Top 10 Fantasy football injuries with impact in Week 3
After a rough start to the season, make sure you understand these 10 fantasy football injuries and how they are changing players’ value heading into week 3.
Fantasy football injuries have left many owners feeling like Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) who here reacts during a Jacksonville Jaguars injury on the field during the second half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Every year, there are a number of fantasy football injuries that shake up which players have fantasy value and who could be set up to struggle. This year seems to have been especially brutal with players dropping all over the place especially in Week 2.
Every time a player gets injured, not only does his absence affect his own fantasy value, but it also impacts the rest of his team. For example, Week 1’s main casualty was Keenan Allen who I though was poised for a breakout season (oops). He’s not included in this list of the top ten fantasy football injuries impacting week 3, but his absence has allowed Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams to step up and become fantasy options.
On the following slides, we’ll take a quick look at ten of the most significant fantasy football injuries which will impact multiple players in Week 3. My goal isn’t necessarily to give you the latest update (although that’s included), but to help you know how to react to the injury in light of your fantasy team for this week.
How FanSided can help you get a win week 3
If you have questions as to where exactly players should be coming into the week, check out my full Week 3 rankings or our start/sit advice tool. Throughout the weekend, I’ll be updating my rankings leading up to game time. If news changes or clarifies for these players before their games kick off, make sure to check to see where they move. Also make sure to stay tuned to all our fantasy football coverage throughout the weeks ahead.
If you have any questions about your fantasy football team related to start/sit or injury advice, you can find us on Twitter @FansidedFantasy. I usually try to get to all the questions asked leading up to kickoff on Sunday, and I’ll be happy to give you my opinion on whatever questions you have.
One issue causing fantasy football owners plenty of stress and questions is what to do about these fantasy football injuries. Let’s start our rundown of the ten most important fantasy injuries to know about this weekend with a look at one of the most criticized QB’s in the league.
Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao (97) makes Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) fumble the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. The Eagles won 29-14. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
10. Jay Cutler-QB-Chicago Bears
The Bears fell to 0-2 on Monday Night Football losing 29-14 to the Eagles and their shiny new quarterback Carson Wentz. The night became especially painful for Bears fans who got a reminder of how much they hate their own quarterback while Wentz looked excellent again.
Bears’ QB Jay Cutler actually injured his thumb in Week 1 but re-aggravated it on Monday. He took himself out of the game and claimed to not be able to grip the football. While Bears fans don’t want to hear it, Cutler really was injured and probably did the right thing taking himself out. He was diagnosed with a sprained thumb on his throwing hand and is officially day-to-day.
While some have reported Chicago is getting ready for a “lengthy” absence, since Cutler will avoid surgery he will likely only miss 2-3 weeks.
Fantasy Fallout
Cutler’s absence ranks low on our list of fantasy football injuries mainly because not many owners were using him as a starter even in dual-QB leagues. Cutler was only a situational play in those leagues meaning there’s little direct impact to his value.
His replacement while he’s out will be Brian Hoyer. Hoyer stepped in for the fourth quarter on Monday and threw 12 passes completing nine for 78 yards. He showed last year in Houston that he does have some limited upside, but he isn’t much of a fantasy option except in ultra-deep QB leagues like Cutler was.
The more important fantasy impact will be felt by the Bears’ receiving corps since they’ll have to adjust to a new QB. Since it’s arguable how much of a downgrade Hoyer is from Cutler, I wouldn’t drop them too much. In Week 3, the Bears face the Cowboys, and I have Alshon Jeffery as a strong WR2 (no. 13) in my rankings. Kevin White is still as much of a flier as he has been his whole career, and Zach Miller could be used if you needed as a fringe TE starter.
Sep 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster (29) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Miami, 12-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
9. Arian Foster-RB-Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins entered the season with injury-prone and aging Arian Foster as their top running back, so it isn’t shocking that he isn’t going to make it through the season healthy. Miami didn’t have a lot of options after losing Lamar Miller to Foster’s former team in Houston, but the injury came sooner rather than later.
Foster left the Dolphins week 2 loss in New England after taking just three carries for nine yards. He was diagnosed with a strained groin and hasn’t returned to practice yet this week.
It’s not clear exactly how long Foster will be sidelined, but he had won the job outright and was working as a feature-back before the injury. His absence could result in a reduced role when he does return. I don’t think it’s time to drop Foster if you have room on your bench since it doesn’t sound like a long-term injury. However, these kind of injuries can linger with Foster, so hopefully you had a good backup plan in place.
Fantasy Fallout
In Foster’s absence, Jay Ajayi will probably be the first player to get a shot at leading the running-back-by-committee fantasy mess in the backfield. Ajayi hasn’t inspired much confidence in his limited work the last two years and was actually a healthy inactive Week 1 in Seattle. He played Week 2, but only had 14 yards on five carries and 31 yards on four catches while also losing a fumble.
Ajayi could lose work to Damien Williams, Isaiah Pead (if he’s healthy), and Kenyan Drake. Of the three, Drake has the most upside and is the only one of these options that I think has any long-term upside. Drake actually has more upside than even Ajayi, in my opinion, so if you need a flier at RB he could end up being a solid cheap DFS play.
Drake found the end zone last week while playing most of Miami’s final drive. He ran for 12 yards on two carries and added six yards on a pair of catches. The third-round rookie out of Alabama could emerge from the Miami backfield as a fantasy option, but he’s a very high-risk play this week even in a good matchup against the Browns.
Sep 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) grimaces while being looked at by medical staff after being injured during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
8. Jimmy Garoppolo-QB-New England Patriots
The Patriots knew they would be without Tom Brady for the first four weeks of the season, but they were going to try to get through with Jimmy Garoppolo under center. That plan seemed to be working right up until he sustained one of the fantasy football injuries in week 2 that left the Patriots with only rookie Jacoby Brissett as a usable quarterback on their roster.
Garoppolo was playing brilliantly on Sunday right until his shoulder was driven into the ground by Kiko Alonso. While he escaped a collarbone fracture, he did sustain a sprained AC joint which looks very likely to keep him out of the Thursday Night Football game against the Texans.
Jimmy G is still looking like he could return for one more fantasy performance in Week 4 before Tom Brady returns. However, if you were using him as a stopgap, you’ll need to find another fantasy solution for Week 3.
Fantasy Fallout
Garoppolo had kept the Patriots’ fantasy football options solvent through the first few games of the season as Julian Edelman, Martellus Bennett, Danny Amendola, and Chris Hogan all were putting up solid numbers. With Brissett under center, the offense could be reigned in a little bit more resulting in more short passes.
I’d downgrade all the Patriots’ receivers a little bit this week with Brissett under center. The one player that I think gets a boost in value from Garoppolo’s injury is running back LeGarrette Blount. Blount had 29 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown Week 2, and he should have another big game on Thursday night. The Patriots will look to lean on running the ball and defense meaning lots of Blount work on Thursday Night Football.
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman (19) runs with the ball after a catch as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Shareece Wright (24) goes for the tackle during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
7. Corey Coleman-WR-Cleveland Browns
The Cavs are coming back soon… we promise. Cleveland has had a brutal start to the NFL season with almost enough fantasy football injuries to make their own list. The Browns lost starting QB RG3 in Week 1 and replacement QB Josh McCown Week 2. Then in practice this week, Corey Coleman broke his hand.
The rookie receiver from Baylor that the Browns drafted no. 15 overall in last year’s draft stepped up with a big game on Sunday. He caught a pair of touchdowns and totaled 104 yards on his five catches making him one of the few rays of hope in Cleveland’s stormy season.
On Wednesday, though, a teammate apparently landed on Coleman’s hand and now the rookie will miss 4-6 weeks. Since he’s a receiver, he’ll need to be fully healed before he returns, so I wouldn’t count on him before Week 9 or Week 10 when the Browns are on Thursday Night Football.
Fantasy Fallout
It would have been hard to start Coleman this week anyways with his fellow-rookie Cody Kessler under center, but now the Browns offense is even more depleted. Coleman’s absence will likely mean more targets for Duke Johnson out of the backfield and Gary Barnidge from his spot at tight end. It also leaves Terrelle Pryor as the team’s top receiver although he’s still just adjusting to the position.
Pryor has some DFS bargain upside this week since he should get plenty of work, but the only Browns player I’d start in most typical fantasy leagues is running back Isaiah Crowell.
Crowell had a big week against the Ravens in Week 2 totaling 133 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Cleveland will rely on him heavily in Week 3 against the Dolphins who were just beat up by LeGarrette Blount. Crowell should have a heavy workload and is definitely startable as a RB2 with RB1 upside.
Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) lays on the ground with an injury during the first quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
6. Danny Woodhead-RB-San Diego Chargers
As if losing top receiver Keenan Allen in Week 1 hadn’t already left the Chargers offense short-handed, they picked up another one of the key fantasy football injuries in Week 2. Danny Woodhead started the season with a big game against the Chiefs, but he left in the first quarter of San Diego’s rout of Jacksonville and didn’t return.
He was injured on a massive hit from Telvin Smith, and it Woodhead had an MRI on Monday that revealed a torn ACL landing him on the “out-season” list right next to Allen and Stevie Johnson.
Fantasy Fallout
Woodhead’s injury leaves the San Diego backfield as Melvin Gordon’s domain. Gordon picked up the slack in Week 2 and amassed 102 yards on his 24 carries while scoring his third rushing TD of the season. Gordon was losing all the receiving-down work and even some goal line responsibilities, but he should get plenty of work in those situations the rest of the season.
I see Gordon as a borderline RB1 going forward, and he’s a great play this week against the struggling Colts’ defense. Even though he was a disappointment as a rookie, Gordon looks ready for big things in his sophomore season.
The Chargers did add some interesting depth at the position to help Gordon when they added Dexter McCluster. McCluster should jump into offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt’s system quickly after working with him in Tennessee. McCluster could be a PPR factor later in the season, but he can be left on waiver wires for now. San Diego’s other backs are un-drafted rookie Kenneth Farrow out of Houston and their waiver-wire pickup from the Giants Andre Williams.
Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) talks with wide receiver Donte Moncrief (10) in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
5. Donte Moncrief-WR-Indianapolis Colts
Donte Moncrief sustained one of the more unusual fantasy football injuries so far this season when he was forced to leave the team’s Week 2 contest in Denver with what turned out to be a broken scapula. The scapula is more commonly known as the shoulder blade, and it’s a pretty tough bone to break. Also… ouch.
Moncrief looked to be set up for a breakout campaign as he was working well with the returning Andrew Luck. The good news for Moncrief and his fantasy owners is that the injury doesn’t require surgery and won’t end his season.
Right now, it looks like he’ll be out 4-6 weeks and could return in time for the second half of your fantasy season. Moncrief was clearly the no. 2 receiver in Indy, and he should return to that role once he recovers.
Fantasy Fallout
Until Moncrief returns, the Colts will be a little thin at WR. Phillip Dorsett is a great waiver wire pickup and solid DFS play since he’ll become the starting WR. Dorsett has big-play potential every time he touches the ball, and maybe this opportunity will give him a chance to shine.
Quan Bray will also step up and play more snaps while Moncrief is out. If you’re in a deep league where Dorsett was probably already owned, Bray could be a nice flier pickup in his second year out of Auburn.
The other players who should get more usage as a result of Moncrief’s injuries are the Colts’ two tight ends. Dwayne Allen becomes a solid TE1 instead of just a fringe option, and Jack Doyle becomes a week-to-week flier consideration.
Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
4. Jonathan Stewart-RB-Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were the most run-heavy team in the NFL last season and Jonathan Stewart held up to the beating surprisingly well. He ended up taking a career-high 242 carries in his 13 games and falling just short of 1,000 yards. This year, his health didn’t hold out as long, though, after he left the team’s Week 2 win over the 49ers.
Stewart has long been known to have glass ankles, and he was limited after the team’s Week 1 win in Denver. He added a hamstring injury in Week 2 and now will miss at least a week or two.
The Panthers offense is unique in that while they are run heavy, most of the rushing touchdowns go to Cam Newton. Stewart was a fantasy starter, but not a high-tier option despite a solid workload.
Fantasy Fallout
After Stewart left Week 2’s game, Fozzy Whittaker gashed the 49ers for 100 yards on his 16 carries and added 31 more hards on three catches. He did lose a fumble, but will definitely get more work while Stewart is out.
The other option that will get increased opportunity this week is second-year running back Cameron Artis-Payne. CAP should get double-digit carries this week according to coach Ron Rivera, and he’ll actually be the “lead” back although splitting carries with Whittaker at times. Artis-Payne is a high risk play this week against the Vikings, but he has upside going forward if he can lay claim to the job.
Whoever ends up getting Stewart’s work will struggle with the same issue, though. Most of the goal line work is already spoken for, so don’t expect CAP or Whittaker to produce many rushing touchdowns in the coming weeks.
Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs with the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
3. Doug Martin-RB-Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Douggernaut stopped rolling this week in the desert where Doug Martin and the Bucs were beat down by the Cardinals. Martin left the game early with what was originally diagnosed as a “slight tweak” but the MRI made it look worse for the Bucs’ lead back.
Martin underwent an MRI on Tuesday, and the results showed a worse injury than the team originally thought. Right now, they are saying that he’ll be sidelined for at least three weeks, but there is definitely the possibility that this injury lingers the rest of the season.
Tampa has a tough schedule the next few weeks, but a Week 6 bye could be well-timed for Martin to get back in the mix. If you drafted Martin early, you should probably stash him on your bench and hope he bounces back sooner rather than later.
Fantasy Fallout
The Bucs are well-prepared for this situation, though, since they already were working in a bit of a timeshare situation. Martin was splitting time with Charles Sims who now will get a chance to step up and be a star. Sims is a multi-faceted threat since he was already working so much as a receiver out of the backfield. The ability to be involved in the passing game should make him a solid RB2 for as long as Martin is out even in tough matchups like Denver (Week 4) and Carolina (Week 5).
Sims won’t get all the work, though, since coach Dirk Koetter will also work in Jqcquizz Rodgers who the Bucs inked to a one-year deal after the Bears let him go at the end of training camp. Right now, it looks like a 75-25 split can be expected which would leave Rodgers on the waiver wire in all but the deepest of leagues.
I think there’s a real possibility that Sims emerges as a star over the next few weeks, and he may not give Martin back his full-time job the rest of the season. If you have Sims or can get him, this is exactly the situation where he could have a fantasy football breakout.
Jul 28, 2016; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) takes the field for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
2. Rob Gronkowski-New England Patriots
While it has been a bit lost in the avalanche of new fantasy football injuries, the top tight end and a clear first-round pick in fantasy drafts has still put up a total of zero fantasy points. Gronk was taken in the middle of the first round despite concerns that he would start slow without Tom Brady.
Unfortunately for those that invested that pick in him, Gronkowski’s slow start has nothing to do with Brady and everything to do with a balky hamstring. Gronk has yet to play a meaningful snap this season although it isn’t considered to be a serious injury.
In fact, there’s a chance that Gronk gets back on the field to start Week 3 on Thursday Night Football. If he does, he’ll probably be working with third-string QB Jacoby Brissett, so he’s still a risky play.
Fantasy Fallout
Let’s be honest, though, if you drafted Gronk in the first round, you’re dying to get him into your lineup. If he suits up tonight, you have to start him unless you have another ultra-elite option.
Gronk’s return does also effect the value of all the Patriots’ receivers since he’ll be back atop the totem pole for targets. Martellus Bennett would be a risky play if Gronk is active, but the whole Patriots’ offense is just a big question mark at this point for a number of reasons.
Make sure to stay tuned leading up to kickoff tonight to try and get a glimpse of what to expect. However, aside from LeGarrette Blount there is little locked in to a useful fantasy place tonight for New England.
Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) is injured during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
1. Adrian Peterson-RB-Minnesota Vikings
Of course, the biggest of tall the fantasy football injuries so far this year is Adrian Peterson’s fantasy season ending injury which happened last week on Sunday Night Football. Peterson was struggling for the second week in a row before he went down late in the Vikings’ win over Green BAy.
Peterson tore his meniscus and opted to have surgery which will keep him sidelined for the rest of the regular season. There is an outside chance he could return in the playoffs if the team can somehow get there without him.
In non-keeper leagues, Peterson can be dropped, and there’s a real possibility that his time in Minnesota could be over after another disappointing and devastating end to his season.
Fantasy Fallout
With Peterson out, Jerick McKinnon becomes the featured back in Minnesota. McKinnon was in our waiver wire pickups earlier this week, and he’ll do his best to fill in for the irreplaceable force that is Adrian Peterson. McKinnon carried the ball twice after Peterson left on Sunday night and totaled two yards while losing a yard on his only reception.
While those numbers aren’t inspiring of a ton of confidence, he does have good upside after a strong preseason. He could end up being a top-20 RB the rest of the way, but the big question will be whether he loses goal line work or not.
The back that may cut in on some of his work in the red zone is long-time fantasy vulture Matt Asiata. Asiata has flashed as a touchdown vulture a few weeks over the past few years, and he has some potential to do the same in the coming weeks. I wouldn’t add Asiata or the recently signed Ronnie Hillman just yet, but do see how they’re used in the coming weeks.
Moving forward
One thing is for sure–we haven’t seen the last of the fantasy football injuries this season, so make sure to keep it locked in to FanSided for all your NFL and fantasy football coverage. Keeping your team current isn’t easy, but there are some great opportunities if you know where to look.
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