The third week of the 2026 National Football League regular season begins on Thursday from Green Bay. Here are some of the key injuries, fantasy stars and projected upsets.
Key Injuries
The most notable injury of the week came on Monday night in Los Angeles as New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is out for the rest of the regular season after suffering a knee injury. Other players who are out for week three are Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (out six weeks with a muscle core injury), New York Jets defensive tackle David Onyemata (out several weeks with a muscle core injury), Jets wide receiver Arian Smith (out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament), Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Zach Bako-Bewele (out for the season with a torn patellar tendon), New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (ankle surgery), and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (dislocated elbow).
Fantasy Stars
For the second straight week the expected number one quarterback is Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. Allen is projected to get 250 yards passing, 37 yards rushing and three touchdowns on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. The projected number one running back is Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions. He is expected to get 131 total yards (96 yards rushing and 35 yards receiving) and one touchdown against the New York Jets. The top rated wide receiver is Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks, who had a hat trick last weekend. On Sunday against the Washington Commanders, he is expected to get seven catches for 102 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Projected Upsets
There are four underdogs I like this week. They are the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders. All four teams looked great in wins last week and should be considered in week three.
