If Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season was kind to fantasy football managers, Week 2 was brutal.
After a high-scoring start to the 2026 campaign, offensive results sagged a bit in Week 2. A handful of injuries to key fantasy producers made matters worse, most notably Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Those injuries, plus a lack of production from some expected stars, will force fantasy football managers into some difficult start 'em, sit 'em decisions in Week 3.
Of course, it's still important not to overreact. It's early in the season, and some of these players will bounce back. But if you're looking to shake things up, it's fine to make a bold lineup decision or two to spark your squad.
Who
can you start and sit in fantasy football for Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season? USA TODAY Sports outlines eight players to start and eight to sit:
Fantasy football players to start in Week 3
Quarterbacks
- Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at Miami Dolphins)
Mahomes was viewed as a risky fantasy pick ahead of the 2026 NFL season after returning from a torn ACL that prematurely ended his 2025 campaign. He has quelled those concerns by logging three total touchdowns in each of his first two games while showing off more explosive, down-the-field playmaking ability after reuniting with Eric Bieniemy. The Dolphins have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks and have a thin defense that Mahomes should easily exploit.
- Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
Through two weeks, Shough leads the NFL in passing yards with 662 and is one of just two quarterbacks to attempt 90 passes in his first two games. The Saints haven't been able to run the ball much yet, so Kellen Moore may keep relying on his second-year quarterback to carry New Orleans' offense. The Raiders have started better-than-expected on defense and have only allowed two touchdowns to quarterbacks, but Shough nonetheless has QB1 upside because of his volume.
Running backs
- TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Henderson missed Week 1 with an ankle injury but out-touched Rhamondre Stevenson 16-7 against the Steelers. Stevenson also lost a fumble, a long-term issue of his, so it stands to reason that Henderson will remain the backfield leader for now. The Jaguars have been solid against running backs, but it may take only one play for the speedy Henderson to become a worthwhile RB2.
- Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns (vs. Carolina Panthers)
Is it fun to back a guy averaging 2.3 yards per carry? No, but this is easily Judkins' best matchup of the season. The Panthers have allowed a league-high 347 rushing yards to running backs and just saw Falcons backup Brian Robinson Jr. total 51 yards on 11 carries against them. Expect Judkins to have his best day of the season and maybe find the end zone.
Wide receivers
- Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets (at Detroit Lions)
Mitchell has already established a rapport with Geno Smith, garnering a team-high 15 targets over the Jets' first two games. Now he faces a Lions team missing its top three safeties and having surrendered a league-high 437 receiving yards to wideouts to start the season. That should make Mitchell a potential boom candidate and WR2.
- Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Houston Texans)
Houston's defense is well-regarded, but it has been porous to open the 2026 NFL season. It has allowed the third-most FPPG to wide receivers thus far, so Downs – who will be the Colts' No. 1 receiver if Alec Pierce (heel) is out – could enjoy a quality outing in what might be another high-scoring Colts game.
Tight end
- Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (at Indianapolis Colts)
The Colts just got shredded in prime-time by 36-year-old Travis Kelce. Schultz just caught 12 passes for 140 yards against the Bengals. He should remain a quality security blanket for C.J. Stroud and will be well-positioned to take advantage of a favorable matchup.
Defense/special teams
- Carolina Panthers (at Cleveland Browns)
The Panthers just beat up on a Falcons team starting Cooper Rush at quarterback. Now they face Deshaun Watson, who is coming off a good game against the Buccaneers but hasn't performed well in Cleveland. If Devin Lloyd can have another big name, expect Carolina to thrive in this spot.
Fantasy football players to sit in Week 3
Quarterbacks
- Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Buffalo Bills)
Did the Bills just allow Stroud and Jared Goff to post massive games against them? Yes. But can you really trust Herbert after he averaged 200.5 passing yards, two total touchdowns and three interceptions against the Cardinals and Raiders? It's not advisable, especially since Greg Rousseau and Deone Walker should be able to wreak havoc against a beleaguered Chargers offensive line.
- Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. New England Patriots)
The Patriots have allowed a league-low 8 points per game through two weeks of the 2026 NFL season. Granted, Drew Lock and Aaron Rodgers were the primary quarterbacks taking snaps in those contests, but New England's defense still looks strong. Don't be surprised if Lawrence, who failed to log a touchdown against the Broncos in Week 2, struggles in this matchup.
Running backs
- MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers (at Atlanta Falcons)
Lloyd is averaging just 3 yards per carry and is splitting touches with Kaleb Johnson and Chris Brooks. He could be a TD-dependent flex play, but it's too risky to start him against a Falcons defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest FPPG to RBs this season.
- Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks (at Washington Commanders)
Price gets a good matchup against the Commanders, but it's hard to trust him as anything more than a speculative flex. Emanuel Wilson seems like Seattle's preferred goal-line option while George Holani is also mixing into the running back rotation. Add in that Price fumbled against the Cardinals and left early with an injury, and fantasy managers are probably better off sitting him until he carves out a larger, more consistent role.
Wide receivers
- Stefon Diggs, Washington Commanders (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
Three of Diggs' nine catches to open the 2026 NFL season have gone for touchdowns, but he is facing a brutal matchup against the Seahawks in Week 3. Seattle is allowing the fewest FPPG to receivers this season and Diggs will have to do damage with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota playing in place of the injured Daniels. That doesn't seem like a recipe for success.
- Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
Odunze is in a similar boat to Diggs. Williams may not play in Week 3 because of a hamstring injury, in which case Tyson Bagent would be tasked with leading Chicago's offense. Bagent doesn't have the same arm strength as Odunze, so that may make it tough for the veteran receiver – who has a 19.57 average depth of target (ADOT), per Sumer Sports – to make the big plays needed to emerge as a quality fantasy asset.
Tight end
- Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
Yes, we are recommending to sit multiple Bears pass-catching weapons. The Eagles have only allowed six catches and 42 yards to tight ends thus far in 2026 and Loveland has just one catch for three yards across his first two games. Perhaps playing with Bagent will spark him, but more likely, his slow start will continue.
Defense/special teams
- Minnesota Vikings (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
The good news for the Buccaneers? Baker Mayfield has performed well against the blitz, which could set him up for success against Brian Flores' defense. The bad news? He has been sacked seven times and has turned the ball over four times in his first two games. Those turnover issues should make Minnesota's defense a high-floor play, even if Mayfield is able to beat the blitz. He's bound to make a mistake at some point.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in Week 3
