This article dives into the maelstrom of injuries rocking the NFL during the first three weeks and highlights which backup players are poised to step up. We examine each major injury, the contract or status involved, the statistical implications, and how the backups might fill the void. The following sections identify individual injury cases and match them with the most promising second-string or replacement options, using all available data, names, stats, contract information, and context.
Jayden Daniels (knee sprain)
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a knee sprain in Week 2 against the Packers and was ruled out for Week 3. Marcus Mariota will take over as the starter. He brings experience and has been praised for readiness, professionalism, and leadership by the coaching staff. Veteran Josh Johnson serves as the No. 2 behind Mariota. The team’s running back situation is also hammered: Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, leaving rookies and backups to take on the rushing burden.
Brock Purdy (turf toe + shoulder)
49ers QB Brock Purdy sustained turf toe and a left shoulder injury in Week 1. His status for Week 3 is uncertain, though he is practiced in limited fashion. If Purdy cannot play, Mac Jones is the primary backup option. In Week 2, Mac Jones threw three touchdown passes in a relief role when Purdy was unavailable. With Purdy potentially inactive, the 49ers may shift offensive balance more toward wide receivers. Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings may see an increased target share.
J.J. McCarthy (high ankle sprain)
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2 and is expected to miss between two and four weeks. Veteran Carson Wentz will step into the starting QB role during McCarthy’s absence. He offers controlled play and experience while the Vikings ride out the injury. McCarthy’s injury places pressure on Minnesota’s offense to remain consistent under Wentz, especially during a stretch of early-season games.
CeeDee Lamb (high ankle sprain)
Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb suffered a left high ankle sprain in Week 3. The ownership and front office have considered placing him on injured reserve, which would enforce a four-week absence minimum. With Lamb potentially out 3–4 weeks or more, the Cowboys’ receiving depth must step up. The next-in-line receivers will need to fill some of his target load.
The Cowboys’ rookie right guard Tyler Booker is also out for 4–6 weeks with a high ankle sprain. Center Cooper Beebe has already been placed on IR with a broken bone in his right foot. Those O-line losses will magnify the burden on passing games, especially with Lamb missing time.
Najee Harris & James Conner (season-ending injuries)
Two major running back injuries struck in Week 3. Najee Harris (Chargers) suffered a serious Achilles injury, ending his season. James Conner (Cardinals) collapsed after a 9-yard run and is expected to miss the year after surgery. The Chargers will look to whatever depth they have behind Harris. Arizona intends to rely on Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and Bam Knight to fill the void.
Zach Tom (oblique)
Green Bay Packers right tackle Zach Tom has been out since Week 1 due to an oblique injury. He briefly returned in Week 3 but played just one snap before pain forced him out again. In his absence, the Packers have rotated through Darian Kinnard, rookie Anthony Belton, and first-round pick Jordan Morgan to patch the right tackle spot.
Green Bay has used nine different offensive line combinations across the first three weeks — the most in the NFL in 2025. With Tom’s uncertain return, the backup tackles must maintain cohesion and minimize breakdowns in pass protection.
Running backs & rushing depth injuries beyond stars
As noted earlier, Austin Ekeler suffered an Achilles tear, removing him from Washington’s backfield. No other running backs from your supplied info had confirmed injuries beyond Harris and Conner, but the early-year injury environment suggests that depth is critical. Rushing backups across the league should be monitored carefully; in teams with injured stars, second-stringers or committee players can see massive upticks in volume and value, particularly for fantasy.
The spate of injuries drastically shifts fantasy football rosters and valuations. When a star like Lamb or Harris is out, backups immediately gain upside that was previously hidden. Players like Marcus Mariota, Mac Jones, Carson Wentz, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, Bam Knight, Jordan Morgan, and others all potentially become must-watch assets in fantasy lineups. Backups still carry uncertainty — lack of chemistry, playbook gaps, or defensive attention may limit their ceiling. Staying updated with fantasy football news helps managers monitor snap counts, league usage splits, and matchups to make sharper decisions.
Backup Quarterbacks across injured starter pool
Joe Burrow is sidelined for at least three months with a turf toe injury. Jake Browning will assume starting QB duties for the Bengals during Burrow’s absence. Justin Fields is in concussion protocol. Tyrod Taylor is positioned as a backup possibility and has a 28-28-1 career record as a starter. Jordan Love has been limited by a knee/MCL issue. Malik Willis may see more snaps or start in his place as Love remains banged up.
Offensive line and non-skill backups matter too
With durable injuries at tackle (Zach Tom), guard and center (Cowboys), teams must lean on backups like Jordan Morgan, Darian Kinnard, Anthony Belton, or internal reserve linemen to stabilize protection. Players like Dallas Goedert were once injured but now cleared to play. Such veterans and tight-end blockers can help maintain run/pass balance when star skill players are out. While the focus is more offense-heavy, defenses likewise need trustworthy backups when starting corners or linebackers go down, like the Jets placing LB Quincy Williams on IR.
Evaluating backup readiness metrics
Backups with prior starting experience (e.g., Mariota, Wentz, Mac Jones, Tyrod Taylor) are more likely to be trusted early and produce closer to expectations. How many reps’ backups had during preseason, practice, or in prior seasons matters. Familiarity with the playbook speeds transition. The defenses each backup faces will alter expectations; the matchup, pass rush, and secondary strength all influence how much a backup can succeed.
Summary of standout backup candidates
- Marcus Mariota steps in for Daniels, bringing veteran steadiness and leadership.
- Mac Jones is first in line to replace Purdy and has had prior success in relief.
- Carson Wentz is a stabilizing presence for the Vikings while McCarthy recovers.
Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and Bam Knight are frontline RB options for the Cardinals after Conner’s injury. Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, and Darian Kinnard are offensive line backups for the Packers stepping into the tackle rotation. Jake Browning fills in for Joe Burrow during his multi-month recovery. Tyrod Taylor backs up or may start for Justin Fields while concussion issues persist.
Concluding thoughts on navigating a battered start
Early-season injuries have forced teams and fantasy managers alike into adaptation mode. The loss of stars like Lamb, Harris, Conner, Purdy, Daniels, McCarthy, Ekeler, and key linemen recalibrates expectations across rosters. The backups highlighted here stand to gain outsized opportunity, but they must be judged by experience, matchups, and usage. As the injury wave continues, the depth and readiness of reserve players will define which teams survive the storm.