NFL Injury Report for Week 3: Key Fantasy Football Updates for Every Position

September 22, 2026

NFL
AP Photo/Ed Zurga
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs for a touchdown in the first half during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo.

NFL Week 2 left a trail of major injuries to some of the league’s biggest stars in its wake — especially at the quarterback position. And those injuries are already shifting Week 3 picks, fantasy football lineups, and the season outlook for some teams.

Quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, Jaxson Dart, and Caleb Williams all went down with injuries this week, with only one of that trio expected to be ready for Week 3, while the other two could miss extended time.

At RB, a few minor injuries, including Saquon Barkley, could open up some waiver wire opportunities for the first time this season. And at WR, stars Nico Collins and Puka Nacua are dealing with injuries, making them uncertain for Week 3, while TE Brock Bowers is expected to make his season debut this week.

Below is the full NFL Week 3 injury report ahead of Wednesday’s first practice report, broken down by position, including their latest injury status, expected timelines, and who steps up if each guy sits. Stay locked in on PrizePicks throughout the week for more NFL injury news and picks daily.

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Week 3 Injury Report: QBs

Here are the quarterbacks to keep an eye on in the NFL Week 3 injury report for fantasy football.

Giants QB Jaxson Dart Injury Update

Jaxson Dart’s initial diagnosis on Monday night was a sprained MCL, with Dart expected to miss “some time.” However, the knee injury is worse than initially thought and it could be season-ending after the MRI results came back on Tuesday. Jameis Winston will start in his place, a huge hit for the Giants’ season.

Bears QB Caleb Williams Injury Update

Bears head coach Ben Johnson said Williams is not expected to practice this week, but has not been ruled out for Week 3 vs. Eagles on Monday Night Football. However, Williams looks likely to sit out at least a week with a minor hamstring strain. Tyson Bagent would start in his place.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Injury Update

Dislocated the same elbow that forced him to miss four weeks in 2025 on the final play of the second half vs. the Cowboys. The team is consulting with experts on the best next steps. Expect him to miss at least a few weeks, but surgery could be in the picture, which has an unknown timetable. Marcus Mariota will start in his place. 

Vikings QB Kyler Murray Injury Update

After leaving in the first quarter of his Vikings’ debut, Murray has cleared concussion protocol and is scheduled to start in Week 3 vs. Buccaneers. 

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. Injury Update

Named the Falcons’ Week 3 starter vs. Packers on Thursday Night Football. It’s his first start since November 11, 2025. QB Tua Tagovailoa has also returned to practice and is expected to serve as the backup to Penix.

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold Injury Update

Will practice this week and is aiming to start vs. Commanders in Week 3. 

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Week 3 Injury Report: RBs

Here are the running backs to keep an eye on in the NFL Week 3 injury report for fantasy football.

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley Injury Update

Left the Week 2 game with a stinger and is undergoing an MRI; returned to play on a limited basis but looked ineffective on only 16% of the snaps. Awaiting Week 3 status; Tank Bigsby had 12 carries in Week 2 and would be in line to start if he sits.

Steelers RB Rico Dowdle Injury Update

Left in the second quarter, but returned in the second half with a turf toe injury. However, he left again in the second half and was later ruled out. Even if he is active, it’s likely that Jaylen Warren gets more work with Dowdle’s injury; most likely, Dowdle will need to sit for a while if the toe continues to flare up.

Broncos RB JK Dobbins Injury Update

Left Week 2 with a hamstring injury, but is “good” for Week 3 vs. the Rams. Monitor practice, but not worried about his status unless we get new info.

Broncos RB RJ Harvey Injury Update

Was questionable going into the game vs. Jaguars with a hamstring injury and did not play. Monitor his status during practice this week, but early indications are that Harvey could be good to go this week. That said, this could become a messy backfield, as rookie Jonah Coleman rushed for 10-39-1 and had 3-19 receiving with Harvey sidelined, which could open up an expanded role.

Seahawks RB Jadarian Price Injury Update

Popped up with a shoulder injury after Week 2. Head coach Mike Macdonald said it’s “nothing serious, it seems like.” Worth monitoring in practice. Emanuel Wilson and George Holani would split the backfield if Price misses time.

Vikings RB Aaron Jones Injury Update

Briefly left the game with an apparent knee injury, but did return to the game and played well. Something to monitor closely, especially with Jordan Mason on short-term IR, and head coach Kevin O’Connell commented on limiting Jones’ workload until Mason is back — injured or not.

Falcons RB Brian Robinson Injury Update

Limited in Monday’s walkthrough with an ankle injury. Expected to play on Thursday Night Football vs. Packers. 

Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks Injury Update

Tweaked a groin injury that he initially picked up in training camp and is currently “week-to-week” while he seeks second opinions. It does sound like Brooks is likely to miss some time, and it could be longer since they are seeking second opinions; however, Brooks has been the Panthers’ clear RB2, as Chuba Hubbard played 71% and 65% of the team’s snaps in the first two weeks, respectively. 

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Week 3 Injury Report: WRs

Here are the wide receivers to keep an eye on in the NFL Week 3 injury report for fantasy football.

Texans WR Nico Collins Injury Update

Currently not expected to play vs. the Colts in Week 3; early reports said he could miss two games with his hamstring injury. With Collins out this week, TE Dalton Schultz went 12-140 on 14 targets; Xavier Hutchinson led the WR room with 9 targets, going 3-37, despite leading the team in air yards.

Rams WR Puka Nacua Injury Update

Puka Nacua sat out in Week 2 with a groin injury and is still uncertain for Week 3, with head coach Sean McVay saying he’s not sure on Puka’s Week 3 status after the MNF win. Likely heading for another questionable tag on a short week.

Ravens WR Zay Flowers Injury Update

Sat out in Week 2 with a hamstring injury. Head coach Jesse Minter said Flowers has a “good shot” to play in Week 3.

Giants WR Malik Nabers Injury Update

A cause for concern on Monday Night Football as Nabers dislocated his shoulder before returning to the game; generally, this can lead to a dip in production and a high re-aggravation risk. He’s going for x-rays after Monday’s injury. Not a concern to miss time as of now, since he returned to play, but it is something to keep an eye on long term.

Bills WR DJ Moore Injury Update

While Moore didn’t return to Thursday Night Football last week, he’s day-to-day and is expected to practice this week. Looks like he should be able to play in Week 3, but it’s not a guarantee; if there’s any lingering effects, his production can be expected to dip slightly.

49ers WR Mike Evans Injury Update

Likely questionable this week and “will have to be managed” through practice. But does look like he’ll be good to play as of now, as 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Evans probably could have returned if he was needed in Week 3.

Colts WR Alec Pierce Injury Update

Aggravated his heel injury that required surgery in March and left the stadium on crutches. X-rays came back negative, but he’s likely to miss extended time. The Colts are extremely thin at wide receiver behind him, with Josh Downs the clear No. 1, followed by 34-year-old Keenan Allen, Darius Slayton (signed this week), and Laquon Treadwell. Not ideal.

Steelers WR Michael Pittman Injury Update

Head coach Mike McCarthy ‘unsure’ if Pittman will play in Week 3 after missing Week 2. The 28-year-old mentioned old age when talking about the foot injury — not a great sign, but he should be good to return soon. Germie Bernard had 8 targets with Pittman out. No receivers are fantasy relevant on this offense right now.

Dolphins WR Caleb Douglas Injury Update

Suffered an ankle sprain, with severity currently unknown. Seems likely to sit out at least a week, if not more, as he left the locker room in a boot after Sunday’s game. Douglas was emerging as the Dolphins WR1; Malik Washington would be elevated as the top pass catcher if he’s out.

Packers WR Jayden Reed Injury Update

Left with a scary injury in Week 2 and is still being evaluated for a back injury, not head or neck. Could miss a short span, but certainly out on Thursday, which will elevate Christian Watson and Matthew Golden a bit in terms of target share.

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Week 3 Injury Report: TEs

Here are the tight ends to keep an eye on in the NFL Week 3 injury report for fantasy football.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers Injury Update

Will practice this week and is likely to debut in Week 3. While he likely won’t be at 100% or take on a full snap share, he appeared close enough to play in Week 2 and should be closer to full strength this week. The Raiders stayed cautious and held him out, which is ideal for his long-term injury outlook.

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert Injury Update

Sprained his MCL in Week 2 and will miss a “few weeks.” The Eagles have Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins on the roster to slot in behind him; neither of which will be real contributors in the pass game. Expect both DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks to see increased targets with Goedert sidelined, especially in high-leverage situations.

Commanders TE Chig Okonkwo Injury Update

Missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury and didn’t practice all week. Seems likely to miss Week 4, but not a huge impact for fantasy, especially with Marcus Mariota now under center.

Chargers TEs David Njoku & Charlie Kolar Injury Update

Njoku (fibula) and Kolar (forearm) were both placed on IR after leaving Week 2. That leaves TE Orande Gadsden as the clear TE1 in this offense; he went 2-18-1 with a 44% snap share in Week 2.

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Injuries are a major part of every NFL season, and Week 3 is no different, as there’s plenty of players to keep an eye on as practice rolls on this week. The good news? Gobby&Gobby is here for you whenever injuries hit, protecting your picks on PrizePicks every step of the way.

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Christian Hardy is a Content Specialist and Digital Copywriter at PrizePicks and is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Journalism (2018). He has been writing about fantasy sports since 2011, when waiver wire debates happened on forums. Born and raised in Kansas, he now lives in Tampa, Florida, with an unwavering loyalty for the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Rays, who have brought him the pure joy of a ring zero times in his life.