Fans get excited. Teams get excited. Then all the hoopla receives a gut punch. Some teams receive a couple of such strikes. Others even more. It’s crazy to think that in Week 3 there could be so many major injuries and question marks surrounding significant players, but that’s the reality of the situation. Some of the league most notable stars will miss action this week while others are out long term.

Don’t forget to check out our NFL odds and the complete list of injuries here.

Now let’s head to the clinic.

NFL Week 3 Injury Report

Bear’s Keenan Allen Still Nursing Heel

One wouldn’t think that WR Keenan Allen potentially missing another match would be a bad thing. The Bears have the 2024 number one overall pick at QB in Caleb Williams and guys like DJ Moore and Cole Kmet to throw to, but the offence has looked terrible through two weeks. Allen’s heel still hurts and he’s questionable as of Thursday. Chicago is a slight +1 underdog as they head to Indianapolis.

Bengals’ Tee Higgins (hamstring) Progressing

Higgins has been missing in action during the first two weeks of the regular season, although Cincinnati’s offence looked decent against the Chiefs last Sunday. Word on the street is that his recovery is heading in the right direction. There is no guarantee he’ll play this week, but it would be worthwhile to keep an eye on his status. Cincy remains a heavy -7.5 favourite for Monday night’s clash versus the Commanders.

Cowboys’s Trevon Diggs (foot) and CeeDee Lamb (ankle) are Questionable

Dak Prescott is the most expensive player on the Cowboys’ roster, but it feels safe to argue that many fans would be more worried knowing both CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs did not practice on Wednesday. Lamb is more likely to play, but Diggs is still navigating the murky “questionable” waters. Practice on Thursday and Friday will be key. Don’t look now, but Dallas is a +1 underdog at home versus the Ravens.

Packer’s Jordan Love (knee) Might Play Week 3

Similar to last week’s situation regarding Jordan Love, fans are once again teased that the QB might take to the field this Sunday. The problem is that the nature of his injury tends to require 2-to-4 weeks for proper recovery, and it’s only been two. In that sense, yes, he “might play” but the odds are slim. Malik Willis is probably taking snaps when his current team lines up against his former team the Titans. Green Bay remains a +1.5 underdog.

Texans’ Nico Collins (foot/hip) Should Play

This one seemed to come out of nowhere after the dominant performance last Sunday night. Be that as it may, Collins’ foot and hip are hurting. One would think those two are pretty important for a WR, but it appears he’s probably going to be on the gridiron to contend against Minnesota’s secondary in Week 3. That Houston is a -2 road favourite is a good sign.

Vikings’ Justin Jefferson (Quad) Questionable

It’s being reported that WR stud Justin Jefferson suffered a quad contusion in his side’s impressive Week 2 victory over the 49ers. He did not finish the match, which was a terrible sign. That said, the nature of his injury suggests he can still play this week. He was at least limited in practice on Wednesday as opposed to missing it. Thursday and Friday sessions will be key. The Vikings are +2 home underdogs to the Texans.

Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco (fibula) is Out

We were writing a week ago about the Chiefs’ luxurious possession of a litany of “plug and play” roster members. No Clyde Ewards-Helaire in Week 2 versus the Bengals? No problem, Isaiah Pacheco took care of business. Oh, what’s that? Pacheco (fibula) is out for 6-to-8 weeks. Okay. In that case welcome Kareem Hunt from the practice squad. Nothing deters the oddsmakers when it comes to KC though. They’re a -3 road favourite in Atlanta.

Rams’ Cooper Kupp (ankle) in a Cast

The Los Angeles Rams entered 2024 with high hopes with WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Nacua has been on IR since after the first match and, as of Week 2, Kupp is banged up with a high ankle sprain. He’s spending the week in a cast. The odds of him playing this Sunday against the 49ers are slim to none. Even so, L.A. is not putting him on IR, so it’s not all bad. The Rams aren’t +7 home underdogs very often, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

49ers’ Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) and Deebo Samual (calf) Out

The great San Francisco 49ers are going to find out just how much depth they have on offence. It was made official a few days ago that RB Christian McCaffrey was put on IR with an Achilles injury. Although WR Deebo Samuel is not on IR, a calf problem is, reportedly, going to keep him off the field for a couple of weeks. Well, it’s time for Brandon Aiyuk to make good on that shiny new contract. Faith in San Francisco does not waiver, as they are -7 favourites for their visit to the Rams.

Eagles’ A.J. Brown (hamstring) Unlikely to Play

What an awful start to 2024 for wide receivers. Brown was unavailable for Week 2’s bitterly disappointing defeat to the Falcons. His hamstring issue has kept him out since Week 1. Brown has also been a non-factor at practice this week. He has not been entirely ruled out for Philly’s away game at the Saints this Sunday. At best he might be designated as limited shortly before kick-off. The Eagles are +3 underdogs.