Early-season quarterback injuries are generally something that doesn't worry fantasy football owners as much as at other positions, but that was different on Sunday. Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger both left their games with injuries to their throwing arms -- Brees to his hand and Roethlisberger to his elbow. Neither QB, both of whom have shown an unwillingness to come out of games in the past, was able to return. With Week 3 rankings and waiver wire preparation already underway, fantasy owners need the latest updates on when Brees and Roethlisberger are expected to return.
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WEEK 3 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
How long will Drew Brees be out?
Brees injured his throwing hand when a follow through made contact with Aaron Donald's hand on Sunday in L.A, and the Saints QB didn't play a snap after that point. Brees stayed behind last night and visited a hand specialist, and NFL Network reported Monday morning that Brees is "looking at missing some game time."
The Fox broadcast showed Drew Brees trying to grip a football moments ago. It didn't go well. #Saints pic.twitter.com/tKsXy5cWIV
— Sporting News Fantasy (@sn_fantasy) September 15, 2019
The Saints offense couldn't manage a touchdown with Teddy Bridgewater in relief Sunday, but that's who will be slated to take the ball as a starter as long as Brees is out. Bridgewater might be worth an add in two-QB leagues to see if a week of preparation can make a difference. The rest of the Saints' skill-position players -- mainly, Michael Thomas. Alvin Kamara, and Jared Cook -- take a hit if it looks like New Orleans can't move the ball without Brees. Thomas and Kamara are still must-starts, but Cook will be a matchup-based option. We also wouldn't be surprised to see Taysom Hill get increased run at QB at some point, and he'd have two-QB intrigue because of his running ability.
If you have Brees and need a backup, Matthew Stafford (@ Eagles), Josh Allen (vs. Bengals), and Jimmy Garoppolo (vs. Steelers) are all owned in fewer than 41 percent of Yahoo leagues and have good matchups next week. Stafford and Allen should be able to handle multiple weeks in your starting lineup if need be.
MORE WEEK 3: Waiver wire pickups
Ben Roethlisberger injury update
Roethlisberger suffered an injury to his throwing elbow on Sunday and missed the second half. A decision is expected Monday on whether Roethlisberger will need elbow surgery, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The injury didn't look good on the broadcast, as there was no contact involved and Roethlisberger winced and held his elbow after multiple throws before exiting in favor of Mason Rudolph.
This looked way too much like a baseball pitcher's serious elbow injury for owners to feel good about Roethlisberger's outlook. Rudolph went 12-of-19 in relief with two touchdown passes and could also be worth a swing in two-QB leagues. It's still a downgrade for JuJu Smith-Schuster, though. Maybe Rudolph starting could finally boost James Washington into the prominence we've been hoping for, as they played together at Oklahoma State and had a good connection during the preseason.
Once again, Stafford, Allen, and Garoppolo are your best bets if you need a replacement in Week 3 and beyond.