Player

Injury

Expected Return/Update

Stock Risers/Fallers

Maurice Jones-Drew (RB)

Ankle (tendon sprain

Questionable for Week 3:

Right now all we know is MJD is questionable for Sunday.  There was mention of him feeling “looseness” in his ankle.  That isn’t something MJD owners want to hear.

Justin Forsett (RB).  Jordan Todman (RB).  If MJD happens to miss Sunday’s game, these will be his primarily replacements.  Neither is anything worth getting excited about, and they are vs. a Seattle defense that is sure to keep them in check.  They both should be available on the waiver wire, but aren’t worthy of a pickup at this point.

Ray Rice (RB)

Left Hip-Flexor

Questionable for Week 3:

These types of injuries can be tricky, but Rice didn’t even go for an MRI, so that’s good news.  If he is a go, the Ravens may limit his carries.

Bernard Pierce (RB).  Pierce is no doubt the main beneficiary of any Rice injury, but he is also already taken in your league (should be).  If you are a Rice owner without Pierce, this is the wake-up call needed to go out and acquire the talented backup. 

Eddie Lacy (RB)

Concussion

Doubtful for Week 3:

The Packers don’t believe there is a long-term concern with Lacy, but Week 3 seems to be in doubt.

James Starks (RB). Starks already made is value shown in Week 2 and now has a chance to add to it.  Anyone looking for a plug and play should add him.  Lacy owners need to view Starks as a handcuff worth grabbing.

Andre Johnson (WR)

Concussion

Questionable for Week 3:

This would be a big loss for the Texans, but he has shown positive signs so far this week.  There is a chance he could suit up for Week 3.  In fact, there seems to be more positive buzz over that thought, but we won’t know for sure until at least Friday.

DeAndre Hopkins (WR).  Matt Schaub (QB).  It isn’t too difficult to conclude that Hopkins is immediately a WR3 if Johnson misses any time.  Schaub on the other hand would miss A.J. a great deal and his QB2 status would certainly suffer.

Roddy White (WR)

Ankle (sprain)

Probable, but limited for Week 3:

White played in about 50% of the snaps this past Sunday and was really no help to fantasy owners.  It may be best to sit him on the bench until he is healthy again.

Julio Jones (WR). Harry Douglas (WR).  Julio Jones will be getting plenty of targets with White not at full speed.  He could be a top 5 WR each week.  Douglas will see an increase in snaps and targets, but is likely to only be useful in deeper leagues.

Brandon Weeden (QB)

Thumb

Questionable for Week 3:

At this point, I would say Weeden sits in Week 3.  I would also say at this point that it doesn’t affect your quarterback situation.

Greg Little (WR).  Josh Gordon (WR).  Jordan Cameron (TE).  Trent Richardson (RB).  You could list every player on the Browns as a faller here (including possible QB fill-in Jason Campbell), but let’s keep this manageable.  Trent Richardson’s role could see more carries, but it isn’t as if Weeden should have prevented that in the first place.  So I see a neutral effect on Richardson in this case.  Out of the three players listed above, Cameron will be hurt the most.  He has been productive in the first two weeks and a quarterback change (to a worse QB) is not going to help him put up better numbers.

Steven Jackson (RB)

Thigh

Doubtful for Week 3:

It didn’t seem serious, but now reports are coming out that S-JAX might miss 2-4 weeks.  He has had issues with soft tissue in the past, so be ready to live without Jackson for at least a couple of weeks

Jacquizz Rodgers (RB).  Jason Snelling (RB).  Rodgers would be the starter in a situation where S-JAX doesn’t play, but he has yet to show much of anything in his career.  Snelling would handle the goal line carries in most situations.  This could get ugly for fantasy owners, but I can see Rodgers being useful in PPR leagues as a spot FLEX play.

Reggie Bush (RB)

Everything Left Knee

Questionable for Week 3:

Two weeks in, and Bush is already feeling the wear and tear of the NFL season.  The MRI was clean, and the knee problem doesn’t sound serious, but the aches and pains are starting to add up.  He made this last week because of other issues.

Joique Bell (RB).  Bell is likely unavailable in your league, but Bush owners should try to acquire his services one way or another.  Much like with Bernard Pierce, the best time to deal for your necessary handcuffs is when your main guy is healthy.  So to get the right price, Bush needs to be healthy and keep Bell on the sidelines in Week 3.

Malcom Floyd (WR)

Neck

Doubtful for Week 3:

It doesn’t sound good, but Floyd will receive further testing.  It sounds as if he will be out for Week 3.

Vincent Brown (WR).  Eddie Royal (WR).  Keenan Allen (WR).   Brown has been a disappointment so far, so maybe he can take advantage of a Floyd absence.  Allen will see an increase in playing time, but he isn’t fantasy relevant as of yet.