Week 3 of the NFL season brought another wave of injuries that will reshape fantasy football rosters heading into Week 4. Big names like Najee Harris, James Conner, Mike Evans, CeeDee Lamb, Terry McLaurin, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. all left their games with injuries, leaving fantasy managers scrambling for replacements.
In this report, we’ll break down each player’s injury, expected recovery timeline, and what it means for their team’s offense. Most importantly, we’ll highlight the next-man-up opportunities you can target on the waiver wire or in trades to keep your roster competitive.
Status and timelines reflect post–Week 3 updates. Always confirm late-week practice reports and inactives.
| Player | Team / Pos | Injury / Status | Expected Return | Fantasy Impact | Opportunity / Next Man Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Najee Harris | LAC • RB | Non-contact Achilles injury Season-ending | Out for 2025 | Huge loss; wipes out rushing + receiving role in Chargers backfield. | Omarion Hampton takes over RB1 duties; Hassan Haskins moves up depth chart. |
| James Conner | ARI • RB | Right ankle injury; surgery required Season-ending | Out for 2025 | Cardinals lose lead back; fantasy teams lose steady RB2/3 production. | Trey Benson promoted to RB1; Demercado, Bam Knight also involved. |
| Mike Evans | TB • WR | Strained Hamstring | 3-4 week absence expected (monitor practice reports) | Removes Bucs’ deep/red-zone threat; target share shifts. | More looks for Emeka Egbuka, Cade Otton, and other depth WRs. |
| CeeDee Lamb | DAL • WR | Ankle sprain | 4-6 week absence expected (monitor practice reports) | Cowboys lose top target; offense less explosive without him. | George Pickens and Jake Ferguson elevated; Turpin, Tolbert could see upticks. |
| Terry McLaurin | WAS • WR | Quad strain Questionable | Week-to-week | Pass game stability hit; WR production becomes volatile. | Deebo Samuel among those in line for more reps. |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG • RB | Dislocated shoulder | 2-4 week absence expected (monitor practice reports) | Lower-depth RB hit; fantasy volatility increases. | Cam Skattebo or other Giants depth backs could gain touches. |
What to Watch / Team Impacts
- Chargers — Losing Harris changes their entire leading back situation. Chargers will lean heavily on Omarion Hampton and possibly Hassan Haskins. Offensive game scripts might shift more to pass, especially if RB rotation is unproven.
- Cardinals — Conner’s season likely done. Trey Benson becomes much more important, as do Demercado and Knight. Cardinals may adjust offensive philosophy given the loss of their lead runner.
- Buccaneers — Evans’ injury adds stress with Chris Godwin still recovering (if he is). Depth WRs and TE become more critical. Bucs may lean more on middle field and short routes if Evans can’t play fully.
- Cowboys — Lamb’s injury decreases big-play capability and target anchor for that offense. Other WRs need to step up, and Dak Prescott’s reads might shift quicker to safer/shorter options.
- Commanders — McLaurin’s injury is a scare but likely manageable. Still, with multiple injuries already in the offense, this adds to instability. Opponents may key against other receivers if McLaurin is limited or out.
- Giants — Tracy Jr.’s injury may reduce their backfield flexibility. Backup usage and committee roles will matter more; game scripts may tilt based on how well backups perform.
Fantasy Takeaways & Strategy
- RB Priority Picks:
With Harris and Conner likely out for the season, immediately prioritize Omarion Hampton (Chargers) and Trey Benson (Cardinals). These are must-adds in most formats. - WR Depth Matters:
Lamb and Evans injuries open up target volume for secondary receivers. George Pickens (Cowboys), KaVontae Turpin, Luke McCaffrey, etc. become more viable. If you’re light at WR, these spots are priority pickups. - Streaming & Matchups:
In upcoming weeks, stream WRs against weaker secondaries if your star is out or limited. Use matchups smartly. - Monitor Practice Reports Closely:
Lamb & McLaurin statuses are likely to fluctuate; small injuries can linger. Being ahead of inactives or limited-designations gives competitive advantage. - Adjust Your Expectations:
If you rostered any of those injured players, chances are your floor drops. Plan for worst-case scenarios and build buffer weeks.