September 18, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Burrow (toe) is scheduled to have surgery on Friday if the swelling in his injured toe goes down, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Burrow will have a procedure to fix his Grade 3 turf-toe injury, according to sources. The surgery may be pushed back a few days. Once he goes under the knife, he'll be facing a three-month recovery. The Bengals are keeping the door open for the 28-year-old signal-caller to return this season, but if Burrow does make it back, it won't be until at least mid-December, leaving a small window for him to contribute for fantasy managers who make a run into the playoffs. In the meantime, backup
Jake Browning will lead Cincy's talented offense. Browning has the skills to be a serviceable QB streamer in fantasy with one of the best 1-2 punches at the receiver position in the league, but he's also no Joe Burrow.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 18, 2025
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that quarterback
Mac Jones' performance in the Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints "doesn't really affect" whether
Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) will play in Week 3 against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. Basically, when the Niners feel comfortable enough putting Purdy back out there, he'll be out there. Jones went 26-for-39 for 279 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in the 26-21 win over New Orleans, but make no mistake, there is no QB controversy in the Bay Area. Purdy is the starter once he recovers from turf-toe and shoulder injuries. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and has a chance to serve as Jones' backup this Sunday against Arizona. Jones will start at least one more game this weekend, where he'll be in play as a low-end QB in superflex leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Eric Branch
September 18, 2025
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said that quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) is "preparing mentally" on Thursday ahead of the Week 3 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday. "Marcus is taking the reps and Jayden is preparing mentally," Kingsbury said. When asked for a specific update on the health of Daniels, Kingsbury didn't have one, but he did say the team has full confidence in backup
Marcus Mariota. Daniels suffered a knee sprain in last Thursday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers and will not practice before Friday, at the earliest. While Washington hasn't ruled Daniels out this weekend, all signs point to them erring on the side of caution and holding him out. Fantasy managers should have already picked up a backup QB this week if Daniels was the only signal-caller on your roster going into the week.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Washington Post - Nicki Jhabvala
September 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka (hip, groin) is expected to practice on Thursday, despite not being available for the portion of practice open to the media. The Ohio State alum was tagged with a DNP to start the week of preparation, but it's good news that he'll be out there in some fashion the next day. Egbuka has paced all Buccaneers wideouts in snaps thus far, including running mate
Mike Evans, who he outsnapped 74-63 in their Week 2 win. It's unclear when exactly the rookie sustained his injuries, but as of now, they don't seem to threaten his status for the team's home meeting with the New York Jets on Sunday. That said, fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on the capacity in which he practices on Friday. He'll be a low-end WR2 with upside if he's active.
--Alex CiullaSource: Rick Stroud
September 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin (ankle) is making good progress after returning to practice last week, but those who ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has spoken to think a return in Week 3 against the New York Jets "might be ambiguous." Godwin returning next week against the Philadelphia Eagles, however, "feels like a real possibility." The 29-year-old suffered an ugly, season-ending dislocated ankle in Week 7 of last year and returned to the practice field for the first time last Thursday. He avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the season, so Godwin can return at any time once he's cleared. Fantasy managers stashing him in an IR spot have to be pleased by his progress, but make sure to temper expectations once he returns, especially since rookie first-rounder
Emeka Egbuka should remain a bit part of the team's passing attack all year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
September 18, 2025
New York 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. "It's very comforting as a coach," Engstrand said, regarding having a backup of the veteran's caliber. The journeyman signal-caller looked decent last weekend while working in teammate
Justin Fields' (concussion) stead, and there's an argument to be made that New York's receiving options get a bump with him in the lineup. Particularly, after Fields' dismal outing in Week 2. Fantasy managers can expect a good dose of the ground game in this weekend's road matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That is, unless opposing QB
Baker Mayfield elicits a shootout.
--Alex CiullaSource: Rich Cimini
September 18, 2025
Despite his lack of involvement early on, ESPN's Dan Graziano notes that Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver
Isaiah Bond has the potential to be a second-half breakout candidate in the 2025 season. Bond got a late start after dealing with sexual assault charges that were eventually dropped, so he's a bit further behind your typical rookie wideout at this point in their career. Any time missed in the early portion of a player's tenure could set them back, but the former Texas Longhorn has seemingly already surpassed second-year receiver
Jamari Thrash in the Browns' WR room. Cleveland's dearth of skill players could leave him with a low target floor on a weekly basis, though Bond boasts the most speed of the group. Expect things to be in flux for the Browns at some point, but Bond is worth keeping an eye on in deeper leagues and is an excellent stash in dynasty formats.
--Alex CiullaSource: Dan Graziano
September 18, 2025
ESPN's Dan Graziano notes that with the Kansas City Chiefs' lack of production regarding their rushing attack, it wouldn't be surprising to see running back
Brashard Smith see more opportunities. According to Graziano, the Chiefs view the SMU product more in a pass-catching role, and he could begin to see work there. Teammates
Isiah Pacheco and
Kareem Hunt have handled all but one of the backfield carries through two weeks, and have been nearly as inefficient in the receiving game as they've been on the ground. Graziano speculates that once Kansas City trusts Smith to handle the full extent of his responsibilities, he'll become a factor in the offense. Until then, he's difficult to trust for fantasy, but the rookie boasts the highest ceiling of the trio, and the Chiefs were "very impressed" with him in camp.
--Alex CiullaSource: Dan Graziano
September 18, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars running back
Bhayshul Tuten (shoulder) saw his snap share increase exponentially in their 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. With Jacksonville flipping former backfield mate
Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the week, playing time opened up behind starter
Travis Etienne Jr., and Tuten made his opportunities count. The 23-year-old was fourth in the pecking order during Week 1, playing behind rookie counterpart
LeQuint Allen Jr. In Week 2, however, Tuten outsnapped Allen Jr. 18-11 and out-touched him 10-2. Furthermore, the former looked explosive, displaying power and agility. Etienne Jr. is the back to own currently, but Tuten has made a case to be his handcuff and garner an increased role in the offense. The Jags' ground attack looks excellent right now, so he could be well on his way to making that happen. He'll be one to watch this Sunday in their matchup with Houston.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 18, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) is trending toward the wrong side of questionable heading into Week 3. Daniels suffered a knee sprain in the Week 2 loss to Green Bay, and while the team hasn't ruled him out, the signs aren't encouraging. Backup
Marcus Mariota handled Wednesday's press conference duties, which is a signal that the coaching staff may be preparing him to start. The Commanders are mindful of history, especially after the Robert Griffin III saga, where rushing a young ascending QB back from a knee injury ended poorly. Head coach Dan Quinn said that Daniels is not expected to practice until Friday, as he continues to rehab his knee. With a long season ahead and a winnable matchup against the Raiders, the team has every reason to play it safe. At this point, Daniels looks more likely to sit than to suit up in Week 3.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
September 18, 2025
Houston Texans running back
Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) may not carry much fantasy relevance in 2025. The veteran is coming off a strong 2024 campaign in which he finished inside the top 10 in rushing yards per game and ranked as the RB8 in half-PPR formats. But Mixon has yet to play this season due to a foot/ankle injury, and many have speculated whether Mixon will even play this season. In his absence,
Nick Chubb has stepped in as the lead back. Chubb has looked revitalized after last year's knee injury, currently ranking 20th in rushing yards and 12th in yards before contact. With Chubb producing, a committee approach likely on the horizon, and Houston's offensive line struggling, Mixon's fantasy outlook looks bleak, even if he does return later in the year.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 18, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals tight end
Mike Gesicki has quickly lost his fantasy relevance in 2025. After a bounce-back 2024 season in which he posted his best numbers since 2021, Gesicki's role has diminished with the arrival of free-agent addition
Noah Fant. The two have been splitting snaps (Gesicki 44%, Fant 37%), while blocking specialist
Drew Sample continues to factor into the rotation. With
Joe Burrow expected to miss most of the season, the Bengals' passing attack takes a major hit, further sinking Gesicki's outlook. Between the reduced snap share and a backup quarterback in the lineup, Gesicki should be ranked outside the top 30 fantasy tight ends and is safe to drop in most formats.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 18, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Keandre Lambert-Smith saw his role disappear in Week 2. The fifth-round pick flashed throughout training camp and preseason, with fans pushing for him to earn snaps alongside the starters. However, Lambert-Smith made a costly mistake lining up offside, negating a
Ladd McConkey first down. After that, he was benched and didn't play another snap for the rest of the game. With the Chargers facing a tough Week 3 matchup against the Broncos' elite secondary, Lambert-Smith's path to meaningful targets remains unclear. For now, he should stay off the fantasy radar until he proves he can carve out a consistent role in the offense.
--Nathan HarveySource: Bolt Beat
September 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wideout
Tez Johnson could finally get his chance to make an impact this week. The former Oregon Duck has seen just one target so far and was a healthy scratch in Week 2, while first-round pick
Emeka Egbuka has commanded most of the spotlight in Tampa's passing attack. However, with Egbuka nursing a groin injury and not participating in practice on Wednesday, Johnson may find a path to meaningful snaps. The Buccaneers face the Jets this week, a defense that struggled in Week 1 to contain Pittsburgh's
Calvin Austin III, who is another undersized but explosive receiver with a skill set similar to Johnson's. While Johnson remains off the fantasy radar for now, a strong showing could put him back on the map as a rookie to monitor for deeper leagues.
--Nathan HarveySource: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
September 18, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver
Xavier Restrepo could be elevated from the practice squad this week. The undrafted free agent out of Miami has prior chemistry with Titans quarterback and No. 1 overall pick
Cam Ward, generating plenty of buzz during training camp. While Restrepo initially landed on the practice squad, an injury to wideout
Bryce Oliver (knee) has opened the door for him to see game action against the Indianapolis Colts. If Restrepo can translate his rapport with Ward onto the field, he could work his way into a larger role and become a name to monitor for fantasy managers later in the season.
--Nathan HarveySource: Tennessee Titans
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