Week 3 injury roundup: Barkley, Bowers, Flowers among fantasy names to watch
The short version
- Saquon Barkley finished Week 2 despite a neck stinger but may see fewer snaps in Week 3.
- Sam Darnold is expected to return to practice Wednesday after a hip/glute injury.
- Brock Bowers is in line to make his season debut after knee surgery kept him out of the first two games.
- Nico Collins is expected to miss about two weeks with a hamstring injury suffered in practice.
- Bears QB situation is unsettled with Caleb Williams nursing a hamstring injury and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol.
A look at the key injury situations affecting fantasy lineups heading into Week 3, from Saquon Barkley's neck stinger to Brock Bowers' expected season debut.
Injuries are shaping fantasy decisions across the NFL heading into Week 3. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley sat out the first half of Sunday's game with a neck stinger, then returned wearing a neck roll and finished the contest. His availability looks promising, though his snap count could drop as Tank Bigsby and Jordan Shipley take on more work.
The Seattle Seahawks expect quarterback Sam Darnold back at practice Wednesday after a hip/glute injury ended his season opener after just five snaps. Drew Lock has played well in relief, but Darnold is in line to start against Washington if he is near full health. Chicago's quarterback situation is murkier: Caleb Williams is unlikely to practice this week with a hamstring injury, though coach Ben Johnson has not ruled him out for Monday night, while backup Tyson Bagent is in concussion protocol. Third-stringer Case Keenum currently appears most likely to start.
At running back, Pittsburgh's Rico Dowdle avoided serious damage after testing revealed no significant harm from a toe injury that saw him carted off Sunday. Jaylen Warren is still expected to handle most of the backfield snaps against Cincinnati. In Baltimore, wide receiver Zay Flowers sat out Week 2 with a hamstring issue, and a full Wednesday practice would put him on track to face Dallas.
Houston wideout Nico Collins missed Sunday's game with the hamstring injury he suffered in practice last week and remains on a two-week timetable, leaving Dalton Schultz, Xavier Hutchinson and Kayshon Boutte to carry the passing game again. Buffalo Bills receiver DJ Moore is day-to-day with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder and will need to return to practice to have a chance to play this week.
Tight end Brock Bowers is poised to make his season debut for the Las Vegas Raiders after a knee cleanup procedure kept him out of the first two games. He returned to practice last week and should be ready to face the Saints.
