Is your fantasy football draft board looking a little shaky? With the season just around the corner, several top NFL players are starting on the PUP list. We’ve got the essential updates on Brandon Aiyuk, Christian Watson, and more. Don’t make a costly draft mistake – who are you targeting now?
As the highly anticipated fantasy football season rapidly approaches, general managers worldwide are meticulously reviewing their draft strategies, a process now significantly complicated by a wave of pivotal NFL injuries. A handful of notable fantasy contributors are slated to commence the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, a designation that directly impacts their availability and, consequently, their fantasy value.
The NFL PUP list is specifically designed for players nursing football-related injuries who are expected to make a return to the field at some point during the ongoing season. A crucial implication of this designation is that any player placed on the PUP list updates is automatically ruled out for the initial four games of the season, though their roster spot does not count against the team’s strict 53-man roster limit, offering a slight reprieve for teams managing cap space and personnel.
Among the most prominent names making headlines is San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk. His placement on the PUP list due to a torn ACL, an injury that prematurely ended his 2024 campaign, comes as no surprise to astute fantasy football strategists. Reports from Vic Tafur of The Athletic suggest that the 49ers and Aiyuk are optimistically targeting a return around Week 6, coinciding with their matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, providing a potential light at the end of the tunnel for those who draft him.
Another key player whose status is being closely monitored is Green Bay Packers receiver Christian Watson. Earlier this month, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst provided a promising NFL injuries update, stating Watson is “ahead of the curve” in his recovery. However, the coaching staff is exercising caution, emphasizing a day-by-day approach to his return, which leaves a degree of uncertainty for fantasy football managers considering him.
The Houston Texans are also grappling with significant NFL injuries as the season looms. Star running back Dameon Pierce was recently placed on the Non-Football Injury list, with grim reports indicating he might miss the entire 2025 season. Adding to their woes, promising receiver Tank Dell was also designated to the PUP list updates, still recovering from a severe knee injury sustained last December, further complicating the Texans’ offensive outlook.
Veteran New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill, entering his ninth NFL season, will similarly start on the PUP list updates. Hill appeared in eight games during the 2024 season before tearing his ACL late in the year. Saints head coach Kellen Moore recently delivered a rather disappointing assessment of Hill’s readiness, indicating he’s “not ready to get on the field anytime soon,” yet his consistent role in Moore’s offensive scheme makes him a player worth monitoring for fantasy football impact.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, in a unique strategic move by the team, was also placed on the PUP reserve list to begin the season in his absence. This decision underscores the Browns’ meticulous approach to roster construction and player management, especially given their distinctive quarterback room designed to navigate such high-profile absences. His status on the PUP list updates will be critical for those in deeper fantasy football leagues.
These significant NFL injuries and subsequent PUP list updates present considerable challenges and opportunities for fantasy football general managers. Navigating these early-season absences, understanding the potential return timelines for players like Brandon Aiyuk and Christian Watson, and identifying value from healthy alternatives will be paramount to success as the 2024 fantasy football season officially kicks off next Thursday.
