Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Austin, Chase, Walker and More

It's time to go over some recent NFL news and discuss things from a fantasy football perspective.

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Austin Out for Season

New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin III suffered a torn ACL on Tuesday and will miss the entire 2026 season.

Austin is 27 years old and has played in 48 games over the past three seasons, all with the Steelers. He was expected to fill a notable role for the Giants, effectively replacing Wan'Dale Robinson, who left in free agency.

Austin can be avoided in all redraft fantasy leagues, or dropped if you've already drafted. Keep him in dynasty/keeper leagues, especially deeper ones.

With Austin out, the projected starting wideouts for New York are Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton and Darnell Mooney. Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios and rookie Malachi Fields are some additional options the team could turn to now.

Nabers is the fantasy wideout you want from the Giants. He's going near pick 35 on average. Slayton and Mooney are deep-league fantasy assets to kick off the season, and Beckham, Berrios or Fields could also do enough to be worth some fantasy consideration.

It'll be a wait-and-see game to see who else might step up for the Giants. Down Austin now, it leaves five possible guys after Nabers. Don't forget about tight end Isaiah Likely, who might be the second-best pass catcher, and fantasy asset, on the team.

Chase Injury Update

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase didn't practice on Wednesday after injuring his left knee on Tuesday. He described the injury as a hyperextension, but he wasn't seen wearing a brace, so most are hopeful it's not a serious issue.

Of course, Chase is a high-end fantasy draft pick and talent. He's going third overall in fantasy drafts, and is the first non-RB most fantasy owners are taking.

He will star for the Bengals' offensively if he's healthy, even with Tee Higgins and Chase Brown around. We'll keep tabs on the injury and update you if Chase's injury is concerning.

Right now, I would still be good with taking Chase third in fantasy drafts, after Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. Chase becomes a bit riskier, but his upside/ceiling are just too good to pass on.

I'd bump Higgins up a bit after the Chase injury scare. Andrei Iosivas, rookie Colbie Young are some reserve wideouts to keep in mind if Chase were ever to miss time.

Walker Dealing with Injury

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker has a swollen ankle he is working through. It's not considered a big issue, but it's worth noting at the very least.

Walker was signed in free agency to be the Chiefs' lead back, and probable workhorse. His ADP is 22.14, and maybe this injury knocks him down a touch.

There's really no proven RBs on the roster otherwise, so I wouldn't drop Walker too far. I think he offers a lot of fantasy value near that ADP.

Emari Demercado is the top backup, with Brashard Smith and rookie Emmett Johnson as additional options. If Walker's injury becomes one that leads to him missing time, then expect more of a backfield split, and those reserve backs to gain fantasy traction.

For now, I'm not super concerned about Walker, but with some injury concerns over his career, they are worth mentioning at least.

Evans Battling Through Injuries

San Francisco 49ers wideout Mike Evans is planning to play in week 1 of the regular season despite lingering injury issues. He most recently dealt with a groin injury.

His absence would be big, with Ricky Pearsall already out for the season with an injury. Evans was brought in to lead the wideout room, and now Deebo Samuel Sr. and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling are the other projected starting wide receivers. Christian Kirk, Jordan Watkins and Demarcus Robinson are some reserve options for now.

Even being the team's top wideout, his ADP is only 86. Injuries play a role in that, and could slide him back even further in your drafts. I think he's worth the risk, especially if you get him as a reserve option, or even top flex guy.

Pierce Nearing Return

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is nearing a return from his ankle injury, which has held him out until this point.

He has broken out as a playmaker for Indy over the past couple of seasons, and is now expected to be the team's top wideout in 2026. His offseason surgery hasn't allowed him to practice, so the team has picked up Keenan Allen during training camp.

If Pierce can get back on the field and stay healthy, the wideout trio of him, Allen and Josh Downs is a pretty good one. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Anthony Gould and Ashton Dulin are some reserve options for now.

Pierce's ADP has dropped to 129.29, which is fair considering he hasn't been on the field. He could be a massive draft steal if he stays healthy this season from that draft slot, and I would expect it to only go up from here.

Downs is going at pick 142.14 on average, with Allen at pick 231.71 so far. Each of their ADPs could drop with Pierce back in the mix now. I still like drafting Downs in standard leagues, and Allen in most deeper leagues. All three could be worth standard league roster spots at times in 2026, so don't lose track of any of them.