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There have already been a ton of injuries heading into Week 3, both long-term and short-term. Regarding short-term injuries, there are plenty of key players to monitor ahead of Sunday's kickoff. Our injury updates and reports for Week 3 as of Friday, September 20, 2024, will give you the latest updates on significant injuries.
As always, some players have more "real" risk of missing this week than others, but things change quickly, so it's important to stay up to date. A.J. Brown, Joe Mixon, George Kittle, Kenneth Walker, and more have important injury updates for Week 3. Fantasy managers should have backup plans ready just in case.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some top fantasy assets at all positions and see whether they may play in Week 3.
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A.J. Brown Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) has been ruled out for the second week in a row against the New Orleans Saints. After popping up on the injury report last Friday, Brown will now miss out once again, a big void to fill at the receiver position for the Eagles and fantasy owners alike.
Eagles are listing WR A.J. Brown as officially out for Sunday’s game versus the Saints.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2024
The team has a Week 5 bye, so they may be cautious with the star receiver and hold him out next week as well. In Brown's absence, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley out of the backfield are the primary beneficiaries, while Britain Covey showed he could be a deeper league option after garnering six targets against the Falcons.
Jalen Hurts has shown off his great rushing upside to start the year making him one of the top fantasy quarterbacks, so Brown's absence doesn't affect him too much from a fantasy perspective.
Joe Mixon Injury Update
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is listed as doubtful and isn't expected to play against the Minnesota Vikings. After a great Week 1, Mixon hurt his ankle during Week 2 against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football, and hasn't practiced since. With Dameon Pierce also out, Cam Akers will serve as the RB1.
Dameon Pierce is OUT. Joe Mixon is DOUBTFUL. Jarrett Patterson, Juice Scruggs and MJ Stewart are QUESTIONABLE for #Texans @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 20, 2024
Managers who were prepared for this potential outcome likely already owned Akers, but if he's available on waivers still, he's worth adding for both Mixon managers and non-Mixon managers. Given the doubtful tag, it seems there was at least a chance Mixon played this week, meaning his prospects for Week 4 could be positive. It will likely come down to how much he practices next week.
The Texans offense has been great to start the year behind C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins, but Mixon's injury will hurt nonetheless. Besides Akers, other supporting options like Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs could greatly benefit from Mixon being out, as the Texans will likely throw the ball more without their star back.
George Kittle Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams. In an already banged up offense, Kittle's doubtful tag is a big blow for the 49ers offense. Brock Purdy is running out of options to throw to fast.
Kittle's direct replacement is Eric Saubert, who is an option for TE desperate fantasy teams. With Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel Sr., and now Kittle all potentially out, Brandon Aiyuk should dominate the target share for the 49ers, but Jauan Jennings also could put up a solid stat line. In what is a plus matchup, Purdy should still be fine, but his upside is greatly limited. Jordan Mason is still a great option as an RB1, and could be an even better option this week with the lack of healthy receivers.
Kenneth Walker Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker (oblique) is listed as doubtful and will likely miss his second straight game against the Miami Dolphins. Walker also missed Week 2 against the New England Patriots, where backup Zach Charbonnet dominated touches out of the backfield.
With Charbonnet being less effective of a runner than Walker, the Seahawks relied on the passing game in Week 2, leading to huge games from D.K. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Against Miami, the two receivers along with Tyler Lockett could be relied on once again, with Charbonnet also contributing in the passing game. Geno Smith should also perform as a solid low-end QB1/high-end QB2 once more.
Keenan Allen Injury Update
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel, personal matter) has not been practicing and is out against the Indianapolis Colts. The heel injury is the real reason Allen is out, but a non-injury related personal matter is new to the injury report. Allen will miss his second consecutive game after serving as a security blanket for quarterback Caleb Williams in Week 1.
The main beneficiaries of Allen's absence are D.J. Moore and rookie Rome Odunze. The offense hasn't looked great through two games, and will look to get back on track despite the Allen being out. D'Andre Swift has been stifled in the run game so far this season, but he is another player who could benefit, whether as a runner or receiver, with Allen being out, and the key to helping Williams and the Bears offense play better in Week 3.
Jordan Love Injury Update
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) has practiced in a limited fashion and is listed as questionable against the Tennessee Titans. Love's injured seemed potentially serious initially, but there seems to be hope he will play inWeek 3. If Love returns, that is a huge boost for his receiving options, mainly Jordan Reed.
Jordan Love went through stretch again and appears to be practicing for the third straight day.
Only two DNPs: Carrington Valentine (ankle) and Jordan Morgan (shoulder). pic.twitter.com/vO2lowuKdg
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 20, 2024
If Love does miss the game, Malik Willis will get the nod to face his former team. Willis only threw the ball 14 times against the Colts in Week 2, and most likely another conservative gameplan would be implemented in Week 3. Josh Jacobs after a huge Week 2 performance without Love would greatly benefit as a potential RB1 if Love were to miss out again.
Jordan Addison Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the Houston Texans. Justin Jefferson should be the main beneficiary, despite being limited in practice with his own injury. Jalen Nailor and Aaron Jones should also get an uptick in targets without Addison's presence.
#Vikings WR Jordan Addison, who has been ruled out for Sunday due to an ankle injury, sustained the injury from a hip-drop tackle against the Giants. This was the play: pic.twitter.com/xs8efJwUWi
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 13, 2024
Addison came into the year with an ankle injury, so the fact he has another ankle injury and has missed the last two games is concerning for fantasy managers for the long-term. Sam Darnold has looked good so far despite a banged up receiving core, but could struggle a bit against a tough Texans secondary.
David Njoku Injury Update
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 3 against the New York Giants. The Browns offense hasn't been great to start the year, and part of that has been due to Njoku missing time. Jordan Akins is Njoku's backup, but after a one catch performance in Njoku's absence in Week 2, he is nothing more than a touchdown dependent option.
The Browns will likely rely on the run game once again, with the main beneificaries being Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman. Amari Cooper could also be due for a bounce back game after supbar production so far in what should serve as a good matchup with the Giants secondary. At a position lacking reliable options, Njoku will hopefully heal soon for the sake of his fantasy managers in desperate need of TE help.
Raheem Mostert Injury Update
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (chest) was limited in practice this week, but is still listed as doubtful for Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks. Mostert missed out last week as well against the Buffalo Bills, leading to De'Von Achane to dominate touches. He likely will once again if Mostert misses out.
Even if Mostert were to return, it may be hard to trust him given the talent in Miami's backfield combined with Tua Tagovailoa being out with a concussion. Miami's offense is much less potent without Tua, meaning fewer trustworthy options in fantasy. Beyond Achane and Tyreek Hill, it will be hard to trust any of Miami's offensive weapons, whether Mostert plays or not.
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