The NFL injury report is starting to get crowded as we head into Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season. Among those injured in Week 2 was Bears QB Caleb Williams, who suffered what appeared to be a pretty bad lower-body injury at the time. Turns out, Williams sustained a hamstring injury that has him week-to-week going into a matchup vs. the Eagles on Monday Night Football.
On top of that, the Commanders could be without QB Jayden Daniels long-term after he suffered another elbow injury — something he dealt with last season — in the team’s loss to the Cowboys in Week 2.
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We’ll be monitoring their statuses moving forward, as well as a handful of notable players for fantasy football in Week 3.
NFL Injury Report, Week 3
Quarterbacks
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Michael Penix Jr., ATL (knee)
Williams: As was stated above, Williams is week-to-week with the hamstring issue, which is a great sign that he avoided major injury. The Bears will likely proceed with Tyson Bagent at QB in Week 3 vs. the Eagles, assuming Williams can’t play. Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters Williams will “likely miss some time.” Bagent is a serviceable backup who has shown flashes of decent play in the past. But he’s a very clear downgrade from Williams. Chicago pass-catchers Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland had already been underperforming through two weeks. They’ll carry a significant amount of risk in Week 3 should Williams sit. We could see Johnson lean more heavily on RBs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai in the short-term.
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Daniels: The Commanders’ signal-caller is dealing with a dislocated left elbow but doesn’t have a fracture, which is a positive. Still, it’s the same injury he suffered last season in Week 9. We don’t have a timeline on a return for Daniels, but backup Marcus Mariota should start in Week 3 vs. the Seahawks. For this week, with such a difficult matchup, it may be wise to fade Washington entirely. Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs would be risky flex options, even in PPR formats. In easier matchups, Mariota has shown the ability to buoy the offense, and he did find Diggs for a TD in Week 2 after Daniels left.
Murray: Kyler is on track to return for the Vikings in Week 3 vs. the Bucs. It’s difficult to gather anything from Week 2’s 9-3 win over the Bears given the weather. We also only saw Murray for barely a series before he exited in Week 1 vs. the Packers. We’ll have to see how he fares before making any type of assessment. For now, Murray is more of a QB2 until we know more. Luckily, there have been plenty of QBs who have emerged as strong fantasy options you can likely scoop up off the waiver wire.
Running Backs
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Jadarian Price, SEA (shoulder)
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J.K. Dobbins, DEN (hamstring)
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R.J. Harvey, DEN (hamstring)
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Broncos backfield: Harvey was inactive for the Broncos’ win over the Jaguars in Week 2. Dobbins exited the game early, which paved the way for rookie Jonah Coleman to have a larger role. He’s going to be a trendy waiver wire claim going into Week 3. Justin Boone has smore on Coleman and how to approach him off the wire here.
Barkley: We’re awaiting more information on Barkley’s stinger, which caused him to miss a big chunk of the comeback win over the Titans on Sunday. As a result, Tank Bigsby had 15 touches for 38 yards and a score. Should Barkley miss any time, Bigsby would become the lead back with Will Shipley also in the mix. Bigsby is another name Boone mentions as a top waiver consideration for Week 3.
Price: You’re going to sense a trend here. Price left in the fourth quarter of the Seahawks’ easy win over the Cardinals in Week 2. This injury doesn’t appear to be serious, so there’s a chance Price is good to go for Week 3 vs. the Commanders. It’s worth noting Emanuel Wilson was heavily involved in Week 2, rushing 21 times for 92 yards. George Holani also got five touches. Price did lose a fumble in the game but should remain the focal point of the rushing attack when healthy. If you have Price, it’s worth adding Wilson just in case. If Price is sidelined, Wilson would get a solid boost into RB2/3 territory.
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Wide Receivers
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Caleb Douglas, MIA (ankle)
Collins: The Texans were without Collins for their tough loss to the Bengals in Week 2. The offense struggled, clearly missing its top wideout and target for C.J. Stroud. TE Dalton Schultz was the biggest beneficiary, finishing as the TE2 overall in fantasy after Sunday, catching 12 of 14 targets for 140 yards. Houston has a big game vs. the Colts in Week 3 and the expectation is for Collins to remain out. Indy has allowed 74 points through two games this season, so there’s a good chance the Texans can get something going, which could bode well for Xavier Hutchinson, Kayshon Boutte and Jaylin Noel.
Moore: The Bills’ wideout is considered day-to-day with an AC joint sprain. He’s had extra time to get right after suffering the injury on TNF vs. the Lions in Week 2. If Moore is active, he’s a solid WR2/3 in a good matchup vs. the Chargers. If Moore is out, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir and Josh Palmer should get the majority of the snaps at WR. Dalton Kincaid has been Josh Allen’s favorite target so far this season and that should continue with or without Moore in Week 3.
Pierce: The Colts’ wide receiver is expected to go for more tests on his heel, though initial X-rays came back negative. This is the same heel/ankle injury that kept Pierce out for most of training camp and preseason, so this is a bit concerning. If Pierce misses time, it’s a bump up for Josh Downs and Tyler Warren. Laquan Treadwell shockingly saw 74% of the snaps in the loss to the Chiefs, which was more than veteran Keenan Allen, who only caught one of his five targets for five yards.
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Tight Ends
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Chig Okonkwo, WAS (hamstring)
Bowers: Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters after the team’s win in Week 2 that Bowers is “very close” to returning. That could mean we see him suit up in Week 3 vs. the Saints, though with Las Vegas 2-0 to start the season, the team could be cautious with the top pass-catcher. With Bowers out again, it was Michael Mayer who got the majority of the TE snaps at 84%. Cody White isn’t technically a tight end but he caught two TDs that likely would have been layups for Bowers had he been healthy. Mayer will continue to be a decent streaming option at TE in Week 3 if Bowers sits again. There should be plenty of points in the Saints-Raiders matchup.
Out for Season/Injured Reserve/PUP List
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Ja’Kobi Lane, WR,BAL (wrist) — Injured reserve
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De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, SF (ankle) — Injured reserve
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Omar Cooper Jr., WR, NYJ (ankle) — Injured reserve
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Jordyn Tyson, WR, NO (hamstring) — Injured reserve
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