Early NFL Training Camp Injuries and News: Fantasy Football Updates for Justin Jefferson, Terry McLaurin and More

NFL training camp is underway, which means preseason games will be here before you know it, and then regular season games!

Let's take a look at some notable news from across the league.

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Justin Jefferson Battling Hamstring Injury

Minnesota superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson is out with a hamstring strain. It's considered a mild strain and he's expected to be re-evaluated again this week.

Jefferson is a top-end fantasy player when he's healthy, and is a top-end pick going into this season. He's currently the No. 5 pick on the FantasySP ADP list.

Hopefully Jefferson is long past this injury as the regular season nears, but it definitely is going to cause some fantasy football owners to question using that early of a pick on Jefferson, especially if their drafts are soon. I'd be inclined to consider a couple players over Jefferson with the injury news in mind, but JJ is also so good that you almost have to take him still.

It's an injury to track as the preseason moves along, but right now, there's at least a little concern about Jefferson going into the upcoming season.

Mixon Out with Injuries

Joe Mixon is set to be re-evaluated closer to the start of the season. He's dealing with foot and ankle injuries.

Mixon has a solidified place on the Texans' roster, but missing a bunch of camp could really hurt him as the regular season gets rolling. He'll still need to ramp up and then you have to hope these injuries don't plague him all season.

Mixon is No. 47 on the ADP list and is going around pick 47 overall. He's RB19 right now, and I'd expect that to drop now. 

Having multiple injuries is definitely noteworthy, and it's worse after seeing that he played a 14-game season last year. I'm definitely concerned about Mixon going into the season, and his ADP should drop as the season nears.

He could become a great value pick if he drops enough, but he should be viewed more as a flex option than a weekly starting running back. The injury concerns are alarming, and you don't want to be relying too much on an aging back.

With Dameon Pierce also battling an injury, Nick Chubb should serve as the lead back in Houston during camp, and that could make him a good fantasy asset for the season if Mixon and Pierce are dealing with injuries. Rookie Woody Marks is also a name to keep in mind, as is veteran Dare Ogunbowale. 

Is Shough the Starter in New Orleans?

Rookie Tyler Shough practiced with the Saints' first-team offense on Monday. That puts him in line to start, over the likes of Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.

Shough was likely to be given an opportunity to start at some point this season, but the Saints might just let him start right away. He'll open as a streaming option in redraft leagues, while being an option in deeper setups, or two-QB leagues.

Shough has more dynasty value and could make a name for himself with a productive rookie season. He should be viewed more as a long-term asset than someone who can power a fantasy team in his rookie season.

Fields Avoids Major Injury

Justin Fields dislocated his toe last Thursday, but he's back at practice and participating in drills, so it's not an injury that should keep him out for any part of the regular season.

He'll open the year as the Jets' starting QB, provided he doesn't suffer another injury between now and the start of the regular season. Tyrod Taylor is the top backup QB.

Pickett Banged Up

Kenny Pickett is dealing with a mild hamstring strain, so he'll have some catching up to do in the Browns' four-QB competition. It doesn't seem to be a serious injury, but it might force the team to scale him back a bit, and that won't help his chances of earning the starting job.

Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will take on a few more reps and maybe be able to separate themselves before Pickett returns to full health.

This is one of the more intriguing position battles of the year, but none of them are likely to be very good redraft fantasy options. We'll continue to track this competition as best we can all preseason, so keep checking back for the latest.

McLaurin on PUP List

Terry McLaurin had been holding out of camp because of a contract dispute, but is now on the physically unable to perform list with an ankle injury.

That's a blow to the Commanders' wide receiver room, and for quarterback Jayden Daniels. Hopefully the injury doesn't run into the regular season, and that McLaurin is able to get a new deal that satisfies him.

Deebo Samuel Sr. will get a chance to really connect with Daniels after McLaurin's injury. Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, Michael Gallup, Chris Moore and K.J. Osborn are some other notable wide receivers on the roster who are healthy right now. The Commanders might need to eventually add some help to that room, especially if McLaurin or Noah Brown miss time in the regular season.

Stafford Being Held Back

Matthew Stafford is not practicing due to a back injury. He's week-to-week, but isn't expected to miss time in the regular season.

With a veteran QB like Stafford, missing camp and the preseason isn't a huge deal. It might work against a guy like Davante Adams, who is new to the Rams' offense this season. Puka Nacua and the returning Rams from past seasons know what to expect and should pick up where they left off.

Hopefully Stafford is able to get back to practice soon so that the high-flying Rams' offense will be ready to roll for week 1 of the regular season. 

Stafford is going around pick 162 on average so far, and this injury isn't going to help his cause. He's more of a streaming option anyways, so it's not a massive blow to standard league owners out there.

Mooney Missing Time with Injury

Darnell Mooney is dealing with a shoulder injury. He's expected to miss a couple weeks, but hopefully be ready for the regular season.

He's going around pick 110 on average, and this injury is likely to knock that ADP back a bit. It hurts Mooney a bit because he's trying to connect with first-year starter Michael Penix Jr. in camp.

The Falcons signed D.J. Chark to help out in the wideout room. He could push for a roster spot, especially if Mooney misses more time than expected, or another wideout goes down in camp or the preseason.

When healthy, Mooney, Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud should start and do most of the work for the Atlanta wide receiver room. Tight end Kyle Pitts could have a bigger role early on if Mooney is still dealing with the injury.

Other News

Russell Wilson was already named the Giants' starting quarterback. He was competing with Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart and Tommy DeVito for the job.

Wilson isn't a major fantasy asset anymore, but he could be a streaming option if he's playing somewhat well and has a favorable matchup. His ADP is around 260 right now, but that could rise now that he's been named the starter.

Cam Ward will open the season as the Titans' starter most likely. That comes after the season-ending injury for Will Levis, who is having shoulder surgery.

Ward was always likely to win the starting job, but Levis' injury all but solidified it. Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle are the team's backup QBs for now.

Levis' injury won't impact Ward's ADP (212 right now). It'll be interesting to see how that number shifts as the season nears.

Stefon Diggs is not limited much in practice and should be full go for the start of the regular season. He should be the top wideout for Drake Maye, with help from Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas.

Diggs' ADP is 90 right now, and if he continues to look good and not suffer any setbacks from his ACL tear last season, then I'd expect that ADP to rise as the season approaches.

Malik Nabers is practicing in full, but is dealing with a toe injury and has a plan to manage that. That minor injury shouldn't hold him back, but it's worth mentioning since he's a top-10 fantasy pick so far.

Chris Godwin's availability for week 1 is up in the air after he dislocated his ankle last season. Mike Evans, rookie Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan are more than capable wideouts who will step up if Godwin isn't ready to roll right away.

Godwin's ADP is 71 so far. That could rise if he's available to start the season, or fall if he's not ready to go. The other three wideouts could see their ADPs rise if Godwin isn't ready to roll yet.