Fantasy football season is in full effect as leagues are drafting despite most teams not even having a single preseason game yet.  The danger of drafting so early is the risk for injuries to happen later in the preseason which could put a damper on your season before it even starts.  That is why you have to follow each day’s events at training camp closely to see who got dinged up and the implications that follow.  So without further adieu, here is the next installment of the walking wounded for fantasy football.

Mike Wallace (WR-MIA)

Mike Wallace had an underwhelming inaugural season with Miami in 2013.  He never seemed to click with Ryan Tannehill, so that is why this pre-season was so critical for Wallace to gain that rapport with his quarterback.  Unfortunately, Wallace sustained a hamstring injury last week which kept him out of practice for a few days and puts his status for the team’s first preseason game in jeopardy.  Wallace will likely be fine by the time Week 1 rolls around, but fantasy GM’s need some sense of confidence that he can and will be the explosive receiver he was in Pittsburgh.

Michael Crabtree (WR-SF)

It has taken some time, but it now appears that Michael Crabtree is ready to take that next step forward as a top NFL receiver.  He should be motivated by the WWE-like promo Richard Sherman cut on him after the NFC Championship game last year.  But fantasy GM’s will have to wait and see as Crabtree is sidelined for a couple weeks with a hamstring injury.  The 49ers will undoubtedly be cautious with him, but he will miss valuable practice time with Colin Kaepernik.  Crabtree is still poised to have a breakout season, but GM’s will have to hope his hamstring is fully healed by the time the season starts.

Marquess Wilson (WR-CHI)

Marquess Wilson sustained a fractured clavicle during practice on Monday and has undergone surgery to repair it.  There is no timetable for his return at this point, but he is hopeful to get back on the field at some during the season.  Wilson was a decent late round option in fantasy drafts as the third receiver behind the awesome duo of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.  Follow his progress as he recovers and consider plucking him off the waiver wire later in the season if it looks like he is coming back.

Shaq Evans (WR-NYJ)

Shaq Evans, a 4th round pick of the New York Jets, suffered a severe shoulder injury and could be done for the year.  The Jets have many questions surrounding their passing game, but there was hope that Evans could see some time on the field and be an option for Geno Smith.  That is now very much in doubt as coach Rex Ryan indicated that placing him on injured reserve was a distinct possibility.

David Wilson (RB-NYG)

David Wilson As a Giants fan, I would be remiss if I did not make mention of this unfortunate turn of events.  Wilson was trying to return from neck surgery and sustained a burner in his first week back after being medically cleared to play.  Doctors have advised him to not play football again as the risk of permanent injury was too severe.  As a result, Wilson has retired from the NFL.  The good news is that Wilson can now live his life and not risk a crippling injury on the field.  But from a fantasy perspective, this once hot prospect can now be dropped from all rosters and crossed off your list of potential sleepers. 

 

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Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),