Welcome to the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 3 Injury Impact article.
For the past two weeks, we have been going through hell (pardon my language). In Week 1, we lost multiple players for the year (Aaron Rodgers, J.K. Dobbins). In Week 2, we lost one player for the year (Nick Chubb). Let's also mention that we have been without Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, and Saquon Barkley. That's just naming a few (star) players.
Does this mean we will have zero in Week 3? Is it possible we caught a break?
The answer to that is no.
It looks like we have lost another player for the year (potentially). Mike Williams came down with a knee injury. Derek Carr looks to have avoided a serious shoulder injury. Plus, we saw some players leave the game and not return.
On the bright side, we are getting Alvin Kamara back next week. We should also see the return of a few fantasy studs as well (Kupp and Jonathan Taylor).
To find out the impact of these injuries (mentioned above), continue reading the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 3 Injury Impact article.
2023 Fantasy Football Week 3 Injury Impact
Well, Damn!
Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (Knee)
Mike Williams (8/7-121-1, 26 FPTS) was having a fantastic fantasy performance. Unfortunately, tragedy struck.
Mike Williams went down with an apparent knee injury. The severity of this injury is unknown at this time, but it doesn't look great. He was carted off the field with a towel over his head (this is never good). I hate to say it, but I'm expecting the worst (torn ACL). Let's hope for the best, shall we?
Rap: Mike Williams feared to have suffered potential season-ending knee injury.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 25, 2023
Anyway, we must move on. What exactly will this injury impact?
Well, to start, it opens the door (wide) open for Quentin Johnston (3/2-10, 3 FPTS). He should see an uptick in snaps () and targets (3). You can take a shot at him with a waiver claim. The same can be said for Joshua Palmer (7/-66-1, 16 FPTS). I would lean more toward Palmer for now.
I shouldn't have to state the obvious, but Keenan Allen (20/18-215- 1 pass TD, 45 FPTS) should continue to thrive. He is a top-five WR for the rest of the season.
Gone For A Gaggle Of Weeks
Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints (Shoulder)
The Saints should have and would have won that game if Derek Carr was in at the end.
In what could've been a serious injury, Derek Carr (13/18-109 1-0) escaped with just a (possible) AC sprain. Expect him to miss a couple of weeks. This thrusts Jameis Winston (10/16-101 0-0) into the starting spot. It's best to leave Jameis Winston on the waiver wire.
With Winston at the helm, don't be scared to start Olave (11/8-104-0). Michael Thomas (9/6-50-0, 11 FPTS) should still see a healthy amount of targets.
Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints (Hamstring)
Let's make this short and sweet.
Last week, Jamaal Williams left the game with a hamstring injury. He was put on injured reserve, putting him out for a gaggle of weeks.
Tony Jones benefitted from this, as did Kendre Miller(). That production should come to a screeching halt in Week 4. (THE) Alvin Kamara returns next week. He may look rusty in the first game, but make no mistake about this, Kamara will see a ton of touches (averaged 18.6 touches/game in 2022).
With Kamara inbound, expect to see a slight decline for the pass-catchers. There is nothing to worry about with them for now. You can start Chris Olave as a WR2 all day, and Michael Thomas is a solid flex option.
Monitor These
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens (Hamstring)
The oft-injured Bateman (3/1-6-0) finds himself on the brink of missing time (again). He left the game with a hamstring injury and did not return. This is nothing new in Bateman's world. In fact, this is nothing new for the Baltimore Ravens. They can't escape the injury bug.
Rashod Bateman (averaging 3 targets/game) wasn't making an impact, so this won't change anything. I suppose Nelson Agholor (4/4-39-0) should see targets. Zay Flowers, who must be mentioned, should be started (flex) in all leagues.
Dare I say it? Zay Flowers could be the top option in this offense now. He, who must not be named, found himself garnering 10 targets (team-high). Flowers caught eight (team-high) of those for 48 yards (team-high) and zero touchdowns. The yards/touchdowns will come, we can't pass up this volume.
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Carolina Panthers (Concussion)
Jonathan Mingo (6/3-21-0) was ruled out with a concussion. I don't expect him to play in Week 4, although you weren't playing him anyway. This just means more targets for Thielen (14/11-145-1, 31 FPTS), Chark (11/4-86-1, 18 FPTS), Marshall (8/5-35-0, 8 FPTS), and even Miles Sanders (9/5-38-0).
Thielen is becoming starter-worthy, and Marshall/Chark could be waiver options (deeper leagues).
Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens (Concussion)
As I stated above, the Ravens are going through it right now. Another week, another injury for a Ravens' RB. Gus Edwards (11-51-0, 5 FPTS) went down with a concussion and did not return.
As with most concussions, expect him to miss a week. This puts Melvin Gordon (10-32-0, 2/2-23-0, 7 FPTS) as the starting running back. Yes! You read that correctly. Melvin Gordon is back baby.
Just kidding, don't start him. If you are in a deeper league, pick him up. The same can be said for Kenyan Drake (1-0-0, 3/2-31-0, 5 FPTS). Once again, welcome to the Lamar as a lead-back show. He rushed the ball 14 times (most on the team) for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
That should do it for the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 3 Injury Impact article. See you in Week 4.
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