Week 3 Fantasy Football Injury Report: Jaxson Dart, Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams And More
· Yahoo Sports
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 27: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders and Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears embrace after the game at Northwest Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
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Getty ImagesWeek 1 of the 2026 NFL season was a scoring bonanza that brought smiles to the faces of most fantasy football managers. Week 2… not so much.
Not only did offenses come crashing back to earth, but key fantasy football players went down left and right. Three starting quarterbacks left their games early and are in danger of missing time. A handful of starting running backs also suffered injuries of varying severity. And a number of wide receivers and tight ends also exited early, leaving their availability for Week 3 and beyond in doubt.
Every Tuesday, we’ll be breaking down the biggest injury news that could shape your fantasy football lineup for the upcoming week. Let’s dive into all of the most notable updates ahead of Week 3. (Brace yourselves!)
Key QB Injuries
1. Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (elbow)
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow on the final play of the first half of their 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, which marks the second time he’s suffered the same injury to the same elbow in two seasons. Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters that X-rays did not reveal a fracture, but it’s clear that Daniels is going to miss at least a few weeks, if not the rest of the season.
Marcus Mariota filled in for Daniels in the second half and went 11-of-16 for 111 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. He should be able to keep the Commanders’ offense afloat in Daniels’ absence, but he’s far less of a threat to generate yardage with his legs than Daniels. That could cap Washington’s offensive upside.
Managers who drafted Terry McLaurin have to be nervous after he finished with only two catches for 50 yards on nine targets. On the bright side, Stefon Diggs hauled in five catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns on six targets, which has him looking like a legitimate late-round steal.
2. Bears QB Caleb Williams (hamstring)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams looked like he had a potential walk-in touchdown on 1st-and-goal from the 6-yard line midway through the fourth quarter of his team’s eventual 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Instead, he suffered a hamstring injury that required him to get carted from the sideline to the locker room.
Luckily, Williams’ reaction to the injury looked worse than it actually was. According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer and Netflix Sports, tests confirmed Monday that Williams “avoided any major injury to his hamstring,” and the Bears aren’t ruling him out for their Week 3 game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. However, Bears head coach Ben Johnson called him “week-to-week” Monday during an appearance on ESPN 1000 and said he expects Williams to miss “some time,” per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
Backup QB Tyson Bagent had only one drive in Williams’ place and completed four passes to Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze for a combined 53 yards before getting sacked on 4th-and-2 from the Vikings’ 12-yard line. Burden, Odunze and tight end Colston Loveland would all get downgraded if Williams is forced to miss time, though.
3. Giants QB Jaxson Dart (knee)
In a fitting way to end a brutal injury week, Monday Night Football also featured a prominent signal-caller going down. New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart got sandwiched by two Los Angeles Rams defenders in the first quarter and immediately hobbled off the field.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Dart “is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL based on the initial exams.” He’s set to undergo an MRI on Tuesday—X-rays were negative—and he’s “expected to miss some time,” but Rapoport said it was “positive news” in general.
Backup Giants quarterback Jameis Winston looked atrocious against the Rams after Dart went down. Fantasy managers might have to downgrade wide receiver Malik Nabers, running back Cam Skattebo and tight end Isaiah Likely—who looked like one of the steals of the fantasy season after Week 1—until Dart returns if Winston can’t turn it around.
Key RB Injuries
1. Eagles RB Saquon Barkley (stinger)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley carried the ball on his team’s first offensive snap of the game against the Tennessee Titans and immediately went to the injury tent with a stinger. He did return briefly in the second half, but he finished with only four carries for nine yards and one reception for 11 yards, which is far below his usual output.
According to Rapoport, he’s expected to undergo an MRI on Monday, which “is more cautious than anything else.” Rapoport added that it did “not sound like a major injury; did not sound like something more than just a stinger, which is essentially a pinched nerve in his neck, which is something players have from time to time.”
In Barkley’s absence, Tank Bigsby carried the ball 13 times for 33 yards and a touchdown, while Will Shipley racked up seven carries for 24 yards. Bigsby should be a priority add on waivers this week even if Barkley’s MRI comes back clean.
2. Broncos RBs J.K. Dobbins (hamstring) and RJ Harvey (hamstring)
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey missed practice Wednesday and had a limited practice Thursday and Friday because of a hamstring injury. He was listed as questionable heading into Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he wound up getting ruled out beforehand.
In Harvey’s absence, fellow Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins had 10 carries for 36 yards in his team’s 20-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars before he also suffered a hamstring injury. James Palmer of NFL on Prime reported that it’s a “slight hamstring issue” and “there is optimism” that he’ll be able to play against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, though. A source told Pelissero on Monday that Dobbins is “good.”
If Dobbins and/or Harvey can’t suit up, rookie running back Jonah Coleman should be a priority pickup on waivers this week. He finished with 10 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown along with three receptions for 19 yards against the Jaguars.
3. Seahawks RB Jadarian Price (chest/shoulder)
Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price drew the start against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but he left early with what was initially labeled a chest injury. Pelissero reported Sunday night that X-rays “came back negative” and there was “optimism he avoided any significant injury.”
On Monday, head coach Mike Macdonald clarified that the injury was actually to “some technical term for somewhere up in your shoulder.” Macdonald added that “it’s intact and nothing serious, it didn’t seem like,” although it’s unclear if Price will be available for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders.
If Price does miss time, fellow Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson would be the priority pickup, as he finished with a team-high 21 carries for 92 yards against the Cardinals. George Holani had only four carries for 13 yards and one catch for two yards and doesn’t belong on rosters unless Price is guaranteed to be out for a while.
4. Steelers RB Rico Dowdle (toe)
Rico Dowdle’s tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers is not off to a great start. After barely making an impact in their Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, he left their Week 2 loss against the New England Patriots with a toe injury.
Dowdle initially suffered the injury in the second quarter on an Aaron Rodgers fumble and was carted to the locker room, but he briefly returned after halftime. However, he got injured again on a reception at the end of the third quarter and did not return.
We’re still awaiting details about the severity of Dowdle’s injury and what it means for his availability heading into Week 3. Jaylen Warren would be a must-start in Dowdle’s absence, while Travis Homer appears to be the next man up after he tallied two carries for 16 yards in the second quarter prior to Dowdle’s brief return.
5. Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks (groin)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks was a high-risk, high-upside flier in fantasy drafts this year. The Panthers selected him with a second-round pick in 2024 even though he was fresh off tearing his ACL the previous November, and he tore the same ACL again three games into his rookie season.
After missing the entire 2025 campaign, Brooks appeared to be poised to split carries with Chuba Hubbard this season. However, Hubbard has overwhelmingly dominated the backfield touches thus far, and Brooks had only five carries for 16 yards against the Atlanta Falcons before suffering a groin injury that knocked him out for the game.
On Monday, Pelissero reported that Brooks is “considered week-to-week while he gets second opinions” on his injury. Until he’s able to return, Hubbard should be locked into fantasy lineups, as AJ Dillon is far less of a threat to his workload than Brooks.
Key WR/TE Injuries
1. Texans WR Nico Collins (hamstring)
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins emerged from Week 1 unscathed, but he suffered a hamstring injury in Wednesday’s practice that sidelined him for the rest of the week, per ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime. He wound up missing Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals because of that injury.
On Saturday, Aaron Willson of KPRC2 reported that the “current expectation” was that Collins could miss Week 3’s game against the Indianapolis Colts as well, although he noted it was a “fluid situation.” Head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters Monday that the team is “still seeing how he progresses with his recovery,” although a source confirmed to Wilson that Collins is “not currently expected to play” against the Colts.
In Collins’ absence, tight end Dalton Schultz led the Texans both in catches (12) and receiving yards (140), while no one else topped 37 yards. While the likes of Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel all have the potential to go off, Schultz is the only trustworthy pass-catcher in Houston until Collins returns.
2. Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip)
Los Angeles Ramas wide receiver Puka Nacua practiced in full on Thursday, but trouble began to flare up Friday. He didn’t practice either Friday or Saturday, and Rams head coach Sean McVay later told reporters that Nacua “didn’t feel totally like himself [with] his ability to be able to kind of open up and really hit full speed,” per ESPN’s Sarah Barshop.
The Rams wound up holding Nacua out of their 28-6 win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, which McVay chalked up to “being smart” with him. In his absence, veteran wideout Davante Adams exploded with eight catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns.
It sounds as though Nacua has a shot to return for the Rams’ Week 3 showdown against the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football. If not, Adams will be a must-start again, even though he’ll likely draw shadow coverage from Pat Surtain II.
3. 49ers WR Mike Evans (hip)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans left his team’s blowout win over the Miami Dolphins with a hip injury in the second half and did not return. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game that the injury didn’t appear to be serious and that had the score been closer, “he would’ve been able to come back in.”
On Monday, Shahanan added that Evans “will have to be managed this week,” per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. In other words, fantasy managers shouldn’t necessarily panic if Evans doesn’t practice Wednesday or logs limited practices (at best) all week.
The Niners might not need to push Evans too hard against the Arizona Cardinals, either, although they’re going through receivers like Spinal Tap churns through drummers. Rookie wideout De’Zhaun Stribling suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 that landed him on injured reserve, and Demarcus Robinson might be joining him with a high ankle sprain that he suffered Sunday. If Evans can go, the Niners will be forced to funnel targets through him, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey moving forward.
4. Bills WR DJ Moore (shoulder)
While the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions kicked off Week 2 with a high-scoring bonanza, Bills wide receiver DJ Moore wasn’t able to join in. He finished with one carry for minus-one yards and zero catches before leaving early with a shoulder injury.
On Sunday, Rapoport clarified that Moore suffered an AC joint sprain that is “not considered to be a serious injury.” Rapoport added that Moore is expected to practice this coming week, although it’s unclear whether he’ll play in the Bills’ Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Fellow wideout Keon Coleman stepped up in Moore’s absence with six catches for 63 yards, but tight end Dalton Kincaid appears to be the focal point of the Bills’ passing game sans Moore. He hauled in seven catches for a team-high 95 yards and a touchdown against Detroit after snagging five catches for 130 yards in the Bills’ Week 1 shootout win over the Houston Texans. He is a must-start until further notice.
5. Colts WR Alec Pierce (heel)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce underwent left heel surgery in March and missed all of the team’s offseason activities and training camp while recovering from the injury. He did make it back in time for Week 1, but he didn’t even last two weeks before aggravating that injury in the Colts’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.
Pierce re-injured his heel late in the first quarter and was seen leaving the stadium “using crutches, with his lower left leg in a boot,” according to ESPN’s Stephen Holder. On Monday, Rapoport reported that he will “attempt to rehab the injury rather than have surgery” and will likely be placed on injured reserve, which means he’ll miss at least four weeks.
Josh Downs and Tyler Warren figure to be the focal points of the Colts’ passing attack in Pierce’s absence. Veteran wideout Laquon Treadwell was second on the team in snaps against the Chiefs in Pierce’s absence, so he could be worth a flier in deeper leagues as well. Keenan Allen is a low-ceiling option at this point of his career.
6. Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (knee)
Saquon Barkley wasn’t the Eagles’ only key skill-position player to get hurt against the Titans. Starting tight end Dallas Goedert suffered a sprained MCL and is “expected to miss a few weeks,” according to Rapoport and Schefter.
With rookie tight end Eli Stowers already on IR, the Eagles are down to Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins as their lone remaining tight ends, neither of whom are the same caliber of pass-catching threat as Goedert. The Eagles did sign free-agent tight end Zach Ertz to their practice squad on Monday, but their passing game figures to flow through their receivers until they activate Ertz and/or Goedert returns.
If Dontayvion Wicks is still on your league’s waiver wire, rectify that immediately. He had two catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and five catches for 74 yards against the Titans on Sunday. He might not be a one-for-one A.J. Brown replacement, but he’s proving that he deserves a spot on fantasy rosters nevertheless.
Quick Hits
1. Packers WR Jayden Reed (back): Reed suffered a back injury early in the Green Bay Packers’ win over the New York Jets and remained in the New Jersey area overnight for additional testing. With the Packers back in action Thursday, it’s hard to imagine Reed suiting up in Week 3, which should further narrow Jordan Love’s passing tree to fellow wideouts Christian Watson and Matthew Golden along with tight end Tucker Kraft.
2. Steelers WR Michael Pittman Jr. (foot): Pittman missed practice on Thursday and Friday due to a foot injury and was ruled out ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the New England Patriots. Head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Monday that he’s unsure whether Pittman will be able to suit up against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. It’s hard to trust any Pittsburgh pass-catcher with the offense stuck in mud for the time being.
3. Vikings RB Jordan Mason (thumb): Remember when we warned you last week about Mason’s thumb injury? As it turned out, that injury landed him on injured reserve. Aaron Jones handled 23 carries in the Vikings’ 9-3 win over the Bears, but head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Monday that the veteran was “pretty sore” after the game and the Vikings need to “be smart” about his workload. DeeJay Dallas, Jerome Ford and rookie Demond Claiborne could all steal a few touches from Jones until Mason returns from IR.
4. Chargers TEs David Njoku (fibula) and Charlie Kolar (forearm): Njoku had five catches for 58 yards in the season opener, but you weren’t starting either of these players unless you were absolutely desperate. Both are now headed to IR, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim, which leaves Oronde Gadsden II as the last man standing. He might be worth a look in deeper leagues.
5. 49ers WR Demarcus Robinson (ankle): After fellow Niners wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling went down with a high ankle sprain in Week 1, Robinson suffered one in Week 2.On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Robinson is likely to miss 3-6 weeks and is a candidate for IR, per Wagoner. His absence should help funnel more targets to the Niners’ main pass-catchers.
6. Dolphins WR Caleb Douglas (ankle): After exploding with five catches for a team-high 94 yards in Week 1, Douglas was far quieter in Week 2 before going down with an ankle injury. On Monday, Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley told reporters that it’s “too early to tell” whether he’ll be able to suit up in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs. If he can’t, fellow wideouts Malik Washington and Chris Bell could be in for an uptick in targets, as could running back De’Von Achane and tight end Greg Dulcich.
Returning Soon?
Let’s wrap up this injury bonanza with some good news.
1. Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (glute): Darnold went down on the Seattle Seahawks’ opening drive in Week 1, but he could be nearing his return. Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters Monday that he’s planning on having Darnold practice Wednesday “in some capacity” and that “there is a chance” he can suit up Sunday against Washington. Drew Lock has played well in Darnold’s absence, but his Darnold’s return would be an upgrade for wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed in particular.
2. Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. (knee): There’s no ambiguity here. The Atlanta Falcons have already announced that Penix will start Thursday against the Packers. Cooper Rush was an unmitigated disaster in his absence, so Penix’s debut cannot come soon enough for fantasy managers with running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and/or tight end Kyle Pitts on their rosters.
3. Raiders TE Brock Bowers (meniscus): Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters Sunday that Bowers is “very close” to making his season debut after he missed the first two weeks due to a meniscus procedure. He said Monday that Bowers will practice this week, which suggests he could return in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints. He should immediately slot in as the Raiders’ top pass-catching target.
4. Vikings QB Kyler Murray (concussion): Murray didn’t even last one quarter into his Vikings debut before he suffered a scary-looking concussion that sidelined him for the rest of that game and Week 2. But he has since cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and is set to start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. Fantasy managers with wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and/or tight end T.J. Hockenson can only hope that Murray is an upgrade over backup QB Carson Wentz.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com