September 19, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert looked sharp in Monday night's 20-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He completed 19 of 27 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 31 rushing yards on nine carries. Herbert has appeared poised and confident through two weeks, and he'll need to stay on his game against a tough Denver Broncos defense. While the Broncos have elite talent, they just allowed 29 points to the Indianapolis Colts. Although some analysts believe the Chargers may lean more on the run this week, Herbert's talent and recent performance still make him a strong start. RotoBaller projects him as QB7 this week, and he should be a top choice in all formats.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
September 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver
Jalen Royals (knee) is officially listed as questionable for his team's Week 3 matchup against the New York Giants. Royals has missed Kansas City's first two games of 2025 as he battles knee tendinitis, but he was able to log full practices on both Thursday and Friday heading into Week 3. A fourth-round pick out of Utah State, Royals was reportedly opening some eyes in camp before his knee started acting up. His role in the Chiefs' offense is unknown and may depend on the status of
Xavier Worthy (shoulder), who is also questionable to play in Week 3 due to a torn labrum. Even if he's able to play, Royals would likely be behind
Marquise Brown,
JuJu Smith-Schuster, and
Tyquan Thornton in the short term. However, the rookie could work into a bigger role as the season progresses. Royals is a name to monitor as a potential stash candidate in deep leagues.
--Will BradySource: Kansas City Chiefs
September 19, 2025
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has said that
Parker Romo will be the team's kicker in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, according to a team announcement. Romo took over for veteran kicker
Younghoe Koo in Week 2 after Koo missed a critical kick in Atlanta's season-opening loss. Koo remains on the active roster while Romo is on the practice squad, but that could be set to change at some point over the next few weeks. Romo came through in his first game for Atlanta last week, nailing all five of his field goal attempts and his lone extra-point try. The 28-year-old is a low-end starting kicker option in fantasy this week against Carolina.
--Will BradySource: Atlanta Falcons
September 19, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
D'Andre Swift (quad) is questionable to play in his team's Week 3 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys due to a quad injury, according to Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune. Swift has dominated snaps at running back so far this year for Chicago, logging 134 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 35 total touches. If Swift were to miss Week 3, rookie running back
Kyle Monangai would likely be the lead back in Chicago, with
Roschon Johnson potentially working in as a short-yardage option. Monangai has recorded just 47 scrimmage yards on nine total touches through his first two games. Dallas' defense has struggled so far this season, so Monangai would potentially have some appeal as a flex option if called into action as Chicago's RB1.
--Will BradySource: Chicago Tribune - Sean Hammond
September 19, 2025
New York Giants wide receiver
Darius Slayton (groin, calf) will play in his team's week 3 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Slayton was limited in practice this week due to groin and calf issues, but will not carry an injury designation into the weekend. The 28-year-old has two catches for 61 yards on just four targets through his first two games of the season. Slayton appears to be firmly behind both
Malik Nabers and
Wan'Dale Robinson in the target pecking order among wide receivers in New York. Slayton should remain off the radar of fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
September 19, 2025
New York Giants running back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (calf) is "good to go" for his team's Week 3 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Tracy Jr. was limited in practice this week due to a calf issue, but will not carry an injury designation into Sunday. The 25-year-old is off to a slow start this season. Through two games, Tracy Jr. has recorded just 39 rushing yards on 15 carries, although he does have six catches for 47 yards. Tracy Jr. may be in danger of losing the early-down role in New York to rookie running back
Cam Skattebo, who had 11 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. Tracy Jr. profiles as an RB4/low-end deep-league flex play in Week 3.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
September 19, 2025
After missing Wednesday's practice and participating in a limited capacity on Thursday, Atlanta Falcons tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr. (toe) logged a full practice on Friday and is off the injury report ahead of a Week 3 divisional clash with the Carolina Panthers. Pitts' 11 receptions through two weeks are tied for the team lead with wide receiver
Drake London. In Carolina, Pitts faces the league's 31st-ranked defense against tight ends, a position they've struggled mightily to defend over the past year-plus, making him a viable starter at a position that many fantasy managers will spend the season streaming. However, given the Panthers' similar struggles against the running game, don't be surprised to see another heavy dose of
Bijan Robinson, while the bulk of the team's passing work could go to London, as the team attempts to get him over the early-season hump he's faced.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Tori McElhaney
September 19, 2025
After a week of limited practices, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was unwilling to give a definitive update on the Week 3 availability of second-year wide receiver
Xavier Worthy (shoulder). "We'll see how it goes," he told reporters on Friday. Worthy exited the Chiefs' season opener against the Chargers after only three snaps, having dislocated his shoulder in a collision with teammate
Travis Kelce. With presumed top receiver
Rashee Rice in the midst of his six-game suspension, Kansas City is looking for an offensive spark following a 0-2 start to the season. Given his game-breaking speed, if Worthy is able to play on Sunday night against the Giants, even if on a pitch count, his presence should serve to open things up underneath for Travis Kelce and a Chiefs' running game that has failed to generate any momentum early in the year.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Nate Taylor
September 19, 2025
Indianapolis Colts tight end
Tyler Warren (toe) has been one of the most impressive rookies in the league through two weeks, but after missing Wednesday's practice with a toe injury, head coach Shane Steichen was non-committal about his Week 3 usage. "We'll see. We'll see how it goes," he told reporters asking about a potential snap count. Warren has been on the field for 119 snaps through two weeks, and he returned to practice on both Thursday and Friday, so all signs point to him seeing his full allotment of snaps. Warren leads a surprising Colts offense in targets, receptions, and yards, though he has yet to break through for a touchdown. In a fantasy season that once again has provided few reliable options at the tight end position, he is a must-start for any game he's active.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Kevin Bowen
September 19, 2025
In speaking with reporters on Friday, Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson was effusive in his praise of second-year wide receiver
Rome Odunze. Johnson was quick to point out Odunze's contributions in the run game and his ability to separate, along with his athleticism and catch radius, labeling the ninth pick of the 2024 draft a "complete receiver". After a relatively quiet rookie season, Odunze has looked every bit the part of an alpha-receiver through the first two games of 2025, coming off the best game of his career, in which he caught seven of ten targets for 128 yards and two scores. The Bears face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 in a game with one of the highest projected point totals of the week. Given the commendation heaped upon him by his coach, expect Odunze to see continued involvement in the passing game, making him a must-start.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Chris Emma
September 19, 2025
For the first time since arriving in Green Bay, Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons (back) does not appear on the team's injury report. The Packers acquired the All-Pro pass rusher from the Cowboys in a deal that sent defensive lineman Kenny Clark and two first-round picks to Dallas, and for the first time since leaving the Big D, Parsons is expected to see a full slate of snaps in Week 3. Through two weeks, Parsons has seen the field on just over 55% of the Packers' defensive snaps, racking up two sacks in limited action. The Packers have been one of the most dominant defensive units through two weeks, making an unencumbered Parsons a scary proposition for a Cleveland offensive line that has surrendered 35 pressures through two weeks. Green Bay's DST remains a must-start in Week 3, while
Joe Flacco,
Jerry Jeudy, and Cleveland's entire passing game should be left on the bench in a game that could get ugly.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Adam Schefter
September 19, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that quarterback
Joe Burrow (toe) had successful surgery on his toe on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Burrow had surgery for Grade 3 turf toe that he suffered in the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he will be facing a three-month recovery. Joe Cool will basically miss most, if not all, of Cincy's season, which is obviously a major blow for the Bengals and anyone who spent an early-round pick on Burrow in fantasy drafts. Depending on how his recovery goes, he could make a return in mid-to-late December. But by that time, fantasy teams could be well out of contention for a trophy at the end of the year. We should have a better idea of Burrow's timeline for a potential return once he actually starts the rehab process.
Jake Browning will now take over Cincy's offense and will be in play as a decent QB2 streamer in the right matchups.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 19, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) has officially been ruled out for Week 3 on Sunday against the visiting New York Jets, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Although Wirfs will have to wait at least one more week to make his 2025 debut, the 26-year-old made more progress and was able to get in some limited practices this week. If Wirfs can upgrade to a full practice session at some point next week, he may be cleared to make his season debut for a Week 4 showdown against the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles. Getting Wirfs back on the offensive line would be a big boost for quarterback
Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense. Tampa's offensive line has been pretty beat up in the early going.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
September 19, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said that wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. (wrist) had a better week "in terms of the way we were trying to connect" and is excited for Thomas' opportunity against the division-rival Houston Texans on Sunday, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN. Thomas said, "I'm good." There was some question about his Week 3 status when he went from a full practice on Wednesday to limited on Thursday, but apparently, the 22-year-old second-year pass-catcher is ready to rock this weekend against Houston. Thomas has been a disappointment through two games in 2025 after going for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in his rookie campaign, and the Jags have spread the ball around so far. He does have 19 targets through two weeks, but the efficiency has not been there, with only five grabs for 60 yards. Fantasy managers are hoping this will be the week Thomas breaks out.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
September 19, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin (ankle) has officially been ruled out for the Week 3 game on Sunday against the New York Jets, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Godwin is not ready to make his 2025 debut after suffering an ugly dislocated ankle in Week 7 of 2024, but he returned to practice for the first time last week and made more progress this week, suggesting that he could return in a Week 4 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 29-year-old will probably have to upgrade to a full practice at some point next week for that to happen, though, and for fantasy purposes, he'll be extremely risky whenever he makes his debut, especially when considering how good rookie first-rounder
Emeka Egbuka has been so far. Fantasy managers stashing Godwin are going to need to stay patient, and his overall ceiling and floor figures to be impacted by the presence of Egbuka all year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
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