With the first Sunday of the 2022 NFL season on the horizon, fantasy football owners are preparing to set their lineups for Week 1. Knowing the latest injury updates will affect those decisions, especially on key players JK Dobbins, Kenneth Walker III, and George Kittle. All look "questionable," at best, for Sunday, and their potential absences will have big ramifications on Week 1 rankings and start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these three players and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 1 fantasy rankings. For injury news on banged-up WRs Drake London, Michael Thomas, Allen Lazard, and Jaylen Waddle, click here.
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JK Dobbins injury update, Week 1 fantasy outlook
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday that Dobbins (knee) is "ascending quickly," in his quest to be ready for Week 1 against the Jets, according to ESPN's Jamison Hemsley.
It would be a mild surprise to see Dobbins play on Sunday against the Jets, as he is working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered last summer. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported late last month that Dobbins' Week 1 status is "certainly in doubt." If Harbaugh decides to hold Dobbins out for Week 1, the Ravens will roll with the running back tandem of Mike Davis and Kenyan Drake. The veteran running backs are an upgrade from what the Ravens had last season in the backfield (Le'Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and Latavius Murray), but it's tough to say if either should start as an RB2 in fantasy lineups for Week 1. Consider them low-end flexes. If Dobbins is out there, consider him the same, as it's unclear just how many carries he'll get in a game the Ravens should win comfortably.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
Kenneth Walker III injury update, Week 1 fantasy outlook
Walker (hernia) was among the multiple players that did not practice on Tuesday, according to beat writer Bob Condotta. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said last week Walker was feeling better following his hernia surgery, but he was non-committal on whether the rookie would play in the season opener against Denver.
The good news for the Seahawks is that they don't have to decide on Walker's status for Week 1 until Monday night. However, if the rookie running back does not practice during the week, he's going to be inactive. Rashaad Penny will likely dominate carries either way, with Travis Homer serving as Seattle's No. 2. Penny showed last season when healthy that he could be productive, making him a solid RB2 play for Week 1. For now, consider Walker a stash for later in the year after Penny's inevitable injury.
WEEK 1 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
George Kittle injury update, Week 1 fantasy outlook
Kittle (groin) did not practice on Wednesday after suffering an injury earlier this week, according to beat writer Cam Inman. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Kittle was "hoping to be good today," but they will take it day by day.
WEEK 1 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
If Kittle cannot play Sunday, it would be a significant loss for the 49ers' offense. When healthy, Kittle is one of the top tight ends in the league. We should expect to see an increase in targets for receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. We should also see more snaps for backup tight ends Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner, but neither would not be worth starting in fantasy. Samuel is a lock at WR1, while Aiyuk could move up to WR2 in many lineups without Kittle on the field. Meanwhile, secondary receivers Juaun Jennings, Danny Gray, and Ray-Ray McCloud have a little more value as DFS dart-throws in tournaments.
