The good news is that Week 3 did not have the same devastation as Week 2 did in terms of fantasy football injuries.  The bad news is that there were still just as many injuries which will make GMs scramble to the waiver wire looking for replacements and depth.  There is always inherent risk in any player drafted just based on the nature of playing football, but the first three weeks of the 2016 season are putting GMs to the test in terms of roster management.  So without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy football walking wounded.

Dez Bryant (WR-DAL)

Bryant injured his knee in the Cowboys win over the Bears on Sunday night and will undergo an MRI on Monday.  He caught a touchdown pass which helped his final stat line, but there is no question that his fantasy value has been affected by the loss of Tony Romo.  Further updates will be provided during the week after the results of the MRI are revealed, but even at 100% he is not the same fantasy player he was before last season.

Russell Wilson (QB-SEA)

It has been confirmed that Wilson has an MCL sprain but is expected to play in Week 4 against the Jets.  However, he will clearly be affected in terms of his mobility and running the ball because the Seahawks have indicated he will wear a brace on his knee.  Wilson has struggled mightily thus far even before this so he is a very risky fantasy option for next week.  His two passing touchdowns and just 33 yards rushing are not what fantasy GMs bargained for when drafting him this summer.

Willie Snead (WR-NO)

Snead missed several days of practice last week and has been officially held out of Monday night’s game against Atlanta.  While fantasy GMs should have seen this coming all week, it is still a big loss because Snead has put up excellent numbers through the first two games and would have had a very favorable matchup against a less than stellar Falcons defense.

Michael Floyd (WR-ARZ)

Floyd is in the league’s concussion protocol so his status for Week 4 against the Rams is in question right now.  He was cleared on Sunday but was feeling after-effects on Monday which raises red flags.  The Cardinals have been a big disappointment thus far, including Floyd who has been held to just nine catches for 134 yards and one touchdown through the first three games.  He is a major question mark for next Sunday and if he cannot play then look for John Brown to have an expanded role in the offense.

Arian Foster (RB-MIA)

With a quick turnaround for Thursday’s game against the Bengals, it is unlikely that Arian Foster will be able to play for the second straight week.  Foster is no stranger to the injury report and is essentially the Troy Tulowitzki of fantasy football.  Fantasy GMs should plan on keeping him benched until further notice and avoid the committee of less than mediocre back-ups in the Dolphins’ backfield taking his place.

Jeremy Langford (RB-CHI)

Second-year running back Jeremy Langford was carted off the field during Sunday night’s loss to Dallas and he has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain.  This is less severe than initially thought but will still likely cost him a few games.  Rookie Jordan Howard will take Langford’s place as the starter and is one of the better waiver wire options for Week 4.  The Bears have been a disaster thus far but Howard should receive enough work to be worth starting as a RB2 or Flex for this week’s game against Detroit.

Shane Vereen (RB-NYG)

Vereen suffered a torn triceps against the Redskins on Sunday which will require surgery.  The Giants have indicated that he could return at some point before the end of the season, but for all intents and purposes he is done for the year from a fantasy perspective.  Vereen will miss a couple months at least which is a huge loss for the Giants and fantasy GMs in PPR leagues.  He is one of the best pass-catching running backs in the league and has had an expanded role in the running game thus far with Rashad Jennings missing time due to a thumb injury.  Don’t waste an IR slot on him in non-keeper leagues.

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB-NE)

Garoppolo is making progress recovering from his shoulder injury that he sustained last week and could be ready for Week 4.  The Patriots seem to be doing just fine no matter who is playing quarterback, but there is no question Garoppolo is a better fantasy option in terms of passing the ball and getting New England’s receivers and tight ends involved in the offense.  Check back later in the week for further updates on Garoppolo who could be a solid fantasy option now that Rob Gronkowski is back and should be used more than as just a decoy.

Jacoby Brissett (QB-NE)

Brissett burst onto the scene last week as the Patriots’ third-string quarterback and led them to a dominant 27-0 win over Houston on Thursday night.  He threw for 195 yards and ran for another sixty along with a touchdown in his NFL debut.  Brissett did sustain a thumb injury which initially was reported required surgery, but recent updates suggest he only suffered a sprain and does not need to go under the knife.  However, it could all be a moot point from a fantasy perspective because Jimmy Garoppolo may be ready to play in Week 4 and then Tom Brady returns from his suspension the following week.

Tyler Eifert (TE-CIN)

The wait could finally be over as Eifert may suit up and play on Thursday night against Miami.  He returned to practice last week in a limited capacity and reports out of Cincinnati are that he could be on the field for some snaps during Week 4.  Eifert emerged as a stud in 2015 catching 13 touchdowns and would be a huge boost to fantasy lineups as a primary target for Andy Dalton and his lofty passing statistics thus far.  Bear in mind that even if Eifert plays on Thursday he would likely be on a snap count so do not expect maximum production right away.

Jared Cook (TE-GB)

Cook was taken to the locker room on a cart with an ankle during Green Bay’s win over Detroit on Sunday.  This is the same ankle he had surgery on a few months ago so there is some concern about how long he may be out.  He was seen on crutches and in a walking boot after the injury so the initial prognosis does not appear positive.  The good news is that the Packers have a bye this week which could give Cook extra time to be back on the field in two weeks against the Giants.  Cook is not a fantasy TE1 by any means, but any player in the Green Bay offense has the potential to be an option depending on the matchup.

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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),