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Fantasy Football: Top 8 injuries heading into Week 3

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:02 a.m. ET

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Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) breaks free for yardage during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Last week we saw a ton of high valued fantasy football players fall short to injuries. Yes, it’s only Week 3, and we have to deal with the dreaded injury plague already!

If you didn’t hear, players like Jonathan Stewart, Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster, and Corey Coleman are out this week. Actually, Peterson and Coleman will be out for the rest of the season.

If you handcuffed a player, Week 3 is no sweat for you. But, most people don’t handcuff players so early in the season, unless it was a suspended player like Tom Brady or Le’Veon Bell.

Depending on which Week 3 injured players fantasy owners have, make sure you change your lineup. Even if they will start, play it safe than be sorry later, just ask Rob Gronkowski owners. Without further ado, here are this week’s fantasy football injured players.

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) breaks free for yardage during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

8. Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants

Status: Questionable

On the New York Giants original Week 3 injury list, Rashad Jennings wasn’t listed. However, when the second report was released, Jennings was listed as questionable with a thumb injury.

The severity of the thumb injury is unknown but, he is expected to play. As reported by Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, “expectation remains he’ll play with small cast on his left thumb.”

Jennings could be limited; his passing game for sure! Especially after last week’s bust against the New Orleans Saints, that should have been a blowout.

I wouldn’t risk starting Jennings in any fantasy football league until he is 100 percent healthy and without a cast. Especially not this week against division rivals, the Washington Redskins.

Aug 18, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) warms up before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at CenturyLink Field. Minnesota defeated Seattle, 18-11. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

7. Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Status: Doubtful

Starting a Seattle Seahawk this week is a perfect strategy. Just don’t start Thomas Rawls who is not expected to play this week.

Rawls has suffered a calf injury, and even though head coach Pete Carroll originally suggested he was “on track to play”, he was listed doubtful on Friday’s injury report.

Christine Michael is expected to start in his place, and could be a good fantasy football option this week. The Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers who gave up over 100 yards last week to Fozzy Whittaker.

Dec 20, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) is defended after a catch by Miami Dolphins free safety Michael Thomas (31) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

6. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers

Status: Doubtful

Antonio Gates is suffering a hamstring injury and didn’t practice all week. In my opinion, a doubtful status might as well be listed as out.

Gates can’t catch a break. Last year he was caught for performance enhancing drugs, and everyone questioned his capabilities as he ages. So far, he’s not convincing many people he’s a huge fantasy asset but, when he’s healthy, he’s great!

The Chargers are ready to start rookie Hunter Henry in his absence. I don’t suggest starting him unless it’s literally the only available tight end but, players like Dennis Pitta, Jesse James, and Jacob Tamme are owned in less than 50 percent of leagues, and could be a fantasy football value.

Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) dives for more yardage while being tackled by Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) in the first quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

5. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Status: Questionable

Just like Walker, T.Y. Hilton had an on and off practice schedule. On Wednesday, Hilton wasn’t listed on the Indianapolis Colts practice report.

Then on Thursday he was limited in practice, and then Friday didn’t practice at all. However, coach Chuck Pagano stated he was resting and, “He’s going to be fine.”

Knee injuries are not something to chance. One good hit and he could be out for the rest of the game and ruin your entire fantasy football week.

As long as Hilton does play this week, I wouldn’t consider him anything more than WR2/3 in Week 3.

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4. Willie Snead, WR, New Orleans Saints

Status: Questionable GAME-TIME DECISION

Willie Snead has been watching practice from the sidelines. It was reported that Snead didn’t practice Thursday or Friday due to a toe injury.

Not much information has been released about Snead however, he is a player to keep an eye on up until game time. The New Orleans Saints had a final practice Saturday, and if Snead reported that he did a little more.

Snead also told beat writers that his status will be a game-time decision. There is still some time before Monday night’s game, ultimately it will be dependent on whether Sean Payton thinks he’s well enough to play.

I would never take a risk with game-time decision player. Change your lineup immediately!

Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) carries the ball as Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) defends at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports

3. Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans

Status: Questionable

This one is really going to hurt fantasy football owners. After earning almost 20 points in Week 2, Delanie Walker is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Walker did not practice with the team on Wednesday and was limited in practice on Thursday. Then once again didn’t practice on Friday.

Although Gates has played in the past after only one week of practice, I don’t suggest taking a chance with him or his replacement Jace Amaro.

Give Walker another week before he gets a start in your lineup.

Sep 15, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) is injured while being tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) during the first half at New Era Field. Stephon Gilmore (24) was called for a face mask penalty in the play. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

2. Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Jets

Status: Questionable

Brandon Marshall didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday. However, on Friday he was on limited practice after suffering a knee injury in last week’s game.

Taking a risk with a high valued fantasy football player like Marshall is a huge risk for owners this week. Even if he plays, he will be limited in targets especially with Eric Decker and Quincy Enunwa healthy.

Remember I mentioned Gronkowski earlier? Starting Marshall is like starting Gronkowski. He may play but, he could be used as a blocker rather than a strong receiver.

Marshall has speed, but with one good knee, I wouldn’t count on him posting big fantasy football numbers if any at all. Play it safe and regardless of his status, sit Marshall in Week 3.

Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) reacts after the Falcons scored a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Status: Questionable

Not Julio Jones! If he doesn’t play this week, it will be a huge upset for fantasy owners. He has brought in almost 45 fantasy football points this season!

Jones didn’t practice Thursday or Friday due to a calf and ankle injury. Jones did, however, practice on Saturday although it was limited.

When asked about his injury and the likelihood he’ll suit up for Monday night’s game Jones told reporters that he would play and would sit if he didn’t feel right.

I have stated in the past, never start a questionable player, for example, Marshall. However, Jones is an exception! He is still considered a high-valued fantasy football player with WR1 potential this week even coming off of an injury.

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