The football gods didn't wait long to start striking down players with injuries in 2026.
As the NFL schedule flips to Week 3, fantasy football managers suddenly need to plug holes in their rosters. After Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown and 49ers wideout De'Zhaun Stribling went down with injuries on the first two days of the season, things got even worse in Week 2.
The Colts' top-paid receiver, Alec Pierce, has been placed on injured reserve with a heel injury and will miss at least four games, and Jayden Reed of the Packers sustained a scary neck injury last week. Plus, a sizable group of other receivers will be affected by quarterback injuries. The Bears' Caleb Williams, Commanders' Jayden Daniels and Giants' Jaxson Dart all suffered injuries of varying
severity in Week 2, and the latter two will definitely miss time – Dart has been ruled out for the year.
Those injuries make fantasy decisions even harder. USA TODAY Sports has collected a group of six receivers worth further consideration to start (or sit) in fantasy leagues this week.
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 3 wide receivers
Dontayvion Wicks, Philadelphia Eagles (at Chicago Bears)
Through two weeks of the 2026 season, Wicks has emerged as the Eagles' new WR2 in his first season in Philadelphia. As rookie Makai Lemon gets settled, Wicks has been one of the chief beneficiaries of new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion's system. The former Packer is the second-most-targeted pass-catcher in Philadelphia, behind only DeVonta Smith. Notably, he's won as a deep threat through two games so far – his 21.0 yards per catch rank fourth in the NFL and second-most of wideouts with more than five catches.
The Bears are an ideal matchup for Wicks in Week 3. Chicago's defense had a hard time stopping Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and Carolina's passing game in Week 1, and the unit's "better" Week 2 was largely influenced by poor weather. Even as a secondary target, Wicks is WR15 in PPR and standard scoring, WR18 in half-PPR, and could be in line for a big day in Week 3.
Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
Receiving groups change but the offensive system stays the same. Even with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone, the Matt LaFleur Packers are still embracing a share-the-wealth mentality in the passing game. So far this year, 2025 first-rounder Golden has been splitting the lion's share of targets with Christian Watson – Golden has 18 to Watson's 19. They both have 10 receptions, and Golden led Packers pass-catchers in Week 2 with 58 receiving yards.
The Falcons proved incapable of stopping the Panthers' pass attack last week, allowing 287 yards and three touchdowns in the air. Quarterback Jordan Love is a more skilled passer than Bryce Young and will have plenty of chances to find Golden throughout the "Thursday Night Football" game. Additionally, after Reed's injury, Golden's role should be even more pronounced in Green Bay's offense.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens ("at" Dallas Cowboys in Brazil)
After a quiet Week 1, Bateman went off against the Saints last week as Zay Flowers' injury meant the 2021 first-rounder had to be the Ravens' de facto WR1. At Baltimore's first practice of Week 3 on Sept. 23, Flowers remained out with his hamstring injury. Head coach Jesse Minter told reporters he's considered "day-to-day."
If Flowers is out for another week, Bateman could have an even bigger day as quarterback Lamar Jackson's top target against an even worse passing defense. Even if Flowers returns, Bateman should see a good chunk of targets against Dallas' defense – which is still very much rebuilding – in Rio.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 3 wide receivers
Luther Burden, Chicago Bears (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
Burden will continue to make this list until his productivity improves. For most of the offseason, Burden was touted as the next big fantasy football breakout star. Through two weeks, he's WR48 in half-PPR and PPR scoring leagues and WR57 in standard leagues.
Things look even worse for Burden in Week 3. His quarterback, Caleb Williams, could miss the game after sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 2. Chicago's backup, Tyson Bagent, is in the concussion protocol. So Burden may have to rely on third-stringer Case Keenum for production in Week 3 against, oh yeah, an Eagles defense built by one of the league's best defensive coordinators.
Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
New Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's first year in Tampa is not off to a hot start. The Buccaneers are averaging the 14th-fewest yards per game through two weeks and rank 28th in expected points added (EPA) per play: -0.145. As a result, Egbuka's production has suffered in his second season in the pros. Even without having to compete with Mike Evans for targets, the young wideout does not rank in the top-30 of fantasy receivers so far.
In Week 3, Egbuka and quarterback Baker Mayfield will face their toughest defense yet. Brian Flores' Vikings defense has allowed the lowest dropback success rate (36.7%) of any unit through two weeks. His sky-high blitz rate has kept Jordan Love and Caleb Williams in check, which is a big reason Minnesota is 2-0. Mayfield has historically had success against high blitz rates, but his and Egbuka's slow start in Robinson's offense doesn't inspire confidence for Week 3.
Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans (at New York Giants)
As is the case in Tampa, Tennessee is off to a rough offensive start with a new OC in 2026. Second-year quarterback Cam Ward has struggled so far with former Giants head coach Brian Daboll calling the plays. Tate, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, has not found success either as a result of ineffective deployment – the Ohio State product has zero targets 20+ yards downfield – or quarterbacking struggles – Ward has a "Bad Throw percentage of 23.9%, per Pro Football Reference. In two games, Tate has caught seven of 11 targets for 65 yards.
The Giants, Tennessee's Week 3 opponent, don't have a particularly good secondary, especially with cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Paulson Adebo set to miss more time. But New York does have a strong pass-rushing front, even (potentially) without Brian Burns after his Week 2 ankle injury. Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter could give a struggling Titans offensive line fits in Week 3, limiting Ward further and lowering Tate's ceiling.
Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 3
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 3.
→ 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.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em wide receivers for Week 3 fantasy football
