Fantasy Football 2013: NFL Week 3 Injury Updates

Last week was a battle of attrition in many fantasy football matchups with both sides usually losing a player or two for at least part of the game, and many game being decided by which team stayed the healthiest. If your team was hard-hit, you’re definitely hoping to avoid the same fate this week. To help you get your lineup set, here’s the latest on the key fantasy injuries going into the weekend.

Each Friday, you can find a list of those expected to play (Green Light), those expected to sit (Red Light), and a third group of players that we’re unsure of at this point who may get the dreaded “gametime decision” tag. Here’s this week’s list:

Green Light (Expected to Play)

Julio Jones-WR-Atlanta Falcons: Jones was limited last week just like he has been this week, and he had a monster game. He’s a locked in WR1 with no questions asked.

Brandon Marshall-WR-Chicago Bears: Marshall left practice Thursday with a tight back and it’s unclear how that will effect Sunday. It’s probably no big deal, but check his progress the rest of this week.

Andre Johnson-WR-Houston Texans: Johnson has been cleared to return to practice and should be a full go for Sunday’s game against Baltimore. He’s come back from a concussion he sustained last week.

Giovani Bernard-RB-Cincinnati Bengals: Bernard has a minor hamstring issue but is expected to continue to see a growing role in the Cincinnati offense this week against Green Bay.

Vernon Davis-TE-San Francisco 49ers: Davis hasn’t practiced this week, but has reassured everyone all week that he’ll be ready for Sunday.

Ryan Tannehill-QB-Miami Dolphins: Tannehill would have been limited if the Dolphins practiced Thursday according to the team. He’s fully expected to play Sunday against the Falcons in the team’s home opener.

Kendall Wright-WR-Tennessee Titans: Wright is expected to play even though he sustained a concussion last week. He’s long-shot flex play, but the Chargers secondary has been shredded so he could pay off.

T.Y.Hilton-WR-Indianapolis Colts: Hilton had a huge game last week but has been limited in practice with a groin injury. He’s expected to play Sunday, though.

Heath Miller-TE-Pittsburgh Steelers: Miller is coming off back-t0-back full practices and is expected to make his season debut. He’s a nice pickup if you need a second TE, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable throwing him in the lineup this week.

Yellow Light (Wait and See)

Ray Rice-RB-Baltimore Ravens: Rice isn’t practicing this week, but the Ravens keep saying he could play Sunday. I’d look elsewhere if you have another option.

Maurice Jones-Drew-RB-Jacksonville Jaguars: MJD faces the Seahawks D if he does play, so I’d stay away even if he overcomes his ankle injury and gets on the field.

Reggie Bush-RB-Detroit Lions: Bush is trying to work his way back from multiple injuries, but things seem to be trending towards him playing. Bush is in a nice matchup against Washington, so if he continues to progress and is active Sunday he’s a solid RB2.

Rob Gronkowski-TE-New England Patriots: Gronk will likely be a gametime decision on Sunday, but even if he plays there are probably better options since there’s no way to know how limited he might be until the game gets going. Expect a week four return for Gronk against the Falcons.

Larry Fitzgerald-WR-St. Louis Cardinals: Fitzgerald missed part of last game and will likely be at less than 100% this week. I think he’ll play, but it’s not clear how limited he’ll be so proceed with caution in starting Fitz this week. If you have other decent options, go a different direction this week.

Roddy White-WR-Atlanta Falcons: White is playing through a high ankle sprain and is a WR3 at best until he shows he’s 100% healthy.

Rashard Mendenhall-RB-Arizona Cardinals: Mendenhall has missed practice all week like he has most of the season, but he’s played on Sunday’s. He or his likely replacement Andre Ellington are both long-shot flex plays for this week against the Saints.

Mark Ingram-RB-New Orleans Saints: Ingram has struggled and now is missing practice with a toe issue. It doesn’t bode well for him this Sunday, and he probably isn’t worth playing even if he’s active for the game.

Red Light (Expected to Sit)

Danny Amendola-WR-New England Patriots: Amendols have been officially “limited” in practice and don’t expect the Patriots to give any details about his status. He’s not expected to play this week for sure and his long-term prognosis is as unclear as usual from Pats camp.

Eddie Lacy-RB-Green Bay Packers: Lacy probably won’t play this week after a concussion last week but appears to be on track for a week 5 return after the Packers bye week next week.

Ryan Broyles-WR-Detroit Lions: Broyles may be ready to be active for this week’s game but isn’t expected to play a huge role. He is worth monitoring, though, since the Lions second-WR spot is a great place to be and he is a good grab and stash option at this point.

Le’Veon Bell-RB-Pittsburgh Steelers: Bell is practicing in full for the Steelers and could possibly play this week. It’s more likely that he’ll be back in week 4 making him worth a stash if he’s on the wire.

Dwayne Allen-TE-Indianapolis Colts: Allen is out for the year with hip surgery. Coby Fleener is the Colts TE you want for fantasy football this season.