After a few quiet weeks for the quarterbacks and busy weeks for the tight ends to start the year on QB/TE injury report, the roles have completely flipped. Tight ends like Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, George Kittle, and Darren Waller are gone, but several big-name quarterbacks have made it on our round-up.
What quarterback injuries should you be aware of this week to prepare you for your fantasy football lineups? Is any rookie quarterback safe in 2023? And what tight-end names have taken the place of the stars previously on our list? Let’s dig in and find out!
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Injury Updated for Top Fantasy QBs
Below are the fantasy-relevant quarterbacks that we should watch out for in Week 3.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
The calf injury that kept Joe Burrow out of most of the Cincinnati Bengals training camp and preseason popped back up after the quarterback re-tweaked it in a Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Burrow has been unable to practice most of the week before practicing in a limited capacity on Friday. The hardest part about this for fantasy managers is the Bengals play the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football this week. He practiced again Saturday and was listed as questionable.
MORE: Fantasy Football Week 3 Cheat Sheet
PFN’s Jay Morrison reported that Burrow’s teammates are not optimistic he will play in Week 3. With Burrow officially being declared in or out likely not coming until Monday, managers will have to decide early whether to sit the quarterback for a replacement who will probably be playing on Sunday.
Unless your backup options on your team are Jalen Hurts, Matthew Stafford, or Baker Mayfield (all playing Monday as well), you may need to play it safe and sit Burrow on your fantasy teams for another option this week.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
After suffering an ankle injury in the Carolina Panthers Week 2 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Bryce Young is officially out for Week 3. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton will start in place of the rookie.
Young being out is a blow to the Panthers and fantasy managers. Even worse, there is a chance the injury may have the rookie missing multiple games. We know Young will be out Week 3, but we will have to check back next week to see his status on Week 4.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is back on the injury report this week but for a new injury. Richardson suffered a concussion on a touchdown run in the Week 2 win over the Houston Texans.
Richardson has been unable to practice all week with the concussion and is officially listed as out for the Colts Week 2 game in Baltimore. He did not clear protocol to get back on the field. With Richardson unable to go, backup Gardner Minshew will lead the Colts on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
All three quarterbacks in the first four picks of the 2023 NFL draft are on the injury list this week. But of the three, C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans is in the best shape to play this weekend.
Stroud remained on the injury report all week for a right shoulder injury he suffered before Week 2. But Stroud was able to play Week 2, and all signs point to him taking the field on Sunday when the Texans play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Duval.
Barring any setbacks, expect Stroud to be suited up on Sunday.
Injury Updated for Top Fantasy TEs
Below are the fantasy-relevant tight ends we should watch out for in Week 3.
Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday this week with a back injury he sustained in the Week 2 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. But Knox returned to the practice field on Friday, giving hope he can take the field this weekend.
Knox is off the injury report for the Bills matchup on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. If Knox is not 100%, we could see a spike in usage for rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid in the Bills game plan. But Knox will be on the field in Week 3.
Logan Thomas, TE, Washington Commanders
Logan Thomas had a solid start to the 2023 season for the Washington Commanders. But the tight end was injured catching a touchdown in the win last Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
MORE: Fantasy Week 3 QB/TE Start/Sit
Thomas was diagnosed with a concussion. He has been in concussion protocol since the game and has not practiced all week. On Friday, Thomas was officially listed as out for this weekend.
With Thomas unable to suit up, John Bates will likely get the top snaps at tight end for the Commanders.