A deflector at the downstream end of a fuel tube deflects incoming fuel into an annular fuel channel in a fuel swirler of an injector. The deflector prevents direct impact of the cooler fuel on the exposed walls of the swirler body. The deflector can be formed by a tab or other integral portion of the heatshield, or as a separate piece fixed to the heatshield or swirler body. The deflector minimizes disruption of flow through any flow slots that are covered by the deflector, and may have i) a relatively small circumferential extent, such that the deflector covers only a few flow slots, ii) flow openings or slots that allow a portion of the fuel to flow inwardly of the deflector into the otherwise covered flow slot(s), or iii) a space or gap between the side(s) of the deflector and the inner walls of the annular channel.