Week 3 of the NFL is here, and the injury report just keeps growing. In San Francisco, the injured list is almost as long as their actual roster. But we’ve also got some good news on star players like Sam Darnold, who return to action this week. Let’s dive in and take a look at the NFL injury report for NFL Week 3 and how it’ll affect betting and fantasy football.
Green Light: Cleared to Play
Seahawks QB – Sam Darnold (glute)
Broncos RB – RJ Harvey (hamstring)
Broncos RB – JK Dobbins (hip)
Eagles RB – Saquon Barkley (stinger)
Vikings RB – Aaron Jones (knee)
Saints RB – Travis Etienne (hamstring)
Giants WR – Malik Nabers (shoulder)
Drew Lock did a great job leading Seattle to a 2-0 start. Darnold is back to take over. I’d play all your Seahawks as usual in this one. Denver’s running game has been a question all week. With Coleman out, Harvey and Dobbins in, it should go back to the Week 1 look. Saquon Barkley has been given the green light. You always start him if he’s playing. Aaron Jones will get the bulk of the work in Minnesota this week against a bad Tampa team. He’s in play. Travis Etienne has been cleared. Alvin Kamara will probably see an increased role, but Etienne should be fine. Malik Naber is about to get 30/30 from Jameis Winston. Start eating those W’s now if you have him in fantasy.
Yellow Light: Questionable
Ravens WR – Zay Flowers (hamstring)
Bills DT – Ed Oliver (hip)
Bills WR – Keon Coleman (ankle)
Bills WR – DJ Moore (shoulder)
Panthers WR – Jalen Coker (ankle)
Panthers WR Xavier Legette (knee)
Bears QB Tyson Bagent (concussion)
Texans OT – Trent Brown (knee/wrist)
Colts – CB Charvarius Ward (groin)
Raiders TE – Brock Bowers (knee)
Rams TE – Colby Parkinson (knee)
Giants CB – Deonte Banks (calf)
Giants S – Tyler Nubin (calf)
Giants LB – Brian Burns (ankle)
Eagles LB – Johnathan Greenard (pectoral)
Eagles WR – Hollywood Brown (ankle)
Eagles RB – Will Shipley (foot)
Eagles RB – Tank Bigsby (abdomen)
Eagles WR – DeVonta Smith (Hamstring)
Steelers WR – Michael Pittman (foot)
Steelers RB – Jaylen Warren (shoulder)
49ers WR – Mike Evans (hip)
Zay Flowers made the trip to Rio, but it’s very much up in the air as to whether he’ll play. The game sets up to be high-scoring, but play at your own risk. DJ Moore is a game-time decision; I’d avoid playing him in Week 3. Dalton Kincaid and James Cook are likely to get more action with Moore and Coleman banged up. Panthers wide receiver question marks highlight Darren Waller’s first two weeks of success. Ride the hot hand. Tyson Bagent is still in concussion protocol, and it isn’t looking good. If he can’t go Monday night, it’s Case Keenum for the Bears. I’d second-guess playing or betting on the Bears this week.
Raiders Brock Bowers looks like he should play. If you are starting a scrub, I don’t mind putting him in. But if you have a better option, save Bowers for next week. The Giants are very injured on the defensive side; this may be best for Tony Pollard. His props are solid this week. The Eagles’ backup running back troubles spell extra success for Saquon Barkley. The Steelers offense is putrid, is avoid Michael Pittman this week. Jaylen Warren if he plays is a solid start with Rico Dowdell out. If Mike Evans plays, he’s always got massive touchdown upside.
Orange Light: Doubtful
Rams WR – Puka Nacua (hip)
Bears QB – Caleb Williams (hamstring)
Rams S – Kamren Kitchen (hamstring)
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (knee)
Highly unlikely we will see any of these players this weekend. The Rams fed Devonte Adams with Puka out last week. Zach Ertz may get the start Monday. With the Eagles’ injuries and his familiarity, he’s a solid DFS guy, and I’d look at his props.
Red Light: Out
Commanders QB – Jayden Daniels (elbow)
Giants QB – Jaxson Dart (knee) Placed on IR
Broncos RB – Jonah Coleman (ankle)
Ravens OT – Ronnie Stanley (toe)
Panthers LB – Devin Lloyd (calf)
Panthers RB – Jonathan Brooks (core) Placed on IR
Cowboys S – PJ Locke (foot)
Cowboys CB – Cobie Durant (hamstring)
Cowboys S – Malik Hooker (forearm)
Cowboys LB – DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring)
Texans WR – Nico Collins (hamstring)
Colts WR – Ashton Dulin (ankle)
Colts WR – Alec Pierce (heel) Placed on IR
Chargers OT – Trey Pipkins III (knee)
Chargers G – Kayode Awosika (leg)
Chargers WR – Brenen Thompson (quadriceps)
Chargers TE – David Njoku (fibula) Placed on IR
Chargers TE – Charlie Kolar (forearm)
Dolphins WR – Caleb Douglas (ankle)
Jets S – Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin)
Jets TE – Mason Taylor (thumb)
Steelers RB – Rico Dowdell (toe)
49ers DE – Nick Bosa (calf)
49ers WR – Demarcus Robinson (ankle)
Seahawks S – Ty Okada (hamstring)
Seahawks S – Julian Love (calf)
Titans RB – Tyjae Spears (ankle)
Commanders TE – Chig Okonkwo (hamstring)
Marcus Mariota will get the start for the Commanders. With Jaxson Dart out for the year, it’s the Jameis Winston show. I love him, and all the Giants overs this week. Winston will deliver a big game. Chubba Hubbard becomes the guy in Carolina with Brooks hitting the IR. Dallas’s secondary is very banged up. If Derrick Henry gets loose, watch out. Mark Andrew is also a bit sneaky this weekend in Rio.
For the Colts, Alex Pierce going to the IR is pretty disappointing for the man they paid this offseason nicely. In LA, Oronde Gadsden II quickly becomes interesting. With Kolar and Njoku both missing time, he showed some glimpses last year. Expect a lot of points in that Buffalo game.
