Fantasy Football Week 3: Thursday's Daily Fantasy Market Report

When I woke up this morning, got ready for the day and brought my son to school, I thought to myself, "What fantasy football relevant news will come down today that I'll need to write about?"

Clearly my question was answered as we discovered the severity of virtually every major injury across the league, from Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson to Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief.

Lucky for you, there are more slides here than usual, packed with Daily Fantasy Sports information and how to coordinate our lineups this week with, like, seven starting running backs being hurt.

Before we get to the running backs, let's review the "Cleveland-ness" that plagues the Cleveland Browns.

Browns WR Corey Coleman Breaks Hand

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Cleveland cannot catch a break, man.

According to Mary Kay Kabot of Cleveland.com, Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman broke his hand at practice Wednesday and is expected to be out an extended period of time.

When the Browns took Coleman with their first pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the rookie receiver had fairly high expectations, especially during the absence of fellow wide receiver Josh Gordon during his suspension.

Through the first two games, Coleman seemed to live up to that, catching seven passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

Heading into Week 3, the Browns were already set to be without their top-two quarterbacks—Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown—offensive lineman Cameron Erving and now Coleman.

So yeah, the Browns will start rookie quarterback Cody Kessler and their No. 1 wide receiver? Terrelle Pryor.

Yup, that's right—Pryor.

Run far, far away from anyone on the Browns in DFS Week 3.

Chargers TE Antonio Gates May Not Play Week 3?

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According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Chargers veteran tight end Antonio Gates may miss Week 3 due to a hamstring injury.

In the event Gates misses Week 3, this even further limits Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers' value after already losing wide receiver Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively.

Behind Gates is rookie tight end and second-round draft pick Hunter Henry ($2,500 DraftKings; $4,500 FanDuel).

Going up against the Indianapolis Colts, the Chargers may be forced to throw to keep pace if Colts quarterback Andrew Luck can keep it going.

With all the injuries, Henry will essentially be No. 2 in the pecking order behind wide receiver Travis Benjamin for targets.

Henry is an intriguing Guaranteed Prize Pool play should Gates sit this one out.

Bears RB Jordan Howard's Role to Expand?

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Through the first two weeks of the season, Chicago Bears rookie running back Jordan Howard has just three rushing attempts for 22 yards.

So, one would think that Howard's usage can only go up from here.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, we should expect for Howard's role to expand.

I may be in the minority here, but thank goodness.

Look, fellow running back Jeremy Langford does have two scores on the year, but he is tough to watch.

The second-year runner isn't exactly the best player, and we know from last year that he is far from efficient. Well, those efficiency question marks have carried over to this season, as he is averaging just over three yards per carry.

Since he was drafted, I've been looking forward to Howard getting more involved and taking over the main running back duties.

Hopefully Biggs is right—let's see what the rookie can do—but for now, Howard is off DFS radars.

Dophins RB Arian Foster DNP Wednesday

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

As mentioned in yesterday's Daily Market Report, Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster was far from a lock to play in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns.

According to James Walker of ESPN, Foster did not practice on Wednesday, giving further clarity to the notion that he will likely not play.

Expect Foster to be out and the Dolphins to use a committee of fellow running backs Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams.

Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles Likely out Week 3

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

For the third week in a row, Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles will most likely be absent.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid thinks "another week is going to help him [Charles]."

Same advice here since the beginning of the year—keep playing backup running back Spencer Ware ($5,700 DK; $6,300 FD).

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson out 3-4 Months; McKinnon Named Starter

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Our biggest fear has been confirmed.

After landing awkwardly on his knee during a rushing play on Sunday Night Football in Week 2, it has been determined that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will be out 3-4 months with a torn meniscus, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.

In addition to the meniscus injury, Peterson also suffered an LCL sprain, but no additional surgery is required, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

With Peterson out for most, if not the entire season, the Vikings will look to SPARQ freak Jerick McKinnon ($3,800 DK; $5,300 FD) to take over the the lead back duties, according to the Vikings Twitter account.

In another move, ProFootballTalk has reported that the Vikings have signed former Denver Bronco Ronnie Hillman as depth behind McKinnon.

In Week 3, the Vikings will travel to take on the Carolina Panthers.

Considering the Panthers have given up three rushing touchdowns on the year and over 100 rushing yards per game, McKinnon is worth a shot, especially where he'll get points for catches.

Colts WR Donte Moncrief out 4-6 Weeks

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

I think it's safe to say that we were all excited about the prospects of a breakout from Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief.

Looks like we're going to have to wait.

George Bremer of the Herald Bulletin tweeted that head coach Chuck Pagano confirmed Moncrief has a fractured scapula and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

In his absence, we will look to former first-round draft pick Phillip Dorsett ($4,400 DK; $6,000 FD) to take over the No. 2 wide receiver role for the Colts.

Of course, Dorsett is someone I'm playing this week against the San Diego Chargers.

Eagles TE Zach Ertz Not Practicing

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

While it was reported by Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com Tuesday that Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz was a game-time decision for Week 3, Ertz did not practice Wednesday, according to Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice.

Let's cut to the chase here:

One—he's not playing.

Two—yes, backup tight end Trey Burton ($2,500 DK; $4,500 FD) is worth a play against a Pittsburgh Steelers team that has been attacked with opposing teams tight ends through the first two weeks, totaling 23 targets.

Without RB Jonathan Stewart, Panthers Will Use Committee

Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Behind Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, the depth at the position is just, kind of, "eh."

Regardless, the Panthers will have to make it work for the foreseeable future.

According to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers could be without Stewart for 2-4 weeks and will use a committee approach featuring backup running backs Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne.

Going up against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3, here's my DFS analysis for you on both:

Nah.

Buccaneers RB Doug Martin out 3 Weeks; Sims/Rodgers to Split Work?

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

There were two blowouts in Week 2 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The game (losing 40-7) and running back Doug Martin's hamstring.

OK, he didn't exactly blow out his hamstring, but you get it.

Anyways, Martin is out three weeks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

With Martin out, the Buccaneers will look to backup and pass-catching running back Charles Sims ($4,900 DK; $6,300 FD) to take over the primar...

Wait—not so fast.

There is another running back on the Buccaneers named Jacquizz Rodgers. And according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, we should expect Rodgers and Sims to split the work.

I'm not endorsing that notion.

Sims is actually a good running back, whereas Rodgers has carried the ball 10 times or more once in the last two seasons.

Sims is a superior runner and pass-catcher. Rodgers will be factored in, but hone in on Sims against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3.

Patriots WR Julian Edelman Practicing as Backup QB for Week 3

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Dear T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree,

While we appreciate the effort in today's workouts, we, the New England Patriots, have decided to instead move forward with our 2009 seventh-round draft pick who hasn't played quarterback since 2008 at Kent State University (and is now our No. 1 wide receiver) to be our backup in Week 3 behind rookie Jacoby Brissett (according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network).

Your's truly,

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (probably).

OK—while this has very little to do with any possible DFS ramifications, first, I wanted to write that and second, how cool would it be if Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman ($6,400 DK; $6,700 FD) actually had to play quarterback in Week 3?

Maybe Edelman presents slightly more value considering he actually has the potential to throw a touchdown pass.

We can't say that about many wide receivers.

Lions RB Ameer Abdullah Headed to IR

Dylan Buell/Getty Images

The running back injuries in the NFC North are just stacking up.

According to James Palmer of NFL Network, the Detroit Lions are placing running back Ameer Abdullah on injured reserve.

Thanks to the new injured reserve rules, Abdullah could return this year.

One thing is for sure—he won't be out there Week 3.

With Abdullah out, you're looking to fellow running back Theo Riddick ($4,900 DK; $6,400 FD) as your main source of production from the Lions backfield.

However, if you want to go in another direction, rookie running back Dwayne Washington ($3,600 DK; $4,500) is the man to watch and should see the majority of the carries.

Going up against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, Washington has a decent chance to find the end zone, but his yardage total may disappoint.

Roll with Riddick to be safe.

Bears QB Jay Cutler to Miss 2-3 Weeks

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

There are many things I love about the NFL and football.

Near the top of that list is Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and watching him warmup right before a game.

Though I'm not disputing that he's probably ultra-competitive, it sure does look like he'd literally rather be anywhere else except playing quarterback for the Bears.

Again, I know I'm most likely wrong about that, but that's what it looks like and it is awesome.

With that said, the next 2-3 weeks are going to be tough for me as Cutler will be out about that long with a right thumb injury, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 

Starting for the Bears now is Brian Hoyer, formerly of the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans.

Yup, he's been everywhere.

I'm not a fan of any Bears wide receiver this week and running back Jeremy Langford is not good—simple as that.

The Bears are a seven point underdog on the road against the Dallas Cowboys, per Odds Shark.

Statistics courtesy of ESPN.com and Pro Football Focus.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.