Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins is set for another strong performance in a Week 3 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dobbins is the overall fantasy RB4 through the first two weeks of the season, and several statistics show that it's not just a fluke. He ranks first in the NFL in explosive run rate and missed tackles forced per attempt. He's 12th in the league in yards after contact, and the Chargers offensive line has been excellent in opening up running lanes, with the Chargers offense tops in the league in yards before contact in the running game. The Steelers defense is solid over all, but has been just about average against running backs through the first two weeks of the season. Dobbins is a high-end RB2 with clear upside.

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards is a touchdown-dependent fantasy option in a Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Edwards has put up two fairly similar games in terms of production so far this season, and is likely to do more of the same. He has not yet broken out for an explosive play nor has he forced a missed tackle, but the Chargers offensive line is providing him with plenty of room to run. He's played on 47% of the offensive snaps in the red zone, and he's always a threat to punch in a short touchdown at the goal line. Still, his value depends almost solely on finding the end zone, making him a risky FLEX play albeit one with some upside.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) is expected to play this week despite suffering an ankle injury near the end of a Week 2 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Herbert missed practice on Wednesday, but was back in there on Thursday and all signs point to him being able to take the field on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even assuming he plays without setbacks, he's no more than a QB2 option, leading a run-first offense against a tough Steelers defense. Herbert has all the talent of the top tier quarterbacks in the NFL, but the type of offense the Chargers run leave him well out of those rankings for fantasy football. He's just the QB27 so far through two weeks of games.

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Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday but was back on the field for Thursday's practice. Stanley is dealing with some sort of ankle injury, but his return is good news for his potential Week 3 availability against the Dallas Cowboys. Needless to say, his availability will be important for protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson in a matchup with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Baltimore's offensive line has not looked as dominant this season compared to previous seasons as new starters get comfortable in their roles, so the veteran tackle's presence in the lineup is key.

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Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (back) and Nate Wiggins (concussion/neck) were back on the practice field on Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday. Hamilton sat out with a back injury, while Wiggins was absent after missing the Week 2 game against the Las Vegas Raiders following a car accident. Wiggins was seen wearing a red non-contact jersey at practice. Baltimore will need its secondary to get back to health in a matchup against Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. The Ravens rank dead last in passing yards allowed per game (257.0) through two weeks.

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Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) and B.J. Hill (hamstring) are not practicing on Thursday due to hamstring injuries. This is not great news heading into a matchup with the Washington Commanders, who are sixth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (176.5) thus far. Conversely, the Bengals have allowed the seventh most rushing yards per game (159.5) through two weeks. If Rankins and Hill cannot play this week, it could mean extra running room for quarterback Jayden Daniels and running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. The Cincinnati defense might be a tempting streamer in fantasy football against a rookie quarterback, but Washington should be able to move the ball, and the team has not committed a turnover yet.

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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (knee) practiced again on Thursday following a limited practice on Wednesday due to a knee injury. It appears the third-year pro out of Wisconsin has a real chance to play in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens after missing the Week 2 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Ferguson was considered a sleeper candidate to finish as high-end TE1 this season, which remains a possibility if he can get back to action. The Ravens gave up nine receptions for 98 yards last week to rookie tight end Brock Bowers, so Ferguson could be in line for fantasy success if he starts and his knee isn't limiting his mobility. Ravens star safety Kyle Hamilton (back) is banged up heading into Week 3, which is good news for Ferguson's fantasy prospects.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) was seen practicing in pads on Thursday. Love sprained his left MCL in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil and was inactive for last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts. He returned to the practice field on Wednesday and appears to have taken a step forward in Thursday's practice, giving him a chance to return to the fold for the Week 3 game versus the Tennessee Titans. The 25-year-old rising star will most likely be listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report, but the bottom line is that Love has a realistic shot to miss only one week. It's great news for fantasy managers relying on Love as their QB1 this year, but he's also not a lock to return to face the Titans, and his mobility will likely be limited if he does. If Love doesn't get the green light, backup Malik Willis will lead Green Bay's offense for the second straight week.

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Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said that running back Tank Bigsby (shoulder) is OK and will play in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Bigsby injured his shoulder during a kickoff in the Week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns but was able to return. The 23-year-old didn't play a single offensive snap, though, and instead D'Ernest Johnson played 28% of the snaps as Travis Etienne Jr.'s backup. In the Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Bigsby played 32% of the offensive snaps and finished with 12 carries for 73 yards (6.1 yards per tote). It's likely his shoulder injury prevented him from being a factor on offense in Week 2. Barring a setback with his shoulder, Bigsby should return to RB2 duties in Jacksonville on Monday night, although he won't have much standalone fantasy value in the backup role.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) is wearing a yellow jersey and is dressed for practice on Thursday after he was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday in the first practice of the week. Herbert's return to practice on Thursday is a good sign that he's trending in the right direction to play in Week 3 against the 2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. The 26-year-old suffered an ankle injury in the Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers but quickly returned to the contest. Barring a setback, it's likely that Herbert will be under center for the Bolts as a low-end QB2 play in fantasy this Sunday against a swarming Steelers defensive unit. If for some reason Herbert is unable to play, it would most likely be Easton Stick making the start, which would be a major downgrade for all of LA's offensive weapons in a tough matchup.

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Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said that tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) "is a little further away" in terms of being able to play in Week 3 on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills, and the team is going to take his status day by day. Engram injured his hamstring during pre-game warmups last Sunday and was inactive in the loss to the Cleveland Browns. The 30-year-old is deemed week-to-week, and it doesn't sound promising that he'll be able to suit up in Week 3 on Monday night, so fantasy managers should already be looking for alternatives at the TE position. In Engram's absence in Week 2, Brenton Strange played 68% of the offensive snaps and caught three of his six targets for 65 yards. Luke Farrell played 47% of the snaps and caught both of his targets for 13 yards. If Engram misses another contest, Strange will be in play as a TE2 sleeper in fantasy.

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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) will practice on Thursday. Higgins tweaked his hamstring in practice before the Week 1 season opener and has missed the first two games of the season as a result. Taylor said earlier this week that Higgins is trending in the right direction, and he has an extra day to prepare for the team's Monday night contest against the Washington Commanders in Week 3. The 25-year-old will likely be a limited participant on Thursday, but it's good news nonetheless as he builds up to making his 2024 debut. When healthy, Higgins will operate as Cincy's No. 2 wideout behind All-Pro Ja'Marr Chase. Higgins' impending return will inevitably take targets away from tight end Mike Gesicki and receiver Andrei Iosivas, who scored two touchdowns in the Week 2 loss to the Chiefs.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hip, foot) is expected to play in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday. Collins was held out of practice on Wednesday but returned to the practice field on Thursday, signaling that he's on track to play this weekend. There's a good chance that Collins is listed as limited on Thursday, but just the fact that he's back on the field is good news, and fantasy managers should leave him in their starting lineups for the week, barring a setback. Through the first two weeks of the 2024 season, the 25-year-old pass-catcher leads the league with 252 receiving yards on 14 receptions (18 targets) and one touchdown. Collins also leads the league with his 126 yards per game. The Vikings defense has been middle of the pack so far through two games in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing wideouts. Collins is a must-start.

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Houston Texans running backs Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) are not practicing on Thursday. With both Mixon and Pierce sidelined so far this week, Cam Akers has operated as the team's starting tailback as preparations continue for a Week 3 showdown against the 2-0 Minnesota Vikings. The Texans consider Mixon day-to-day as of now, and Pierce is dealing with a mild hamstring injury, although it was enough to keep him sidelined for the Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. As things stand now, Houston's backfield situation is in flux heading into this Sunday's contest. If both Mixon and Pierce are unavailable, Akers would become at least a flex play in fantasy lineups, with Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks backing him up. With Pierce inactive last Sunday, Akers made his Texans debut and had seven carries for 32 yards while catching one pass for three yards.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (foot) will be limited in Thursday's practice, but head coach Mike McCarthy said, "I'm not of high concern there" in terms of their availability for the Week 3 contest on Sunday versus the Baltimore Ravens. Lamb did not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, raising some questions about his availability this weekend. But as long as the 25-year-old doesn't suffer a setback with his ankle the next couple of days, it sounds as though fantasy managers should expect him to play on Sunday in Dallas. We'll continue to keep a close eye on his practice status through Friday. There's no reason yet for fantasy managers to pull him out of their starting lineups for Week 3. Through two games, Lamb has nine receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown for the Cowboys.

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen will look for more production in Week 3 with Andy Dalton under center as the veteran takes over for Bryce Young. Thielen has been limited in the first two weeks totaling five catches for 69 yards. The veteran receiver can still make plays on the outside and Dalton could be a better option in getting the ball out to him. In Week 3 against the Raiders, Thielen should be looked at as a WR4 option until he proves more productive. Young was not impressive in the first two weeks, but it might not be all on him. Diontae Johnson should lead the team in targets against the Raiders in Week 3 but Thielen is a bit more of a threat for big plays even as the veteran in the wide receiver room. This week will be a big indicator for Thielen's future prospects with Dalton as the starter.

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson has done next to nothing in his first two games with his new team. Johnson has six targets in each of the first two games but has hauled in just five catches for 34 yards in an uninspiring opening to the season. Johnson was thought of as a potential sleeper late in drafts this season but with Bryce Young and the Panthers' offense looking woeful through two weeks that has not come to fruition. A change to Andy Dalton could provide a lift to Johnson's fantasy outlook. The Toledo product was a target monster with the Steelers at times and if Dalton could get the ball out to Johnson in a timely manner, he could be in store for some more production. Fantasy managers should not give up on the talented receiver yet and Week 3 will offer a good glimpse into his fantasy potential with the quarterback change.

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Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has looked fairly decent to start the season but the Panthers' offense has been in negative game scripts for the first two weeks. Could a switch from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton be the solution in Week 3 against the Raiders? It could but Las Vegas should be playing from ahead in this one, limiting the rushing potential of Hubbard. The running back has 16 carries in two games so far but he was more involved in the passing game in Week 2 against the Chargers with four catches for 12 yards on five targets, which is a good sign. Hubbard is a risky play until the Panthers' offense shows signs of improvement from its disastrous start to the season.

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton will take over for Bryce Young in the team's Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders but should not be a fantasy option in fantasy leagues. With some decent offensive weapons in Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, and Xavier Legette, Dalton could provide a useful upgrade from Young in NFL terms but it's best for fantasy managers to take a wait-and-see approach with how Dalton looks in this offense. The Panthers have looked like a disaster to start the season and despite benching Young, it's not clear if he was the problem or it was the offense in general. There are better options out there in the quarterback landscape and you would have to be in a desperate situation to consider starting the "Red Rifle".

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) has a shot to suit up for Week 3's game against the Titans despite what was projected as a 3-4 week timetable when he went down with a knee injury in Week 1 against the Eagles. One source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that "I wouldn't be surprised if he plays this week. It's definitely day-by-day like". Love is expected to be a breakout star this year so this is great news for his fantasy managers as well as fantasy managers of the Packers' talented pass-catchers. A healthy Love elevates the Green Bay offense to one of the best in the league. Keep an eye on this one as the weekend nears.

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