The action is heating up in the fantasy football world as we look towards NFL Week 3. The injuries are already having tremendous impacts on the world of the pigskin, on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Check out below how the latest NFL injury updates could impact IDP fantasy football rankings. There are loads of rising players to profile this week who may be top fantasy football waiver wire pickups in IDP leagues. There aren't that many to consider benching in fantasy football lineups, aside from those in the NFL Week 3 Injury Report below. So, reap the benefits heading into the third week of action. Let's now look at the biggest IDP risers and fallers, waiver targets, injury news, and more for Week 3 fantasy football.

Bye Weeks coming up: None until Week 5. Get ready.

 

Fantasy Football IDP Risers – Elevator Going Up

Linebackers

Cody Barton, Washington Commanders

Barton has stepped into an every-down role for the Commanders, and he turned that time on the field into 10 total tackles (TT) against the host Broncos, four of those solos. He was also credited with a fumble recovery (FR) in the Week 2 game.

Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings

The rookie matched his TT total from Week 1 with another eight in Week 2 (five solo). He also contributed with a half a sack against the Eagles on Thursday night. He is a starter for the Vikings which should provide for continued strong fantasy production.

Henry To’oTo’o, Houston Texans

A fifth-round draft choice, he has quickly endeared himself to the Texan coaching staff, seeing action in 83% of the defensive snaps in Week 2. He collected seven TT (four solo) and looks to be moving in on Christian Harris as a primary LB in Houston. With Denzel Perryman questionable in Week 3, he could see plenty of action in a good matchup against the Jaguars this coming week.

Frankie Luvu, Carolina Panthers

Luvu has been an every-down LB for the Carolina defense to open the season and picked up a pair of sacks against the Saints last Monday night to complement his nine TT (four solo). He has been getting to the QB effectively early on in 2023, and would be a welcome addition to any IDP squad if you act quickly while his ownership is low.

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Here is another IDP that picked up a pair of sacks in the past week’s action, and he also added a QB hit/hurry (QH) against the visiting Chicago Bears. He also snagged four tackles, all solos. The former first-round selection is settling in his third season as a pro.

Kaden Elliss, Atlanta Falcons

Ellis now has 15 TT over his first two games this season, picking up another 6 TT (all solo) while also sacking the Packers’ Jordan Love on a third and long play in the first quarter of last Sunday’s tilt. Toss on top of that fantasy production a QH and a tackle for loss of yards (TFL) and he had a productive day on the gridiron. He has a good matchup in Detroit on tap.

Kenneth Murray, Los Angeles Chargers

With Eric Kendricks on the sidelines, Murray stepped in to play every down on defense, racking up double-digit tackles (10 TT, five solo, two TFL) against the Titans on the road. He also picked up a sack, his first of the season.

Defensive Linemen

Bradley Chubb, DE Miami Dolphins

Chubb filled up the stat sheet in Week 2, collecting seven TT (five solo, two TFL), to go along with a sack, a pair of QH and a forced fumble (FF). Week 3 sees him facing off against his former team with the Chargers visiting Miami.

Danielle Hunter, DE, Minnesota Vikings

Hunter was a top DL before having injury woes derail his productivity until he returned to effective play last season. He already has four sacks this season, picking up three against the Eagles last Thursday night, and he was also credited with eight TT (five solo). This would be a fine time to add a healthy Hunter to your DL ranks.

Alex Highsmith, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Highsmith is frequently overshadowed by his teammate T.J. Watt, but he is a defensive force to be reckoned with in his own right, having scored a TD on an INT against the Browns on Monday night. He also had a strip sack that led to a Watt TD, and he again totaled seven tackles (five solo, one TFL) for the second week in a row. A QH and pass deflection/defense (PD) made for a big play and tackle-oriented night for the Steeler LB.

Byron Young, DE, Los Angeles Rams

The rookie DE has been shining on the field, with another five TT in Week 2, giving him nine on the season. A sack against the 49er offense also adds to his growing total, now sitting at 1.5 sacks on the season.

Harrison Phillips, DT, Minnesota Vikings 

If your league requires a DT slot to be occupied, the Viking defensive linesman would be a fine target to add to your roster. He collected 13 TT in Week 2, helped in part by the Eagles' reliance on the running game to be sure, but he also contributed a QH and a half sack while patrolling the defensive side of the field.

Defensive Backs

K’von Wallace, S, Arizona Cardinals 

The first of a boatload of DBs profiled here this week, Wallace is the beneficiary of Budda Baker’s trip to the IL. He stepped in as the run-enforcer safety presence for the Cards, playing 65% of the snaps in the box in Week 2. He collected eight TT to lead the team. Now is the time to snatch him off the wire to bolster your DB crew.

M.J. Stewart, S, Houston Texans

Another safety whose fantasy value was improved due to injury to a pair of teammates (Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward), he now steps in to man an every-down role in the Houston secondary. He collected 10 TT (six solo) and a FF against the Colts and is worthy of a roster spot so long as his playing time (PT) is enhanced.

Camryn Bynum, S, Minnesota Vikings

He led his team with 15 TT against the run-oriented Philly offense (six solo). He now has 25 TT on the season, and in tackle-oriented leagues, he looks to be an under-owned asset presently, although a couple more double-digit efforts will likely have an effect on his ownership percentage.

Kevin Byard, S, Tennessee Titans

Yet another safety racking up double-digit wrap-ups, Byard is coming off a 12-tackle effort (seven solo) at home against the Chargers. He can be counted upon for some big play action, too, as he has picked off or defended passes on occasion over the past couple of seasons.

Jordan Whitehead, S, New York Jets

If there was concern that Whitehead was only going to be productive when facing the Lions, he has dispelled those concerns, leading the Jets with nine TT in Week 2 (seven solo). Taking on the Patriots at home in Week 3 is a good if not excellent matchup for the veteran DB.

Grant Delpit, S, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland defender has led the team in tackles in both of the 2023 contests played thus far, racking up another six TT (four solo). He also contributes big-play potential, having picked off a pass in Week 2, and also has picked up a PD in each of the first two games of the early action. His every-down usage is also a positive aspect.

Daxton Hill, S, Cincinnati Bengals

Hill is now a full-time DB for the Cincinnati defense and rewarded that faith in him with 11 TT in Week 2 (nine solo). He had an INT in Week 1, and contributed with a PD in Week 2.

Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots

The rookie was matched up against Tyreek Hill at home when Miami came to visit, and fared well, holding the Dolphin WR to five catches for 40 yards. He had a sack in Week 1, and had an INT in Week 2, with a PD as well. He has value for tackle-oriented leagues, too, with six solos last game, giving him 13 TT on the early action.

Jakorian Bennett, CB, Las Vegas Raiders

Another rooked corner, expect that offenses will key on Bennett until he proves his mettle on the field. He collected nine TT last week (five solo) and now has an attractive 16 TT on the season. Rookie CBs that are on the field for a high percentage of defensive snaps are IDP gold.

 

Fantasy Football IDP Fallers – Escalator Going Down

Linebackers

Christian Harris, Houston Texans

Harris saw his PT drop dramatically from Week 1 to last week’s action, 72% down ot 39% of defensive snaps. The team seems intent on rotating him with rookie Henry To’oTo’o in the early action, which will limit his value as a starting LB in fantasy action.

Defensive Linemen

Haason Reddick, DE, Philadelphia Eagles

Reddick was likely a DL target in most IDP drafts, but has been a bust to date, with just one assist and no solo tackles to his credit. That will likely turn around as the season plays out, but for now, he is not a fantasy asset in any sense.

DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Dallas Cowboys

Lawrence is hurt by the lack of PT he has found available through the early action this season, as only Micah Parsons is a full-time DL in Dallas. He offers relatively low tackle production, with just three TT over the first two games that the Cowboys have played.

Defensive Backs

Jeremy Chinn, S, Carolina Panthers

Chinn’s PT will be impacted negatively by the addition of Vonn Bell, costing him a starting role and shifting him to a more inconstant role in the defensive scheme in Carolina. He has the potential to fill in at LB due to the Shaq Thompson injury, but that seems matchup-dependent at best and not something to rely upon taking place.

 

Week 3 Matchups To Exploit

Remember, the first team listed is the one to use your IDPs against. Do not go crazy, and play a LB5 against the Rams, but certainly, you will do well if you own a top LB on either side of the Jacksonville/Houston contest, or own a Buffalo DL that you can plug in this week, for the most part.

Linebackers

Defensive Ends

Defensive Tackles 

Safeties

Cornerbacks

 

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

This section is intended to serve as a shortened cheat sheet listing those waiver wire targets you should be considering if you need to plug a hole in your starting lineup. All these players are spotlighted above, and you can read my comments about them in the "Elevator Going Up" section of this article. This week, all the players commented on are here, but there will be weeks when the ownership percentages are too steep to justify listing the player in this portion of the article. This group consists of those that you may have a chance of locating on your league's waiver wire in that they are owned in significantly less than 50% of leagues. Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.

Linebackers

Defensive Linemen

Defensive Backs

 

NFL IDP Injuries – Ouch (My Aching Roster)

All the injury reports below need evaluation prior to kickoff.  Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. Consider the list below as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.

Linebackers

Josh Woods Arizona Cardinals ankle

Trooy Anderson Atlanta Falcons concussion

Jadeveon Clowney Baltimore Ravens illness

Odafe Oweh Baltimore Ravens ankle

Terrel Bernard Buffalo Bills leg

Brian Burns Carolina Panthers ankle

Justin Houston Carolina Panthers calf

Chandler Wooten Carolina Panthers knee

Shaq Green-Thompson Carolina Panthers lower leg IR

Anthony Walker Cleveland Browns pectoral

Sione Takitaki Cleveland Browns shoulder

Frank Clark Denver Broncos hip

James Houston Detroit Lions ankle IR

Rashan Gary Green Bay Packers knee

Lukas Van Ness Green Bay Packers elbow

Denzel Perryman Houston Texans hand

Neville Hewitt Houston Texans illness

Josh Allen Jacksonville Jaguars shoulder

Willie Gay, Jr. Kansas City Chiefs quadriceps

Nick Bolton Kansas City Chiefs ankle

Daiyan Henley Los Angeles Chargers hamstring

Chris Rumph II Los Angeles Chargers hamstring

Eric Kendricks Los Angeles Chargers hamstring

Jaelan Phillips Miami Dolphins back

Marcus Davenport Minnesota Vikings ankle

Micah McFadden New York Giants neck

Quincy Williams New York Jets knee

Elandon Roberts Pittsburgh Steelers neck

Devin Bush Seattle Seahawks shoulder

Boye Mafe Seattle Seahawks knee

SirVocae Dennis Tampa Bay Buccaneers hamstring

Luke Gifford Tennessee Titans quadriceps

Harold Landry Tennessee Titans hamstring 

Defensive Linemen

DE

Carlos Watkins Arizona Cardinals biceps

L.J. Collier Arizona Cardinals biceps IR

Leonard Floyd Buffalo Bills ankle

Joseph Ossai Cincinnati Bengals ankle

Za’Darius Smith Cleveland Browns ankle

Josh Paschal Detroit Lions knee IR

Jonathan Greenard Houston Texans knee

Chandler Jones Las Vegas Raiders personal NFI-R

Azeez Ojulari New York Giants hamstring

John Franklin-Myers New York Jets hip

Mike Morris Seattle Seahawks shoulder IR

DT

Jordan Phillips Buffalo Bills illness

Grover Stewart Indianapolis Colts foot

Folorunso Fatukasi Jacksonville Jaguars shoulder

Bilal Nichols Las Vegas Raiders hamstring

Christian Barmore New England Patriots knee

Cameron Heyward Pittsburgh Steelers groin IR

Calijah Kancey Tampa Bay Buccaneers calf

Denico Autry Tennessee Titans foot

Teair Tart Tennessee Titans knee

Daron Payne Washington Commanders ankle

Defensive Backs

S

Budda Baker Arizona Cardinals hamstring IR

Ar’Darius Washington Baltimore Ravens chest IR

Marcus Williams Baltimore Ravens pectoral

Micah Hyde Buffalo Bills hamstring

Josh Blackwell Chicago Bears hamstring

Eddie Jackson Chicago Bears foot

Kyler Gordon Chicago Bears hand IR

Nick Scott Cincinnati Bengals concussion

Jayron Kearse Dallas Cowboys illness

Delarrin Turner-Yell Denver Broncos undisclosed

Caden Sterns Denver Broncos knee IR

Kerby Joseph Detroit Lions hip

C.J. Gardner-Johnson Detroit Lions pectoral IR

Emmanuel Moseley Detroit Lions knee-ACL

Khalil Dorsey Detroit Lions illness IR

Jalen Pitre Houston Texans chest

Jimmie Ward Houston Texans hip

Eric Murray Houston Texans concussion

Andrew Wingard Jacksonville Jaguars shoulder

Antonio Johnson Jacksonville Jaguars hamstring

Jason Taylor II Los Angeles Rams groin IR

Eligah Campbell Miami Dolphins knee

Jonathan Jones New England Patriots ankle

Tony Adams New York Jets hamstring

Reed Blankenship Philadelphia Eagles ribs

Minkah Fitzpatrick Pittsburgh Pirates chest

Jamal Adams Seattle Seahawks knee

Amani Hooker Tennessee Titans concussion

CB

Rashad Fenton Arizona Cardinals undisclosed IR

Jeff Okudah Atlanta Falcons foot

Trayvon Mullen Baltimore Ravens toe NFI-R

Marlon Humphrey Baltimore Ravens foot

Jaycee Horn Carolina Panthers hamstring IR

Greg Newsome II Cleveland Browns elbow

Tavierre Thomas Houston Texans hand

Kenny Moore Indianapolis Colts knee

Gregory Junior Jacksonville Jaguars hamstring IR

L’Jarius Sneed Kansas City Chiefs knee

Kelvin Joseph Miami Dolphins personal

Marcus Jones New England Patriots shoulder

Michael Carter II New York Jets elbow

Avonte Maddox Philadelphia Eagles pectoral IR

James Bradberry Philadelphia Eagles concussion

Ambry Thomas San Francisco 49ers knee

Samuel Womack San Francisco 49ers knee IR

Tariq Woolen Seattle Seahawks chest

Carlton Davis Tampa Bay Buccaneers toe

Anthony Kendall Tennessee Titans hip

Jartavius Martin Washington Commanders concussion

As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, you can also send a message to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a personal response from the writer of this article. Naturally, the more detail you can send about your league, such as number of teams, platform you play in (Yahoo, ESPN, etc.), scoring and roster system, the better the ability to provide accurate advice.