Week 3 Fantasy Football Injuries, Coachspeak and News to Help You Win
Zain Dhanani goes game by game to highlight the most important tidbits of coachspeak and injury news to help you set your Week 3 fantasy football lineups.
I'm going game by game through the Week 3 injuries, coach comments and news to explain who I'm starting, who I'm adding and where I think we should wait.
This covers the Sunday-Monday slate and includes reports checked Friday afternoon, Sept. 25. Some final game designations are still pending, including Saturday's reports for the Monday-night game. Check the final injury reports and my fantasy football rankings before setting lineups, and use our snap-count tool and Utilization Report to follow the changes in playing time.
Injuries and Coachspeak Notes for Week 3 Fantasy Football
Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills
Oronde Gadsden and Ladd McConkey
Gadsden is one of my favorite adds this week, especially if you've been cycling through TEs. His route participation increased from 18% to 50% before Los Angeles lost David Njoku and Charlie Kolar to injured reserve, which leaves several weeks for him to establish himself in this offense.
Justin Herbert targeted the TE position 8 times last week, and Gadsden received only 2 of those on 17 routes. I think we should let this one play out before we start Gadsden.
McConkey is a WR2 for me after practicing fully all week and finishing without a game designation. The rib injury isn't keeping him out, and the missing TEs could leave more targets for him too. If you were concerned about his 46% snap share last week, he still ran a route on 71% of the dropbacks. Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris were both sub-70 % route-share players before Ladd exited in Week 1, so keep them on the bench.
DJ Moore, Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid
Moore and Coleman both returned to limited practice Friday and are questionable, Moore with the shoulder injury and Coleman with the ankle. That's better news after both missed Thursday, but I'd keep another WR available until Buffalo confirms they're playing. If Moore is out, Coleman would be an interesting WR3 or flex play. Moore is a WR2 if he plays.
Kincaid was already a big part of the passing game before we got the injury updates. Josh Allen targeted him 8 times last week for a 29% target share, and he's run at least 65% of the routes in both games. I have him as a top-five TE, with more targets potentially coming his way if Moore and Coleman sit.
Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns
I'm starting Hubbard as a low-end RB1 against Cleveland with Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve and more work for Dave Canales to distribute. Hubbard already had the majority of the goal-line opportunities, and Brooks' absence could help him pick up more of the passing downs too.
His route participation fell to 40% last week, which is where I think there's room for Canales to use him more. AJ Dillon may still take a few touches here and there, but Hubbard will probably be a bellcow in this one.
Coker returned to limited practice Friday and is questionable with his ankle injury. I'm keeping him in the WR3 range if he's cleared for his usual role, but have another receiver available until we get that answer. Xavier Legette is questionable too, which could leave more targets for Tetairoa McMillan if either sits.
Waller has no game designation after practicing fully on Friday, so his early-week rest day isn't a concern. An interesting punt TE for DFS, especially if Coker is out.
Harold Fannin Jr. and Quinshon Judkins
Carolina ruled out linebackers Devin Lloyd and Claudin Cherelus, along with safety Nick Scott, on Friday, which should benefit the run game for Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin in the pass game. Devin Lloyd is one of the better coverage linebackers in the NFL, so his absence for Fannin is key.
New York Jets at Detroit Lions
Sadiq is a player I'd consider stashing given that Mason Taylor is out this week. The Jets could leave him on the field for more passing plays instead of rotating their TEs, but I want to see that happen before using him as a streamer. Watch, we will get a ton of Jeremy Ruckert or Jelani Woods instead. Again, not a reliable situation, so just a stash for now.
Jahmyr Gibbs and the Offensive Line
Detroit getting Blake Miller and Christian Mahogany back at practice is encouraging for both Gibbs and Jared Goff. I'd still check that both are cleared to play before assuming Detroit has its usual starters together again.
You're already starting Gibbs, but getting both linemen back would make me more optimistic about his rushing production.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz
I thought Schultz could be Houston's top passing option with Collins out last week, and C.J. Stroud targeted him 14 times. Aaron Wilson reported Friday that Collins wasn't practicing and is expected to miss another game with his hamstring injury. I'm planning on starting Schultz as a top TE play this week.
Schultz caught 12 of those targets for 140 yards on 76% route participation last week, and I wrote about his incredible matchup for this week in my other article.
Xavier Hutchinson got the playing time and targets too, running routes on 83% of the dropbacks and earning 9 targets, but he caught only 3 for 37 yards. He's a low-end flex if you're short on WRs. I hope you have a better option than Jaylin Noel after his 1 catch on 5 targets and 62% route participation.
Josh Downs, Tyler Warren and Darius Slayton
Alec Pierce's move to IR leaves Downs and Warren as the primary options in the pass offense, with Downs a WR3 and Warren a top-six TE for me.
Indianapolis signed Darius Slayton to help replace Pierce's speed, and Shane Steichen wants him involved downfield. He already knows Daniel Jones from their time together in New York, which should help as he learns the offense. He’s not interesting for managed leagues, but someone to pay attention to for future DFS purposes, taking on the deep threat role in this offense.
Keenan Allen isn't someone I'm starting after his route participation fell to 60%. He caught 1 of 5 targets despite Pierce leaving the game, and Slayton's arrival gives the Colts another receiver to work into the rotation.
New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter and the Jaguars Receivers
Liam Coen wants to get Hunter more involved, but he's run only 5 routes through two games. Jacksonville is primarily using him at corner as he returns from last season's knee injury, and adding a few offensive plays would still leave him well short of a role we could start in fantasy.
Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins
Caleb Douglas is out this week, which could leave more opportunities for Bell to get a look this week. This offense is very bad, so it’s hard to see too much upside, but his talent is tantalizing to stash in deeper formats.
Tennessee Titans at New York Giants
Jameis Winston, Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely
The Giants will build the offense around Winston's strengths with Jaxson Dart out for the rest of the regular season, according to John Harbaugh. I'm not judging Winston from the relief appearance alone, and I'm not sitting Nabers just for the QB change.
Nabers practiced fully on Thursday after hurting his shoulder against the Rams. His route participation has reached 83% as he works back from the ACL injury, which makes me more comfortable treating him as a WR2 if he's cleared for his usual workload. There are obvious concerns over his shoulder as well, but this is a strong matchup for him.
Likely stays in the TE1 group for me with 10 targets on 86% route participation last week.
Andrew Thomas is playing after missing practice, so there aren’t any major offensive line concerns.
I don’t want to start any Titans players, but if you’re in a pinch, Pollard and Spears are both off the injury report and should play Sunday.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
I like Warren as an RB2 against Cincinnati. Rico Dowdle is likely out, and the team is likely going to consolidate touches to Warren with Dowdle on the shelf. Warren saw nearly all the RB work after Dowdle left the game last week. If it was an easier matchup, he’d be an auto-start.
Warren is listed as questionable, but given how the coaches were talking about him, I expect him to play.
Pittman has practiced on a limited basis after missing last week with his foot injury, but I'm not rushing to start him. He earned only 3 targets on 89% route participation in Week 1, and now we have to worry about a production dip with the foot injury. He might not be worth much this season in general, but if you have him, keep him on the bench.
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders
Marcus Mariota, Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs
Washington is starting Mariota with Jayden Daniels sidelined by his elbow injury, and Sam Cosmi's absence could make that transition more difficult. Head Coach Dan Quinn said Cosmi is a long shot to play this week. If I can avoid playing any Commanders against this Seahawks defense, I would.
Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jadarian Price
Darnold is expected to start this week, which makes. JSN WR1 overall this week for me against this terrible Commanders secondary. Rashid Shaheed is an interesting DFS tournament play as well.
Jadarian Price is off the injury report and has an amazing matchup - he’s a mid-tier RB2 this week in a game that the Seahawks should destroy.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Evans returned to practice Friday, and it sounds likely that he plays.
Deebo is also a nice play as a potential WR3 option (WR2 if Evans is out) with Robinson and Stribling missing. Deebo became a near every-down player once Robinson exited the game in Week 2.
Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kyler Murray and the Pass Catchers
Murray has cleared concussion protocol and is set to return after Minnesota played through difficult weather with Carson Wentz last week. Justin Jefferson has run a route on every dropback in both games, and getting the starting QB back should help him turn more of that work into production.
Jefferson is still a WR1 for me. Jordan Addison is harder to use after earning only 7 targets through two games despite running more than 90% of the routes. Murray's return helps, but I want to see Addison become a bigger part of the offense before putting him in lineups.
Jones is a start for me if he's cleared for his usual workload (he’s not on the injury report), but DeeJay Dallas could cut into that work given that Jones was limited all week. This is a tough Bucs run defense, so I’d look for other options if I can instead of Jones given potential limitations.
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys
Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews
Flowers returned for individual drills Friday, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, after missing Wednesday and Thursday with his hamstring injury. I still need his game status before using Bateman, who earned 9 targets on 95% route participation with Flowers out last week.
Bateman is a WR3 for me with Flowers out; Andrews is a mid-tier TE1. Andrews earned a 24% target share last week and now gets a Dallas defense missing Malik Hooker, P.J. Locke, Cobie Durant and DeMarvion Overshown.
If Flowers returns without a significant restriction, I'm starting him and moving Bateman back to the bench.
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints
Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer
Bowers is questionable with his knee injury, and I'm keeping another TE available until we know he's playing. I'd start him if he's cleared for his usual role, though we’ll see if the team gives any indications about limitations.
Mayer is the replacement I'd add after running routes on 85% of the dropbacks last week, and he's a TE1 for me if Bowers is ruled out.
Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele and Tyler Shough
New Orleans lost Kelvin Banks to IR, so Shough will have a different left tackle protecting him. I’m starting Chris Olave, but I am slightly concerned that Maxx Crosby makes Shough look bad with the backup left tackle starting in this one. I’m dinging the Saints offense a slight bit and don’t want to start Vele or Johnson against this tougher-than-expected Raiders defense.
Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos
Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Terrance Ferguson
Puka Nacua is listed as doubtful, so I’m not counting on him playing in this one. I'm planning on another game without him and keeping Adams in the WR1 group after his 33% target share last week; however, I am worried about shadow coverage from Patrick Surtain.
The other beneficiary of Puka being out is Terrance Ferguson, who is a decent play, especially with Surtain certainly following Adams and leaving Ferguson as the next best option in the offense. Ferguson is a back-end TE1 this week if Puka is out.
J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman
Sean Payton said any of his three backs could handle a bell-cow workload, which would be more helpful if he planned to give it to one of them. Dobbins and Harvey practiced fully on Thursday, and Coleman is out this week.
Dobbins ran routes on only 15% of the dropbacks last week, and Harvey's return adds another back to share the work even if Coleman sits. It’s a bad matchup for both, but if I had to choose one between the two, I think it’s a better setup for Harvey. I don’t want to start either against this tough Rams defense.
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams and the Bears Offense
Chicago is likely starting Case Keenum this week, which makes everyone on the team less playable in fantasy football. I don’t want to start anyone in the pass game if I don’t have to, and even D’Andre Swift becomes a fringe RB2 for me. Look for options elsewhere if you can.
DeVonta Smith, Zach Ertz and Makai Lemon
Smith's missed practice Thursday with a hamstring injury complicates what had looked like a good week to start him after his 13 targets. He's a WR1 for me if healthy, but I want another Monday option available if we don't get a clear answer before Sunday's games.
Philadelphia signed Ertz after Dallas Goedert's knee injury. I want to see how much of the offense he can handle before trusting him in leagues, but his arrival could let the Eagles keep using two TEs instead of replacing those snaps with a third WR.
That matters for Lemon, whose route share could benefit from more three-WR sets. I'd still keep him or Dontayvion Wicks available as a Monday replacement if you're waiting on Smith, since losing Smith as well would leave Philadelphia needing considerably more help at WR.
Barkley said he will play in Week 3. In a game where the Eagles are heavy favorites, he should SMASH this week as long as we don’t get any information on limitations for him.
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