Week 3 Injury/Depth Chart Report

I'm going to organize this different this year.   Last yeah I grouped it by position, but then I have to go through each team for each position which I feel is inefficient.  This year, I will group them by teams (which will be sorted alphabetically by city), which is probably easier for the readers when they want to look for a specific player.

*update* I have updated this through Friday.

Arizona Cardinals - I still worry about Kurt Warner's health, he put some concerns aside with a very solid week 2 performance.  I'd like to see him start throwing the ball down the field more before claiming he's 100%.  Hightower will continue to start at RB thanks to Wells' 2 fumbles in week 2, but he is not guaranteed to last the year as the starter because Wells is clearly the more talented runner.  Boldin looked good in week 2, so he appears back to full health.

Atlanta Falcons - None.

Baltimore Ravens - Ray Rice and Willis McGahee are apparently in an unpredictable committee.  We knew McGahee was the goal line runner after the preseason, but he got twice as many carries as Rice in week 2 after the opposite happening in week 1.  Neither are reliable enough as RB2s until this situation gains some clarity, if ever.  Both are great RB3s, however.  Mark Clayton was outproduced by Kelley Washington in week 2, and it's worth keeping an eye on as Clayton was probably grabbed as a WR5.

Buffalo Bills - Marshawn Lynch is suspended through week 3, and the impressive Fred Jackson will start in his place.

Carolina Panthers - Delhomme rebounded nicely in week 2 and gave himself some job security.  Williams and Stewart continue to split time, and neither has a specific role as both possess a great all-around game.  This is a drain to Williams' value, and a pleasant surprise to those who got a draft-day discount on Stewart after the injury concerns.

Cincinnati Bengals - While Coles remains the starter, it's clear that the targets will be spread around between Coles, Henry, and Caldwell.  Ochocinco is the only WR worth starting here.

Chicago Bears - Keep an eye on the Bennett vs. Knox position battle.  As I mentioned in my waiver column, Knox has a lot more upside and I think he'll overtake Bennett, but not in week 3.

Cleveland Browns - After the cries for Quinn last year, Quinn's slow start in 2009 has the cries going back the other way for Anderson.  The Browns will stick with Quinn for now, but if he keeps losing and looks mediocre while doing it, a switch could be made.  Jamal Lewis hurt his hamstring, and with James Davis returning, this could get interesting.  We'll keep an eye on Lewis' practice schedule.

Dallas Cowboys - Marion Barber suffered a strained quad in week 2, but is already practicing on a limited basis.  It would make me feel much better about starting him if he turned in a full practice by Friday, especially with 2 other healthy, capable RBs on the roster.

Denver Broncos- Knowshon Moreno looked much better in week 2 and seems likely to get the majority of carries, although Correll Buckhalter has looked very good and will remain in the picture each week.  The WRs are a bit of a mess right now, and I think it's safe to bench Marshall for the time being.  I would remain patient with Royal...he's the best fit for this offense.

Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford needs to stop turning the ball over so much, or he's going to force the coaching staff to make a change at QB.  Calvin Johnson owners should hope Stafford gets it figured out because the rookie QB loves throwing to him.

Green Bay Packers - No skill position injuries to note, but Chad Clifton's injury will hurt the offensive line in pass protection.  Rodgers figures to suffer a bit, but McCarthy is a good enough play caller to compensate and move Rodgers around more.

Houston Texans - Steve Slaton isn't going to lose his job, but he's clearly having a ton of problems this year, especially with ball security.  Expect Chris Brown to get even more carries.  I hope Slaton is your RB2.  Walter is again optimistic about his status for week 3, so hopefully he can avoid another setback.

Indianapolis Colts - Anthony Gonzalez is out indefinitely with a knee sprain.  I wouldn't drop him unless the Colts put him on IR...he'll have value when he returns.

Jacksonville Jaguars - Troy Williamson suffered a torn labrum and is out for the season.  Mike Sims-Walker will replace him in the starting lineup, and he has a good chance to lead the Jaguars in yards this season if he can stay healthy.

Kansas City Chiefs - Bobby Wade has seemingly replaced Mark Bradley as the secondary target for this week.  He fits better in the slot with Mark Bradley outside, but he could replace Bradley if coach Haley remains upset with his all-around performances.  Dantrell Savage also replaced Jamaal Charles as the #2 RB in week 2, so clearly Haley was upset with Charles as well.  It's safe to drop Charles in pursuit of better waiver wire options.

Miami Dolphins - None.

Minnesota Vikings - None.

New England Patriots - Wes Welker is probably going be limited in practice again this week, and he'll likely be a gametime decision.  Hopefully you picked up Julian Edelman after he proved that he can essentially do the same thing, fantasy-wise.

New Orleans Saints - In an ironic twist, Mike Bell suffered a sprained MCL and is at risk for week 3.  Pierre Thomas has returned to practice this week, and if he can put in a full week, he'll start and possibly win his job back.  Lance Moore suffered a hamstring injury, and he might not play in week 3.  After his horrific start, it'd be smart to keep him benched even if he does play.

New York Giants - Mario Manningham has overtaken Domenik Hixon and is the starter opposite Steve Smith.

New York Jets - None.

Oakland Raiders - Chaz Schilens is expected to be out several more weeks with his foot sprain.  Louis Murphy will continue to start in his place.

Philadelphia Eagles - Donovan McNabb looks unlikely to play again in week 3 due to his rib injury, and Kevin Kolb will start in his place.  Kolb is a high risk/reward QB1 this week.  DeSean Jackson suffered a slight groin injury, but it isn't expected to be a problem for week 3.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Mike Tomlin has vowed to get Rashard Mendenhall more involved, and there's no reason not to with Willie Parker not doing much of anything.  Parker is not a RB2 anymore, and Mendenhall has the upside to be one if he can finally look like an NFL RB now that he's being given a chance.  Santonio Holmes suffered a wrist injury, but it isn't expected to affect his week 3 status.

San Diego Chargers - LaDainian Tomlinson is expected to miss week 3 with his ankle injury, so Darren Sproles will again start in his place and make for a solid RB2 play.

San Francisco 49ers - Frank Gore suffered a slightly sprained ankle towards the end of week 2, but it isn't expected to be a problem for week 3.

Seattle Seahawks - Matt Hasselbeck suffered a broken rib on a play that looked exactly like the one Donovan McNabb was injured on.  Expect him to miss week 3.  Housh also suffered a back injury and is slowly playing his way out of fantasy lineups.

St. Louis Rams - No skill position injuries here, but rookie Jason Smith suffered a sprained knee that will keep him out a week or two.  It shouldn't affect Steven Jackson too much.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Antonio Bryant is still struggling with his surgically repaired knee, and he will likely miss week 3.

Tennessee Titans - None.

Washington Redskins - None.