Welcome to the dreaded injury report. Professional football is a violent game, and your fantasy players are going to miss time because of it. Hopefully, you don’t have many names on this list.
Import your team to My Playbook for instant Lineup & Trade advice 
Tyrod Taylor (QB – CLE)
This one is from Thursday but still warrants mentioning. Tyrod Taylor exited late in the second half with a concussion. Baker Mayfield took over and looked like a seasoned veteran out there commanding the offense and leading the team to a comeback victory. Taylor is expected to clear the concussion protocol in plenty of time to be Mayfield’s backup in Week 4. All Browns players are poised for an uptick in value with Mayfield under center. Jarvis Landry and Carlos Hyde finished with bug games after slow starts with Taylor under center.
Blaine Gabbert (QB – TEN)
In a bizarre game, Blaine Gabbert started over a healthy enough to play, but not healthy enough to start Marcus Mariota. Gabbert was eventually forced from the game with a concussion. Mariota took over and, I use this term very loosely, led the Titans to a field goal win over the Jaguars. Mariota didn’t do anything spectacular, but he looked healthy enough. Regardless of Gabbert’s status, Mariota should start next week.
A.J. Derby (TE – MIA)
Derby exited with a foot injury and didn’t return. His status isn’t known for Week 4 and beyond. He’s not fantasy relevant, but his injury, along with fellow Dolphins tight end Marquise Gray hitting IR last week, opens opportunities for a more fantasy-relevant player, rookie Mike Gesicki. The former Nittany Lion had his best game Week 3. While that was only a 3-31-0 line, he’s still a player to monitor given the wasteland that is the tight end position.
Evan Engram (TE – NYG)
Evan Engram took a shot directly to his knee on his first and only reception Sunday. Engram tried to walk it off, but was quickly ruled out. He told reporters that he’s fine, but the MRI he’s scheduled to undergo suggests otherwise. By the time you read this, we may know the results of that MRI. I expect it to reveal a non-season ending knee injury. I would label Engram extremely doubtful for Week 4 and how quickly he returns will depend on the severity of the injury. My guess is somewhere in the 2-to-4 week range.
Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG)
This barely warrants a spot on this report, but Saquon Barkley did miss a handful of plays early in the game with a knee bruise. He’s fine. Nothing to worry about here.
Bruce Ellington (WR – HOU)
Ellington exited with a hamstring injury and didn’t return. After seeing eight targets Week 1 without Will Fuller active, Ellington has seen four total targets over the last two weeks. Even when healthy, he’s not fantasy relevant at this point with DeAndre Hopkins and Fuller both healthy.
A.J. Green (WR – CIN)
The Bengals’ top WR tweaked his groin early in the second half and did not return. A.J. Green expects to play next week, but most players expect to be fine after seemingly minor injuries. Be sure to monitor his practice participation throughout the week. Tyler Boyd posted a 6-132-1 line with most of it coming after Green departed.
Anthony Miller (WR – CHI)
Miller exited Sunday’s game with a separated shoulder. It’s unclear if the injury will sideline him at all, but the Bears do have an early bye Week 5, and they could elect to rest Miller through the off-week. The rookie has garnered attention in mostly only dynasty formats to this point, but he did catch a touchdown Week 2 before reeling in four of five targets against the Cardinals this weekend.
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF)
The 49ers just can’t catch a break this season. After having already lost Jerick McKinnon to a torn ACL, it seems as if Jimmy Garoppolo has suffered the same fate. In Garoppolo’s absence, C.J. Beathard will take over at QB. This is an obvious downgrade for the offense as a whole, particularly Marquise Goodwin, but it should actually benefit Matt Breida. Beathard was a check-down machine last season as Carlos Hyde owners can attest. Breida’s touchdown upside takes a hit, but his PPR floor is boosted.
Rex Burkhead (RB – NE)
It might already be time to write off Rex Burkhead as a bust. He was already mired in a three-way timeshare with James White and Sony Michel. On Sunday night, he sustained a neck injury and did not return. Burkhead might be headed to the waiver wire soon enough. This boosts the value of Michel and White.
Get free start/sit and waiver wire advice for your fantasy team
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | TuneIn | RSS
Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive, follow him @jasonkatz13, and listen to him on the Fantasy Forensics Podcast.
