Fantasy Football News: Updates on Murray, Flowers, and More Injured Players

Week 1 of the NFL regular season is nearly in the books, and a lot has transpired already. Let's discuss some of the bigger happenings around the league!

We'll discuss what every piece of news means from a fantasy football perspective.

Fantasy football injury news can be found all season on FantasySP. Use the start/sit tool to help with your fantasy lineup decisions all season!

Murray in Concussion Protocol

Minnesota quarterback Kyler Murray is unsurprisingly in the concussion protocol after taking a big hit in Sunday's win over Green Bay.

Carson Wentz replaced Murray in the first quarter and helped the Vikings rally to victory, so he's likely to earn the start if Murray isn't cleared. J.J. McCarthy would then move to QB2, after just being the team's emergency third QB in Week 1.

We saw what the Vikings could do with Wentz at QB instead of Murray. It's not a huge fantasy shift for any of the Vikings' playmakers, but it's probably a bigger boost for running backs Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones Sr. if Murray cannot go because of the QB's dual-threat ability.

We'll track things throughout the week and let you know who to start later in the week, so check back for those articles!

Watson Expected to Start Again

In Cleveland, Deshaun Watson is expected to start again in Week 2. He didn't fare that well in a lopsided Week 1 loss to Jacksonville.

Shedeur Sanders is waiting for his turn, and the Browns might not give Watson too many more chances to prove himself, so this could be it for the veteran.

While facing the Buccaneers isn't a terrible matchup on paper, I still wouldn't trust Watson, or many other Browns' offensive playmakers, for Week 2. Most Browns are just deep-league options, but the same could be said for when/if Sanders eventually is named the starting QB, at least until he, or Watson, proves themselves.

Notable Receiver Injuries

Jacksonville's Brian Thomas Jr. has a shoulder injury and is expected to be limited in practice, but he's still expected to play in Week 2.

Parker Washington ended up as the top pass catcher for Jacksonville in its lopsided win over Cleveland, posting 83 yards and a touchdown. Jakobi Meyers and Josh Cameron caught a touchdown each, while tight end Brenton Strange had the Jaguars' fourth receiving TD.

Meyers led the receivers with 37 snaps played, while Washington was at 35. Nobody else played over 20 of the team's 57 offensive snaps.

Thomas' injury is one to track, and it makes him a worse fantasy option going into Week 2. I'd only feel really confident starting him in deeper leagues.

Baltimore's Zay Flowers left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, but it's not considered serious. He is day-to-day, and needs his status to be monitored until he's cleared to play again.

Flowers went off for 150 yards and a score before leaving in the first half, so he still delivered for his fantasy owners.

Meanwhile, Baltimore wideout Ja'Kobi Lane suffered a fractured wrist and will miss several weeks, leaving more for Flowers and the other Ravens' pass catchers.

Carolina's Jalen Coker, who is maybe the biggest waiver wire wideout of the week, was seen with a walking boot on his left foot. He said he rolled his ankle on Sunday against the Bears, but doesn't expect to miss time.

It's still an injury to keep tabs on, and it might lead to some fantasy owners not picking him up, so be ready to pounce if he is active for Week 2 and is still available in your league.

Other Injuries

Atlanta defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand is believed to have suffered a torn quad in Week 1. That injury would require surgery and force him to miss the rest of the season.

The Falcons have dealt with a number of injuries to defensive players already, so that's something to keep in mind as the season moves along, as the Falcons DST could be one to target with your offensive playmakers.

Dallas safety Malik Hooker has a fractured bone in his forearm. His return timetable isn't yet known, but losing him will weaken a defense that already was thrashed by the Giants.

Los Angeles Rams' defensive end Myles Garrett is on the injured reserve list as he has to get knee surgery. His timeline to return isn't known yet.

It's a big blow for the Rams, who gave up a bunch to acquire Garrett in the offseason. LA's DST is still likely to be a pretty good one, but after the unit's Week 1 showing and this injury news, they won't be nearly the option fantasy owners expected.

New England running back TreVeyon Henderson is expected to practice on Monday. He missed Week 1 with an ankle injury.

Rhamondre Stevenson led the Patriots' backfield with Henderson out, and would continue to do so if Henderson is out moving forward. If the young back returns, expect a more split backfield for the Patriots.

Cleveland running back Dylan Sampson left Week 1 with a knee injury. His injury is still being evaluated, but with the RB seen on crutches after the game, he could miss some time.

Quinshon Judkins already is the Browns' RB1, but he's likely to get even more work if Sampson cannot play. Raheim Sanders handled the backup work after Sampson left, so he'd be next in line for touches in the backfield.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey left Week 1 with a chest injury. His status will need to be monitored moving forward.

He was the leading pass catcher for LA, even though he didn't play the whole game. Tre' Harris, Quentin Johnston, David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden could be the ones stepping up if McConkey cannot play in Week 2 or beyond.

Cleveland wideout Omar Cooper left with an ankle injury. He has a sprain and will undergo an MRI.

He was one to watch as the Browns don't have many proven pass catchers. KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Jerry Jeudy and Harold Fannin could all have expanded roles if Cooper is forced to miss time.

Washington tight end Chig Okonkwo left Week 1 with a hamstring injury. 

John Bates, Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff were other tight ends who played for the Commanders. It'd more than likely be Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams and Terry McLaurin doing most of the heavy lifting if Okonkwo is out, but the other TEs are worth watching too.