NFL Offensive/Defensive Line Injury Impact: Week 3
Each week we will provide a game-by-game breakdown of offensive and defensive line injuries and what that impact they may have for DFS purposes.
Week 3
Welcome to Week 3! The injuries are starting to pile up across the board with only a few teams able to stay relatively healthy. I am looking into ways at quantifying the impact each player might have as well as display changes to make this easier to digest. If you have any suggestions or feedback feel free to hit me up in the comments or private message here on RG. Good luck everyone!
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Sunday Games
Cincinnati @ Carolina
Cincinnati Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Billy Price (O)
Defense – Michael Johnson (Q) Preston Brown (Q) Vontaze Burfict (Susp)
Carolina Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Trai Turner (O)
Defense – Da’Norris Searcy (O) Donte Jackson (Q) Thomas Davis (Susp)
Fantasy Impact:
The Bengals took a hit on their frontline with Billy Price leaving Week 2 early. His replacement Trey Hopkins is a downgrade in the middle, but the Bengals were able to overcome the loss against Baltimore. Overall, I believe we see little fantasy impact when it comes to Gio Bernard, as he is most likely to do his damage both through the air and attacking the edge. On the defensive side of things, Cincy will once again be without Burfict due to suspension and are likely without a key lineman in Michael Johnson, who hurt his knee in Week 2. With Johnson closer to the doubtful side of things, we have the opposite with Preston Brown, who is working his way back from a Week 1 ankle injury and I like him to suit up here.
The Panthers are pretty banged up on the right side of their frontline with Dary Williams lost for the year and now Trai Turner downgraded to out for Week 3. Missing your starting right guard and right tackle to begin the season is never a good thing, and this Bengals front should be able to take advantage with Geno Atkins and company putting pressure on Cam Newton. On the defensive side, there are some serious red flags with this Panthers team and it is not getting any better with starting free safety Da’Norris Searcy downgraded to out with a concussion and starting cornerback Donte Jackson questionable with a groin injury, which is likely to be an issue even if he can go. With the struggles this defense has seen, and the key injuries in the secondary, we have an under the radar Bengals offense in a very good situation.
New Orleans @ Atlanta
New Orleans Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Manti Te’o (O) Tyeler Davison (O)
Atlanta Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Takkarist McKinley (O)
Fantasy Impact:
New Orleans are as healthy up front as they have been all season, with Andrus Peat back playing the majority of snaps at left guard after missing Week 1. On the defensive side, Manti Te’o continues to deal with a knee issue and it will keep the starting middle linebacker out for Week 3. On top of that, New Orleans is without Davison for a second straight week, which is a blow to their interior defense. Overall, this is a game that many of you have an eye on and the New Orleans injuries are not going to cause the dial to tilt one way or the other if you are on the fence for a specific player.
The only real notable new injury to this Falcons squad is on the defensive side, with Takkarist McKinley out due to a groin injury. He will be missed for sure, but the thing to keep in mind is just how significant the injuries to both Deion Jones and Keanu Neal are to this squad. With a high powered offense such as the Saints facing a defense with key personnel gone, it is hard to pass up on New Orleans skill players this week.
San Francisco @ Kansas City
San Francisco Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Richard Sherman (P) Malcolm Smith (P) Reuben Foster (P) Jaquiski Tartt (Q)
Kansas City Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Eric Berry (O)
Fantasy Impact:
The 49ers defense will get a boost this week with two starters back in the mix, with Malcolm Smith recovered from a hamstring injury and Reuben Foster done serving his suspension. This should be a better result at the second level for San Francisco but secondary does take a hit if starting strong safety is unable to suit up. All things considered, this game remains one to target just understand that the 49ers are likely to look a bit better up front, but the real damage will be done to the secondary.
Kansas City remains one of the more healthy teams overall in the league and will have pretty much the same squad going since the start of the season. It is notable that Eric Berry still has not been able to breakthrough with an injury upgrade and is out yet again. In terms of fantasy you get what you have from them for the first two weeks.
Oakland @ Miami
Oakland Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – None
Miami Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Reshad Jones (Q)
Fantasy Impact:
Oakland has a clean sheet in terms of starters on either side we would look at for this article.
Miami has no new injuries, but remember they did lose Josh Sitton for the year which is a pretty big blow to that offensive line overall. The only notable injury to track will be whether or not Reshad Jones is able to go for Week 3.
Buffalo @ Minnesota
Buffalo Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Phillip Gaines (Q) Shaq Lawson (O)
Minnesota Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Pat Elflein (P) Rashod Hill (P)
Defense – Everson Griffen (O)
Fantasy Impact:
The Bills are pretty healthy up front on offense, but it is the defense that has it’s question marks. With Vontae Davis retirement, we are likely to see a banged up Phillip Gaines start for Buffalo this week. Lawson will be out once again, which hurts the defensive line depth a bit but overall this is a team that you are attacking with or without these injuries.
To make things worse for the Bills, it appears that Pat Elflein is going to return here in Week 3. This Minnesota offensive line is getting healthy and will only add to the strength that their offensive unit possesses. On the defensive side, the Vikings will be without Everson Griffen, who is dealing with a knee injury. That is a pretty significant loss considering the percentage of snaps he plays from the edge. With that said, it is not enough to make me want anyone on the Bills side of things.
Indianapolis @ Philadelphia
Indianapolis Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Anthony Castonzo (O)
Defense – Hassan Ridgeway (O) Clayton Geathers (Q)
Philadelphia Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Jason Peters (P)
Defense – None
Fantasy Impact:
Castonzo is a frequent visitor to this article, as the starting tackle has yet to make a start for Indy this year. The Colts will be without starting defensive end Hassan Ridgeway, who has not seen a lot of time on the field this year. Probably the biggest impact we have here is whether or not Clayton Geathers is able to play through his knee issues.
The big news is that Carson Wentz is back for the Eagles this week and he will have his starting left tackle as Jason Peters is now probable for Week 3. Injuries have hit the skill positions for Philadelphia but overall the team is healthy from a non-skill perspective.
Green Bay @ Washington
Green Bay Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Kevin King (O) Josh Jones (Q)
Washington Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Trent Williams (P) Brandon Scherff (P)
Defense – Zach Brown (Q)
Fantasy Impact:
Green Bay is pretty much full strength on offense outside of some guys knee. On the defensive side, it is a different story with starting cornerback Kevin King ruled out for Week 3 and starting safety Josh Jones still questionable to see the field for the first time. In terms of fantasy impact, we know what we have with the Packers defense.
Most of the news is good for Washington, who have two starting offensive lineman listed as probable and Zach Brown more probable than questionable with an oblique. We are pretty much playing this one straight up from a fantasy point of view.
Tennessee @ Jacksonville
Tennessee Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Taylor Lewan (P) Jack Conklin (D) Dennis Kelly (O)
Defense – None
Jacksonville Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Cam Robinson (O) A.J. Cann (Q) Brandon Linder (P)
Defense – Jalen Ramsey (Q) Calais Campbell (P)
Fantasy Impact:
The Titans have been a mess up front and it appears to be the same this week with a little help in Taylor Lewan. The top two on the depth chart for right tackle are likely to miss another game, and while the sack numbers are pretty good for Tennessee, this is a matchup that they are likely to get exploited.
Jacksonville has their own offensive line woes with starting left tackle Cam Robinson lost for the year due to an ACL injury. The interior is also beat up a bit, with right guard A.J. Cann questionable and center Brandon Linder probable. On the defensive side, we have Jalen Ramsey with a more probable than questionable tag and I think there is little chance he misses this one. There is likely more pressure off of the edge from the Titans than normal, but nothing to tip the scales for or against fantasy options in this one.
Denver @ Baltimore
Denver Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Jared Veldheer (Q)
Defense – Brandon Marshall (Q)
Baltimore Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Ronnie Stanley (P)
Defense – Jimmy Smith (Susp) Matthew Judon (P) Willie Henry (O) Michael Pierce (Q) C.J. Mosley (Q)
Fantasy Impact:
The Broncos have two key players show up this week, with starting Jared Veldheer questionable with a concussion and lineback Brandon Marshall questionable with an abdominal injury. Both would be pretty significant losses to each side of the ball and we will want to monitor this as we get closer to game time.
Baltimore has a healthy starting offensive line, but the defense has some potential holes here. To start, both of the Ravens nose tackles are in danger of missing this game with Willie Henry already ruled out and Michael Pierce questionable. On the second level, C.J. Mosley is questionable with a knee injury. I would not be surprised to see the Broncos testing the interior of this Ravens squad, even if the banged up players are able to go.
New York Giants @ Houston
New York Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Eli Apple (O) Olivier Vernon (O)
Houston Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Seantrel Henderson (O)
Defense – Jadeveon Clowney (P)
Fantasy Impact:
With the Texans skill players most likely getting some attention this week, there are a couple of injuries on the Giants side that should play a factor here. Starting Eli Apple will miss this game, which theoretically gives Will Fuller an easier path to a big game as Jenkins shadows Hopkins. On top of that, we have Olivier Vernon out again. It would not surprise me to see the Texans utilizing Ryan Griffin in space this game given the current alignment of personnel.
Houston is operating with the same line that they have for most of the season, as Seantrel Henderson went down early in Week 1 and has been lost for the season. On the defensive side, it appears likely that Clowney will be back to put pressure on a quarterback that will be there waiting.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Los Angeles Rams
Chargers Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Joe Barksdale (O)
Defense – Joey Bosa (O)
Rams Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – John Sullivan (P) Jamon Brown (P)
Defense – Mark Barron (P) Michael Brockers (P)
Fantasy Impact:
It is business as usual for the Chargers, who will be operating with the same players we have seen for a couple weeks now.
Jamon Brown has served his suspension and coming into the season we thought he would jump back into a starter role, but apparently the Rams will have him serve as a backup for now. Much like the Chargers, we see a pretty healthy Rams squad here and can play it straight up.
Chicago @ Arizona
Chicago Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – None
Arizona Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – Andre Smith (O)
Defense – Markus Golden (P)
Fantasy Impact:
Chicago draws a favorable matchup here with a putrid Arizona offense and will not be impacted by injuries.
Starting right tackle Andre Smith will miss another game for the Cardinals here, which is an obvious loss, but overall Arizona is healthy. From a fantasy impact, you just go with the guys you are already looking at.
Dallas @ Seattle
Dallas Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – None
Defense – Maliek Collins (O) Xavier Woods (Q) Sean Lee (P)
Seattle Breakdown
Offensive Lineman – D.J. Fluker (P) Justin Britt (Q)
Defense – Bobby Wagner (P) Earl Thomas (Q) K.J. Wright (O)
Fantasy Impact:
The Cowboys look to get second year safety Xavier Woods back this week despite the questionable tag and Sean Lee looks good to go with a hamstring issue. While Maliek Collins is out, there is still plenty to like in the Cowboys defense considering how friendly the Seahawks have been to opposing pass rushers.
Seattle will get D.J Fluker back, but it remains to be seen if that will be enough to help a line that has given up a ton of sacks. More important in my opinion is the situation with Earl Thomas. He was back at practice today (Saturday) but is absolutely worth monitoring heading into game day.
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