The unfortunate reality of the NFL is that when players are allowed to go full speed, injuries are bound to happen. Now that fantasy football managers are updating their lineups for the coming week, several players have found themselves on the injury report, leaving their status for Week 3 in the air.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Here is where we currently stand in terms of the fantasy football QB options dealing with an injury.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins head coach Brian Flores confirmed on Wednesday [September 22] that Tua Tagovailoa will be out for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Saturday that Miami placed Tagovailoa on injured reserve, meaning he’ll miss at least three games after fracturing his ribs in Week 2. As a result, Jacoby Brissett will be the starting QB against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
After sustaining a bone bruise in Week 2, Andy Dalton will miss Week 3, according to head coach Matt Nagy. Justin Fields, the No. 11 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, will now make his first career start. Nagy also stated that once Dalton is healthy, he will resume the starting QB role.
Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts
According to Zak Keefer of The Athletic, Carson Wentz (ankle sprains) will be a game-time decision against Tennessee. He was listed as a limited practice participant on Friday’s official injury report but was reported to be moving around with little hindrance.
Update 09/26/21: According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Colts plan to start QB Carson Wentz (ankles) vs. the Titans.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB update
How is the injury bug affecting RB committees heading into Week 3?
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
D’Andre Swift (groin) logged his third-straight limited practice on Friday and is questionable for Week 3, according to Dannie Rogers of the Lions’ official site. Fantasy managers should not worry about Swift’s pre-game status, however. The second-year back was listed with a groin injury in the previous two contests and played well in both.
Update 09/26/21: Swift is not on the Week 3 inactives report. He will be playing against the Ravens.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
According to Pro Football Network NFL Insider Adam Beasley, Josh Jacobs (ankle) was a DNP for practice on Friday, meaning he’s missed a full week of practice. He’s listed as doubtful, but after sitting out Week 2, it’s highly unlikely Jacobs suits up against the Dolphins.
Update 09/26/21: Josh Jacobs is inactive for the Raiders Week 3 matchup with the Dolphins.
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams
According to Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio, Darrell Henderson (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. Earlier in the week, head coach Sean McVay stated “[the Rams] have hope and optimism with [Henderson],” and said they’ll continue to re-evaluate his status closer to game time. Reports from Sunday morning indicate that Henderson is unlikely to suit up.
Update 09/26/21: Darrell Henderson has officially been ruled out for the Los Angeles Rams game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Courtney Cronin of ESPN reports that Dalvin Cook (ankle) was listed as a non-participant in Friday’s practice. However, head coach Mike Zimmer said the running back “did some” work before being listed as questionable on the final injury report.
This is a less than ideal situation — Cook is a locked-in top-three RB in fantasy even if slightly banged up, forcing managers to speculate on his workload while hoping he does not re-aggravate his ankle along the way. It would be wise to check your waivers to see if Alexander Mattison is still floating around. He would be next in line and has succeeded when filling in for Cook in the past.
According to a report by Adam Schefter, it is considered “unlikely” that Cook will play in Week 3.
Update 09/26/21: Dalvin Cook will not play in Minnesota’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. He is out with an ankle injury.
Tevin Coleman, New York Jets
According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, Tevin Coleman (illness) will miss Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. Rookie Michael Carter, who received a more prominent role last week, should be featured as New York’s top RB in a difficult matchup.
Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles
According to Philadelphia’s final injury report, Boston Scott was a non-participant on Friday due to an illness. Scott has been passed by Kenneth Gainwell on the depth chart, and thus, has been a relative non-factor this season.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for San Francisco’s Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, according to the club’s official injury report. After missing Wednesday and Thursday, Mitchell recorded a limited practice on Friday.
JaMycal Hasty, San Francisco 49ers
JaMycal Hasty suffered a high ankle sprain last Sunday against the Eagles. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said it will keep him “out for a while,” Nick Wagoner of ESPN reported. Hasty has been placed on the IR and ruled out for Week 3.
WR injury update
News for pass catchers is essential in PPR leagues — let’s break down the WR fallout.
DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports that DeAndre Hopkins (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Jacksonville. A report from Adam Schefter on Sunday morning indicated Hopkins will likely play, but it is not 100% certain that he will.
Update 09/26/21: Hopkins is officially active and will play against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons
According to Michael Rothstein of ESPN, Russell Gage (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game at the Giants.
Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens
After returning to practice on Friday, Marquise Brown (ankle) is listed as questionable for Week 3 against the Lions and is expected to play.
Update 09/26/21: Brown is not on the inactives list for the Ravens game in Week 3.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
After three straight limited designations, Darnell Mooney is listed as questionable for Week 3 with a groin injury, per the team’s official site.
Update 09/26/21: Mooney is not on the inactives list for the Bears game in Week 3.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports Tee Higgins (shoulder) is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Steelers. Higgins has been on pace to miss this game all week. It was reported early on Sunday morning by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Higgins is not expected to play in Week 3.
Update 09/26/21: Higgins is officially inactive for the Bengals game in Week 3.
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
On Tuesday, the Browns placed Jarvis Landry on injured reserve (MCL). He can return in three weeks under the NFL’s new IR policy.
Tyrell Williams, Detroit Lions
Tyrell Williams was placed on IR Thursday with a concussion.
Kenny Golladay, New York Giants
Jordan Raanan of ESPN reports Kenny Golladay (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons. Golladay has barely practiced since New York’s Thursday Night Football game in Week 2, and this current injury involves the same hip that cost him the majority of the 2020 season. Therefore, fantasy managers need to monitor this one closely.
Golladay’s activation is reported to be a game-day workout situation according to Ian Rapoport.
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets
Jamison Crowder (groin) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game in Denver, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. He was listed as a DNP all week.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
After injuring his knee on the final play of Week 2, Diontae Johnson has officially been ruled out for Week 3 against the Bengals.
Antonio Brown, Tampa bay Buccaneers
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Buccaneers added Antonio Brown to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday following a positive test. All vaccinated players who test positive must return two negative tests 24 hours apart before returning. Brown didn’t practice on Friday and isn’t expected to be available for Sunday’s game against the Rams.
TE injury update for Week 3
Which tight end injuries should we be mindful of when setting our fantasy lineups?
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. As a result of his injury, the Jaguars placed O’Shaughnessy on the IR Wednesday.
Evan Engram, New York Giants
While the Giants have Evan Engram listed as questionable (calf) on their final injury report, he is expected to make his season debut in Week 3 against Atlanta. Engram recorded 63 receptions on 109 targets for 654 yards and a touchdown last season.
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
On Saturday, the Eagles activated Zach Ertz from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Therefore, he will be available for the team on Sunday against the Cowboys.