Fantasy football
Fantasy football
Week 3 of the NFL was full of big stars leaving due to injuries along with another supporting cast going down with an injury of some sort, making them leave their matchup. With injuries taking place, it affects not only a lot of NFL teams but also fantasy football managers who are losing key pieces and having to look another direction.
NFL’s Week 3 Injuries: Fantasy Football Outlook
De’Von Achane
In the early slate, we saw De’Von Achane go down awkwardly on a run against the Kansas City Chiefs where he got his helmet tugged, which resulted in a weird movement. After some time on the ground, Achane walked off the field. Shortly after, he returned to the sideline in good spirits, but on Monday, we got official word that the running back suffered a season-ending ACL tear, which is very sad news for Achane, Miami Dolphins fans and fantasy managers.
We saw backup running back Ollie Gordon carry the ball 17 times for 41 yards and a touchdown following Achane’s exit from the game. In the 4th quarter, Gordon left due to cramps, and Miami had no other back to offer. Gordon will be a playable fantasy football flex option in fantasy leagues and definitely one of the most sought-after waiver wire pickups leading into Week 4.
Justin Jefferson
The Minnesota Vikings traveled to Tampa Bay for their NFL Week 3 matchup looking to start 3-0 for the second time in the last 3 seasons. Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson started the game off just how you’d expect with a couple of chunk plays, but when Kyler Murray led the offense out for the third drive of the game, Jefferson was shown on the sideline with no helmet and his gloves off his hands. This raised some eyebrows because we didn’t see a certain play spark any concern. The wideout worked with the medical staff, taping up his ankles and trying to run before he headed to the locker room and never reentered the game.
Jefferson is the only Vikings player that feels like a fantasy football start Sunday to Sunday, given he has been a top WR in the NFL since entering the league. Jefferson got an MRI Monday revealing an ankle sprain, nothing super concerning but definitely a big question mark to the Minnesota offense going forward, with a lot of question marks surrounding his return to the offense.
Jordan Addison had his first big game of the 2026 season because of the absence of the alpha wideout. With no Justin Jefferson, Addison will take on a bigger role, and the Minnesota offense will have to rely on him to be a big-play spark going forward, making him a fantasy football start as long as Jefferson is sidelined.
Breece Hall
Despite being 1-2, the New York Jets look the best they have in quite some time; they did take a big hit as running back Breece Hall, who they just extended, went down with a thigh injury. Hall was already dealing with a groin issue leading into the season but looked good for the first couple games of the NFL season. The Jets offense has been what’s keeping them in games early into the season, so a blow to their star running back is less than ideal.
Hall did receive good news in his MRI on Monday, showing the severity of the injury wasn’t as serious as they thought it could be, but the running back is still going to be listed as week to week going forward.
Braelon Allen will be taking Hall’s place leading the backfield. Allen has been utilized heavily when Hall has gone down previously, and he has served as a very competent backup with his big body frame. With how this Jets offense has been playing, Allen is another good waiver wire pickup and start if you are thin at the running back or flex position.
Mike Evans
The San Francisco 49ers has been killing it to kick off the 2026 season, but it has been quite the nightmare on the medical side of things for the 49ers. Mike Evans, who joined the team in free agency, has been a monster when on the field for San Francisco but has been dealing with a new injury it seems like every week from the start of camp. Sunday, Evans found his way in the end zone but later in the game came up grabbing his side. We later found out he is dealing with a rib strain and is now day to day.
If Evans misses time, the two veterans in wideout Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle will have to elevate and take on an even bigger role for the team. We may also see the 49ers really lean on running back Christian McCaffrey to produce, who so far has been on quite the snap count compared to previous years with the team. This offense is still on top of the league, so any fantasy football assets you have from the 49ers still look like great starts. Deebo Samuel may see even more work after having 2 productive fantasy football performances.
Jalen Coker
Jalen Coker has been a big fantasy football favorite, having two awesome performances to start the NFL season. Sadly, Coker left with a quad strain. Coker’s status will be questionable leading up to NFL Week 4, which is scary for fantasy football managers that have been relying on him so far this NFL season.
If Coker can’t go this Sunday, this Panthers pass game will definitely be more tamed in, and we can expect to see that offense lean on Hubbard in the run and pass game to simplify the offense like we saw in NFL Week 3 against the Browns.
Baker Mayfield
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers couldn’t have asked for a worse start to the 2026 season, starting 0-3 and their franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield suffering a dislocated thumb trying to extend a play on 4th and 13 with the game on the line. The offense as a whole has been flat, and any fantasy football asset you have on the Bucs has become a sketchy play. Mayfield received good news in an MRI Monday, showing there wasn’t any ligament damage, but he will still be out at least three weeks.
Tampa Bay is stuck with rookie UDFA Jalon Daniels under center going forward. This offense is only going to be worse. Daniels will be in for a rude awakening in his NFL debut with how Tampa’s offensive line has been getting manhandled, along with the struggles of the pass catchers creating no separation at any level of the secondary.
Bucky Irving even left the game in the 4th quarter, and the back has been about the only thing going right for this offense. If Irving is ready to go, he is still a solid fantasy start, and the volume might be even bigger than we have seen so far in this NFL season. Emeka Egbuka has looked lost with his route running and ability to get open on any routes that are man coverage. The Ohio State alum has been a big letdown, given how hot of a start he had to his NFL career. Egbuka is a scary start going forward, especially with Daniels under center.
The Last Word
Week 3 was really rough for many fan bases and fantasy football managers, and it definitely hurts, but when injuries hit, it does lead to bigger opportunities for other players that can become league winners given the right situation. For more on key waiver wire adds heading into Week 4, check out the Last Word on NFL weekly waiver wire article.
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Main Photo Courtesy of Matt Pendleton – Imagn Images