Backup Tight Ends and Depth Receivers Lead Unexpected Week 3 TD Wave

Jeremy Ruckert, Eric Saubert and Foster Moreau were among the little-used tight ends scoring across Sunday's Week 3 slate, while several stars were held out of the end zone.

The Sunday slate in Week 3 of the NFL season featured an uncommon wave of touchdowns from backup tight ends and fringe receivers. Several of the players who scored carried a zero percent roster rate in Yahoo fantasy leagues at kickoff, a sign of how far outside the spotlight they began the day.

The New York Jets produced two of them in their game against the Lions. First-round pick Kenyon Sadiq delivered the strongest game of his young career, catching seven of eight targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. With Omar Cooper Jr., Adonai Mitchell and Mason Taylor unavailable, tight end Jeremy Ruckert caught all four of his targets for 34 yards and a score. Garrett Wilson still led the way for Geno Smith's offense with 10 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.

In Washington, the Commanders edged the defending champion Seahawks 33-31 while playing without quarterback Jayden Daniels, turning to Marcus Mariota instead. The defeat handed Seattle its first loss after a 2-0 start, with Sam Darnold back at quarterback for the Seahawks.

Seattle's passing game produced its own surprises. Jaxon Smith-Njigba reached the end zone twice on a heavy dose of targets, yet backup tight end Eric Saubert also scored while AJ Barner managed five catches for 69 yards. Cooper Kupp got his first touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter on a play where Smith-Njigba drew triple coverage. Terry McLaurin and Treylon Burks scored for Washington, Stefon Diggs added four catches for 33 yards, and Burks had appeared set for a far larger role before Diggs arrived.

Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes as Pittsburgh faced Cincinnati, though not to the receivers most expected. DK Metcalf caught one of them but finished with only a few receptions for 17 yards, while Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek hauled in the others. Michael Pittman Jr., acquired in a trade to be Rodgers' primary target, was quiet in his return after sitting out Week 2. Pat Freiermuth managed three catches for 30 yards, while Darnell Washington had three for 67, including a 47-yard gain.

Miami lost running back De'Von Achane early in the Dolphins' game against Kansas City to a knee injury the report described as serious. Ollie Gordon II scored on the same drive and finished with 17 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown, adding three receptions against the Chiefs.

Elsewhere, Jacksonville's Josh Cameron caught his second touchdown of the season while teammate Brian Thomas Jr. remained without one. Carolina's John Metchie III added a late score in a game the Panthers spent most of the day struggling against Cleveland. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker combined for four catches on nine targets for 35 yards for the Panthers.

Houston closed out the theme. One week after catching 12 passes for 140 yards in a game Nico Collins missed, Texans tight end Dalton Schultz managed three receptions for 30 yards against Indianapolis. Backup tight end Foster Moreau caught a touchdown instead.