After a long hot summer, football is finally back. We are just 5 days away from kicking off the much anticipated 2023 NFL season, and for those of you still cramming in last minute fantasy football drafts, this article may be useful to you.
Since this is my first time writing, I will go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Marcus, and I am a podcaster for The Undropppables as well as working as a full time physical therapist living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My PT degree as well as two years of practice in the medical field allow me to serve as the “medical expert” for The Undroppables network, and I am here to share my knowledge of anatomy, injury, and recovery here with you.
With the season just around the corner, it is vital that you are securing players in your fantasy drafts who are reliable, durable, and efficient. After all, the best “ability” is “availability,” right? There are a few key players who have suffered training camp injuries, and I am here to tell you what to make of them in order to prepare you for your draft. Let’s start with the WR position first.
Cooper Kupp
Ah yes, everyone’s favorite PPR receiver. Cooper Kupp, the WR 1 for the LA Rams, suffered a hamstring strain a few weeks ago during camp. On Thursday, it was reported that Kupp had suffered a “set-back,” and that there is no timeframe for his return. So what do we know about hamstring injuries? On avereage, your grade I strains take anywhere from 1-4 weeks to recover and your grade II’s take sometimes up to 12 weeks. While Kupp suffered a grade I strain, his setback puts him in serious jeapordy for not only week 1, but also the first quarter of the season. Due to his age and his injury history, Kupp has a higher chance of re-injury during the season. Therefore, I would probably pass on Kupp in the first round this year.
Jerry Jeudy
Similar to his fellow WR Cooper Kupp, the projected Broncos WR1 Jerry Jeudy also suffered a hamstring strain, though his injury was a bit more severe (grade II). Return from a grade II hamstring strain can take anywhere from 4-12 weeks. Given his age, Jeudy does have a lower chance of re-injury once he returns to action. I expect the Broncos to be cautious with their young superstar, and I imagine he will probably be out the first 3-4 games. With that being said, I probably wouldn’t look to select Jeudy until later rounds of a redraft league (rounds 8, 9, 10).
Let’s switch gears to my personal favorite position… Running Back
Breece Hall
As we all know, Breece Hall suffered a torn ACL in October of 2022. Your typical ACL recovery program lasts about 9-12 months before returning to sport, which puts Hall right on track to start the season. Because Hall had some explosive measurables prior to his injury (40 time, vertical, broad jump), we can expect that he may look a little bit better than most anticipate. Generally speaking, the better or “stronger” you are prior to surgery, the better your prognosis is. With Dalvin Cook being added to the Jets backfield, I see Breece Hall dropping from a late 3rd / early 4th to an early 5th round selection. I would recommend selecting him at this spot and not thinking twice about setting him in your lineup every week. He should be healthy and ready to rock and roll for week 1.
Javonte Williams
Similar to Breece Hall, Williams also suffered a torn ACL in October of 2022. With a similar recovery timeline, Williams looks to be on track to play in week 1. While Williams is not quite as fast or explosive as Breece Hall, his running style actually may benefit him upon his return to action. A true down-hill runner, Williams relies less on side-to-side sharp cuts than most other running backs. Your ACL is important in providing stability in your knee with lateral movements, not as much straight-line sprinting. Depending on how quickly Williams can build confidence in his knee, we may see him return to form sooner rather than later. I would select Williams at his current 6th / 7th round ADP.
While most injury data supports that RB’s will produce much better in year 2 as opposed to year 1 following an ACL tear, I believe these two players may be able to break the mold and turn in solid RB2 seasons.
I hope this information helps! Happy drafting, and a happy return of the NFL season.
