahawks ease Walker in. If that happens, Penny could present a solid flip opportunity. Otherwise, there’s not really anyone to pick up. If Penny goes down though, Travis Homer could be an excellent value.

Treylon Burks, WR, Titans

Injury: Treylon Burks was injured during practice this week. He was also seen wearing a wrap on his left knee during the preseason game against the Buccaneers.

Expected Return: Questionable Week 1

Player to Pick Up: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR

While we all knew it wouldn’t stay that way, Westbrook-Ikhine started off as WR1 on the first Titans depth chart. He is a solid wide receiver, but he’s on a team that doesn’t pass too much. However, if any WR misses time, Westbrook-Ikhine will be a solid fill-in. The Titans capitalize on play-action and really any wide receiver can produce in a good play-action offense. He actually finished No. 2 last season in true catch rate and turned just 38 catches into 476 yards and four touchdowns. That’s really solid production.

Jonathan Ward, RB, Cardinals

Injury: Jonathan Ward injured his shoulder in the preseason game against the Ravens.

Expected Return: Questionable Week 1

Player to Pick Up: Keaontay Ingram, RB

Ward was having himself a very nice preseason before leaving the game with a shoulder injury. As such, sixth round rookie Ingram will have next preseason to solidify himself on the roster. If he has a good showing, he could find himself as a valuable handcuff with an aging Cardinals running back corps. Ingram was productive in college as both a runner and a pass catcher and arguably has the best profile out of Cardinals running backs.