NFL Fantasy Football: Week 3 starts and sits, Montgomery a must-start, Chiefs to dominate Colts

Injuries plagued the league in the first few weeks of the NFL. We’ll list those out for you along with those players you’re not sure if you should leave to warm the bench or take the risk and start ‘em.

Major Injuries:

Trey Lance (ankle) - season-ending injury

Questionable injuries:

Justin Herbert, QB Chargers (ribs) - Questionable, considered day-to-day

Jerry Jeudy, WR Broncos (ribs) - Questionable, considered day-to-day

Dalton Schultz, TE Cowboys (knee) - Questionable

James Conner, RB Cardinals (ankle) - Questionable

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens (knee) - Questionable, considered week-to-week

Keenan Allen, WR Chargers (hamstring) - Questionable

Alvin Kamara, RB Saints (ribs) - Questionable, likely to be a game-time decision

Gabe Davis, WR Bills (ankle) - Questionable

George Kittle, TE 49ers (groin) - Questionable

Chris Godwin, WR Buccaneers (calf) - Questionable

Michael Pittman, WR Colts (quad) - Questionable, likely to be a game-time decision

And don’t forget, if you have Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, leave him on the bench as he got himself suspended on Sunday.

NFL Week 2 Fantasy START ‘EMS:

QB: Kirk Cousins, Vikings

This week, the Vikings are playing the Lions, who have a terrible defense. Cousins should have a much better performance against them than he did against the Eagles last week. Though he had a difficult time last week, throwing three interceptions and completing just 27 of 46 pass attempts for 221 yards and a TD, Cousins is still a Week 3 start. The Lions have given up 32.5 points per game this season, so if you have really any Vikings offensive player, this would be the week to start them.

RB: David Montgomery, Bears

We always need to consider the opponent. The Bears play the Texans this week, who have allowed the third-most rushing yards to opposing teams (326). Last week, Montgomery had 122 rushing yards and two catches for 14 yards, which got him 17 points - not a bad game against the Packers defense. He’s a must-start against the Texans.

WR: Tee Higgins, Bengals

After clearing the concussion protocols, Higgins played Week 2 against the Cowboys and was the only player to score a touchdown against them, leading the team in receptions, targets, and yards. Ja’Marr Chase will still likely be the WR1 for the Bengals, but when they’re up against the Jets defense, both receivers should see some action. The Jets defense just allowed three touchdowns to the Ravens receivers last week, so odds are good.

TE: Dallas Goedert, Eagles

Goedert had a good game against the Vikings in Week 2, catching five of six targets for 82 yards. That’s two weeks in a row that he’s shown he can bring in the points. He’s now got eight receptions for 142 yards with 17.8 yards per catch and the Eagles offense is a lot less run-happy than they were last season, which bodes well for the tight end. Goedert and the Eagles play NFC East rivals, the Washington Commanders in Week 3.

DEF: Chargers

The Chargers defense have seven sacks through the first two weeks of the season so far. The Chargers had a great game against the Raiders, recording six of those seven sacks in that game, but struggled against Mahomes and the Chiefs…but who doesn’t? This week, they play against the Jaguars, who have improved since last season, but not that much - they are only scoring 23 points per game. However, the Jags o-line has done a good job of protecting Trevor Lawrence. It is a little risky, but with the addition of J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack, I say take the risk.

NFL Week 2 Fantasy SIT ‘EMS:

QB: Tom Brady, Buccaneers

Brady has been a disappointing fantasy QB throughout the first two weeks and I wouldn’t expect much to change in Week 3 when he’s down a receiver with Mike Evans suspended. His other options, Julio Jones and Chris Godwin, are both still recovering from injuries too and not at 100 percent. Brady has only produced two touchdowns in the last two weeks. This week, he’s up against the Packers defense and being thin at WR, he’s a sit ‘em again in Week 3.

RB: Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys

As it turns out, the Cowboys are not utilizing the run game as much as they were expected to this season, with or without Dak Prescott at quarterback. And the running they are utilizing is going more towards Tony Pollard than Ezekiel Elliott. A lot of talk in the offseason about how Zeke is washed up has proven so far to be kind of true. The Cowboys face a Giants defense that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season, and Zeke has yet to achieve one. With Cooper Rush in, throwing the ball and Pollard getting more of the yardage, Zeke is a bench warmer until further notice.

WR: Jahan Dotson, Commanders

If you picked up Washington’s rookie receiver Jahan Dotson off of waiver wires after Week 1 and started him in Week 2, congratulations! His big points thus far have been due to his time spent in the red zone. However, he’s not going to be a sure thing every week. Dotson is still the third receiving option on the Commanders offense after Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel - he has the third-fewest receiving yards and second-fewest targets compared to peers. It’s good to have him on your lineup in case he picks up time down the line if something happens to Samuel, who’s injury history makes that a possibility. But for now, if you have other options at WR, I’d start them ahead of Dotson.

TE: Albert Okwuegbunam, Broncos

Okwuegbunam has not caught a pass in the last two weeks. Not only that, but the Broncos are playing the 49ers, who have been one of the best defenses against tight ends so far this season. If Jerry Jeudy is still out, Okwuegbunam may have better chances, so check on that throughout the week, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on Albert O this week either way.

DEF: Colts

Indy is up against Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs this week…need I say more?