Free Agency and Injury report week 3 2020

By Kyle Dvorchak

Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings' first-round rookie had a quiet two weeks before this Sunday. He had just five catches for 70 yards entering the week. Jefferson exploded in Week 3 with seven catches for 175 yards and a score. He led the Vikings with nine targets as well. Minnesota still projects to be a run-first offense but their crumbling defense might make that philosophy more of a wish than a reality. Jefferson is worth rostering in all leagues but will still be a risky start unless the Vikings offense shifts to a pass-heavy approach of Jefferson completely usurps Adam Thielen for the No. 1 job.

Dallas Goedert and DeSean Jackson, Eagles

Goedert exited in Week 3 versus the Bengals with an ankle injury. He did not return and reports have since indicated that he will miss a few weeks. DeSean Jackson also missed much of the game with a hamstring injury. The Eagles were down to Greg Ward as their top wideout and Zach Ertz as their No. 1 receiving option. Both saw double-digit targets and caught seven of them. Ward led the team with 72 receiving yards. Ertz is a TE1 per usual and Ward is worth adding off the wire for some cheap fantasy points.

Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks

Carson had his leg rolled on a dirty move from Cowboys DT Trysten Hill. His status for Week 4 is unknown. Carlos Hyde would step in as the lead back for Seattle if Carson does miss time. Hyde has 16 carries for 57 yards while serving as the backup to Carson through three games.

Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers

Johnson was ruled out from returning in Week 3 with a concussion. JuJu Smith-Schuster may luck into a larger role for the Steelers after serving as the team's second-leading receiver behind Johnson through two weeks. James Washington led the team with seven targets in Week 3 but only converted them into 36 yards. He's worth an add in deeper leagues but shouldn't be relied on as a starter.

Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers

Godwin returned in Week 3 after missing Week 2 with a concussion. His time on the field was short-lived as he was ruled out from returning due to a hamstring injury. He will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury this week. Mike Evans scored twice on his only two catches. Rob Gronkowski led the team with seven targets and managed to bring down six balls for 48 yards. He's worth a start for teams in need of a spot-start at tight end but Bruce Arians has talked about using him primarily as a blocker.

Tarik Cohen, RB, Bears

Cohen suffered an ACL tear that will sideline him for the rest of the year. The Bears signed Cohen to an extension last week but still weren't giving him much work. He has six catches on the year and 14 carries. His absence could free up a few extra looks for David Montgomery and even Cordarrelle Patterson. Ultimately, Cohen's role was not large enough to make his absence ground-breaking from a fantasy perspective

Mike Williams, WR, Chargers

Williams has been left behind in the Chargers offense under Justin Herbert. He has three catches for 31 yards in Herbert's two starts. Avoid starting Williams whenever possible, even if he is able to suit up next week.

Jordan Reed, TE, 49ers

Reed suffered an ankle injury, left the game, returned, suffered a knee injury, and ultimately did not return. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expects Reed to miss 6-8 weeks with a knee sprain. George Kittle should be back for Week 4 making it fine to cut Reed in all fantasy formats. Ross Dwelley would get to the start if Kittle missed Week 4 but could still be left on the waiver wire, even in the deepest of leagues.

Nick Foles, QB, CHI

Foles came in after the Bears benched Mitchell Trubisky around halftime. He threw three scores to one interception versus Atlanta in a comeback victory. He's an upgrade over Mitch but only by a slim margin. He's still been passed up on by the Jags and Eagles in recent years. Don't get too crazy with Bears optimism now that head coach Matt Nagy has announced him as the starter.

Michael Pittman, WR, IND

Rookie receiver Micahel Pittman Jr. suffered a calf injury that required surgery. It will keep him out past the Colts' bye. He's eying a Week 8 return. Zach Pascal led the Colts receivers with a measly four targets. The team buried the Jets so airing it out wasn't a priority but falling behind Nyheim Hines in targets isn't promising. This team wants to run the ball and then throw to their backs whenever possible. Pascal is worth an add in particularly deep leagues.