ESPN's Fantasy Football Week 3 injury tracker, featuring an aggregation of injury updates for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends whose teams are scheduled to play this week. Here we'll track practice reports, injury updates and any other news that may affect a player's short-term or long-term availability.
Injury news aggregated by Rotowire.com. Additional commentary provided by ESPN Sr. injury analyst Stephania Bell.
Injury updates organized by Week 3 Matchups
Tennessee Titans at Cleveland BrownsCleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Latest Tennessee Titans Injury news
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Q
Sat, Sep 23: Hopkins (ankle) is in line to play Sunday at Cleveland, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Recent IR Activity:
Kearis Jackson, WR
Fri, Sep 22: The Titans placed Jackson (ankle) on injured reserve Friday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
Hassan Haskins, RB
Fri, Sep 22: Haskins (undisclosed) was removed from the commissioner exempt list Friday, but he returned to injured reserve following the transaction, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.
Latest Cleveland Browns Injury news
No injuries to report
Recent IR Activity:
Nick Chubb, RB
Sat, Sep 23: Chubb, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and will not play in the 2023 season, appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario regarding his knee injury and could be ready to return to start next season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit LionsFord Field, Detroit
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Stephania Bell's perspective
On Wednesday, coach Dan Campbell told reporters Amon-Ra St. Brown would not practice and was considered day-to-day because of a toe injury. This was noteworthy because St Brown certainly seemed to have hurt his toe on a play where he slipped but during the game the Lions reported he was dealing with "cramping." Nonetheless, he could be seen on the sideline, on a training table receiving attention to his foot. Campbell's acknowledgment of a toe injury that then led to him calling St Brown day-to-day made it official.On Thursday, St Brown returned to practice as a limited participant, a good initial test. It appears he passed that test as he returned to practice Friday.
Campbell told reporters he feels "pretty good" that St. Brown will play. St. Brown did one better and told reporters that he is ready to go this week. He also said he will play with a plate in his shoe, calling it "nothing too major" and noting he played with one in high school all the time and is used to it. The purpose of the plate is to help limit motion at the big toe. A turf toe injury is essentially a sprain of the big toe, typically due to hyperextension. When an athlete is pushing off, the last thing to leave the ground as the foot propels the body forward is the big toe. When there is excessive force applied that takes the toe beyond its normal range, it can stretch the ligaments that reinforce the joint. The extent to which the protective ligaments and surrounding tissues are damaged determines the degree of injury. As athletes return to play, the plate inserted into the shoe prevents excess movement at the toe to protect the injured ligaments. Sometimes an athlete unaccustomed to a plate insert will struggle with traction; the fact St Brown is familiar with it is a great sign that it is unlikely to limit him on the field.
Latest Atlanta Falcons Injury news
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Q
Fri, Sep 22: Patterson (thigh) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Detroit.
Latest Detroit Lions Injury news
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Q
Sun, Sep 24: St. Brown (toe) is expected to suit up versus the Falcons on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Josh Reynolds, WR, Q
Fri, Sep 22: Reynolds (groin) was a full practice participant Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
David Montgomery, RB, D
Fri, Sep 22: Montgomery (thigh) didn't practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
New Orleans Saints at Green Bay PackersLambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Stephania Bell's perspective
Christian Watson has yet to take the field this season due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the preseason. After practicing last Friday and again this Wednesday, Watson was held out Thursday leading some to fear a setback. Coach Matt LaFleur pointed out that it was a planned day of rest for Watson. It is not uncommon for athletes coming back from soft tissue injury to engage in limited sessions with rest in between to account for a structured progression of volume and intensity of work. Watson returned to practice Friday (limited) and enters Sunday listed as questionable. Last week, his chance of playing seemed a stretch but after additional practice time this week, Watson is at least trending in a positive direction. This could come down to how he looks in pregame warmups.
Aaron Jones sat out Week 2 after injuring his left hamstring on a 35-yard touchdown in Week 1. He returned for his first practice on Thursday (limited) and participated in individual drills. He was also limited in practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday against the Saints. This has the feel of the Packers giving him a little more recovery time before returning him to action but stay tuned.
Latest New Orleans Saints Injury news
Foster Moreau, TE, O
Sat, Sep 23: Moreau (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers, Erin Summers of ESPN.com reports.
Recent IR Activity:
Jamaal Williams, RB
Sat, Sep 23: Williams, who was already ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Saints due to a hamstring injury, was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Latest Green Bay Packers Injury news
Christian Watson, WR, Q
Fri, Sep 22: Watson (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Saints, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
Aaron Jones, RB, Q
Fri, Sep 22: Jones (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
Denver Broncos at Miami DolphinsHard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Latest Denver Broncos Injury news
No injuries to report
Latest Miami Dolphins Injury news
Jaylen Waddle, WR, O
Sat, Sep 23: Waddle (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Tyler Kroft, TE, Q
Fri, Sep 22: The Dolphins have listed Kroft (back) as questionable for Sunday's tilt against the Broncos.
Salvon Ahmed, RB, D
Fri, Sep 22: Ahmed (groin) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's Week 3 game against the Broncos, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Julian Hill, TE, Q
Los Angeles Chargers at Minnesota VikingsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Stephania Bell's perspective
At least Austin Ekeler's status won't come down to gametime as he has already been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings. Ekeler has been very forthcoming with his fans about his status noting on his weekly show, Ekeler's Edge, that he has himself on his own fantasy team and is trying to get back as fast as he can for everyone. Still, one can only will one's own healing powers just so much. Ekeler has not been participating in practice other than as an observer this week and needs more time to mend.
Latest Los Angeles Chargers Injury news
Austin Ekeler, RB, O
Fri, Sep 22: Ekeler (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's road game against the Vikings.
Latest Minnesota Vikings Injury news
No injuries to report
Recent IR Activity:
Jalen Nailor, WR
Thu, Sep 21: Nailor (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.
New England Patriots at New York JetsMetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Latest New England Patriots Injury news
No injuries to report
Latest New York Jets Injury news
No injuries to report
Recent IR Activity:
Aaron Rodgers, QB
Sun, Sep 17: Rodgers is targeting a return to action during the playoffs after undergoing an innovative surgery Wednesday in Los Angeles to repair his torn left Achilles' tendon, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report.
Buffalo Bills at Washington CommandersFedExField, Landover, Maryland
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Latest Buffalo Bills Injury news
No injuries to report
Latest Washington Commanders Injury news
Logan Thomas, TE, O
Fri, Sep 22: Thomas (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Buffalo, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
More Commanders injury news >>
Houston Texans at Jacksonville JaguarsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Latest Houston Texans Injury news
No injuries to report
Latest Jacksonville Jaguars Injury news
Zay Jones, WR, O
Fri, Sep 22: Jones (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Texans.
Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore RavensM&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Latest Indianapolis Colts Injury news
Anthony Richardson, QB, O
Fri, Sep 22: Richardson (concussion) isn't practicing Friday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Latest Baltimore Ravens Injury news
Justice Hill, RB, O
Fri, Sep 22: Hill (foot) wasn't present for practice Friday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, O
Fri, Sep 22: Beckham (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Friday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.
Carolina Panthers at Seattle SeahawksLumen Field, Seattle
Sunday 4:05 PM ET
Stephania Bell's perspective
Bryce Young sustained an ankle sprain in Week 1 that has kept him out of practice this week but should not sideline him for long. He has not been wearing a protective boot while out watching practice and, according to ESPN's David Newton, has been walking without a limp. Coach Frank Reich said Young has made good progress and this will be a one to two week absence; he also confirmed Young will be the starter when he returns.
DK Metcalf left Sunday's game in the first half with a rib injury but he was able to return. On Monday coach Pete Carroll said he was sore and would need a "couple days to recover" but there was no indication his status for Week 3 was in jeopardy. Given Carroll's remarks, Metcalf's absence from Wednesday and Thursday's practices wasn't particularly concerning. He is officially listed as Questionable but after turning in a full practice on Friday -- and Carroll saying he looked "great," according to ESPN's Brady Henderson -- it appears Metcalf will be ready to go Sunday.
Latest Carolina Panthers Injury news
Bryce Young, QB, O
Fri, Sep 22: Young (ankle) won't play Sunday in Seattle but is expected back for Week 4 against Minnesota or Week 5 at Detroit, Augusta Stone of the Panthers' official site reports.
Latest Seattle Seahawks Injury news
DK Metcalf, WR, Q
Sun, Sep 24: Metcalf (ribs), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Carolina, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
DeeJay Dallas, RB, Q
Fri, Sep 22: Dallas (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.
Will Dissly, TE, D
Fri, Sep 22: Dissly (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.
Chicago Bears at Kansas City ChiefsGEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Sunday 4:25 PM ET
Latest Chicago Bears Injury news
No injuries to report
Latest Kansas City Chiefs Injury news
Kadarius Toney, WR, Q
Sun, Sep 24: Toney (toe) is a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Q
Sun, Sep 24: Pacheco (hamstring) is expected to suit up Sunday versus Chicago, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Recent IR Activity:
Richie James, WR
Sat, Sep 23: The Chiefs placed James (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Dallas Cowboys at Arizona CardinalsState Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Sunday 4:25 PM ET
Latest Dallas Cowboys Injury news
No injuries to report
Latest Arizona Cardinals Injury news
Kyler Murray, QB, O
Fri, Sep 22: Murray (knee) is expected to play this season, but it probably won't be Week 5 when he's first eligible to return from the PUP list, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Recent IR Activity:
Carlos Watkins, DT
Sat, Sep 23: The Cardinals placed Watkins (biceps) on injured reserve Saturday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Las Vegas RaidersAllegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Sunday 8:20 PM ET
Latest Pittsburgh Steelers Injury news
Gunner Olszewski, WR, O
Fri, Sep 22: Olszewski (concussion) will not play against the Raiders on Sunday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.
Recent IR Activity:
Anthony McFarland Jr., RB
Mon, Sep 18: McFarland (knee) was placed on injured reserve Monday.
Diontae Johnson, WR
Mon, Sep 18: The Steelers placed Johnson (hamstring) on injured reserve Monday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Latest Las Vegas Raiders Injury news
No injuries to report
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay BuccaneersRaymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Monday 7:15 PM ET
Latest Philadelphia Eagles Injury news
Boston Scott, RB, O
Sat, Sep 23: Scott (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's matchup against the Buccaneers.
Quez Watkins, WR, O
Sat, Sep 23: Watkins (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's contest against the Buccaneers.
Latest Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury news
No injuries to report
Recent IR Activity:
Chase Edmonds, RB
Wed, Sep 20: The Buccaneers placed Edmonds (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
More Buccaneers injury news >>
Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati BengalsPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati
Monday 8:15 PM ET
Stephania Bell's perspective
Puka Nacua is listed as questionable for Monday night but head coach Sean McVay told reporters he is expected to play. Nacua had with the same designation last week (did not practice Thursday and was limited Friday) and managed to exceed his Week 1 performance by posting 147 yards on 15 catches against a strong 49ers defense. There were no reports of a setback following Week 2, but he is likely still managing the injury given his presence on the injury report. This week Nacua did not practice Thursday and was limited Friday and Saturday. Those sessions and McVay's confidence suggest he should be fine against the Bengals, barring a surprise setback. Burrow's status remains unclear entering Monday night listed on the injury report as questionable. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor hinted that a decision will not be made until close to gametime. Burrow returned to limited practice sessions Friday and reportedly was running around well Saturday. The challenge for the Bengals will undoubtedly be the presence of competing factors -- a determined quarterback who wants to be on the field with his teammates and a recent setback that portends a longer recovery -- with no clear right answer.
There is no way to predict whether Joe Burrow's current condition would limit his functionality on Monday or set him back further if he has an unexpected attempt to push off his calf more than what the tissue can handle. For those who would suggest that he simply sit a week and let it heal, consider that Burrow had a six-week recovery prior to taking the field for the first time in Week and he is clearly still not out of the woods.
Burrow's setback might make it challenging to truly get to full health during the season. While this does not mean he can't function at an elite level, it might mean that he can't do everything he normally would without the threat of yet another setback. Of course, each week he is able to avoid a setback decreases his overall risk but there is no way of definitively determining that he is healthy before allowing him to return to action.
This leaves the medical personnel, the coaching staff and the athlete with some difficult decisions to make prior to Monday.
Latest Los Angeles Rams Injury news
Puka Nacua, WR, Q
Sat, Sep 23: Although Nacua (oblique) has been given a questionable designation for Monday's matchup with the Bengals, head coach Sean McVay "expects him to play," Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
Latest Cincinnati Bengals Injury news
Irv Smith Jr., TE, D
Sat, Sep 23: Smith (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Monday's contest against the Rams.
Joe Burrow, QB, Q
Sat, Sep 23: Burrow (calf) will be listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Rams, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.
Thursday's Game
New York Giants at San Francisco 49ersLevi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Thursday 8:15 PM ET
Stephania Bell's perspective
Saquon Barkley will miss Thursday night's game after injuring his right ankle late in Sunday's game against the Cardinals, when he required the assistance of two members of the Giants' medical staff to leave the field. He was notably not putting any weight through his right leg. ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported Barkley was noticeably limping and wearing a large wrap on his ankle post-game. X-rays taken at the stadium were reportedly negative and a subsequent MRI revealed "an ordinary sprain" and not a high ankle sprain, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter also reported Barkley was expected to miss about three weeks but on Tuesday, Giants coach Brian Daboll said Barkley was feeling much better and he was not ruling him out for Thursday. It never really seemed as if four days would be enough recovery time, regardless of the actual diagnosis and on Wednesday the Giants declared Barkley OUT.
Hmmm. Here is an instance where analysis around injuries gets tricky.
When Barkley was injured, how he went down -- by a hip-drop tackle, where the defender brings the player down by "dropping" the hip as he comes down on the leg, capturing the ankle underneath and forcing the knee inward, with the player often falling towards the tackled side -- was consistent with a frequent mechanism for high ankle sprains (and associated MCL injuries of the knee and/or fibula fracture, e.g. Tony Pollard). It is worth pointing out however that it was not entirely clear on video due to the player pile-up where exactly Barkley's ankle ended up at the conclusion of the play.
The reports of negative X-rays indicate there was no visible fracture or indication of severe high ankle sprain (although ligaments are not visible on X-ray, a separation of the two lower leg bones above the ankle would indicate damage to the syndesmotic or "high" ankle ligaments). The reports of an "ordinary" sprain post-MRI suggest there was no major structural damage to those same "high" ankle ligaments yet it still leaves questions as to which ligaments were specifically involved. And, bear in mind that a mild sprain may not reflect any specific macro-structural damage, meaning it may not be visible on imaging, even if inflammation is present.
The bottom line is that the differentiation does not necessarily matter when it comes to return to play. Even though the diagnosis of a high ankle sprain typically suggests a longer absence, mild high ankle sprains can allow a player to return within 1-2 weeks while more severe low ankle sprains can cause a player to miss upwards of a month and can be problematic throughout the season.
In the case of Barkley, the factors that come into play are both the immediate issue as well as his specific history. In order to return, he needs to have enough resolution of his pain and swelling to allow him to perform at a reasonable level while minimizing the risk of further injury. He also has a history of sprains to both his right (2019, high ankle sprain, missed three games) and left (2021, lateral ankle sprain, missed four games) ankles, along with his history of a torn ACL/MCL in his right knee in 2020.
Brandon Aiyuk injured his left shoulder in the first quarter of Sunday's game. He finished the game but with limited participation and was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice. On Wednesday, GM John Lynch said on a KNBR radio appearance that Aiyuk's status for Thursday night's game is "very fluid" and could come down to a game-time decision. If Aiyuk plays it sounds as if his catch radius could be limited, which given his wingspan, is not insignificant.
Latest New York Giants Injury news
Saquon Barkley, RB, O
Thu, Sep 21: Barkley isn't playing Thursday at San Francisco due to a "high-ankle sprain," Taylor Rooks reported on NFL on Prime's broadcast.
Latest San Francisco 49ers Injury news
Deebo Samuel, WR, Q
Fri, Sep 22: Samuel's ribs are sore after a win over the Giants on Thursday, but testing didn't reveal any breaks or serious damage, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Tyrion Davis-Price, RB, O
Brandon Allen, QB, O
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, O
Thu, Sep 21: Aiyuk (shoulder) is listed as inactive Thursday against the Giants, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.