WR injury update
News for pass catchers is essential in PPR leagues — let’s break down the WR fallout.
DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
Darren Urban of the Cardinals’ official site reports DeAndre Hopkins didn’t participate in Thursday’s practice due to a rib injury. Arizona has expressed confidence that Hopkins will be available against Jacksonville, and his Week 3 status does not warrant a double check. Given his track record of playing through injuries and sitting out practices early in the week, this tends to be par for the course.
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons
Scott Bair of the Falcons’ official site reports Russell Gage was held out of practice Thursday with an ankle injury he picked up in Week 2. It’s looking more likely Gage could miss Week 3 against the Giants. Olamide Zaccheaus would likely see an increased role, as would everyone’s favorite waiver wire pick up Cordarrelle Patterson.
Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens
After another solid game in Week 2, Marquise Brown did not participate in practice on Thursday, according to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun. He was a limited participant on Wednesday. Brown only practiced once last week, had his ankle taped, and dropped 113 yards and a TD on 6 receptions. His level of participation on Friday will go a long way in telling fantasy managers whether or not they should panic.
Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills
According to Jon Scott of Spectrum News 1, Gabriel Davis was a limited participant on Thursday. Davis was listed with an ankle injury heading into Week 2 but played. Keep an eye out for the Friday injury report to see any changes.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
For the second straight day, Darnell Mooney was limited in practice with a groin injury. He was listed as questionable in Week 2 with a back injury and will likely draw a similar tag in Week 3 against the Browns.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins remained sidelined at practice Thursday with a shoulder injury, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals’ official site reports. According to Geoff Hobson of the team’s official site, Higgins is “on pace” to miss Week 3 against the Steelers after back-to-back DNP designations. Head coach Zac Taylor has not provided much info beyond labeling Higgins “day to day.” If he is out, Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd would be in the WR2/WR3 range for fantasy.
Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns
Odell Beckham Jr. (ACL) logged a full practice for a second straight day, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. With Jarvis Landry out (MCL), the Browns need Beckham back, but there’s also a difference between practicing fully and being full-go in-game with no snap count restrictions.
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
On Tuesday, the Browns placed Landry on the IR (MCL). He can return in three weeks under the NFL’s new IR policy.
Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Amari Cooper (ribs) would be a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports. The Cowboys play on Monday night, so they do have an extra day for Cooper to be available.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos
Aric DiLalla of the Broncos’ official site reports Tim Patrick (hip) is slated to practice in a limited capacity Thursday. He was also a limited participant on Wednesday.
Tyrell Williams, Detroit Lions
Tyrell Williams was placed on IR on Thursday with a concussion.
Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions
Kalif Raymond (thigh) remained a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports. With Raymond injured and Williams on the IR (concussion), Quintez Cephus and Amon-Ra St. Brown should see increased roles in Week 3.
Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts
Dealing with an abdomen injury, Parris Campbell recorded his second consecutive limited practice Thursday. He was added to the Colts’ injury report last Friday and missed Week 2 against the Rams.
Kenny Golladay, New York Giants
Zack Rosenblatt reports that Kenny Golladay (hip) practiced on a limited basis Thursday. This is slightly concerning. Golladay has barely practiced since their TNF game in Week 2, and this is the same hip that cost him the majority of the 2020 season. Fantasy managers need to monitor this one closely.
Kadarius Toney, New York Giants
The Giants added Kadarius Toney to the injury report Thursday, listing him as a limited participant in practice due to an ankle issue, Rosenblatt reported. Despite being selected as the No. 20 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Toney has made little to no impact on the team, playing on just 24 total snaps with 2 receptions (2 targets) for -2 yards.
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets
According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, Crowder (groin) didn’t practice Thursday. He missed Week 2 due to the same injury.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports that Diontae Johnson was a non-participant in Thursday’s practice due to a knee injury suffered on the game’s final play in Week 2 when the game was out of reach.
Antonio Brown, Tampa bay Buccaneers
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Buccaneers added Brown to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday with a positive test. All vaccinated players who test positive must return two negative tests 24 hours apart before being allowed to return. With just three days until kickoff, it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to play in the Bucs’ Week 3 game against the Rams.
TE injury update for Week 3
Which tight ends should we be mindful of when setting our fantasy lineups?
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Aric DiLalla reports that Noah Fant was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to an ankle injury. Fant has been a massive part of the Broncos’ offense, recording 10 receptions on 14 targets for 95 yards with a touchdown. Fant still expects to play in Week 3 against the Jets and would be a mid-TE1 for fantasy. However, managers should check back for any further injury updates that have been reported.
James O’Shaughnessy, Jacksonville Jaguars
James O’Shaughnessy suffered an ankle injury in the first half after playing 3 offensive snaps Sunday. Despite recording just 1 catch for 24 yards, he ended the game as Jacksonville’s second-leading receiver. On Wednesday, the Jaguars placed O’Shaughnessy on the IR.
Evan Engram, New York Giants
Still waiting to make his 2020 season debut, Evan Engram (calf) was limited at practice Thursday and is trending in the right direction for Week 3. Engram recorded 63 receptions on 109 targets for 654 yards and a touchdown last season.
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles placed Zach Ertz on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday. Therefore, expect Dallas Goedert to take on a larger role if Ertz is absent in Week 3. Goedert would be locked in as a TE1 for fantasy.
Anthony Firkser, Tennessee Titans
According to John Glennon of Broadway Sports Media, Anthony Firkser (knee) wasn’t spotted at Thursday’s practice and will log his second straight DNP. MyCole Pruitt and Geoff Swaim would be the primary targets for the Titans at tight end if Firkser doesn’t play, but neither are viable for fantasy in Week 3.