2026 Fantasy Football Training Camp Injury Tracker: 18 Players to Know Before You Draft

Last updated: August 16, 2026

Training camp injury season is in full swing, which means fantasy managers are getting hit with a new injury headline seemingly every few hours. Some are legitimately concerning. Others sound much worse than they actually are. The important part is understanding the diagnosis, expected time missed, and potential fantasy impact before letting one August practice report move a player several rounds down your draft board.

This 2026 fantasy football training camp injury tracker focuses specifically on new injuries suffered during training camp or the preseason. Players who are simply continuing to rehab injuries or surgeries from last season are intentionally excluded. Below, I’m tracking the biggest fantasy-relevant injuries by position, including the most specific diagnosis currently available, expected time missed, and the primary fantasy beneficiary if that player is unavailable.

If you want to know the injury risk before the headline hits, the 2026 Fantasy Injury Team Draft Injury Guide goes much deeper. It includes 150+ fantasy-relevant players with complete injury histories, injury-risk ratings, risk factors for future injury, and what each injury could actually mean for performance and availability in 2026.

Get the 2026 Fantasy Injury Team Draft Injury Guide →

Quarterbacks

Geno Smith — Half-PPR ADP: 252 Overall

Injury

Ankle/foot injury suffered during the Jets’ joint-practice work with Tampa Bay. Public reporting has differed slightly on the exact location, with ESPN describing the issue as an ankle injury while NFL reporting referred to foot soreness. The side, specific tissue and mechanism have not been disclosed.

Smith was held out of the Jets’ preseason opener as a precaution.

Expected Time Missed

Day-to-day. Head coach Aaron Glenn said the injury was nothing to be alarmed about, and there is currently no indication that Smith is dealing with a significant injury or is at risk of missing regular-season time.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Cade Klubnik. The rookie received the preseason start with Smith unavailable and completed 5 of 7 passes for 56 yards while leading two scoring drives, strengthening his case to be the Jets’ primary backup.

Analysis

This one does not seem to threaten Geno's week one status.  As a pocket passer, he does not rely on his agility or speed very often, and a mild foot or ankle injury generally does not impact throwing power.  Altogether, this does not seem to be a major issue. 

Running Backs

Christian McCaffrey — Half-PPR ADP: 5 Overall

Injury

Unspecified tightness that caused McCaffrey to miss practice. The 49ers have not disclosed the body region, side, or specific tissue involved, so it would be inappropriate to label this as a muscle strain or any more specific diagnosis.

The team has emphasized that the absence is precautionary and part of managing McCaffrey’s workload during camp.

Expected Time Missed

Day-to-day/precautionary workload management. There is currently no reported concern regarding his Week 1 availability and no firm injury timetable because the team has not announced a specific diagnosis.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Khalil Herbert, for the current camp absence. San Francisco’s backfield is unusually depleted, with Jordan James, Kaelon Black and Isaac Guerendo also dealing with injuries. Herbert, Patrick Taylor Jr. and Sincere McCormick have been among the healthy backs receiving additional work.

Analysis

This will be one to monitor closely due to McCaffrey's extensive injury history, workload, and age.  The current reporting does not lend much insight to what specific body region or tissue is affected, making it difficult to decipher if this is an aggravation of a prior injury, or if San Francisco is simply being careful with their star player.  Reporting to date should not lend much concern for his 2026 season.  Christian McCaffrey's entire injury risk profile can be found here. 

Saquon Barkley — Half-PPR ADP: 14 Overall

Injury

Left foot/ankle issue. Barkley tweaked the left foot/ankle during 11-on-11 work late in Eagles training camp. His cleat came off during the play, and trainers examined him afterward.

Expected Time Missed

Unknown. Philadelphia has not announced a formal diagnosis or recovery timetable. The lack of a significant diagnosis immediately following the practice is encouraging, but his next practice participation will provide considerably more useful information. 

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Tank Bigsby. Bigsby is the most relevant fantasy option behind Barkley and would be positioned for the largest increase in backfield touches if Barkley were forced to miss time.

Analysis

This does not feel major in any way.  Philly did not play any of their high-caliber players during Saturday's preseason opener so Barkley's absence from the game is not alarming whatsoever.  We will continue to monitor, but for now this seems like a non-issue.  Saquon Barkley's entire injury risk profile can be found here.​

Jeremiyah Love — Half-PPR ADP: 25 Overall

Injury

Left ankle injury suffered during Arizona’s August 13 preseason opener against Las Vegas. Love was initially believed capable of returning to the game, but he experienced more soreness than expected afterward.

Expected Time Missed

At least one week. Love has already been ruled out for Arizona’s next preseason game and will be re-evaluated. Week 1 remains possible, but his regular-season availability is not yet guaranteed.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Tyler Allgeier. With James Conner still working back from his own pre-existing foot injury, Allgeier would be positioned for the clearest increase in touches if Love’s ankle keeps him sidelined.

Analysis

While this should not affect Love's week one status, a prior ankle sprain increases the risk for another by 12-18%.  The good news is running backs experience only minimal decline in fantasy points after an ankle injury.  Overall, this does not negatively influence Love's 2026 outlook, and he looked good during the first preseason game.  Jeramiah Love's entire injury risk profile can be found here.​

Josh Jacobs — Half-PPR ADP: 27 Overall

Injury

Groin injury. Jacobs has been sidelined since approximately August 6 and has progressed to working with a training group on a side field.

Green Bay has not disclosed the injured side, specific adductor/groin tissue or injury grade.

Expected Time Missed

Matt LaFleur said Jacobs would be out “at least this week” as of August 11. There is still no firm date for his return to full team practice.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

MarShawn Lloyd. Lloyd has received increased opportunities during Jacobs’ absence and was expected to work with Green Bay’s first-team offense in the preseason.

Analysis

Groin injuries do not typically cause a lasting impact on time missed or production for running backs, especially when they are described as minor.  Historically, RBs miss just one game (during the season), and there is no drop-off in fantasy points.  There is, however, an 18% recurrence rate, and with Jacobs' age, workload, and injury history, it's the potential for recurrence that is the bigger concern versus production here. Josh Jacobs' entire injury risk profile can be found here. 

Cam Skattebo — Half-PPR ADP: 35 Overall

Injury

New left leg injury following a practice collision. Skattebo was shaken up after a collision with linebacker Arvell Reese on August 7 and did not return to practice.

This is separate from the major right ankle fracture-dislocation he suffered last season. 

Expected Time Missed

Short-term. Skattebo has already returned and played in the Preseason Week 1 game.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Tracy already has significant NFL experience and remains the clearest candidate to handle an expanded rushing and receiving workload if Skattebo is unavailable.

Analysis

This new injury is nothing; Skattebo returned to practice the next day and played in the Preseason game.  Cam Skattebo's entire injury risk profile can be viewed here. 

Chuba Hubbard — Half-PPR ADP: 72 Overall

Injury

Right hamstring injury suffered during one-on-one work on August 12. Head coach Dave Canales described it as a legitimate hamstring injury, and Hubbard underwent imaging.

Expected Time Missed

Week-to-week. Carolina is being cautious, but Canales said the team is very confident Hubbard will be ready for Week 1.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Jonathon Brooks. Brooks is healthy following his lengthy ACL rehabilitation and is expected to receive considerably more preseason and first-team work while Hubbard is sidelined.

Analysis

Hamstring injuries are very tricky; recurrence rates are extremely high, and having suffered a moderate-severity strain during camp, Hubbard will be at a heightened risk for recurring strains throughout the season.  He can still play well, but this should bump Jonathan Brooks up everyone's draft charts as Brooks will not command the backfield during Hubbard's absence, and would again if Hubbard re-injures.  Chuba Hubbard's entire injury risk profile can be found here.​

Isiah Pacheco — Half-PPR ADP: 146 Overall

Injury

Right MCL sprain. Pacheco missed three consecutive Lions practices before Dan Campbell confirmed the diagnosis.

Expected Time Missed

Expected back for Week 1. Campbell said the Lions feel good about Pacheco being ready when the regular season begins, although a specific return-to-practice date has not been provided.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Jahmyr Gibbs. Pacheco was signed as the veteran complement behind Gibbs, so an extended absence would further consolidate touches around an already elite fantasy running back.

Analysis

Running backs average missing three weeks after an MCL sprain and see a substantial decline in fantasy production.  Pacheco is clearly behind Gibbs and is not fantasy relevant to start the season anyway. 

Wide Receivers

Puka Nacua — Half-PPR ADP: 4 Overall

Injury

Psoas strain that forced Nacua to leave the Rams’ August 11 joint practice with Dallas early.

Current reporting describes the injury as minor.

Expected Time Missed

Several practices. The injury is not considered serious, and current reporting does not suggest that Nacua is in danger of missing regular-season time because of the groin issue.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Davante Adams. Adams already projects as one of Los Angeles’ primary receivers and would become the obvious candidate for additional targets if Nacua were unavailable.

Analysis

Puka has soreness to the psoas muscle, which is a powerful hip flexor that attaches from the front of the lumbar spine into the femur bone.  The psoas is by far the most common muscle I find dysfunctional in my own clinical practice and typically responds very well to treatment.  I do not anticipate this being a long-term or recurring issue.  Puka Nacua's entire injury risk profile can be found here.​

A.J. Brown — Half-PPR ADP: 23 Overall

Injury

Left thumb dislocation suffered during a one-on-one drill against Christian Gonzalez.

Brown reduced the dislocation himself, was evaluated by the Patriots’ medical staff, wore a brace, and continued practicing rather than leaving the session.

Expected Time Missed

None currently expected. Brown finished the practice and has continued participating in camp. There has been no report indicating that the thumb will cost him meaningful time.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Romeo Doubs. Doubs has established himself as one of New England’s most important receivers behind Brown and has been particularly productive in recent red-zone work with Drake Maye.

Analysis

Brown has not stopped practicing due to his thumb dislocation, a good sign that the ligaments supporting the thumb are not fully torn and do not need to be surgically repaired.  This could always get worse, but right now there is little reason to be concerned.  Brown's entire injury risk profile can be found here.​

DeVonta Smith — Half-PPR ADP: 33 Overall

Injury

Hamstring injury that began limiting Smith in early August.

Philadelphia has not disclosed the injured side, specific hamstring muscle or strain grade. The injury was initially characterized as relatively minor, but Smith has now missed a significant portion of training camp.

Expected Time Missed

No firm return date. The injury was not initially considered long-term, but Smith remained sidelined with the hamstring issue through the Eagles’ August 13 practice and has missed much of camp.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Dontayvion Wicks. Wicks has received additional first-team opportunities while Smith and Makai Lemon have been unavailable and has taken advantage of the extra work.

Analysis

Philly has been careful not to rush Smith back into action too quickly after a hamstring injury on August 4th.  This is Smith's 4th documented hamstring strain, putting added risk for future injury and re-injury, particularly with him being a deep threat receiver.  Smitty is expected to be ready for week one, and fantasy managers should know that receivers average a 15% decline in fantasy points in the first game after a hamstring, but the total 2026 outlook from a fantasy production standpoint is good.  The re-injury risk is the concern.  Devonta Smith's entire injury risk profile can be found here.​

Zay Flowers — Half-PPR ADP: 40 Overall

Injury

Left Quadriceps contusion suffered during a collision with safety Jaylinn Hawkins in 7-on-7 work on August 8.

A contusion rather than a muscle strain has been confirmed, which is far more beneficial long-term. 

Expected Time Missed

Day-to-day. Baltimore did not expect Flowers to miss significant time from the injury.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Rashod Bateman. Bateman would be the most established Ravens receiver positioned for increased targets, while Devontez Walker and Ja’Kobi Lane could also see expanded opportunities.

Analysis

This is not a big deal.  Quad contusions heal very well.  Bruising typically takes about a week to subside, and after it subsides, full muscle function is usually restored as long as it is rehabbed properly.  With this being a contusion, and not a strain, re-injury risk is not very high.  Zay Flowers' entire injury risk profile can be found here.​

Emeka Egbuka — Half-PPR ADP: 43 Overall

Injury

Toe sprain suffered during Tampa Bay’s August 12 joint practice with the Jets when Egbuka’s foot was rolled over.

The initial mechanism created concern for a potentially more significant turf-toe injury, but specialist testing reportedly showed a stable toe sprain. The injured side has not been publicly reported.

Expected Time Missed

Expected to be ready for Week 1. Tampa Bay is optimistic about his season-opening availability, although a firm return-to-practice date has not been announced.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Chris Godwin. Godwin already projects for a major role in Tampa Bay’s passing offense and would be the clearest established target earner to benefit from Egbuka missing time.

Analysis

Egbuka is dealing with a toe sprain (turf toe) that is described as "stable".  What this likely means is there is no laxity of the ligaments that passively hold the toe in place.  The absence of laxity indicates a grade I sprain, which is far more favorable than more serious grade II-III sprains.  Grade I turf toe injuries rarely see lasting loss of range of motion or stability, and when the swelling and soreness resolve, function should return.  He should be fine by week one.  Emeka Egbuka's entire injury risk profile can be found here.​

Luther Burden III — Half-PPR ADP: 47 Overall

Injury

Groin injury suffered during an August 8 training-camp practice. Burden became tangled with cornerback Tyrique Stevenson while making a contested red-zone catch and landed awkwardly.

The side, specific muscle, and injury grade have not been publicly disclosed.

Expected Time Missed

Approximately one month. Burden is expected to miss the remainder of the preseason, but Chicago remains hopeful that he will be available for the regular-season opener on September 13.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Rome Odunze. With DJ Moore no longer in Chicago, Odunze and Burden project as two of the Bears’ primary receiving weapons. Any extended absence for Burden would further concentrate opportunities around Odunze, with Colston Loveland also likely to benefit.

Analysis

The timeframe of Burden's expected absence aligns with a grade II injury where there is true muscle damage, weakness, and flexibility loss.  At 22 years old, he will fully recover from this, and his biology will allow him to come as close to full healing as possible (though it's never quite the same).  Groin injuries do have about an 18% recurrence rate, but this should not affect Burden's ability to play well this year.  Luther Burden's entire injury risk profile can be found here.​

Jaylen Waddle — Half-PPR ADP: 49 Overall

Injury

Left hamstring muscle strain suffered during Broncos training camp.

Expected Time Missed

The original estimate was four to five days, although Waddle remained out beyond that initial window and was still not practicing later in the week. No updated firm return date has been provided.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Pat Bryant. Bryant has taken advantage of increased opportunities while Denver’s veteran receivers have been limited and has emerged as one of the stronger performers of Broncos camp.

Analysis

Waddle injured his left hamstring in early August and has continued to rehab, missing Denver's first Preseason game.  While Waddle has a lengthy injury history, his hamstrings have not typically been a part of that history, with this being his first recorded hamstring strain, which bodes well long-term.  As a speed receiver, Waddle will stress the hamstring more than other players, so re-injury is a risk this year.  If Denver plays it safe and lets him properly rehab, he should be okay by week one.  Jaylen Waddle's fullinjury risk profile can be found here.​

Mike Evans — Half-PPR ADP: 61 Overall

Injury

Left Quadriceps strain first reported in early August.

The injury has been characterized as minor.

Expected Time Missed

Evans has already returned to practice and 11-on-11 team drills, making regular-season missed time increasingly unlikely if he continues progressing without a setback.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Deebo Samuel, De'Zhaun Stribling. Samuel served as San Francisco’s top available receiver while Evans and several other wideouts were sidelined and would remain one of the clearest fantasy beneficiaries of an Evans absence.

Analysis

Evans is already back to practice, indicating this injury won't risk his week one status.  Quad injuries do have high recurrence rates, however (10-15%), and in a 33-year-old receiver with an extremely long list of soft tissue injuries, whom I have classified as "very high risk" for injury, even though he's back already, this can be seen as concerning.  Mike Evans' entire injury risk profile can be found here.​

Jordyn Tyson — Half-PPR ADP: 86 Overall

Injury

Right hamstring injury suffered during the Saints’ August 13 joint practice with Jacksonville. Tyson appeared to slip and was contacted from behind on the play before leaving with trainers.

The hamstring location has been reported, but no strain grade has been announced.

Expected Time Missed

No firm timetable. Initial reporting suggested the injury was not considered especially serious, but Tyson’s Week 1 status remains uncertain until New Orleans provides a clearer return-to-practice timeline.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Chris Olave is the clearest fantasy beneficiary through increased target concentration. Devaughn Vele would also have an opportunity to pick up additional receiving snaps in Tyson’s absence.

Analysis

This is a big concern.  As of this writing, New Orleans is still gathering information on Tyson's situation and the best way to move forward.  Tyson has now injured a hamstring four times in the past 10 months, with each side involved multiple times.  Multiple significant injuries in a small amount of time like this all but guarantee biological changes to the tissue, including scar tissue development, fatty infiltrates, and reduction in elasticity and strength, which will further put him at risk for future injury.  Tyson needs to get with a seasoned professional to evaluate underlying risk factors that are perpetuating his injuries, and address them directly.  I have changed Tyson's injury risk from "medium" to "high" for 2026 as this will undoubtedly be an issue that could affect him all season. Jordyn Tyson's entire injury risk profile can be viewed here.​

Makai Lemon — Half-PPR ADP: 93 Overall

Injury

Hamstring injury that began limiting Lemon during the first week of August training camp.

The side, specific muscle, and grade have not been disclosed. Lemon also dealt with a hamstring injury during the offseason program, but he publicly stated that he was fully recovered entering camp. Because of that, the available information does not establish whether the current hamstring injury is the same tissue or a true recurrence.

Expected Time Missed

Initially described as minor and not expected to be long-term, but Lemon has now missed most of training camp. He remained out through August 13 and there is still no firm full-practice return date.

Primary Beneficiary If Time Missed

Dontayvion Wicks. Wicks has been one of Philadelphia’s primary healthy receivers while Lemon and DeVonta Smith have been sidelined and has received increased work with the first-team offense.

Analysis

Lemon has not practiced since August 4th, when he re-injured the right hamstring that he injured in OTAs.  This is not how you want to start your career.  Stacking hamstring injuries is a path to recurring injuries and substantial missed time.  The hamstring is the most common muscle to experience recurrence, and all precautions must be taken to allow proper rehab and restore symmetrical range of motion, strength, neural mobility, and stability before exposing him to full-speed action. If Philly plays this right, Lemon can still be a factor this year, but it's hard to imagine him having a large role early in the season now.  Makai Lemon's full injury risk profile can be found here.​

Tight Ends

As of August 16, I’m not forcing a tight end onto this list simply to fill the position. Most of the fantasy-relevant tight end injury stories currently involve players working back from pre-existing 2025 injuries or offseason surgeries, which this tracker intentionally excludes.

If a new fantasy-relevant tight end injury occurs during camp or the preseason, it will be added here.

Final Thoughts: What 2026 Training Camp Injuries Actually Mean for Fantasy Football

Training camp injuries are going to continue piling up between now and Week 1, but not every injury should move a player down your fantasy football draft board. The diagnosis matters. Severity matters. Expected time missed matters. Age, previous injury history, recurrence risk and the demands of the player’s position all matter.

A headline that says a player “left practice early” or is “day-to-day” tells us almost nothing by itself.

That is why this page will continue to focus on the details that actually matter for fantasy football: what the injury is, how much time the player is expected to miss, who benefits if he is unavailable and, most importantly, what the injury should mean for his fantasy value.

Bookmark this 2026 fantasy football training camp injury tracker and check back throughout August as diagnoses become clearer, players return to practice and Week 1 timelines begin to take shape.

And if you want to know the risk before you are staring at a player’s name on the draft clock, that is exactly why I built the 2026 Fantasy Injury Team Draft Injury Guide.

The guide includes 150+ fantasy-relevant players with:

• Complete injury histories
• Injury risk ratings
• Risk factors for future injury
• Return-to-play considerations
• Position-specific fantasy impact
• What each injury could mean for performance and availability in 2026
• Updates throughout draft season

Injury risk is not about predicting who is going to get hurt. It is about understanding the risk you are taking on before you draft.

Know the risk before you’re on the clock.

Get the 2026 Fantasy Injury Team Draft Injury Guide →