September 19, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jalen Nailor shouldn't be considered, even in deep formats, when his team takes on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. The lack of confidence has less to do with Nailor than with the chaos around him, as Minnesota hasn't shown it can protect its quarterback and is now besieged by injuries. Starting quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and starting center Ryan Kelly (concussion) are out. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) is questionable and still has not returned from last season's ACL injury, while his backup, Justin Skule (concussion), is out. That could mean a former seventh-round pick snapping the ball to a journeyman backup quarterback being protected by a third-string left tackle -- all of which is bad news for a player who is already his team's fourth option for targets.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
Faced with another solid opportunity for production, Minnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson is a low-end TE1 candidate against the Cincinnati Bengals, though fantasy managers could certainly be forgiven for being leery about his potential following two straight duds. The veteran tight end is facing a plus matchup for tight ends against the Bengals' defense, but is also coming into the game with four catches, 27 total yards, and zero red-zone targets in two games. Most concerning, the Vikings will be without starting quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and could be starting three offensive linemen -- from left tackle to center -- with a combined two NFL starts. It's clear the Vikings are going to have to be more creative offensively in the following weeks, however, and that should mean more involvement for Hockenson.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell has seen a surprising amount of opportunities through the first two weeks of the season and should be involved against the New England Patriots in Week 3. With rookie
Kaleb Johnson off to a slow start, Gainwell has been the primary change-of-pace option behind
Jaylen Warren. That role, however, hasn't produced much fantasy value, as he's mustered only 59 total yards on his 18 touches. On the plus side, Gainwell's nine targets are fourth-most on the Steelers, and New England has struggled to limit opposing backs in the passing game. Still, the 26-year-old is best viewed as a handcuff and should only be considered as a flex play in the deepest of starting lineups.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
Facing a mid-tier matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings kicker
Will Reichard can most likely be avoided in Week 3. The Vikings' offense has been awry for most of the year, and will be without starting quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle), starting center Ryan Kelly (concussion), and possibly down to a third-string left tackle depending on the status of starter Christian Darrisaw (knee). Oddsmakers are predicting a low-scoring game -- the Vikings-Bengals matchup is tied for the lowest over/under of the weekend -- with both sides starting their No. 2 quarterback. It's a lot of moving parts that are directly tied to Reichard's involvement in the game, meaning managers probably can find a safer starter elsewhere.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said that rookie running back
Bhayshul Tuten "has taken a huge jump from the spring" and also compared him to Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB
Bucky Irving, whom he coached last year. Tuten is focusing on all the little details and is still a work in progress in his first NFL season, but Coen has liked what he's seen, and there's no denying that the 23-year-old is an intriguing hold in all fantasy leagues, especially after the Jags traded
Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. Bigsby was limited in practice this week, but he's off the final injury report and will play in Week 3 against the division-rival Houston Texans, where he should be viewed as an RB3/flex with upside behind
Travis Etienne Jr. Tuten had eight carries for 42 yards and also caught two passes for 32 yards and his first career touchown in last week's loss to the Cincinatti Bengals with an elevated workload.
--Keith HernandezSource: YouTube
September 19, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings defense/special teams is a starting option when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals, who are playing in their first full game without star quarterback
Joe Burrow (toe) in Week 3. The Vikings rank eighth in net yards per passing attempt, a category in which the Bengals rank 23rd, and could return closer to full capacity from a health perspective. Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion) practiced in full on Friday, safety Harrison Smith (illness) is nearing a return, and nickel back Jeff Okudah (concussion) is off the injury report after all three missed last week's loss to Atlanta. Bengals starter
Jake Browning performed capably when pressed into action in 2023, but the Vikings should have more than enough defensive talent to disrupt an offense led by a backup quarterback on the road.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said he sees veteran wide receiver
DeAndre Hopkins getting more snaps on offense as the season progresses. "With every day, his packages are going to continue to grow," Monken said. Hopkins has only been targeted four times in his first two games in Baltimore, but he's caught all four of those targets for 99 yards and two touchdowns (one in each game). The 33-year-old veteran has shown he still has gas left in the tank and has earned a bigger role next to
Zay Flowers. He played 35 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, and that number fell to 18% in last week's victory over the Cleveland Browns. Unless he starts seeing more snaps and targets, Nuk is going to remain a low-upside, touchdown-dependent WR4/flex in fantasy. An increase in his playing time would mostly be bad news for
Rashod Bateman.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
September 19, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren will look to build on his hot start to the campaign in a Week 3 road matchup against the New England Patriots. After struggling against the run in 2024, the Patriots have clamped down through the first two weeks of 2025, allowing just 2.5 yards per carry. They have been vulnerable against running backs in the passing attack, however, and that is an area in which Warren thrives. So far this season, he's hauled in all six of his targets for 108 receiving yards and a touchdown. Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers even hinted earlier this week that Warren could see more opportunities through the air, and added that "every time he touches it, something good happens." He hasn't been seeing a workload that puts him in must-start territory, but fantasy managers should view Warren as a quality RB2 with upside heading into Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
September 19, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Noah Brown (groin) has been ruled out for the Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Unsurprisingly, Brown will be sidelined after not practicing since exiting early during last Thursday's game against the Green Bay Packers. For now, Brown should be treated as day-to-day, but he could be headed towards a stint on the injured reserve.
Jaylin Lane and
Luke McCaffrey figure to split up playing time as the third wideout in Washington. Neither player has done much on the field this season and aren't ideal streaming options right now.
--Andy WebbSource: John Keim
September 19, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Will Shipley (oblique) has been ruled out for the Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Shipley was able to get in a few limited practices this week, but it wasn't enough to clear him for game action. He'll miss his second straight game, but will hopefully return in Week 4. In the meantime,
A.J. Dillon figures to serve as the primary backup to
Saquon Barkley in the backfield.
Tank Bigsby is also an option, but he didn't play at all last week. Honestly, neither back is going to offer streaming value with Barkley being the workhorse back in Philly right now.
--Andy WebbSource: Philadelphia Eagles
September 19, 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. underwhelmed in Week 2 as the team relied heavily on the run game, completing just 13 of 21 passes for 135 yards and no scores (and zero interceptions) in a 22-6 victory over the Vikings. The game script could look similar on Sunday in a road matchup against a porous Panthers run defense, and a game in which the Falcons are heavy favorites. Even if the passing game gets going in this one, the second-year pro's output could be limited by an average yards per pass attempt of 6.9, which ranks 20th among quarterbacks this season. View the former first-rounder as a mid-range QB2 who has some slight upside with plenty of healthy, able-bodied receivers at his disposal after all practiced in full on Friday, including
Darnell Mooney (shoulder) and
Kyle Pitts Sr. (toe).
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
September 19, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Marcus Mariota has been named the starter for the Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jayden Daniels (knee) was able to practice on Friday, but the Commanders will take the cautious approach and hold him out of this game. Last season, Mariota tossed four touchdowns without any interceptions while throwing for 364 yards in four appearances with Washington. He's not a great long-term option, but is serviceable for a game or two. Mariota could offer QB2 value given his success with the team last season.
--Andy WebbSource: Mike Garafolo
September 19, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) has been officially ruled out for the Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. As expected, McCarthy will head to the sideline and is likely to miss 2-for-4 weeks of action. In his absence,
Carson Wentz will take over under center for Sunday's contest. Wentz has reportedly been impressing the coaching staff during his short time in Minnesota. Wentz hasn't been a full-time starter in a few years, but is certainly capable of holding down the fort in Minnesota. He'll be limited in terms of weapons with Aaron Jones (hamstring) and
Jordan Addison (suspension) both out for Week 3. Despite that, Wentz could still offer QB2 value against the shaky Bengals defense.
--Andy WebbSource: Minnesota Vikings
September 19, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
Carson Wentz has reportedly been impressing the coaching staff. Head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wentz has clearly played a lot of football and he believes Wentz has a great presence. The veteran signal-caller will be under center in Week 3 with
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) being ruled out. That means, Wentz is in line to make his first start since the 2024 season. The 32-year-old hasn't been a full-time starter since the 2022 campaign. However, Wentz has a chance to earn the starting role in Minnesota with good play over the next few weeks. He'll be a bit shorthanded with Aaron Jones (hamstring) and
Jordan Addison (suspension) both sidelined. Despite that, Wentz does offer some QB2 value against the spotty Cincinnati Bengals defense.
--Andy WebbSource: Will Ragatz
September 19, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden is now in line to be active for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos after veteran
Will Dissly (knee) was ruled out. The fifth-round pick out of Syracuse, who had a strong senior year with 73 catches for 934 yards and seven touchdowns, has been a healthy scratch for the first two weeks of the season. With Dissly out, Gadsden could get a chance to flash the potential he showed throughout the preseason. However, managers should be realistic with their expectations as the Chargers' tight ends have a league-low four total targets through two games. While fellow veteran
Tyler Conklin should see an uptick in opportunities, Gadsden's playing time and targets are a huge question mark. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Gadsden's utilization throughout the season.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
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