Week 3 Essential NFL Practice News & Notes for Friday
Ravens QB Joe Flacco (illness, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. Flacco got a day off due to a cold, that’s all.
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III (ankle, out) has been ruled out for Week 3. Kirk Cousins gets the start. In four previous starts, he averaged 269 yards with 1.5 TD and 1.5 INT, which equates to QB17-type numbers. He’s a Sneaky Start this week against a shaky Eagles defense.
Rams QB Shaun Hill (thigh, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 3. Hill is supposedly the starter when healthy, but Austin Davis is expected to get the start against the Cowboys.
49ers QB Colin Kaepernick (back, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. This is a new injury, but the “probable” tag indicates that he’s good to go for a tough matchup with the Cardinals.
Cardinals QB Carson Palmer (right shoulder, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 3. With Palmer out, Drew Stanton gets another start. The 49ers are pretty stingy against the pass, so don’t expect much from the Arizona passing game this week. Stanton favored Larry Fitzgerald (10) over Michael Floyd (6) in Week 2.
Cowboys QB Tony Romo (back, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. Romo is ready to face the Rams, though the Cowboys have been more run-heavy so far this season.
Steelers RB Dri Archer (ankle, doubtful) took limited practice reps all week and is doubtful for Week 3.
Lions RB Joique Bell (knee, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. Bell is good to go for a tasty matchup against a porous Packer defense that has given up 4.8 YPC through two weeks.
Colts RB Ahmad Bradshaw (not injury related) took full practice reps again Friday. Bradshaw is ready to go for a nice matchup with the Jaguars.
Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles (ankle, questionable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 3. Charles is looking like a game-time decision for Sunday. Complicating matters, the Chiefs play in the late round of games. Owners will have to be on their toes if we don’t know something definitive by Sunday morning.
Cardinals RB Jonathan Dwyer (not injury related) was removed from the injury report Friday. With Dwyer out, Jalen Parmale will apparently get the short-yardage/goal-line touches for the Cardinals.
Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (foot, probable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. Ellington is good to go for a tough matchup with the 49ers.
Texans RB Arian Foster (hamstring, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 3. Foster is expected to play, but Alfred Blue ran ahead of Jonathan Grimes in Week 2, so he would presumably take over as the Texans' RB2 if Foster is unable to play. The Texans play early on Sunday.
Jaguars RB Toby Gerhart (foot, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3. Gerhart will play, but he needs to be on the bench until the offense shows a pulse.
Chiefs RB Cyrus Gray (foot, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3.
Redskins RB Roy Helu (quadricep, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. Helu will resume his role as Alfred Morris’ primary backup.
49ers RB Carlos Hyde (calf, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3.
Saints RB Mark Ingram (hand, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 3. Ingram suffered the injury in the 1st half and played the rest of the game. He had surgery on his hand to put two screws above his thumb. Khiry Robinson gets a big bump, but Pierre Thomas and Brandin Cooks could also see a few extra touches to replace Ingram.
Jets RB Chris Johnson (ankle) took limited practice reps again Friday. Johnson should be fine for a nice matchup with the Bears defense that has trouble stopping the run.
Jaguars RB Storm Johnson (ankle, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3.
Raiders RB Maurice Jones-Drew (hand, questionable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 3. Jones-Drew seems headed towards being active for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.
Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (back, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. Lynch should be good to go for a Super Bowl rematch against the Broncos.
Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (knee, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 3. Mathews will reportedly miss 4-5 weeks with a sprained knee. Donald Brown takes over as the primary early down back, but Danny Woodhead will be plenty involved.
Titans RB Dexter McCluster (foot, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. McCluster should be good for a few touches again this week, much to the chagrin of Bishop Sankey owners.
Seahawks RB Christine Michael (hamstring, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3.
Dolphins RB Knowshon Moreno (elbow, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 3. Lamar Miller injured his ankle in Week 2, but he’s not on the injury report this week, so he’s in line for a big workload. The Chiefs are yielding 4.4 YPC through two games.
Ravens RB Bernard Pierce (thigh, questionable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 3. Pierce’s questionable tag means that he’s no sure thing to play through the thigh injury. Justin Forsett would likely see a big workload, though Lorenzo Taliaferro might start to see some touches in a change-of-pace role.
Cowboys RB Joseph Randle (concussion, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 3.
Browns RB Ben Tate (knee, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 3. Tate is not expected to play this week. The Browns have a Week 4 bye, so it’s possible he’ll be back in Week 5. Terrance West will continue to serve as the Browns’ RB1.
Chiefs RB De'Anthony Thomas (hamstring, out) missed practice again Friday and is out for Week 3. Thomas won’t make his return this week.
Panthers RB Mike Tolbert (chest, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3. Tolbert will once again be around to kill any upside for Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.
Patriots RB Shane Vereen (shoulder, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 3. Vereen is expected to play, but owners should have James White on speed dial. He’d likely be active if Vereen can’t play. Brandon Bolden is in the mix as well. One thing is for sure — Stevan Ridley looks like a great start against a very bad Oakland rush defense. The Pats play early on Sunday.
Panthers RB Fozzy Whittaker (thigh, doubtful) missed practice all week and is doubtful for Week 3.
Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (thigh, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 3. Williams is tentatively expected to play, and that kills any sleeper value that Jonathan Stewart had heading into Week 3. It was fun while it lasted.
Redskins RB Darrel Young (neck, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen (groin, questionable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 3. Allen should play against the Bills. Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal would get a bump if Allen can’t go, and the team would presumably want to get Ladarius Green on the field more in 12 personnel. The Chargers play in the early round of games.
Rams WR Tavon Austin (knee, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 3. Austin’s return to practice is no guarantee that he’ll play against the Cowboys.
Panthers WR Jason Avant (thigh, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice Thursday and is questionable for Week 3.
Giants WR Odell Beckham (hamstring, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 3. Beckham won’t play in Week 3. With Jerrel Jernigan out for the year, Preston Parker and Corey Washington will keep Beckham's spot in the lineup warm until his hamstring fully heals. Washington seems to have more upside, but Parker played ahead of him in Week 2.
Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin (knee, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. The “probable” tag means that Benjamin should be fine to face the Steelers.
Browns WR Travis Benjamin (knee, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3.
Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe (quadricep) was removed from the injury report Friday after taking full practice reps Thursday. Bowe should be fine for a not-so-great matchup against the Dolphins.
Cowboys WR Dez Bryant (shoulder, questionable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 3. Bryant is expected to play. The Cowboys play early on Sunday, so we should have plenty of notice if Bryant is a surprise inactive.
Steelers WR Martavis Bryant (shoulder, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3.
Panthers WR Jerricho Cotchery (thigh, questionable) missed practice Friday after taking limited reps Thursday and is questionable for Week 3.
Jets WR Eric Decker (hamstring) missed practice again Friday. Per HC Rex Ryan, Decker is expected to play, but we’re concerned. Owners who want to wait should pick up Jeremy Kerley (or David Nelson) as a Plan B.
Patriots WR Julian Edelman (back, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. Edelman is good to go for a matchup with the Raiders. He should continue to flourish, but if the game gets out of hand, he may not see much work in the second half.
Bengals WR A.J. Green (toe, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3. The “probable” tag is encouraging. Green should be in all lineups unless owners have a great option on the bench.
Chiefs WR Frankie Hammond (shoulder) was removed from the injury report Friday after taking full practice reps Thursday.
Dolphins WR Brian Hartline (back) was removed from the injury report Friday. Hartline was a top 30 option last year, but has yet to make much of an impact in 2014.
Chiefs WR Junior Hemingway (hip) was removed from the injury report Friday after taking full practice reps Thursday.
Colts WR T.Y. Hilton (groin, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. Hilton should be fine for a nice matchup against the Jaguars, but he’s been better at home than he’s been on the road.
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (illness, probable) returned to take full practice reps Friday after missing practice Thursday and is probable for Week 3. Hopkins is ready to go for the Giants. Thanks to a couple of touchdown receptions, Hopkins is the #19 WR in PPR formats thus far.
Eagles WR Josh Huff (shoulder, doubtful) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is doubtful for Week 3.
Jaguars WR Allen Hurns (ankle, probable) took full practice reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3. Hurns may start alongside Cecil Shorts with rookie Allen Robinson rotating in.
Redskins WR DeSean Jackson (shoulder, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 3. We’re expecting Jackson to play and be extra juiced to stick it to his old team.
Bears WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) took limited practice reps again Friday. Jeffery did not aggravate his injury against the 49ers, so he should be fine to face the Jets. Don’t expect him to be 100 percent, however.
Texans WR Andre Johnson (ankle, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. AJ is ready for a matchup with the Giants.
Bengals WR Marvin Jones (foot, out) has been ruled out for Week 3. Jones is supposed to return in Week 5, so owners in need of WR help might want to pick him up in the next week or two.
Jaguars WR Marqise Lee (hamstring, out) missed practice again Friday and is out for Week 3.
Bears WR Brandon Marshall (ankle) missed practice again Friday. Despite the lack of practice, Marshall is expected to play against the Jets.
Steelers WR Lance Moore (groin, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. Moore is set to return to WR3 duties this week.
Saints WR Joseph Morgan (knee, probable) took full practice reps Friday and is probable for Week 3.
Bears WR Josh Morgan (groin) took full practice reps again Friday.
Colts WR Hakeem Nicks (illness, questionable) missed practice again Friday and is questionable for Week 3. Nicks has some sort of illness, so his status is up in the air. Donte Moncrief would get a bump if Nicks can’t play.
Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson (chest, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3. Patterson should be fine to face the Saints. We’re expecting more usage with Adrian Peterson out, but it was puzzling that Patterson didn’t get a single carry in Week 2.
Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3. Shorts is likely to start against the Colts. He’s not a dependable option given the dumpster fire that is the Jacksonville offense.
Raiders WR Rod Streater (hip, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 3. Streater might be able to play against the Patriots in Week 3, but given his iffy health, we wouldn’t recommend starting him this week.
Bills WR Sammy Watkins (ribs, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. Watkins broke out with an 8-117-1 game against the Dolphins and he should be able to produce against the Chargers in Week 3.
Colts WR Reggie Wayne (not injury related) took full practice reps again Friday. Wayne is ready for a nice matchup against the Jaguars.
Bills WR Robert Woods (ankle, probable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice Thursday and is probable for Week 3. Woods should play, but doesn’t have much appeal after Watkins’ breakout game last week.
Browns TE Jordan Cameron (shoulder, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 3. Cameron is no sure thing to be active, so owners should have a Plan B ready to go on Sunday morning.
Dolphins TE Charles Clay (knee, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 3. Clay should be fine to face the Chiefs, though the game is late in the day, so owners may want to get a Plan B ready.
49ers TE Vernon Davis (ankle, knee, questionable) missed practice all week and is questionable for Week 3. Davis is looking like a no-go for Week 3, and with Vance McDonald also hurting, Derek Carrier will likely get the start. He was decent against the Bears, posting 3-41 on four targets.
Eagles TE Zach Ertz (knee, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. No worries here. Ertz is in the process of his breakout season and should be in most fantasy lineups.
Cowboys TE Gavin Escobar (knee, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 3.
Texans TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (foot, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3.
Chargers TE Antonio Gates (hamstring, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3. Gates is playing fantastic football right now and has a nice matchup against the Bills.
Texans TE Garrett Graham (ankle, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3.
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (knee, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. Gronk is still working his way back into the fold. He has played 42-44% of the snaps in the first two weeks. That should increase as the season wears on, but it may depend somewhat on game flow. If he’s active, he should be in the starting lineup.
Jaguars TE Clay Harbor (calf, questionable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 3. Someone has to start at tight end for the Jaguars. If Harbor can’t go, it might be Mickey Shuler.
Cardinals TE Rob Housler (hip, questionable) missed practice again Friday and is questionable for Week 3.
49ers TE Vance McDonald (knee, questionable) missed practice all week and is questionable for Week 3. Derek Carrier might get the start if neither McDonald nor Vernon Davis can’t play.
Steelers TE Heath Miller (not injury related, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3.
Seahawks TE Zach Miller (ankle, probable) took full practice reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3.
Panthers TE Greg Olsen (calf, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3. Olsen is having a TE1 season, as expected.
Redskins TE Jordan Reed (hamstring, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 3. With Reed out, Niles Paul is all systems go for Week 3. He is #2 in TE receiving yardage through two weeks.
Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (abdomen, probable) took limited practice reps all week and is probable for Week 3. Rudolph should be fine to face the Saints.
Jaguars TE Mickey Shuler (heel, probable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is probable for Week 3. He may start for the Jaguars with Marcedes Lewis sidelined.
Redskins K Kai Forbath (right groin, questionable) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 3. Forbath should play, but owners may want to pick up a healthy kicker.
Broncos K Brandon McManus (right groin, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 3.
