In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Pristine Auction:

You just knew yesterday was going to be a weird slate when Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers scored two defensive TDs in the first hour of the day.

Things didn’t slow down from there either …

🚑️ A horrible week for injuries. Yesterday was brutal as far as injuries go. James Conner (ankle) and Najee Harris (Achilles) both suffered severe injuries that will likely be season-enders. Trey Benson and Omarian Hampton both stepped into bell cow roles in their absence.

CeeDee Lamb also suffered a bad ankle injury (Dear Cowboys, can we please not give the franchise WR carries out of the backfield? Thanks in advance!). He tried to return, but hobbled off after one play … Mike Evans (hamstring), Terry McLaurin (quad) and Colston Loveland (hip) are the other ones to monitor.

🎩 Hat tricks. There’s only one way I can properly describe the two players who scored three TDs yesterday …

Paper tigers? The Buccaneers and 49ers both moved to 3-0 by the skin of their teeth (Marv, you can’t be doing this) despite dealing with a ton of injuries on the offensive side of the ball. The Niners can probably keep it up—a home matchup vs. the dysfunctional Jags is on tap—but the Bucs have to host the Eagles, who finally found their offensive mojo in the second half vs. the Rams.

On the flip side of the coin, the Saints, Titans, Jets, and Texans all (deservedly) moved to 0-3.

Statistical anomalies.

• The Colts punted for the first time since January 5th yesterday.
• Jordan Davis became the heaviest player in NFL history (336 lbs.) to return a blocked kick 50+ yards for a TD. He hit 18.59 mph on the return!
• Trey McBride scored a TD.

Read on for more surprises and disappointments from Week 3 …

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The Good and The Bad From Sunday’s Slate

Stars of the Slate

Jordan Mason wasn’t drafted too far from Aaron Jones in fantasy football drafts. In some, Mason went ahead of Jones. Once Jones was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, it was time for Mason to take off. Mason rushed for 116 yards on 16 carries with two TDs for the Vikings in a win over the Bengals and sat in the fourth quarter. Mason will continue to get a big workload with Jones sidelined.

Hopefully, you stayed patient and didn’t bench A.J. Brown. The Eagles wide receiver had a reception of at least 15 yards in every game last season. In the first two weeks, his longest reception was eight yards. The Eagles fell behind the Rams 26-7 and were forced to pass. Brown had six catches for 109 yards with a TD on 10 targets, and DeVonta Smith had eight catches for 60 yards with a TD on nine targets.

Jonathan Taylor continued his early-season campaign for 2026 1.01, scorching the Titans defense for a trio of TDs and another 100-plus-yard effort.

The Tight End Position Delivered

Jake Ferguson delivered in a big way for those who started him. He had 13 catches for 82 yards on 14 targets. Ferguson has 18 targets in three games and is a TE1 with Dallas constantly playing from behind.

Speaking of tight ends, welcome back T.J. Hockenson. After two catches for 17 yards in the first two games, Carson Wentz helped Hockenson to a solid day with five catches for 49 yards with a TD. Hockenson’s six targets were second on the team to Justin Jefferson’s seven.

Add Hunter Henry to the tight ends that went off. Henry had eight catches for 90 yards with two TDs on 11 targets. Henry has 22 targets in three games and has a good rapport with Drake Maye.

Two Ambiguous Backfields With ... No Clarity

Just when it appeared those with Rhamondre Stevenson got a steal in drafts, he fumbled it away. Stevenson fumbled twice, including once near the goal line. Antonio Gibson also lost a fumble and TreVeyon Henderson got more touches the rest of the way. Henderson had 11 carries for 28 yards and caught three passes for 19 yards. There’s hope for Henderson.

The Washington backfield was a mess. Chris Rodriguez was inactive in the first two games and started the game. He had 11 carries for 39 yards, Jacory Croskey-Merritt had eight carries for 26 yards with a TD and caught a five-yard pass and Jeremy McNichols rushed for 78 yards on four carries with a TD.

Looking Ahead To Week 4 with Kendall …

There were highs and lows throughout Sunday—including a few big injuries—but one of the key takeaways after reading this article is that we are seriously close to bye weeks.

In two short weeks we will have the dreaded byes and be without the Falcons, Bears, Packers and Steelers, so now is the time to get ahead on the waiver wire. I always say you want to try to be a week ahead so you're not dumpster diving for fantasy starters ... and that time is upon us.

All rostership percentages are from Yahoo.

Geno Smith, QB, Raiders (28% rostered)

This is more about picking on the Chicago Bears than anything else. The Raiders take on the Bears at home in Week 4 and with some less-than-ideal backup quarterback play, Smith is definitely in streamer territory (although be sure to check in on Laghezza's QB Streamers piece this week for more). Smith finished Sunday completing 19-of-29 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns. He also added five rushing yards on two carries. Maybe he can give some of that touchdown magic to Brock Bowers next week? Please???

Tre Tucker, WR, Raiders (3% rostered)

If you weren't watching this game and looked at Tre Tucker's stat line, you may be very confused, but you're reading right! Tucker came down with eight catches off nine targets for 145 yards and three touchdowns and (drumroll please) 36.9 fantasy points! 

This might just be a flash in the pan and we can't expect Tucker to put up these kinds of numbers every week, but if I'm recommending Geno Smith for Week 4, why not add Tucker to the list? Remember, the Raiders are facing the Bears at home next week.

Jalen Tolbert, WR, Cowboys (5% rostered)

Depending on how serious the CeeDee Lamb injury is, we have to go for the next-man-up mentality. Of course George Pickens and Jake Ferguson are going to get theirs, but Tolbert could now play a bigger role in this offense. It won't be the easiest day at the office, as the Cowboys take on the Packers at home, but Tolbert is still worth a look. There was, you may recall, some steam gathering early last season in these game logs. 

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds.

📺 Instant recap of every Week 3 Sunday game. Ian and Dwain do the Lord’s work.

🥩 Bad beats. We’ve been there. Tell us about one and you might win a prize that’s a cut above.

🤯 Emeka Egbuka made the catch of the day. Hot damn.

😆 The Jets lost the game … but won the gif war.

🎁 The RB leading all rookies might surprise you … after missing Week 1, too!

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