2026 NFL Week 3 injury report: Daniels out, Dart's season in doubt, Penix named Thursday's starter
Washington and the Giants both change quarterbacks, Carolina loses Jonathon Brooks for six weeks, and Atlanta hands Thursday night to Michael Penix Jr., in the week's injury and lineup picture.
Week 3 runs from Thursday, Sept. 24 through Monday, Sept. 28, and as of this morning fifteen of its sixteen games have filed no practice report at all. Atlanta and Green Bay, who open the week on Thursday night, have two days of official participation on the record; every other club files its first report Wednesday afternoon. 1
So most of this week's Out, Doubtful and Questionable tags have not been assigned yet. What is already settled is a shorter and heavier list: Washington has lost its starting quarterback for at least this week, the New York Giants may have lost theirs for the season, and Green Bay is without a starting receiver and a starting offensive lineman.
The short version
- Carolina loses a running back for at least six weeks. Jonathon Brooks had surgery Wednesday to repair a core muscle injury and went on injured reserve the same day. Chuba Hubbard keeps the lead job, AJ Dillon backs him up, and the Panthers worked out 31-year-old Austin Ekeler on Wednesday. 2
- Washington starts Marcus Mariota. Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow on the final play of the first half of Sunday's 37-20 loss at Dallas. He has no timeline and is seeing specialists this week, and Mariota — 11-of-16 for 111 yards and a touchdown in relief — starts at home against Seattle. 3
- Jaxson Dart's season is in doubt. Testing on the Giants quarterback's knee Tuesday came back worse than the initial MCL diagnosis, and season-ending surgery is one of the options the team is weighing. Jameis Winston, who finished Monday's 28-6 loss to the Rams, is the starter until the team says otherwise. 45
- Atlanta hands Thursday night to Michael Penix Jr. Penix makes his first start since tearing knee ligaments last November, and he was a full participant in both days of practice. Tua Tagovailoa, who has not started since Week 1, returned to full participation Tuesday and backs him up. 67
- Green Bay loses a receiver and a lineman. Jayden Reed stayed overnight in New Jersey after leaving Sunday's win over the Jets on a stretcher, and Matt LaFleur said it is unclear whether Reed plays again this season. Offensive lineman Zach Bako-Bewele tore his right patellar tendon and has season-ending surgery Thursday. 78
Thursday night: Atlanta at Green Bay
These two clubs are the only ones with official participation data this morning. Wednesday's session adds the third column and the game designations.
| Player & team | Pos. | Injury | Monday | Tuesday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Penix Jr., ATL | QB | Knee | FP | FP |
| Tua Tagovailoa, ATL | QB | Oblique | LP | FP |
| Brian Robinson, ATL | RB | Ankle | LP | FP |
| Jawaan Taylor, ATL | T | Rib | LP | FP |
| Brandon Dorlus, ATL | DL | Thumb | LP | FP |
| Nick Muse, ATL | TE | Shoulder | LP | FP |
| Billy Bowman Jr., ATL | CB | Achilles | FP | FP |
| Samson Ebukam, ATL | DE | Hamstring | DNP | DNP |
| Jayden Reed, GB | WR | Neck | DNP | DNP |
| Zach Bako-Bewele, GB | OL | Knee | DNP | DNP |
| Aaron Banks, GB | G | Knee/toe | DNP | DNP |
| Warren Brinson, GB | DT | Calf | DNP | DNP |
| Anthony Campbell, GB | DT | Ankle | DNP | LP |
| Donovan Jennings, GB | G/T | Hand | DNP | LP |
| Anthony Belton, GB | T | Elbow | Not listed | LP |
| Javon Hargrave, GB | DT | Knee/concussion | LP | LP |
| Edgerrin Cooper, GB | LB | Shoulder | LP | LP |
| Brandon Cisse, GB | CB | Teeth | LP | LP |
| Bo Melton, GB | WR | Neck | FP | FP |
| Benjamin St-Juste, GB | CB | Hamstring | FP | FP |
Atlanta's report is short and improving. Penix was full both days, and Brian Robinson (ankle), Jawaan Taylor (rib), Brandon Dorlus (thumb) and Nick Muse (shoulder) all moved from limited to full. The lasting loss is A.J. Terrell, who did not practice Monday and went on injured reserve Tuesday with a groin injury, which costs Atlanta at least four games. 7
Green Bay's is the longer report, and two of its names reach past this week. Reed and Bako-Bewele sat out both days. Aaron Banks has not practiced either, so two Packers linemen have yet to take a rep. Green Bay did move three players forward from Monday to Tuesday — tackle Anthony Belton, guard-tackle Donovan Jennings and defensive tackle Anthony Campbell — and Bo Melton and Benjamin St-Juste were full both days.
Confirmed losses: multiple weeks or injured reserve
| Player & team | Injury | What is official | Expected absence | Who takes the work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayden Daniels, WAS QB | Dislocated left elbow | Out for Week 3; no timeline, consulting specialists 3 | At least this week | Marcus Mariota starts; the team has not discussed adding a third quarterback 3 |
| Jaxson Dart, NYG QB | Knee | Tuesday testing worse than the initial MCL diagnosis; season-ending surgery under consideration 4 | Could be the season | Jameis Winston 4 |
| Jonathon Brooks, CAR RB | Core muscle | Surgery Wednesday, then injured reserve 2 | At least six weeks | Chuba Hubbard keeps the lead role; AJ Dillon backs him up, and Carolina worked out Austin Ekeler 2 |
| Jayden Reed, GB WR | Neck | No timeline; the team is unsure whether he plays again this season 8 | Not announced | Skyy Moore and Bo Melton take the snaps; the targets concentrate on Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft 11 |
| Nico Collins, HOU WR | Hamstring | Injured in a midweek practice and ruled out for Week 2; reported around two weeks, with no update from the head coach Monday 1112 | Around two weeks | Dalton Schultz leads the targets; Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson fill in 11 |
| Alec Pierce, IND WR | Left heel | Rehabbing rather than having a second surgery; several weeks, with a possible midseason return 13 | Several weeks | Josh Downs takes the targets; the Colts signed Darius Slayton 11 |
| Demarcus Robinson, SF WR | High ankle sprain | Will miss significant time 11 | Significant | Jacob Cowing fills in; Mike Evans, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle absorb the volume 11 |
| Dallas Goedert, PHI TE | MCL sprain | Expected to miss a few weeks 13 | A few weeks | Zach Ertz signed to Philadelphia's practice squad 13 |
| David Njoku, LAC TE | Fibula | Going on injured reserve 13 | Extended | Oronde Gadsden is the only tight end left on the roster 11 |
| Charlie Kolar, LAC TE | Forearm | Has a broken forearm and plans surgery; going on injured reserve 13 | Extended | Oronde Gadsden 11 |
| Mason Taylor, NYJ TE | Thumb | Week to week; likely to miss Week 3 7 | Likely Week 3 | Kenyon Sadiq 11 |
| Michael Pittman, PIT WR | Foot | Sat out Week 2; the head coach is unsure whether he plays Week 3 11 | Not announced | Rookie Germie Bernard took the snaps and the targets in Week 2 11 |
Four offensive linemen and a run of defensive starters carry longer absences. Green Bay's Zach Bako-Bewele is done for the season. New Orleans left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. has a severe high ankle sprain that is expected to need surgery, and he is out indefinitely. New England placed Mike Onwenu on injured reserve Tuesday with a broken right ankle. The Chargers expect Kayode Awosika to miss time with a fibula injury and Dalvin Tomlinson to miss time with a hamstring. 713
In the secondary, Atlanta placed A.J. Terrell on injured reserve with a groin injury, Detroit lost Avonte Maddox for the season to a foot injury, Arizona's Will Johnson may miss the rest of the year with a neck injury, and Dallas expects to be without Cobie Durant and P.J. Locke for a few weeks. 7813
Still open, and when each case clears
| Player & team | Injury | Where it stands | When it clears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Darnold, SEA QB | Glute | Has "a chance" to play Week 3, and the team expects him to practice in some capacity 14 | Wednesday through Friday, then Sunday inactives |
| Caleb Williams, CHI QB | Hamstring (Grade 1) | Week to week; the coach does not expect him to practice this week and has not ruled him out for Monday 8 | Wednesday through Friday, then Monday inactives |
| Tyson Bagent, CHI QB | Concussion | In the five-step protocol 7 | Through the week, then Monday inactives |
| Brock Bowers, LV TE | Knee | Expected to make his season debut Sunday after a meniscus trim, and back at practice this week 15 | Friday designation |
| Puka Nacua, LAR WR | Groin | McVay: "I'm hopeful that he'll play," with nothing committed 16 | Wednesday through Friday, then Sunday inactives |
| Zay Flowers, BAL WR | Hamstring | Sat out Week 2; the coach said he "has a good shot" to play Sunday 11 | Wednesday through Friday |
| J.K. Dobbins, DEN RB | Hamstring | The team believes the injury is "good" after a cramping scare 17 | Wednesday through Friday |
| RJ Harvey, DEN RB | Hamstring | Missed Week 2 11 | Wednesday through Friday |
| Malik Nabers, NYG WR | Shoulder | Left Monday's game briefly and returned; no designation filed 13 | Wednesday through Friday, then Sunday inactives |
| Mike Evans, SF WR | Hip | Will be managed through the week 13 | Wednesday through Friday |
| Jadarian Price, SEA RB | Shoulder | The coach called it "nothing serious" 13 | Wednesday through Friday |
| Rico Dowdle, PIT RB | Toe | Day to day after Sunday's loss to New England 7 | Wednesday through Friday |
| T.J. Sanders, BUF DT | Knee/illness | Carries a questionable tag on ESPN's board; Buffalo has not filed its own report for this week 8 | Buffalo's Wednesday report |
| DJ Moore, BUF WR | Shoulder (AC joint sprain) | Being treated as day to day after leaving Thursday's win over Detroit 8 | Buffalo's Wednesday report |
Lineup changes already decided
Washington turns to Marcus Mariota. Daniels is out for at least one week and has no timeline, and the team has not discussed adding a third quarterback behind Mariota and seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis. Washington hosts Seattle on Sunday, then travels to London to face Indianapolis before its Week 7 bye. 3
The Giants are preparing Jameis Winston. Winston went 11-of-27 for 111 yards and an interception after Dart left Monday night, and New York has not committed to a timeline for Dart. 4
Chicago's Monday night is unsettled. Williams is week to week with a hamstring strain and Bagent is in the concussion protocol, which leaves Case Keenum in line to start against the Eagles. The extra day before Monday gives Bagent time to clear. 11
Minnesota goes back to Kyler Murray and to Aaron Jones. Murray cleared the concussion protocol and starts at Tampa Bay, and the Vikings placed Jordan Mason on injured reserve in Week 2 with a thumb injury. Because Minnesota's bye is Week 6, Mason is eligible to return in Week 7, which leaves Jones the backfield. 1113
Las Vegas gets Brock Bowers back. Bowers practiced this week and is expected to play Sunday against New Orleans, his first game since a meniscus trim. 1315
Green Bay's backfield stays with MarShawn Lloyd. Josh Jacobs remains on the Commissioner's Exempt List, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Jacobs could face a four-to-six game suspension once he is activated. 11
Kansas City is giving Emmett Johnson more work. Andy Reid said the running back "will continue to get more snaps." 18
San Francisco added Brandin Cooks. The 49ers signed the veteran receiver to their practice squad, and Jacob Cowing is expected to take the snaps vacated by Robinson and De'Zhaun Stribling. 711
Detroit replaced its secondary depth. The Lions signed cornerback Bishop Fitzgerald off Atlanta's practice squad to the active roster and are adding Jalen Mills to the practice squad. 713
No longer on the injury board
Six clubs came out of Week 2 with nothing fantasy-relevant on the report: Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Arizona and Kansas City. Atlanta is the seventh, with its only change coming at quarterback. 11
Two names came off the board this week. Kyler Murray cleared the concussion protocol and is starting again, and Tua Tagovailoa was a full participant Tuesday for the first time since Sept. 9. 713
What to do before Thursday's kickoff
Act now:
- Add a replacement for Jonathon Brooks, and keep Chuba Hubbard in lineups as Carolina's lead back.
- Move Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart off your starting spots. Neither has a return date.
- Treat Green Bay's offense as reduced: Reed has no timeline and Bako-Bewele is out for the season.
Check again after Wednesday's reports land:
- Chicago's Monday night quarterback, with Williams, Bagent and Keenum all in play.
- Seattle's quarterback, with Darnold and Drew Lock both alive for Sunday.
- Bowers, Nacua, Flowers, Dobbins, Nabers and Evans all clear between Wednesday and Friday.
Leave alone:
- No Atlanta or Green Bay quarterback, running back, receiver or tight end other than Reed and Brian Robinson appears on either report, so Thursday's skill players keep their normal roles.
- Houston has reported Nico Collins around two weeks, so hold him out until the team gives a date.
Next checkpoints
Wednesday afternoon: the first full practice reports for the other fifteen games, plus the final practice columns and game designations for Atlanta at Green Bay.
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET: Atlanta at Green Bay kicks off on Prime Video, the first lineup lock of the week.
Friday afternoon: Out, Doubtful and Questionable designations for the rest of the slate, with inactives 90 minutes before each kickoff on Sunday and Monday.
References
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9Atlanta Falcons: Official injury report
atlantafalcons.com
- 10Green Bay Packers: Official injury report
packers.com
- 11Rotoworld
nbcsports.com
- 12ESPN
espn.com
- 13NFL
nfl.com
- 14Rotoworld
nbcsports.com
- 15Rotoworld
nbcsports.com
- 16Rotoworld
nbcsports.com
- 17Rotoworld
nbcsports.com
- 18
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