Fantasy Football Week 3: Banged-Up Players Not Worth the Risk

Several star players are currently dealing with injuries, and Roddy White is one playmaker who is not worth the risk to fantasy football owners this week.

A few injured players are worth a start this week, however. Atlanta's Julio Jones and Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals are a couple of the players on injury reports who are worth starting.

The players on this list aren't likely to make much of an impact this week, so look for other options for your fantasy team.

Here are a couple of players, including White, who should be benched by fantasy owners. For full injury reports, visit the NFL's official website.

Reggie Bush, RB, Detroit Lions

This was a bad week for Reggie Bush to be dealing with a knee injury. He has done well in his first few weeks with the Lions and would have had a monster game against the Washington Redskins in Week 3 if he was healthy.

Washington has the worst defense in the NFL, and it's not even close. It has allowed, on average, nearly 30 more rushing yards per game than any other team. The Redskins are the only team that have allowed more than 200 yards per game on the ground.

Another explosive back, LeSean McCoy, recorded nearly 190 total yards and a score against the Redskins in Week 1. The Packers had not had a 100-yard rusher in 44 regular-season games, but their backup, James Starks, came in and ran for 132 yards with a touchdown on 20 carries and added 36 receiving yards in Week 2.

Bush has 260 total yards and a touchdown through two weeks. He has big-play potential every time he touches the ball, so if he were healthy, he would put up similar numbers to the other running backs who have faced Washington this year. 

However, Detroit shouldn't keep Bush in the game on every play. Joique Bell is a quality replacement who can be a multi-purpose back as well. In order to prevent further injury, Bush won't be used nearly as often as he has been, so don't start him this week.

Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Heading into this season, many people expected Giovani Bernard to be Cincinnati's best running back. Neither he nor BenJarvus Green-Ellis have put up great numbers yet, but Bernard did have a strong game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.

The rookie had 65 total yards and two touchdowns on the national stage. Fantasy owners everywhere are high on the speedster, but they shouldn't overreact and start him, especially with the injury.

He is currently dealing with a hamstring injury. Although he practiced this week, he isn't likely to score multiple touchdowns again on Sunday against Green Bay.

The Packers have averaged 33 points per game this season, so the Bengals will need to throw the football to stay in this game. A.J. Green must have his usual big game, and quarterback Andy Dalton will have to involve his tight ends. Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert will get more looks as the Bengals have to take what they can get in the middle of the field.

Bernard may get a couple of catches out of the backfield, but he isn't going to get many looks. Once the team gets near the end zone, Green-Ellis will enter the game. 

Cincinnati can't afford to push Bernard's hamstring, so look for the team to ease him into the game plan.

Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta travels to Miami to take on the 2-0 Dolphins, but quarterback Matt Ryan will be able to move the ball without relying on White.

The nine-year veteran has been targeted only six times in two games, which can be blamed on his ankle injury. He has five receptions for 40 yards.

Julio Jones has continued to put up huge numbers. He already has 258 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Harry Douglas has also stepped up in White's place with 136 receiving yards.

Don't forget about Tony Gonzalez. Ryan has relied on the tight end in the past, and Gonzalez is more than capable of taking over a game. 

Atlanta has so many different options that it doesn't need to push White into the lineup. He needs to get back to 100 percent before fantasy owners should feel comfortable starting him.

*All stats are courtesy of NFL.com.