Fantasy Football Injury Updates: A.J. Green, Marcus Mariota, David Njoku affect Week 3 rankings

Billy Heyen

Fantasy Football Injury Updates: A.J. Green, Marcus Mariota, David Njoku affect Week 3 rankings image

The initial expectation was that A.J. Green would miss at least two weeks, so in this update, we check in on the Bengals' star and see if he's close to making his return. Elsewhere, Marcus Mariota is looking like an injury risk for Thursday Night Football, and David Njoku sustained a concussion on Monday Night Football. The Giants' WR corps remains beat up, as Sterling Shepard and Cody Latimer will both look to make it through concussion protocol this week. As fantasy football owners prep for waiver claims and then Week 3 start 'em, sit 'em decisions, be sure to catch up on the latest news right here.

We'll continue to update this post as news rolls in. You can find updates on injured QBs Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees by clicking here, and for news on banged-up RBs James Conner and Devin Singletary, go here. Get the latest on injured WRs DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, and Michael Gallup by going here. For all the latest news and fantasy updates, follow us on Twitter (@SN_Fantasy). 

WEEK 3 NON-PPR RANKINGS: 
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

When is A.J. Green going to play again?

The latest update on Green's health came last week, when he got out of his walking boot and ran on a treadmill. His preseason ankle injury still hasn't allowed him to get back onto the football field, meaning he's surely still a couple weeks away from returning.

Tyler Boyd is the nominal No. 1 with Green out, but it's been John Ross III who has shone in Green's absence. Ross has already exceeded his 2018 yardage total, putting up back-to-back 100-plus yard games to start the season. While Green is out, Ross and Boyd remain solid WR3s.

MORE WEEK 3: Waiver wire pickups | FAAB planner | Snap counts

Marcus Mariota injury news

The Titans didn't practice Monday ahead of their Thursday night game, but they're required to submit an estimated injury report and Mariota was listed as 'Did Not Participate.' At the start of a short week, that can't bode well for the former Oregon star. Tuesday's report should tell a lot more. Ryan Tannehill is Mariota's backup.

(Update: Mariota practiced in full Tuesday.)

This isn't a passing attack to target in fantasy -- TE Delanie Walker might be the only player you want (and maybe Corey Davis). If Mariota is out and Tannehill plays, it shouldn't change much, but it certainly doesn't help heading into a meeting with a strong Jaguars defense.

MORE WEEK 3: Waiver wire pickups

David Njoku injury update

Njoku sustained a concussion on Monday Night Football after being upended and landing awkwardly on the back of his helmet. The Browns turn around to play Sunday night in Week 3, so Njoku will have a quick timeline to attempt to clear concussion protocol.

Demetrius Harris was the tight end who checked in for Njoku immediately following the injury, and he got a catch on the first play he was in. He'd be nothing more than a desperation play, but at least the Browns are a conceptually good offense, so if you're a deep-league owner with Njoku, Harris could be an option.

WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end

Sterling Shepard, Cody Latimer concussion updates

Shepard missed Sunday's game due to concussion while Latimer left midway after sustaining a head injury of his own. Neither has cleared concussion protocol, and both look like they'll shape up to be late-week decisions ahead of Sunday's late-afternoon game in Tampa. 

Bennie Fowler led Giants WRs in targets Sunday, and he'd be an interesting FLEX play against a shaky Buccaneers defense if both Shepard and Latimer were out. We'd also expect the Giants to even more heavily than usual involve Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram in that scenario.

Billy Heyen