Another Week, another set of injuries!

By Martin Richardson

This week, I’ve been laid up in bed with a wonderful September flu, with a fever that led me to think Trevor Lawrence stopped one yard short of the goal line for the Bhayshul Tuten fantasy movement.

Oh, that happened?

Maybe I wasn’t that sick after all. But I tell you one thing I am sick of, and that’s injuries to some big time players. Last week we lost De’Von Achane to a season ending injury, Justin Jefferson went missing against the Bucs, only the day-to-day with ankle injury. As well as previous injuries to Jaxon Dart, DeVonta Smith, AJ Brown, Caleb Williams and Nico Collins, the fantasy football gods need to have little rest from causing so much stress so early in the season.

That being said, we’ve got some fantastic matchups on the horizon for those players still standing and I am very excited to see how they play out.

ONES TO WATCH: THE GOOD

After three weeks, fantasy players are starting to make their presence known in weekly matchups. And one of those that has pleasantly surprised me is none other than Saints veteran TE Juwan Johnson.

In those three weeks he has three touchdowns and is a top 5 TE so early on this season. Which is promising given that he was more than likely a late round flier for some in some leagues. And whilst he may not be getting the lion’s share of targets, he is making the most of them as they are mainly in the red zone and leading to those touchdowns.

With games coming up against the Falcons, Giants and Steelers on the horizon, Johnson has a chance to really impose himself on the TE fantasy market. So much so, that this week with the Falcons have allowed nearly 20 fantasy points to alone. With no real WR2 consistently on the roster, now is the time to have Johnson on your fantasy team to be the difference maker in week 4 and beyond.

Now cast you mind back to this time last year. There would have been someone in your league who took a flier on an ‘ageing Davante Adams’ to see if he could produce. Fast forward to now and he is still one of the most productive fantasy wideouts in the league. Whilst he has only a modest return of two touchdowns so far, he has over 300 receiving yards and that is a great return for someone who will be a steady WR2 for most fantasy players. Over the next few weeks the Rams have the Eagles, Bills and Cardinals who are all allowing plenty of milage in terms of air yards in their defense. I can’t see anything but an upward trajectory for Adams as he carries on from his 2025 form

And finally, this weekend sees a matchup of two 3-0 teams with players that are difference makers for different reasons when it comes to fantasy football: the Chiefs are taking on the Raiders.

Now this looks like a tasty fantasy matchup for a variety of reasons.

First of all, Kennth Walker III comes up against the number one fantasy defense. With 4 touchdowns already this season, and over 300 total so early in this season, Walker has certainly shown that he will be in the first-round discourse for 2027 fantasy players. But for now, those players who caught him in the second round to supplement your main pick are reaping the rewards with some quality performances.

But, this is now a real test as he comes up against a top defense. Causing complete chaos in every game so far, The Raiders have plenty of fumble recoveries, interceptions and sacks, this could be a tough week for Walker, but also one where he can show off his elite RB pedigree for fantasy players.

Also in this matchup we have the revitalised Brock Bowers coming off a fantastic 2026 debut performance. With a touchdown, and 116 receiving yards, as well as plenty of targets, Bowers was immediately target one for the Raiders against the Saints. Plus, with Jack Bech injured and hit and miss games from Tre Tucker and Jailon Nailor, Bowers is no doubt in line for another big game; especially as the Chiefs defense is allowing plenty of yards to WR this season.

The Ones to Watch: The Bad

There really is only one place to start and that is with the Char… no I’m kidding. But my god they need to get their act together and I’m sure they can do it against the Seahawks. Ok, maybe not. I wonder if we will see Herbert throwing some more meatball subs in that match up (I’m not going to lie, I’m old had no idea what that meant).
This week people in fantasy leagues across the land will be looking at benching none other than Patriots QB Drake Maye. When Jaxon Dart is still ranked higher than you and he’s missed a game due to a season ending injury, you know it’s bad. When 38-year-old Kirko-Chains is ranked higher than you, you know it’s bad. When Case Keenum, who hasn’t played a game for over 3 years, and only played in one game this season, is ranked higher than you on ESPN, you know it’s bad.
You get the idea.
But it’s true. 6 interceptions and a forced fumble so early in the season, coupled with one touchdown, make him a droppable QB, never mind benching him. Last week, the Jags humbled and humiliated Maye’s Patriots. His ability to rush the ball has totally gone, with less than 20 yards last week and again against the Steelers, means one of his chief selling points for fantasy has gone. Which is a concern going forward. With games against the Bills, Jets and Raiders looming, things could get real dark real fast for the Patriots.

Another player who has surprisingly done very little so far, based on previous high standards is Eagles RB Saquon Barkley. Even with his stinger injury in week 2, his performances have been less than what fantasy players have come to expect. In his two main appearances he has been a negative factor in the air, recording minus figures against the Bears and the Commanders. Then in the ground game he is getting alright numbers, with over 80 yards in those same two games, but with no touchdowns in the mix he is less valuable on a fantasy roster than Brian Robinson Jr., Tony Pollard and Rachaad White, two of which are considered RB2s at their respective franchises and not even flex options in fantasy. 

And it doesn’t get any easier for Barkley and the Eagles, as they play the Rams, Jags and Panthers in the next three weeks. This will be a real test for all the Eagles players to remain fantasy relevant heading into those pesky bye weeks.

Ones to Watch: The Wildcards

I think it is very clear that things, prior to the Baker Mayfield injury, were not great down in Tampa. As a Bucs fan, the new OC in Zac Robinson has not worked and the feeling of seeing both Dave Canales and Liam Coen succeed stings all the more when the Bucs struggle. Now with an undrafted free agent in at QB in Jalon Daniels, Bucky Irving’s usage will go one of two ways: it will increase due to having a safe pair of hands in the backfield to limit Daniel’s room for error; or it will remain as indifferent as it has been due to Daniels wanting to prove himself. Now what may be a benefit to both Irving and Daniels is that they are up against a weird Green Bay team that are leaking yardage to running backs in 2026, allowing over 30 points to them so far this season.

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Finally, I come to a team who have recently made a trade that didn’t exactly inspire the NFL world; the Giants trading for JJ McCarthy. Now as much as this will confuse Cam Skattebo that he doesn’t have Dart as his starting QB, it’s his WR Malik Nabers who is now a bit of a wildcard for fantasy players.

With no touchdowns and less than 100 yards on the season, it will be interesting to see how he gets on with a new QB at the helm. This week sees the Giants come up against a Cardinals team who are allowing plenty of points and opportunities for receivers to score well. This may be a week to take a risk on Nabers to see if he can start to produce better fantasy numbers.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

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