Week 3 brought unexpected drama to fantasy football lineups across the league, with several key players suffering significant setbacks. The Chargers’ backfield saw a major shift, impacting fantasy football rosters for the remainder of the season.
One particular injury occurred on a seemingly routine play, but the non-contact nature immediately raised red flags for viewers and fantasy managers alike. This development has created both challenges and opportunities that could reshape fantasy strategies going forward.
Najee Harris Injury Update
Najee Harris’s unfortunate season with the Los Angeles Chargers ended in Week 3 when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon on a non-contact play. Harris was seeing his role increase again in Week 3 before the injury, but his season ended after 15 carries for 61 yards.
The biggest beneficiary of this injury is the 2025 first-round pick, Omarion Hampton. Hampton had struggled in his first two games, but broke out against the Broncos, handling 19 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown while adding six receptions for 59 yards. He has RB1 potential going forward.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Dan Fornek
Harris Fantasy Outlook
In the second quarter on Sunday, Harris went down with a non-contact injury that we were all able to diagnose before the broadcast even went to commercial. The torn Achilles ends the season for a 27-year-old who will miss his first game in five seasons this weekend.
Now, the door is wide open for Hampton, and he should have every opportunity to succeed in this game as a near-touchdown road favorite.
Week 3 Fantasy Football Injury Recap: Players Include CeeDee Lamb, James Conner, Mike Evans, and Others
Let this injury remind us that every running back could get hurt. Harris was considered an iron man, but after one misstep, he’s gone for 12 months and has his future in question. I avoid ” injury-prone” running backs only if I feel the offense he plays for will manage his workload to keep him healthy.
In instances like Christian McCaffrey, where we universally buy the talent and are aware that the coaching staff believes in a singular role when active, I’m all for being more aggressive than your leaguemates.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe
