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Nicho's NFL injury status updates and expected return dates for key injured NFL players in Week 3 of 2025. Fantasy Football Injuries and Expected Return Dates for Joe Burrow, Justin Fields, Jayden Daniels, and Aaron Jones Sr.
Welcome to Week 3, RotoBallers! With two weeks of NFL action now behind us, the season is officially in full swing. Sundays have brought us thrilling matchups, breakout performances, fantasy highs and lows, and, unfortunately, the game's darker side, injuries, which brings us here today.
In this weekly column, I break down the latest injuries to key players, provide updated return timelines, and highlight the players most likely to benefit in their absence. My goal is to help you stay one step ahead of your league mates as you navigate waivers, trades, and lineup decisions throughout the season.
Keep following @RotoBallerNFL and me, @NichoRoessler, on X to stay updated with the latest NFL content. Let's dive in!
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Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
This one's tough. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) took a sack in Week 2 and sat on the ground for a while while trainers examined his foot/ankle area. He was removed from the game and eventually ruled out in the second half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The very next day, he was diagnosed with Grade 3 turf toe, and according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Burrow is slated to undergo surgery on his toe and is expected to miss at least the next three months.
Many other reporters have also suggested 12-14 weeks, which puts Burrow in line to miss a majority of the season, and it is unlikely that he returns. That being said, Zac Taylor said he has "not shut the door" on a return this year.
#Bengals QB Joe Burrow is feared to have suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury that will require surgery and sideline him at least three months, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Burrow left the stadium on crutches. He’ll get second opinions. But Cincinnati is bracing for a long-term… pic.twitter.com/T8KKG81kaM
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 15, 2025
Fantasy managers should not hold their breath and expect him to return, as the timetable puts us at best, right around when fantasy playoffs start. If your team has multiple IR spots available, you could stash him on there. Still, my recommendation is to cut ties and save the room on your roster, as unfortunately, this won't be the last injury your team experiences this year.
Fantasy Impact:
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Short-Term: Browning has QB2 value in Superflex leagues. Higgins, Brown, and Chase all have their fantasy ceilings lowered. Higgins has the most risk, while Brown and Chase remain must-starts; however, they have lower ceilings.
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Long-Term: Same as short term, as this is a three-plus-month injury for Burrow.
- Estimated Return Date: At this point, fantasy managers should expect Burrow to be out until at least Week 15, but plan for the season.
Verdict: Feel free to stash Burrow on IR if you have the room, but it's totally understandable to drop him in redraft leagues. I would.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) has officially been ruled out for Week 3 on Sunday against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders, according to The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov. Things were trending this way since earlier in the week when head coach Dan Quinn said that Daniels wouldn't practice until at least Friday.
#Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is officially out on Sunday vs. the Raiders.
Marcus Mariota starts. pic.twitter.com/jG5KaK1ahN
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 19, 2025
He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday and wasn't seen on the field on Friday, either, so now Marcus Mariota will officially make his first start of the year against his former team. This is Daniel's first career game where he won't be suiting up, and all Commanders playmakers will take a hit, including Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Zach Ertz.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt remains a viable low-end RB2 option with Austin Ekeler (Achilles) done for the season.
The Commanders are erring on the side of caution with Daniels, but it's possible he could also be in danger of missing the Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Fantasy managers will want to keep tabs on Daniels' progress early next week.
Fantasy Impact:
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Short-Term: All pass-catchers take a hit, including Samuel, McLaurin, and Ertz. Mariota provides low-end QB2 value, and Croskey-Marritt remains a low-end RB2.
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Long-Term: At this time, this injury does not appear to be a long-term issue, and Daniels should be submitted back into lineups as a high-end QB1 once he returns. That being said, his rushing upside could be limited if his knee issue continues to linger. Fantasy managers may want to make some contingency plans now.
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Estimated Return Date: At this time, it's not totally clear; however, fantasy managers should expect Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons or Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Verdict: Stash Daniels on your IR or bench and do not drop. All Commanders' playmakers' ceiling is lowered with Mariota under center.
Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (concussion) has been ruled out for Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Fields was forced to leave the Jets Week 2 contest early due to a concussion. Fields will now have to progress through the NFL's concussion protocol to be available for the team's Week 4 game, which is Monday, September 29, against the Miami Dolphins.
#Jets QB Justin Fields (concussion) is out for Sunday, coach Aaron Glenn said. Tyrod Taylor gets the start against the #Bucs.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 17, 2025
Concussion protocols are always a tricky situation that can linger anywhere between one and three weeks, making it challenging to know his exact return date. In the meantime, journeyman Tyrod Taylor will get the start and lead the Jets on Sunday against the Bucs. Taylor can be streamed this week as a low-end QB2, considering he carries rushing upside with his 2,302 career rushing yards in 15 NFL seasons.
Although Taylor has been considered a mobile quarterback in his career, he is 36 years old and will likely be looking to pass more than tuck and run, which should benefit wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall in the passing game. Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand notes that the team's offensive game plan won't change "much at all," with quarterback Tyrod Taylor manning the helm.
Fields started the season on a high note, throwing for 218 yards and a touchdown while adding 48 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns. Week 2, on the other hand, was a different story, as he only completed three of his 11 passes for 27 yards before being removed from the game with his injury.
Fantasy Impact:
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Short-Term: Taylor will start in place of Fields, and most Jets' playmakers, such as Braelon Allen, Hall, and Wilson, remain about the same value with Taylor under center.
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Long-Term: At this time, this injury does not appear to be a long-term issue; however, concussions are a serious matter, and Fields will not be rushed back until he's cleared.
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Estimated Return Date: As he passes the NFL's concussion protocol, which could be Week 4 or Week 5.
Verdict: Stash Fields on your IR or bench; he will return to the lineup once cleared, and his rushing upside makes him a valuable low-end QB1.
Aaron Jones Sr., RB, Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are placing running back Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jones suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football and will now miss at least the next four games.
The Vikings are placing starting RB Aaron Jones on Injured Reserve, knocking him out four games, per me and @TomPelissero. He has a hamstring injury.
Jordan Mason now becomes RB1. Cam Akers is signing to the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/MgsBoaKNG9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2025
The biggest beneficiary of this injury news is Jordan Mason, who now becomes Minnesota's RB1 and is a must-start in all league formats in Week 3 against the Bengals. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is also out for Week 3 and likely the next few weeks.
This means that Carson Wentz will be at quarterback for the Vikings, and with no disrespect to McCarthy, who has only played in two NFL games, the offense should look better than it has in the first two weeks with a veteran under center.
Additionally, offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw (knee) is also questionable and may return, which should only boost Mason's value in the run game. Vikings Head coach Kevin O'Connell is known as a quarterback whisperer for what he's done with veteran signal callers, and it appears he will get another crack at it with Wentz.
Like many others in the Vikings offense, Jones has gotten off to a slow start, rushing for 46 yards on 13 carries. The 30-year-old has also had his fair share of injuries throughout his career, and when he returns, it's likely this running back approach in Minnesota will remain 50/50, which limits Jones and Mason's upside long term.
Fantasy Impact:
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Short-Term: Mason is the team's RB1 and should be in line for a heavy workload the next few weeks.
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Long-Term: Once Jones returns, this backfield will continue to be a running back by committee approach, lessening the value of both Jones and Mason.
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Estimated Return Date: Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers (Vikings have a Week 6 bye).
Verdict: In shallow leagues, I believe it's okay to drop Jones if you don't have the IR space. I realize he is a "bigger name" given his career; however, even at 100% healthy, this backfield appears to be 50/50 with Jones and Mason. In deeper leagues, continue to hold him on your IR or bench for the time being.
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