It’s always a challenge to navigate through injuries in fantasy football. While Week 2 didn’t have much in the way of season-ending injuries, a bunch of big names went down. As we look ahead to Week 3, here are the latest injury updates across the NFL.
Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy Football
Jordan Addison Injury Update
Jordan Addison missed Week 2 after spraining his ankle in the first game of the season.
Prior to last week’s game, reports were that the injury wasn’t overly serious. It’s possible Addison could return for Week 3.
In the meantime, Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell will continue to see increased usage.
Keenan Allen Injury Update
Is this the same heel injury Keenan Allen has been dealing with since last year? I don’t know, but it’s clearly a problem.
Allen did not practice all week and did not play on Sunday night. It’s mildly encouraging he drew a questionable tag prior to being ruled out, but that could just be the team giving the utmost deference to Allen’s veteran status and his willingness to play through injury.
This appears to be a lingering issue and something Allen may have to deal with all season. If Allen can’t play this week, Rome Odunze will again operate as the WR2 opposite DJ Moore.
Jonathon Brooks Injury Update
The Carolina Panthers’ rookie running back is coming off a November ACL tear. Jonathon Brooks has been working hard to get back on the field. He will play this season, but it won’t be for at least another two weeks.
Chuba Hubbard will continue operating as the RB1 until Brooks can return.
A.J. Brown Injury Update
The trend of mid-week injuries needs to stop.
A.J. Brown hurt his hamstring at Friday’s practice last week. He did not practice on Saturday before ultimately being ruled out Sunday morning.
MORE: Kyle Soppe’s Week 3 Start/Sit Advice for Every Fantasy-Relevant Player
Head coach Nick Sirianni described the issue as it “tightened up” on Brown. That sounds better than a strain, but it may end up being the same thing.
Wednesday’s practice report will be very telling regarding Brown’s playing status for Week 3.
Hollywood Brown Injury Update
Last week, the Chiefs placed Hollywood Brown on IR as his recovery from his SC joint injury did not go quite as planned. He will miss the remainder of the regular season. This will be the last update on Brown.
Nick Chubb Injury Update
Nick Chubb continues to make good progress recovering from tearing multiple knee ligaments in Week 2 of last year. To the surprise of no one, the Cleveland Browns placed him on the PUP list.
Chubb will miss at least the first month of the season, likely more. Jerome Ford will remain the lead back until Chubb both returns and ramps up to NFL game speed.
Josh Downs Injury Update
Early in training camp, Josh Downs went down with a high ankle sprain that has cost him the first two weeks of the season.
The good news is Downs practiced ahead of Week 2 and drew a questionable tag before ultimately being held out.
All signs point to Downs being able to return in Week 3.
Evan Engram Injury Update
When Sunday morning started, Evan Engram was perfectly healthy. In a random stroke of bad luck, Engram tweaked his hamstring in pregame warmups and was unable to play.
Head coach Doug Pederson described Engram as “week-to-week,” which is code for “he’s not playing in Week 3.”
Jake Ferguson Injury Update
It always seemed like a stretch that Jake Ferguson would be able to play one week after spraining his MCL. Ferguson did not, but it seems as though there’s a real chance he returns in Week 3.
At worst, fantasy managers should get the Cowboys tight end back by Week 3.
Tee Higgins Injury Update
Tee Higgins tweaked his hamstring at the Thursday practice ahead of Week 1. Despite saying he felt great, Higgins did not practice Friday and did not play in Week 1.
Higgins is progressing well but did not advance enough to draw more than a doubtful tag ahead of Week 2. He obviously did not play.
It does sound as though Higgins has a chance to return in Week 3. The bad news for fantasy managers is if we don’t get confirmation, they may once again have to make a decision in advance, as the Bengals play Monday night.
T.J. Hockenson Injury Update
Since our last injury update, there hasn’t been any new news on Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson, who tore his ACL and MCL last season.
Given the nature of his position, it’s easier for Hockenson to return than a guy like Chubb. However, Hockenson’s injury occurred in Week 17. An injury that late in the season makes it highly unlikely that he’ll be anywhere close to fully recovered early in the season.
Hockenson opened training camp on the PUP list and will remain there to start the season, forcing him to miss Minnesota’s first four games. He will probably return at some point, but Hockenson likely won’t be fully back to form until next year.
Justin Jefferson Injury Update
The Vikings entered Week 2 down their WR2. They left down their WR1 and WR2.
Justin Jefferson sustained a quad injury in the Vikings’ upset victory over the 49ers. While it’s never a good thing for a player to get hurt, this seems like the best-case scenario.
Everything players say must be taken with a large grain of salt, but Jefferson does not seem too concerned.
Justin Jefferson on his injury: “Not overly concerned. Just a lil thigh bruise, contusion, whatever you want to call it. Something that happens.” pic.twitter.com/CeDAMtZhT2
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) September 15, 2024
The fact that it’s a contusion/bruise and not some sort of strain has me inclined to believe Jefferson. I expect him to play Week 3.
Cooper Kupp Injury Update
One week after losing Puka Nacua, the Rams lost Cooper Kupp. The owner of the greatest WR season of all time looked fully healthy for the first time in nearly two years…until he didn’t.
Kupp sprained the same ankle that hampered him for much of the 2023 season. He did not play the entire second half and was spotted in a walking boot after the game.
On Monday, we got bad news from Sean McVay. According to Jourdan Rodrigue, Kupp will miss “an extended period of time.”
The Rams will have to make do with Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson, who ran the most routes after Kupp departed. Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell should rotate in on three-receiver sets.
This is an unmitigated disaster for the Rams’ offense.
MarShawn Lloyd Injury Update
It’s been quite the inauspicious start to MarShawn Lloyd’s career. First, he missed OTAs and the start of training camp with a hip issue. After returning, he was quickly sidelined again, straining his hamstring in the first preseason game.
Lloyd finally made his debut in Week 2. He entered the game ahead of Emanuel Wilson, and his hamstring looked fully healthy. Unfortunately, he sprained his ankle late in the game.
Given when the injury happened, we don’t know if Lloyd could have returned. Wednesday’s practice report will be very telling.
Regardless, Lloyd remains a hold for fantasy managers.
Jordan Love Injury Update
It was mostly gamesmanship for the Packers not to officially rule Jordan Love out on Friday’s final injury report, but he was never playing.
Love looked to have sustained a serious knee injury in the Packers’ loss to the Eagles, but escaped with a sprained MCL. He did not play in Week 2 and is not going to play in Week 3. Love is reportedly targeting a Week 5 return.
The Packers’ game plan was apparent with Malik Willis under center. They completely changed the offense, going run-heavy and utilizing Willis’ mobility.
Packers pass-catchers are unstartable until Love returns.
Keaton Mitchell Injury Update
It’s been a rough start to Keaton Mitchell’s career. He missed the first five weeks of his rookie season due to injury. After playing in two games, Mitchell got hurt again. He appeared in the Baltimore Ravens’ next six games and thoroughly impressed before tearing his ACL.
Mitchell is currently on the PUP list, which mandates he misses the first four weeks. He will be out longer than that, though. Justice Hill will operate as the change-of-pace back behind Derrick Henry until Mitchell can return.
Joe Mixon Injury Update
Joe Mixon went to the locker room after a clear hip drop tackle did exactly what the league wants to remove from the game. The defender fell on Mixon’s left ankle.
Mixon left the game and missed most of the third quarter. Although he returned to the game for a few plays, he left shortly thereafter for good.
I imagine Mixon will be limited at practice this week. His ability to get back on the field suggests at all is a positive sign that he’s not dealing with anything long-term, but his inability to finish the game is an inauspicious sign for his Week 3 availability, as is this quote by DeMeco Ryans.
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on timeline for Joe Mixon: 'We'll see, we'll take it day by day.' @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 16, 2024
Mixon underwent an MRI on Monday. We are still awaiting those results.
If Mixon can’t go, Cam Akers is the favorite for carries but would form an uninspiring committee with Dare Ogunbowale. If Dameon Pierce can return from his hamstring injury, he projects as the RB2 ahead of Akers.
Raheem Mostert Injury Update
Last week, this section also featured De’Von Achane. After he played Thursday night and handled 29 touches, it’s safe to say he’s healthy. Raheem Mostert, on the other hand, is not.
The veteran running back is dealing with a chest injury and did not suit up for the Dolphins’ loss to the Bills on Thursday night.
Mostert did not practice at all last week and was ruled out prior to the game. He did not seem particularly close to playing.
It is still early in the week, though. Wednesday’s practice session will be very telling as it pertains to Mostert’s availability.
Regardless, Achane is an elite RB1.
Puka Nacua Injury Update
The Rams placed Puka Nacua on IR last week, sidelining him for at least the next month. According to Adam Schefter, though, Nacua is more likely to miss 5-7 weeks.
All things considered, this is probably a win for fantasy managers. If Nacua can return in Week 8 or 9 at full health, he could be a true difference-maker over the second half of the season.
David Njoku Injury Update
In Week 1, David Njoku’s leg got caught underneath a defender while he was being tackled. He immediately left the game, walking very gingerly to the locker room.
On Monday, we learned that Njoku is dealing with the dreaded high ankle sprain. He is being described as week-to-week, which is apparently the new generic nondescript term for every injury in the NFL.
High ankle sprains are typically 4-6 week injuries. Depending on the severity, it is possible Njoku can return sooner.
The Browns did fantasy managers a solid ahead of Week 2, ruling Njoku out on Wednesday, so we didn’t have to wait until Friday to be able to place him in an IR spot. It seems unlikely Njoku will be able to return this week. Hopefully, the Browns rule him out early once again.
Rome Odunze Injury Update
Typically, I don’t bother including players who were able to play the previous week. However, Rome Odunze is playing through a very minor MCL sprain, so I figure he’s worth including.
Odunze is not at 100%, but according to doctors, he is not making it worse by playing through it. I suspect he will continue to do so.
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
On the Chiefs’ game-winning field goal drive, Isiah Pacheco limped off the field and was checked out by trainers on the sideline. He did not return to the game.
After the game, Pacheco was spotted in crutches and a walking boot. That is not what anyone wants to see.
Head coach Andy Reid said Pacheco would undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury. On Monday morning, we learned that Pacheco sustained damage to his fibula, causing a fracture. He will go on IR, costing him at least four games, but certainly more beyond that, as this is not a four-week injury.
According to Adam Schefter, it is also not season-ending. Schefter estimates Pacheco will be on the shelf for 6-8 weeks.
Currently, Samaje Perine and Carson Steele are the top two backs on the Chiefs roster. It’s hard to imagine the team not looking elsewhere. For now, Reid said they will go with the guys they have.
But it is worth noting the team met with an old friend, Kareem Hunt, on Tuesday. If Hunt signs, I may be intrigued. If not, the most likely answer for fantasy managers is going to be no one.
Tyjae Spears Injury Update
We haven’t gotten any information on Tyjae Spears’ ankle injury. He left the game with the injury and did not return.
On Monday, Ian Rapoport reported that Spears’ injury is not a big deal.
And Spears should be OK… Nothing major. https://t.co/BFSCp2VfVp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2024
He will likely be limited at practice this week, but it sounds as though Spears has a good chance to play in Week 3.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Injury Update
The last thing the Lions need after a home loss to the Bucs is to also lose their best wide receiver. Amon-Ra St. Brown sustained a knee injury that some are suspecting is a minor MCL sprain.
St. Brown does not appear to be in jeopardy of missing extended time. However, he is no guarantee to play in Week 3.
We know St. Brown is a warrior. He played through a torn oblique in 2023. His chances of playing in Week 3 are definitely better than the average player. But it’s early in the season.
My instincts tell me St. Brown sits a week or two but is otherwise fine.
Tua Tagovailoa Injury Update
Easily the scariest injury of Week 2 came in the week’s first game. Tua Tagovailoa sustained yet another concussion, immediately raising concerns about his future in the NFL.
Over the weekend, Tagovailoa made it clear he does not intend to retire but will consult with various specialists to determine his path forward. We can safely rule Tagovailoa out for Week 3 and likely several weeks beyond that.
At this point, I do expect Tagovailoa will return this season. Fantasy managers should brace for a minimum of a one-month absence.
Skylar Thompson will start until Tua can return. It is a massive downgrade for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and a minor downgrade for De’Von Achane.
Kenneth Walker III Injury Update
In the latest edition of “Don’t believe players’ opinions about their own health,” Kenneth Walker III said he was all good after the Seahawks’ Week 1 victory over the Broncos. He was not, in fact, all good.
Walker sat out the Seahawks’ Week 2 overtime victory over the Patriots with an oblique strain. Reports are the injury is likely to sideline him for multiple weeks.
While Walker is out, Zach Charbonnet will operate as the lead back. He is an every-week startable RB2.
Russell Wilson Injury Update
Russell Wilson has now missed the first two weeks of the season with an aggravation of his calf injury. Wilson was close to being activated as Justin Fields’ backup ahead of Week 2. I suspect Wilson will be able to go Week 3.
The 2-0 Steelers have absolutely no reason to move away from Fields.