The QB and TE injury report for Week 3 is a busy one, with a number of big names making an appearance. Let’s examine the fantasy football impact as the likes of George Kittle, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert grab the headlines on the latest NFL injury updates for Week 3 of the 2022 season.
TE injury report heading into Week 3
George Kittle, SF | Groin (Limited)
George Kittle returned to practice on Friday of last week, but he failed to take the field on Sunday. Kittle was once again practicing on Wednesday as he aims to return to action in Week 3. He was on the field in a limited capacity, but the fact he is practicing this early in the week is promising. We will need to monitor the situation going forward, but the early signs are that Kittle has a chance to be active.
How Kittle’s week progresses will determine how cautious we should be with him in fantasy this week. If he manages to get a full practice in, then he should be full-go in fantasy lineups. However, if Kittle is limited all week, fantasy managers should consider looking elsewhere for a starting option in Week 3. If Kittle is inactive again, there is no one worth starting among the rest of the 49ers’ tight end options.
T.J. Hockenson, DET | Hip (Limited)
While much focus has been on other names on the Detroit Lions’ injury report, T.J. Hockenson was a surprise inclusion with a hip injury. He played on 89 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 2, so if he suffered the injury during the game, it did not impact his playing time. The expectation is that he will be ok, but the team’s Thursday and Friday reports will be important as to his potential status this week.
Hockenson has seen 14 targets through two weeks but has failed to convert them into significant fantasy returns. His usage keeps him in the starting frame, but with just seven catches for 64 yards through two games, the leash is getting shorter. If Hockenson does miss time, there is no clear fantasy-relevant tight end alternative on the Lions roster. Brock Wright would be a deep league gamble, but nothing more.
During the Buffalo Bills’ Week 3 game on Monday night, trainers were seen working on Dawson Knox’s foot. He managed to come back into the game after that, which was a positive sign. However, he appears on the Bills’ Wednesday practice report as a non-participant. The caveat is that Wednesday”s practice was just a walkthrough for the Bills, so this was just a projected injury update. We will need to keep an eye on his status during the rest of the week.
If Knox does miss time, then there is no real significance to be found in the Bills’ TE group. Quintin Morris has seen just one target through the first two weeks, so while he might see a bump in usage, it likely will not be a big enough boost for him to have significant fantasy value.
Taysom Hill, NO | Rib (Limited)
Wednesday of Week 3 saw Taysom Hill pop on the Saints’ injury report. He was limited with a rib injury. There was some hope that with Alvin Kamara out on Sunday, Hill might get some consistent usage as a runner. That was not to be the case, and he put up a disappointing performance for any fantasy managers who added and started him in Week 2.
Hill is a tough player to start, even when healthy. Therefore, if he remains limited all week, he is best left on the bench. His absence does not really impact much else on the Saints’ offense. His role is a very specific one to his skill set. The main beneficiaries would likely be Kamara or Mark Ingram, as Hill sometimes steals goal line touches when active.
Hayden Hurst, CIN | Groin (Limited)
To start Week 3, Hayden Hurst was listed as limited with a groin injury on the Bengals’ injury report. Hurst was also listed with a groin injury in Week 2 but managed to be a full participant all week. Whether he can work back to being a full participant on Thursday or Friday will be worth monitoring.
Through the first two weeks, Hurst has seen 15 targets, 10 receptions, and 70 yards. The fantasy output has been lacking, but the usage is certainly intriguing. If Hurst misses time, there is no Bengals tight end that would have obvious fantasy relevance in his place. Drew Sample is the next man up, but he’s dealing with an injury of his own and was listed as a non-participant for Wednesday’s practice.
Isaiah Likely, BAL | Groin (Limited)
Through the first two weeks, Isaiah Likely has seen some intriguing usage (nine targets). In Week 2, he caught four passes for 43 yards. That type of output gives Likely fringe value at the position in PPR formats, so to see him listed as limited on the Baltimore Ravens injury report is frustrating for managers hoping that he could carve out a role in the team’s passing game. If Likely cannot go, Nick Boyle could be active for the first time this season.
QB injury report heading into Week 3
Lamar Jackson, BAL | Elbow (Limited)
There was some semblance of panic on social media earlier on Wednesday when Lamar Jackson was seen with a brace on his throwing elbow. There were also reports that Jackson did not throw during the open portion of practice. He was eventually listed as limited with a right elbow injury on the Ravens’ injury report.
After practice, head coach John Harbaugh and Jackson himself seemed completely unconcerned. Harbaugh described it as “just a normal course of the season thing,” while Jackson was making jokes about not throwing in front of the media. He should be fine to start in your fantasy lineups this week.
Justin Herbert, LAC | Ribs (Limited)
The news coming out of the Los Angeles Chargers surrounding Justin Herbert has been generally positive. At his media availability on Wednesday, Brandon Staley called Herbert day-to-day and said he managed to get some light work in on Tuesday. Herbert participated in individual drills on Wednesday while wearing a rib protector.
All of this seems like significant progress for Herbert. As it stands, there does not appear to be substantial concern about him missing the Week 3 game at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Herbert starts, fantasy managers really have to trust him in their lineups. Herbert is on a 23-game streak of scoring more than 10-fantasy points and should still be able to provide a solid output against the Jaguars this week.
Jameis Winston, NO | Back (Limited)
Given reports about Jameis Winston suffering from multiple fractured vertebrae, it is hardly surprising that he remains limited in practice. Until we hear otherwise, assume Winston is still starting in Week 3. However, it is tough to start him after his beleaguered showing against the Buccaneers. That outing may have just been a product of the Buccaneers’ impressive defense, but it also could have been due to his back injury.
If he does miss time, Andy Dalton would immediately become an intriguing 12-team Superflex option. However, his ceiling would be capped below that of a fully healthy Winston.
Zach Wilson, NYJ | Knee (Limited)
Yet another limited practice for Zach Wilson as he continues to work his way back from a preseason knee injury. He still appears to be on track to return for the Jets in Week 4. In his absence, Joe Flacco will remain the starter. This week, Flacco is a borderline 12-team Superflex play against a tough Bengals secondary.
