Gameday Injuries: Week 3

This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 8 AM ET on Sunday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.

We're set for a big Week 3 slate that features the heftiest injury report of the young season yet. As is often the case after a couple of games are in the books, some prominent names have begun to suffer some bumps and bruises, with the quarterback and running back positions featuring some particularly important Fantasy assets among the walking wounded this week. The news is hopeful for some and very murky on others, so without further ado, let's dive into the latest as of early Sunday morning:

QUARTERBACKS   

The Ravens' Lamar Jackson (illness) is questionable for Sunday's Week 3 clash against the Lions, but he was able to practice in full Friday and is therefore expected to take the field without limitations against Detroit. Jackson's illness is non-COVID-related, and with the star quarterback having only missed Thursday's session this past week, there seems to be virtually no chance backup Tyler Huntley has to make a spot start.

The Colts' Carson Wentz (ankles) is questionable for Sunday's AFC South showdown against the Titans after only managing a limited Friday practice this past week. However, as per Saturday night reports, Wentz has been pushing to play and the plan is to have him start against Tennessee barring any last-minute setbacks in pregame warmups. Nevertheless, the Colts brought Brett Hundley, who does have 18 games of NFL experience, up from the practice squad Saturday to serve as extra insurance alongside second-year man Jacob Eason, who was ineffective in relief of Wentz versus the Rams last Sunday.

The Dolphins placed Tua Tagovailoa (ribs) on injured reserve Saturday, sidelining him for at least the next three games. Jacoby Brissett, who was 24-for-40 for 169 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in relief of Tagovailoa in Week 2 against the Bills, will take over starting duties beginning with Sunday's Week 3 road matchup against the Raiders. It's arguably difficult to gauge whether there will be an appreciable downgrade for the Fantasy prospects of the Dolphins' skill players until after the game against Las Vegas, considering Brissett will head into the contest having had a full week to prepare as a starter and have access to No. 1 receiver Will Fuller, who'll make his season debut.

The Bears' Andy Dalton (knee) will not play Sunday against the Browns, affording heralded rookie Justin Fields his first NFL start. The 11th overall pick got his first taste of extended regular-season action in relief of Dalton in Week 2, completing six of 13 pass attempts for 60 yards with no touchdowns and one interception and adding 31 yards on 10 rushes. Fields will draw a favorable matchup on paper in his first starting assignment, as Cleveland checks in having allowed the third-most Fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (32.0) in standard scoring leagues through two weeks.

RUNNING BACKS     

The Raiders' Josh Jacobs (toe) is doubtful to suit up against the Dolphins on Sunday after missing practice all week. In his very likely absence, offseason arrivals Kenyan Drake and Peyton Barber could handle the bulk of rushing duties for the second straight game and will draw an exponentially easier matchup than in Week 2 against the Steelers, considering Miami is allowing 4.5 yards per carry and 21.0 Fantasy points per game to running backs in standard scoring formats through two weeks.

The Vikings' Dalvin Cook (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Seahawks after missing practice all week. Cook suffered a sprain during the Week 2 loss to the Cardinals and appeared hampered in the second half, but head coach Mike Zimmer did note during the week that Cook would have a chance to play even without practicing in any capacity. Alexander Mattison, who generated two very fantasy-friendly performances in Cook's absence last season, would be in line to handle the bulk of the backfield work should his teammate sit out. Further complicating the matter for Fantasy managers is the fact Cook's status may not be known until inactives are released 90 minutes before the contest's 4:25pm ET kickoff.

The Jets' Tevin Coleman (illness) will not play in Sunday's contest against the Broncos. In his absence, impressive rookie Michael Carter and Ty Johnson should handle the bulk of the backfield work for New York against a Denver defense allowing the second-fewest Fantasy points per game (5.0) to running backs in standard scoring formats thus far.

The Rams' Darrell Henderson (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's showdown with the Buccaneers after missing practice all week. Sony Michel, who gained 46 yards on 10 carries after Henderson exited the Week 2 game against the Colts, would be set to handle primary back duties against Tampa Bay's intimidating defensive front should Henderson sit out.

The Lions' D'Andre Swift (groin) is questionable to face the Ravens on Sunday after practicing in limited fashion all week. Swift was also questionable leading into the Week 2 Monday night loss to the Packers and logged 63 percent of the snaps, so the limited participation could well be part of a maintenance plan for the second-year back. Jamaal Williams stands at the ready to shoulder more work should Swift be limited or suffer a setback.

The 49ers' Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) is doubtful to face the Packers on Sunday night after only managing a limited Friday practice this week. The rookie was one of several running backs to suffer in-game injuries for the 49ers in a Week 2 win over the Eagles, and it appears he will join JaMychal Hasty (IR-ankle) as unavailable versus Green Bay. With Mitchell likely out, rookie Trey Sermon, who's been cleared from the concussion he suffered on his first career carry last Sunday against Philadelphia, will be joined by Kerryon Johnson and Jacques Patrick in some form of backfield committee against the Pack.

The 49ers' placed JaMycal Hasty (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday, sidelining him for at least the next three games.

WIDE RECEIVERS 

The Browns' Odell Beckham no longer carries an injury designation and will therefore make his season debut in Sunday's contest against the Bears. His timing of his return is especially fortuitous, considering fellow wideout Jarvis Landry was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with an MCL sprain and will miss at least three games.

The Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's visit to the Jaguars after missing practice all week. As per Saturday reports stemming from head coach Kliff Kingsbury's own words, the star receiver is shaping up as a true game-time decision. If he's unable to suit up, A.J. Green, Christian Kirk and surging rookie Rondale Moore would all enjoy larger roles to varying degree against a vulnerable and likely short-handed Jaguars secondary.

The Steelers' Diontae Johnson (knee) is out for Sunday's divisional clash with the Bengals after missing practice all week. Johnson suffered his injury on the last play of the Week 2 loss to the Raiders, and in his absence Sunday, Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington should serve as the top receiving trio for Ben Roethlisberger.

The Buccaneers' Antonio Brown (reserve/COVID-19) will not play in Sunday's showdown with the Rams. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will retain their usual roles as the top two wideouts, while a likely combination of Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson will share No. 3 receiver snaps. Brown's absence could also lead to some extra targets for tight end Rob Gronkowski.

The Dolphins' Will Fuller is off the injury report and slated to make his 2021/team debut in Sunday's contest against the Raiders, bumping DeVante Parker down to a No. 2 receiver role. The starting duo and the rest of their pass-catching teammates will be operating with Jacoby Brissett under center for the time being with Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve due to his ribs injury.

The Ravens' Marquise Brown (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Lions, but he was able to sandwich two limited practices around a missed Thursday session this week. Fellow wideout Sammy Watkins and tight end Mark Andrews would be slated to see bigger passing game roles if Brown were to sit out, while second-year man Devin Duvernay would also bump up to No. 2 wideout duties.

The Giants' Kenny Golladay (hip) is questionable for Sunday's home matchup against the Falcons after practicing in limited fashion all week. If Golladay were to sit out, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton would operate as Daniel Jones' starting wideout duo, while rookie first-round pick Kadarius Toney would bump up to a third receiver role.

The Bengals' Tee Higgins (shoulder) is doubtful for Sunday's game versus the Steelers after only managing a limited Friday practice this week. As per Friday comments from head coach Zac Taylor, Higgins' pain tolerance will likely be the final determinant of his status. In the second-year wideout's likely absence, Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd would operate as Joe Burrow's top two receivers, while Mike Thomas and Auden Tate would likely share No. 3 duties.

The Bears' Darnell Mooney (groin) is questionable for Sunday's interconference matchup against Cleveland after practicing in limited fashion all week. The second-year wideout also carried a questionable tag due to a back injury into a Week 2 win over the Bengals and ultimately logged 89 percent of the snaps from scrimmage. If Mooney can't go Sunday, Marquise Goodwin (questionable-quadriceps) and Damiere Byrd would serve as rookie Justin Fields' main complementary targets behind No. 1 option Allen Robinson.  

The Lions' Tyrell Williams (concussion) was placed on injured reserve on Thursday, leaving Kalif Raymond (questionable-thigh), Amon-Ra St. Brown and Quintez Cephus in position to serve as the top three wideouts for Jared Goff beginning with Sunday's matchup against the Ravens.

The Lions' Kalif Raymond (thigh) is questionable for Sunday's interconference clash with the Ravens after putting in limited practices all week. Raymond also carried the designation into last Monday night's matchup versus the Packers and logged a 63 percent snap share. If Raymond does suit up against Baltimore, he'll once again serve as Jared Goff's top receiver with Tyrell Williams (IR-concussion) unavailable.

The Bears' Marquise Goodwin (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Browns despite finishing the week with two full practices. If Goodwin suits up, he'd have a chance to possibly bump up to the No. 2 role with position mate Darnell Mooney (groin) carrying a questionable tag.

The Jets' Jamison Crowder (groin) is doubtful for Sunday's road battle against the Broncos after missing practice all week. In what appears to be Crowder's third straight absence to open the season, Elijah Moore, Keenan Cole and Braxton Berrios should all continue seeing a bump in opportunities behind top wideout Corey Davis.

The Falcons' Russell Gage (ankle) is out for Sunday's battle against the Giants after missing practice all week. In the veteran's absence, Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe should elevate to the No. 2 and No. 3 receiver roles, respectively, while at least a slight bump in targets could also be available for Calvin Ridley and rookie tight end Kyle Pitts.

TIGHT ENDS 

The Giants' Evan Engram (calf) is questionable to make his season debut Sunday against the Falcons after practicing in limited fashion all week. Late-week reports described the fifth-year tight end as ebullient about a very productive practice week, but if his optimism turns out to be overstated and he sits out yet again, Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith would continue sharing tight-end duties for New York.

The Titans' Anthony Firkser (knee) is out for Sunday's matchup against the Colts after missing practice all week. In his absence, the trio of Geoff Swaim, MyCole Pruitt and Tommy Hudson will handle tight-end duties.  

The Eagles removed Zach Ertz from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, leaving him available to serve in his complementary role alongside Dallas Goedert in Monday night's NFC East showdown with the Cowboys. 

KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

Cornerbacks

The Jaguars' Tre Herndon (knee) will not play in Sunday's contest against the Cardinals.

The Jaguars' CJ Henderson (groin) is questionable for Sunday's interconference clash with the Cardinals.

The Falcons' A.J. Terrell (concussion) is out Sunday versus the Giants.

The Chargers' Chris Harris (shoulder) will not play in Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

The Bills' Levi Wallace (knee) is questionable for the Sunday's interconference battle against Washington.

The Ravens' Jimmy Smith (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 3 matchup against the Lions.

Safeties

The Ravens' DeShon Elliott (concussion) is questionable to play Sunday against the Lions.

The Bears' Tashaun Gipson (hamstring) is doubtful to suit up versus the Browns on Sunday.

The Bears' Eddie Jackson (toe) is questionable to play Sunday against the Browns.

The Patriots' Adrian Phillips (undisclosed) is questionable for Sunday's Week 3 interconference clash against the Saints.

The Cowboys' Donovan Wilson (groin) is doubtful for Monday night's divisional battle versus the Eagles.

Defensive Linemen

The Bears' Akiem Hicks (illness) is questionable to face the Browns on Sunday.

The Chiefs' Chris Jones (wrist) is questionable for Sunday's AFC West battle against the Chargers.

Washington's Matthew Ioannidis (wrist) is out for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Linebackers        

The Steelers' T.J. Watt (groin) is out for Sunday's AFC North tilt against the Bengals.

The Vikings' Anthony Barr (knee) will not play versus the Seahawks.

The Chargers' Joey Bosa (foot) is questionable to suit up Sunday against the Chiefs.

The Buccaneers' Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) is out for Sunday's showdown against the Rams.

The Cowboys' Keanu Neal was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday and will therefore be out for Monday night's game against the Eagles.

The Titans' Jayon Brown (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's AFC South battle versus the Colts.

The Lions' Jamie Collins (undisclosed) is out Sunday against the Ravens.

The Broncos' Bradley Chubb (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and will be sidelined 6-to-8 weeks.

The Titans' Bud Dupree (knee) is questionable to face the Colts on Sunday.

The Lions' Trey Flowers (shoulder) is questionable to face the Ravens on Sunday.

The Steelers' Alex Highsmith (groin) is out against the Bengals on Sunday.

The Ravens' Justin Houston was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, sidelining him for Sunday's clash with the Lions, at minimum.