Week 3 NFL Injury News: Adrian Peterson Out 3-4 Months and More

The Minnesota Vikings were Super Bowl sleepers just a month ago, but now two massive injuries could potentially derails their title odds. After already losing starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in August, the team now may be without star running back Adrian Peterson for the rest of the 2016 regular season.

Peterson, who suffered a torn miniscus during a win over the Green Bay Packers in week two, is slated to miss the next 3-4 months of the season. That timeline could have him back in time for the playoffs, or it could just as easily mark the end of his 2016 campaign.

The loss of Peterson isn’t a small one, but the Vikings have gotten by with their defense and the arm of Sam Bradford for the first two weeks. If that continues, it’s possible backups Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon can combine to give Minnesota a balanced offensive attack.

For now, the loss of Peterson obviously puts a target on the Vikings’ backs and could make them shaky bets moving forward. Let’s touch on all of the other latest NFL injury news and see how it impacts everyone involved when it comes to NFL betting and the fantasy sports realm:

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Patriots

Jimmy G looked awesome with three touchdowns in week two before exiting with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. That’s something that can knock quarterbacks out for weeks, but there is some mild chatter about him still somehow suiting up for Thursday’s contest with the Texans.

INJURY UPDATE: #Patriots list QB Jimmy Garoppolo as doubtful for #TNF. If he doesn't dress, Julian Edelman backs up Jacoby Brissett at QB. pic.twitter.com/PXIa32ORMv

— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) September 21, 2016

That probably isn’t happening, which likely means raw rookie Jacoby Brissett will be under center for the Pats. In a brutal matchup for his first start, Brissett is not a suggested DFS play and the Pats could be poor bets to escape with a perfect 3-0 record this week.

Josh McCown, QB, Browns

McCown had a shoulder issue of his own in week two, which he played through despite immense pain. He won’t be able to play through it ahead of week three, however, and could miss multiple games.

Browns rookie QB Cody Kessler will start Sunday vs. Miami, per league sources. Josh McCown dealing w/ shoulder… https://t.co/IovtZEvpA1

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 19, 2016

That puts rookie Cody Kessler into the fray, something Adam Schefter reported earlier last week that he “wasn’t ready” for. That should mean bad things for the Browns, who may have been poor bets to beat the Dolphins in Miami even if McCown were healthy.

Jay Cutler, QB, Bears

Jay Cutler exited an awful Monday Night Football performance with a sprained thumb – one in which that may require a lengthy absence, if not surgery.

The #Bears are preparing for a lengthy absence for QB Jay Cutler, source said. Now it's a matter of how to fix (surgery or not) his thumb.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2016

Cutler will for sure miss week three and could miss much more time, putting backup Brian Hoyer in as the team’s starter under center. Hoyer is as pedestrian as they come, so the Bears won’t be worth betting on this week when they travel to Dallas.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks

Wilson will suit up in week three, despite still being hobbled by a high ankle sprain. Wilson has been dreadful through the first two games, leading Seattle to just 15 total offensive points and even losing to the Rams in week two.

It’s tough to see the Seahawks losing a second straight bad game against the 49ers, but Wilson’s injury isn’t helping matters. They’re worth avoiding when it comes to fantasy football and any NFL betting.

Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers

Tampa Bay lost its franchise running back to a groin injury last week and can expect to be without The Muscle Hamster for multiple weeks.

Report: #Bucs RB Doug Martin expected to miss three weeks with hamstring injury. https://t.co/N3Ylt0Zr9m

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 21, 2016

Martin could still return earlier, but the current time table suggests Charles Sims will step up as Tampa Bay’s leading rusher for at least the next three weeks. Sims has been productive in spurts, so it’s possible the Bucs don’t miss a beat offensively. They’re still decent bets to come away with a week three win in a showdown with the Rams.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs

Charles has been running with Kansas City’s scout team and is nearing a return from his 2015 torn ACL, but it doesn’t sound like it will happen this week.

Head coach Andy Reid suggested Charles is getting closer, but the Chiefs have two quality backs in Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West, so there understandably doesn’t seem to be a reason to rush it.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers

Week two was very unkind to running backs, as Stewart was one of many to hit the sidelines. Already dealing with ankle and hamstring issues, Stewart further aggravated his hammy and will be out for multiple weeks.

Via David Newton: Rivera now says RB Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) could be out two weeks, three weeks, four… https://t.co/ftSvTV4oob

— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) September 21, 2016

Fozzy Whittaker performed well in his absence last week and should split the rushing load with Cameron Artis-Payne and Mike Tolbert. It will be interesting to see how much the loss impacts the Panthers right away in a big week three showdown with a good Minnesota defense.

Arian Foster, RB, Dolphins

Foster was another running back to be bitten by the injury bug, as he’s questionable for week three with a groin issue. Foster is said to be doing better than originally thought, but could still be in line to miss more than one game.

For now, the expectation is Miami won’t rush their top runner back and will instead lean on a combination of Jay Ajayi and rookie Kenyan Drake. The two could both find success this week, when they’re at home against a weak Cleveland defense.

Thomas Rawls, RB, Seahawks

Rawls is the last running back on our week three injury report, as he is once again banged up and may not make it to week three.

Carroll says RB Thomas Rawls will be limited in practice today, has a good chance to play Sunday.#SFvsSEA

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 21, 2016

The latest word is he does have a chance to play, but it’s anyone’s guess what his role will be against the 49ers. Christine Michael could be in for a bigger role than usual and may make for a decent play in daily fantasy football leagues.

Donte Moncrief, WR, Colts

Moncrief is dealing with a shoulder fracture and will miss over a month as he recovers.

Colts WR Donte Moncrief out 4-6 weeks, won't require surgery https://t.co/g0PlEGsQGx

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 21, 2016

It’s a big blow to Indy’s passing game, but the Colts could get by with bigger roles out of Phillip Dorsett and Dwayne Allen. The injury comes at a bad time, with the Colts in an 0-2 hole and taking on a solid Chargers team in week three.