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Fantasy football injury updates and injury reports for RB, WR, TE for Week 1 (2023), as of 9/24, including David Montgomery, Austin Ekeler, Jaylen Waddle, Aaron Jones, and more.
Fantasy managers have been forced to be on their toes as the 2023 NFL season gets underway, as players across the league have been dealing with a high number of injuries throughout the start of the year and ahead of Week 3. Our injury updates and reports for Week 3 as of Sunday, September 24, 2023, will give you the latest updates on key fantasy football assets.
The injury news for Week 3 of the NFL season has featured many notable fantasy football players such as Austin Ekeler, Jaylen Waddle, and more. These are in addition to players who are already on Injured Reserve such as Cooper Kupp, Diontae Johnson, and Nick Chubb.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 1.
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Jaylen Waddle Injury Update
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (concussion) won't play in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. The superstar wide receiver suffered a concussion late in the Week 2 matchup against the New England Patriots.
Miami elevated Robbie Chosen from the practice squad to the active roster, with Waddle unable to play. Wide receiver Braxton Berrios and tight end Durham Smythe should see a significant increase in snaps and targets this week with Waddle out of the lineup. Tyreek Hill will also see an increase in work on Sunday.
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (hamstring) is expected to play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He had been listed as questionable.
The 23-year-old has 93 rushing and 31 receiving yards through two games, though his fantasy value could rise to the RB2 range if the Chiefs jump out to an early lead over the Bears and operate with a run-heavy approach.
Austin Ekeler Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) missed a second straight week of practice and has been ruled out for the second straight game in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings. Ekeler said earlier this week that he was making progress, but he'll now miss his second straight contest after injuring his ankle in the season opener.
Consider him questionable to play in Week 4 at home against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders for now. Joshua Kelley will look to do more this Sunday in his second straight week as the Chargers' lead running back.
He flopped last week by going for just 39 yards rushing on 13 attempts while not being involved in the passing game in the Week 2 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Vikings defense is a bit more generous, though, making Kelley worth starting as an RB2.
David Montgomery Injury Update
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (thigh) didn't practice all week and is listed as doubtful to play in Week 3 on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. The Lions have been hesitant to officially rule their starting back out, though Montgomery was expected to miss some time all along after getting hurt in the Week 2 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, so fantasy managers should have already moved him to their benches for this week.
With Montgomery out, Craig Reynolds will serve as the backup to rookie first-rounder Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs has underwhelmed in his first two NFL games so far, but he'll have obvious RB1 upside this weekend with Montgomery out of the picture.
Jamaal Williams Injury Update
New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (hamstring) was placed on injured serve. The veteran running back will miss at least the next four games. Williams suffered the hamstring injury in the team's Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
With the veteran out this week, Kendre Miller, Toney Jones Jr., and Taysom Hill will handle the backfield duties against the Green Bay Packers. Thankfully, Alvin Kamara's three-game suspension ends Monday morning. Fantasy players can drop Williams in redraft leagues if needed.
Joe Burrow Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (calf) is questionable for Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3. Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters on Saturday that "we'll see" in regard to Burrow playing or not.
The Bengals also worked out and signed veteran QB AJ McCarron to their practice squad, which would indicate that Burrow truly is questionable after re-aggravating his calf in Week 2. Although the team hasn't released their final injury report at this time, beat writer Jay Morrison stated that Burrow will be listed as questionable.
Fantasy managers that roster Burrow should already have a backup plan in place in case the fourth-year QB can't go on MNF. All of the Cincinnati pass-catchers, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd would be downgraded if Jake Browning ends up starting under center on MNF.
Aaron Jones & Christian Watson Injury Updates
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) has drawn a questionable tag for the Week 3 game on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Watson has been held out of the first two games of the year, but he practiced on Wednesday and Friday this week while being rested on Thursday. The 24-year-old second-year pass-catcher could end up being a game-time decision, so fantasy managers will need to continue monitoring this one right up until game time.
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) is being listed as questionable to play in Week 3 on Sunday at home against the visiting New Orleans Saints. The 28-year-old could be a true game-time decision, so fantasy managers will need to check back Sunday morning before finalizing their weekly lineups.
Jones is trending as a shaky RB3/flex in Week 3 because of his hammy injury, but if he's active, it's hard to recommend sitting him after he went for 41 yards and a touchdown on nine carries on the ground while adding two catches for 86 yards and another score through the air in the season opener.
DK Metcalf Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (ribs) will play in Sunday's Week 3 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. He missed the first two practices to open the week, but was able to get in a full session on Friday.
That appears to be enough for Metcalf as he'll suit up this weekend. Last week, Metcalf caught five of his 10 targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Lions. Fantasy managers can safely pencil Metcalf back in their lineups for Week 3.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Injury Update
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (toe) is optimistic that he will be able to play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. He had been listed as questionable. With that said, St. Brown does have a steel plate in his toe, and his volume could be restricted in Week 3.
The 23-year-old has 12 catches, 173 yards, and one touchdown through two games this year. Even if he plays on a snap count, he's still a fringe WR1 for fantasy purposes.
Kadarius Toney Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (toe) is currently listed as questionable for the Week 3 matchup versus the Chicago Bears. The 24-year-old wasn't able to practice on Wednesday or Thursday this week. He was able to get through a limited practice session on Friday, so that appears to be enough for him.
The team will take another look at Toney ahead of Sunday's contest. Barring any setbacks, Toney should be fine to suit up. He should be considered a risky flex play for this upcoming matchup with the Bears.
DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) is expected to suit up for the Week 3 matchup versus the Cleveland Browns. The veteran wideout has been dealing with an ankle issue for over a week.
Despite that, he suited up in Week 2 and continued to play well with four receptions for 40 yards. Hopkins opened this week with a full practice before being limited and then not practicing at all on Friday. He's listed as questionable for Sunday, but is fully expected to suit up for this game barring any last-minute setbacks.
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