The first game of the NFL season is nine days away, meaning it's crunch time for fantasy football owners. Either your draft is coming up and you have big decisions to make, or you've selected players who you hope are healthy for Week 1. This update is mostly positive, as all of Kenyan Drake, Jordan Reed, and Amari Cooper are looking on track to play in their openers. The Patriots take a hit with the David Andrews injury news, though, and Carlos Hyde's roster spot is in trouble. There were also three returns from preseason ankle sprains on Monday -- Keke Coutee, Anthony Miller, and Noah Fant -- which should provide them enough time to get up to speed for the regular season.
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DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2019 Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Will Kenyan Drake be ready for Week 1?
Drake returned to Dolphins practice on Monday. He'd been missing time with a foot injury that had him in a walking boot for a portion of the preseason. In Drake's absence, Kalen Ballage dominated the first-team touches, although he most recently ran 12 times for 17 yards in Miami's Week 3 preseason game.
Even before Drake was hurt, reports out of camp suggested that this would be a timeshare situation, much like Drake had last year with Frank Gore. Drake had 1,000 yards from scrimmage with nine touchdowns in 2018, while Ballage struggles to break tackles even with his large frame. If you're investing in the Miami backfield, it seems safe again to go with Drake.
2019 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200
Jordan Reed concussion update
Reed took a blow to the head last Thursday and was entered into the NFL's concussion protocol. Prior to that injury, he'd had six reported concussions between college and the pros, per Sports Injury Predictor. Monday afternoon, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said he's "quite confident" that Reed will be ready for Washington's Week 1 contest with Philadelphia.
At this point, Reed is a massive risk for re-injury, and he's probably not a fantasy starter with Case Keenum throwing him the ball anyway. The 2015 season, when Reed led all TEs in fantasy points per game, doesn't feel that long ago, but Reed has suffered shoulder, toe, chest, hamstring, and head injuries since then. He's not a bad bye-week fill-in if he's healthy, but don't expect 16 games worth of stellar production.
2019 PPR RANKINGS:
Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | Top 200
David Andrews blood clots
Patriots center David Andrews has been hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs, per multiple reports. The Athletic has reported that Andrews is expected to miss "a significant amount of time." Over the past three seasons, Andrews has missed two games total and started each contest he's played in as Tom Brady's center. It will be 2016 sixth-round pick Ted Karras, with five NFL starts to his name, that takes over the Pats' center job for as long as Andrews is out.
We normally wouldn't give you updates on offensive linemen, but this is also a scary injury and bad timing. Andrews ranked as Pro Football Focus' 17th-best center last year, and it's inevitable that Karras will be a drop-off. Brady counted on Andrews to help him call out line assignments, so everyone on the Pats' offense takes a small hit with this news.
DRAFT STRATEGY AND RANKINGS TIERS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST
Will Carlos Hyde be cut?
Hyde has worked exclusively with the backups in recent days at Chiefs' camp, according to ESPN. Three running backs -- Damien Williams, Darwin Thompson, and Darrel Williams -- all got first-team reps on Monday. Multiple Kansas City roster projections have Hyde failing to make the 53-man roster.
Hyde's pedigree will inevitably lead to him latching on somewhere else, potentially in a place like Houston which just lost its starting RB to injury. But Hyde has looked washed up for a while now, with his 3.3 yards per carry in 2018 inspiring no one. His inability to beat out a sixth-round rookie (Thompson), an undrafted second-year college backup (Williams), and maybe even a converted cornerback (Tremon Smith) should tell you everything you need to know.
FANTASY SLEEPERS:
8 QBs | 14 RBs | 11 WRs | 11 TEs | 6 D/STs | One from each team
Amari Cooper injury update
Cooper has dealt with plantar fasciitis all summer. It's a foot injury that really can only heal with rest, but it also doesn't usually get worse, instead just creating a constant, nagging pain. Cooper told reporters recently that he played with the injury in his rookie season, when he posted more than 1,000 yards. Jason Garrett told reporters Monday that Cooper is "on schedule" to play Week 1.
Cooper spoke about the injury earlier in camp and suggested it would be a non-issue throughout the season. It might be slightly worrisome that he'll be dealing with foot pain throughout the season, but he's probably safe at this point to pick as a WR2 in fantasy.
NFL injury updates
- WR Anthony Miller, Bears: Miller returned to camp after missing two weeks with an ankle sprain. He'll have to get up to speed but remains the favorite to play opposite Allen Robinson in two-wide sets for Chicago. Miller caught seven touchdowns as a rookie, so his upside gives him FLEX appeal.
- WR Keke Coutee, Texans: Coutee also returned to practice after missing about a week with an ankle sprain. He's set to open the season as Houston's third WR, but in an offense that should throw a lot, that could have value even if everyone stays healthy (and Will Fuller is notorious for not staying healthy, anyway). (Update: Speaking later on Tuesday, Texans' head coach Bill O'Brien said he's "not hopeful" Coutee will be ready for Week 1.)
- TE Noah Fant, Broncos: The rookie from Iowa returned to Broncos practice after missing a week with an ankle sprain. Fant should be the Broncos' top option at TE all season. He has elite athleticism for the position, so he's a possible draft-and-stash player (and certainly a dynasty league target).