The NFC South rolls on without two of its starting quarterbacks. Drew Brees and Cam Newton are still on the shelf. That doesn’t seem to hurt the Panthers receiving corps all that much, if at all. The Saints got by fine without Brees last week by leaning heavily on Alvin Kamara, something you can expect again this week against the Cowboys.
This week’s injury report is heavy on players from the Chargers. That’s nothing new. It seems like every season the injury bug bites spreads fast through the locker room there. With Mike Williams out and Travis Benjamin doubtful, that could mean a huge game for Keenan Allen against the Dolphins.
Saquon Barkley’s injury is going to leave a lot of fantasy owners hurting for at least a couple of months. The good news is that Wayne Gallman makes for a nice fill-in this week against a terrible Washington team. That game could be good for Terry McLaurin too. Despite being listed as questionable, the Washington receiver is expected to play, and he’s got a real attractive matchup against a Giants secondary that can’t stop anything.
Stud tight end Mark Andrews is expected to play this week. The Ravens play the Browns, who aren’t giving up much to opposing tight ends, but as long as Andrews is healthy, he’s worth a spot in your lineup since he’s an integral part of this explosive offense.
Here’s the rest of the injury report for skill position players.
Quarterbacks
Out: Drew Brees (right thumb), Cam Newton (foot)
Questionable: QB Matthew Stafford (hip)
Running backs
Out: Saquon Barkley (ankle), Justin Jackson (calf), Damien Williams (knee)
Questionable: Rex Burkhead (foot), Andy Janovich (pectoral), Rashaad Penny (hamstring), Devin Singletary (hamstring)
Wide receivers
Out: Damiere Byrd (hamstring), Taylor Gabriel (concussion), Michael Gallup (knee), Dwayne Harris (ankle), Tyreek Hill (shoulder), Allen Hurns (concussion), Tre’Quan Smith (ankle), Mike Williams (back)
Doubtful: Travis Benjamin (hip), T.Y. Hilton (quadricep)
Questionable: Danny Amendola (chest), Julian Edelman (chest), Robert Foster (groin), Chris Godwin (hip), Rashard Higgins (knee), Isaiah McKenzie (ankle), Terry McLaurin (hamstring), Albert Wilson (hip, calf)
Tight ends
Out: Virgil Green (groin), TE Hunter Henry (knee), Tyler Kroft (ankle), Josh Oliver (hamstring), Jordan Reed (concussion)
Questionable: Mark Andrews (foot), Trey Burton (groin), Matt LaCosse (ankle)