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Week 3 Injury Report (2020 Fantasy Football)

Week 3 Injury Report (2020 Fantasy Football)

The 2020 injury report has been upgraded to include some new features. In addition to covering all of the fantasy-relevant injuries, I will update you on the previous weeks’ injuries. Also, I’ll explain the nature of the injury (if known), provide information on the expected length of each player’s absence, and offer an assessment of the impact on the injured player’s teammates.

With that, I welcome you to the revamped injury report. Football is a violent game, and, unfortunately, players are going to miss time due to injuries. I promise you I don’t want to be here just as much as you don’t, but this is a necessary evil in this game that we love. As always, I hope this list is as short as possible.

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New Injuries

Jordan Reed (TE – SF)
The 49ers were down to their third-string tight end after Jordan Reed’s multiple injuries last week. Thankfully, neither of Reed’s injuries involved his head. Reed’s feet kind of got stuck in the turf and he came down holding his knee. He returned shortly thereafter, but it was short-lived as Reed sprained his ankle in the second half of the 49ers’ blowout of the Giants. I have a suspicion George Kittle returns next week, but if he doesn’t, it will be Ross Dwelley at tight end for the 49ers. He is off the fantasy radar.

Fantasy Value Impact: N/A

Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI)
The best tight end on the Eagles hurt his ankle in the first half of the team’s tie with the Bengals on Sunday. Dallas Goedert will undergo an MRI and the results will be out after this publishes. With the rash of injuries to Eagles pass catchers, there’s no way to spin this as good for anyone, not even Zach Ertz, who was already playing 80-90% of snaps. Goedert is expected to miss a few weeks so fantasy managers need to plan for a replacement.

Fantasy Value Impact: N/A

DeSean Jackson (WR – PHI)
We knew with 100% certainty heading into the 2020 season that it was only a matter of time before DeSean Jackson would go down with an injury. The fact that he made it to Week 3 is actually surprising. Jackson pulled his hamstring and did not return. He won’t play next week. The Eagles were using tight end Richard Rodgers and wide receiver Deontay Burnett by the end of this game. Things are bad.

Fantasy Value Impact: Carson Wentz ⬇️

Russell Gage (WR – ATL)
After corralling his second reception early in the Falcons’ loss to the Bears, Russell Gage took a big shot to the head. He was not officially diagnosed with a concussion, but it’s abundantly clear he will go through the concussion protocol. With a full week to recover, there’s a chance Gage plays on Monday. Monitor his status throughout the week. We will likely know by Saturday whether Gage is cleared to play. Olamide Zaccheaus replaced Gage, but he is not worth a pickup, even if Julio Jones remains out.

Fantasy Value Impact: N/A

Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)
The story was exactly the same as Russell Gage for Diontae Johnson. He took an end-around and then a shot to the head. Johnson will also go through the concussion protocol. If he cannot get cleared, James Washington will start in his place, but keep an eye on Chase Claypool as he’s far more talented than Washington and could get an increased opportunity if Johnson has to miss next week’s game.

Fantasy Value Impact: James Washington ⬆️

Bryan Edwards (WR – LV)
Already down Henry Ruggs, Derek Carr never had a chance after he lost Bryan Edwards to an ankle sprain in the first half. With Bill Belichick focusing on bottling up Darren Waller, Carr couldn’t get anything going until garbage time with Hunter Renfrow. He would be the man to benefit from Ruggs and Edwards continuing to miss time.

Fantasy Value Impact: Hunter Renfrow ⬆️, Derek Carr ⬇️

John Brown (WR – BUF)
With Josh Allen playing incredible football, it was a shame to see John Brown go down with a calf injury in the Bills’ thrilling win over the Rams. With Brown out, both Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis saw increased usage. Davis is well off the fantasy radar, but Beasley is an injury replacement considering for as long as Brown is out.

Fantasy Value Impact: Cole Beasley ⬆️

Tarik Cohen (RB – CHI)
It’s the David Montgomery show until further notice in Chicago as Tarik Cohen tore his ACL in the Bears’ epic comeback against the hapless Falcons. Montgomery was completely ineffective last week despite the Bears scoring 30 points, but there’s no question his value improves as he will be used more as a receiver without Cohen around for those snaps.

Fantasy Value Impact: David Montgomery ⬆️⬆️

Jerick McKinnon (RB – SF)
I haven’t seen any official word on something wrong with Jerick McKinnon, but he was noticeably absent for the final portion of Sunday’s game. Given McKinnon’s injury history, it’s at least something to keep an eye out for. If McKinnon is out, Jeff Wilson becomes an immediate strong flex option and JaMycal Hasty is on the radar as a deep league option.

Fantasy Value Impact: Jeff Wilson ⬆️⬆️, JaMycal Hasty ⬆️

Chris Godwin (WR – TB)
Hamstring injuries are getting so many players this year, which was something I, unfortunately, predicted back in August due to the unconventional offseason and lack of preseason. It came for Chris Godwin last week. Godwin is going to miss at least a week, likely more. Mike Evans remains the primary option, but Scotty Miller is worth a roster spot and possibly a start for as long as Godwin is out.

Fantasy Value Impact: Scotty Miller ⬆️⬆️,Tom Brady ⬇️

Amari Cooper (WR – DAL)
I’m not quite sure what was up with Amari Cooper on Sunday. He got off to a hot start, then came down awkwardly in what looked like just the wind getting knocked out of him. He returned to the game after a few plays, but then disappeared at some point in the second half and didn’t return until the Cowboys’ final couple drives. Cooper looked fine on those drives, but it’s worth wondering where he went and why he was gone for so long. Cedrick Wilson popped off for over 100 yards and two touchdowns while Michael Gallup had himself a day as well. The Wilson thing feels like a random event, but Gallup would certainly see his value increase if Cooper is out. My guess is Cooper plays next week, but if he doesn’t, here’s the fantasy impact.

Fantasy Value Impact: Michael Gallup ⬆️⬆️,CeeDee Lamb ⬆️

Chris Carson (RB – SEA)
Very late in another shootout for the Seahawks, Chris Carson got his leg twisted by a Cowboys defender in a truly disgusting play. Carson was tackled by his leg and the defender held on as he rolled over Carson, twisting Carson’s leg in the process. Carson limped off the field and this has the looks of a multi-week injury. Carlos Hyde would operate as the primary back in Carson’s absence with Travis Homer as the satellite back. Hyde is the quintessential replacement level back capable of getting what’s blocked and not embarrassing himself. He will be fantasy viable for as long as Carson is out.

Fantasy Value Impact: Carlos Hyde ⬆️⬆️⬆️, Travis Homer ⬆️

Injury Updates

Cam Akers (RB – LAR) and Malcolm Brown (RB – LAR)
Malcolm Brown returned to action without missing a week and was clear second fiddle to Darrell Henderson. Cam Akers seems likely to sit another week and given how good Henderson has been, he returns to a very uncertain workload.

Estimated Return Time: 1-2 weeks
Course of Action: Hold

Drew Lock (QB – DEN)
Jeff Driskel was so bad last week that Brett Rypien was brought in late in the game to “see if he could get the ball out quicker.” Regardless of who starts next week, Drew Lock is not returning yet. With or without Lock, this offense has very little juice to it.

Estimated Return Time: 2-4 weeks
Course of Action: Leave on waivers

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF)
It’s difficult to assess Nick Mullens‘ performance last week as the Giants are a poor excuse for an NFL team, but you don’t throw for 343 yards and one one touchdown if you’re not at least competent. Given Mullens’ performance, it’s likely the 49ers don’t push Jimmy Garoppolo to return from his high ankle sprain before he’s at or near 100%. Jimmy G is going to miss at least one more week.

Estimated Return Time: 2-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold if he was your best quarterback and you have the roster space, but feel free to drop if you need the spot

Raheem Mostert (RB – SF) and Tevin Coleman (RB – SF)
Both Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman are guaranteed to miss at least two more games, with one or both probably missing one or two more after that. Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson will be just fine in their absence because they are not difference-making running backs.

Estimated Return Time: 3-5 weeks
Course of Action: Hold Mostert, but drop Coleman if you need the roster spot

Sterling Shepard (WR – NYG)
Sterling Shepard is also guaranteed to miss at least two more games with turf toe. Given how tricky turf toe is, he is no lock to return when he is first eligible. Darius Slayton and Golden Tate will dominate wide receiver targets until Shepard returns, but the Giants offense and Daniel Jones in particular is not one you want to be invested in.

Estimated Return Time: 3-4 weeks
Course of Action: Hold

Julio Jones (WR – ATL)
Although Julio Jones was considered a game-time decision, there was never any question that he was going to sit. Do not take that as a sign that he was close to playing. He’s just Julio Jones so the Falcons were willing to give him every possible benefit of the doubt. Julio should be considered doubtful to play next week as the Falcons would be wise to play it safe with their best player with 2020 looking very much like a lost season already.

Estimated Return Time: 2-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold

Davante Adams (WR – GB)
The story was similar with Davante Adams as despite a doubtful tag, of which less than .5% of players have ever played through, Adams was not ruled out until pregame warmups. He was never playing and should also be considered doubtful to suit up next week.

Estimated Return Time: 2-3 weeks
Course of Action: Hold

Christian McCaffrey (RB – CAR)
In the first game of the post-Christian McCaffrey era, the Panthers got their first win of the season on the road against a team that almost beat the Chiefs last week because running backs don’t matter. Even though McCaffrey adds virtually nothing to the Panthers’ expected wins, he adds everything to fantasy teams. When he is ready to return, there are no concerns over his job status, but high ankle sprains do not fully heal for 4-6 months so don’t expect full McCaffrey. With that being said, 70% of McCaffrey is better than almost every running back anyway.

Estimated Return Time: 3-5 weeks
Course of Action: Hold if your team is in a good spot/trade if you need to win now

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Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive or follow him @jasonkatz13.

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