Postseason Shootout | RealTime Fantasy Sports

Injury Status: Week 3

Thu Sep 19 9:18am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Well, it was just a matter of time. The injury bug finally hit in a big way last week, seeing several big-name players go down. It is unfortunate, but part of the fantasy football world. Hopefully, you weren’t hit too hard and can tread water while your player(s) is out.

Here is the latest. And it is a long list. . . . .

David Njoku, TE, Browns. Njoku missed the game last week with an ankle injury and is out of practice to start the week. He is expected to miss another week of action, leaving Jordan Akins the starter for the Browns.

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs. Pacheco suffered a fractured leg last week and is expected to miss six to eight weeks of action. The Chiefs are likely going to go with a hot-hand approach at running back with Samje Perine and Carson Steele getting first shot at the job.

Rachaad White, RB, Bucs. White suffered a groin injury last week but was able to return to the game, which is a good sign for this week. He is practicing on a limited basis to open the week and could see his workload increase as the week progresses. White should be ready to go for the Week 3 game.

Keenan Allen, WR, Bears. Allen is dealing with a heel injury. He missed the Week 2 game and is out of practice to open the week. It is not looking good for him to play this week unless he has a big turnaround late in the week.

Josh Downs, WR, Colts. Downs has missed the first two games with an ankle injury but is making progress and expects to make his season debut this week. We aren’t sure how big of a role he plays but he could slide into the slot receiver role immediately for the Colts, giving him some fantasy value.

Joe Mixon, RB, Texans. Mixon suffered a sprained ankle last week and missed practice to open the week. He is considered day-to-day with the injury and still has a pretty good shot to play this week. He was able to return to the game last week after suffering the injury. Keep an eye on the practice notes to make sure he gets in some work before the week is out.

Jordan Love, QB, Packers. Love is progressing well on his sprained knee. He was expected to miss several weeks of action but there is optimism he returns this week, missing just a game. He is already practicing some to start the week, which is a good sign. The Packers won’t rush him back unless he is ready to go, but things are looking up right now.

Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins. Mostert sat out last week with a chest injury but is back practicing to start the week. He is expected to make his return to the lineup this week, barring some late-week setback. The week off did Mostert some good.

Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings. Jefferson injured his quad last week but seems to have avoided something too serious. He doesn’t seem to be in much risk to miss the Week 3 game. We expect him to play and get his usual workload.

Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys. Ferguson is dealing with a knee injury and was forced to miss the game last week. He is back practicing this week, though, and looks on track to make his return. He was close to playing last week, so things looking good for a return in Week 3.

Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers. Herbert is dealing with some sort of ankle injury and was held out of practice Wednesday. This is a new injury, but we don’t think it is too serious. He is being rested as a precaution as much as anything. Look for him to practice some later in the week and play the Week 3 game. Just keep an eye on the practice notes to be sure.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans. Spears had to leave last week’s game early because of an ankle injury. He is not practicing to open the week and while the Titans don’t think the injury is too serious, he is in some danger of missing the Week 3 game. Make sure he gets in some practice before the week is out if you have any plans of playing him.

Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers. Samuel suffered a calf strain last week and is expected to miss at least a few weeks of action. Jauan Jennings is expected to move into the starting lineup with Samuel out.

A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles. Browns was a late addition to the injury report last week because of a hamstring issue and had to miss the Week 2 game. He is not practicing to start the week. He will need to get in some practice if he hopes to play this week. At this point, we look for him to miss another week of action. Hopefully, this injury doesn’t linger too long for Brown. Plan on other options for now.

Nico Collins, WR, Texans. Collins is dealing with hip and foot injuries. He missed practice Wednesday, which is a little concerning. He looked just fine in his big Week 2 game. Hopefully, he is being held out as a precaution. As long as he is active, Collins is a must play for fantasy teams. We should know more about his status later in the week.

Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings. Addison missed the Week 2 game with his ankle injury. He remains sidelined with the injury and is not looking good to return this week. Jalen Nailor will have an expanded role in the offense while Addison is out.

Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams. Kupp is dealing with a pretty good ankle injury but hopes to return within four weeks. He has a long injury history, though, especially in recent seasons so this latest injury is a concern. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for him to get back to 100 percent.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Seahawks. Walker is dealing with an oblique injury that kept him out of the game last week. He remains out of practice and is not expected to return this week. This injury is really slowing him. Zach Charbonnet is expected to get another start for the Seahawks in Week 3.

DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks. Metcalf had a huge game last week but apparently hurt his hand in the process. He missed practice Wednesday, which is a little concerning. Hopefully, he is just resting. We don’t think it is too serious, but keep an eye on the practice notes the rest of the week. As long as he gets in some sort of practice, look for him to be ready for Week 3.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Injury Status: Week 3

The Paur Report