Week 3 NFL Injury Breakdown
Injuries can play a crucial role in your season long leagues and some of the same waiver wire concepts apply in DFS as well. RotoGrinders will have a weekly injury report highlighting the key injuries across the league and possible value plays that can pop up because of them.
Quarterback
Robert Griffin III (Ankle) – Out
Kirk Cousins will get the start after a full week of practice to prepare for the Eagles defense. He played pretty well filling in after the injury to RGIII and most of the sites have priced him correctly with the advanced knowledge he will play.
Carson Palmer (Shoulder) – Out
Drew Stanton will make another start for the Cardinals this week against the 49ers who allowed 4 TD passes by Jay Cutler last week but make no mistake Stanton is no Cutler. He was largely ineffective last week against the Giants and despite having some really good weapons I would expect him to struggle again this week.
Joe Flacco (Illness) – Probable
Tony Romo (Back) – Probable
Colin Kaepernick (Back) – Probable
Running Back
Knowshon Moreno (Elbow) – Out
Moreno is expected to miss 4 to 8 weeks with his elbow injury. With Moreno out look for Lamar Miller to get the bulk of the workload for the Dolphins this week against the Chiefs.
Ben Tate (Knee) – Out
Tate has been ruled out again this week for the Browns setting up Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell for split duty. West had 19 carries last week to the 11 that Crowell had and that is what we can expect moving forward.
Ryan Matthews (Knee) – Out
Matthews annual injury has occured and Donald Brown stands to be the big beneficiary this season. The Chargers have said that Danny Woodhead will keep the same role with Brown filling in for Matthews, but I personally would be surprised if he doesn’t see a little bump from this.
Mark Ingram (Hand) – Out
Ingram has been great early in the season and played last week with a broken hand that needed pins to fix this week. Khiry Robinson will be filling his role so anywhere you were comfortable with Ingram could be a spot for Khiry.
Jamaal Charles (Ankle) – Questionable
Charles has got some practice in this week after everyone was set to roster Knile Davis this week. The game is in the afternoon so you are risking a lot with this situation on any site that doesn’t allow late swap unless we get some confirmation in the morning.
Arian Foster (Hamstring) – Questionable
Foster was limited in practice all week but doesn’t appear to be a huge risk. The real concern here is that he is injury prone and many will be on alert after a rough week of injuries in the NFL.
Shane Vereen (Shoulder) – Questionable
He has been limited in practice this week with a shoulder injury. It looks like he should be a go and we will know his status before rosters lock with this being an early game.
Bernard Pierce (Thigh) – Questionable
Pierce was able to practice Friday and appears good to go for this week. With the questionable tag make sure to verify his status prior to roster lock.
Maurice Jones-Drew (Hand) – Questionable
Jones-Drew was able to practice this week and should be back for the Raiders matchup with the Patriots. Even though he is the starter this is a running back by committee situation with limited upside.
DeAngelo Williams (Thigh) – Questionable
Rivera says he expects Williams to play in the Sunday night game. Williams is not a cash game option to begin with as he only scores if he busts a big one and with injury concerns would be a risky play.
Marshawn Lynch (Back) – Probable
Andre Ellington (Foot) – Probable
Toby Gerhart (Ankle) – Probable
Chris Johnson (Ankle) – Probable
Wide Receiver
Marqise Lee (Hamstring) – Out
Cecil Shorts will make his debut just in time as Lee has been ruled out with a Hamstring injury. Shorts should instantly become the top option for the Jaguars with Hurns and Robinson getting the remaining targets.
Dez Bryant (Shoulder) – Questionable
He has been limited in practice but does not appear to be in any danger of missing this game. Bryant will be one of the better options on the week at WR in a matchup with the Rams.
Brandon Marshall (Ankle) – Questionable
Both of the Bears big WR have been limited in practice but should play. It is a similar situation as last week with the status unclear by the time rosters lock. Considering both played last week I think we see them both again this week.
Alshon Jeffery (Hamstring) – Questionable
Both of the Bears big WR have been limited in practice but should play. It is a similar situation as last week with the status unclear by the time rosters lock. Considering both played last week I think we see them both again this week.
Eric Decker (Hamstring) – Questionable
Decker was able to get in a limited practice Saturday and Rex Ryan believes he will be able to go. Still this is another risky option considering we won’t have clarity until well after roster lock.
Keenan Allen (Groin) – Questionable
Limited in practice late in the week it looks as though he will be a go. We will have his status before lock as this is an early game.
DeSean Jackson (Shoulder) – Questionable
Jackson is dealing with a shoulder injury that is keeping him from practicing full time. He appears to be headed to a true game time decision and we will have his status prior to roster lock.
Tavon Austin (Knee) – Questionable
Austin is unlikely to play this week with a knee injury for the couple people who where considering playing him.
A.J. Green (Toe) – Probable
Cordarrelle Patterson (Chest) – Probable
Kelvin Benjamin (Knee) – Probable
Sammy Watkins (Ribs) – Probable
Julian Edelman (Back) – Probable
Cecil Shorts (Hamstring) – Probable
Andre Johnson (Ankle) – Probable
T.Y. Hilton (Groin) – Probable
Lance Moore (Groin) – Probable
Tight End
Marcedes Lewis (Ankle) – Out
Lewis is going to miss extended time with an ankle injury and there is no fantasy relevant backup for Jacksonville.
Jordan Reed (Hamstring) – Out
Reed has been ruled out again this week with a hamstring injury and the means more Niles Paul who was targeted regularly last week.
Jordan Cameron (Shoulder) – Questionable
While he did get some practice in this week there is a good chance he misses this game. The Browns play early so we will know his status prior to roster lock.
Vernon Davis (Ankle,Knee) – Questionable
Davis has not practiced all week for the 49ers and looks to be in danger of missing this game. His backup Vance MacDonald is also in danger of missing the game so 3rd string TE Derek Carrier could be in for the start this week.
Kyle Rudolph (Abdomen) – Probable
Rob Gronkowski (Knee) – Probable
Antonio Gates (Hamstring) – Probable
Zach Ertz (Knee) – Probable
Greg Olsen (Calf) – Probable