Week 3: Start 'Em & Sit 'Em | Lineup Cheat Sheet
Need help dealing with an injury situation for Week 3? We're going to list the most impactful scenarios here as the injury reports pile up. In each one, we'll give you some options to consider if you'd rather play it safe and go a different direction for Week 3. Keep checking back.
Status: Questionable
Brandon Marshall (knee) was back at practice Friday after not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday. We just got done seeing Rob Gronkowski work as a blocker and a decoy on Thursday night, clearly not at 100 percent. If Marshall plays, couldn't he do the same for the Jets with Eric Decker (who will play) and Quincy Enunwa picking up most of the targets? Marshall is a risky start against a pesky Chiefs pass defense that did allow big numbers to the Texans' speedy receivers last week. Marshall, with one good knee, isn't as speedy. I would lower expectations considerably. albeit on a limited basis. He's listed as questionable. Typically, players who only get one limited practice in and are questionable truly are 50-50 to play. Jets coach Todd Bowles said on Friday Marshall was "probably a game-time" depending on how he responds to treatment leading up to the game. It's pretty safe to say Marshall isn't at 100 percent, and even though he said "the plan" is to play, he added it's a long season. "I have to be smart," Marshall added.
Status: Questionable
This one bears some attention. Jones is dealing with calf and ankle issues that kept him out of practices Thursday and Friday. On Saturday he was back at practice, then said he'd play after practice. Coach Dan Quinn seemed upbeat about Jones' chances of playing on Friday, so at the very least Fantasy owners should pencil him into lineups. If you need a last-minute replacement option just in case Jones is out, look for Mohamed Sanu (who was back practicing on Friday), the Saints' Michael Thomas or the Falcons' Taylor Gabriel.
Status: Questionable
Snead didn't practice on Thursday or Friday -- the Saints say he's sidelined with a toe injury. He's officially questionable but says he will play. When and how he suffered the ailment is unknown since he finished last week's game. Keep your eyes on this over the weekend and be prepared to make a move to another pass catcher in the event Snead sits. Michael Thomas is a no-brainer replacement if Snead is inactive on Monday.
Status: Questionable
The oft-injured Jeffery was one of 11 Bears starters on the team's injury report this week. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Friday with "knee soreness," according to coach John Fox, but it is believed Jeffery will be ready to play at Dallas on Sunday night. Whether or not he'll excel playing with Brian Hoyer is a completely different question. If you want to play it safe and find some backup options you could turn to Cole Beasley, Eddie Royal, Mohamed Sanu or Michael Thomas.
Status: Expected to play
Arguably the hottest breakout receiver through two weeks, Diggs was given an off day on Friday with a groin injury. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said resting him was precautionary , and Diggs is not even listed on the Vikings final injury report. He has evolved into a must-start even as he stares into a tough matchup at Carolina.
Status: Questionable
Hilton wasn't on the practice report on Wednesday. On Thursday he was limited. On Friday he didn't practice at all. Normally that would trend toward not being available to play, but coach Chuck Pagano told the media that Hilton was simply being rested in advance for Sunday. "He's going to be fine," Pagano told the media. Fantasy owners should still count on Hilton playing and contributing as a No. 2 receiver.
Status: Questionable
Rex Ryan's colorful way of expressing Watkins' status was "probably not real good, but we'll see." Ryan added Watkins had his foot stepped on during a walk-through this week but did leave the door open for him to play if he felt "up to it" on Sunday. Something tells me that he won't feel up to playing against Patrick Peterson and the Cardinals secondary come Sunday. There isn't a Bills receiver you'd trust in Fantasy if Watkins didn't play.
Status: Questionable
Maybe one of the last remaining reliable tight ends in Fantasy Football, Walker didn't practice Friday as he deals with a hamstring injury. The only day of practice he participated in was on Thursday, and that was on a limited basis. Walker reminded the media he's played in games on just one day of practice before, and coach Mike Mularkey said the same thing on Friday.
The Titans would turn to ex-Jets tight end Jace Amaro if Walker were unable to play, though Fantasy owners would be better off going with Dennis Pitta, Jacob Tamme, Clive Walford or even Trey Burton as quick replacements.
Status: Out
After getting hurt in Week 2, the Dolphins won't have Foster in Week 3. Who takes his reps? That's still up in the air. Dolphins coach Adam Gase has four running backs to pick from and will probably come up with some kind of rotation between Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake, Damian Williams and Isaiah Pead.
Ajayi took over after Foster left last week but gave way to Drake for the two-minute drill and then really began rotating time with him once Ajayi fumbled in the third quarter. Drake was the better pass protector and is the speedier back. And don't forget he's the running back this coaching staff drafted, not the running back this coaching staff benched back in Week 1. If the Dolphins are involved in a blowout win, perhaps the rookie will get some extended touches. I wouldn't want to use either Dolphins running back but Drake has more juice -- will he have more touches?
Status: Doubtful
Earlier this week coach Pete Carroll trumpeted that Rawls was "on track to play." On Friday, the coach listed him as doubtful. It makes sense for the Seahawks to rest their powerful young rusher when Christine Michael has been playing well. And now, Michael will take on a 49ers run defense that hasn't traveled well for years and allowed over 100 total yards to Fozzy Whittaker on the road last week! With Russell Wilson hurting, this should turn into a great opportunity for Michael to shine. Find a way to get him in your lineup, even if that means trading for him. Pairing him on the same roster as Rawls is a good idea.
Status: Doubtful
Charles (knee) is trending the right way in practice, working with the offense instead of the scout team, but don't count on him playing in Week 3. If he returns in Week 4, it might be on a limited basis. Then the Chiefs are on bye in Week 5. It's beginning to look like Charles won't be in his regular workload until Week 6 the absolute earliest -- about the worst-case scenario you could have seen when you drafted him in August. Spencer Ware should handle the lion's share of the Chiefs reps.
Status: Questionable
Jennings is so questionable that when the Giants issued their initial injury report, he wasn't on it. Then they released a second one and Jennings (thumb) appeared. It's likely he'll play against Washington's underachieving run defense. He'll likely play with a cast on his thumb -- not exactly the perfect scenario. But the matchup is juicy and Jennings should be in line for around 15 touches. He's not a bad No. 2 rusher.
Status: Questionable
This looks like the week for Ivory to make his regular-season debut for the Jaguars. He was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday as he makes his way back from a "general medical issue" that cost him two games. However, he'll run behind an offensive line that is banged up. Left tackle Kelvin Beachum won't play and center Brandon Linder is questionable. Already a suspect run-blocking unit, Jacksonville's front five might not give Ivory much of a push, nor might Ivory see more than 50 percent of the touches. Both he and T.J. Yeldon are low-rent starting options.
Status: Out
Stewart lasted 13 games before suffering an injury bad enough to sideline him last season. This year, he hung in for less than two. The veteran running back has been ruled out for Week 3 and might miss as many as two more weeks with a hamstring strain.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera announced Cameron Artis-Payne as the starter, adding that Week 2 hero Fozzy Whittaker would see about the same amount of carries. But Mike Tolbert will also step up for a few touches and Cam Newton is a rushing contributor, particularly at the goal line. No Panthers running back is worth starting unless in dire situations ... and that's before recognizing a tough matchup against a stout Vikings run defense!
Status: Out
Gates missed practice all week with a hamstring injury and is not expected to play. This is why the Chargers spent a second-round pick on tight end Hunter Henry. The rookie looked decent in the preseason and will have a shot at tons of playing time with Gates sidelined. Enough to make him a Fantasy starter? No one should chance it, not even the die-hard Razorback fans who saw Henry chew up opponents in college last season.
