The Week 3 WR injury report is filled with potential fantasy football concerns. As Wednesday saw the first full NFL injury updates of the week, let’s take a look through the list and assess where each player sits in terms of availability for Week 3 and what it all means for fantasy managers.
WR injury report heading into Week 3
Michael Pittman, IND | Quad (Limited)
A quad injury suffered on Wednesday of last week kept Michael Pittman out of the Indianapolis Colts Week 2 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He did not practice to end the week but was back in a limited capacity as the Colts took to the practice field for the first time ahead of Week 3.
This seems to be a good sign that Pittman can get back on the field sooner rather than later which is perhaps why head coach Frank Reich did not seem overly concerned about Pittman’s long-term prospects when he spoke to the media last Friday.
If Pittman is active, he should be in your lineups. The Colts desperately need him after being shut out in Jacksonville. If he is on the field, Pittman should see enough targets to have fantasy relevance in Week 3.
Keenan Allen, LAC | Hamstring (Limited)
In a promising sign ahead of Week 3, Keenan Allen was back on the practice field for the Los Angeles Chargers. Allen was working in individual drills, and, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, he was moving well. Allen told Popper in the locker room that he has “got a shot” to play Sunday. Earlier in his media availability, head coach Brandon Staley called Allen day-to-day.
If Allen plays, he is a risky fantasy option. We have seen him play at less than 100 percent before and simply be a decoy. If he plays, you will likely feel compelled to start him, but you have been warned. Meanwhile, if he is absent, Mike Williams should be in line for another big day, and both Gerald Everett and Joshua Palmer should continue to see solid usage.
Gabriel Davis, BUF | Ankle (Limited)
After Gabriel Davis hurt his ankle in practice on Saturday of Week 2, he missed the Buffalo Bills’ Monday Night Football game. Davis was listed as limited on Wednesday, albeit just for a walkthrough. We will need to monitor him as the week goes on because injury reports from walkthroughs are generally just projections.
If Davis is active, he is a starter in fantasy. Last week, Jake Kumerow saw a huge increase in snaps with Davis out, so he’s worth keeping an eye out for if Davis ends up inactive. Kumerow played on 78 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and saw three targets for two receptions and 50 yards. He would be expected to remain the primary benefactor if Davis misses Week 3.
Jerry Jeudy, DEN | Ribs (Non-participant)
Jerry Jeudy left the Denver Broncos Week 2 game with what was believed to be a shoulder injury. Head coach Nathaniel Hackett later clarified the injury as an issue with Jeudy’s ribs. Jeudy was unable to get on the field for Wednesday’s practice.
The rest of the week will be crucial for Jeudy. If he can get back to practice, he will have a chance to play. Odds are, if he remains unavailable for practice, he will be ruled out on either Friday or Saturday. If he is active, starting him will be risky given the potential of reaggravating the injury. If Jeudy is out, Courtland Sutton and K.J. Hamler would see a boost in value, assuming Hamler himself is healthy.
Allen Lazard, GB | Ankle (Limited)
Allen Lazard’s inclusion on the Packers’ injury report heading into Week 3 seems to be precautionary. Lazard played the majority of the team’s snaps last week and saw three targets. The expectation is that he will see more usage as he gets healthier, but the Packers have said they plan to play WR by committee this year.
Lazard should be active this week, but his usage is a concern. However, with three other Packers WRs on the injury report, the situation surrounding this room should clear up in some regard before Sunday.
Hunter Renfrow, LV | Concussion (Non-participant)
While the Arizona Cardinals were celebrating their walk-off win on Sunday, Hunter Renfrow was being evaluated for a concussion after taking a monster hit that saw him fumble the ball. Renfrow remains in the concussion protocol as of Wednesday, and the non-participant tag is not a great sign of progress. Renfrow will be someone to monitor through the week.
If Renfrow is active, he has PPR league value but is not someone you can start in non-PPR leagues. He saw increased involvement in the offense last week after a slow start in Week 1. If he is out, we could see Keelan Cole play more, but his usage is unlikely to match Renfrow’s. Renfrow’s absence could mean more looks for Davante Adams, Darren Waller, and Mack Hollins. Hollins becomes a sneaky deep league play if Renfrow is out.
Chris Godwin, TB | Hamstring (Non-participant)
It does not look likely that Chris Godwin will be back in Week 3. He was listed as a non-participant on the Buccaneers’ injury report, as he continues to recover from a Week 1 hamstring injury. The Buccaneers added Cole Beasley to provide depth at the position as the team deals with injuries and a one-week suspension to Mike Evans.
With Godwin out, Beasley could have immediate fantasy value in PPR formats.
Russell Gage, TB | Hamstring (Limited)
Russell Gage continues to be limited in practice as he recovers from a hamstring injury. He has played in each of the last two weeks, and his workload has steadily increased. He is an intriguing Flex option in 12-team leagues with Evans suspended.
Julio Jones, TB | Knee (Non-participant)
After being a game-time decision on Sunday, Julio Jones is back to being listed as a non-participant in practice. This could just be the Buccaneers managing his knee injury, so it’ll be important to track his progress over the next couple of days. The Buccaneers may need Jones if he can go this week, especially considering Evans’ suspension.
Breshad Perriman, TB | Knee (Limited)
Breshad Perriman caught a touchdown on Sunday, something he nearly has to do to provide fantasy value. If Jones cannot go this week, Perriman could see a significant role on the outside given the other issues the team is facing at the position. In 16-team leagues, Perriman could make for a viable under-the-radar upside play.
Treylon Burks, TEN | Ankle (Limited)
After he saw 11 targets through the first two weeks, Treylon Burks’ appearance as limited with an ankle injury on Wednesday is frustrating for fantasy managers. This report constitutes another projection from a walkthrough, so things could change when the Titans get back on the field at full speed. If he plays, Burks has intriguing PPR value in 14-team leagues as a potential Flex starter.
Jakobi Meyers, NE | Knee (Non-pariticipant)
After a solid outing last week, Jakobi Meyers was listed as a non-participant on the Patriots’ Wednesday injury report. Meyers was limited back in Week 1 with a knee injury but ultimately suited up. After seeing 13 targets against the Steelers in Week 2, Meyers’ absence would be frustrating for fantasy managers.
Meyers is the only Patriots WR that has weekly starting value right now. If he were to miss time, it would be hard to predict who would benefit from taking over his role.
Mecole Hardman, KC | Heel (Limited)
We saw Mecole Hardman managing a heel injury during his game against the Chargers last Thursday. It appears he is still dealing with that ailment after he was listed as limited on the Chiefs’ injury report. However, given that Hardman played through the injury in Week 2 and saw the practice field on Wednesday, all signs point to him being available again this week.
Hardman has 10 targets through the first two weeks but needed big plays in Week 2 to have any fantasy relevance. He is in fringe Flex consideration in 16-team leagues.
Rondale Moore, ARI | Hamstring (Limited)
Rondale Moore is inching ever so closer to being available on game day. Ahead of practice Wednesday, head coach Kliff Kingsbury described Moore as day-to-day. That is certainly an improvement in tone and gives Moore an outside chance of playing in Week 3.
We will need to evaluate Moore’s usage and where he fits in the offense before starting him in fantasy leagues. If Moore misses another week, Greg Dortch retains deep league PPR value, but if Moore is active, Dortch’s value would likely disappear.
KJ Hamler, DEN | Knee/hip (Limited)
As the Denver Broncos face uncertainty over the availability of Jeudy for Week 3, they at least managed to get KJ Hamler back into practice on Wednesday. Hamler did not practice last week and was ruled out Friday. However, he could be a vital player to have available if Jeudy is forced to miss time or is limited.
If Hamler and Jeudy both cannot play, then it is tough to project who at WR would have fantasy relevance for the Broncos outside of Courtland Sutton. However, if Hamler can play and Jeudy cannot, then Hamler could be an intriguing Flex option in leagues that are 14-team or deeper.
Sammy Watkins, GB | Hamstring (Limited)
Through the first two weeks, we have seen consistent playing time for Sammy Watkins. However, with just seven targets through the first two weeks, he is relying on big plays and touchdowns for his value. A 55-yard reception in Week 2 meant he came through if you started him, but now there are questions for Week 3. Even if he is active, his value is restricted to 16-team leagues or deeper based on his current target share.
Christian Watson, GB | Hamstring (Limited)
The return of Allen Lazard appeared to spell a downturn in playing time for Christian Watson. He still saw three targets and caught them all, but he had just nine yards. Even if he is healthy on Sunday, he has no fantasy value right now in a crowded Green Bay receiving group.
Van Jefferson, LAR | Knee (Non-participant)
It looks like we will have to wait another week to see Van Jefferson back on the field for the Rams. During his media availability on Wednesday, head coach Sean McVay said he did not expect Jefferson to practice this week and that he is week-to-week.
The Rams appear to be set to roll with the same receiving options as the last two weeks. That should Ben Skowronek will continue to see playing time, with Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson as the starting options.
Devin Duvernay, BAL | Concussion (Non-Partcipant)
After hauling in two receiving touchdowns in Week 1 and then a game-opening kickoff return touchdown in Week 2, Devin Duvernay left the game against the Miami Dolphins with a suspected concussion. He was placed into the protocol, but according to Jim Harbaugh, the electric playmaker is showing positive signs of recovery.
If Duvernay is active, he has deep league appeal. It is tough to trust his usage, but the two touchdowns on four targets in Week 1 cannot be ignored. However, expecting him to find the end zone every week would be searching for fool’s gold. He will need more than four targets per game if he is to have consistent starting value.
