Injuries are an unfortunate reality of every NFL season. For worried fantasy managers or opportunistic DFS players, they can make or break your entire lineup. What could have been a relaxing weekend can suddenly turn into hours of scrolling social media for any breaking news.
Luckily, DraftKings Network has you covered. Tune in to Meghan Townsley (@mtownsleyy) – subbed in this week by DKNetwork’s Garion Thorne (@GarionThorne) – and Steve Buchanan (@SBuchanan24) on Injury Report Live, streaming every Friday at 3 p.m. ET on DKN X and YouTube!
The pair will react to the latest injury updates, analyze the juiciest matchups of the week, and discuss their favorite DFS and season-long fantasy plays before Sunday’s NFL action kicks off.
If you missed Friday’s full show, no worries! Here’s what you need to know before setting your lineups:
Arizona Cardinals @ Miami Dolphins – 1:00 PM EST
MIA QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion)
After suffering yet another brutal head injury in Week 2, it was fair to wonder if Tua Tagovailoa ($6,100) had played his last snap in the NFL. However, the Dolphins quarterback is ready to return just over a month later, having cleared concussion protocol this week. Miami’s offense has looked lifeless without their franchise signal caller, so fantasy managers can expect a major boost across all skill positions entering Sunday.
- The Dolphins offense doesn’t magically become elite just because Tua is back. In the brief time we saw a healthy Miami, the offense only scored 20 against the Jaguars before struggling against the Bills.
- Tyreek Hill ($7,000) should return to form on Sunday. In Weeks 1 and 2, the star wide receiver had close to a 28% target rate per route, the highest rate in the NFL.
- A matchup with the Cardinals is perfect for Tua, as nobody on Arizona’s defense has recorded more than three sacks.
See their full analysis here:
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1:00 PM EST
TB WR Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring)
Tampa Bay suffered a major blow on Monday night when Pro Bowl wideout Chris Godwin suffered a season-ending dislocated ankle. To make matters worse, they also lost star receiver Mike Evans, who re-aggravated a hamstring injury in the second half. Head coach Todd Bowles has already said that Evans is unlikely to return until after the team’s Week 11 bye.
- While most fantasy managers will flock to rookie Jalen McMillan ($3,700), Garion and Steve both think veteran Sterling Shepard ($3,800) has a safer floor.
- Steve loves Cade Otton ($3,500) this week and going forward. The big tight end recorded eight catches for 100 yards against the Ravens on Monday night.
See their full analysis here:
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns – 1:00 PM EST
BAL WR Zay Flowers (ankle)
Zay Flowers ($6,800) didn’t suit up on Wednesday or Thursday, raising doubts about his availability for Sunday’s game against the Browns. Losing the second-year speedster would be a major blow to the Ravens, as he’s led the team in receptions (34) and receiving yards (412). However, after practicing with the team on Friday, there’s a decent chance Flowers takes the field this weekend.
- Steve is calling this a “massive matchup” for Zay Flowers against an extremely beatable Cleveland secondary. If he plays, the Ravens wideout is a must-start at a reasonable price.
- Unlike previous weeks, Jameis Winston ($5,200) stepping in as the Browns’ quarterback could actually force Baltimore to pass the ball rather than chew clock to end the game.
- Rashod Bateman’s ($4,300) big play ability could come in handy this week. His already affordable price should go down even further if Flowers is active for Sunday’s game.
See their full analysis here:
New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Chargers – 4:05 PM EST
NO WR Chris Olave (concussion)
After a high-flying 2-0 start, the Saints have crumbled. New Orleans has suffered five straight losses, partially due to injuries suffered by quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (knee). Luckily for the team, star wideout Chris Olave ($6,400) has cleared concussion protocol and will play this week, although it’s hard to trust any Saints with rookie QB Spencer Rattler ($4,600) throwing the ball.
- Despite a modest over/under of 49.5 receiving yards on DraftKings Sportsbook, Steve thinks Olave’s fantasy value depends on him scoring a touchdown.
- Given the injuries to New Orleans’ other weapons, Olave should produce once Derek Carr returns. Until that happens, he’s still not someone you want in your lineups, especially against a stingy Chargers defense.
See their full analysis here:
Buffalo Bills @ Seattle Seahawks – 4:05 PM EST
SEA WR DK Metcalf (knee)
After missing two straight days of practice this week and earning a doubtful tag on Friday, don’t expect DK Metcalf to play on Sunday. However, in a game against Josh Allen ($7,800) and a loaded Bills offense, Geno Smith ($5,900) will likely need to keep up through the air.
- Even if Metcalf is good to go, he’s a fade against a Bills secondary that has given up the fourth-lowest passing yards per attempt (6.4) this season.
- Buffalo has had some difficulty defending slot receivers, which makes Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($6,100) a good play this week.
- While he isn’t as explosive anymore, Tyler Lockett ($5,600) still has the 24th-most targets in the NFL. Garion thinks the veteran should be involved on Sunday, especially if the Seahawks find themselves trailing in the second half.
See their full analysis here:
Chicago Bears @ Washington Commanders – 4:25 PM EST
WAS QB Jayden Daniels (ribs)
After being taken out of Sunday’s 40-7 drubbing of the Panthers, Jayden Daniels’ ($7,300) status for the following week’s game against the Bears looked to be in doubt. Five days later, the situation remains unclear. Although the rookie quarterback was able to practice in a limited fashion on Friday, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn called this a game-time decision.
- Given Washington’s terrific 5-2 start to the season, there isn’t much reason to push it with Daniels. Don’t expect him to play Sunday.
- As exceptional as Daniels has been, Mariota looked good against an admittedly weak Carolina defense. The former Titans passer threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns after coming off the bench.
- There aren’t many pass catchers worth starting for the Commanders, with or without Daniels. Only wide receiver Terry McLaurin ($6,900) and maybe tight end Zach Ertz ($4,200) deserve fantasy consideration.
See their full analysis here:
Carolina Panthers @ Denver Broncos – 4:25 PM EST
CAR WR Diontae Johnson (ribs/hamstring/ankle) and QB Andy Dalton (thumb)
The hits keep coming for the 1-6 Panthers, who head into a tough matchup against a Broncos team allowing 15.1 points per game, the third-fewest in football. A car accident has injured backup quarterback-turned-starter Andy Dalton’s thumb, while WR1 Dionate Johnson is being held out with a laundry list of injuries. That leaves former top pick Bryce Young ($4,900) with the tall order of beating Denver’s daunting defense.
- Garion wonders if Carolina’s front office is purposely holding out Johnson to keep him healthy ahead of the trade deadline. With that in mind, it makes sense to stash Xavier Legette ($5,000) or even Jalen Coker ($3,100) in season-long fantasy formats.
- As bad as he’s looked over two seasons, the Panthers need to figure out if Young has any long-term value. Even if Dalton returns to health, the team might keep the veteran on the bench.
See their full analysis here:
- One of Steve’s favorite plays this week is Ja’Tavion Sanders ($3,100). With just about nobody for Young to throw to this week, the Panthers tight end could serve as a cheap safety blanket.
See their full analysis here:
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.