Week 3 is here, and fantasy managers have some decisions to make before lineups lock. Here are the marquee injuries worth tracking this week, along with the latest news and updates from Saturday.
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RB Saquon Barkley | 8:15 PM EST Kickoff MONDAY NIGHT
Saquon Barkley underwent an MRI after suffering a stinger in Week 2, which initially raised some concern since MRIs are uncommon for routine stingers. However, Barkley returned to practice Thursday in a limited capacity, a great sign for his Week 3 availability. His return also makes a significant neck issue less likely. I project Barkley to play Monday night in Chicago, and do not view this injury as a reason to leave him out of fantasy lineups.
WR Puka Nacua | 8:20 PM EST Kickoff
Puka Nacua won't play in Week 3. There has been some confusion surrounding his injury, shifting from a preseason hip flexor issue to a groin injury and now a questionable designation with a hip injury, but Sean McVay has said Nacua is not dealing with a hernia. Groin and hip injuries average around a two-week absence, and the historical data for wide receivers is encouraging, with a relatively low risk of lingering declines in fantasy production, snap share, or target share. Fantasy managers should remain patient, as Nacua appears on track for a Week 4 return, barring a setback.
WR Jalen Coker | 1:00 PM EST Kickoff
Jalen Coker returned to practice Friday as a limited participant and appears on track to play Sunday. After his hot start to the season, I'd keep Coker in fantasy lineups if he's active. Ankle injuries carry a low Injury Burden Score, my metric combining post-injury changes in fantasy production, snap share, and target share, suggesting a relatively limited fantasy impact once players return.
QB Sam Darnold | 1:00 PM EST Kickoff
Sam Darnold practiced in full Thursday and, by all accounts, will be active in Week 3. When this injury occurred, I was concerned it would be a multi-week absence, but it appears Darnold avoided a serious injury. I wouldn't expect his hip to limit him much, but I am concerned a similar type of hit/tackle could cause an extended absence.
TE Brock Bowers | 4:25 PM EST Kickoff
Brock Bowers has a real shot to return in Week 3 after missing the first two games while recovering from meniscus surgery. There was added concern because this is the same knee that cost him most of 2025 with a PCL injury, but the roughly two-week timeline I initially projected appears to be holding up. If Bowers is active, don't get cute: he belongs in your lineup, especially after he returned from his PCL injury last season and immediately dropped 35+ PPR points. It's time to find out if Klint Kubiak was right and Bowers really is a "football robot from heaven." Beep boop beep beep boop.
QB Jayden Daniels | 1:00 PM EST Kickoff
A bonus feature this week is Jayden Daniels, who dislocated his elbow in Week 2, the same injury that caused him to miss most of the 2025 season.
To be clear, Daniels is not playing Sunday. Marcus Mariota will start for Washington. However, Commanders GM Adam Peters said Thursday that Daniels is not expected to go on IR, and surgery is not currently on the table. That puts a return around Week 5-6 in play, similar to his timeline last season. However, Washington does have a Week 7 bye, so the Commanders could take a more cautious approach and hold him out through the bye. The re-injury risk remains high, but for now, Daniels appears to have avoided season-ending surgery.
For the full Week 3 injury report, including the latest updates Sunday morning, historical injury data, and fantasy recommendations, check out the complete breakdown at Footballguys.
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