Fantasy Football Week 3 Injury Report: 3 Studs Whose Performance Will Suffer

With all the injuries suffered by big stars in the early going of the 2011 NFL season, chances are, your fantasy football team has taken a serious hit or two. The list of those who will be hampered this weekend is long and all-encompassing, but these three studs in particular figure to give fantasy owners fits.

Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys

By now, you've probably heard enough about Tony Romo's punctured lung and busted rib to make you want to hold your breath 'til your face turns blue, especially if the Cowboys QB is on your fantasy team.

As of right now, Romo is listed as questionable for Dallas' home opener against Washington on Monday night. His lung is supposedly healed, but breathing is still a chore for Romo and will be for some time until that rib of his puts itself back together.

The Redskins have already made it clear that they'll come hot and heavy after Romo with the blitz.

The fact that Miles Austin won't play and Dez Bryant might not either won't help Romo any. All told, the combination of injuries to himself and his most fantasy-friendly teammates will take a significant toll on Romo's productivity, both on the field and in your fantasy league.

Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

Even if Arian Foster is healthy enough to play against the Saints, his opportunities will be severely diminished. Ben Tate has played so well in his stead that head coach Gary Kubiak really doesn't have any reason to run Foster out onto the field if his hamstring isn't 100 percent. Foster figures to play a bit, given that second-stringer Derrick Ward will miss his second game in as many weeks with ankle and shoulder ailments.

But that doesn't mean you should expect Foster to get much work. If anything, Foster's fantasy impact will be negligible, at best, or nonexistent, at worst, if he's ruled out at game time.

Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers

Frankly, no one should be surprised by the fact that Antonio Gates is struggling to stay healthy. Gates has been plagued by plantar fasciitis since last season and didn't practice at all this week. That doesn't mean he won't play on Sunday when the Chargers host the Chiefs in San Diego.

But it should raise a red flag or two among those of you who have him lining up at tight end on your fantasy team. If Gates' problems persist, you should consider dropping him entirely. 

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