For reference, players may be classified on the team's final injury report of any given week as "questionable (Q)," "doubtful (D)" or "out." Besides the obvious designation of a player being ruled out, "questionable" indicates a player is uncertain to play, while "doubtful" means a player is unlikely to play.
Since the NFL did away with the "probable" designation two years ago, players who are expected to play on Sunday (or Monday) are simply removed from the injury report by the reporting deadline (Friday evening for Sunday games, Saturday afternoon for Monday night games).
For the purposes of this injury-related game preview, players will be grouped by position. Below each player's name, team, injured body part (as listed on the official NFL injury report), official game-status designation and game time (ET), the following elements are included: any known relevant details about the injury, the player's involvement in practice that week and any additional notes to provide context around the player's status.
For anyone seeking more specific detail about certain types of injuries, there is an illustrated injury glossary here, which you can also find on the right side of the ESPN fantasy home page.
Also, please check out my "Answering the Bell" podcast where we take a deeper dive into various medical topics with special guests, including experts in their respective fields, as well as athletes who have firsthand experience with various injuries or medical conditions. All episodes are archived here.
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, knee, (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Sprained (L) knee, Week 1
Practice report: DNP Wed-Fri; Limited Sat
Notes: Despite playing well in Week 1, Rodgers acknowledged that his knee issue isn't going away; the hope is that with proper management throughout the week and barring an in-game setback, he will be able to continue to play as his knee heals. The flip side is that if he fails to progress as far as the healing is concerned, plans might have to be altered.
For now however, the plan remains consistent. Rodgers did not practice throughout the week and was expected to go through a light practice Saturday. It's worth noting the Packers as a whole did not practice on Wednesday or Friday this week (Friday is a typical day off from practice for them). The team is comfortable (and why wouldn't it be?) with Rodgers receiving treatment and going through mental preparations throughout the week as he saves his physical reps for light work on Saturday and a game on Sunday. He is listed as questionable, but the expectation is he will take the field in Washington, barring a surprise.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, knee (off pregame injury report), Monday night
Additional injury details: First appeared on practice injury report this week
Practice report: Full Thu-Sat
Notes: There is no concern about Fitzpatrick's status for Monday night. And, that's a good thing, since he cracks the top 10 in fantasy quarterback rankings in Week 3.
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles, knee (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: ACL/LCL surgery December 2017
Practice report: Full Wed-Fri
Notes: Well, well, well. Wentz was recently cleared for contact, then he was announced as the starter for Week 3. His return is much anticipated, and his rehabilitation following a multi-ligament surgery last December has been a nine-month project. Expect Wentz to continue to wear a large brace on his left knee to help protect against the inevitable contact he will receive. No opponent is going to treat him with kid gloves when he takes the field, hence the Eagles' hesitation to bring him back until they felt confident he can demonstrate the ability to not only function effectively as the mobile quarterback he is, but also to adequately protect himself. Will he be rusty? It stands to reason there would be a bit of re-acclimating to the speed of the game, but the hope is that he will make quick adjustments. He has certainly expressed his eagerness to get back on the field. Now we all get to watch him do it.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks, hamstring (off pregame injury report), 4:25 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on practice injury report this week
Practice report: Full Wed-Fri
Notes: Wilson hasn't missed a game in his NFL career, and it's not going to change this week. The number of times he has been sacked, however, is of concern, and it seems like he's constantly running away from pressure. Any sort of hamstring ailment is going to raise eyebrows for a quarterback who relies so much on his legs. The good news is that he took full reps in practice every day, so this appears to be a relatively minor issue.
Case Keenum, Denver Broncos, knee (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on practice injury report this week
Practice report: DNP Wed; Full Thu-Fri
Notes: According to ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold, Keenum moved well in practice in the latter part of the week, showing no hesitation to step into his throws and rolling out of the pocket without issue. His removal from the pregame injury report serves as confirmation that he will indeed play this week.
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans, right elbow (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Right elbow contusion, Week 1
Practice report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: Mariota's right elbow injury resulted in nerve symptoms including numbness/tingling and weakness in his hand. Although he dressed in Week 2, he did not play, yielding the start to Blaine Gabbert. Mariota has said he's improving, yet some symptoms remain. His continued limitation in practice, questionable designation and the opposing Jacksonville defense leave him unranked among QBs in Week 3.
Running backs
Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers, neck (off pregame injury report), 4:05 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on injury report this week
Practice report: Full Wed-Fri
Notes: The combination of full practices and his removal from the pregame injury report give confidence about Gordon's status heading into Sunday.
Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars, hamstring (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Right hamstring strain, Week 1
Practice report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: Fournette left the Week 1 game reaching for his right hamstring. He did not practice the following week and sat out the Week 2 contest. This week, Fournette practiced on a limited basis daily, and while his status is still listed as questionable, he appears more likely to be active this Sunday. Still, fantasy players should check pregame inactives to be sure.
Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Raiders, shoulder (off game-status injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on the injury report because of his shoulder last week
Practice report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: Once again, daily practice sessions and removal from the pregame injury report indicate Lynch is expected to play.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans, back (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to the injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Wed-Thu; Full Fri
Notes: Henry was able to upgrade to a full practice at the end of the week. The upgrade plus his removal from the pregame injury report indicate he should be able to play Sunday, barring a surprise.
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills, rib (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Cracked rib cartilage, Week 2
Practice report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: Injuries to the cartilage that attaches to the ribs can often be more painful and problematic for a longer period of time than injuries to the ribs themselves. McCoy was kept out of contact the entire week in an effort to preserve him for a potential weekend appearance, but the pain is still an issue. Extra padding in the area doesn't offer a complete solution; the pain associated with breathing hard -- due to movement of the entire rib cage to accommodate the lungs -- is often the more challenging element. And then there's the Vikings' defense to consider. For what it's worth, McCoy did travel to Minnesota with the team, but it still wouldn't be a shock if he ends up missing this game. If McCoy does play, there has to be some concern he could be forced out early.
Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals, knee (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Wed; full Thu-Fri
Notes: There is nothing to suggest this is anything serious for Bernard, who stands to see an increased workload this week with teammate Joe Mixon out.
Alex Collins, Baltimore Ravens, illness (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: None
Practice report: DNP Wed; Full Thu-Fri
Notes: Collins was off the injury report by Friday, so we know his status for Sunday's game.
T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville Jaguars, ankle (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to the injury report last Friday
Practice report: DNP Wed; Limited Thu-Fri
Notes: Yeldon played last week after being added to the practice injury report, but this week, he comes into the game listed as questionable, indicating a little less certainty about his status. With Fournette and Yeldon both questionable, fantasy players need to check the inactives to gauge their status and respective workload.
Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles, quadricep, (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Fri
Notes: Uh-oh. The Eagles are down two running backs with Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles ruled out on Friday; then Clement was added to Friday's practice report with a quad ailment and listed as questionable. The expectation is that he will play, but fantasy players would be wise to check his pregame status to be sure.
Sony Michel, New England Patriots, knee (off pregame injury report), 8:20 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Cleanup procedure (L) knee, August
Practice report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: Michel has already played in a game and has had no setbacks. He is expected to play again on Sunday night.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings, hamstring (out), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured Week 2
Practice report: DNP Wed-Fri
Notes: Cook was held to rehab work on the side throughout the week as he tended to his injured hamstring. It is not uncommon for athletes returning from an ACL reconstruction to sustain soft tissue injuries when they return to the highest level of performance. The hope for Cook is this issue is relatively minor, but given the fact he did undergo ACL surgery in the last year, the team will want to ensure he does not have residual symptoms when he returns. It's worth noting the Vikings play their Week 4 game on Thursday night.
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons, knee, (out) 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Right knee, injured Week 1
Practice report: DNP Wed-Fri
Notes: This is the same knee that Freeman injured late last season, with reports of a sprained MCL and PCL. Although he played through to finish the season, the knee clearly limited him, and the hope was that the offseason would allow him ample time to recover. Freeman came to camp feeling good, and the team protected him by limiting his volume of work, including no appearances in preseason games. Unfortunately, PCL injuries in particular can often leave an athlete with residual instability which, even if minor, can become aggravated during the course of playing football. At some point during the Week 1 game, Freeman's knee became problematic and, after not practicing at all last week, he was out in Week 2. He did not practice at all again this week and was ruled out in advance of Sunday's game.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals, knee (out), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Post-knee surgery, Week 2
Practice report: DNP Wed-Fri
Notes: Mixon underwent arthroscopic surgery last Saturday after injuring his knee in the Week 2 Thursday night game. His projected to be out for a few weeks. In the meantime, teammate Bernard is expected to see more work.
Jay Ajayi, Philadelphia Eagles, back (out), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on injury report with a back injury this week
Practice report: DNP Wed-Fri
Notes: Ajayi has had injury concerns before, primarily with his knee. This new ailment kept him out of practice all week, and it quickly became clear he would not be ready to play Sunday. With teammate Darren Sproles also sidelined, Corey Clement's status becomes more critical.
Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles, hamstring (out), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: None
Practice report: DNP Wed-Fri
Notes: Sproles was out in Week 2 and has not yet returned to practice.
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts, hamstring (out), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Hamstring strain, August; foot injury added this week
Practice report: DNP Wed-Fri
Notes: Mack made his regular-season debut in Week 2 after sitting out the first week with a hamstring injury. Unfortunately, he added a foot ailment to the mix. The combination of a recent hamstring strain and a new foot injury was enough for the team to rule him out in advance of this game.
Wide receivers
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons, calf (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report this week
Practice report: DNP Wed-Thu; Limited Fri
Notes: Coach Dan Quinn has always said when it comes to Jones that as long as Jones could show on a Friday that he could be explosive and plant and cut without hesitation, he would be able to play. Since Jones was removed from the pregame injury report, he undoubtedly proved he would be fine to take the field Sunday.
DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans, thumb/ankle/hamstring (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Week 2
Practice report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: Worry not. Last week, Hopkins was listed with one ailment (foot) and his status was questionable. He played. This week, he has three body parts listed next to his name, indicating he's receiving plenty of treatment to keep him on the field. His removal from the pregame injury report confirms he will make his usual start Sunday.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts, quadricep (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report this week
Practice report: DNP Wed-Thu, Full Fri
Notes: Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has to be relieved to know he'll travel to Philadelphia with his No. 1 receiving target. Both running back Marlon Mack and tight end Jack Doyle are staying home with injuries this week. As for Hilton, a quad issue kept him out of practice for a couple of days, but a full practice Friday proved he's ready to play.
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals, hamstring (Q), 4:25 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured in Week 2
Practice report: DNP Wed; Limited Thu-Fri
Notes: If ever there was an ironman wide receiver, it's Fitzgerald. One has to go back to 2014 to find his last missed games -- and those two absences were the only ones in his past 10 seasons (10!). Still, soft tissue injuries are a bit more concerning for a 35-year-old, and perhaps that is why he was held out of practice on Wednesday. Still, Fitzgerald returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday, and the expectation is that he will play Sunday. Given the fact this is a late game against an impressive Bears defense, combined with a sputtering Cardinals offense and Fitzgerald's being at less than 100 percent, his fantasy ranking falls outside our top 15.
Will Fuller V, Houston Texans, hamstring (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: hamstring strain, August 2018
Practice Report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: Fuller made his regular-season debut in Week 2 and quickly reminded us of his value, posting 113 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions. While he remains on the practice injury report, his game status has improved this week with his removal from the pregame injury report. Expect Fuller to take the field against the Giants.
Marvin Jones Jr., Detroit Lions, ankle (Q), 8:20 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report Friday
Practice report: Limited Fri
Notes: A late addition to the injury report along with a downgrade in status is always worrisome. Factor in that the Lions don't play until Sunday night and fantasy players should be sure to obtain insurance.
Kelvin Benjamin, Buffalo Bills, hip (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on practice injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Wed; Full Thu-Fri
Notes: Two consecutive days of full practice plus removal from the pregame injury report signal Benjamin is expected to play.
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants, back, (off pregame injury report), 8:20 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured Week 1
Practice report: Limited Wed, Full Thu-Fri
Notes: There are few details about the back ailment that caused Shepard to be listed on this week's injury report, but the good news is he put in back-to-back full practice sessions late in the week. His removal from the pregame injury report is an indicator that the team expects him to play Sunday night.
Ted Ginn Jr., New Orleans Saints, knee (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared in last week's injury report
Practice report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: Ginn played in Week 2 despite the ailment. His daily practice and removal from the pregame injury report indicate he should play again this week.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins, finger (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Fractured finger, August
Practice Report: Full Wed-Fri
Notes: Parker suffered a broken finger in practice Aug. 12 and returned to limited practice late last week. Although he said after Sunday's game that he was healthy enough to play, the coaching staff kept him sidelined. This week, he has been a full participant throughout the week and is off the pregame injury report. It remains to be seen whether that equates to taking the field in Week 3.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, toe (off pregame injury report), Monday night
Additional injury details: First appeared on practice injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Thu-Fri; Full Sat
Notes: Godwin upgraded his practice status and was removed from the pregame injury report in advance of Monday night's game. While there is nothing to suggest Godwin's injury is serious, toe ailments can be concerning in that some can be easily aggravated, depending on the nature of the injury.
Travis Benjamin, Los Angeles Chargers, foot (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Right foot injury, Week 1
Practice report: Limited Wed; DNP Thu; Limited Fri
Notes: Benjamin sat out Week 2 and was still rather limited in practice this week. The questionable designation and the tough matchup against the Rams make him a risky play.
Marquise Goodwin, San Francisco 49ers, quadricep (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Thigh contusion, Week 1
Practice report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: Goodwin re-entered the Week 1 game after suffering the deep bruise to his thigh, but the injury rendered him largely ineffective. After not practicing all of last week, he sat out the Week 2 game against the Lions. This week, Goodwin returned to limited practice but remains listed as questionable. Clearly, he is making progress, but it appears his status against the Chiefs could be a game-time decision.
Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles, shoulder (Q), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Rotator cuff surgery, February
Practice report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: Jeffery has been recovering from rotator cuff surgery and sat out the first two weeks of the season. He remained limited in practice throughout the week, and on Friday, coach Doug Pedersen indicated Jeffery had yet to be cleared for contact. His questionable designation comes as a bit of a surprise, given the day before, he was still not practicing fully. He has reportedly looked good in the elements of practice in which he is participating, but, as of now, it would be more surprising if he played than if he were held out an additional week.
Josh Gordon, New England Patriots, hamstring (Q), 8:20 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Hamstring soreness in preseason; appears on first practice injury report with Patriots
Practice report: Limited Wed-Fri
Notes: The combination of being new to the Patriots' offense and a hamstring injury that has lingered since the preseason make it very questionable for Gordon to see the field. This is a Sunday night game, so fantasy players are advised to look elsewhere.
Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks, knee (out), 4:25 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: MCL sprain (R) knee, Week 1 2018; (L) knee soreness, August
Practice Report: DNP Wed-Fri
Notes: Baldwin was absent for the bulk of the preseason due to soreness in his left knee. Upon returning to practice in late August, Baldwin confirmed that, indeed, this will be something he has to manage across the season. He then declared himself approximately 80-85 percent healthy. That was until he played in Week 1. Baldwin suffered an MCL sprain in his opposite knee in that game and remains out this week. In reality, his status will be closely monitored throughout the season, as he now has issues with both knees that could be intermittently problematic.
Tight ends
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots, ankle (off pregame injury report), 8:20 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Thu; Full Fri
Notes: Nothing to see here. Full practice and a removal from the pregame injury report indicate Gronkowski will take the field.
Evan Engram, New York Giants, ankle (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on injury report this week
Practice report: Limited Wed-Thu; Full Fri
Notes: Engram's full practice late in the week combined with his removal from the pregame injury report indicate he will be available Sunday.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Jacksonville Jaguars, core muscle (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: First appeared on injury report with core muscle injury in Week 1
Practice Report: DNP Wed; Limited Thu; Full Fri
Notes: Seferian-Jenkins was on the injury report with the same issue in Week 1 and played the bulk of the offensive snaps, and again in Week 2. Expect him to play again this week.
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals, back (off pregame injury report), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Back surgery, December 2017
Practice report: Full Wed-Fri
Notes: Given his injury history and last year's back surgery, expect Eifert to continue to be listed on the practice injury report throughout the season. He doubled his snap count in Week 2 compared to Week 1 and is expected to play again this Sunday.
Antonio Gates, Los Angeles Chargers, illness (Q), 4:05 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Added to injury report this week
Practice report: DNP Wed-Thu; Limited Fri
Notes: Gates missed two practices with an illness but was able to participate on a limited basis Friday. The questionable tag leaves the door open with regard to his status, but he hasn't been particularly involved in the offense to this point, anyway.
Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers, foot (out), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Olsen re-fractured his right foot in Week 1. This is the same foot he injured last year (Jones fracture). At that time, he underwent surgery to insert a screw, and he returned to action after missing nine weeks.
Practice Report: DNP Wed-Fri
Notes: During the offseason, Olsen worked without incident, and it wasn't until a misstep in last Sunday's game when he felt the break. Given that there is already a screw inserted to keep the fracture site stable, Olsen has opted to undergo the conservative treatment route (walking boot for first two weeks, bone stimulator, Vitamin D supplements, progressive rehabilitation as able) with the hopes of returning in four to six weeks. This explains the Panthers' decision not to move him to injured reserve. Consequently, he will appear on the injury report weekly and his status will be adjusted as indicated based on when he returns to practice and, ultimately, if all goes well, to play.
Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts, hip (out), 1 p.m. ET
Additional injury details: Injured Week 2, 2018
Practice report: DNP Wed-Fri
Notes: Doyle was unable to practice at all this week, making it clear he was headed for an absence in Week 3. It remains to be seen how long this injury will sideline him.