📝 News & Notes

You may not remember but there used to be a time where we didn’t get minute-by-minute updates from camp. If a player fell hard, we didn’t have hours of limbo fearing the worst. We just waited until the next morning’s SportsCenter to tell us if anything actually happened.

Alas, those were the days. But that’s not the world we live in now so let’s update you on what happened in camp yesterday.

Ja'Marr Chase (CIN, WR) limped off Tuesday's practice after landing awkwardly on a Joe Burrow deep ball, then immediately waved it off, saying the team just "pulled me" as a precaution on a minor knee hyperextension and that he could have kept going.
My take: If anyone managed to see him fall to the 2nd round in a draft tomorrow, let me know so I can report them to the FBI. Otherwise, nothing to see here.

Chris Olave (NO, WR) and Mike Evans (SF, WR) both landed on Tuesday's injury report. Olave, WR12 and a third-round pick, left early after a hard fall but Kellen Moore said he just "got the wind knocked out" of him, while Evans (WR24, round 5) sat with a groin issue.
My take: No panic on Olave, and with rookie Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) likely opening on IR, he's locked in as New Orleans' clear No. 1 target. Evans is the one I'm more concerned about: soft-tissue stuff on a 33-year-old receiver tends to linger so I’m cautious when I see him available at ADP.

Kenneth Walker III (KC, RB) was added to the Chiefs' injury report Tuesday with a new "foot injury" and didn't practice, a note worth watching for the RB7 (round 2) this close to Week 1.
My take: Foot problems on a back with Walker's injury history make me nervous, and Kansas City has zero reason to push him through a meaningless finale. I'm not moving him out of Round 2, but I’ve moved Emmett Johnson up a round as a late round target.

TreVeyon Henderson (NE, RB) wasn't expected to practice Tuesday after tweaking an ankle on a slip Monday, a small dent for the 2nd-year player going as RB25 (round 5).
My take: This is just further increases the risk profile of Henderson. He is the far more dynamic player of that backfield but his deficiencies continue to hold him back. I’d take Rhamondre straight up over Henderson at this point.

On the mend: Sam LaPorta (DET, TE) returned to practice Tuesday and took plenty of team reps after a hip injury that had his Week 1 in doubt, and Quinshon Judkins (CLE, RB) was back in team drills after his own absence. LaPorta is TE6 (round 8), Judkins RB23 (round 5).

Elsewhere: Josh Downs (undisclosed) sat out Tuesday for the Colts, Brian Thomas Jr. was shaken up but stayed in full pads and is fine, and free-agent RB Kareem Hunt took a visit with the Lions.

⚕️ Injury Corner w/ Deepak Chona

Dr. Deepak Chona is here with a data-driven read on the injuries shaping draft boards. His full rundown:

Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals - Video suggests a mild lateral (LCL) sprain. Walked off, comments reassuring. Lean toward no effect on Wk 1. MRI likely as a precaution. Reasonable to still draft in the top 5, w/ slight risk.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Raiders - Best case is a low ankle, Wk 1 return w/ mild dip. Worst is a high ankle. Avg 3-5 wks, Wk 1 TBD but data suggests Wk 2-3 more likely. Dip ~4-6 wks.

Puka Nacua, WR, Rams - Running. Suspect return next wk. Mild (~10%) re-injury risk if so.

Malik Nabers, WR, Giants - Likely playing Wk 1. Data favors a 4-6 wk ramp up in volume + ~90% pre-injury efficiency by Wk 6. First 4 wks volatile.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers - Load management is ideal. 3 seasons w/ >10 missed games, 6 w/ 1 or fewer. High risk given history + age.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Cardinals - Comments imply he passed the 1st phase of recovery. If true, would imply lower severity than suggested. Wk 1 TBD, but more promising.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers - Suspect ADP is overreacting to Bowles' vague comments. Data suggests playing Wk 1 w/o a dip.

Luther Burden III, WR, Bears - Optimism for Wk 1. Projects for a ~3 wk injury, which correlates w/ ~15% (moderate) in-season re-injury risk. Wouldn't heavily downgrade ADP.

Tyler Warren, TE, Colts - Reportedly a mild groin, expected absence ~1 wk. Minimal Wk 1 and in-season concern.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs - Reid says Wk 1 TBD. Lean heavily toward playing. Passing likely maintains at pre-injury level. Data suggests rushing attempts + efficiency decline in '26.

George Kittle, TE, 49ers - Lean toward Wk 1 return. Data suggests a major strength/production dip.

Breece Hall, RB, Jets - Groin. Coach says return 2-3 wks from injury. Mild re-injury risk + minimal performance hit projected by Wk 1.

Kyle Monangai, RB, Bears - Reported hyperextension mechanism + week to week. Suspect at least a bone bruise. Avg ~4 wks. Wk 1 TBD, suspect a slow start.

Deepak Chona is an Orthopedic Sports Surgeon by day, data-driven injury analyst by night. You can follow more of his insights at @SportMDAnalysis.

🔗 Around the Web

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📆 NFL Countdown

  • 4 days until NFL roster cutdowns, when teams trim to 53

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  • 18 days until Week 1 Sunday and the fantasy season begins

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