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Aidin Ebrahimi looks at key fantasy football injuries and injury updates to watch for Week 3 of the 2024 season Including Cooper Kupp, Taysom Hill, A.J. Brown, and more.
Week 2 of the NFL season was somehow even more chaotic than Week 1, and we saw some great action and a bunch of shocking moments. The lack of scoring remains an issue, but it should get better as the season goes on.
Unfortunately, as is the case in every week of NFL action, there were some injuries. Seeing which players are dealing with injuries and which ones aren't quite at 100% will go a long way if you're looking to win your fantasy leagues.
Without further ado, let's look at some injuries to watch and consider heading into Week 3. Don't forget to bookmark our fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts to stay notified.
Editor's Note: Steer clear of costly draft mistakes with RotoBaller’s expert Fantasy Football Bust analysis. We break down overvalued players, potential letdowns, and risky ADPs to avoid, so you can build a smarter, safer roster.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
After missing five games in his breakout 2022 season due to concussions, Tua Tagovailoa looked like he had put his concussion issues behind him. He didn't miss a game in 2023 and led the NFL in passing yards.
However, Tagovailoa suffered yet another scary concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. Tagovailoa's NFL future is in serious jeopardy, and many fans are urging him to end his football career. But it seems like Tua is not done yet.
From @NFLGameDay: #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has no plans to retire, sources say. He’s already begun seeing concussion specialists and will continue to do so, but there is no timeline to return. Tua will be back when he and his doctors deem him healthy and ready. pic.twitter.com/Cc6aQI8HcZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2024
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tagovailoa has "no plans" to retire and is seeing a concussion specialist. His current goal is to get on the field when he is ready, but Rapoport wouldn’t be surprised to see Tua miss multiple games.
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will likely suffer the most with Skylar Thompson or Tyler Huntley at QB.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco went into the 2024 season hoping to rush for over 1,000 yards for the first time ever, but his dreams of a 1,000-yard season were dashed when he suffered an injury in Week 2 against the Bengals.
According to Adam Schefter, Pacheco suffered a fibula injury and is expected to land on injured reserve. That means he'll be out for at least the next four weeks, and possibly more. Some doctors claim he might be out until the fantasy playoffs.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is on the non-football injury list and won't return until Week 5. Carson Steele and Samaje Perine could take over until then, but the Chiefs could also bring back Jerick McKinnon or Kareem Hunt.
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
The Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles has gotten off to a tremendous start so far. The run game is fantastic, and Justin Herbert didn't have to do much against the Raiders and Panthers. However, he did suffer an injury scare against Carolina.
Late in the third quarter, Herbert went down with a lower-body injury and got taped up in the medical tent. He returned and finished the game, but was ambiguous about the details of his injury after the game.
He underwent an X-ray to determine the severity of the injury and said he'd find out more about his situation "in the coming days". It looks like he'll be fine, but if he misses time, J.K. Dobbins will likely get even more touches to continue his great season.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
With 33 seconds left on the clock, Jared Goff had the chance to lead the Lions to their third consecutive win against the Buccaneers. His first pass of the drive was a successful throw to Amon-Ra St. Brown, but Brown left the game after the catch and Detroit lost the game.
Amon-Ra St. Brown -
Sounds like best case scenario of a contusion/cramping. Will be curious if he’s listed on the injury report this week in practice, but sounds like he escaped concerning injury.
Was leaning MCL here but he may have avoided even that. https://t.co/OSjzIkFpJb— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 16, 2024
After the game, Lions HC Dan Campbell said he didn't think St. Brown's injury "was anything long-term", and ESPN reported on Monday that he avoided a serious leg injury and only suffered a contusion and cramping. He should be ready to go in Week 3.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
Another player who seems to have avoided a major injury is the versatile Taysom Hill. The Saints demolished the Cowboys in Week 2, but Hill left the game and was briefly hospitalized after suffering a chest injury.
Saints TE/FB Taysom Hill returned home to New Orleans last night on the Saints charter after being transported from the stadium to a hospital with a chest injury.
Hill is scheduled for more imaging tests today but team at the moment believes his injury is not overly serious.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) September 16, 2024
Head coach Dennis Allen claimed that the decision to have Hill hospitalized was mostly precautionary, and he was released from hospital shortly after. He's now back in New Orleans, but his participation in practices should be monitored.
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles beat the Packers in Week 1 and had plans to go on another unbeaten run similar to their 8-0 start in 2022 and their 5-0 start last year. However, their chances of beating the Falcons on MNF took a big hit once A.J. Brown was ruled out of the game. Atlanta mounted a late fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Eagles on Monday night.
During practice, Brown hurt his hamstring and could miss the next couple of weeks. DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson will get a bigger role, while Saquon Barkley will likely be the focal point of the Eagles' offense.
Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp played through injuries in 2023, so Rams fans had to wait patiently to see a fully healthy Kupp and Puka Nacua play together. However, disaster struck for the Rams as they lost Nacua in Week 1 and Kupp in Week 2.
Nacua's PCL strain was severe, and he was put on injured reserve earlier this week. Ian Rapoport reported that Nacua could miss time until Week 9. Cooper Kupp had a monster game in Week 1 when Nacua went down, but he got hurt in Week 2 against the Cardinals.
The Rams are having some terrible injury luck this season:
•Star receiver: Cooper Kupp
•Star receiver: Puka Nacua
• Starting left tackle: Joe Noteboom
• Starting right tackle: Rob Havenstein
• Starting guard: Steve Avila
• Starting cornerback Darious Williams— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 15, 2024
Kupp sprained his left ankle and was seen in a walking boot after the game. Kupp will likely miss the next game, but his mobility could be limited when he returns.
With injuries to his star WRs and his offensive line, Matthew Stafford's fantasy stock is at an all-time low. Kyren Williams could get a monster workload until either of the wideouts returns.
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