NFL offseason activity is officially ramping up. As of Monday, 22 NFL teams have players reporting to the facility for OTAs.
With players now reporting, fans are finally getting a look at players on the practice field. If you like to catch up on NFL news via Twitter, you’ve likely seen this clip of Kyle Pitts.
Oooo, @kylepitts__ 👀 pic.twitter.com/t7m0TapA20
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 20, 2024
The hype train from off-season clips is officially here. Last off-season’s clip was Calvin Ridley running routes next to Zay Jones. This off-season is off to a hot start with a nice jump-ball reception from Kyle Pitts.
While it’s fun to see players back on the field and making plays, they aren’t even in pads yet. These clips are fun to watch, but they don’t provide much useful information.
However, OTAs provide some important information. For example, useful and actionable information regarding the status of players who ended last season with significant injuries is available.
We can learn a lot about how players are recovering from injuries based on their availability to participate in NFL OTAs. Let’s look at some fantasy-relevant players and check in on their status during the first week of OTAs.
KYREN WILLIAMS, RB LA RAMS
Kyren Williams did not end 2023 with an injury, but he is already popping up on the injury report this offseason. It’s just a couple of days into practice and Kyren is already dealing with a foot issue, according to head coach Sean McVay.
#Rams HC Sean McVay on Kyren Williams’ foot:
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) May 21, 2024
“Kyren’s good. He had a little foot issue that we’re gonna be smart with him… He’ll be ready to go for training camp.”
McVay has a 90% reliability rating on injury coachspeak
When McVay says there’s “nothing to be concerned about,”… pic.twitter.com/j39YAsUKqr
McVay indicated that there is little to be concerned about, and Coachspeak Index says that McVay can be trusted in saying this.
However, there are some red flags with this injury. Williams has dealt with three separate injuries to his left foot and ankle during his NFL career. A career that has spanned just two seasons. This included a high-ankle sprain that kept him out of four contests last season.
There has been no indication whether or not this most recent injury is to the same left foot that has plagued Williams. If it is, this is fairly concerning and his availability for offseason practices should be monitored.
Rams’ GM Les Snead has already indicated that the team doesn’t want to “totally run down” Williams this season. They followed this up by bringing in Michigan product Blake Corum in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. If Williams’ foot and ankle injuries flare up during the season, Corum could be in line for some serious usage as a rookie.
TANK DELL, WR HOUSTON TEXANS
Texans WR Tank Dell has dealt with his fair share of adversity in the last few months. Dell was on an absolute tear last season to start his NFL career. Dell competed with the league’s best and was the WR14 (PPR) through Week 12.
Unfortunately, his rookie campaign was cut short when he broke his fibula while being used as an interior blocker in Week 13. Dell underwent surgery in early December to repair his broken fibula.
Unfortunately, Dell’s misfortune didn’t end there. Dell was the victim of a shooting in Florida just three weeks ago.
Somehow, Dell has been participating in OTAs less than a month after being shot.
CJ Stroud ➡️ to Tank Dell.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 21, 2024
Back like he never left. pic.twitter.com/BtXYY7aEMt
NFL fans across the country are undoubtedly happy to see Tank back on the field. Dell is set to be part of one of the league’s most explosive offenses, the Texans. With what appears to be a nearly full recovery from multiple injuries, it’s wheels up for Dell in 2024.
MIKE WILLIAMS, WR NEW YORK JETS
Mike Williams has been busy this offseason. After seven seasons with the Chargers is heading east to join Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.
Before getting reps with his new quarterback, Williams has been focusing on recovering from an ACL tear.

Williams suffered this injury in Week 3 of last season and has not been cleared for football activities since.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, this has kept Williams off the field for the first week of OTAs. Williams himself has said that he will be ready for Week 1, but don’t be surprised if his recovery keeps him sidelined for most offseason activities.
Williams will serve as Rodgers’ deep threat in 2024. With Williams entering his age-30 season and Rodgers dealing with his intensive rehab (Achilles) at age 40, the fantasy outlook for Williams is murky.
Although Williams is not a particularly intriguing fantasy option in my opinion, he will certainly be drafted in every league. Because of this, this situation must be monitored throughout the offseason.
TJ HOCKENSON, TE MINNESOTA VIKINGS
TJ Hockenson has been a fantasy staple for years now, first with the Detroit Lions and then with the Minnesota Vikings.
Things were no different in 2023 until tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 16. Hock was actually the TE1 through 16 weeks but was ultimately edged out by Sam LaPorta after he was unable to finish the season.
In an interview with NFL Network, Hockenson indicated that he has no time table for return: “We’re just kinda taking it day by day, week by week, there’s just so many variables that you can go through in this process.”
While Hockenson may not be making a timetable publicly available, Vikings beat reporters indicate that a conveniently placed Week 6 bye may allow Hockenson to return for Week 7. This would set Hockenson’s return at nine months post-surgery.
Hockenson currently has a price of TE14 in Underdog Fantasy drafts, and RSJ’s Wolf has him at TE12 in his 2024 Fantasy Football Rankings and Big Board.
There is plenty of risk in drafting Hockenson, given his injury concerns and the switch from Kirk Cousins to JJ McCarthy at quarterback. However, he has proved to have elite upside and is certainly worth a stab if he slips down draft boards.