Intro:
Each and every week, players across the NFL suffer injuries. This weekly article will explore the injuries that affect your dynasty squads. We will briefly discuss the injured players themselves and the players who stand to benefit or suffer. To make them easier to follow, we will break down the injuries by division. Without further ado, let us examine the Regular-Season Week 3 injuries and the next men up.
AFC East
Here’s the Mac Jones injury… Didn’t look good 😔 pic.twitter.com/pJZrF845Ax
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) September 25, 2022
New English Quarterback Mac Jones suffered a significant ankle injury late in his team’s Week 3 loss. The injury has been classified as a severe high ankle sprain. Team officials have noted that injuries of this severity have sometimes required surgery. It sounds as if Jones is hoping to avoid that surgery. The Patriots will likely be without the services of their starting quarterback for two to six weeks. In his absence, New England will turn to veteran backup Brian Hoyer and rookie Bailey Zappe. From a fantasy standpoint, this will undoubtedly be a downgrade for the Patriot’s offensive weapons. Hoyer is not a recommended play in any but the deepest of Superflex leagues.
Miami Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa briefly exited his team’s Week 3 victory with what was believed to be a concussion. He was able to make his way back into the game, leading the Dolphins to victory. Following the game, Tua suggested that his back was the cause of his stumble, not a head injury. The NFLPA plans to review the process that led to Tua’s miraculous comeback to ensure compliance with the NFL’s concussion protocols. In any case, Tua seems healthy moving forward. If he were to miss any time, Teddy Bridgewater would take over.
New York Jets Wide Receiver Garrett Wilson briefly exited his team’s Week 3 loss with a rib injury. Fortunately for the Jets, Wilson returned to the game after a short absence. At this point, the talented rookie appears to be fine moving forward. However, if he were to miss game action, the Jets would shift additional targets to Elijah Moore and Corey Davis. Denzel Mims and Braxton Berrios would pick up the slack if, for some reason, Wilson cannot go next week.
Buffalo Wide Receiver Jake Kumerow suffered a high ankle sprain in his team’s Week 3 loss. The former Packer settled in as Buffalo’s role player before this injury. His absence could mean additional looks for Isaiah McKenzie and Jamison Crowder behind the top-end pair of Diggs and Davis.
AFC South
The AFC South avoided any major fantasy-relevant injuries in Week 3.
AFC North
INJURY UPDATE: @Bengals RB Joe Mixon ‘good to go’ for Thursday night despite minor ankle issue on Sunday pic.twitter.com/2XHtt2iJEm
— The Fantasy Source 🔮🏈 (@FantasySource_) September 26, 2022
Cincinnati Running Back Joe Mixon sustained an ankle injury in his team’s Week 3 victory. Head Coach Zac Taylor doesn’t seem overly concerned about the injury. Taylor stated, “He’ll be good.” when asked about Mixon’s likely availability for Thursday night against Miami. Taylor’s optimism aside, it might be a good idea to scoop up backup Samaje Perine if available in case Mixon suffers a setback on the short week. Perine would be a plug-and-play flex option in Mixon’s absence.
Cincinnati Wide Receiver Tee Higgins was listed on the Monday injury report with a toe injury. There is very little information available about this one. Head Coach Zac Taylor didn’t mention it to the media when discussing injuries to fellow Bengals Joe Mixon and D.J. Reader. With Cincinnati on a short week, it might be a good idea to prepare a backup plan in case Higgins cannot go for some reason. If he did sit out, the Bengals would expand the workload for Tyler Boyd, Mike Stanley, and Mike Thomas behind All-Pro Jamar Chase. In particular, Boyd would become an excellent WR2 play in a potential shootout with Miami.
AFC West
#Chargers | Jaylen Guyton se suma a la larga lista de lesionados en Los Ángeles y perderá ahora toda la temporada con el equipo. pic.twitter.com/xtrvFDgIod
— Punto Extra MX (@PuntoExtra_MX) September 26, 2022
Chargers Wide Receiver Jaylen Guyton tore his ACL in his team’s Week 3 loss. The talented receiver has been a valuable role player for the Chargers over the past several seasons. His injury clears the way for talented second-year player Josh Palmer to continue his emergence as the team’s third option in the passing game. Palmer will continue to be a valuable asset until the return of Keenan Allen.
NFC East
Sterling Shepard’s injury… Non-contact 😔😔 That’s brutal. Prayers up for him. pic.twitter.com/1SGSHkMkji
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) September 27, 2022
New York Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard suffered a non-contact knee injury in his team’s Week 3 loss. This one looks like a season-ender as Shepard was lightly running on the back end of a play late in the game and went down immediately, grabbing his knee. The former Oklahoma star has a troubling injury history in the NFL, and this one is sure to add to the list. The Giant’s Wide Receiver situation is in a sorry state, with highly drafted Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson already dealing with injuries. Add to that the curious situation surrounding Kenny Golladay, and you have a recipe for chaos. This appears to be a situation to avoid until the murky situation in the Meadowlands is resolved. However, if you are desperate, Richie James and David Sills appear to be the top two healthy targets on paper.
NFC South
Injuries to Saints WRs Michael Thomas (toe), Jarvis Landry (foot) do not appear to be serious (per @RapSheet)https://t.co/llQwgcZbXh pic.twitter.com/HVS4ozfKgJ
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 26, 2022
New Orleans Wide Receivers Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry both sustained minor injuries in the team’s Week 3 loss. Michael Thomas reportedly picked up a toe injury while Landry sustained a minor foot issue. Early reports out of the Bayou indicate neither injury is particularly concerning. However, with the Saints set to play in London early Sunday morning, this situation merits monitoring. If either player misses time, look for the Saints to give additional snaps to Marquez Callaway and Tre’Quan Smith behind talented rookie Chris Olave.
NFC North
David Montgomery was rolled up on here
— Edwin Porras, DPT (@FBInjuryDoc) September 25, 2022
*MCL implicated which is 4-6 weeks on its own if grade II or worse
*Not as clear but high ankle also possible and is 2-4 weeks for skill players averaging 9 ppr points per game
Hope is low severity and he’s back soon but plan accordingly pic.twitter.com/6GVfnHWSrf
Chicago Running Back David Montgomery suffered a leg injury in his team’s Week 3 victory. Montgomery was rolled up from behind while pass-blocking early in the game. The injury initially looked serious with the player writing on the field in pain. After the game, team officials indicated he had suffered ankle and knee injuries and would be day-to-day. This was positive news for Montgomery and his dynasty owners. In his absence, sophomore Running Back Khalil Herbert exploded for 20/157/2. The former Virginia Tech star will be a plug-and-play RB2 until Montgomery’s return. Chicago will also give some looks to interesting rookie Trestan Ebner who flashed in the Pre-Season.
Chicago Wide Receiver Byron Pringle exited his team’s Week 3 victory with a calf injury. You should have every part of the Chicago passing attack far away from your lineups. Chicago is averaging a league-worst 78 yards per game passing! On paper, Dante Pettis and potentially rookie Velus Jones Jr. would fill the hole left by Pringle. Until Justin Fields and the Bears figure out the passing game, even their WR1 Darnell Mooney is unplayable.
Minnesota Running Back Dalvin Cook suffered a shoulder injury in his team’s Week 3 victory. This has been a recurring theme for Cook throughout his career. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell revealed that his star Running Back had dislocated his shoulder. This is the same injury he has dealt with in the past, and Cook will wear a harness to help him play through the pain again. With the Vikings’ early Sunday game in London, make sure you get up early to check his status. If for some reason, Cook cannot go in Week 4, Minnesota will turn to talented backup Alexander Mattison. The former Boise State Bronco would be a plug-and-play RB2 with upside against the Saints.
Detroit Wide Receiver Amon Ra St. Brown sustained an ankle injury in his team’s Week 3 loss. The talented sophomore has been on a tear since late last year. Further testing on Monday revealed that the injury shouldn’t be a long-term concern for the Lions or your dynasty squads. Ultimately, his practice reps will indicate the severity of the ailment. If he is forced to miss Week 4 against Seattle for some reason, the Lions will lean heavily on DJ Chark and TE T.J. Hockenson. Quintez Cephus would fill his role in the slot and be a desperation flex play if St. Brown misses time.
Detroit Lions Running Back D’Andre Swift suffered a significant shoulder injury late in his team’s Week 3 loss. The severe sprain and the ankle injury he sustained last week have the team considering shutting down the talented Swift for a couple of weeks. With a Week 6 bye week ahead, the Lions are considering sitting him out until Week 7. This would give him ample time to heal and not risk further damage. The Lions will turn to veteran Running Back Jamaal Williams in his absence. The former BYU star has been an intricate part of the team since coming over from division rival Green Bay last year. Williams was already a solid flex play before the Swift injury. With his partner out, look for Williams to be a solid RB2 in your lineups.
NFC West
Injury Update: Travis Homer out for the game #SeahawksFootball #GoHawks #12s #12thman #thman https://t.co/2G6oTBjI6I
— Seahawks Fans (@SeahawksViews) September 25, 2022
Seattle Running Back Travis Homer was forced from his team’s Week 3 loss with a rib injury. The former University of Miami star had assumed the mantle of 3rd-down back in the Seattle offense before this injury. In typical Pete Carroll fashion, there hasn’t been an update on Homer’s status since the game. If he does miss time, this will open up additional work for Rashaad Penny and talented rookie Kenneth Walker. Keep an eye out for news about Homer’s practice status, as it will give us a clue as to his availability for Week 4. Penny and Walker will get a boost in the passing game if he’s out.
Arizona Wide Receiver AJ Green was forced from his team’s Week 3 loss with a knee injury. The future Hall-of-fame candidate has been a valuable role player in the desert, especially with the suspension of DeAndre Hopkins. Couple this injury with the previous loss of Rondale Moore, and the Cardinals are rapidly running out of bodies. Look for Hollywood Brown and Tight End Zach Ertz to continue to soak up targets until the Cardinals get some healthy bodies back into the lineup. Greg Dortch and Andy Isabella will take the field opposite Brown until the situation improves. Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury gave no specifics as to Green’s Week 4 status, but it doesn’t look promising.
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