It did not take very long for fantasy GMs to remember how quickly their seasons can be ruined in just a matter of moments.  There were several injuries to key players this week, especially at the running back position.  This is further proof as to why drafting teams around running backs is not a wise idea, as well as how you should focus on building roster depth with handcuffs and backups in the later rounds. So without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy football walking wounded.

Andy Dalton (QB-CIN)

Dalton played through an ankle injury to finish the game against the Steelers.  Despite throwing for over 300 yards, it was not a pretty game for the ginger play-caller.  Dalton will likely be limited in practice this week but his status for Week 3 should not be an issue outside of having to go up against Denver’s dynamic defense.

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB-NE)

Garoppolo sustained a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder and will likely miss a few weeks with the injury.  The fact the Patriots turn around and play thus Thursday means it is virtually a foregone conclusion that he will not play.  The injury was unfortunate as Garoppolo was showing what he can do in place of Tom Brady and also without Rob Gronkowski on the field for the first two weeks.  Brady will be back in a couple weeks so this shouldn’t matter much from a fantasy perspective.

Adrian Peterson (RB-MIN)

A picture painted a thousand words as we watched Peterson being helped off the field and into the back after he sustained an injury to his right knee in Sunday night’s game against Green Bay.  Peterson has not been productive at all this season, but this could be a potentially devastating injury.  He was unable to put any weight on his right leg and will go for further tests on Monday.  Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata will have to step up and take his place if this injury costs Peterson an extended amount of time. 

Doug Martin (RB-TB)

Martin was taken out of Tampa Bay’s game against Arizona with a hamstring injury which puts his status for Week 3 in serious jeopardy.  It is impossible to speculate about the extent of the injury right now because hamstring injuries are very difficult to predict.  It would not be surprising if this injury cost Martin next Sunday because it could take significant time before healing appropriately.  Charles Sims is the handcuff to target if he is on your league’s waiver wire, so be prepared to be without Martin in the immediate future.

Jonathan Stewart (RB-CAR)

Stewart left Sunday’s game against San Francisco in the 1st quarter and never returned as he was dealing with both ankle and hamstring injuries.  Stewart does have a lengthy injury history so this is not surprising.  However, fantasy GMs should be concerned over his status for Week 3 because multiple leg injuries for a running back usually spells inactive for the upcoming game.  Look for Fozzy Whittaker to get the start in his place after a 100-yard game off the bench against the 49ers.

Danny Woodhead (RB-SD)

Woodhead was carted off the field with a knee injury sustained during the Chargers win over Jacksonville.  He has always been a valuable RB2 or Flex option thanks to his pass-catching abilities and goal line opportunities.  However, Woodhead does have a history of significant injuries as well and this did not look promising in the immediate aftermath.  We will know more after he undergoes an MRI, but at the very least you should assume he will not play next Sunday in Week 3.

Arian Foster (RB-MIA)

It didn’t take long for fantasy GM’s to rue the day they drafted Foster thinking that things would be any different this year.  He was taken out of Miami’s loss to New England after carrying the ball just three times and did not return due to a groin injury.  He will undergo an MRI to see the extent of the injury, but it’s all but given that he will miss Week 3.  This means that Jay Ajayi will likely get the start, thus justifying why he was one of the most sought after handcuffs in fantasy drafts this year despite disappointing those same GMs all of 2015.

Ameer Abdullah (RB-DET)

Sophomore running back Ameer Abdullah sustained a foot injury on Sunday against Tennessee and could miss a game or two.  X-rays came back negative but more tests will be conducted to see if there is any further structural damage.  There does not appear to be anything significant at issue, but given how badly he was limping in a walking boot it seems reasonable that he will be sidelined at least a week or two.

Doug Baldwin (WR-SEA)

Baldwin will undergo an MRI on his knee this week which will help determine the extent of any possible injury he sustained.  He twisted the knee early in Sunday’s game against the Rams but managed to play through it.  Baldwin has scored the only touchdown of the season thus far for the Seahawks who look completely lost on offense.  He and the Seattle offense could get very healthy next week against San Francisco who was just lit up by Carolina, so hope that Baldwin is given the green light for Week 3.

Donte Moncrief (WR-IND)

Moncrief sustained a shoulder injury after taking a big hit against Denver this past Sunday and was knocked out of the game.  He will undergo an MRI to see if there is any structural damage.  Look for Phillip Dorsett to step in as the Colts WR2 which makes him an intriguing option in fantasy lineups for Week 3.

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Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),