Fantasy Football Week 3 Injury Update-Friday’s Report

After a week 2 filled with fantasy football injuries, almost every owner has at least one player they’re checking on headed into this week’s slate of games.  As we head into the weekend, there are still a number of players whose availability is still in question. As you get ready to set your lineups, make sure to check out @FansidedFantasy for the latest updates.

Here are the latest updates we have after Thursday’s practices with the players sorted by their position:

QB

Tony Romo-Dallas Cowboys: Romo rested Wednesday but after a full practice on Thursday should be fine for Sunday in St. Louis.

Joe Flacco-Baltimore Ravens: Flacco returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday’s with an illness. He’ll start under center against Cleveland on Sunday.

Carson Palmer-Arizona Cardinals: Palmer’s injury  could be more long-term than originally thought.  He hasn’t thrown much this week and looks like he’ll miss this week’s game against the 49ers.

Shaun Hill-St. Louis Rams: Hill looks likely to start on Sunday against Dallas, but the situation is still a fluid one.  Hopefully it isn’t one you’re counting on for fantasy points.

RB

Jamaal Charles-Kansas City Chiefs: With what the Chiefs were calling a high ankle sprain, everyone assumed Charles would be out for at least one week, but he surprised everyone by taking part in practice on Thursday.  See how he responds to the workload and if he practices the rest of this week, but if he plays you have to start your star RB.

Arian Foster-Houston Texans: Foster has been limited by a hamstring issue but isn’t expected to miss any time. It’s more likely just the Texans trying to save wear and tear on their star back who’s carrying a heavy workload for them every week.

Joique Bell-Detroit Lions: Bell was limited but is just resting up for Sunday’s matchup against the Packers. He should be safe to play as an RB2 this week.

Bernard Pierce-Baltimore Ravens: Pierce was added to the Ravens injury report with a thigh injury, but indications are he should still be able to play on Sunday against the Browns.  Check on him after tomorrow’s practice.

Toby Gerhart-Jacksonville Jaguars: Gerhart was back to full practice and should play Sunday, but he’s a high-risk option after a slow start to the season.

Chris Johnson-New York Jets: CJ2K is getting his usual veterans rest day, but he should be good to go for Monday night against a tough Bears matchup.

Maurice Jones-Drew-Oakland Raiders: MJD was back in practice after missing last week with a hand injury. He should be good to go if you’re desperate enough to need him this week against the Pats.

DeAngelo Williams-Carolina Panthers: Williams should be able to return this week after missing week 2 with a thigh injury.  He practiced on the side Thursday, but neither he nor his replacement Jonathan Stewart make great plays against Pittsburgh this week.

WR

A. J. Green-Cincinnati Bengals: Green returned to practice but is still uncertain if he’ll play on Sunday.  With a week 4 bye on the horizon, Cincinnati may just hold him out week 3 or use him as a decoy rather than risk a more long-term injury.

Dez Bryant-Dallas Cowboys: Dez missed practice Wednesday but was back on Thursday and is a full go for Sunday.

Brandon Marshall-Chicago Bears: Marshall has been held out of practice this week with an ankle injury, but he showed Sunday night he can play through his pain and contribute at a high level.  The extra day playing on Monday night will also help, but start him with confidence for week 3.

Cordarrelle Patterson-Minnesota Vikings: Patterson was a surprise injury report addition on Thursday with what was only described as a “chest” injury. He should be fine but double check on him this weekend.

Keenan Allen-San Diego Chargers: Allen was also a surprise addition to the injury report with a previously unidentified groin injury.  Check back on him as well, but he should be a nice play this weekend against the Bills in Buffalo.

DeSean Jackson-Washington Redskins: D-Jax still hasn’t been on the practice field this week after his shoulder injury in week 3. He has said he won’t miss Sunday’s game against his former team no matter what, but it remains to be seen how healthy he’ll be and what kind of connection he will have with Kirk Cousins.

Kelvin Benjamin-Carolina Panthers: Benjamin was back in full practice Thursday so his earlier limited days were more a matter of getting the rookie some rest.

Eric Decker-New York Jets: Decker didn’t practice Thursday, but Coach Rex Ryan is confident he’ll be able to play on Monday Night Football.

DeAndre Hopkins-Houston Texans: Hopkins didn’t practice Thursday due to illness but should be ready to play Sunday against the Giants.

Cecil Shorts-Jacksonville Jaguars: Shorts has been limited this week but will probably make his 2014 debut against the Colts on Sunday.  He could still suffer a setback, but has some potential as a sleeper WR play this week.

Allen Hurns-Jacksonville Jaguars: Hurns has not practiced this week and barring a quick recovery won’t be on the field week 4.

Rod Streater-Oakland Raiders: Streater hasn’t practiced this week with his hip injury.  There’s nothing official yet, but he probably won’t play against the Patriots on Sunday.

Marqise Lee-Jacksonville Jaguars: Lee has been ruled out for Sunday’s game and is the third Jaguar WR on this list.

TE

Rob Gronkowski-New England Patriots: Gronk continues to turn in limited practices but should be able to be on the field this week against the Raiders.  He isn’t playing every down, but is still a top five fantasy tight end who can be played with confidence this week.

Vernon Davis-San Francisco 49ers: Davis hasn’t practiced this week although he is off crutches after his ankle injury sustained Sunday night against the Bears.  Davis is unlikely to play this week and given Vance McDonald’s injury (see below) Derek Carrier could get his first NFL start.

Jordan Cameron-Cleveland Browns: Cameron’s status is still totally up in the air after a “very limited” practice Thursday.  Plan alternatives in case he’s out, but there is still a chance he’ll suit up against Baltimore in week 3. 

Kyle Rudolph-Minnesota Vikings: Rudolph has been limited throughout this week with an abdomen issue, but his status for Sunday isn’t in doubt. He’ll be ready to roll against the Saints in the Big Easy on Sunday.

Jordan Reed-Washington Redskins: Reed probably won’t be able to play this week since he hasn’t practiced at all this week.  Niles Paul is an interesting pickup for as long as Reed remains sidelined.

Antonio Gates-San Diego Chargers: Gates was back in practice Thursday and should be good to go for Sunday’s game in Buffalo.

Charles Clay-Miami Dolphins: Clay has been limited in practice but should be good to go on Sunday against the Chiefs. Miami is just trying to manage his workload.

Vance McDonald-San Francisco 49ers: McDonald would be next up for the 49ers, but he has an injury of his own to deal with. McDonald has been out of practice all week and isn’t likely to play leaving Derek Carrier as the top TE in San Francisco.