Draft-Day Triage: Which August Injuries Should Actually Scare You?

Breece Hall:  Went down with a non-contract injury last week.  Diagnosed as a groin strain that would keep him out “2-3 weeks”.  He’ll be held out of the rest of the preseason and, based on that timeline, he should be ready for Week 1.  Coach Glenn expects “him to be ready for the regular season opener”.   Keep in mind that Coach Glenn is the head coach and is fluent in coach-speak.  Groin injuries can linger, so draft Hall with caution.  And, if you are risk-averse, slide him down just a bit.

Ashton Jeanty: Unless you live under a rock, you know Jeanty went down on Monday with what was feared by many to be an ACL injury.  Fortunately, it was an ankle sprain.  However it has not been confirmed if it is a high ankle sprain or a low ankle sprain.  In either case his Week 1 availability is in jeopardy and his Weeks 2 and 3 are expected to be less than prime Jeanty as he ramps up to full speed.  Unless you draft a strong stable of running backs (or Mike Washington), slide Jeanty down your draft board to the later second round.

Chubba Hubbard:  Suffered a hamstring injury almost two weeks ago.  Was held out of practice until August 24.  Returned and put in a full session, hitting a speed of over 20 MPH in his rehabilitation run.  He’ll sit out the final preseason game to avoid any lingering affects, but is on track to lead the timeshare backfield with Jonathan Brooks.  Continue drafting where you were before the injury.

Jeremiyah Love:  Sustained a high ankle sprain almost two weeks ago in the Cardinals preseason opener.  Diagnosed as a grade 1, which does not require surgery.  Has been completely sidelined since the injury, will not play in the preseason and is at risk of missing Week 1.  Even if he plays Week 1,he will almost certainly face limitations.  His ADP has dropped from late second/early third to mid to late third/early fourth in the last two weeks.  If you can get him at that discount, snatch him up.

Kenneth Walker:  Was added to the injury report on August 25 and held out of practice with a “foot injury”.  Was on the field, but without a helmet and did not participate.  No further news has been released, but this obviously requires watching.  

Kyle Monangai:  Hyper-extended his right knee and has been ruled out of the preseason. Independent analysis has put his availability for Week 1 as highly doubtful.  Drop Monangai down about a round in your rankings and move Swift up about a round, making him a solid pick in the “RB dead zone”.  

Luther Burden:  Suffered a strained groin August 8.  Was given a four week recovery time, which would clear him by Week 1 kick off.  Was doing jogging and short sprints before last weekend’s preseason game.The Chicago Bears medical team expects him to be fully available September 13.  Draft with confidence in the middle of the fourth.