Doug Mann
2 min read • August 08, 2024
Posted in
With the NFL season rapidly approaching, our team at Sports Injury Central has you covered with all the injury insights you need when deciding which players to target or avoid in all formats of Fantasy Football including IDP (Individual Defensive Players) formats.
Matt Milano suffered a right tibia fracture in Week 5 and missed the rest of the 2023 season. He is likely the Bills' best defender when healthy but has not played a full season in his career. Milano was able to participate in a limited form during the Bills' June minicamp. We expect the linebacker to be fully effective when the season begins.
Jaelan Phillips suffered a ruptured Achilles in Week 12 while on track to have his best professional season, recording 43 tackles and 6.5 sacks before his injury. He is not expected to be fully recovered for the start of the season and will likely struggle to produce all year.
Bradley Chubb tore his ACL in Week 17 against the Ravens after an impressive season with 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 74 tackles. The Dolphins signed veteran Shaq Barrett as a stopgap, but Barrett has now retired abruptly, leaving a major hole in the pass rush. Like Phillips, Chubb is not expected to be ready for the start of the year and will struggle alongside Phillips when they both return. Pass rush is a glaring issue for Miami in 2024.
Cole Holcomb is currently on the active PUP list after sustaining a knee injury that ended his season and required surgery. Reporter Brooke Pryor noted that the injury is not just a simple ACL tear, and our analysis concurs, suggesting associated damage to other ligaments, making recovery longer. Due to the way he plays, his side-to-side ability will be hampered this year, and he likely won't be himself until 2025. Patrick Queen, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, was brought in this offseason to offset the likelihood that Holcomb will not be fully effective. In his five-year career, Holcomb has averaged over 88 combined tackles per year.
Trevon Diggs tore his ACL in practice before Week 3 in a non-contact one-on-one drill. He is on track to return for training camp. Diggs plays a crucial role in the Cowboys' defense but there is worry that he will not be fully effective for the majority of the 2024 season. Chance he is close by the end of the season and next year will be 100% but this year sicscore.com is down on Diggs. Unlikely he can return to his 2021 All-Pro form this year when he led the league in interceptions.
Tre'Davious White suffered a torn Achilles during the Week 4 game, ending his season. He has avoided being placed on the PUP list to start training camp and will actively participate. In the 4 games he played last season, he recorded 1 interception and 10 solo tackles. White is slated to be the team's starting left cornerback (LCB), but there is concern about his ability to be fully effective for most of the season due to suffering season-ending injuries in two consecutive years (ACL tear in 2022). Both injuries are difficult for a cornerback to recover from and still play at a high level.
Chase Young underwent offseason neck surgery in March and is expected to be ready for Week 1. He dealt with a neck stinger in the preseason last year but was able to play 16 games, totaling 7.5 sacks. However, there is concern about whether he can last a full season, especially after being traded from SF, where he played opposite Nick Bosa.
Dre Greenlaw played through a groin issue at the start of the season and later dealt with a left ankle inversion. He missed Week 6 due to a hamstring injury. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn Achilles during the Super Bowl on February 11, 2024. Although there was hope for him to be ready for the season, he is currently on the PUP list and may need to miss at least the first four games of the season.
Talanoa Hufanga was playing well for San Francisco last season, recording 3 interceptions in the first 10 games. However, he suffered a torn ACL on November 19, which ended his season. He is currently on the team's PUP list to begin training camp. While there is a chance he could be ready for Week 1, his starting role is not guaranteed at this point.
IDP stands for Individual Defensive Players. Unlike traditional fantasy leagues that focus solely on offensive stats, IDP leagues include defensive players like linebackers, defensive ends, and cornerbacks. This format requires participants to draft and manage defensive players, making the fantasy football experience more comprehensive and engaging.
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Written by Doug Mann
