If Jeremy Langford (pictured) misses any time, then Jordan Howard will have a big opportunity to wrestle the starting gig away
The follow-up to Week 2’s injury armageddon turned out to be the calmest week of the season so far. Either that or Monday Night Football is going to be a horror show. In other words, all of you Julio Jones owners out there may want to say a few extra prayers to your favorite foot-related deity. In the meantime, let’s take a look at who’s okay, who might be okay, who’s going to miss some time and who you should target as a replacement.
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Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson (SEA): left MCL sprain, right high ankle sprain
Like Brandon Marshall on Thursday night in Week 2, Wilson’s knee bent in a way that looked potentially season-ending to us non-medical folks. Thankfully, it sounds like it’s just an MCL sprain.
It’s still early, but for now, it looks like Wilson is going to play. The Seahawks have their bye in Week 5, after which Wilson should be fully recovered from the ankle injury he suffered in Week 1.
Next up: Trevone Boykin
Boykin completed seven passes for 65 yards with a touchdown and an interception in relief of Wilson. It’s unlikely Boykin will have fantasy value, even if Wilson does miss a game for the first time in his career.
Jacoby Brissett (NE): thumb sprain
The good news is Brissett doesn’t need surgery, and he has extra time to heal up.
Next up: Julian Edelman?
The bad news is New England’s quarterback situation is an absolute mess. Could Jimmy Garoppolo be ready? Will Brissett start and hand the ball off 50 times? Is Edelman going to play? Whatever the answer, Patriot quarterbacks are safe to ignore for one more week.
Running Backs
Jeremy Langford (CHI): sprained ankle
There were some fears that Langford had suffered an Achilles injury, but those fears look to have been unfounded. We don’t have information yet as to how much time Langford will miss, if any.
Next up: Jordan Howard
Howard has been more successful than Langford on a per-carry basis, and he leads all Chicago running backs in receiving yards. His upside is limited by Chicago’s offense, which averages just 15 points per game—worse than every team in the league except Tennessee and Houston. However, he could be a great substitute for owners who lost but didn’t handcuff the likes of Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Doug Martin and Thomas Rawls.
And if you’re of the opinion that Langford isn’t very good, Howard could usurp the starting job altogether. He’s a top waiver target this week.
Shane Vereen (NYG): torn triceps
Vereen got the start against Washington after Rashad Jennings was a surprise inactive on Sunday morning. His tenure as a starter didn’t last long, as he is out for the season.
Next up: Orleans Darkwa
Darkwa had 62 total yards and a touchdown on Sunday, which was pretty similar to Vereen’s production. The problem is Jennings could be back this week, and there’s no telling what Darkwa’s role in the offense will be. He’s worth an add in case something happens to Jennings, but he’s not worth starting in all but the most desperate of situations.
Wide Receivers
Dez Bryant (DAL): possible MCL sprain
Bryant returned after the injury and scored a touchdown, so there’s probably nothing to worry about here. Unless his MRI reveals something more sinister, he should be good to go.
Next up: N/A
Remember when we tried to pick up Dallas wide receivers after Bryant got hurt last year? It wasn’t pretty, was it?
Reexaminations
Quarterbacks
Jay Cutler (CHI)
Brian Hoyer started in Cutler’s place, but Cutler was pushing to play. He could be back as early as next week.
Josh McCown (CLE)
McCown also tried to play but was denied in favor of Cody Kessler. He’ll probably miss at least another week or two.
Running Backs
Jamaal Charles (KC)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Charles could be back this week.
Thomas Rawls (SEA)
Rawls’ injury was more serious than initially thought. He has a hairline fracture in his leg that could keep him out for another month or so. Christine Michael is an automatic start until then.
Arian Foster (MIA)
Foster’s groin injury is probably going to keep him out Thursday against the Bengals. Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake will continue to split carries.
Wide Receivers
Donte Moncrief (IND)
His MRI revealed a fractured scapula. He’s out for at least a month.
Willie Snead (NO)
Snead has a toe injury. It looks like he’ll sit out Monday night.
Josh Doctson (WAS)
Doctson’s Achilles injury still isn’t behind him. He was a late scratch and will be difficult to trust going forward.
Tight Ends
Rob Gronkowski (NE)
Gronk made his season debut but didn’t score a fantasy point. Week 4 might present similar problems with New England’s quarterback situation in flux.
Tyler Eifert (CIN)
Eifert returned to practice, but it’s unclear if he’ll make his debut Thursday night.
Antonio Gates (SD)
Little is known about the injury that kept Gates out in Week 3. That’s probably not a good sign. He reportedly wasn’t close to playing in Week 3.
Derek Norton is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Derek, visit his archive or follow him on Twitter @mdereknorton.
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