There are a flurry of high-impact players still dealing with nagging ailments that could hurt your favorite team, your fantasy team, and maybe your opponents’ fantasy team as well, but only if you’re lucky. Here are the most notable injuries in the NFL, and whether or not they will be available when Week 1 rolls around.

How to win your fantasy football league? Sign up for The Huddle

Notable NFL injuries ahead of Week 1:

• Baltimore Ravens S Kyle Hamilton: According to Giana Han of the Baltimore Banner, Kyle Hamilton (hip) left practice on August 22 while holding his left hip. Reports have since indicated that this was nothing serious and that it should not put Hamilton’s Week 1 status in jeopardy.
• Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews: Despite missing practice on August 19, Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that Andrews (undisclosed) was fine and that he would be able to play Week 1 against Kansas City.
• Buffalo Bills WR Curtis Samuel: Bills’ head coach Sean McDermott has expressed nothing but optimism when asked about Samuel’s status (turf toe) for the Bills’ Week 1 game.
• Carolina Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks: Brooks (knee) suffered an ACL tear during the college football season last year. He is still recovering and is expected to miss the first month of the regular season.
• Chicago Bears DB Jaquan Brisker: Despite returning to practice in a limited capacity nearly a week ago, Brisker’s (undisclosed) injury is a huge question mark to everyone not directly involved with him. He missed considerable time, and while it appears he is on the right track to return by Week 1, there is still a chance he could miss some of the regular season.
• Chicago Bears S Kevin Byard: Despite not playing in Thursday’s preseason finale, Byard’s injury (soft tissue) is not serious, according to Bears’ head coach Matt Eberflus.
• Cincinnati Bengals OT Amarius Mims: The first-round rookie (chest) is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks, according to ESPN.
• Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb: The Cleveland Browns are expected to start Chubb (knee) on the PUP list, which will eliminate him from the team’s first four games at least.
• Dallas Cowboys DB DaRon Bland: Bland (foot) is expected to miss the next six-to-eight weeks dealing with a stress fracture, per the Cowboys.
• Detroit Lions OT Penei Sewell: After a brief scare regarding Sewell’s (ankle) availability for Week 1, Lions’ team reporter Justin Rogers has stated that Sewell is “good”, and should be ready for Week 1.
• Indianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs: Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that while he’d love to have Downs (ankle) for Week 1, there is still no timetable for his return. While a Week 1 return is still possible, it seems highly unlikely right now.
• Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk: After missing considerable time with an ankle injury, Kirk returned to Jaguars practice on Monday, and is expected to be ready for Week 1.
• Kansas City Chiefs WR Marquise Brown: Brown (shoulder) was present at Chiefs practice Monday, but did not participate. As it stands right now, Brown is expected to miss Week 1 with further weeks still considered a possibility.
• Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers: Bowers (foot) has been dealing with an injury for some time, culminating in his absence from practice on August 21. Since then though, Raiders’ head coach Antonio Pierce has come forward claiming that while he is cautious with Bowers, he does expect the first-round pick to play Week 1.
• Los Angeles Chargers DE Joey Bosa: After missing most of the second half of 2023 with a foot injury, Bosa still has not been fully cleared ahead of Week 1. That said, Chargers’ head coach Jim Harbaugh has said he expects him to be back for Week 1.
• Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert: According to former Chargers’ quarterback Dan Fouts, Herbert’s foot is “no longer an issue.” Fouts claims that he spoke to Herbert about his injury on August 23, and insists that Herbert (plantar fasciitis) will be good to go for Week 1.
• Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua: Nacua (knee) returned to practice on Monday, sparking belief that he will be available for the team at the start of the regular season.
• Miami Dolphins OLB Bradley Chubb: It was unclear whether Chubb (knee) would start the 2024 season on the PUP list. As of Monday, Chubb has been placed on the list and will therefore miss the first four games of the season.
• Miami Dolphins WR Odell Beckham Jr.: Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that he is still unsure whether or not Beckham (undisclosed) would start the season on the PUP list or not.
• New England Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett: After Brissett (shoulder) was removed from the team’s final preseason game, head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters that it was no big deal and that Brissett would have continued if it were a regular season game.
• New York Giants OT Evan Neal: After coming out of Saturday’s preseason contest, Neal (ankle) appeared to be just fine, telling reporters that he felt “OK.”
• Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren: Warren (hamstring) said Monday that he expects to be ready for the season opener.
• San Francisco 49ers OT Trent Williams: Not an injury, but Williams appears to be holding out until his contract situation is addressed. Williams’ Week 1 availability is officially in question, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
• San Francisco 49ers S Talanoa Hufanga: On Sunday, 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that a decision still needs to be made on whether Hufanga will start the season on the IR.
• Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett: Lockett (leg) has been sidelined for quite some time, but the injury is not considered to be serious.

NFL News: Chiefs bringing JuJu Smith-Schuster back to loaded WR room – but why?