August 06, 2026
Ben Queen/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Giants WR Malik Nabers has a chance of playing Week 1.
We're still a few weeks away from the majority of fantasy football drafts commencing, but for anyone doing early August homework, there are certainly several players with injury concerns floating around training camps. If you see a red cross next to a player, it's natural to give pause.
Here's a quick whiparound to look at some fantasy-relevant skill players and quarterbacks who could be worth passing on — or drafting as normal — if they're on your draft board.
Malik Nabers, WR, Giants
A healthy Nabers is a first-round pick. Is he healthy? Will he be able to recreate his epic production as a rookie? The wideout is on the field "stacking practices," but it's unknown when he'll play in game conditions. And it's unknown if he'll be at 100% in Week 1, trusting his surgically repaired knee. Drafting him is a risk with a high reward.
Alec Pierce, WR, Colts
With Michael Pittman gone, Pierce is the WR1 for Indy — but he's currently on the PUP list as he recovers from "clean up" surgery on his ankle back in March. There is no timeline for his return, though it does sound possible he's ready for Week 1. Once he gets on the field we'll know a lot more about his timeline and what his fantasy draft positioning should be.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs
The Chiefs are calling Worthy's recent shoulder injury a "sprain" and not serious. He should be fine for Week 1. So why is he in the worry category for us? He just can't stay healthy. He tore his Labrum in the season opener in 2025 and until he can prove he can stay healthy, his fantasy stock should take a hit.
Chris Bell, WR, Dolphins
The rookie wideout drafted by Miami has a lot of potential — especially without a ton of talent in his WR room right now. But he's still working back from torn ACL surgery and is on the NFI list. He's expected to begin ramping up and will certainly see the field sometime this fall. But it might not be in Week 1. He could be a fantasy waiver pick up later in the year.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Packers
Kraft tore his ACL in Week 8 but was taken off the PUP list in July, and has been easing his way back into form in camp. He has not participated in full team drills yet so he's a player to keep an eye on.
Luke Musgrave, TE, Packers
The Packers' other tight end remains on the PUP list as he tries to return from a neck injury. A long-term absence has not been ruled out.
Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr, QBs, Falcons
Tagovailoa is dealing with a back injury flair up, and Penix is still recovering from a knee injury. Neither are currently practicing anywhere close to 100%. The team had to sign Cooper Rush to the roster just to have enough able bodied quarterbacks in training camp. The issue here, with neither being too relevant in standard re-draft leagues, is the trickle down effect on the skill players. If both these guys miss Week 1, what will happen with Drake London?
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Jets
The 16th overall pick a few months ago is working back from sports hernia surgery. The team is adamant he'll be back for Week 1, but as a fantasy team owner I'd exercise caution until he's practicing in full. He's currently on the Jets' PUP list.
Zack Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks
After tearing his ACL in January for the eventual Super Bowl champs, Charbonnet is likely to miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season as he tries to make his return.
George Kittle, TE, 49ers
Kittle tore his Achilles against the Eagles in the postseason and he's still on the PUP list.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers
Pearsall is out for the year after experiencing a serious setback related to his PCL injury last year.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Broncos
The Broncos' big-ticket wideout came up limp running a route in practice this week but reports are that it was simply tightness and he'll be fine moving forward.
Makai Lemon, DeVonta Smith WR, Eagles
The Eagles have been without two of their top three wideouts (though Dontayvion Wicks is coming on strong for the WR2 job) for a few practices now. Both guys should be on the field again very soon and both are missing practice for precautionary reasons.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers
He has "lower body soreness" and is sitting out a few practices as a precaution. The Bucs practice inside with a turf field frequently and the team doesn't want to take any chances.
Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings
He jammed his thumb in practice and is expected to be back on the field after a few precautionary days.
KC Concepcion, WR, Browns
He fell hard on his shoulder a few days ago but it seems like the first round pick avoided any sort of substantial injury and is back on the field.
Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, 49ers
These three wideouts are missing practice in San Francisco right now but they should all be back for the season. Evans has a quad strain, Kirk a calf strain and rookie Stribling is day-to-day with hamstring tightness. The soft tissue aspect of this is troubling but there are five weeks to Week 1. Still, perhaps the newly inked Deebo Samuel is worth a late round pick?
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