The injuries are piling up as we enter Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season. It’s been more than a week since A.J. Brown was placed on injured reserve. While Malik Nabers sustained a scary shoulder injury last week, he carries no official designation headed into Week 3. This week’s report focuses on players who have either recently been placed on injured reserve or carry an official designation for this week’s slate.
PlayerProfiler is home to award-winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out right here!
The Notable Injured
Jaxson Dart | QB, New York Giants (OUT)
Dart sustained a brutal knee injury last week against the Rams and is out for the season. The Giants turn to the charismatic Jameis Winston for the foreseeable future. Winston started two games for the Giants last season and averaged 9.3 air yards per attempt, a metric that placed him near the top of the league. Last week, he averaged 10.9 air yards per attempt. Look for some big plays to Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely this week against the Titans.
Jayden Daniels | QB, Washington Commanders (OUT)
Daniels suffered a non-throwing left elbow dislocation last week against the Cowboys — the same left elbow he dislocated last year. The Commanders have opted not to place him on injured reserve and consider him week-to-week. Marcus Mariota will start against the Seahawks in his place. Mariota starting under center is a familiar sight in Washington, as the former No. 2 overall pick started eight games for the Commanders last season while Daniels recovered from the same injury. Mariota averaged 16 fantasy points per game in those eight starts, which is a significant downgrade compared to Daniels.
Caleb Williams | QB, Chicago Bears (trending toward OUT)
Williams is set to miss the Bears’ Monday Night Football matchup with the Eagles. Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent is also out with a concussion. That leaves Case Keenum as the next man up at quarterback for Chicago. Ben Johnson is a great offensive coordinator, but the entire Bears offense should see a significant downgrade with Keenum under center, especially against Vic Fangio’s Eagles defense.
Nico Collins | WR, Houston Texans (OUT)
For the second consecutive week, Collins will sit out with a hamstring injury. Dalton Schultz was the primary beneficiary with Collins absent last week as he saw a 28% target share. Receivers Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jaylin Noel will continue to see increased opportunities with Collins out; however, they are desperation-only fantasy options this week.
Puka Nacua | WR, Los Angeles Rams (DOUBTFUL)
Nacua is officially doubtful with a hip injury that forced him to miss last week’s contest. With Puka absent, Davante Adams exploded for 195 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets. Tight end Terrance Ferguson saw nine targets, finishing with 54 receiving yards and a score. Assuming Puka is missing this game, Adams is a must-start in all formats, with Ferguson squarely in flex discussion.
Zay Flowers | WR, Baltimore Ravens (QUESTIONABLE)
Flowers missed practice earlier in the week with a hamstring injury; however, he was a limited participant on Friday. Flowers is a must-start if active, as he will regain his role as the Ravens’ alpha receiver. If he misses his second consecutive game, Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman are the primary fantasy beneficiaries. Bateman saw nine targets and finished as the WR9 last week with Flowers out.
RB Quick Hitters
Rico Dowdle | RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (OUT) – Dowdle will miss Week 3 with a toe injury. Jaylen Warren, who was limited in practice, is listed as questionable but is expected to play. With Dowdle out, Warren is set to be a bell cow in the Steelers offense. He has only seen a 56.4% opportunity share thus far, which likely climbs toward the 75% threshold with Dowdle out. If Warren is out, scatbacks Eli Heidenreich and Travis Homer would be in flex consideration.
Jonathon Brooks | RB, Carolina Panthers (OUT) – Brooks was placed on injured reserve this week due to a core muscle injury. Chuba Hubbard has out-snapped and out-touched Brooks when both were healthy. Hubbard is in line for bell cow usage, with the Panthers likely sprinkling in AJ Dillon.
Jonah Coleman | RB, Denver Broncos (OUT) – Coleman looked like he was on the verge of establishing himself as a key cog in the Broncos’ rushing attack after posting 14.8 fantasy points last week. Unfortunately, he will miss Week 3 with an ankle injury. RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins will divvy up the touches in the backfield.
WR Quick Hitters
D.J. Moore | WR, Buffalo Bills (QUESTIONABLE) – Moore left Week 2’s contest with a shoulder injury. He got in two limited practices this week and will likely play against the Chargers. He is a boom-or-bust option in a Bills offense that will score a lot of points and spread the ball around.
Mike Evans | WR, San Francisco 49ers (QUESTIONABLE) – Last week, Evans left the 49ers’ blowout win against the Dolphins with a hip injury. He logged one limited practice and is questionable to play. If Evans is active, he is in your lineup. If he is out, Deebo Samuel should rocket up the fantasy ranks.
Caleb Douglas | WR, Miami Dolphins (OUT) – Rookie receiver Caleb Douglas injured his ankle and will not play against the Chiefs in Week 3. Fellow rookie Chris Bell will likely see an uptick in snaps and is a name to potentially get ahead of for next week’s waiver wire.
Alec Pierce | WR, Indianapolis Colts (OUT) – Pierce injured his heel and is out for the Colts’ matchup against the Texans. While the Colts signed Darius Slayton as Pierce’s replacement in the offense, Josh Downs and Tyler Warren will likely benefit the most from Pierce’s absence.
TE Quick Hitters
Brock Bowers | TE, Las Vegas Raiders (QUESTIONABLE) – Bowers is officially questionable after getting in two limited practices to start the week and then not practicing Friday. The Raiders indicated that Bowers’ Friday absence was planned and not a setback. If Bowers is active, he has to be in your starting lineup. If he takes another week to recover from his knee injury, Michael Mayer is again a starting option at tight end.
Charlie Kolar | TE, Los Angeles Chargers (OUT) – With Kolar out and David Njoku on injured reserve, Oronde Gadsden II is ready to step up for the Chargers. Gadsden is a sneaky start at tight end this week as the Chargers’ last man standing at the position. Gadsden had spurts of top-five tight end production last season.
Mason Taylor | TE, New York Jets (OUT) – Taylor has played 53.3% of the snaps at tight end for the Jets this season. His absence in Week 3 because of a thumb injury opens up the potential for first-round rookie Kenyon Sadiq to substantially increase his 38.5% snap share. Sadiq has seen three targets in each of his first two games with the Jets. He makes for a sneaky start with Taylor sidelined.
