Matthew Stafford (QB, Los Angeles Rams)

Matthew Stafford’s situation remains complicated, as the main concern is not his back itself but the nerve issue causing pain down his leg, which is what truly limits his ability to play. This type of injury often requires epidural steroid injections, and while there is precedent for players like Philip Rivers playing through a season with a similar issue, others such as Tony Romo were forced into season-ending surgery. If Stafford requires surgery, he would likely miss at least three months, essentially ending his season. While he has returned to practice, video evidence shows him moving gingerly in shotgun while other quarterbacks, Stetson Bennett and Jimmy Garoppolo, were under center, a setup that raised further concern rather than reassurance. The Rams may be easing him back into action by avoiding added stress on his back, but it is still too early to declare Stafford out of danger. His return is a positive step, but based on the limited video and the nature of his injury, there are still significant questions about his durability and availability moving forward.

Joe Mixon (RB, Houston Texans)

Joe Mixon’s injury situation has raised questions, particularly with his placement on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. Typically, players cannot reach full NFL shape by relying only on organized team activities (OTAs), which are limited in scope, so additional independent workouts are essential. Penalizing players for training outside team activities with an NFI designation could create unrest in the locker room, which makes Mixon’s case unusual. The specifics remain unclear, but possible explanations include a workout-related injury, lingering issues from last season, complications from treatment, an injury sustained outside of football activities, or a delay in reporting the injury. Until more information is revealed, expectations for Mixon should be tempered, as uncertainty continues to surround his availability heading into the season.

Kenneth Walker (RB, Seattle Seahawks)

When it comes to drafting Kenneth Walker, his injury history makes him more of a “yellow flag” than a complete red flag. He still holds value depending on the round, but if there are healthier options available in a similar range, it may be wiser to go the safer route. From an injury standpoint, fantasy managers should weigh risk carefully, and passing on Walker for another running back could prevent potential setbacks later in the season. That said, if Walker slips significantly in drafts, his upside would justify the selection, making him a worthwhile gamble at the right value.

De'Von Achane (RB, Miami Dolphins)

De’Von Achane’s injury status has become more concerning as the calendar moves deeper into August. Soft tissue injuries are always tricky, and the timing is especially problematic with the regular season just three weeks away. If this had occurred in late July, there would have been more time to manage and contain the issue before games begin. By contrast, Justin Jefferson’s recent soft tissue injury drew less concern because it happened at the start of training camp, giving him ample recovery time. For Achane, the risk is that the injury lingers into the regular season, potentially affecting his early availability and limiting valuable reps with his new quarterback.

Can the Philadelphia Eagles Repeat?

The Philadelphia Eagles enter the season with some uncertainty, as their top-ranked defense from last year faces key offseason losses, including Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, and Darius Slay, making a repeat performance unlikely. Compounding the challenge is their tough schedule, featuring matchups against the Bills, Rams, and Buccaneers, while division rival Washington enjoys a comparatively easier slate. Despite this, the Eagles are still projected as a top-10 team in all three phases, though the combination of a difficult schedule and defensive regression concerns makes them a likely candidate to fall short of their Vegas win total of 11.5.

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