Garafolo notes that a meniscus repair typically requires a 4-6 month recovery timeline. If Dart heals at the fastest possible speed, he could return in late January. This seems somewhat unlikely, given the fact that he will also have his MCL surgically fixed and must rehab the injured PCL, but apparently Harbaugh is feeling optimistic. In the meantime, QB Jameis Winston has been named the starter.
Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said on Monday that Johnson (neck) could miss the remainder of the season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news today about Johnson being placed on injured reserve, though he did not specify whether Johnson’s season is for sure over. Cardinals slot CB Garrett Williams (Achilles) and perimeter CB2 Max Melton (toe) are also dealing with injuries.
Sean McVay was unsure if Nacua would be able to play in Week 3 when asked about it on Tuesday. A DNP today suggests Nacua will need at least one more week of rest before returning to the lineup. Terrance Ferguson finished second on the Rams in targets last week with nine. He caught six passes for 54 yards and a score. No receiver outside of Davante Adams was targeted more than two times. Adams was utterly dominant, turning his 10 targets into 195 yards and two scores. Those are the only two major beneficiaries of Nacua’s likely absence.
That makes two consecutive limited sessions for Bowers, who resumed practicing on Friday last week. The Raiders’ star tight end and No. 1 pass catcher is on track to play this week against the Saints and can be treated as an elite TE1, as usual, assuming this is the case. It would be great to see Bowers resume practicing in full tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Ed Ingram remained sidelined with a groin injury. He did not play in Week 2. Brown had been playing through the wrist issue, but the knee injury is new. With Nico Collins banged up, the last thing Houston needs is another offensive line injury. Blake Fisher would take Brown’s spot at right tackle if he can’t suit up on Sunday.
Sean McVay said Rivers will miss 4-6 weeks. The team will call up one of Dean Connor or Jordan Waters from the practice squad for Week 3. Rivers doesn’t play much on offense, but he would normally be in line for backup duties if something happened to Kyren Williams or Blake Corum.
Dallas should be fine by the time Sunday rolls around, but it’s worth noting given how thin the Vikings are at running back. Jordan Mason is on injured reserve and Aaron Jones came out of Week 2 with a knee injury. He did not practice today and his Week 3 availability is very much in question. Dallas and Demond Claiborne will split the Minnesota backfield if Jones is out. The toe injury could force Kevin O’Connell to give Claiborne a few more touches this week.
Mayfield didn’t speak to reporters after practice because of the illness, but the team didn’t limit his practice reps. It’s possible the Bucs lighten his workload over the next two days, but he should be good to go for Sunday’s game against the Vikings. Mayfield will look to get back on track after a sluggish start to the season. He has fallen into the QB2 ranks until further notice.
Hamstring cramps forced Dobbins out of the Broncos’ Week 2 game against the Jaguars. Follow-up reports on the issue have been positive, and it sounds like he has a real chance to play in Week 3 against the Rams, potentially as the leader of a banged-up committee. Keep an eye on his practice participation this week.
Harvey strained his hamstring in Week 1 and logged two limited sessions in Week 2 practices before being declared inactive on game day. His continued limited practice participation puts him on track to backup starting RB J.K. Dobbins (hamstring), who is also rehabbing after experiencing cramps in Week 2. RB3 Jonah Coleman (ankle) is currently sidelined.
McMillan logged three full practices last week but was limited to just seven snaps on Sunday. He was not targeted once. His role should increase as he gets more practice reps under his belt, but fantasy managers can’t count on that happening this week specifically. He is not on the fantasy menu for Week 3.
What a strange turn of events. Earlier this week, Coleman was viewed as the Broncos’ potential Week 3 starter. Now, RB J.K. Dobbins (hamstring) and RB RJ Harvey (hamstring) are both practicing in a limited capacity while Coleman works in the training room. The rookie running back remains a worthwhile stash, but he may be unable to play this week.
The Rams have leaned on multi-TE sets when Puka Nacua has missed time or been limited over the past year, so losing Parkinson would be another notable loss for the offense. Even if he plays, this injury all but locks in Terrance Ferguson as the team’s de facto WR2 for Week 3, assuming Nacua remains sidelined. Ferguson is pushing for a TE1 ranking ahead of his Week 3 date with the Broncos.
Mims is still working his way back after aggravating his foot injury in Week 1 against the Chiefs. Although his early participation is a good sign for his Week 3 availability, the Broncos will likely play things extra cautiously this time around.
Tagovailoa joins a jumbled Falcons backup quarterback group for Thursday Night Football. He does not need to be rostered in 12-team leagues. The Falcons will start QB Michael Penix (knee).
Bailey should be good to go for Week 3. Fellow Jets EDGE Joseph Ossai (foot) is limited to begin the week, and S Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin) remains sidelined. The Lions’ offensive line is banged up. Having both pass rushers available would be helpful.
Charbonnet still has to sit out two more games while on the PUP list, but he’s eligible to have his three-week practice window opened. That won’t happen this week, though it doesn’t give us much info on his return timeline. Macdonald previously said Charbonnet remained on track with his aggressive timetable, which is, again, rather vague. Fantasy managers with an IR spot can consider stashing Charbonnet, but he’s not worth the roster spot otherwise.
Burns, 28, has had poor injury luck in recent seasons. He currently accounts for three quarterback pressures and three tackles. The Giants field a deep pass-rushing unit, though, so their D/ST should be okay against the Titans in Week 3.
We were told earlier today that Pollard and Spears are “dealing with some soreness.” Now we know what ails them. The Titans field an unexciting offense, but on the off chance that both Pollard and Spears are unable to play, rookie RB Nicholas Singleton would theoretically be in line for a sizable workload against the Giants this week. Stay tuned.
Fellow defensive tackle B.J. Hill (Achilles) was also held out of practice. He missed Week 2 and looks likely to sit for at least one more game. Cincy signed Allen to a two-year deal in the offseason. He has already made a big impact with one sack in each of his first two games.
Warren got a little banged up in the Steelers’ Week 2 loss to the Patriots, but he’s still the team’s healthiest running back of note. Rico Dowdle was in a boot today after injuring his toe in Week 2. He was listed as a DNP and appears to be on the wrong side of questionable to start the week. Even at less than full strength, Warren would likely handle the bulk of the backfield snaps if Dowdle can’t go.
Spears and starting RB Tony Pollard were both sidelined by ankle injuries today. If the two players are unable to go, rookie RB Nicholas Singleton is the next player up. He is worth stashing on fantasy football benches at this time.
Pittman didn’t practice once last week, so a limited session today is a big step in the right direction. Germie Bernard took his spot in the lineup on Sunday and caught four passes for 35 yards, but he also coughed up a drop that was then intercepted by New England. The mistake all but guarantees his return to the bench once Pittman is healthy.
Etienne begins the week with a limited session, which is either good or bad, depending on when the injury occurred. If this is a lingering issue from Sunday, Etienne should be considered likely to play. Limited practices early in the week are generally a good sign. However, if he suffered the injury during today’s practice, his Week 3 availability would be in jeopardy. Veteran Saints RB Alvin Kamara would likely get the start, but RB Kendre Miller would be FLEX-viable if Etienne sits.
Porter was technically ruled out because of his back injury last week. The Steelers aren’t even bothering to list it this time around. The two sides remain at an impasse over a contract extension, and their relationship seems to be spiraling toward a point of no return. We would not expect Porter to return to action for Week 3 versus the Bengals.