Injuries during the NFL season? You can't always predict those.

But heading into the 2024, there are a few noteworthy players who will start out the year either on an injured list or very banged up. And in this case, these are important names who will have an impact on fantasy football this season, so you should mark them down on your cheat sheets and grab them at a discount, then stash them on your bench until they're ready to go, giving you a boost and reward for your patience.

So here's a list of those players with outlooks on when they're possibly returning:

1. RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers

He'll be in the PUP/NFI list to start the year, so he'll be out for at least four games. But given the RB talent behind him and the buzz over the rookie, I'd say grab him in the middle rounds and watch him pay dividends later this year.

2. RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

He'll be on the PUP list after his horrible knee injury, so we may see him in Week 5. Given the injury that he suffered, he may take some time to get up to full game speed, but we know what he's capable of. Absolutely worth a pick in the double-digit rounds.

3. TE T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

We know what he can do when he's on the field, and he suffered a torn MCL and had his ACL fixed too, and that happened in December and January. So you may have to wait longer than the four games he'll miss on the PUP list, but if he's ready in time for the stretch for the fantasy playoffs, he could end up helping you win.

4. WR Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs

The wideout has a shoulder injury he suffered in the preseason, and while that could mean he'll miss Week 1, it may not be a long-term injury. Even in a more crowded Chiefs receiver room, he's worth a late pick to see if he can be the deep threat that Patrick Mahomes needs.

5. RB Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens

Justice Hill is the backup to Derrick Henry, but if you want a really late pick who could be a factor if either of those two get injured, who could be a part of a run-heavy offense ... here you go. He may be back in Week 5.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Fantasy football injuries: 5 players to draft and stash in 2024, including Jonathon Brooks