A.J. Green's Updated 2014 Fantasy Outlook Heading into Week 3

Just about the only thing that can slow A.J. Green down on the football field—and in fantasy—is an injury, and that's the case as the Cincinnati Bengals enter Week 3.

After yet another scorching-hot start to the season, the fourth-year pro left the Bengals' Week 2 game against the Falcons with a toe injury—the same problem that kept him out of practice much of the previous week.

Panic immediately set in for both the Bengals and fantasy owners who drafted high on Green. That was stalemated somewhat, however, when Green told ESPN's Bob Holtzman via Adam Schefter that he expected to return for Week 3 against the Titans.

Well, apparently Green was feeling a little optimistic. Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' team website reported later that he could miss some time, although it's still not considered a long-term injury:

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It appears that A.J. Green won’t be lost for a long period of time and if he doesn’t play next Sunday against Tennessee, indications are he had a negative MRI and he’ll be ready after the bye week for the Oct. 5 game in New England. He wasn’t on crutches with his right toe injury and watched the last three quarters of Sunday’s 24-10 victory over Atlanta on the sideline.

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It goes without saying that Green is an obvious must-start in any game that he plays. But as you can tell, that's far from a guarantee heading into Week 3.

The former fourth overall pick in the 2011 draft has validated that high selection with three dominant Pro Bowl years, forming a potent chemistry with quarterback Andy Dalton and emerging as one of the league's top wideouts. To no surprise, Green was a hot commodity in 2014 fantasy drafts with an average draft position of No. 16 according to FantasyPros.com. 

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He started 2014 just like he finished last year, catching six passes for 131 yards and a 77-yard touchdown against Baltimore in Week 1. 

But unfortunately, his name has only been linked to his toe injury ever since.

And even more alarming are the unknowns surrounding his injury, which Bleacher Report's Dave Siebert alluded to while acknowledging that the Bengals sitting him in Week 3 is likely:

With the immense popularity of fantasy football comes the inevitable letdown of star players either struggling or coming down with injuries, and the latter hung a black cloud over the NFL on Week 2. From Robert Griffin III to Ryan Mathews to Knowshon Moreno, serious injuries were of the norm. Green was unfortunately a part of that trend.

Frank Victores/Associated Press

Early indications seem somewhat positive regarding Green's injury, but there still seem to be a lot of unknowns. This early in the season, it would be nothing short of shocking to see him suit up against Tennessee in Week 3 with the Bengals facing a Week 4 bye.

If Green somehow is able to play against Tennessee, he's obviously worth inserting back into your starting lineup, and he should pick up right where he left off. Dez Bryant surpassed the century mark against the Titans defense last weekend, and Green could do the same.

But with Cincinnati's bye coming up and Green's injury worsening over Week 2, it makes much more sense for the organization to give him two weeks to heal.

When Week 5 comes, Green should get back to torching secondaries and catching long touchdowns. Until then, it's time to look for some immediate replacements.

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