Bucs WR Antonio Brown did, indeed, test positive for COVID, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Brown is vaccinated, so he's eligible to return after 2 negative tests 24 hours apart. That gives Brown a chance to be cleared in time for Sunday's game against the Rams. But Schefter tweets that, "it will be tough for Brown to play." We've lowered Brown in the Week 3 Rankings for now, as owners should be lining up other options for this week. We'll continue to monitor the situation.
The Chargers held practice Wednesday without EDGE Joey Bosa (foot, ankle) and S Derwin James (toe). James played every defensive snap in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys, and Bosa matched his Week 1 allotment (82%), so we're guessing neither is a serious issue. But we'll watch their participation levels through the week.
Niners HC Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he hoped RB Elijah Mitchell's shoulder injury was merely a stinger but that it's actually a "little worse," according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. "He's got a chance" to play in Week 3, Shanahan added. We'll have to track Mitchell's progress through the week. The other injuries around the San Francisco backfield make it tough to know right now what the succession plan would be if Mitchell's out.
Raiders QB Derek Carr (ankle) put in a full practice on Wednesday. HC Jon Gruden confirmed afterward that Carr is "ready to go" for this weekend's game vs. the Dolphins. Carr, who sits 5th among QBs in fantasy points so far, is a viable QB1 play in Week 3.
49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday. His injury isn't believed to be serious, but Mitchell shouldn't be considered a lock to play vs. the Packers on Sunday night. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow.
49ers RB Trey Sermon (concussion) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. It means that he's made some progress through the league's protocol. If Sermon can get cleared in time for Sunday night's game vs. the Packers, the 49ers might be forced to give him a significant role.
Patriots RB Damien Harris was limited in Wednesday's practice with a finger issue. It's the 1st we've heard of it. At this point, there's no reason to believe Harris is at risk of missing Sunday's game vs. the Saints. But we'll keep an eye on him.
Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault (shoulder) put in a full practice on Wednesday. Shenault underwent an MRI on Monday that evidently revealed no major issues. He'll be out there for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Mike Zimmer reportedly didn't seem concerned about Cook after last week's loss to the Cardinals, but this is certainly a situation to monitor. If Cook can't play vs. the Seahawks this weekend, Alexander Mattison would step in as Minnesota's lead back.
Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins did not practice on Wednesday and is listed with a rib injury. That's all we know right now. Hopkins played his usual allotment of snaps in last week's win over the Vikings, so this might just be a maintenance day. Check back tomorrow for another update.
Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. We still don't know much about his knee injury, but we're assuming for now that Johnson won't play vs. the Bengals this weekend. That'd free up a bunch of targets for guys like Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth and Eric Ebron
Giants TE Evan Engram (calf) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. He has a chance to make his 2021 debut vs. the Falcons this weekend. Engram should eventually re-emerge as a fantasy factor, but we'd try to keep him on benches until we know that he's back to 100%.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (toe, ankle) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice. HC Jon Gruden already called Jacobs "very questionable" for this weekend's game against the Dolphins, so fantasy owners shouldn't be counting on him. With Jacobs out last week, RB Kenyan Drake garnered 7 carries and 6 targets vs. Peyton Barber's 13 carries and 0 targets.
Colts QB Carson Wentz is dealing with a high sprain to his right ankle and a low sprain to the left. The high-ankle sprain is a bigger concern, although Wentz still believes he has a chance to play vs. the Titans this weekend. “A lot of treatment," Wentz said Wednesday. "Throwing the kitchen sink at it trying to get healthy.” We'll track his progress over the next few days, but Wentz shouldn't be in your Week 3 fantasy plans. QB Jacob Eason will get the start if Wentz is out.
Bears HC Matt Nagy officially named QB Justin Fields his starter for Sunday's game vs. the Browns. Nagy reiterated that QB Andy Dalton will get the job back when healthy -- but you have to imagine that Fields can change that if he plays well and wins games. The rookie was up and down as a passer in relief of Dalton in Week 2 but continued to flash elite rushing ability. It's that rushing production that makes him an immediate lower-end QB1 in fantasy lineups.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said WR Odell Beckham (knee) will be "full go" in Wednesday's practice. Beckham has been listed as limited in every practice so far, so this is clearly a step forward. We'll see if he's ready to make his debut vs. the Bears this weekend. Cleveland needs him with WR Jarvis Landry out.
Lions WR Tyrell Williams (concussion) is out for Sunday's game against the Ravens. The early-rule out 10 days after the concussion is concerning. With Williams out last week, Quintez Cephus led Lions WRs with a 90% route rate, followed by Amon-Ra St. Brown at 72%, Kalif Raymond at 64% and Trinity Benson at 44%. Cephus has opened the season with 3-12-1 and 4-63-1 lines and has worked himself onto the WR4 radar.
Falcons WR Russell Gage suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's loss to the Bucs and is considered "week to week," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "The team will see on Friday if he can possibly go this week vs the Giants, though it appears as a bit of a long-shot at first glance." Gage has just 5 catches on 9 targets for 28 yards through 2 games, so hopefully he wasn't part of your Week 3 plans.
Dolphins HC Brian Flores said Wednesday that, after further testing, QB Tua Tagovailoa has been diagnosed with fractured ribs and will miss this weekend's game against the Raiders. Tua's availability beyond Week 3 is uncertain. It'll be Jacoby Brissett under center for however long Tagovailoa is out. Brissett was bad in relief this past Sunday, finishing 24 of 40 for 169 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT. Downgrade Miami's passing game under Brissett.
Bucs WR Antonio Brown has been placed on the COVID list, according to insider Rick Stroud. It's unclear if he tested positive for the virus or is just a close contact. Either way, Brown's Week 3 status is now up in the air. Stay tuned for updates.
Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Brown tested positive. Schefter adds: "A player that tests positive that is vaccinated can return after two negative tests 24 hours apart, but it will be tough for Brown to play Sunday vs. Rams."
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