Fantasy Football Week 3 Injury Report: Changing of the RB Guard
The 2025 NFL week 3 brought us some significant injuries that will impact our fantasy teams. I will continue to update the injury tracker and post any updates as team reports come out. For now, let's dive in to what injuries occurred.
Mac Jones, QB SF 49ers
Injury: Left Knee PCL Sprain
Projected Timetable: Week 4
Initial Thoughts:
He was able to finish out the game, but he fell directly onto his left knee in a PCL sprain mechanism. His next drive, he returned with a knee brace on with noticeably less mobility. I do think he will be able to suit up for week 4, but Brock Purdy has a good chance to return from his turf toe injury. As of right now, plan on Purdy starting.
James Conner, RB Arizona Cardinals
Injury: Right Ankle/Leg
Projected Timetable: Season-Ending Surgery
Initial Thoughts:
Unfortunately, he was carted off of the field after getting twisted up on a tackle. Based on video, I did not see a shift or too much concern at the ankle itself, but primary concern shifts towards the fibula. He will likely be getting X-Rays to rule in/out any fractures, but I do expect bad news on this injury. Trey Benson expected to serve as the RB1 for as long as Conner misses, which could be rest of season.
Tyrone Tracy, RB NY Giants
Injury: Right Shoulder/Arm
Projected Timetable: 3-5 Weeks
Initial Thoughts:
Tracy just took a tough shot from a defender directly into his right shoulder with a downward force and immediately pointed towards his arm, displaying difficulty moving it. He was helped off of the field with trainers holding his arm for him. Primary concern on a right shoulder subluxation/dislocation and likely gets imaging to rule in/out any fractures. I expect him to miss time with Cam Skattebo operating as RB1 for as long as Tracy misses.
Najee Harris, RB LA Chargers
Injury: Left Achilles
Projected Timetable: Season-Ending
Initial Thoughts:
By video, Harris suffered a season-ending Achilles rupture. Omarion Hampton workhorse season is upon us.
Mike Evans, WR TB Buccaneers
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Projected Timetable: 3-5 Weeks
Initial Thoughts:
Given mechanism and pain response, limping off of the field and into the locker room, as well as his extensive soft tissue injury history and age, it would not surprise me if Evans wound up on a short-term IR stint and missed four games. If not, I would at least plan on close to 3 weeks missed. Chris Godwin is close to a return, but I would caution expecting significant production from him initially.
CeeDee Lamb, WR Dallas Cowboys
Injury: Left High Ankle Sprain
Projected Timetable: 3-5 Weeks
Initial Thoughts:
Post-game, Lamb told the media that he feels like he can play in week 4. I understand the sentiment and desire to play, but high ankle sprains are very difficult to play through. He attempted to return in-game after having it taped up, but experienced too much pain after running one route and left the game again for good. On average, wide receivers missed at least two weeks, but we will see if Lamb is able to return before that. Plan as if he will miss time, but be pleasantly (and cautiously) surprised if he suits up Week 4.
Terry McLaurin, WR Washington Commanders
Injury: Quad Strain
Projected Timetable: Week 4-6
Initial Thoughts:
Severity is not quite known yet on McLaurin's quad injury. He did not return to the game but the Commanders were also up by a decent amount so it is unsure if he did not return due to injury or score. Dan Quinn also did not offer an update on his status post-game, so hopefully we hear more information over the next few days.
Dyami Brown, WR Jacksonville Jaguars
Injury: Left AC Sprain
Projected Timetable: Week 4-5
Initial Thoughts:
Brown landed hard directly onto his shoulder while being tackled and suffered what appeared to be an AC sprain mechanism. The team has not given further updates, but if there was a fracture or clavicle injury I do think we would have heard by now. Return is typically dependent on pain levels and mobility, especially as a receiver, and if it is mild in severity, then he will likely be able to suit up for week 4. Monitor his practice status.
Alec Pierce, WR Indianapolis Colts
Injury: Concussion
Projected Timetable: Week 4-5
Initial Thoughts:
The primary concern is the length of time for him to return due to his extensive concussion history. It would not surprise me if he misses a week or two. His absence may give a slight bump to AD Mitchell, but he would still be deep in the pecking order.
JT Sanders, TE Carolina Panthers
Injury: Right Ankle, Foot
Projected Timetable: TBD
Initial Thoughts:
Spotted wearing a CAM boot on his right foot after the game, he did tell media that the X-Rays looked good but he is set to undergo an MRI on Monday. I have not seen video of his injury so I am not sure if this is a low versus high ankle sprain or something else, but it sounds like there's a chance he misses time. Monitoring for more news early in the week.
Colston Loveland, TE Chicago Bears
Injury: Hip
Projected Timetable: Week 4-5
Initial Thoughts:
Loveland was knocked out of the game after landing hard on his hip in the 2nd quarter. He was initially ruled questionable but then downgraded to doubtful. Sounds like he was trying to attempt a return but it was too painful. Ben Johnson told media post-game that they will see how he feels on Monday, but did not provide any other updates. As of right now, it sounds like there is a chance he is able to return week 4, which makes sense if it is just a contusion or hip pointer. If a strain, he may wind up missing a week or two.
Michael Mayer, TE Las Vegas Raiders
Injury: Concussion
Projected Timetable: Week 4-5
Initial Thoughts:
Mayer has a concussion history similar to Alec Pierce, but every concussion truly is an individual case. He may wind up being able to clear protocol in time, or he may wind up missing a week or two. Monitor his practice status.
| Player | Position | Team | Injury | Concern | Projected Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarShawn Lloyd | RB | GB | Groin Strain | Moderate | Week 5-6 |
| Joe Mixon | RB | HOU | Foot Reinjury | High | NFI - TBD |
| Austin Ekeler | RB | WAS | Achilles | Surgery | Season-Ending |
| Najee Harris | RB | LAC | Achilles | Surgery | Season-Ending |
| James Conner | RB | ARI | Right Ankle | High | Season-Ending |
| Jayden Reed | WR | GB | Clavicle, Jones Fx | Surgery | Week 12-14 |
| Tyjae Spears | RB | TEN | High Ankle Sprain | Moderate | Week 5-6 |
| Chris Godwin | WR | TB | Ankle Surgery | High | Week 4-6 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | WR | SF | ACLR, MCL | Moderate | Week 5-6 |
| Xavier Worthy | WR | KC | Right Shoulder | Moderate | Week 4 |
| George Kittle | TE | SF | Hamstring | Moderate | Week 6-7 |
| Isaiah Likely | TE | BAL | Foot Surgery | Moderate | Week 4 |
| Will Shipley | RB | PHI | Oblique, Ribs | Mild | Week 4-6 |
| Brock Purdy | QB | SF | Turf Toe | Mild | Week 4 |
| Joe Burrow | QB | CIN | Left Turf Toe | Grade 3, Surgery | 3+ Months |
| Jayden Daniels | QB | WAS | Knee Sprain | Mild | Week 4-5 |
| Aaron Jones | RB | MIN | Hamstring Strain | IR | Week 8 |
| Justin Fields | QB | NYJ | Concussion | Mild | Week 4-5 |
| JJ McCarthy | QB | MIN | High Ankle Sprain | Moderate | Week 7 |
| Jauan Jennings | WR | SF | Ankle Sprain | TBD | Week 4-5 |
| Tyrone Tracy | RB | NYG | Right Shoulder | Moderate-High | Week 6-8 |
| CeeDee Lamb | WR | DAL | Left High Ankle Sprain | Moderate | Week 5-7 |
| Mike Evans | WR | TB | Hamstring | Moderate | Week 6-8 |
| Dyami Brown | WR | JAC | Left AC Sprain | Mild-Moderate | Week 4-6 |
| Terry McLaurin | WR | WAS | Quad | Mild-Moderate | Week 4-6 |
| Xavier Legette | WR | CAR | Hamstring | Moderate | Week 5-6 |
| Colston Loveland | TE | CHI | Hip | Mild | Week 4 |
| JT Sanders | TE | CAR | Right Ankle/Foot | Mild-Moderate | Week 4-6 |
| Alec Pierce | WR | IND | Concussion | Mild | Week 4-5 |
| Michael Mayer | TE | LVR | Concussion | Mild | Week 4-5 |
