Injury Report: Week 3
Week 3 of the NFL season is here, and the Rotoworld crew has everything you need to cash in a winning week. Top-ten Fantasy Pros ranker Patrick Daugherty answers your lineup questions with his Week 3 Rankings, Nick Mensio tells you who to start and who to fade in Start’ Em or Sit ‘Em, and Evan Silva breaks down every matchup in his award-winning Matchups Column.
As for me, I am here to shed some light on the most important injury situations facing fantasy owners heading into the weekend. The sister resource to this column is the Rotoworld News Page, which will have every single inactive and all the late-breaking news up to kickoff and beyond. I also occasionally tweet about football @RMSummerlin.
1 PM Games
Saints @ Panthers
* Jonathan Stewart (knee) is questionable. He missed practice on Wednesday and was limited the rest of the week, but he is expected to play. Luke Kuechly (concussion, doubtful) is expected to miss his second game in a row after not practicing all week. Charles Johnson is also questionable with a hamstring injury, but the Panthers’ defense should get back Star Lotulelei (foot) after he practiced in full all week. Jerricho Cotchery (ankle) is out, which should open up more opportunities for rookie Devin Funchess. Fozzy Whittaker (shoulder) is questionable.
* Drew Brees has been ruled out with a bruised rotator cuff in his right, throwing shoulder. Luke McCown will start in his place. Brees missing is a big downgrade for Brandin Cooks (probable, ankle) and the rest of the passing game, and Mark Ingram may not find much running room without the threat of Brees under center. The Saints should be avoided in DFS. Jairus Byrd (knee) and Jahri Evans (knee) will also sit. Keenan Lewis (hip) and Dannell Ellerbe (toe) are questionable.
Eagles @ Jets
* Chris Ivory (questionable, quad/groin) will be a game-time decision. Ivory was able to get in a limited practice on Friday after missing the first two practices of the week. If Ivory is not able to go, Bilal Powell would handle the lion’s share of the backfield touches with Zac Stacy filling a change-of-pace role on early downs. Eric Decker (questionable, knee) is also a game-time decision, but he is far less likely to play than Ivory. With Chris Owusu (knee) already ruled out, Brandon Marshall should see double-digit targets this week. Darrelle Revis (groin) is listed as questionable, but he is fully expected to play. Willie Colon (knee) is questionable. Trevor Reilly (finger) and Darrin Walls (hamstring) will not play.
* DeMarco Murray (questionable, hamstring) is expected to play, but he could see his workload reduced. Injured and in a terrible matchup, Murray cannot be considered anything more than a desperation FLEX play. Kiko Alonso (knee) and Mychal Kendricks (hamstring) are both out. Rookie Jordan Hicks will start next to DeMeco Ryans. Cedric Thornton (broken hand) and Taylor Hart (shoulder) will not play.
Falcons @ Cowboys
* Jason Witten is probable despite two sprained ankles and a sprained knee. It is unclear what ailment would be required to force Witten to miss a game. Ronald Leary is questionable with a groin injury. He missed Week 2 but was able to get in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. If Leary sits, rookie La’El Collins would likely get the start at left guard. With Randy Gregory (ankle), Greg Hardy (suspended) and Jeremy Mincey (concussion) out, the Cowboys could struggle to generate a pass rush. Dez Bryant (foot) is out until at least Week 7.
* Tevin Coleman has been ruled out with a non-displaced fracture in his ribs. The injury is expected to take 4-6 weeks to fully heal, but Coleman could play before then if he can manage the pain. Julio Jones (hamstring) is probable. Devin Hester (toe) and Brooks Reed (groin) are both out.
Colts @ Titans
* Delanie Walker (hand) is probable. Marcus Mariota has targeted tight ends on 34 percent of his attempts, which is the highest mark in the league. Antonio Andrews (hamstring) is probable after missing the first two weeks. Derrick Morgan (back) popped up on the injury report Friday, but he is probable. Jason McCourty (groin) got in a full practice on Friday but is listed as questionable. Chance Warmack (knee) is out.
* Dwayne Allen (ankle) has been ruled out. Coby Fleener averaged 78 yards and scored four touchdowns in the five games Allen missed or was limited last season. Trent Cole popped up on the injury report Thursday with a knee injury and was not able to participate on Friday. He is listed as questionable, but he likely will sit. Darius Butler (hip) and Greg Toler (neck) have been ruled out, but Vontae Davis (concussion, questionable) should be able to play.
Raiders @ Browns
* Josh McCown (concussion) will start after missing last week’s game. Justin Gilbert (hamstring) and Desmond Bryant (shoulder) are listed as questionable. Bryant has not practiced all week. Gilbert got in limited sessions Thursday and Friday. Scott Solomon (ankle) and Robert Turbin (ankle) are still out.
* Charles Woodson (shoulder) and Justin Tuck (knee) are probable after getting in full practices on Thursday and Friday. Justin Ellis (ankle) and Benson Mayowa (knee) are out. Jamize Olawale is questionable with an ankle injury.
Bengals @ Ravens
* Lorenzo Taliaferro missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a foot injury, but he is listed as questionable after getting in a limited session on Friday. Taliaferro missed Week 1 with a knee injury. Buck Allen will be the backup to Justin Forsett if Taliaferro cannot play. Breshad Perriman (knee), Eugene Monroe (concussion) and Chris Canty (calf) are out. Perriman got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday, but he is a long-shot for Week 4 with the Ravens playing on Thursday night. He should be back by Week 5.
* A.J Green (knee) caused some concern when he missed practice on Wednesday, but he was a full participant on Thursday and Friday. He will play. Marcus Hardison (knee) is doubtful and Pat Sims (hip) is out.
Jaguars @ Patriots
* Dominique Easley (hip) was limited all week in practice and is listed as questionable. Considering the Patriots are 13.5-point favorites and have their bye next week, it could make sense to sit Easley through the bye. Ryan Wendell (illness) is out again.
* Luke Joeckel (ankle) and Brandon Linder (shoulder) are listed as questionable, but both are unlikely to play after missing practice on Friday. The Patriots should add to their league-leading 11 sacks on Sunday. Toby Gerhart (abdomen) should make his season debut, but Denard Robinson (knee, doubtful) will not play. Sen’Derrick Marks (knee) is doubtful to play, but he could make his debut next week after seeing limited practice work all week. Johnathan Cyprien (calf) is questionable, and Andre Branch (knee), Dwayne Gratz (ankle) and Julius Thomas (hand) are all out.
Bucs @ Texans
* DeAndre Hopkins (concussion) is listed as probable despite not yet being cleared by an independent neurologist. At this point he looks poised to play, but he will need to gain medical clearance on Saturday. Arian Foster (groin) has been ruled out for Week 3, but he could make his season debut next week against the Falcons after practicing on a limited basis all week. Duane Brown (hand) has been ruled out after not practicing all week. He could be out until Week 5. Lonnie Ballentine (knee) and Mike Mohamed (calf) are also out. C.J. Fiedorowicz (knee), Jonathan Grimes (knee) and Xavier Su’a-Filo (calf) are questionable.
* Mike Evans (probable, hamstring) is expected to play a full complement of snaps against the Texans. He is a high-end WR2. Austin Seferian-Jenkins will be sidelined at least four weeks with a strained shoulder. Gerald McCoy, D.J. Swearinger and T.J. Fatinikun are questionable with shoulder injuries. Mike Jenkins (hamstring) is also questionable. Evan Smith (ankle) and Major Wright (abdomen) are doubtful.
Chargers @ Vikings
* Brandon Fusco is questionable with a concussion. He practiced in full on Friday, but he needs to be cleared by an independent neurologist before he can play. Jeremiah Sirles will start if Fusco cannot go.
* Ladarius Green is officially questionable with a concussion, but he is reportedly “still experiencing headaches” and has “no clue” if he will be cleared for contact. He is unlikely to play. D.J. Fluker (ankle) is listed as questionable after getting in two limited practices on Thursday and Friday. He will be a game-time decision. Jason Verrett (questionable) popped up on the injury report Thursday with a foot injury and was only able to practice on a limited basis Friday. Tourek Williams (foot), Johnnie Troutman (broken arm), Jacoby Jones (ankle) and Jahleel Addae (ankle) are out.
Steelers @ Rams
* Todd Gurley (knee) is listed as questionable on the official injury report, but he is fully expected to make his NFL debut against the Steelers. He is unlikely to see much more than 10 touches. Chase Reynolds (knee) and Eugene Sims (knee) are out.
* Ryan Shazier has been ruled out with the shoulder injury he suffered making the final of 15 tackles last week against the 49ers. His absence is a big hit to Pittsburgh’s run defense. Cortez Allen (knee) is questionable. Daniel McCullers (knee) is out.
Afternoon Games
Bears @ Seahawks
* Marshawn Lynch (calf) did not practice on Friday and is listed as questionable. Lynch will test out the calf on Saturday and is expected to be a game-time decision. Fred Jackson and Thomas Rawls will split the running back work if Lynch cannot play. Kam Chancellor (holdout) is expected to play. Luke Willson (back) is questionable. Tharold Simon (toe) and Steven Terrell (hip) are out.
* Jay Cutler (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) have been ruled out. Anyone not named Matt Forte (probable, knee) or Martellus Bennett needs to be benched. Eddie Royal (hip) is questionable but will play. Jon Bostic (ankle) is doubtful. Pernell McPhee (knee), Tracy Porter (hamstring) and Ego Ferguson (knee) are questionable.
49ers @ Cardinals
* Andre Ellington (knee) returned to practice for the first time in two weeks on Friday, but he is still listed as doubtful on the official injury report. He should return next week. Chris Johnson will be the lead back with David Johnson playing a change-of-pace role. Mike Iupati (questionable, knee) is expected to play against his former team. J.J. Nelson (shoulder) is out.
* Reggie Bush (calf) did not practice all week and is listed as doubtful. He is not playing. Mike Davis will once again backup Carlos Hyde (probable, quad). Torrey Smith (knee) is probable. Bruce Ellington (ankle) and Vance McDonald (knee) are questionable.
Bills @ Dolphins
* Lamar Miller (ankle) and Jordan Cameron (groin) are listed as questionable, but both are expected to play. Cameron could have a big game if the Dolphins choose to attack the Bills using the Patriots’ offensive gameplan from a week ago. Branden Albert is doubtful with a hamstring injury. Jason Fox will start in his place. Earl Mitchell (back) is questionable. Dion Sims (concussion) is doubtful.
* LeSean McCoy (probable, hamstring) appeared close to 100 percent against the Patriots. He is a good play against what has been a disappointing Dolphins’ defense. Marquise Goodwin (ribs) and Aaron Williams (neck) are out. Marcus Easley (back) and Tony Steward (knee) are questionable.
Sunday Night
Broncos @ Lions
* Matthew Stafford (ribs, everything else) is banged up but will play. DeAndre Levy (hip) is doubtful. The Lions’ defense has been a mess without Levy on the field. Brandon Pettigrew (hamstring) is out, meaning Eric Ebron should once again see close to 90 percent of the offensive snaps.
* C.J. Anderson (toe) is probable. Anderson said he is completely over the toe injury which hobbled him Week 2. Omar Bolden (foot) and Kenny Anunike (knee) are questionable after getting in limited sessions all week. Kayvon Webster (ankle) is doubtful.
Monday Night
Chiefs @ Packers
* Eddie Lacy (ankle) and Davante Adams (ankle) bot got in limited practices on Friday and are expected to play. Bryan Bulaga (knee) did not practice Thursday or Friday. He will likely miss another week. Demetri Goodson (hamstring) and Mike Neal (groin) did not practice on Friday.
* Every Chief is practicing in full.
