The third weekend of the football season is here, and the Rotoworld crew has everything you need to lock up a win. 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 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 inactive and all the late-breaking news up to kickoff and beyond. I also occasionally tweet about football @RMSummerlin.
Early Games
Vikings @ Panthers
*Adrian Peterson (knee) was officially placed on injured reserve Friday, leaving Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata to handle the backfield work likely for the rest of the season. McKinnon has more long-term upside, but Asiata is the safer play this week. Stefon Diggs missed practice Friday with a groin injury, but coach Mike Zimmer said it was only precautionary. He was not given an injury designation. With the Vikings likely to lean more pass-heavy with Peterson sidelined, Diggs is a great play even on the road against Carolina. CB Xavier Rhodes (knee) and TE MyCole Pruitt (knee) are questionable. Rhodes should be a game-time decision. DT Sharrif Floyd (knee) will be out several weeks.
*Jonathan Stewart will miss several weeks with a hamstring injury. Cameron Artis-Payne is expected to start with Stewart sidelined, but Fozzy Whittaker will have a role as well. DT Kawann Short (shoulder) and RG Trai Turner (ankle) are questionable, but both practiced in full Friday. LB Jeremy Cash (hamstring) is doubtful.
Cardinals @ Bills
*Larry Fitzgerald was limited Wednesday with a knee injury, but he is not even listed on the final report. RG Evan Mathis (toe) is out while DT Frostee Rucker (knee) and OLB Kareem Martin (knee) are doubtful. CB Justin Bethel (foot) and DT Robert Nkemdiche (ankle) are questionable.
*Sammy Watkins (foot) is listed as questionable despite not practicing at all during the week. Coach Rex Ryan admitted chances are “not real good” Watkins will play, which makes the questionable tag…questionable. Charles Clay (knee, questionable) and WR Greg Salas (groin, questionable, not good) should play, but this is a passing game to avoid. QB Cardale Jones (shoulder) and CB Ronald Darby (hamstring) are also listed as questionable while LT Cordy Glenn (ankle) and S Colt Anderson (foot) are out.
Broncos @ Bengals
*Virgil Green will sit out this week with a calf injury, but 2015 third-rounder Jeff Heuerman (ankle) will make his NFL debut after sitting out his entire rookie season with a torn ACL. Heuerman should see some targets with Green sidelined, but he is not worth streaming even in a good matchup. RT Donald Stephenson (calf), and OLB DeMarcus Ware (forearm) will also sit. WR Bennie Fowler (elbow), ILB Corey Nelson (ankle), S Justin Simmons (hand), and OLB Dekoda Watson (elbow) are questionable.
*Tyler Eifert (ankle) returned to limited practice this week, but he is listed as doubtful. A Week 4 return is looking promising, although coach Marvin Lewis said Eifert will be eased back into action once he is ready to play. CB Darqueze Dennard (hamstring, questionable) should play after getting in full sessions Thursday and Friday, but OL Eric Winston (back) is truly questionable. Andy Dalton came out of Week 2 with a hip injury, but he practiced fully all week and was not given an injury designation on the final report.
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Raiders @ Titans
*Every single one of the seven players listed as questionable by the Raiders practiced in full Friday. CB David Amerson might actually be questionable coming off a concussion, but he is expected to play. RT Austin Howard (ankle) and OL Matt McCants (knee) have been ruled out.
*After returning to a limited practice Thursday, Delanie Walker (hamstring, questionable) was held out of Friday’s session entirely. The downgrade is a big concern for his availability, meaning Walker owners needs to make contingency plans. Dennis Pitta and Jacob Tamme are both great streaming options available in most leagues. On the bright side, OLB Derrick Morgan (hamstring, questionable) is likely to play after practicing in full Friday. Kendall Wright (hamstring, questionable) was limited all week.
Ravens @ Jaguars
*OLB Elvis Dumervil (foot) returned to a limited practice Wednesday, but he was held out of Friday’s session. Despite a questionable tag, he might need another week. LT Ronnie Stanley (foot, questionable) and OL John Urschel (shoulder, questionable) should play, but rookie RB Kenneth Dixon (knee) remains sidelined.
*Chris Ivory (illness) is listed as questionable, but he is set to return after getting in full sessions Thursday and Friday. The running game could struggle without C Brandon Linder (knee, questionable but really out) and LT Kelvin Beachum (concussion, out), but Ivory will have a decent chance for a touchdown any week he is active. Neither CB Prince Amukamara (hamstring) nor DE Jared Odrick (triceps) practiced this week, but both are listed as questionable. Tashaun Gipson (hamstring, questionable) was added the injury report as limited Friday, but he has “no doubt” about suiting up. TE Ben Koyack (knee) is out.
Browns @ Dolphins
*Already decimated by injuries, the Browns also might be without CB Joe Haden (questionable), who missed Friday’s practice with a groin injury. Ryan Tannehill is already an elite streaming option, but Haden missing would only make the matchup better. Corey Coleman (hand), Josh McCown (shoulder), C Cameron Erving (lung), and rookie DE Carl Nassib (hand) are all sidelined with multi-week injuries. S Ibraheim Campbell (hamstring) will also sit while K Patrick Murray (knee) is questionable.
*As expected, Arian Foster’s groin injury will force him to miss Week 3. Jay Ajayi is tentatively expected to start in his place, but coach Adam Gase refused to name a starter. Kenyan Drake and possibly Isaiah Pead or Damien Williams will get carries as well. Even in a great spot, this is a situation to avoid if possible. C Mike Pouncey (hip) was also ruled out and could be sidelined until Week 5. DeVante Parker (hamstring), rookie CB Xavien Howard (knee), LB Jelani Jenkins (knee), DE Jason Jones (ankle), LB Koa Misi (shoulder), and LB Spencer Paysinger (neck) are all questionable. Parker was limited all week in practice, but there is not much reason to worry about his status. He is a borderline WR2 in a great matchup.
Redskins @ Giants
*DeSean Jackson missed Wednesday’s practice and was limited Thursday with knee and ankle issues, but he was a full participant Friday and was not listed on the final injury report. DE Chris Baker (rib, elbow, toe, knee), S Su’a Cravens (hip), WR Josh Doctson (Achilles’), C Kory Lichtensteiger (back), OL Ty Nsekhe (foot), and LB Martrell Spaight (concussion) are questionable. Doctson is fully expected to play, but he will see limited snaps as a role player. DE Kendall Reyes (groin) is out.
*Rashad Jennings (questionable) was limited all week with a thumb injury. He is expected to play, but he will have a small cast on his left thumb. The cast will likely hurt his ability to catch the ball and could limit his usage. Even in a good matchup, Jennings is tough to trust as an RB2. RT Marshall Newhouse (calf), DT Robert Thomas (illness), and FS Darian Thompson (foot) are out.
Lions @ Packers
*Eric Ebron (back) is listed as questionable, but he will play after getting in a full practice Friday. It is the same story for RT Riley Reiff (ankle), SLB Kyle Van Noy (calf), and DT Tyrunn Walker (calf). DE Devin Taylor (questionable) suffered an ankle injury this week, but he was back on the field Friday. RG Larry Warford (questionable) was held out Friday with an illness. CB Adairius Barnes (ankle) and DE Wallace Gilberry (abdomen) are also questionable. Ezekiel Ansah (ankle, out), WLB DeAndre Levy (quad, doubtful), and LB Antwione Williams (hamstring, doubtful) will not play. Ansah and Levy could both be looking at extended absences.
*Clay Matthews (ankle, hamstring), S Morgan Burnett (groin), DT Letroy Guion (knee), and DE Datone Jones (knee) are all listed as questionable despite sitting out every practice. Matthews reportedly hopes to get in some work Saturday. RG T.J. Lang (hip) is also questionable. Sam Shields (concussion) is sidelined indefinitely.
Afternoon Games
49ers @ Seahawks
*RT Anthony Davis remains out with a concussion. S Marcus Cromartie (ankle) and S Jaquiski Tartt (knee) are questionable.
*Thomas Rawls (shin) is listed as doubtful after sitting out all week. Christine Michael is set to start in a plus matchup against the 49ers. He is a legit RB1, although the offensive line concerns dent his projection. Speaking of, RG Germain Ifedi (ankle) is doubtful along with TE Nick Vannett (ankle). Tyler Lockett (knee) and C.J. Prosise (wrist) should play despite questionable tags. Doug Baldwin (knee) and Jimmy Graham (knee) were not even given designations on the final injury report.
Rams @ Bucs
*Benny Cunningham (knee), CB E.J. Gaines (thigh), SS Maurice Alexander (thigh), and DB Lemarcus Joyner (toe) were limited throughout the week and listed as questionable. Rookie WRs Pharoh Cooper (shoulder) and Nelson Spruce (knee) are both doubtful.
*With Doug Martin (hamstring) out, the vast majority of the backfield work will go to Charles Sims, who is a borderline RB1 as a gamescript independent back. DE Robert Ayers (ankle), WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring), and TE Luke Stocker (ankle) will join Martin on the sidelines. After Austin Seferian-Jenkins was waived Friday, Stocker’s absence leaves the Bucs thin at tight end. WLB Lavonte David (shoulder), LT Donovan Smith (hip), and DB Ryan Smith (hand) are all listed as questionable despite full sessions Friday.
Steelers @ Eagles
*Markus Wheaton (shoulder) will make his season debut after practicing in full all week. He should slot back in as the starter opposite Antonio Brown. LG Ramon Foster (elbow) is questionable. FB Roosevelt Nix (back) is doubtful while CB Senquez Golson (foot) and C Cody Wallace (knee) are out.
*Zach Ertz will miss another week with his displaced rib, and it sounds like he could be out even longer. Because of the placement of the injury, it will have to fully heal before Ertz can return. Trey Burton will once again have a big role in the passing game and is a solid streaming option. CB Leodis McKelvin (hamstring) and OG Isaac Seumalo (pec) are also out. LB Mychal Kendricks (nose, quad) is questionable, but he did get in a full practice Friday.
Jets @ Chiefs
*Brandon Marshall (knee, foot, questionable) returned to a limited practice Friday, which is a great sign for his Week 3 availability. He appears on track to play, but owners should have a backup plan in place. Quincy Enunwa (ribs, no designation) would be a great option if available. Eric Decker (shoulder, no designation) should see more targets regardless of Marshall’s activity. LB David Harris (shoulder) and LB Erin Henderson (foot) are questionable. Henderson did not practice all week. Bryce Petty (shoulder) is out.
*Jamaal Charles (knee) is doubtful (really out) for Week 3. Spencer Ware should once again start and is a top-15 play despite a tough matchup. Charles did get some work with the first-team this week, suggesting he could return Week 4. ILB Sam Barrington (hamstring), LG Parker Ehinger (concussion, foot), and OL Jah Reid (knee, ankle) are out. RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (ankle) and CB Phillip Gaines (knee) are questionable. Gaines was added to the report as limited Friday, suggesting he suffered the injury in practice. Gaines tore his ACL last September.
Chargers @ Colts
*Antonio Gates (hamstring) is doubtful after sitting out all week, meaning rookie Hunter Henry should get the start. He is a very interesting streaming option against a bad and slow linebacker group. Third-round DE Joey Bosa (hamstring) and SS Jahleel Addae (collarbone) are both out while LG Orlando Franklin (hamstring) is questionable.
*The Colts just cannot escape the injury bug. No. 1 CB Vontae Davis (ankle, questionable) is likely to return after getting in a full practice Friday, but No. 1 receiver T.Y. Hilton (knee, questionable) was held out of Friday’s session. Coach Chuck Pagano promised Hilton “is going to be fine,” but his status cannot be taken for granted. A backup plan like Phillip Dorsett or Chargers WR Tyrell Williams is not a bad idea, although both are starting options in their own right. Indy will be without Done Moncrief (shoulder), CB Darius Butler (hamstring), CB Patrick Robinson (concussion), and RG Denzelle Good (back). Andrew Luck (shoulder) is not in any danger of missing the game despite a questionable tag. OLB Trent Cole (back), S T.J. Green (knee), and C Ryan Kelly (shoulder) are all listed as questionable despite full practices Friday. S Clayton Geathers (foot, questionable) was limited on Friday after getting in a full session Thursday.
Sunday Night
Bears @ Cowboys
*Alshon Jeffery (knee, questionable) returned to a limited practice Friday after sitting out Thursday. Coach John Fox said he is dealing with “knee soreness,” which could mean he was held out on Thursday just to manage his reps. He will likely play, but it would not be a bad idea to have a backup plan in place. Even if Jeffery suits up, he will not be catching passes from Jay Cutler, who is doubtful (out) with a thumb injury. Cutler could be sidelined several games. Brian Hoyer will start in his place. Ka’Deem Carey (hamstring) is also questionable, meaning rookie Jordan Howard will back up disappointing starter Jeremy Langford. It would not be shocking if Howard took a big chunk of Langford’s work. ILB Danny Trevathan (thumb) is out and NT Eddie Goldman (ankle) is doubtful. The Bears have three corners, two safeties, and one pass rusher listed as questionable in what is shaping up as a good matchup for Dak Prescott and company.
*LT Tyron Smith was added to the injury report Friday because of back tightness, but he is expected to play. CB Orlando Scandrick (hamstring) is listed as questionable despite not practicing all week. He will be limited even if he suits up. RT Doug Free (quad) and DE Jack Crawford (shoulder) are questionable. Tony Romo (back) remains out, but VP Stephen Jones said he is progressing on schedule. He could return Week 8. DE Charles Tapper (back) is also out and OLB Mark Nzeocha (Achilles’) is doubtful.
Monday Night
Falcons @ Saints
*Julio Jones (calf) has yet to practice this week, but coach Dan Quinn has expressed optimism his No. 1 receiver will play. Even so, it would be good to see at least a limited session on Saturday. Mohamed Sanu (ankle) returned to a limited session Friday and would be the No. 1 receiver if Julio cannot play. LBs Paul Worrilow (groin) and De’Vondre Campbell (ankle) have not practiced this week. Worrilow is expected to miss several games.
*Willie Snead (toe) has yet to practice this week. Beat writers do not seem concerned about his status, but he would be difficult to trust if he sat out Saturday’s session as well. LT Terron Armstead (knee) and S Kenny Vaccaro (ankle) also sat out Friday’s practice.
