📝 News & Notes

Just two weeks from tonight we’ll have opening night of the 2025 NFL season!

• Devaughn Vele traded to Saints for a fourth round pick and seventh round pick exchange [Broncos]
  My take: I expect him to compete with Brandin Cooks for slot work on the Saints, not significantly impacting the other pass catchers. The biggest winners of the trade are likely Troy Franklin and rookie Pat Bryant, both with expected increased roles in Vele’s absence.

• Vikings are in trade market for a veteran WR [Tom Pelissero]

  My take: With Jordan Addison missing the first three games due to suspension, and Jailen Nailor dealing with a hand injury, it isn’t shocking they’re looking for veteran depth. My favorite fit would be Adam Thielen, as the Panthers have young talent being blocked by Thielen and the Vikings have familiarity and trust in Thielen as a veteran.

⚕️ Injury Corner w/ Deepak Chona

• De’Von Achane – Calf. Avg = 2-3 wks. Comments suggest mild, ready Wk 1. But accuracy = unpredictable. Return to practice time = most predictive indicator

• Justin Jefferson – Practicing. Data projects >90% Wk 1, ~10% re-injury risk

• AJ Brown – Hamstring. Video shows running non-contact drills. Strongly implies that he is nearly able to return rn. Low concern for Wk 1

• Malik Nabers – Practicing. 3 early injuries but none heavily concerning. Likely playing Wk 1 at full strength

• Christian McCaffrey - Return post-Achilles, pre-PCL was strong. Most PCLs don't dip into next season. Optimistic on performance when healthy

• Tyreek Hill - Return to practice timeline w/oblique will inform severity/risk. Most WRs would play 3 wks from now

• Tetairoa McMillan - Hamstring. Reportedly mild. If so, likely return next 1-2 wks. Each pre-season week missed carries ~5% re-injury risk. Will be low if comments accurate

• Matthew Stafford - Epidurals. Practicing. Likely playing Wk 1. High season-long risk

• Kenneth Walker - Foot soreness. Reportedly still affecting him. +In-season aggravation risk. Has been practicing, therefore suspect low Wk 1 concern

• Nico Collins - Has injury history but none re-current. Data suggest mild bump up in risk, not severe

• Jalen McMillan - severe neck sprain. Typically 12+ wks. Suspect earliest realistic return ~post-Wk 9 bye

• Chris Godwin - Reports suggest not near return. Suspect PUP incoming. May have value as IR spot this year + delayed return but speculative

• Josh Downs - Hamstring. 1 wk out so far. Most WRs would be active by Wk 1. Amount of pre-season time missed (TBD) predicts re-injury risk for season

• Cam Skattebo - Practicing. Implies low severity. Re-injury - if it occurs - most commonly in 1st 6 wks back

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

📊 Poll of the Day

Yesterday’s poll: What is most important to you when on the clock?

Loved reading all the strategy talk and thought processes shared in the comments of the poll. ADP value is a great answer as it displays a level of humility, trusting the market as a whole more than individual takes. I think a solid balance between the top 2 make a lot of sense though for large tournaments, I’m also strongly pushing for stacking. In home leagues, my top factor is my rankings. I know I’ve done the prep work and put in the time to trust my ranks against my friends (sorry guys!).