Week 2 wasn't just a bad week for NFL quarterbacks. It was a bloodbath. A trio of prominent, young signal-callers – Jayden Daniels, Jaxson Dart and Caleb Williams – all went down with significant-looking injuries.
Daniels (elbow) seems likely to be out long-term with his injury while all indications are that Dart (knee) will miss the remainder of the season. The prognosis for Williams (hamstring) is a bit better – he's "week to week" – but his status for the Chicago Bears' Week 3 "Monday Night Football" game against the Philadelphia Eagles is nonetheless shrouded in mystery.
Daniels, Dart and Williams were largely considered to be top-12 fantasy football quarterbacks coming into the season. Their injuries will leave many fantasy managers scrambling
to find quality streamers to carry their squads as long as the trio of talented quarterbacks remains out of action.
Luckily, a handful of young quarterbacks are breaking out this season while other veterans are getting some easier-looking matchups that could make them quality starters in Week 3 – and possibly beyond.
Which quarterbacks can you trust in fantasy football for Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season? Here's a breakdown of the players to start and sit at the position as fantasy managers navigate significant injuries at quarterback.
WEEK 3 FANTASY RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 3 QBs
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
The Falcons made 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers look competent in Week 1 before being absolutely shredded by Bryce Young in Week 2. Now, they are traveling to Green Bay for a short-week turnaround on "Thursday Night Football" against the Packers. They also put their top corner, A.J. Terrell, on injured reserve (IR) with a groin injury, so that will create another hole in their thus-far leaky defense.
The Packers have struggled to run the ball without Josh Jacobs, leading them to post the second-highest passing play percentage (66.67%) across two weeks behind only the Houston Texans (66.89%). That should bode well for Love, who has posted multiple passing touchdowns in his first two games of the 2026 NFL season.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at Indianapolis Colts)
As mentioned, no team is passing at a higher clip than the Texans to open the season. That may not last long-term, especially if their stalwart defense can round into form after a surprisingly poor start to the season.
However, Houston's matchup with the Colts, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks and a league-high 706 passing yards, still looks ripe for a pass-heavy game-plan. Stroud has averaged just under 269 passing yards per game in six career starts against the Colts, so he has a high floor in this matchup.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (at Cleveland Browns)
Young is averaging 324 passing yards and three touchdowns per game to open the 2026 NFL season. Will he be able to keep that up? The Browns defense just limited Baker Mayfield to 182 yards, one touchdown and an interception but was burned badly by Trevor Lawrence in a four-touchdown, Week 1 game.
Given Young's hot start to the season – and his impressive average of 36.5 passing attempts per game, sixth-highest in the NFL – plugging him in for this matchup seems like a solid gamble.
Geno Smith, New York Jets (at Detroit Lions)
Starting Smith might seem crazy, but he at least deserves consideration amid the injuries because of his matchup. He's playing a Lions team that is surrendering the second-most points per game this season (35.5) and the most FPPG to quarterbacks by a wide margin.
Smith has just one touchdown to his name in 2026, but he is averaging a respectable 231 passing yards per game. If he can repeat that feat and add some extra touchdowns in what should be a high-scoring game, he could end up being a low-end QB1.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 3 QBs
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at Buffalo Bills)
Listen, it may be hard to sit Herbert. Most fantasy managers spent an early-round pick on him, and this matchup with a Bills defense that has surrendered the sixth-most FPPG to quarterbacks looks appetizing on paper.
But can you really trust Herbert with how he has performed through two games? He averaged 200.5 passing yards, two total touchdowns and three interceptions against the Cardinals and Raiders, which will inspire little-to-no-confidence in him finding success against even a leaky Bills secondary. Greg Rousseau and Deone Walker should be able to wreak havoc against a beleaguered Chargers offensive line, so this just feels like a trap spot for Herbert.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. New England Patriots)
Lawrence had a massive outing in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season before struggling against a resurgent Denver Broncos defense in Week 2. Lawrence will now head into a Week 3 matchup against a strong New England Patriots defense that is allowing the fourth-fewest FPPG to quarterbacks this season.
Some may write off the Patriots' defensive success as having come against Drew Lock and the aforementioned Rodgers. Nonetheless, the Patriots are allowing a league-low 8 points per game, so Lawrence's ceiling is capped in this matchup.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
Many were projecting the Broncos to be potential Super Bowl contenders in 2026. They haven't quite looked the part yet, as Nix has struggled to perform consistently across his first two starts. He started to generate chemistry with newcomer Jaylen Waddle in Week 2, but Nix remains on shaky footing and has as many interceptions as touchdowns (2 each) entering Week 3.
Nix will eventually bounce back, but doing so against a Rams defense that just flustered a banged-up Giants offense doesn't seem like a good bet.
Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 3
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 3.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 3.
→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 3 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em quarterbacks for Week 3 fantasy football
