Week 3 continues to deliver one of the most chaotic injury slates of the season. Several starting quarterbacks are sidelined, multiple backfields are in flux, and a handful of high‑profile receivers remain true game‑time decisions. Below is the complete rundown of every fantasy‑relevant injury heading into Sunday, Sunday night, and Monday night.
Quarterbacks
- Jayden Daniels (QB – WAS) | Out
Jayden Daniels has been ruled out for Week 3, but Washington does not expect him to require surgery or be placed on injured reserve. Marcus Mariota will start, and his past production suggests he can be a viable fantasy option.
In eight starts, Mariota posted an 8.8 percent designed rush rate, a 91.3 passer rating, and 7.5 yards per attempt. He averaged 15.46 fantasy points per game and recorded two games over 20 points. His rushing floor gives him meaningful upside, although Washington faces Seattle this week, which is a difficult matchup.
- Sam Darnold (QB – SEA) | Cleared
Sam Darnold has been removed from the injury report and will play, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. A matchup against Washington’s defense should allow Darnold to produce usable fantasy numbers, especially with Jaxon Smith‑Njigba.
- Caleb Williams (QB – CHI) | Doubtful
Caleb Williams is doubtful for Monday night due to a hamstring injury, and Tyson Bagent is practicing off concussion protocol but has not been cleared, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Chicago is preparing for Case Keenum to start if Bagent is not active on Monday. Fantasy managers who drafted Colston Loveland should find other options, but Bears receivers Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, and Kalif Raymond are all must-sits like Loveland.
- Jaxson Dart (QB – NYG) | Out for Season
Jaxson Dart will undergo season‑ending knee surgery. Jameis Winston will start for the Giants, which boosts Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers if Nabers is active. The rest of the offense becomes far more volatile. Weather may hurt all Giants and Titans pass-catchers in this game.
- Kyler Murray (QB – MIN) | Cleared
Kyler Murray’s return in Week 3 immediately raises the ceiling of the entire Vikings offense, restoring their downfield passing and red‑zone efficiency. His dual‑threat ability boosts Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson back into their usual fantasy tiers while making Murray a confident QB1 start.
Running Backs
- Jadarian Price (RB – SEA) | Chest
Rookie Jadarian Price is off the injury report and will play. Emanuel Wilson was a popular waiver pickup after his Week 2 performance, but Price’s return pushes Wilson back to the bench. Price is an RB2 this week.
- Rico Dowdle / Jaylen Warren (RBs – PIT) | Toe / Shoulder
Rico Dowdle has been ruled out, which makes Jaylen Warren a must‑start option. Warren should handle a significant workload and is a strong RB2. Rookie Eli Heidenreich could see a few looks as Warren takes breathers with an increased snap share.
- Tony Pollard / Tyjae Spears (RBs – TEN) | Ankle
Tony Pollard is off the injury report, while Tyjae Spears is questionable. Tennessee’s offense has struggled, but rookie Nicholas Singleton remains an intriguing deep‑league stash in case the Titans expand his role.
- Travis Etienne / Kendre Miller (RBs – NO) | Hamstring / Knee
Travis Etienne has been removed from the injury report, while Kendre Miller is questionable. Etienne is a buy‑low candidate, although Alvin Kamara’s usage last week is concerning. Etienne ranks as RB29 in Jake Ciely’s Week 3 projections.
- Jonah Coleman / RJ Harvey / JK Dobbins (RBs – DEN) | Ankle / Hamstring / Hip
Rookie Jonah Coleman has been ruled out and put on IR, while RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins are expected to play. Dobbins may lead the group, but he is no more than an RB3.
- Kyle Monangai (RB – CHI) | Cleared
Kyle Monangai has been removed from the injury report. D’Andre Swift is an RB2, and Monangai is a Flex option for Week 3.
- Saquon Barkley / Tank Bigsby / Will Shipley (RBs – PHI) | Knee / Ankle / Ankle
Saquon Barkley is off the injury report and carries top‑10 value this week. Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley were limited in practice on Friday, but neither is startable with Barkley healthy.
Wide Receivers
- Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC) | Ribs
Ladd McConkey struggled in Week 2 while playing through a cracked rib, but he is now a full participant in practice. His target volume should return to normal, making him a viable WR2.
- DJ Moore / Keon Coleman (WRs – BUF) | Shoulder
DJ Moore wore a non‑contact jersey throughout the week and is a game-time decision. Keon Coleman is also questionable. If Moore sits, Khalil Shakir and Josh Palmer become Flex options, although Dalton Kincaid’s breakout limits their ceiling.
- Jalen Coker (WR – CAR) | Ankle
Jalen Coker played through his ankle injury in Week 2 and caught eight passes for 66 yards. He practiced in a limited capacity this week but is expected to play. He is a low‑end WR2/Flex.
- Demarcus Robinson / Mike Evans (WRs – SF) | Ankle / Knee
Demarcus Robinson is expected to miss three to six weeks due to a high‑ankle sprain. Mike Evans will be managed in practice but is expected to play. Deebo Samuel becomes a more stable option and sits just outside WR2 territory. Evans remains a WR2, and George Kittle continues to be an elite TE1.
- Zay Flowers (WR – BAL) | Hamstring
Zay Flowers did not practice Thursday but traveled with the team to Brazil. If Flowers plays, he is a WR1, and Rashod Bateman becomes a Flex option. If Flowers sits, Bateman becomes a high‑end Flex like last week.
- Puka Nacua (WR – LAR) | Groin
Puka Nacua has not made meaningful progress and is doubtful for Week 3. If Nacua is out, Davante Adams becomes a WR1.
- Puka Nacua (WR – NYJ) | Finger
Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell is listed as questionable going into Sunday’s game with a finger injury. He was seen carrying a heavily taped hand around. It almost looked like his finger was in a cast, so he is a game-time decision vs. the Lions. Either way, Garrett Wilson is a smash this week.
- Michael Pittman (WR – PITT) | Foot
Like last week, Michael Pittman is questionable to play. If he is out, rookie Germie Bernard will likely get more volume along with DK Metcalf vs. Cincinnati.
- Nico Collins (WR – HOU) | Hamstring
Nico Collins has been ruled out for Week 3. Dalton Schultz becomes a top‑10 tight end just like last week. Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, and Kayshon Boutte are deeper‑league Flex options.
- Alec Pierce (WR – IND) | Heel
Alec Pierce has been placed on injured reserve after aggravating his surgically repaired heel. Josh Downs could emerge as the Colts’ top receiver, although the matchup against Houston is difficult. Tight end Tyler Warren should see increased usage and carries top‑five upside. The Colts also added Darius Slayton. But Josh Downs will get a big bump for this as well.
Tight Ends
- Brock Bowers (TE – LV) | Knee
Brock Bowers has been a limited participant in practice and appears close to returning. If he plays, he is an immediate TE1. His return would reduce Tre Tucker’s ceiling despite Tucker’s explosive Week 2. Streaming options include Dalton Schultz, Oronde Gadsden, Juwan Johnson, Mark Andrews, and Hunter Henry.
- Colby Parkinson (TE – LAR) | Knee
Colby Parkinson did not practice Thursday. If he sits, Terrance Ferguson becomes a strong streaming option.
- Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI) | MCL
Dallas Goedert will miss multiple weeks due to a sprained MCL. The Eagles have signed Zach Ertz. Fantasy managers who lost Goedert should consider Oronde Gadsden, Kenyan Sadiq, Hunter Henry, or Dalton Schultz.
- Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ) | Out
Mason Taylor is out for Week 3. Rookie Kenyan Sadiq now has an opportunity to take over and is a viable streaming option.
Final Thoughts
Week 3 is shaping up to be one of the most injury‑heavy weeks of the season. The most important developments include Jayden Daniels being ruled out, Sam Darnold returning, Caleb Williams missing Monday night, Puka Nacua likely sitting, Nico Collins being ruled out, and Brock Bowers nearing a return. Fantasy managers should monitor Sunday morning updates closely and prepare contingency plans for late‑window and Monday‑night players.
