NFL

Pitre was injured in the Texans’ season opener against the Ravens and is now slated to miss his second-consecutive game. The start safety was replayed by M.J. Stewart and DeAndre Houston-Carson last week, as the two figure to both see action again this week. The Texans also ruled out LB Denzel Perryman (hand/wrist) and CB Derek Stingley (hamstring).

Bakhtiari missed Week 2 with the knee issue and will almost certainly be ruled out later today. He has had lingering knee issues since tearing his ACL in 2020 and will likely have his workload managed through the season. Yosh Nijman and Rasheed Walker both saw snaps at left tackle in Week 2.

Okudah missed Week 1 and Week 2 because of the foot issue. After getting in a trio of limited practices this week, he has a shot at suiting up versus the Lions. His return would help the Falcons maintain their improvement as a defense compared to the disaster that was their 2022 season.

With Anthony Richardson still in concussion protocol, Minshew will get a chance to start his first game of 2023. The veteran quarterback threw for 171 yards and a touchdown in relief of Richardson last week, and is now on his third season with head coach Shane Steichen after the two spent 2021 and 2022 together in Philadelphia. Minshew is among the best backup quarterbacks in the league and could be relied on in a pinch as a low-end streaming option in 2QB and superflex leagues.

Patterson has been questionable for both of the Falcons’ games this season. He hasn’t suited up for either contest. The jack-of-all-trades running back will likely sit out again this week. If he does suit up, it will be for an extremely light workload.

Richardson was trending toward missing after being sidelined in practice all week. The Colts start rookie exited in the first quarter of Week 2 with a concussion, and has been in the league’s concussion protocol ever since. Veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew, who joined the Colts after playing in Philadelphia under Shane Steichen, will get the road start against a stout Ravens defense.

Thomas remains in the league’s concussion protocol and will miss Week 3’s matchup as a result. The Commanders No. 1 tight end has been held out of practice all week after exiting Week 2’s contest against the Broncos, but could be back in time for Week 4. Cole Turner and John Bates will both get looks at tight end, but neither should be considered reliable for fantasy this week.

Journeyman Andy Dalton will be under center for the struggling Carolina offense against Seattle. He’s only playable in deep superflex leagues. Young, meanwhile, could reportedly miss Week 4 as well. Young should not be rostered in most fantasy formats.

Hunt signed with the Browns Wednesday and will suit up on Sunday against Tennessee’s elite run defense. How much Hunt will play is anyone’s guess, though we can safely assume Hunt’s snaps will be limited. Jerome Ford is expected to lead the post-Nick Chubb (knee) Cleveland backfield. He’s a solid top-20 option against the Titans. Hunt should be rostered in 12-team formats.

Stroud entered Week 2 against the Colts as questionable after missing some practice time with an injury to his throwing shoulder. He played well against Indianapolis, throwing for 384 yards and two touchdowns in a loss. Slowick said the team would be careful with the rookie quarterback’s workload throughout the season. “It may be some days he’s limited on throws, it may be some days he’s not limited on throws, but he’s limited on other stuff that’s not team-period related,” Slowik said. “And that is kind of a week-to-week thing and it’s an individual thing as we go through the year. So he’s always going to be on an arm maintenance program every quarterback is it’s just what we’re doing that specific week.” If Stroud were to miss time, Davis Mills would presumably start for Houston. Stroud is a solid streaming play in Week 3 against the Jaguars.