Injury Status: Week 3

Thu Sep 22 11:24am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Before we get to the rest of the injury news, we wanted to give you a quick update on the status of Bucs receiver Mike Evans. So the NFL upheld his one-game suspension for his transgressions last week, meaning he will miss the Week 3 game. The Bucs will be awfully shorthanded at receiver once again, so plan accordingly. Now for the injury news of the week. . . . 

Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys. Gallup is looking good to return to the lineup this week, barring a setback. He is returning from a torn ACL and is ramping up his activity in practice. He might be eased into action his first game back, so keep that in mind if you plan to play him. He could be a little hit or miss. 

Michael Pittman, WR, Colts. Pittman was a late scratch last week after hurting his quad in practice. He is back practicing this week, though, and seems on track to return to the lineup Week 3. He should be good to go, barring some late-week setback. And as long as he is playing, he is a top No. 1 receiver for fantasy teams.  

James Conner, RB, Cardinals. Conner is day-to-day because of a sprained ankle. He has a shot to play this week if he starts ramping up his work in practice. Don’t rule him out just yet but he is out of the practice to start the week. Keep an eye on the practice reports for the latest. If Conner can’t go, Eno Benjamin and Darrel Williams will likely split the work at running back for the Cardinals. 

Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals. Moore is yet to play this season because of a hamstring injury. He is being called day-to-day for this week. He is iffy to play once again. We might just steer clear of Moore until he returns to action and plays a full game. 

Harrison Butker, K, Chiefs. Butker missed last week because of a sprained ankle and is out of practice to start this week. Butker is up in the air for Week 3. We would just plan on other options. Matt Ammendola would get another start for the Chiefs if Butker is forced to sit once again. 

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints. Kamara missed the game last week because of a rib injury. He has been limited in practice to start the week. The good news is he is doing some stuff in practice and is trending towards a return. He should be considered questionable to play, but we like his chances right now.  

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots. Meyers suffered some sort of knee injury and had to undergo tests Wednesday, which revealed favorable news. He is dealing with something minor but his status is still in question for the week. He will need to get in some practice before the week is out. Keep an eye on the player notes for the latest. If he plays, Meyers is a solid fantasy start in a favorable matchup. 

Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers. Herbert got beat up in his last game, suffering a rib injury. He is sore and practicing on a limited basis. He is being called day-to-day by the Chargers. It is good to see him practicing some, though. We would expect him to play this week. He might be sore, but it would be a surprise to see him sit the game out. 

Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers. Allen is doing some work in practice on the side. His hamstring is improving some. He still seems likely to miss another week of action, but don’t rule him out just yet. We should have a better idea on his status before the week is out.  

Gabe Davis, WR, Bills. Davis hurt his ankle late in practice last week, but he is practicing some to start the week. His sprained ankle is doing better. He seems on track to play. It is a great sign that he is already practicing this early in the week. 

D'Andre Swift, RB, Lions. Swift played last week on his sprained ankle but was limited to seven touches. He still made some big plays with his limited workload. He claims to be feeling much better this week on his sprained ankle. This is a good sign for Swift to get a bigger workload in Week 3. His health is trending up. 

Chris Godwin, WR, Bucs. Godwin remains out of practice because of a hamstring injury. He has not played since Week 1 and is expected to miss another week of action. He still seems a few weeks away from playing. 

Julio Jones, WR, Bucs. Jones is another Bucs receiver that remains out of practice. He has a knee injury and is not looking great to play once again this week. We would expect him to miss the Week 3 game, barring a big turnaround late in the week.  

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos. Jeudy had to leave the game early last week after hurting his ribs and shoulder. He is out of practice right now. He seemed to avoid something serious, but is not a sure thing to play this week. He should be considered questionable right now, looking like a game-time decision. 

George Kittle, TE, 49ers. Kittle was close to a return last week, so the chances of him playing this week look pretty good. He has been limited in practice to start the week. His groin injury is getting better and the team is optimistic he will play Week 3. 

Dawson Knox, TE, Bills. Knox has popped up on the injury report because of a foot injury. He was unable to practice Wednesday, making him questionable to play this week. We would not rule him out by any means because the Bills played Monday night, so Knox is on short rest. He could be resting as much as anything. Make sure he gets in some practice before the weekend. If that happens, expect Knox to play. 

Devin Duvernay, WR, Ravens. Duvernay suffered a concussion last week and was forced from the game. He is out of practice to start the week and will need to clear concussion protocol to be able to play. At this point, it isn’t looking great for Duvernay to play. 

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens. Dobbins practiced in full last week but was still held out of the game as he tries to recover from his torn ACL. He is practicing full once again this week. We would expect him to make his season debut Week 3, but we aren’t sure his workload in his first game back. He will be a hard player for fantasy teams to trust. 

Hunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders. Renfrow suffered a concussion on the last play of last week’s game. He is out of practice to start the week and needs to clear concussion protocol before he is allowed to play. We wouldn’t rule him out just yet, but get other options ready. It isn’t looking great for Renfrow right now.  

Alec Pierce, WR, Colts. Pierce missed the game last week because of a concussion, but he is right on track to make his return in Week 3. He is practicing already to start the week. Unless he has some sort of setback in the next day or two, expect Pierce to return to his role in the starting lineup in 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.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

First TFC Review

Player Notes
Jacob Phillips Apr 22 11:10pm CT
Jacob Phillips

The Houston Texans signed former Cleveland Browns free-agent linebacker Jacob Phillips (pectoral) to an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday, according to a source. Phillips was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft out of LSU and was with the Browns for his first four NFL seasons. However, the 25-year-old spent all of last year on Injured Reserve due to a torn pectoral muscle. It was the second straight year that he ended the season on Injured Reserve due to a pectoral injury, and Phillips has a total of 88 tackles (57 solo), three sacks, five tackles for loss and five passes defended in his three years played in the league in 20 games (eight starts). Now that Phillips appears to be past his latest pectoral injury, he'll be fighting for a roster spot out of training camp in Houston this summer.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Apr 22 11:00pm CT
DeAndre Hopkins

There remains no timetable for the return of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb (knee) after he was injured in Week 9 when chasing down Tennessee Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins when teammate Keanu Neal collided with him. "I can tell you Cole [Holcomb's] working extremely hard to get back," general manager Omar Khan said.. "I don't really have much to add on the timeline. We've discussed this, it was a major injury but he is working hard and I'm optimistic about all the effort he's going to put into getting back on the field." The 27-year-old required season-ending surgery, and many thought it might put an end to his career. However, the former fifth-round pick of the Washington Commanders in 2019 out of North Carolina is working his way back and is hoping to play in 2024 after recording 442 tackles (270 solo) and 4.5 sacks in his first five NFL seasons over 58 games (56 starts).

From RotoBaller

Zach Wilson Apr 22 5:13pm CT
Zach Wilson

Dynasty | Quarterback Zach Wilson has been traded to Denver along with a seventh round pick in exchange for a sixth round pick. Dynasty Analysis: The Jets and Broncos will reportedly split the $5.5 million Wilson is due this season. The former #2 overall pick is acquired for what amounts to a 53 spot draft slot-swap in the final rounds of this year's draft. It's a precipitous fall for a player who was once thought of as the savior of the franchise in New York. Denver is an interesting landing spot on paper and reports indicate they've been trying to get Wilson for weeks. The Broncos sit at #12 overall in the draft and that likely won't be high enough for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels or even JJ McCarthy. If they stand pat and can't secure a quarterback, the room will include Wilson, Ben DiNucci and Jarrett Stidham. Could they really go into a season like this? At this point, Wilson has a little life in his dynasty value but that's subject to change later this week.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Matt Ryan Apr 22 5:13pm CT
Matt Ryan

Dynasty | Former Falcons and Colts quarterback Matt Ryan is retiring from the NFL. Dynasty Analysis: Ryan spent 14 of his 15 seasons with the Falcons and was extremely effective in his time there, both in reality and fantasy. Ryan had ten straight years with at least 4,000 passing yards and could be penciled in for between 25 and 35 touchdown passes every season. A likely future Hall of Famer, Ryan ended his season with a forgettable year in Indianapolis but will be remembered as being a solid and consistent QB1 for more than a decade. He can be safely dropped from dynasty rosters if he somehow wasn't already.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Ladd McConkey Apr 22 4:00pm CT
Ladd McConkey

University of Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey has seemingly been rising up draft boards since his impressive showing at the 2024 NFL Combine, and he is now favored to be a first-round pick, according to DraftKings Sportsbook's odds. DraftKings gives the 22-year-old -105 odds to be one of the first 32 players off the board. In three seasons with the Bulldogs, the speedster collected 119 receptions for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed 13 times for 216 yards and four scores. He also averaged 13.3 yards per punt return on 21 attempts. He's a dynamic and versatile weapon with real route-running juice, so WR-needy teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills could be interested in pushing the draft button on him late in the first round on Thursday.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aiyuk Apr 22 3:40pm CT
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has not formally requested a trade from the organization, but he is still in the thick of trade rumors this offseason. When asked whether or not the team has received calls regarding a trade for Aiyuk, General Manager John Lynch said "Sure. We receive calls for a lot of players." That's a vague answer and does not give fantasy managers clarity on the situation, but it's worth noting teams have reached out. Aiyuk posted a career-high 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season despite ranking 28th in total targets (125). With Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner either on or set to receive expensive contracts, it will be a tough road to locking up Aiyuk to a long-term deal. If the team does decide to trade him, a first-round pick should be coming in return. Although Lynch has stated they would like to keep the 26-year-old, it wouldn't be shocking if he's dealt on draft night.

From RotoBaller

Mitchell Wilcox Apr 22 3:40pm CT
Mitchell Wilcox

The New England Patriots signed free-agent tight end Mitchell Wilcox on Monday, the team announced on X. Originally undrafted out of the 2020 class, Wilcox has spent the last four years with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 48 career games, the South Florida product has hauled in 29 of his 35 targets for 211 yards and one touchdown. The Patriots re-signed Hunter Henry to a three-year, $27 million deal this offseason, so the TE1 role is occupied in Foxborough. Wilcox could have the chance to compete with Austin Hooper for the TE2 job, but Hooper is likely the favorite to back up Henry. That said, Wilcox can be ignored in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Apr 22 3:20pm CT
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is entering the final year of his deal in 2024, and he and the organization have not begun contract negotiations. The former fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft threw for a career-high 36 touchdowns in 2023, but Dallas suffered another disappointing playoff defeat in the NFC Divisional Round. On his contract situation, Prescott said "I'm not trying to be the highest paid necessarily. We'll wait until the negotiations begin and obviously want to put this team in the best situation." If the 30-year-old is willing to take a home team discount, it could help his chances of reaching a new deal. Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parson will be up for new deals soon, meaning the Cowboys have a lot to figure out over the next few offseasons.

From RotoBaller

Zach Wilson Apr 22 1:50pm CT
Zach Wilson

The Denver Broncos are acquiring former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson from the New York Jets on Monday, according to sources. The Broncos are expected to send a 2024 sixth-round pick to the Jets for Wilson and a 2024 seventh-round selection, with the teams dividing his guaranteed camp roster bonus. The Broncos released Russell Wilson this offseason and were heading into this week's NFL draft with Jarrett Stidham as their starter under center in 2024. Wilson now has a much better shot at playing time with a change of scenery in 2024 after being benched in his final season with the Jets, but it doesn't necessarily mean he'll beat out Stidham in training camp. The move to acquire Wilson also won't preclude the Broncos from selecting a QB in this year's draft, possibly as early as the first round.

From RotoBaller

Matt Ryan Apr 22 1:40pm CT
Matt Ryan

Quarterback Matt Ryan officially announced his retirement from professional football on Monday as a member of the Atlanta Falcons, the team that drafted him third overall in 2008 out of Boston College. Ryan spent 14 of his 15 NFL seasons in Atlanta, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2008 and an MVP award in 2016. In his lone trip to the Super Bowl in the same season he won his MVP award, the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead at halftime to lose to the New England Patriots. He made just 12 starts for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 and threw for 3,057 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The 38-year-old four-time Pro Bowler ends his career as Atlanta's all-time leader in passing yards (59,735) and passing touchdowns (367). Ryan ranks seventh all-time in passing yards (62,792) and ninth in TD passes (381) as a future Hall of Famer.

From RotoBaller

Mac Jones Apr 22 1:30pm CT
Mac Jones

The New England Patriots are listening and taking calls from teams looking to move up to the No. 3 overall pick in the first round of Thursday's NFL draft. General manager Eliot Wolf is running point on the team's draft, but sources are saying president Jonathan Kraft is heavily involved in the decision-making process. Most people think the Patriots will ultimately stay at No. 3 and take a quarterback of the future after moving on from Mac Jones this offseason. Teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants and Denver Broncos would be the most likely to trade up to No. 3 to take a QB. If the Patriots stay put and select third overall, whatever rookie signal-caller they take would be competing with veteran Jacoby Brissett for the starting gig under center this fall.

From RotoBaller

Sam Hubbard Apr 22 1:30pm CT
Sam Hubbard

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (ankle) was held out of two games in 2023 due to a right-ankle injury that required significant offseason surgery. Hubbard said that he had a complete deltoid reconstruction in his ankle and tight-rope procedure to fix his ankle. He said his ankle bothered him as early as training camp, and it became more severe later in the year. Through the first nine weeks of 2023, Hubbard ranked 28th in the NFL in pass-rush win rate as an edge rusher. But when he returned to the field in Week 12 until the end of the season, he ranked 49th out of 54 players in that category. The good news is that the 28-year-old says he'll be ready for training camp this summer. However, it's fair to wonder about how effective he'll be rushing the passer in 2024 after coming off a pretty significant surgery.

From RotoBaller

Levi Wallace Apr 22 1:30pm CT
Levi Wallace

Free-agent cornerback Levi Wallace signed an undisclosed deal with the Denver Broncos on Monday, according to a source. Wallace had six interceptions and 24 passes defended over the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He'll give the Broncos some added secondary depth this week just ahead of the start of this year's NFL draft on Thursday evening. The 28-year-old entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama in 2018 with the Buffalo Bills, and he spent the first four seasons of his career in Buffalo before playing for the Steelers the last two years. In his six seasons combined, Wallace has 305 tackles (236 solo), seven tackles for loss, 12 interceptions, 54 passes defended and one fumble recovery in 83 games (70 starts).

From RotoBaller

Rashee Rice Apr 22 1:20pm CT
Rashee Rice

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is expected to be disciplined by the NFL, resulting in at least a multi-game suspension. Rice is currently facing eight charges after he and another driver of a speeding car allegedly caused a crash involving a half-dozen vehicles in Dallas last month. He turned himself into police last week before being released on bond. The looming suspension for Rice could push the Chiefs, who own the No. 32 pick in this week's NFL draft, to keep a close eye on receivers in the draft. KC would have been expected to look for receiver help even before Rice's off-field troubles. They had the most drops in the league (38) in 2023. Rice was quarterback Patrick Mahomes' favorite target outside of tight end Travis Kelce last year, but his fantasy stock is going to take a hit going into 2024 with a suspension looming.

From RotoBaller

Darren Waller Apr 22 7:33am CT
Darren Waller

Dynasty | Giants tight end Darren Waller is still mulling retirement. Dynasty Analysis: Waller has dealt with a lot of injuries over his career and it seems as if he's really considering calling it quits. The Giants are reportedly giving him a lot of time to consider his options and not forcing a decision, though it's quite certain they'd like to know prior to next week's NFL Draft as his loss could actually make Brock Bowers a consideration with their pick in the top ten. Regardless, it looks like Waller is certainly towards the end of his career and dynasty managers need to start making plans to be without him in the near future, possibly as soon as this year.

Michael Pratt Apr 21 10:10pm CT
Michael Pratt

ESPN New York's Rich Cimini writes that it sounds as if New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas is serious about adding a quarterback on Day 3 of this year's NFL draft, saying he'd love to create "a quarterback factory" like the Green Bay Packers did in the 1990s. The dream is to find a late-round gem, and the Jets hold the final pick in the draft (No. 257 overall). The Jets hosted Tulane's Michael Pratt, Florida State's Jordan Travis and Samford's Michael Hiers, with each QB being a potential Day 3 pick. Kentucky's Devin Leary and Tennessee's Joe Milton III could also be candidates. Douglas hasn't had much luck in his career drafting quarterbacks, either, so it's surely something he'd like to change.

From RotoBaller

Brock Bowers Apr 21 10:00pm CT
Brock Bowers

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is the odds-on favorite to be taken by the New York Jets with the 10th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night, according to ESPN draft experts. If that happens, it would be the first time in 16 seasons that quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been gifted a first-round pick at receiver or tight end. General manager Joe Douglas referred to Bowers as a "Swiss Army knife." The Jets are also interested in offensive tackles -- Notre Dame's Joe Alt, Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga and Washington's Troy Fautanu are thought to be their top preferences -- but they could take a receiver in the unlikely event one of the top three falls to 10th overall. If the Jets do take Bowers, he could have immediate fantasy value in his rookie year as long as Rodgers stays healthy.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Apr 21 9:50pm CT
Drake Maye

ESPN New York's Jordan Ranaan says there's little doubt the New York Giants want to add a quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft. The Giants have had almost all of the top QBs in this year's class in for visits and either had private workouts or the team's most important decision-makers attended their pro days. Multiple general managers think QBs will be taken with each of the top four picks. The Giants have the No. 6 pick. It would be costly for the G-Men to jump into the top five, especially since the thought in league circles is that the Vikings are eyeing a trade up. There is a strong belief by some in the league that North Carolina QB Drake Maye is the Giants' guy. The physical talent is there with Maye, but he's also going to be more of a project than the other top QB options in this year's draft. Sitting a year behind Daniel Jones would be ideal.

From RotoBaller

Mitchell Wilcox Apr 21 9:40pm CT
Mitchell Wilcox

The New England Patriots quietly brought in free-agent tight ends Brycen Hopkins, Sean McKeon and Mitchell Wilcox in for workouts late last week, which could reflect on their desire to add another layer to the tight end depth chart of Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and La'Michael Pettway. Hopkins has only 13 receptions on 19 targets for 196 yards and no touchdowns in his four NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. McKeon ended the 2023 season on Injured Reserve due to an ankle injury and has only six catches on 11 targets for 38 yards and one touchdown in his four NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Wilcox has 29 catches on 35 targets for 211 yards and one touchdowns in his three years with the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Ricky Pearsall Apr 21 9:30pm CT
Ricky Pearsall

New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf said he doesn't think the team currently has a wide receiver that "can beat the backside coverage every single time." The Patriots are most likely to draft their quarterback of the future with the No. 3 overall pick, but they could pair him with a receiver with their next pick at No. 34 overall. ESPN's Field Yates believes South Carolina's Xavier Legette, Florida State's Keon Coleman or Florida's Ricky Pearsall could all be good fits. Legette caught 71 passes for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns last year and "has some of the best run-after-catch skills in the class," according to Yates. Coleman's size (6-foot-3, 213 pounds) makes him a top red-zone performer. Pearsall caught 65 passes for 965 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.

From RotoBaller