Each week, Dr. Matthew Mitchell provides Injury News for Next Man Up for the affected players on your dynasty squads. He includes both information on the injured players themselves as well as letting you know which players may be impacted in a positive or negative way as a result.
In this article, staff writer Johnny Goode (@JohnnyBGoodeDFF) provides an injury update on how these players have progressed throughout the week with up-to-date information to help you make the best choices for your fantasy team in Week 3 of the NFL season.
AFC East Injury Update
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Miami Dolphins | Concussion
Tua Tagovailoa has been placed on IR, giving him ample time to heal and be cleared for play. That leaves Skylar Thompson to take the reins unless Miami makes a move in the near future. Skylar Thompson is a decent superflex or 2QB fill in. The biggest challenge may be the wide receivers adjusting from a left-handed quarterback throwing the ball to a right-handed passer.
AFC South Injury Update
Joe Mixon | RB | Houston Texans | Ankle
Count on Joe Mixon sitting this week. There is still some question as to what kind of injury he sustained. After being officially labeled week to week, Mixon could miss Week 4. With Dameon Pierce out with a hamstring injury, Cam Akers is left at the top of the depth chart. He’s worth a flier if you’re in need of a RB2 or flex play, as the Houston offense looks electric.
Tyjae Spears | RB | Tennessee Titans | Ankle
After a full practice on Friday, Tyjae Spears looks to be officially questionable. The Titans have an early kickoff, so you should know his status in time to make any changes. A healthy Spears hasn’t been very productive this year, so I can’t imagine a banged up Spears would look significantly different. I’m leaving Spears on my bench this week.
Evan Engram | TE | Jacksonville Jaguars | Hamstring
Doug Peterson has indicated that Evan Engram is likely out this week with a hamstring injury. This puts Brenton Strange as the starter. Among other tight ends in staff writer Steven Pintado’s Tight End Advice: The 12 Formation for Week 3, Strange is listed a potential start candidate in deep leagues.
If you need a deep-stash starter, (in my opinion) it’s only a matter of time before Cade Otton starts catching fire.
AFC West Injury Update
Justin Herbert | QB | Los Angeles Chargers | Leg
Justin Herbert indicated he’s dealing with a high ankle sprain and experiencing significant pain. Friday he was spotted with pads on doing some stretching, with a heavily-taped ankle. At the time of this article, his status is TBD; however, if you have better options in 1QB leagues, this would be a good week to consider playing them. Superflex and 2QB leagues have a tougher call to make this week. Should Herbert suit up, I’d expect a heavy dose of J.K. Dobbins with shorter drop backs and almost no scrambling. You can replace him with some of the guys listed in Changing the Call: QB Advice for Week 3 by staff writer Mike Hicks.
Isiah Pacheco | RB | Kansas City Chiefs | Ankle
A fractured fibula was near the top of best-case scenarios for Isiah Pachecho, as he will likely be able to return this year. Given that the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, Pacheco could return without much limitation. Samaje Perine is the presumed starter for Week 2 and beyond. Kansas City signed Kareem Hunt, who I expect to be eased into action. Perine isn’t a bad RB2 or flex start in my opinion, especially considering the health of the RB landscape.
NFC South Injury Update
Rachaad White | RB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Groin
Another running back who just hasn’t looked very good so far is Rachaad White. He cleared the injury report, so he is good to go this week from a health standpoint. Denver hasn’t been great against the run, so if White can’t get it done this weekend, we may have to ask ourselves when the offense might shift to Bucky Irving.
NFC North Injury Update
Marshawn Lloyd | RB | Green Bay Packers | Ankle
After being officially placed on Injured Reserve, Marshawn Lloyd will be set to miss the next 4 weeks. He looked explosive when he had opportunities, so the future looks bright. In the meantime, Emanuel Wilson fills in for Lloyd and has looked quite good when given opportunities. Still, unless Josh Jacobs gets hurt, there isn’t much startable value here.
Justin Jefferson | WR | Minnesota Vikings | Quad
Now that he has finally been cleared from the injury report for Week 3, Justin Jefferson is a must start. No major concerns here. He will likely be able to play through the soreness and still produce.
Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | Detroit Lions | Lower Body
Amon-Ra St. Brown appears to be good-to-go this week, as he has cleared the injury report. Start “ARSB” with confidence.
NFC West Injury Update
Cooper Kupp | WR | Los Angeles Rams | Ankle
The Los Angeles Rams elected to not put Cooper Kupp on IR, which has many managers hopeful that he’s out for less than 4 weeks. I suspect the Rams may be trying to play it safe with their IR since it’s Week 3 of the young season. They can only bring 8 players back from Injured Reserve during the season, and they currently have 10 on IR. Kupp may still miss 4 weeks, regardless of his IR status
Puka Nacua is part of the Reserves, so the Rams must turn to Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, and Jordan Whittington. Whittington had an exceptional preseason, but I want to see him play in a regular season game before feeling confident in starting him. Tyler Johnson is a solid play this week as I expect him to fill that high-volume role. Check out Wide Receiver Start/Sit Advice: The Slant Pattern for Week 3 to see who Tristan Cook recommends from the Rams this week!
Deebo Samuel | WR | San Francisco 49ers | Calf
Deebo Samuel is officially out this week, and expected to miss at least 1-2 more games. Brandon Aiyuk has largely under performed since signing his major extension, but this may be the week he puts it all together. With George Kittle also out, Jauan Jennings makes a solid sneaky-flex play this week. I expect him to see plenty of targets.
George Kittle | TE | San Francisco 49ers | Hamstring
George Kittle is officially out, which leads me to look at different options at tight end. If the tight ends linked above won’t work, I like Noah Fant or Greg Dulcich as well.
