Cam Newton's Week 3 status looks in heavy doubt for fantasy owners, but he's not the only player at risk of missing Week 3, as David Njoku will be out and DeSean Jackson looks doubtful. Jackson's teammate, Alshon Jeffery, looks like a greater mystery for how he'll affect Week 3 rankings. Staying in NFC East WR rooms, Sterling Shepard looks ready to clear concussion protocol and come back just in time for Daniel Jones' first NFL start and cause some start 'em, sit 'em drama for fantasy owners.
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WEEK 3 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Will Cam Newton play Week 3?
The NFL Network report from Wednesday evening suggested that Cam Newton is "trending" toward not playing Week 3. It also said Newton was in a walking boot as of Wednesday night. Newton didn't practice Thursday, either. After dealing with a mid-foot sprain in the preseason and aggravating it in Week 2, Newton looks like he'll miss out in favor of Kyle Allen for the Panthers game in Arizona.
Newton was already a shaky play for Week 3 after how poor he looked in Week 2, but the Cardinals are a friendly matchup for a passer. Allen threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns in 2018 Week 17, so he could be a sneaky DFS play at the minimum price on DraftKings. Given how poorly Newton has played this year, it's unlikely this will affect Carolina's pass-catchers much, if at all, but a slight downgrade might be in order.
Week 3 DFS Lineups:
FD cash | FD GPP | DK cash | DK GPP | Y! cash | Y! GPP
Alshon Jeffery injury update
Eagles coach Doug Pederson called both Jeffery and DeSean Jackson "day-to-day" when speaking with reporters Wednesday. Jeffery is dealing with a calf injury and is listed as questionable on the week's first injury report. Jeffery was unable to return on Sunday night after leaving very early in the Eagles' Week 2 game.
At least the Eagles play early on Sunday so fantasy owners won't have to drag out their decisions. A home matchup with the Lions could bode well for the Eagles offense, so Jeffery is a borderline WR2/WR3 play if he's active. If not, expect JJ Arcega-Whiteside and/or Mack Hollins to get more snaps and targets while Nelson Agholor takes on a lead wide receiver role in the Philly passing attack.
MORE WEEK 3: Snap counts | Sleepers | Busts
Is DeSean Jackson out for Week 3?
Jackson was also called day-to-day Wednesday by Pederson, but NFL Network had reported Tuesday that Jackson is expected to miss both Philly's Week 3 game and their following Thursday night game in Week 4. Jackson is listed as doubtful on the Eagles' initial Week 3 injury report due to his groin injury.
(Update: NFL Network reported it'd be a "really good outcome" if Jeffery and Jackson play Week 5.)
Based on the reports, Jackson looks like more of a sure-thing absence for Sunday and you should definitely plan on playing someone in his place. If both Jeffery and Jackson are out, Arcega-Whiteside or Hollins would both be decent starts in their place, but if only one is out, Agholor is probably the only potential waiver-wire pickup from Philly to fill-in in a fantasy lineup.
MORE WEEK 3 DFS: Stacks | Top values | Lineup Builder
Sterling Shepard concussion update
Shepard missed Week 2 due to a concussion, but he's expected to clear concussion protocol in time to suit up for a Week 3 game in Tampa Bay, according to SNY. With Golden Tate still suspended and other Giants' wideouts battling injury, Shepard would step right back in as New York's No. 1 WR.
Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram both remain ahead of Shepard in the offensive pecking order, though, and we're not sure what to expect from Daniel Jones in his first NFL start. Shepard probably only works as a desperation FLEX play this week against a Bucs defense that's been surprisingly good against the pass.
MORE: Is Daniel Jones a fantasy sleeper?
How long is David Njoku out?
Multiple reports Wednesday night said Njoku broke his wrist in addition to suffering a concussion on the play that knocked him out of Monday's game. Surgery for the wrist injury is expected to keep him out for a month, pushing Demetrius Harris into the Browns' starting TE spot.
Harris shouldn't have much fantasy value except in deep leagues as an Njoku replacement. Maybe the TE's absence will get Jarvis Landry going in Cleveland since it's been a very slow start for Landry in the Odell Beckham Jr. era in Cleveland.