As we head into Week 3, there are many impactful injuries that fantasy managers need to be aware of. Here are some of the biggest ones to watch.
WR Puka Nacua (hip), Los Angeles Rams
Nacua is almost assuredly not playing this week. A doubtful tag is little different from an out declaration, so Nacua's managers should plan for a week without him. Adam Schefter reported that "Sean McVay believes that, barring a setback, Puka Nacua could return next week vs. the Eagles." That's a big vote of confidence after McVay said Nacua was "not making great progress" on Thursday. So there's some hope for fantasy managers here after that ominous quote. With Nacua out, expect Davante Adams to be a high-end WR1. Terrance Ferguson should be a full-time receiver, making him a viable tight end streamer. Nacua will have a chance to return next week in a meaningful game against the Eagles.
TE Brock Bowers (knee), Las Vegas Raiders
If there's one thing we've learned about Klint Kubiak in his young career as a head coach, it's that we cannot trust him. He's been optimistic about Bowers, but you should take that with a grain of salt. Bowers returned to practice last week with a noticeable limp in his gait and was ultimately inactive in Week 2. He practiced in a limited fashion twice this week before missing Friday's practice. There's definitely a desire to elevate Bowers into lineups after missing him for the first few weeks, but the risk here is impossible to overlook, especially with a late kickoff. We'll hope for a positive report from Jay Glazer or Adam Schefter before the early games kick off, but Bowers is a huge risk without that. Fantasy managers with a good tight end might just want to play them early. Those without a strong secondary option should look on the waiver wire for Juwan Johnson, T.J. Hockenson, Mark Andrews, or Cade Otton as pivots with late kickoffs. Hopefully Bowers can log a full week of practice next week so we don't have to do this song and dance again heading into Week 4 against the Chiefs.
WR Zay Flowers (hamstring), Baltimore Ravens
Flowers' likelihood of playing on Sunday is still in flux. If Flowers can't go, Rashod Bateman proved he can be a solid lead receiver last week, and you can rely on him as a fantasy WR2. If Flowers is active, he may be limited. With the Ravens game kicking off late, fantasy managers should prepare a late-game stash. There's been a lot of talk about the field conditions in Rio de Janeiro, which could force the Ravens to err on the side of caution with Flowers and keep him out. It'll be hard to keep him out of lineups if he's healthy, but he should be viewed as a risky WR3, not a plug-and-play WR1. Bateman is the natural pivot if available. In leagues where he's rostered, Tre Tucker, Devaughn Vele, Ryan Flournoy, Dontayvion Wicks, and Kalif Raymond are in play.
WR DJ Moore (shoulder), Buffalo Bills
It's been a weird week for Moore, who opened the week at practice, didn't participate on Thursday, and then returned in a non-contact jersey on Friday. While it's good to see Moore back at practice, you can't ignore a non-contact jersey. An AC joint sprain is a painful injury to recover from, and Moore is clearly not 100%. There's a risk that even if he is active this week, he ends up in a limited role. We'll hope for clarity before kickoff, and the Bills luckily play early enough. But Moore managers should have a backup plan in case it's reported that he will be on a pitch count.
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