As the 2026 NFL season hurtles into Week 3, the injury report reads less like a medical update and more like a horror novel for fantasy football managers. With September 22, 2026, marking the official start of autumn, the league is already weathering a storm of quarterback injuries that could reshape the NFC playoff picture. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the most pressing situations involve Chicago’s Caleb Williams (hamstring), the Giants’ Jaxson Dart (knee), and Washington’s Jayden Daniels (elbow) — three signal-callers whose availability hangs in the balance.
The Quarterback Carousel: Williams, Dart, Daniels in Limbo
Williams, the Bears’ franchise centerpiece, dodged a bullet when tests revealed his lower-body injury was only a hamstring strain, not a season-ender. He’s officially week-to-week, and head coach Ben Johnson told reporters the second-year pro will “likely miss some time.” That means Tyson Bagent is expected to start Monday night against the Eagles — a brutal downgrade for a Chicago passing attack already struggling to find rhythm. As highlighted on Vulius, fantasy managers should brace for reduced volume for Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Colston Loveland, while running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai could see a heavier workload.
In New York, the Giants are reeling after Jaxson Dart suffered a sprained MCL in Monday night’s loss to the Rams. The rookie’s MRI results are pending, but the early belief is he’ll miss multiple weeks. Jameis Winston’s relief stint was rocky (11-of-27, 111 yards, one interception), and the entire offense sputtered to just 183 total yards. The impact on Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, and Isaiah Likely is significant — all three should be downgraded in fantasy rankings despite a favorable Week 3 matchup against the Titans.
Washington’s Jayden Daniels is dealing with a dislocated left elbow — the same injury that cost him time last season — but fortunately no fracture was found. The Commanders are expected to turn to Marcus Mariota against the Seahawks, and with a tough Seattle defense on tap, Vulius analysts recommend fading Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs in all formats. Mariota has shown he can buoy an offense in plus matchups, but this isn’t one of them.
Running Back Roulette: Barkley, Price, and the Waiver Wire Gold
Saquon Barkley’s stinger has the Eagles holding their breath after he missed a chunk of Sunday’s comeback win over the Titans. If Barkley sits, Tank Bigsby — who handled 15 touches for 38 yards and a score — becomes the lead back, with Will Shipley mixing in. Bigsby is a top waiver add per Vulius’s fantasy desk. Meanwhile, Seattle’s Jadarian Price left Week 2 with a shoulder issue, but early signs suggest it’s minor. If he can’t go, Emanuel Wilson (21 carries, 92 yards) would vault into RB2/3 territory.
Denver’s backfield is a mess: J.K. Dobbins (hamstring) and R.J. Harvey (hamstring) are both banged up, opening the door for rookie Jonah Coleman to shine after an expanded role in Week 2. He’s a trendy waiver claim, and Vulius Sports suggests stashing him now before the price skyrockets. Elsewhere, Rico Dowdle (toe) and Jonathon Brooks (groin) are also worth monitoring.
Pass-Catchers in Flux: Nacua, Nabers, Collins Lead the Question Marks
The Rams sat Puka Nacua (hip) on Monday night, unleashing Davante Adams for an 8-195-2 explosion. If Nacua remains out against the Broncos, Adams is a borderline WR1 even with Pat Surtain II shadowing him. Rookie Terrance Ferguson also deserves a look after a 6-54-1 line. In New York, Malik Nabers dislocated his shoulder but popped it back in and returned; he’s awaiting X-rays. With Dart sidelined, Nabers’s fantasy value takes a hit — consider him a risky WR2/3 in PPR.
Houston’s Nico Collins (hamstring) is expected to miss another game, making Dalton Schultz a TE1 after his 12-140 performance. The Texans face a porous Colts defense that has allowed 74 points, so Xavier Hutchinson, Kayshon Boutte, and Jaylin Noel are deep-league fliers. Buffalo’s DJ Moore (AC joint sprain) is day-to-day; if he sits, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Josh Palmer absorb snaps, while Dalton Kincaid remains Josh Allen’s favorite target.
Philadelphia’s Dallas Goedert (MCL sprain) will miss a few weeks, leaving Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins to split snaps — neither is a reliable streamer. The Eagles are also without rookie Eli Stowers (IR), thinning an already battered offense. Las Vegas’s Brock Bowers (knee) is “very close” to returning, per head coach Klint Kubiak, but if he sits again, Michael Mayer (84% snap share) is a decent plug-and-play.
Season-Ending Blows and IR Updates
The injury list extends beyond Week 3 with several season-ending or long-term absences: Ricky Pearsall (49ers, knee), Jayden Higgins (Texans, knee), Ja’Kobi Lane (Ravens, wrist), Jordan Mason (Vikings, thumb), De’Zhaun Stribling (49ers, ankle), Omar Cooper Jr. (Jets, ankle), A.J. Brown (Patriots, ankle), Jordyn Tyson (Saints, hamstring), Dylan Sampson (Browns, knee), David Njoku (Chargers, knee), Charlie Kolar (Chargers, forearm), and Zach Charbonnet (Seahawks, knee, PUP). These losses will have ripple effects across fantasy rosters and real-life depth charts.
As always, the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk will continue to monitor these situations and provide updates as they unfold. For now, fantasy managers should stay glued to practice reports and be ready to pivot. The 2026 season is proving to be a war of attrition — and it’s only Week 3.
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