Fantasy Football inactives, injuries and weather: Week 3

Week 3 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives for the fantasy football lineup decisions.

Sunday updates will begin when teams start releasing official pregame inactives and starter information to the league. This is typically around 60-90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.

Weather forecasts are courtesy of The Football Database.

Week 3 NFL inactives, weather and notes

KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early games: RB Aaron Jones (inactive), WR Christian Watson (inactive), WR DeAndre Hopkins (active)
Afternoon games: RB Isiah Pacheco (active), WR Kadarius Toney (active)
Sunday night:
Monday night: QB Joe Burrow

Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 71 degrees, mostly clear, NNE 14 mph

Titans

Inactives: WR Colton Dowell, OT Jaelyn Duncan, LB Trevis Gipson, DL Caleb Murphy, CB Kindle Vildor, OG Peter Skoronski and QB Will Levis

Lineup notes: WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) is active once again. OG Peter Skoronski (illness) has been ruled out.

Browns

Inactives: C Luke Wypler, S Ronnie Hickman, OT James Hudson, DT Siaki Ika, CB Greg Newsome and DL Isaiah McGuire

Lineup notes: RB Nick Chubb (knee) was placed on IR and will miss the rest of the season after a gruesome knee injury in Week 2. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed RB Kareem Hunt will play after being signed earlier in the week. WR Amari Cooper (groin, shoulder) was limited Friday but doesn’t carry an injury designation. CB Greg Newsome (elbow) has been ruled out.

Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Falcons

Inactives: CB Clark Phillips III, RB Cordarrelle Patterson, QB Logan Woodside, DL Albert Huggins, DE Joe Gaziano, OG Jovaughn Gwyn and OT Isaiah Prince

Lineup notes: RB Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) won’t go after being listed as questionable.

Lions

Inactives: S Kerby Joseph, RB David Montgomery, OT Taylor Decker, DL Brodric Martin, CB Emmanuel Moseley and OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Lineup notes: RB David Montgomery (thigh) is out. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (toe) and WR Josh Reynolds (groin) overcame questionable labels and will play. Detroit will be without two starting offensive linemen, and four key defenders also are not available.

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 68 degrees, cloudy, SE 10 mph

Saints

Inactives: WR A.T. Perry, TE Foster Moreau, OG Nick Saldiveri, DL Kyle Phillips and CB Paulson Adebo

Lineup notes: RB Jamaal Williams (hamstring) is out. RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) practiced in full all week and will play.

Packers

Inactives: RB Aaron Jones, OT David Bakhtiari, S Anthony Johnson Jr., C Elgton Jenkins, WR Christian Watson, S Zayne Anderson and CB Jaire Alexander

Lineup notes: RB Aaron Jones (hamstring) and WR Christian Watson (hamstring) couldn’t overcome questionable tags. OG Elgton Jenkins (knee), OT David Bakhtiari (rest, knee), and CB Jaire Alexander (back) also will miss this one.

Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 82 degrees, cloudy

Broncos

Inactives: C Alex Forsyth, LB Ronnie Perkins, S JL Skinner, DT Elijah Garcia, DE Frank Clark and S Justin Simmons

Lineup notes: LB Frank Clark (hip) and S Justin Simmons (hip) will not play.

Dolphins

Inactives: WR Erik Ezukanma, OT Kion Smith, RB Salvon Ahmed, QB Skylar Thompson, WR Jaylen Waddle, TE Tyler Kroft and CB Cam Smith

Lineup notes: WR Jaylen Waddle (concussion) has been ruled out. WR Tyreek Hill (ankle) practiced fully Thursday and Friday and carries no tag. RB Salvon Ahmed (groin) will not be available.

New England Patriots at New York Jets (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 61 degrees, light rain, NE 14 mph

Patriots

Inactives: OG Sidy Sow, CB Jonathan Jones, WR Kayshon Boutte, OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. and QB Will Grier

Lineup notes: WR DeVante Parker (knee) was limited all week but carries no tag. CB Jonathan Jones (ankle) is inactive after being questionable.

Jets

Inactives: WR Jason Brownlee, S Tony X. Adams, OG Wes Schweitzer, CB Bryce Hall, LB Zaire Barnes and RB Israel Abanikanda

Lineup notes: RB Breece Hall (knee) had a full practice Friday and will play. PK Greg Zuerlein (groin) is questionable but practiced fully Friday. LT Duane Brown (shoulder/hip) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list, so RT Mekhi Becton moves to left tackle.

Los Angeles Chargers at Minnesota Vikings (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Chargers

Inactives: DL Chris Hinton, CB J.C. Jackson, RB Austin Ekeler, OT Brenden Jaimes, LB Eric Kendricks and OG Zack Bailey

Lineup notes: RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) will be out again this week. WR Mike Williams (ankle) practiced all week and is good to go. LB Joey Bosa (hamstring) is fine, though LB Eric Kendricks (hamstring) was ruled out.

Vikings

Inactives: TE Nick Muse, DT Khyiris Tonga, QB Jaren Hall, C Garrett Bradbury, DE Marcus Davenport and RB Cam Akers

Lineup notes: Starting C Garrett Bradbury (back) remains out. Recently acquired RB Cam Akers won’t play this week.

Buffalo Bills at Washington Commanders (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 66 degrees, cloudy

Bills

Inactives: OG Alec Anderson, CB Kaiir Elam, DT Poona Ford, OT Germain Ifedi and S Damar Hamlin

Lineup notes: TE Dawson Knox (back) was idle until a full session Friday, and he doesn’t carry an injury designation. RB James Cook (personal) was out Thursday due to a personal matter and returned for a full session Friday. He’s good to go.

Commanders

Inactives: TE Curtis Hodges, TE Logan Thomas, OL Trent Scott, WR Mitchell Tinsley, OT Chris Paul and DL K.J. Henry

Lineup notes: TE Logan Thomas (concussion) is out. WR Curtis Samuel (hip, illness), initially listed as questionable Friday, was removed from the report. RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hip) practiced fully all week and is good to go.

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 85 degrees, clear

Texans

Inactives: RB Dare Ogunbowale, S Jalen Pitre, LB Denzel Perryman, LB Derek Rivers, OT Laremy Tunsil, CB Tavierre Thomas and QB Case Keenum

Lineup notes: QB C.J. Stroud (shoulder) was limited Wednesday but took all the work Thursday and Friday. He’s good to go. LT Laremy Tunsil (knee) is inactive. The defense will be without LB Denzel Perryman (hand, wrist), S Jalen Pitre (chest), and CB Derek Stingley (hamstring).

Jaguars

Inactives: WR Elijah Cooks, S Antonio X. Johnson, WR Parker Washington, RB JaMycal Hasty and WR Zay Jones

Lineup notes: WR Zay Jones (knee) is out for Week 3.

Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 66 degrees, drizzle

Colts

Inactives: DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, LB Isaiah Land, QB Anthony Richardson, OG Arlington Hambright, TE Will Mallory, CB Darrell Baker Jr. and C Ryan Kelly

Lineup notes: RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) began the season on the PUP with an ankle injury. QB Anthony Richardson (concussion) is also out, meaning QB Gardner Minshew will start. RB Deon Jackson has been released, and RB Trey Sermon was called up from the practice squad. Sermon spent the 2022 season in Philadelphia with Colts head coach Shane Steichen. C Ryan Kelly (concussion) also won’t play, but OG Quenton Nelson (toe) will give it a whirl.

Ravens

Inactives: LB Odafe Oweh, WR Odell Beckham Jr., C Tyler Linderbaum, S Marcus Williams, CB Marlon Humphrey, OT Ronnie Stanley and RB Justice Hill

Lineup notes: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) and RB Justice Hill (foot) are also out. RBs Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake were elevated from the practice squad. WR Devin Duvernay (shoulder) was limited Wednesday but made it through the rest of the week and will play. The defense will be without CB Marlon Humphrey (foot), FS Marcus Williams (pectoral), and LB Odafe Oweh (ankle). Starting C Tyler Linderbaum (ankle) and LT Ronnie Stanley (knee) also won’t play.

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 59 degrees, cloudy

Panthers

Inactives: OT David Sharpe, CB Sam Webb, S Jammie Robinson, QB Bryce Young, LB DJ X. Johnson and RB Raheem Blackshear

Lineup notes: QB Bryce Young (ankle) was out of practice all week and will miss Week 3. QB Andy Dalton will start. RB Miles Sanders (pectoral) was limited early in the week but made it back for a full session Friday and will play.

Seahawks

Inactives: CB Coby Bryant, CB Riq Woolen, S Jamal Adams, OG McClendon Curtis, OT Charles Cross and TE Will Dissly

Lineup notes: WR DK Metcalf (ribs) will give it a go. CB Riq Woolen (chest) and SS Jamal Adams (knee) are out, but FS Quandre Diggs (hamstring) will dress.

Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 76 degrees, clear

Bears

Inactives: LB A.J. Thomas, QB Tyson Bagent, RB D’Onta Foreman, S Eddie Jackson, WR Equanimeous St. Brown and LB Daniel Hardy

Lineup notes: WR Darnell Mooney (knee) was limited up to a full slate Friday, and he’s good to go. OG Nate Davis (personal) will play, while S Eddie Jackson (foot) was downgraded to out on Saturday.

Chiefs

Inactives: DE B.J. Thompson, CB Nic Jones, OT Wanya Morris, DL Keondre Coburn, LB Nick Bolton and OT Lucas Niang

Lineup notes: WR Kadarius Toney (toe) and RB Isiah Pacheco (hamstring) both will play through questionable tags. WR Justin Watson (ankle) was a full-go all week and will be ready for Week 3. LB Nick Bolton (ankle) ruled out. WR Richie James (knee) was placed on injured reserve.

Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 94 degrees, clear (retractable-roof dome)

Cowboys

Inactives: QB Trey Lance, C Tyler Biadasz, CB Eric Scott Jr., DL Villami Fehoko Jr., CB Israel Mukuamu, OG Zack Martin and WR Jalen Brooks

Lineup notes: WR Brandin Cooks (knee) practiced Thursday and Friday and returns in Week 3. Starting C Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) and RG Zack Martin (ankle) both will sit out this contest.

Cardinals

Inactives: TE Elijah Higgins, CB Starling Thomas, LB Josh Woods, OT Carter O’Donnell and OT Ilm Manning

Lineup notes: QB Kyler Murray (knee) is on the PUP as he recovers from a torn ACL.

Sunday Night Football

Pittsburgh Steelers at Las Vegas Raiders (8:20 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Steelers

Inactives: NT Breiden Fehoko, WR Dez Fitzpatrick, QB Mason Rudolph, OT Dylan Cook, RB Godwin Igwebuike and WR Gunner Olszewski

Lineup notes: WR Diontae Johnson (hamstring) went on IR with a hamstring injury.

Raiders

Inactives: DT Nesta Jade Silvera, S Christopher Smith II, QB Aidan O’Connell, LB Amari Burney and WR Kristian Wilkerson

Lineup notes: WR Jakobi Meyers (concussion) made it back for full practices Thursday and Friday and will play. WR Davante Adams (concussion) was evaluated for a concussion earlier in the week but is off the report.

Monday Night Football double-header

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7:15 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 82 degrees, cloudy

Eagles

Lineup notes: RB Kenneth Gainwell (ribs) and WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring, thigh) avoided injury designations. RB Boston Scott (concussion) was ruled out. CB James Bradberry (concussion) and S Reed Blankenship (ribs) will return this week.

Buccaneers

Lineup notes: RB Chase Edmonds (knee) was placed on IR and will miss at least four weeks with a knee injury. LB Devin White (groin) avoided an injury label. CB Carlton Davis (toe) is questionable and will be a game-time decision.

Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals (8:15 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 74 degrees, mostly clear

Rams

Lineup notes: WR Cooper Kupp (hamstring) is on IR and hopes to return in Week 5. WR Puka Nacua (oblique) is questionable again but isn’t in danger of missing this one.

Bengals

Lineup notes: QB Joe Burrow (calf) didn’t practice Thursday but had limited work Friday and Saturday. He is questionable. TE Irv Smith (hamstring) earned a doubtful tag.

Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Week 3

Check out our starts and sits in fantasy football for Week 3.

With the season in full swing, fantasy football managers enter Week 3 with some crucial start/sit decisions as injuries and performance trends continue to have major impacts on lineups.

Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.

Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.

Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11) or check out our player projections for Week 2:

The best fantasy football gamble of Week 3

A prime matchup makes this third-year pro a sound start in Week 3.

Every week, at least one player becomes my fascination of whether he’s worthy of a fantasy football start as a streamer. The decision can be a mental wrestling match, but for the purpose of brevity, only one player can be chosen as my favorite fantasy football gamble of the week.

The best fantasy football gamble for Week 3

Tracking my 2023 predictions: 0-2-0
All-time record: 18-33-3

Win: Player produces ≥ 75% of projected fantasy points
Loss: Player produces >75% of projected fantasy points
Tie: Player is ejected, leaves with an injury, or is ruled out after publishing

This year, we’ll also track the accuracy on a percentage basis to show relative results, since sometimes calling a player a loss doesn’t actually hurt gamers. An example would be if a projection narrowly falls short of the 75 percent threshold, the player is still of use in a lineup.

Wk 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
% 55% 74.7%
Grade F C

Last week’s performance by Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn is a perfect example of why I decided to add the grading system above. He was projected for 16.6 PPR points and finished at 12.4, narrowly missing the 75 percent threshold (thanks for the wide-open drop, Mr. Osborn). But that doesn’t mean playing him hurt you in any way, so it’s hard to call it a true loss. For the sake of maintaining a baseline, it still gets chalked up as a loss.

RB Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins

Somewhat surprisingly, Williams has dominated the backfield’s carry count 25-to-9 over Samaje Perine. The two have produced nearly identical fantasy results, however, and suffice it to say, the returns haven’t been great. Williams is still trying to regain his form following last year’s torn ACL, and the expectation was he’d be slowly worked back in with Perine garnering the bulk of the early-season workload. It just isn’t been the case, and that’s a great sign for Williams, even if he hasn’t been particularly explosive.

In Week 1, we saw a much closer carry split between Williams and Perine. The former rushed 13 times to the latter’s eight, but Denver leaned on their third-year back a dozen times to the journeyman’s lone carry last weekend. Nonetheless, Perine has maintained a receiving role with four targets in each of the first two games. Williams has averaged 4.5 targets of his own.

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The Broncos don’t want this to turn into a track meet, and keeping Miami’s offense on the sideline as long as possible is the goal. Expect a heavy reliance on the ground game, and even if the Dolphins do a good job of clogging up the middle, Williams’ ability as a checkdown for Russell Wilson is an underrated aspect of his game.

Williams should start to turn the corner in Week 3 vs. a Dolphins defense that has given up running back TDs at the fourth-highest rate, and only two teams have yielded rushing yards per game at a higher figure than the 135.5 Miami has granted. The ‘Fins have allowed 5.1 yards per carry to the position. This matchup is much easier to exploit on the ground, and gamers should like Williams for his best season-to-date performance as a risky RB2 and much safer flex.

My projection: 14 carries, 66 rushing yards, 5 targets, 5 receptions, 28 yards, 1 TD (20.4 PPR points)

The Huddle’s Blitzed Fantasy Football Podcast: Episode 194

Talking NFL news, injury updates, DFS budgeting, and more.

In this episode, Steve and Harley bring you NFL news, DFS budget management, injury updates, and “DFS Pay-ups, Stay-aways and Value Plays.” So Huddle up, tune in, and get Blitzed!

Or, click here to listen