Every week of the NFL season, Inside Injuries will be giving start/sit advice on injured players who have a shot at suiting up that week. Some can be plugged into fantasy lineups while others should sit another week while they recover. Find out who we like in week 3 and who needs to be left on the bench for now.
Start ‘Em
Corey Clement (RB, Eagles)
Both Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles are High injury risk players this week. Ajayi is nursing a back injury, which tend to recur, making him more doubtful than questionable to play in Week 3. Sproles is even less likely to play due to a hamstring strain that kept him off the field for Week 2. Clement has a good matchup against a Colts team that has allowed an average of 29.1 fantasy points to running backs through two games. Even if Ajayi plays (he’s a game-time decision), Clement will get the majority of the touches.
Sony Michel (RB, Patriots)
Michel made his NFL debut against a stout Jaguars defense and was the featured back in several offensive packages. Michel is past his Healthy to Return Date and he should be at his Peak Health Performance Factor by now (although his Injury Risk remains Elevated). The Patriots are facing a Detroit Lions team that has allowed 363 rushing yards and three touchdowns to running backs through two games, making this an excellent opportunity for the Patriots to feature Michel again. Michel is a sneaky start who could pay off big in Week 3.
Jarvis Landry (WR, Browns)
Landry is expected to play despite suffering from a knee injury that carries a two-week Optimal Recovery Time. While he is at High risk of injury or reinjury and carries a Below Average HPF, you should have him active against the Jets Thursday night. The Jets have allowed 366 receiving yards and two touchdowns to wide receivers thus far. While the Jets’ secondary is fairly tough, they have no pass rush to speak of, which should give Tyrod Taylor plenty of time to find Landry open, especially over the middle. Landry should put up a strong performance despite being slowed by his knee injury.
Leonard Fournette (RB, Jaguars)
Fournette is expected to play after missing Week 2. He has a good matchup against a Tennessee Titans defense that allowed 5.7 yards per carry to a poor Texans offensive line and running back. The Titans haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown yet but they have allowed 213 rushing yards through two games against teams that don’t have a quality running game. His injury came with a two week Optimal Recovery Time, which he will reach ahead of Sunday’s game. Start Fournette with confidence in Week 3.
Sit ‘Em
Jay Ajayi (RB, Eagles)
Ajayi is likely to sit this week due to a back injury that plagued him in Week 2 and could be a problem right from the start in Week 3 even if he does play. At this point he’s a game-time decision according to the Eagles, but they will likely go with Corey Clement as the featured back for Week 3.
LeSean McCoy (RB, Bills)
McCoy didn’t fracture his ribs but he did fracture rib cartilage, which can be a more painful injury than a rib fracture. It will be painful to be hit and tackled, and his breathing could be affected as well. The Bills’ offense is a mess anyway, so it isn’t wise to start McCoy, especially since the Jets’ defense can be tough on the run. They’ve allowed just 112 rushing yards through two games and will make it tough for McCoy to do much. He’s a High injury risk with a Below Average HPF in a tough matchup. Sit him for Week 3.
Kelvin Benjamin (WR, Bills)
Benjamin is at High risk for injury with a Below Average HPF. He was limited in practice Wednesday with a hip injury that carries a two-week Optimal Recovery Time. While he shouldn’t play in Week 3, he is likely to be on the field. With the Bills facing the stout Vikings defense, Benjamin is a bad bet to be productive.
Larry Fitzgerald (WR, Cardinals)
Fitzgerald has a long history of playing with injuries, and Week 3 will be no different. He is very likely to play against the Chicago Bears. The Cardinals offense is dead last in the NFL in both total offense and passing yards. Quarterback Sam Bradford has played poorly, and it’s affected Fitzgerald’s productivity. Meanwhile, the Bears lead the NFL in sacks with 10, and they will likely garner a few more against the Cardinals’ questionable offensive line. Stay away from Fitzgerald this week
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