2024 Injury Breakdowns: IDPs Returning From Injury

Joey Bosa | Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Trimble Posted On August 30, 2024

Fantasy football has always focused on the offensive darlings: the quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends scoring points in bunches. But for true strategy, playing individual defensive players requires a deeper level of thinking, identifying what players will thrive in new schemes or continue to produce at high levels year after year.

Playing defense requires a player to react and anticipate where the offensive player may go. Those coming off injury may be a step slower or lose their proprioceptive awareness, leading to blown coverages or lost foot races. Knowing who to avoid in your IDP draft can help you avoid the pitfalls of selecting a player on reputation only and wasting valuable draft capital in building your fantasy football winner.

Joey Bosa, DE LAC

Bosa suffered a sprained right foot in week 11 and was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. When healthy, he is one of the best defensive ends in the league, but he has lately found himself more in the training room than the field. Despite still being seen as a top option in many IDP rankings, his ADP is way too high for my liking, I’d only select him if he begins to fall.

Matt Judon, LB ATL

Judon is coming off a distal biceps tear in week four when he was with the New England Patriots, missing the remainder of the season. He was able to participate in OTAs and training camp, only limited due to his contract situation. There should be no hesitation in selecting Judon for your team and he will be a highly motivated man as he works toward a contract extension with his new team.

Dre Greenlaw, LB SF

Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl while he prepared to run out onto the field. This was possibly the worst time to have an injury not only because it potentially cost the 49ers a Super Bowl, but also because this puts his rehab timeline to return deep into 2024. Based on a February surgery date, Greenlaw is looking to return sometime in December. Even when he does return, he will not be anywhere close to what he was in 2023. Consider him a wash and look towards 2025.

Talanoa Hufanga, S SF

Hufanga has been diligently working back from a torn ACL suffered in week 11 last season. A defensive player returning from an ACL tear is never easy which makes Hufanga’s recovery more difficult. Week one may be in play for Hufanga, but I would not expect him to return close to his prior level of play until early December. He’s only worth drafting if you’re content to have him sit on the bench every week.

Bradley Chubb, LB MIA

Chubb tore his ACL in week 17 last year, the third of his career. Unfortunately, he began training camp on the PUP and was moved to the regular season PUP to miss at least four games. It would not surprise me if he doesn’t return until mid-season at the earliest. The Dolphins have the players to step up in his place so he doesn’t have to rush back, but I expect to see him struggle out of the gate and maybe show some flashes should the Dolphins make the playoffs. He’s a waiver wire pickup if you need him at the end of the season.

Drew Sanders, LB DEN

Sanders tore his Achilles during OTAs in April, yet head coach Sean Payton hinted that he could be back as early as October, an aggressive timeline for any player. I wouldn’t read too much into these comments and consider 2024 a wash for Sanders as he recovers for 2025. He’s not draftable or a realistic waiver wire pickup.

Christian Gonzalez, CB NE

Coming off a torn labrum in week five last season, Gonzalez underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, ending his rookie season. Fortunately, he has had an uncomplicated recovery and appears to be one of the few bright spots on a middling New England defense. Looking at where he is ranked, this is incredibly low for a player of his caliber. Buy him low or get him on the waiver wire, this could be a sneaky great find for any fantasy manager in your IDP leagues.

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Kyle Trimble

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Kyle is a Doctor of Physical Therapy out of Buffalo, NY. He has three kids, many chickens, and cheers on the Buffalo Bills. He almost burnt down Wendy’s when he was an employee in high school.