2023 Injury Breakdowns: Draft Season Injury Concerns

There have been several injuries so far through the off-season, training camp, and preseason that have affected current values in drafts. Some of these injuries will be important headed into week 1 of the season, but I wanted to touch on a few key ones that will impact your drafts.

Cooper Kupp, WR LAR

Kupp has been back to practice for at least a week now without issue or reinjury to his hamstring and still has two weeks remaining to continue preparing for the first game. He suffered a low grade hamstring strain and missed close to 3 weeks, which is standard for a low grade hamstring strain (average is 2-3 weeks missed). Expect Kupp to be 100% by the start of the season and I would strongly recommend against fading him in your drafts. When his injury initially occurred, many were yelling to fade him into round 2 or even round 3. He should remain at WR3 or at worst WR4 if you also placed Tyreek Hill ahead of him. Draft without hesitation for this coming season.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR DET

Notably suffered a low grade ankle sprain to his right ankle, initially I was concerned because this was the same side as his right high ankle sprain last season. The risk there would have been a reaggravation of the prior high ankle, leading to more instability and requirement for a Tightrope procedure – but those are alarmist thoughts that should be avoided here. He returned to practice within 7 days, indicating that it was just a mild low ankle sprain and not a reaggravation, thus carrying low concern into the 2023 season. Obviously, monitor his status moving forward, but I am not fading him at all for this injury. In fact, while I would be tempted to take Garrett Wilson over him at his range, I would be taking ARSB over CeeDee Lamb and Nick Chubb at ADP.