NFL Injury Roundup Week 3: Last-Minute Updates for Vick, Foster, Hillis and More

With Week 3 of the 2011 NFL season already at our doorstep, it’s time to check out the latest status and news on the sport’s biggest stars.

These players are the biggest names in the sports, and their ailments are not only affecting their teams, but your fantasy team.

Keep an eye here for updates, and make sure these players are on your fantasy bench, because they won’t play or won’t be effective.

Check back for more on the NFL world as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Football Page to get your fill of the NFL.

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Michael Vick

All of the news out of Philadelphia is that the star quarterback will play against the New York Giants, and he will not be restricted by the play-calling.

Not only is that great news for Eagles fans, fantasy owners have to be falling over themselves with happiness at the news of Vick playing.

While Vick will be an easy start in real and fantasy football, the Giants have punished Vick before and questions through the offensive line could have Vick out of the game early again.

Peyton Hillis

The bruising running back for the Cleveland Browns Peyton Hillis will miss Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins because of a battle with strep throat.

The sickness has caused flu-like symptoms, and after arriving at the stadium this morning, the Browns coaching staff sent Hillis home.

If you have Hillis in your fantasy league, now is the chance to use the backup running back you drafted for just this occasion or pick up Montario Hardesty.

Antonio Gates

The San Diego Chargers love to pass to their stud tight end Antonio Gates, but the foot injury that plagued him last season will keep him out for Week 3.

There is a plethora of wide receivers in San Diego who got experience last season, and Philip Rivers has shown that he can work with little-to-nothing and win.

With Gates on your fantasy bench, look to the waiver wire for a guy like Cincinnati’s Jermaine Gresham to score you big points in the absence of your star tight end.

Arian Foster

The Houston Texans are going to take the safe route with Arian Foster after rushing him back last week and having him pull up lame again.

While Foster is set to sit this week, don’t panic if you have him in your fantasy league and trade the back for anyone just yet. Stow him on your bench until he is better, and he will end up regaining his former later this season.

Since you handcuffed Foster with Ben Tate, he will carry the load for the Texans, but if you didn’t do the right thing by handcuffing your top pick, look for a back like Cedric Benson to replace him in your starting lineup.

Steven Jackson

Steven Jackson has been hampered by a quad injury since the St, Louis Rams Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and it doesn’t look like it’s that much better now.

The Rams will test him before the team's game today, but even if he does play, his touches and impact will be very limited.

The easy choice for a fantasy start in Steven Jackson’s place is St. Louis backup Cadillac Williams or another running back that’s already on your bench.