My injury report will cover both offensive and defensive players. I will focus only on those players relevant to fantasy football. If you have a player on your fantasy roster that you know to be hurt, but they do not show up on this list, then you should probably consider making a move. I will go team-by-team and do my best to make sure you have the most accurate injury information each week so you know who to start and who to bench. For injury information right up to kick-off, follow me on Twitter at @thefantasydick.
Probable: 75% chance of playing
Questionable: 50% chance of playing
Doubtful: 25% chance of playing
Out: 0% chance of playing
San Francisco 49ers
Ted Ginn Jr. (WR) – Doubtful (knee) – Ginn will not play Week 3. He is expected back week 4. Josh Morgan will take over on kick-off returns giving him a boost in fantasy value in return yardage leagues.
Takeo Spikes (LB) – Questionable (knee) – Spikes is expected to play this week. If he can’t go, then rookie NaVorro Bowman would replace him.
Anthony Dixon (RB) – Probable (back) – Dixon should play this week and remains Frank Gore’s handcuff.
Chicago Bears
Devin Aromashadu (WR) – Not on the injury report this week, but appears to have been passed on the depth chart by Earl Bennett. I would only stash Devin on the bench in deeper leagues.
Major Wright (DB) – Out (hamstring) – Wright is expected to miss at least 3 weeks. Daniel Manning and Chris Harris will start, with Manning getting the biggest boost in IDP value.
Lance Briggs (LB) – Probable (ankle) – Briggs will be fine for this week.
Cincinnati Bengals
Terrell Owens (WR) – Probable (back) – Owens was limited in practice on Friday, but will ready to go for the game this weekend. Owens is a low-end WR3 in 12-team leagues right now.
Adam “Pacman” Jones (DB) – Doubtful (shoulder) – Jones is not expected to play this week and the extent of his injury has not been revealed. Jones has played well this year and was looking like an IDP sleeper. There are probably better options available on the waiver wire in IDP leagues.
Antwan Odom (DE) – Questionable (wrist) – Odom was limited in practice on Friday, but should play this weekend.
Buffalo Bills
Paul Posluszny (LB) – Out (knee) – Posluszny has been ruled out for Week 3.
Denver Broncos
Knowshon Moreno (RB) – Out (hamstring) – A lot of you are just reading this report for a Moreno update. The report is that he pulled a hamstring at practice on Friday and will miss Week 3. His status for week 4 is not known yet, but it doesn’t look good. Moreno owners will want to try and grab Maroney if he’s available.
Laurence Maroney (RB) – Probable (thigh) – Maroney will play this weekend and based on what McDaniels has been saying, he sounds like the running back to own in Denver while Moreno is recovering. It is a situation to avoid if possible, however.
Champ Bailey (DB) – Questionable (heel) – Bailey was very limited in practice on Friday and is a game-time decision for Sunday. If Bailey cannot go, then Reggie Wayne’s fantasy value gets a big boost.
Demaryius Thomas (WR) – Probable (foot) – Thomas will play this weekend, but the word on the street is that the Broncos want to use a heavy rotation at wide receiver. Thomas was a popular pick-up this week, but be sure to keep your expectations in check until this situation sorts itself out.
Andre’ Goodman (DB) – Questionable (thigh) – Goodman practiced Friday, but is a game-time decision. With both of their cornerbacks banged up, Denver is in for a long day against Peyton Manning and the Cots’ offense.
Cleveland Browns
Jake Delhomme (QB) – Doubtful (ankle) – Delhomme did not practice on Friday and is not expected to play this weekend. Seneca Wallace will be the starter again this week.
Jerome Harrison (RB) – Questionable (thigh) – Harrison did not practice Friday and is not expected to play this weekend. Hillis makes a bad play against a tough Colts run defense and James Davis will get a chance to show what he can do, which may further reduce Harrison’s fantasy value.
Evan Moore (TE) – Probable (head) – Moore fully participated in practice on Friday and is listed as a game-time decision. His probable status, however, means he is almost certain to play.
Brian Robiskie (WR) – Doubtful (hamstring) – Robiskie is not expected to play this weekend.
D’Qwell Jackson (LB) – Doubtful (pectoral) – Jackson missed practice on Friday and will not play in Week 3.
Shaun Rogers (DL) – Questionable (leg) – Rogers will be a game-time decision.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cadillac Williams (RB) – Probable (hamstring) – Williams practiced on Friday and is ready to go for Week 3.
Kareem Huggins (RB) – Questionable (groin) – Huggins was limited in practice on Friday, which is a step back from a full practice on Thursday. This is never a good sign, and even though he hasn’t been ruled out, I wouldn’t expect Huggins to play until Week 4.
Kellen Winslow (TE) – Probable (knee) – Winslow missed practice on Friday, but is fully expected to play this weekend and had a great game last week even though he missed practice all week.
Tanard Jackson (DB) – Suspended – Jackson has been suspended for at least year for violating the league’s Substance Abuse Policy for the second year in a row. Sabby Piscetelli should replace Jackson at free safety, but the player to own in IDP leagues is their strong safety, Sean Jones.
Arizona Cardinals
Beanie Wells (RB) – Questionable (knee) – Coach Whisenhunt said Wells looked “really good” in practice on Friday. Wells is expected to play this weekend, but fantasy owners with better options may want to wait and see how he does before starting him.
Steve Breaston (WR) – Questionable (knee) – Breaston was limited in practice on Friday, but is expected to play this weekend. He makes a risky fantasy play, however.
Early Doucet (WR) – Out (groin) – Doucet is out 3-6 weeks after sports hernia surgery.
Gerald Hayes (LB) – PUP (back) – on the PUP list with an injury that dates back to last season, Hayes will miss at least the first 6 weeks. His replacement, rookie Daryl Washington, has looked impressive and with a huge void in stats left by the departure of Karlos Dansby, and could be a sleeper IDP.
San Diego Chargers
Ryan Matthews (RB) – Doubtful (ankle) – Matthews will miss the game this weekend, but the fact that he is listed as “doubtful” and not “out” is a sign that he is recovering quickly. Mike Tolbert will get the bulk of carries and see goal-line work and Darren Sproles will see a bump in value in PPR leagues.
Malcolm Floyd (WR) – Probable (hamstring) – Floyd practiced on Friday and is ready to go for Week 3.
Stephen Cooper (LB) – Questionable (knee) – Cooper should return this weekend, but it will be a limited role. Since Brandon Siler played well while Cooper was out, they will probably hurt each other’s IDP value.
Vincent Jackson (WR) – Suspended (contract) – Sounds like there were offers out there for Jackson but the Chargers killed all of them by asking for too much. Jackson is becoming riskier and riskier to hold on to in all but the deepest of leagues.
Kansas City Chiefs
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Indianapolis Colts
Joseph Addai (RB) – Questionable (knee) – Addai looks good to go for this weekend, but Donald Brown has definitely received a boost in value. The Colts have the late game, so check for updates before kick-off.
Pierre Garcon (WR) – Questionable (hamstring) – Garcon is looking like a game-time decision and makes a risky fantasy start in Week 3.
Gary Brackett (LB) – Questionable (back) – Brackett practiced on Friday and is expected to play this weekend.
Anthony Gonzalez (WR) – Out (ankle) – Gonzalez is out 4-6 weeks. Collie cemented his value with a huge game week 1 and Gonzalez is only worth hanging on to in very deep leagues.
Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant (WR) – Probable (ribs) – Bryant practiced on Friday and will play this weekend. He is a high upside WR3 this week against the Texans in a game that should be high scoring.
Jason Witten (TE) – Probable (concussion) – Witten practiced Thursday and Friday which means he will definitely play this weekend. The Texans are maybe the worst team in the league at defending tight ends, so start Witten with confidence. Martellus Bennett (or Kung-Fu Astronaut, as he is known on Twiiter) will be on stand-by.
Mike Jenkins (DB) – Probable (knee) – Jenkins will play Week 3.
Miami Dolphins
Channing Crowder (LB) – Questionable (groin) – Crowder returned to practice, but he is not expected to play against the Jets.
Philadelphia Eagles
Kevin Kolb (QB) – Probable (concussion) – Kolb will be active as Michael Vick’s back-up in Week 3.
Brent Celek (TE) – Probable (chest) – Celek will play this weekend and has a very good match-up against the Jaguars. His slow start is a cause for concern, but Celek has the talent to succeed with any quarterback. Guys named Brent are extremely tough and they are winners.
Stewart Bradley (LB) – Probable (concussion) – Bradley should play this week and is a very good fantasy play in IDP leagues.
Atlanta Falcons
Michael Turner (RB) – Probable (groin) – Turner owners can breathe a sigh of relief; he will be ready to go for this weekend. Jason Snelling has definitely earned a bigger role and is one of the better back-ups to own in fantasy football, but this is still Turner’s team and they will use him as usual.
Michael Jenkins (WR) – Questionable (shoulder) – Jenkins was limited in practice all week. He will probably be active, but will be worked back in slowly.
Jerious Norwood (RB) – Injured Reserve (knee) – Norwood is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL this past weekend. Jason Snelling receives a huge boost in value with this injury. I would recommend dropping Norwood in dynasty leagues as well.
New York Giants
Mario Manningham (WR) – Probable (illness) – Manningham has been limited this week with the flu. He should play this weekend but he is a very risky fantasy start against a Titans team that is ranked number 1 in pass defense.
Kevin Boss (TE) – Probable (concussion) – Boss will play this weekend, but is not a good fantasy tight end.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones-Drew (RB) – Probable (ankle) – MJD returned to full practice on Friday and is ready to go for this weekend’s game.. MJD will be looking to improve on his slow start this weekend against an Eagles team that has trouble against the screen pass.
New York Jets
Darrelle Revis (DB) – Out (hamstring) – Revis will not play in Week 3. Revis is now expected to miss at least 2 games. Despite being a top “real-life” player, Revis is not a great IDP option, even when healthy. He does not get a lot of tackles and opposing teams throw away from him, limiting his interceptions and pass deflections. If there is a better option on the waiver wire or an owner that will trade based on name-value, consider making the move.
Jason Taylor (LB) – Probable (elbow) – Taylor will play this weekend and will be extra pumped up to play his old team. He is not a recommended IDP option.
Calvin Pace (LB) – Out (foot) – Pace will not play Week 3, but is targeting a return Week 4.
Santonio Holmes (WR) – Suspended – Holmes will return from suspension week 5. He will immediately be the Jets’ top wide receiver.
Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford (QB) – Out (shoulder) – After meeting with Dr. James Andrews, Stafford is now being called week-to-week. The Lions are saying they have a good idea of the diagnosis and recovery time, but they are not releasing the information. There is speculation that Stafford could be out only 4 weeks.
Nate Burleson (WR) – Out (ankle) – Despite the initial estimates, it looks like Burleson will only miss 1 week and be ready for Week 4, barring any setbacks.
DeAndre Levy (LB) – Questionable (groin) – Levy practiced on Friday and should play this weekend. Keep an eye on him if he’s available in IDP leagues.
Cliff Avril (DL) – Questionable (knee) – Avril practiced Friday and should play this weekend.
Louis Delmas (DB) – Probable (groin) – Delmas will be a game-time decision this weekend.
Green Bay Packers
Charles Woodson (DB) – Probable (toe) – Woodson will be ready to go this weekend.
Clay Matthews (LB) – Probable (hamstring) – Matthews is on the injury report, but will be fine for the weekend.
Atari Bigby (DB) – PUP (ankle) – Bigby is starting the season on the PUP list, but is already running and cutting and should be ready to go when eligible in mid-October. Bigby is another to guy look for on the waiver wire when he is closer to returning.
Carolina Panthers
Steve Smith (WR) – Probable (thigh) – Smith was limited on Friday and is expected to play this weekend. It will be a tough matchup for Smith, however, with a rookie quarterback and being covered by Leon Hall.
Matt Moore (QB) – Moore is not on the injury report this week, but will be benched in favor of rookie Jimmy Clausen.
New England Patriots
Fred Taylor (RB) – Probable (toe) – Taylor practiced fully on Friday and will be ready to go, but he remains a risky fantasy option after receiving less carries than back-up, BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Kevin Faulk (RB) – Injured Reserve (knee) – Faulk will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL this past weekend. His NFL career may be over.
Oakland Raiders
Michael Bush (RB) – Probable (thumb) – Bush will play this weekend, but he is now the obvious back-up to Darren McFadden. Bush could receive goal-line carries, but he will not be a fantasy factor until McFadden gets injured.
Richard Seymour (DL) – Probable (hamstring) – Seymour will be ready to go for Week 3.
Chaz Schilens (WR) – Out (knee) – Schilens has yet to return to practice and remains out indefinitely.
St. Louis Rams
Steven Jackson (RB) – Probable (knee) – Jackson will be fine for Week 3 and remains a top 10 running back option against the Redskins this weekend.
Laurent Robinson (WR) – Doubtful (ankle) – Robinson will not play in Week 3 and his status for Week 4 is unknown at this time. Mark Clayton is an every week WR3 at this point.
Craig Dahl (DB) – Out (head) – Dahl will sit out Week 3 because of the concussion he suffered last week. James Butler will be the starting strong safety. Dahl had 10 tackles before leaving last week and is someone to keep an eye on in IDP leagues if he is on waivers.
Baltimore Ravens
Ray Rice (RB) – Probable (ankle) – Rice is saying that his ankle is a non-issue and he should be a top 5 RB option against the Browns this weekend.
Derrick Mason (WR) – Probable (knee) – Mason will be ready for Week 3, but he does not look like a good fantasy option right now.
Todd Heap (TE) – Probable (shoulder) – Heap will be fine for Week 3.
Ed Reed (DB) – PUP (hip) – Reed will also be starting the season on the PUP list, but should be ready to return when eligible. Reed could make a great waiver wire grab around week 4 or 5.
Washington Indigenous People of North America
Clinton Portis (RB) – Questionable (wrist) – Portis practiced in full all week, but has been seen icing his wrist and Washington signed Ryan Torrain off the practice squad. At this point it looks like Portis will play, but you will want to check back before the game. Keiland Williams makes a nice speculative pick-up since he is now the clear back-up to Portis and he has drawn praise from the coaching staff.
LaRon Landry (DB) – Questionable (wrist) – Landry should play in Week 3.
New Orleans Saints
Reggie Bush (RB) – Out (leg) – Bush will be out 4-6 weeks with a fractured fibula. He is predicting he will be back sooner than people think, but unless being with Kim Kardashian gives you miraculous healing powers, the soonest he’ll be back is a month.
Christopher Ivory (RB) – Probable (knee) – Ivory wouldn’t normally make this injury report, but with the injury to Bush and the Saints’ refusal to trust Pierre Thomas with a full load, any running back that is active could get a chance to make plays. He should be Thomas’ back-up and is someone to keep an eye on.
Seattle Seahawks
Mike Williams (WR) – Probable (thigh) – Williams practiced all week and will not have the injury excuse if he struggles again this week against the Chargers.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Hines Ward (WR) – Probable (calf) – Ward will be ready for Week 3 against Tampa Bay and should be the best receiving option on the Steelers.
Dennis Dixon (QB) – Out (knee) – Dixon is expected to miss 6 weeks with knee surgery. Charlie Batch will start this weekend for the Steelers. The Steelers cannot wait to get Big Ben back in Week 5.
Troy Polamalu (DB) – Only a matter of time. If you can get good value in IDP leagues based on name value, you may want to explore your options. Polamalu is a much better real-life player than fantasy player.
Houston Texans
Andre Johnson (WR) – Questionable (ankle) – Coach Kubiak sounded very optimistic on Friday when discussing Johnson’s chances of playing in Week 3. Check back for updates, but it looks like Johnson will be playing and should be the number 1 ranked wide receiver.
Owen Daniels (TE) – Probable (knee) – Daniels’ knee is getting stronger and he should continue to play more and get better each week.
Brian Cushing (LB) – Suspended – Cushing will sit the first 4 games of the season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Xavier Adibi will be his replacement for the first 4 games and is a huge downgrade. Cushing should be worth waiting on, or a great waiver wire target if an owner gets impatient.
Tennessee Titans
No fantasy-relevant injuries.
Minnesota Vikings
Brett Favre (QB) – Probable (ankle) – Favre will be fine for Week 3 (despite all of the false retirement rumors floating around).
Percy Harvin (WR) – Probable (hip, migraine) – Harvin practiced again on Friday and is on track to start Week 3. He makes a good fantasy play against Lions terrible pass defense and he is due for a big game.
Bernard Berrian (WR) – Probable (knee) – Berrian will play Week 3 and despite a great match-up against the Lions, he makes a very risky fantasy play. Maybe B-Twice should have spent more time working on football and less time as Ochocinco’s butler in the off-season.
Sidney Rice (WR) – PUP (hip) – Rice is still on crutches but has been able to do rehab work without restrictions. He is targeting a midseason return and, if you have room, makes a nice stash.
The Fantasy Dick is the fantasy baseball writer for www.thebaseballchick.com and can be followed on Twitter at @thefantasydick or emailed at thefantasydick at yahoo.com. Feel free to ask any fantasy sports related questions or just questions about life in general, The Fantasy Dick is an expert at both.
