Latest PUP injury news impacts fantasy outlook for Hockenson, Brooks and more in 2024

It's NFL cuts day, so we're seeing a lot of players being retained and released. And while that will have an obvious impact on our fantasy drafts, the players who end up on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list are just as important, and in some cases more important.

The first big name to remain on the PUP list is Nick Chubb. Like all PUP players, he will have to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. Our Jen Piacenti explained what this means for Chubb, Jerome Ford and the Cleveland Browns backfield.

Today, four more fantasy-relevant players (TJ Hockenson, Jonathon Brooks, Kendrick Bourne, and Keaton Mitchel) remained on the PUP list. Let's take a closer look at each one and what their absence means for their draft value and the value of the players around them.

Hockenson, one of the best tight ends in fantasy football, suffered a knee injury late in the season last year. He will miss games against the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers. If Hockenson is not ready, the Vikings could decide not to use him in Week 5 against the New York Jets, after which the team has a bye in Week 6. In that scenario, which some might consider likely, Hockenson will return in Week 7.

Coincidentally, this would be a duel against his old team, the Detroit Lions.

In his absence, the Vikings will have a strong team consisting of Johnny Mundt, Josh Oliver and Robert Tonyan, the latter of whom is dealing with a back injury. Mundt would be the best option for fantasy value, but he's no more than a No. 3 tight end in most leagues.

Brooks, the top running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, will also miss the first four weeks as he continues to recover from a knee injury suffered during his senior year of college. He will miss games against the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears. The Panthers don't have a bye until Week 11, so that won't matter.

With Brooks out, Chuba Hubbard will be the Panthers' lead back while Miles Sanders plays a backup role. Hubbard will be an RB2/Flex starter if he takes on the lion's share of the work, while Sanders is worth a fantasy roster spot in deeper leagues until Brooks returns.

It will come as no surprise to anyone that Higbee will miss the first four games due to a knee injury. He will miss games against the Lions, Arizona Cardinals, 49ers and the Bears. The Rams have a bye in Week 6, so don't be surprised if Higbee is out until the Week 7 game against Las Vegas.

With Higbee out, I'd consider Colby Parkinson to be the new lead tight end for the Rams, with Davis Allen and Hunter Long also in the running. Parkinson could be a matchup-based option in deeper leagues or in daily fantasy play, but that's about all he's worth.

Bourne, recovering from a torn ACL, will miss games against the Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, Jets and 49ers. The Patriots don't have a bye until Week 14, so that won't be a factor in his return. His absence will give young receivers like Ja'Lynn Polk, Demario Douglas and Javon Baker a chance to shine, but veterans KJ Osborn and Tyquan Thornton are also in the running. It's a guessing game as to who will ultimately get the most play, but I'd give Polk and Douglas a chance because of their potential, with Osborn the third choice.

Mitchell's injury problems will carry into the regular season, as he will miss at least four games with a knee injury. That means he will miss the Kansas City Chiefs, Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and Bengals. The Ravens have a bye in Week 14, so that's not a factor. In his absence, Justice Hill will get more playing time and is worth a look in the later rounds. Of course, he will be limited behind future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry.