Week 3 Fantasy Football Injury Report
Nick Mensio rounds up all of the notable injuries for all fantasy-viable skill players.
The Red Line Football Injury Report analyzes injury designations for notable quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends for every Week 1 contest.
Falcons @ Lions (46.5, DET -3)
Questionable: RB Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh); WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (toe); WR Josh Reynolds (groin)
Doubtful: RB David Montgomery (thigh)
Suspended: WR Jameson Williams
Analysis: Both ARSB and Reynolds are expected to play against Atlanta. … With Montgomery sidelined, the expectation is that Jahmyr Gibbs will see more of the snap share and therefore increased opportunities. This is a potential breakout spot for the No. 12 overall pick. Craig Reynolds and Zonovan Knight are in line to handle some base-down work. … Patterson has been practicing the last couple of weeks but is still eyeing his season debut. He’s well off the fantasy map behind a healthy Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. … Williams has four more games to serve on his six-game gambling ban. Reynolds has been Jared Goff’s top outside weapon as fantasy’s overall WR10.
Colts @ Ravens (44, BAL -8)
Out: QB Anthony Richardson (concussion); RB Justice Hill (toe); WR Odell Beckham (ankle)
PUP: RB Jonathan Taylor (knee)
Injured Reserve: TE Jelani Woods (hamstring); RB Evan Hull (knee); RB J.K. Dobbins (Achilles); RB Keaton Mitchell (shoulder)
Analysis: Richardson was concussed 18 snaps into Week 2 after scoring his second rushing touchdown of the day. He didn’t practice at all this week, and the Colts will start Gardner Minshew under center. He’s a very capable backup, but Baltimore’s D/ST is an enticing streamer at home as eight-point favorites. … With Taylor out at least two more games, Zack Moss is in line for an every-down role again after playing 98% of the snaps and handling 100% of the backfield opportunities in Week 2 against the Texans. … Just two games into the season the Ravens are down three running backs. Hill being ruled out opens the door for Gus Edwards to carry the load against Indy in positive game script. Backing Edwards up are washed veterans Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake. … OBJ’s absence narrows the Ravens’ WRBC by one and positions Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor to handle the bulk of the reps in three-wide sets. Agholor was in the slot over 72% of the time last week. Flowers is one of my favorite Week 3 starts. I’m taking the over on Flowers’ 48.5 receiving yards at PrizePicks.
Bills @ Commanders (43.5, BUF -6.5)
Questionable: WR Curtis Samuel (hip/illness)
Out: TE Logan Thomas (concussion)
Analysis: Samuel practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday but was absent Friday with the illness. He has a scoreless 8/73 line on a 12.7% target share through two games. … With Thomas out, John Bates and Cole Turner are likely to divvy up tight end duties. Turner is a far superior athlete and pass-catcher, but the coaches trust Bates. … For Buffalo, Dawson Knox (back) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday but returned to a full session Friday and was removed from the injury report. His presence takes some shine off of Dalton Kincaid’s fantasy outlook.
Patriots @ Jets (36.5, NE -2.5)
Questionable: K Greg Zuerlein (groin)
Injured Reserve: WR Tyquan Thornton (shoulder); QB Aaron Rodgers (Achilles)
Analysis: Zuerlein missed Week 2 against the Cowboys. Austin Seibert made a 34-yarder and his lone PAT. In a game with an anemic 36.5-point total, the lowest of Week 3, this game is hands-off for fantasy decisions.
Titans @ Browns (39.5, CLE -3.5)
Questionable: WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle)
Injured Reserve: WR Kyle Philips (knee); RB Nick Chubb (knee)
Analysis: Hopkins practiced fully Wednesday, was limited Thursday, and then rested Friday. He still played in Week 2 without even practicing, and Hopkins plans to travel with the team to Cleveland. At less than 100%, Hopkins is little more than a borderline WR2/3 in a date with CB Denzel Ward. … Kareem Hunt is expected to play Sunday.
Chargers @ Vikings (54, MIN -1)
Out: RB Austin Ekeler (ankle)
Analysis: Trade pickup Cam Akers is not expected to play this week. Alexander Mattison has struggled through two games but opened the season with a pair of difficult matchups against the Bucs and Eagles. In a high-scoring environment back at home and off a mini-bye, I like this spot for Mattison to bounce back. … With Ekeler out again, Joshua Kelley will make another start in the backfield. After flopping in Week 2 against the Titans’ strong front seven, this is a much softer matchup for the running back. He’s again projecting to be popular in DFS.
Broncos @ Dolphins (48, MIA -6.5)
Questionable: WR Jaylen Waddle (concussion)
Doubtful: RB Salvon Ahmed (groin)
Injured Reserve: TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring); RB Jeff Wilson (abdomen)
Analysis: Waddle was DNP Wednesday and Thursday before getting in a limited session Friday. He’ll have until Saturday to clear the concussion protocol. If Waddle sits, Tyreek Hill might see a 40-plus percent target share while River Cracraft, Braxton Berrios, Erik Ezukanma, and perhaps Cedrick Wilson round out the wideout depth chart. … Ahmed’s absence clears the way for exciting rookie De’Von Achane to handle change-of-pace duties behind Raheem Mostert. It makes sense to add Achane where he was dropped ahead of a possible mini-breakout. … UPDATE: Waddle was downgraded to out on Saturday and will miss Week 3. Hill could legitimately see close to a 50% target share. Cracraft looks to be Waddle’s direct one-for-one replacement.
Texans @ Jaguars (44, JAX -8.5)
Out: WR Zay Jones (knee)
Injured Reserve: WR Noah Brown (groin)
Analysis: Christian Kirk will be an every-down wideout with Jones out. After leading the Jaguars in targets (14) and catches (11) en route to 110 scoreless yards last week, Kirk has put himself back on the WR2/3 map in a plus spot for the Jacksonville passing game. … Brown missed Week 2, and Robert Woods (86%), Tank Dell (79%), and Nico Collins (62%) paced the group in playing time. Collins is a WR2/3, Dell an upside WR3, and Woods a floor play.
Saints @ Packers (42.5, GB -1.5)
Questionable: RB Aaron Jones (hamstring); WR Christian Watson (hamstring)
Doubtful: TE Foster Moreau (ankle)
Out: RB Jamaal Williams (hamstring)
Suspended: RB Alvin Kamara
Analysis: Jones returned to practice Thursday. After missing Week 2, he looks legitimately questionable for Week 3. AJ Dillon has been terrible this season and offers very little as a pass-catcher. If Jones is active, he’s a surefire RB2. … Watson also returned to practice this week, his first sessions of the season after missing Weeks 1-2. Assuming he returns, the Packers look like they’ll deploy a fantasy-unfriendly five-man WRBC. Watson has the highest ceiling of the bunch but obviously offers risk of re-injury. It’s tough to get behind these guys in a low-volume offense. … Williams has looked like dust as a Saint. His absence leaves career backup and practice squad type Tony Jones as the favorite for carries. Rookie Kendre Miller and Taysom Hill will also mix in for a handful of touches each. … Moreau has been targeted just two times of 48% of the snaps through two contests, posting a 2/20/0 line.
Panthers @ Seahawks (42.5, SEA -5.5)
Questionable: WR DK Metcalf (ribs)
Doubtful: TE Will Dissly (shoulder)
Out: QB Bryce Young (ankle)
Analysis: Veteran Andy Dalton will make the start for Carolina, as Young is said to be dealing with a “1-2 week” injury. Struggling to keep his head above water, this will be a nice break for the No. 1 overall pick. Young-to-Dalton can’t be viewed as a downgrade right now. If anything, Dalton might help stabilize this flailing offense. … Metcalf missed practice Wednesday and Thursday but isn’t someone who needs to practice in order to play. He briefly left last week’s win over the Lions but was able to return and finish the game. Consider him sure to play after practicing fully Friday. With Panthers top CB Jaycee Horn (hamstring) on I.R., this is a blowup spot for Metcalf. … Dissly’s absence makes the Seahawks’ three-man TEBC a two-man one led by Noah Fant and Colby Parkinson.
Cowboys @ Cardinals (43, DAL -12.5)
PUP: QB Kyler Murray (knee)
Analysis: After missing Week 2, Brandin Cooks (knee) was removed from the Week 3 injury report Friday and will play against Arizona. This is a breakout spot for the Dallas pass offense.
Bears @ Chiefs (48, KC -12.5)
Questionable: RB Isiah Pacheco (hamstring); WR Kadarius Toney (toe)
Analysis: Pacheco missed practice Wednesday but was able to log limited sessions Thursday and Friday. In a winnable game at home, it’s fair to wonder if the Chiefs will play it safe with Pacheco. If he sits, Clyde Edwards-Helaire would be in line for added reps on base downs, but Jerick McKinnon might be the biggest beneficiary. … Toney was DNP Wednesday and Thursday but returned for a limited practice Friday. Seemingly always injured, his status for Week 3 is up in the air. The Chiefs are running a six-man weave at wideout. … UPDATE: Pacheco is expected to play, while Toney is viewed more as a game-time decision ahead of a late afternoon kickoff.
Steelers @ Raiders (43, LV -2.5)
Injured Reserve: WR Diontae Johnson (hamstring); RB Anthony McFarland (knee)
Analysis: After missing Week 2, Jakobi Meyers (concussion) has cleared the league’s protocol and will play Sunday night. He commanded 10 targets in Week 1 and is a safe-floor WR3 as the Raiders’ No. 2 pass-game option. … With Johnson still sidelined, Calvin Austin will again be playable on Sunday night DFS slates as a sleeper.
Eagles @ Bucs (46, PHI -5)
Injured Reserve: RB Chase Edmonds (knee)
Out: RB Boston Scott (concussion); WR Quez Watkins (hamstring)
Analysis: Scott is out, but Kenneth Gainwell (ribs) is back after missing Week 2. It would make sense to take a wait-and-see approach on this backfield, making neither Gainwell nor D’Andre Swift more than high-risk FLEX plays. … Veteran Olamide Zaccheaus filled in for Watkins after he left Week 2 but wasn’t targeted.
Rams @ Bengals (43.5, CIN -3)
Questionable: QB Joe Burrow (calf); WR Puka Nacua (oblique)
Doubtful: TE Irv Smith (hamstring)
Injured Reserve: WR Cooper Kupp (hamstring)
Analysis: Everything for the Bengals hinges on Burrow’s availability. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are WR1 plays with Burrow in the lineup but would be downgraded to WR2/3 territory if former UDFA Jake Browning gets the start. Burrow is said to be a game-time call. … Nacua was listed as questionable with the oblique issue last week and went on to see 20 targets against the 49ers across 86% of the snaps. He’s fine. … Smith popped up with a mid-week hamstring strain, which is never a good sign. Drew Sample and Mitchell Wilcox are his backups and are Monday night DFS dart throws.