Have quarterback woes come for your team, too? The injury bug claimed Aaron Rodgers in Week 1 and then followed up with an encore performance that included Joe Burrow and Anthony Richardson in Week 2. It's been a whirlwind thus far, leaving teams across the league and fantasy owners in a state of flux. How should you proceed ahead of Week 3?
Fortunately, unlike an NFL team, fantasy owners can survive without their QB1. You might lose a little bit of your ceiling, but there are enough decent backups out there to ensure you have a fighting chance every week. That's where we come in.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these QBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect your lineup in Week 3. For news on banged-up RBs Aaron Jones, Austin Ekeler, Isiah Pacheco, Justice Hill, Jamaal Williams, and Kenneth Gainwell, go here; for the latest on injured WRs Jaylen Waddle, Christian Watson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, DK Metcalf, and more, click here.
WEEK 3 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Joe Burrow injury update, Week 3 fantasy outlook
An offseason calf injury threatened the start of Burrow’s 2023 season, but after being under center in Weeks 1 and 2, the issue has reappeared. Burrow tweaked his calf toward the end of the Bengals’ Week 2 loss to the Ravens, and Cincinnati now has to hold its collective breath as their star quarterback is in danger of missing time with the team sitting at 0-2. The nightmare start to the season was compounded when NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that Burrow likely won’t be at 100 percent for some time. However, Burrow’s status for Week 3 could improve thanks to receiving an extra day of rest as a result of the Bengals’ Monday night matchup against the Rams. Expect him to be a game-time decision ahead of Monday night. If he can’t go, Jake Browning would get the start as the team’s only other quarterback on the roster.
WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
If Burrow plays, that is great news for the Bengals' skill position players. We don’t know what we’d get from Browning, but it’s safe to say that there would be an adjustment period. If he sits, though, that would sound the alarms for the Cincinnati offense, capping what was once a high ceiling. Browning would likely lean on the team’s stars, but this explosive offense is still clearly in a funk. If you roster any of Cincinnati’s top playmakers, you’re starting then anyway and hoping for the best. For Burrow owners, if you need a replacement then hit up the waiver wire for Matthew Stafford (@ Bengals) or Baker Mayfield (vs. Eagles), who both play on Monday night this week.
WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Anthony Richardson injury update, Week 3 fantasy outlook
Richardson remains in concussion protocol after taking a big hit and slamming his head on the turf in Sunday’s win over the Texans. The rookie was off to a good start in the game, rewarding Colts fans and fantasy owners with yet another dazzling performance, this time scoring two rushing touchdowns in the opening quarter. His day would end there after he reported concussion-like symptoms, leaving his status for Week 3 in doubt. Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Wednesday that the quarterback didn’t practice due to being in the protocol. Until he clears it, Richardson will remain sidelined. He has a few more cracks at it this week, but it appears safe to assume that Gardner Minshew is in line for his first start of the season.
WEEK 3 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Anyone with Richardson on their roster has hopefully figured out a backup plan. The former Florida star has been banged up in each of the first two weeks, with no regard for protecting his body. It hasn’t taken long for the hits to add up. If Richardson wants his career to be a long one, it starts with being more careful and avoiding those big collisions. For his fantasy owners' success, it starts with having another viable option in the event of a Richardson injury. If poking around the waiver wire is where you’re headed, consider options like Matthew Stafford (@ Bengals), Baker Mayfield (vs. Eagles), or C.J. Stroud (@ Jaguars) as worthy replacements. Otherwise, Minshew is one of the better backups in the league and undoubtedly the better passer between the Colts’ quarterbacks at this point, meaning we shouldn’t see much drop-off, if any at all, from the Indianapolis skill position players.
