Fantasy football injury report for Week 1: Marlon Mack, Le’Veon Bell

Running backs Marlon Mack and Le’Veon Bell were among the most notable injuries during Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season. Here’s a recap of the biggest injuries to players across the league and how it could impact fantasy football:

Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts (Achilles)

Mack suffered a devastating ankle injury in Sunday’s 27-20 loss to the Jaguars, with multiple reports saying the Colts fear their incumbent starter has torn his Achilles. If those reports are true, Mack will — at a minimum — miss the remainder of the season.

The Colts’ backfield was a question mark heading into the season with the addition of 2020 second-round draft pick Jonathan Taylor. The versatile Big Ten back saw nine carries for 22 yards and six catches for 67 yards in his NFL debut. He is expected to be the primary beneficiary of Mack’s absence and should take over the featured role.

Nyheim Hines was also featured heavily and saw seven carries for 28 yards and a touchdown, as well as eight catches for 45 yards and a score. He will be a popular waiver add come Week 2. 

Le’Veon Bell, RB, New York Jets (hamstring)

Bell left Sunday’s messy 27-17 loss to the Bills during the second half with a hamstring injury he apparently suffered during the first half, but remained in the game. Afterward, head coach Adam Gase told the media that he was “mad at [himself]” for not pulling Bell earlier, but did not offer further updates on the running back’s status.

If Bell were to miss time, the Jets would be seriously hampered in light of their very shallow running back depth chart. Next in line are 37-year-old Frank Gore and Josh Adams, who was just promoted from the practice squad on Saturday.

Jets 2020 fourth-round pick La’Mical Perine was carted off the field in training camp with a low-ankle sprain and was inactive for Sunday’s game.

George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers (leg)

Kittle had a scary ending to the first half of the 49ers’ Week 1 contest against the Cardinals after sustaining a hard hit to his left leg, which got caught under Cardinals safety Budda Baker. The 49ers tight end — who just signed the richest contract in NFL history for a tight end — limped to the locker room with 30 seconds remaining, but later returned for the second half. He finished the game with four catches for 44 yards and a rush for 9 yards.

Given Kittle’s value, the situation is worth monitoring for now. For reference, the 49ers second-string tight end is oft-injured Jordan Reed, who saw two catches for 12 yards in the team’s 24-20 loss.

Boston Scott, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (unknown)

Scott was escorted to the locker room with a mysterious injury during the Eagles’ 27-17 loss to the Washington Football Team.

He had been heralded as a solid start with Miles Sanders (hamstring) inactive, but posted just nine carries for 35 yards and two catches for 19 yards before exiting the game. It remains unclear what the issue is or its severity at this time. Corey Clement would be the next man up on the Eagles depth chart, but hopefully Sanders’ setback is minor and he will return come Week 2 hosting the LA Rams.

Henry Ruggs, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (knee)

Ruggs suffered an injury scare in the first half of the Raiders’ season opener against the Panthers. It appeared he injured his left knee after he was tackled while making a catch and limped to the locker room.

Thankfully for the Raiders, their speedy first-round pick from the 2020 NFL Draft was able to return after halftime and finished the day with three catches on five targets for a team-high 55 yards.

“I just got tackled a little awkward, but I feel good,” Ruggs told reporters on Zoom after his debut. “Kinda went down a little crazy, but I’ll be all right.”

Blake Jarwin, TE, Dallas Cowboys (knee)

Jarwin went down in the second quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Rams with a non-contact injury. He was quickly ruled out for return. The awkwardness of the fall and quick action by the Cowboys led many to speculate that the injury could be an ACL tear, which would be season-ending.

Next up on the Cowboys’ tight end depth chart is veteran Blake Bell. The 29-year-old was signed this offseason from the Chiefs and is unlikely to be a factor for fantasy.