If you were hoping for an injury reprieve heading into Week 3, well, I am sorry. We got no such thing. The injuries continue to pile up. In Week 2, we lost Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart at quarterback. We got Kyler Murray back, but that hardly makes up for it. It doesn't look like the top wide receivers who missed Week 2 will be back this week, and we have several more who are, at best, questionable. Running back has been one of the healthiest positions, oddly enough, but we even have a couple of question marks there this week. Hopefully, we're at least getting Brock Bowers back in Week 3.
Rather than sulk about this, recognize it for what it is: An opportunity for your Fantasy Football acumen to pay off. Injuries are bad luck, sure, but the person who best manages injuries is often the person who wins the week. Here's what we're dealing with heading into Week 3:
DJ Moore is active
Moore, who was listed as questionable with a shoulder injury that forced him out of last Thursday's game mid-game, is expected to be active and play in Week 3 vs. the Chargers. The Chargers have been susceptible to giving up points to outside wide receivers, with Tre Tucker breaking out last week, so this is a matchup you shouldn't sit Moore in. Fire him up in all leagues.
Puka Nacua doubtful
One phenomenon that has seemed more prevalent is positive coach speak, followed by negative injury reports. That has not been the case with Nacua. The Rams have given us no positive indication this week, and Nacua is now doubtful. You should proceed as if he won't play, which means Davante Adams is a top 12 wide receiver, even with an awful matchup. It also means that Terrance Ferguson is a top 12 tight end. Adams and Ferguson combined for a 63% target share in Week 2 and even with Jordan Whittington returning, they should dominate targets.
Brock Bowers questionable
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Bowers is expected to play in Week 3, barring any pregame warm up setbacks. Bowers missed practice on Friday, apparently as planned, not because of a setback. As of now, we are projecting Bowers to play, but maybe not be himself. He is third in our consensus rankings, but I project him closer to TE10. I would have far more confidence if he had gotten a full practice in on Friday. For most people, if Bowers plays, you should start him, but you should also have a backup plan in place in case he waits one more week. Michael Mayer is the logical choice.
Zay Flowers a true game-time decision
As of Sunday morning, Flowers is expected to be a true game-time decision, but reports suggest the Ravens are more on the pessimistic side. The Ravens will decide on whether or not he plays based on his pregame warm up. Fantasy Football managers don't have that luxury. The Ravens play a 4:25 game on Sunday, so we may not know Flowers status until inactives come out in the middle of the early games. It was a good sign that he made the trip and returned to practice, but for now, we are expecting Flowers to miss another week, which makes Rashod Bateman and upside WR2 and Mark Andrews a low-end TE2. The Cowboys defense has been atrocious early on, so we're still comfortable starting Lamar Jackson without his WR1.
Jalen Coker questionable
Coker was one of the gifts of the first two weeks of the season. At a position that has been decimated by injuries, he was supposed to be a WR2 this week and a fantastic replacement. Instead, he's listed as questionable going into the weekend. We're optimistic he will play, but this injury would be doubly bad because Bryce Young was the best replacement option for teams that lost their quarterbacks. You are starting Tetairoa McMillan, whether Coker plays or not, but Young would lose some appeal if he only had one star receiver. Darren Waller could see a small boost if Coker is ruled out. Coker has been dealing with this ankle for a couple of weeks, so if he plays, we'll start him. Just be prepared with a backup plan.
Rico Dowdle ruled out
Both Warren and Dowdle missed practice on Wednesday but Dowdle is the back who got ruled out on Friday. Warren is questionable after three limited practices, but we are projecting him to play. Their Week 3 matchup, the Bengals, has a very good run defense. But they have also given up the most catches to running backs through two weeks. Warren and Dowdle have combined for a 23% target share this season so without Dowdle we view Warren as a high-end RB2 in full PPR and a low-end RB2 in everything else. Don't be surprised if he catches five or more passes in this game.
Bills receiver room could be thin
DJ Moore and Keon Coleman were both at practice on Friday, but Head Coach Joe Brady said they will be gametime decisions. We're still ranking Moore as a WR2 for Week 3, but if Golden is on your bench, it is probably safer to start him. Moore left last week's game with a shoulder injury but was optimistic he could get back for Week 3. He is best viewed as a risk/reward WR3 but he certainly has top 12 upside. If both Moore and Coleman miss this week's game, Khalil Shakir becomes a solid WR3. Regardless of who plays at receiver, Josh Allen and Dalton Kincaid are must-start options.
Michael Pittman questionable
Pittman missed Week 2, but he limited sessions this week. He wouldn't be an attractive play even if he plays, but he could make it easier to bench DK Metcalf. Metcalf has been awful the first two weeks but he ranks 12th in air yards share and 17th in target share, so it is hard to sit him. It would be easier if Pittman were active.
Kyle Monangai returns to practice as a full participant
Expect a similat split between Swift and Monangai this week, but certainly not a similar situation. We're expecting Case Keenum to start for Chicago against a very good Eagles defense. Still, you should start Swift as an RB2. Monangai is less attractive but can flexed in a pinch. So far this season Swift has 40 touches to Monangai's 24, though the latter has been more efficient.
Tony Pollard full practice on Friday, Tyjae Spears also returns
Both backs missed Wednesday's practice, but Pollard was back to full on Friday. Pollard has an enticing matchup against a banged-up Giants team this week, and with rain in the forecast the Titans could try to lean on the run game. View Pollard as a borderline RB2 with more upside than usual. He becomes a top 20 option if Spears, who is questionable, is unable to play. Also, Nicholas Singleton could see more work if Spears is unable to go.
Saquon Barkley practicing again Friday after stinger
Barkley was one of the mysteries of the week after he left Week 2 with a stinger and had an MRI that was not well-reported on. The fact that he is practicing again on Friday is an excellent sign for his Week 3 availability. View him as a borderline RB1 in a very good matchup against the Bears. If Barkley is a surprise scratch, expect a split between Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley. We prefer Bigsby if we get to that point.
Travis Etienne and Aaron Jones removed from injury report
Both backs look to be good to go in Week 3, though we prefer Jones if you need to start one of them. He has less competition for touches and with the injuries on the defensive side for Tampa Bay, he may have a better matchup als. Echienne saw fewer opportunities than Alvin Kamara in Week 2 and is tough to trust as more than a flex.
Mike Evans returns on Friday
I expect Evans to be on the injury report more often than he's not this season. He left Week 2 early with a hip injury and regularly left training camp practices early with tightness. Earlier this week he was only working off on the side but he was back in uniform on Friday. The vibe in San Francisco is that he will be fine, but the 49ers are clearly being cautious with that WR1. Assuming he does suit up, that is still worrisome because the 49ers are 8.5-point favorites and will likely beat the Cardinals whether Evans logs a catch or not. I would view him as a boom/bust WR3 this week if he plays. If he sits, Deebo Samuel would get a boost, as would George Kittle.
Adonai Mitchell questionable, Mason Taylor out
Mitchell is dealing with a finger issue and appears to be a real question mark. The team has already placed Omar Cooper on injured reserve so this could turn into a very concentrated offense if Mitchell is out as well. Garrett Wilson is a must-start wide receiver in a fantastic matchup, as is Breece Hall. Kenyon Sadiq could have some sneaky streamer appeal as well if Mitchell can't play.
