Unfortunately, injuries are an inevitable reality in the most physically punishing sport on Earth. However, adjusting to injury news properly is key to winning fantasy leagues, especially during draft season. There are already several significant new injuries that have and will impact the ADP of not only the injured players, but the others in their offenses.
Luther Burden: Groin
Almost certainly the most hyped player by both beat reports and fantasy analysts alike, Luther Burden was set to take off following a ridiculously efficient rookie season. By all measures, he was the star of the Bears’ training camp, and his ADP had risen to the 4th round in many formats. Indeed, Ben Johnson went as far as to say his “destiny is to be one of the best WRs in the league and compared him to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jarvis Landry.”
However, he just suffered a groin strain in practice and is now going to miss the entire preseason. He is expected to be back for Week 1, and there’s certainly an argument to be made to buy his inevitable ADP dip per sports injury expert Jeff Mueller:
Of course, any further missed time would only serve to send Colston Loveland skyrocketing up draft boards, as well as provide a major boon to Rome Odunze. It’s always a risk drafting an already-injured player, but is likely worth it for a featured player whose offensive genius head coach wants to break the NFL points record.
Chuba Hubbard: Hamstring
The dreaded hamstring strains have returned. Chuba Hubbard was presumed to be the lead back (to start the season, at least) in Carolina, but a multi-week hamstring strain has that very much in doubt.
Though the Panthers expect him to be back for Week 1, this one may be more serious than Burden’s groin injury. It also has a far more significant fantasy football impact.
Unlike Burden, Hubbard’s role is extremely fragile. Hubbard’s peripherals were entirely replacement-level last season:
Accordingly, he straight up lost his job to journeyman Rico Dowdle last year, who is far less talented than current backfield partner and former 2nd-round pick Jonathon Brooks. You’ll want to check out this video of his receiving abilities in training camp.
The longer timeline of him being eased into becoming the lead back is likely to be pushed up, as is his ADP. Currently going around the 6th/7th turn, his cost may shoot up an entire round.
Jordyn Tyson: Hamstring
Arguably the best wide receiver prospect in this year’s draft, Tyson proceeded to earn significant draft capital as new coach Kellen Moore’s new weapon-of-choice. There are even whispers from beat writers that Tyson was already their best offensive player.
Unfortunately, Tyson has once again suffered a dreaded hamstring strain: a consistent theme throughout his football career:
While reports are that this is not a “super serious” strain, any hamstring injury is concerning for an athlete – especially one with a history like Tyson’s. Chris Olave’s awesome 2025 was looking extremely difficult to repeat with Tyson’s presence, but this makes his 3rd round ADP slightly more palatable. It also improves Juwan Johnson’s TE2 outlook after he sneakily ranked 7th in TE targets and 3rd in yards.
For now, Tyson’s 6th/7th round ADP is certain to fall, and would still be a risky selection unless it falls significantly.
Makai Lemon: Hamstring
Another 2026 1st-round receiver, another hamstring injury. Like Tyson, Lemon looks like an immediate difference-maker. It’s even more significant that the best general manager in the league made it a point to trade up for him after A.J. Brown’s inevitable departure.
They appeared “committed to getting him the ball.” But like Tyson, a hamstring injury has thrown a wrench in those plans. Lemon already missed a bunch of offseason activities for an earlier strain, and this newest injury has an even more ominous effect: he is no longer projected to start in Week 1.
The good news? His already cheap cost at the 8th/9th round turn will likely continue to get even cheaper. At that price, you can afford to keep him stashed for a few weeks and allow that classic rookie second-half breakout to give your team a boost when it matters most.
