Week 3 NFL Injury Report: DFS and NFL Betting Insight

Week three could be a fun one in the NFL, where several games offer plenty of daily fantasy football upside, as well as advantageous NFL betting. Before you can finalize any bets or be sure your DFS lineup is perfect, of course, you need to make sure you have all the latest info when it comes to player injuries.

We’ve detailed the biggest names that could have a huge impact on DFS and NFL betting, so let’s run through the list of injuries and see what you may want to avoid or exploit in week three:

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks – ACTIVE

Wilson continues to march ahead with a high ankle sprain that appears to have severely hindered his game through the first two weeks. It’s unclear how much improvement Wilson has made, but he’ll be active when the Seahawks host the 49ers on Sunday.

Wilson’s mobility is his usual calling card in daily fantasy football, so he remains a shaky play – albeit a contrarian one. Still, if he’s on the field, it’s tough to bet against Seattle in this matchup.

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears – DOUBTFUL

Cutler isn’t as lucky as Wilson, as a thumb injury looked to negatively impact his play last week and should see him miss a few games. That being said, he hasn’t officially been ruled out just yet and is reportedly thinking about trying to play on Sunday Night Football.

#Bears' Jay Cutler is supposed to miss 2-3 weeks, but he's lobbying to play Sunday https://t.co/l09K3FMrXN pic.twitter.com/kZdjKIxaWl

— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) September 23, 2016

Brian Hoyer is still ultimately expected to step up against the Cowboys in his absence, though, and that’s a good thing – said no one ever.

Dallas looks like a good bet to win at home in week three and none of this is good for a Bears team that is going from bad to worse very quickly.

Josh McCown, QB, Cleveland Browns – OUT

McCown played through a shoulder issue last week that ended up being fairly severe – so much so that there have been whispers it may have been a clavicle issue. Whatever the case, McCown isn’t healthy enough to play and raw rookie Cody Kessler will get the week three start.

Kessler isn’t ready for the NFL and this week is a road date with a fairly underrated Miami defense. The Dolphins look like a fun DFS unit to roll out, while using any Browns is a risk we wouldn’t take.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings – OUT

All Day tore his meniscus and will need surgery. He’s out for a few months at best and could very well be done for the year. Minnesota will try right away in week three to see if they can move on without him and that job will go to backups, Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata.

Adrian Peterson thinks he can return in 8 weeks. That's optimistic. Will be awhile til #Vikings know what's doable. https://t.co/nEEnzItbVe

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 24, 2016

McKinnon has more upside and figures to get the first crack to start, but Asiata should be involved and could vulture a touchdown in week three. Minnesota has some talent to lean on, but a road date against the Panthers won’t be easy.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers – OUT

Carolina will be without top running back Jonathan Stewart for week three and possibly longer, as he tries to rehab ankle and hamstring issues. The Panthers plan to start second-year back Cameron Artis-Payne, but could also use Fozzy Whittaker, who performed well in a big week two win.

Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart out at least 1-2 weeks, and maybe longer.https://t.co/B38kIxHh2d

— Joe Person (@josephperson) September 19, 2016

Choosing which way to go in DFS feels like a losing battle, but the Panthers could easily be fine at home against the Vikings, even without Stewart.

Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OUT

If you couldn’t tell that running backs got hit hard in week two, let Doug Martin going down be yet another example. The Muscle Hamster got knocked out of last week’s game with a bad hammy and figures to miss a couple of weeks as he works his way back to 100%.

Following the results of his MRI, #Bucs RB Doug Martin is expected to be out about three weeks with a hamstring injury, source said.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2016

Losing Martin isn’t good, but the Bucs could still be fine with Charles Sims taking over against the Rams. Sims is a good price in daily fantasy football and should have a great role, which could make him one of the more appealing sleepers on the week.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs – DOUBTFUL

Charles has been seeing more work in practice but per recent reports, just isn’t ready to return to the field, full-time. Kansas City has been getting by with Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West at running back, and that figures to be the case again in week three.

The Chiefs are reasonable bets to beat the Jets with or without Charles this week, but things might be a bit cloudy for daily fantasy football. Ware is the play here, but facing a very tough Jets run defense makes him a risky play.

Arian Foster, RB, Miami Dolphins – OUT

Keep piling it on, folks. Foster joins some big running back names that won’t play in week three, as he suffered a groin injury last week and will miss at least one game. Foster is out for Sunday’s tilt with the Browns, which should open the door for bigger roles for both Kenyan Drake and Jay Ajayi.

.@MiamiDolphins RB Arian Foster ruled out. Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake likely to carry the load. https://t.co/fIbRAuXkOq pic.twitter.com/Nb7JRY500w

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 23, 2016

Miami is looking like a huge favorite with or without Foster, so for pro football betting purposes, his status shouldn’t mean much. This is a messy situation for DFS leagues, but Ajayi figures to get the first crack at big carries.

Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks – DOUBTFUL

Rawls got hurt again in week two and he’s looking unlikely for week three, when Seattle battles the Niners. This could be a good spot for backup Christine Michael to thrive:

With Thomas Rawls doubtful, Seahawks RB Christine Michael could be in line for "20-something carries" https://t.co/UvQR7j2t4y

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 23, 2016

Seattle could be fine at home, regardless, but we wouldn’t get over the moon excited about Michael in daily fantasy football leagues, seeing as he hasn’t impressed in two similar tries this year.

Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants – QUESTIONABLE

Jennings is dealing with a bad thumb and looks to be questionable this week. The Giants could still hold him out to let him rest, but there has been optimism that he could still play.

Not having Jennings on hand would hurt New York’s offense, but they could still beat the Redskins in a big NFC East clash. As for the DFS scene, no Jennings would open the door to a big role for Shane Vereen, while the G-Men would undoubtedly use a full committee approach with Orleans Darkwa, Bobby Rainey and Paul Perkins all potentially getting some touches.

Corey Coleman, WR, Cleveland Browns – OUT

Coleman suffered a broken hand in practice recently and should miss 3-4 weeks, if not longer. He’s for sure out this week, which puts added pressure on a severely depleted Cleveland offense.

The Browns are looking like awful bets in week three, while their only DFS threats worth considering right now are Isaiah Crowell and maybe Terrelle Pryor. Even those guys may be stretches right now.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills – ACTIVE

Watkins continues to be slowed down by a bad foot, but he figures to keep trucking on this week, regardless. The fact that he’s not 100% can’t help his DFS upside, so aside from trying to be super contrarian, he doesn’t make sense.

Buffalo hasn’t looked good in general, so a week three date with the Cardinals isn’t promising for betting purposes.

Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – ACTIVE

Wheaton will hit the field this week after missing the first two games of 2016 with a shoulder ailment. It’s unclear how big of a role he’ll have in his first game back, but any extra bodies help what is a very potent Steelers offense.

Markus Wheaton looks ready to return this week https://t.co/2WjWjEiApo

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 20, 2016

Pittsburgh feels like the pick as they face the Eagles this week, but Wheaton could be a little tough to trust in his first game back for DFS purposes.

Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Jets – PROBABLE

Marshall is one of the biggest wide receiver names who could be on the shelf in week three. Marshall admitted this week that he’s not where he “needs to be” health-wise, which could make him a tough play even if he does start.

The Jets are in a classic toss-up game against the Chiefs, but if Marshall is out, New York would quickly become shakier bets. Marshall being out could make Eric Decker a must-start DFS option, however, while Quincy Enunwa could also be in for a solid day.

Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons – PROBABLE

Jones continues to deal with lower leg issues, but has had extra rest this week due to Atlanta’s game being played on Monday and should be fine to play. It looks like you’ll probably be free to deploy Jones per usual, as he and the Falcons get ready for a shootout in New Orleans.

This game projects to be insane, so getting a piece of the action makes sense in daily fantasy leagues.

Willie Snead, WR, New Orleans Saints – QUESTIONABLE

Snead is on the shorter end of the stick when it comes to MNF injuries, as he’s in rougher shape and may not play this week. For now, he looks like a game time call, but there remains a decent chance he suits up:

Willie Snead (toe) game time decision for MNF https://t.co/c40XuUNNh3

— Rotoworld Football (@Rotoworld_FB) September 24, 2016

Not having Snead wouldn’t cripple the Saints, who play well at home and still have plenty of weapons to use. Rookie Michael Thomas and maybe even tight end Coby Fleener could get more involved without Snead on the field.

Virgil Green, TE, Denver Broncos – OUT

Denver will be without their top tight end this week, as Green is dealing with a calf issue. The Broncos are playing it safe here and will just use John Phillips as their starter.

Phillips really isn’t a DFS threat and this hit shouldn’t impact Denver greatly. They still figure to be the favorite this week versus the Bengals.

Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals – DOUBTFUL

Eifert has surprisingly been back at practice after just two missed games, suddenly giving him a slim chance to suit up for the Bengals. It doesn’t look like he’s playing this week, but he hasn’t been officially ruled out yet.

We doubt Eifert returns so fat, but we should keep an eye on him for week four.

Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers – DOUBTFUL

The tight end position has been hit hard going into week three, as Gates was going to be one of the top plays, but is unlikely to play due to a hamstring ailment.

With Gates banged up and the Colts getting top corner Vontae Davis back this week, San Diego’s road battle in Indy just got a lot tougher. Rookie tight end Hunter Henry should take over Gates’ role and at just $2.5k on DraftKings, could be an interesting (and cheap) sleeper this week.

Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans – QUESTIONABLE

Tight ends can’t catch a break, as Walker is also badly banged up with a bad hammy. Walker has looked iffy all week and is in serious danger of missing week three. It’d be a bad break for a Titans offense that was looking forward to a favorable matchup with the Raiders.

Titans tight end Delanie Walker questionable vs. Raiders https://t.co/VwpjkJOhIE

— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) September 23, 2016

No Walker would hurt Tennessee’s chances of getting the win here, while Marcus Mariota and the passing game could even take a hit in DFS leagues.

Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions – PROBABLE

Add another to the list, as Ebron wraps up our biggest week three NFL injuries, as well as a banged up tight end position. Ebron had a nice 2016 debut and was quiet last week, so if healthy he could get back on track against a Packers defense that is also pretty banged up right now.

Ebron looks like a go for now, but you’ll want to keep tabs on him leading into game time. Detroit could have a tough assignment on their hands at Lambeau regardless, but if Ebron randomly sits, their offense could suffer for it.

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