This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
With the biggest draft weekend of the season nearly upon us, we want to make sure that everyone's aware of players who are either in danger of missing or will miss time during the regular season. Many IDP leagues have shallow benches, so drafting a player who will miss time early in the season may not make sense, and it definitely won't work in leagues in which streaming is the norm. In any case, these are the players with playing-time issues to consider.
Defensive Tackles
Suspensions:
Jarran Reed — Six games
David Onyemata — One game
Ra'Shede Hageman — Two games
Injuries:
Sheldon Rankins : After tearing his Achilles on January 13, he's spent August on the preseason PUP list and he could miss regular season games. That said, there's no timetable for his return.
Tyrone Crawford : He's been on the preseason PUP list with an undisclosed injury and he's yet to be given a timetable for return to action.
Michael Bennett : Make sure you're not confusing Bennett with the player who has the same name on the Patriots. That said, the Bennett in Atlanta landed on injured reserve with a broken ankle.
Defensive Ends
Suspension:
Randy Gregory : Don't expect him back any time soon, as he's serving an indefinite suspension, though he's expected to apply for reinstatement.
Injuries:
DeMarcus Lawrence : Offseason shoulder surgery landed Lawrence on the preseason PUP list, but the Cowboys are optimistic he'll be ready for Week 1.
Robert Nkemdiche : After
With the biggest draft weekend of the season nearly upon us, we want to make sure that everyone's aware of players who are either in danger of missing or will miss time during the regular season. Many IDP leagues have shallow benches, so drafting a player who will miss time early in the season may not make sense, and it definitely won't work in leagues in which streaming is the norm. In any case, these are the players with playing-time issues to consider.
Defensive Tackles
Suspensions:
Jarran Reed — Six games
David Onyemata — One game
Ra'Shede Hageman — Two games
Injuries:
Sheldon Rankins : After tearing his Achilles on January 13, he's spent August on the preseason PUP list and he could miss regular season games. That said, there's no timetable for his return.
Tyrone Crawford : He's been on the preseason PUP list with an undisclosed injury and he's yet to be given a timetable for return to action.
Michael Bennett : Make sure you're not confusing Bennett with the player who has the same name on the Patriots. That said, the Bennett in Atlanta landed on injured reserve with a broken ankle.
Defensive Ends
Suspension:
Randy Gregory : Don't expect him back any time soon, as he's serving an indefinite suspension, though he's expected to apply for reinstatement.
Injuries:
DeMarcus Lawrence : Offseason shoulder surgery landed Lawrence on the preseason PUP list, but the Cowboys are optimistic he'll be ready for Week 1.
Robert Nkemdiche : After being let go by the Cardinals, he was signed by the Dolphins. As he recovers from an ACL injury, he could return to action in September.
Linebackers
Reserve/retired:
Telvin Smith : He's expected to miss the entire 2019 season due to a personal matter.
Injuries:
Jason Pierre-Paul : An offseason neck injury is expected to keep him out until October at the earliest.
Avery Williamson : On August 15, he suffered a torn ACL, forcing him to miss the season.
Jake Ryan : He's on the non-football injury list after suffering a setback in his recovery from ACL surgery. He could return this year, but there's no timetable for a return.
Kendell Beckwith : After suffering an ankle injury in an April 2018 car accident, he remains on the non-football injury list with no timetable to return.
Reuben Foster : After suffering a torn ACL in May, Foster will miss the entire season.
Mike Hull : An undisclosed injury has landed him on the reserve/PUP list, meaning his 2019 season is over.
Cornerback
Suspensions:
Patrick Peterson : Six games
Morris Claiborne : Four games
Nevin Lawson : Four games
Ryan Smith : Four games
Injuries:
Darqueze Dennard : He's expected to be cleared soon from the preseason PUP list as he recovers from a knee injury.
Byron Jones : Offseason hip surgery has had him on the preseason PUP, but the team's hopeful he'll be ready for Week 1.
E.J. Gaines : A groin injury landed him on injured reserve, but if he recovers quickly and can get an injury settlement, he'd be free to sign elsewhere.
Mike Hughes : An ACL tear he suffered in Week 6 last season has him on the preseason PUP list, and it's unlikely he'll be ready for Week 1.
Jalen Mills : He's on the preseason PUP list with a foot injury and no timetable to return to action.
Tavon Young : After suffering a neck injury in practice, Young will miss significant regular-season time, and he could be out for the entire season.
Robert Alford :- A fractured tibia will likely keep Alford out for about half of the season, though no exact timetable has been provided.
Cordrea Tankersley : After tearing an ACL last November, he's on the preseason PUP list, and it's unlikely he'll be ready for the regular season.
Safety
Injuries:
Derwin James : During a practice, James suffered a stress fracture in his right foot and he's expected to miss three months, which makes him a likely candidate for the injured reserve with a designation to return.
Justin Evans : He's been on the preseason PUP list, and although he hasn't been given a timetable, he's reportedly close to returning.
J.J. Wilcox : After tearing an ACL in training camp, his season's over.