Player

Injury

Expected Return/Update

Stock Risers/Fallers

Rob Gronkowski (TE)

Back (surgery), Forearm (surgery)

Week 2-Week 7:

Gronk has avoided the reserve/physically unable to perform list.  He will be kept on the 53 man roster, which could imply that the Patriots expect Gronk back before Week 6.  He is practicing in full pads, so things are looking good for fantasy owners who took the risk.  There are even whispers about his arrival for the season opener in Week 2, but that may be a bit optimistic.

Zach Sudfeld (TE).  A nice preseason has gotten him drafted in many leagues.  His size could make him a nice red zone target for Brady, even after Gronk gets back.

Andre Brown (RB)

Fractured Left Leg

Week 3-Week 8:

Brown fractured his leg during the final game of the preseason.  The injured is considered less damaging than what it could have been.  The expected return actually shows Week 3 as a possibility, but considering Brown’s injury history, it may be best to bank on something closer to Week 6 or Week 8.

David Wilson (RB).  If Wilson ever got a chance to prove his worth, this is it.  A few weeks to prove he’s the man, and he could put an end to the splitting carries talk we heard during the preseason.

Le’veon Bell (RB)

Mid-Foot Sprain/Lisfranc injury

Week 4-Week 6:

Bell will not need surgery and received a six to eight week timetable.  A Week 4 return may be possible, albeit unlikely.  These type of injuries can be tricky and could even be season ending.  There is good news however, as ESPN.com mentions Bell has lost the walking boot (Aug. 28^th).  This is the kind of progress the Steelers and fantasy owners will want to hear.

Isaac Redman (RB).  Jonathan Dwyer was cut, leaving Redman as the first man who can run away with the job while Bell is out.  The other options, Felix Jones and LaRod Stephens-Howing, will get some carries too, but Redman is the one to add here.

Arian Foster (RB)

Back

Limited Workload for Week 1:

Foster makes this list a bit unexpectedly.  There wasn’t much of a concern over his light preseason workload, but now it is expected to carry over into Week 1.  Coach Kubiak expects Foster to be limited in his amount of touches (the amount is unknown) for at least Week 1.

Ben Tate (RB).  You have to wonder if the Texans will decide to limit Foster’s workload throughout the season.  We may not like it, but giving Foster a handful of less carries a game may help the Texan’s long-term cause.  If Tate comes out of the gate strong, the decision to lessen Foster’s workload only becomes more justified.  

Santonio Holmes (WR)

Foot (surgery)

Week 1-Unknown:

Holmes practiced Monday (9/2) and now there are some murmurs about him suiting up for Week 1.  The unknown label is because Holmes only said a short while ago how there is still pain in his foot and made it seem as if he wasn’t close to being ready to get on the field.  If and when he does come back, there may be borderline WR3 value here, but the Jets’ quarterback situation is a difficult one to rely on.

Jeremy Kerley (WR). Stephen Hill (WR).  Geno Smith (QB).  If and when Holmes comes back, it will mean fewer targets for what is already expected to be a below-average passing attack.  Kerley, like Holmes does have some sneaky WR3 upside, but because of the QB situation, both receivers could also be rendered practically useless in most formats.  Hill is looking to grow as a receiver and it may be another year before fantasy owners should really take him into consideration.  Geno Smith, the likely starter for Week 1, could use the talents of a receiver like Holmes, but only super deep leagues should consider Smith as a QB option right now.

Jonathan Stewart (RB)

Ankles

Week 7-Unknown:

Stewart has been placed on the PUP list and won’t be back until at least Week 7.  However, there are some rumblings about him being out the whole season.  This is a wait and see approach, but it doesn’t look promising for Stewart.

Deangelo Williams (RB).  Williams is expected to get a big workload with Stewart out, but at age 30, and showing signs of decline, the increased touches still may not push Williams over the RB3/Flex play threshold.  As usual, expect Newton and even Tolbert to take up all the goal line carries.