Injuries to key players are major issues for NFL fantasy football players this season, with many facing challenges in keeping their teams competitive. Whether it is a star receiver or a running back who cannot stay healthy, the impact of injuries on fantasy football has been significant.
One player, sophomore Nathan Emery, has suffered injuries that have impacted his fantasy season.
“I have lost a few close matchups due to injuries [with] Rashee Rice tearing his ACL and James Cook hurting his ankle,” Emery said.
Injuries like these have caused fantasy owners to lose important points, sometimes in games that were decided by just a few points. For Emery, the injuries to Rice and Cook were especially costly.
“I do not currently have a winning record because of two close matchups,” Emery said. “I lost by five due to James Cook deciding not to play [at the] last minute.”
These last-minute injuries have made it difficult for many fantasy league players to stay on top.
Sophomore Clayton Gries’ team has suffered at the wide receiver position.
“I have had many injuries for fantasy football, the only position has been the wide receiver,” he said.
Even with struggles, he managed to keep his team alive by relying on healthy players on his bench.
“It was hard, but it was better than nothing,” Gries said about finding players to fill in for his injured wide receivers.
Managing injuries and finding backup players is a key strategy in making it through a season where injuries are so common.
There are differing opinions on if injuries during the fantasy season make it less enjoyable. Emery felt that injuries made the season more enjoyable.
“I drafted a team who hasn’t had an injury all year, and a couple of people I have played I have beat because their best player is out,” Gries said.
On the other hand, junior Jarrett Kiesel saw it as a challenge that made fantasy football more interesting.
“Injuries make the season more enjoyable,” Kiesel said. “It’s a better challenge than when all your players are healthy, and you know you are going to win by 40 points.”
Even though injuries can cause losses, he believes that they make the game more exciting and unpredictable.
In terms of strategy, Gries has a method to how he handles his injured players.
“I don’t trade my injured players because I know when they are healthy, they will have a better outing for my team,” Gries said.
This careful management of injured players is common among fantasy owners who do not want to give up on their valuable players too soon.
Injuries are a part of every NFL season, but this year they seem to have played a bigger role in fantasy football than ever before. Running backs and wide receivers, who take the most hits during games, are often most affected. Many players are adjusting their strategies to make the best of the situation, whether by using the waiver wire, making trades or simply waiting for their players to recover and heal.
As the season progresses, the impact of injuries will likely remain a big part of fantasy football, making it a test of strategy and some luck.
