2023 Injury Breakdowns: Running Backs Returning from Injury

Every NFL season comes with star players finding their way onto season-ending IR and question marks through the off-season and preseason as they near the following season. This series discusses key details in the player’s current recovery tract and injury projections for the 2023 seasons and for their dynasty value.

Let’s dive in.

Javonte Williams, RB DEN

Tracking back six weeks from when Williams was able to get off of crutches, it seems as though his surgery took place around October 24th last year. When he is active in week one, it will mark 10 months 17 days out from his surgery.

Originally, I had been of the belief that his timeline would be somewhere between 10 months to 12 months to be able to return to the field, and it appears that he is on track for that. In fact, we just found out that he is avoiding starting on PUP for the start of training camp, a feat that JK Dobbins was unable to do (which is why I have stopped using Dobbins as a comparison for Williams’ recovery and why you should do the same).

The sooner Williams is active, the sooner he will return to being start-able for fantasy purposes, which is why being active in week one is absolutely fantastic news. Expect Williams to return to fantasy starting rosters by week 7-8 range, which marks 12 months from his surgery and should allow him to return to prominence, if not even sooner. Expect his ADP and price tag to skyrocket.

Breece Hall, RB NYJ