This article is part of our NFL Reactions series.
The third week of the preseason is when starters actually get extended run, providing more opportunity for analysis while also increasing the risk for fantasy-relevant injuries. Unfortunately, the past weekend was dominated by the latter, with Julian Edelman, Spencer Ware and Cameron Meredith all suffering season-ending knee injuries. We'll start by looking at the fallout from those injuries before working our way to job battles and anything else worth noting.
The Injuries
Edelman's season-ending injury obviously frees up some targets -- he had 158 last year -- but the Patriots' rare collection of pass-catching depth means there isn't any one player likely to handle more than a quarter of that workload. While Danny Amendola likely will be Edelman's main replacement for slot work in three-wide formations, the oft-injured veteran still doesn't figure to get enough targets or snaps to have fantasy relevance.
Chris Hogan is the far more intriguing option, coming off a three-game playoff run in which he caught 17 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns. Hogan only needed 57 targets to produce 680 receiving yards (11.9 average) in 15 games last season, so he could conceivably be a real fantasy asset if Edelman's absence allows him to draw six targets per game instead of four. Hogan posted a 4-70-2 receiving line in Friday's preseason game against Detroit, catching both of Tom Brady's touchdown passes.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid already confirmed that rookie third-round pick Kareem Hunt will lead the backfield in Ware's absence, relegating veterans Charcandrick West and C.J. Spiller to supporting roles. Hunt will probably come off the field in obvious passing situations, but he's skilled enough as a receiver to contribute in that department anyway. He could get 15-20 carries per game and doesn't have any real competition for goal-line work, making him a strong RB2 -- with the potential for more -- on the basis of workload alone.
Meredith was the only piece of Chicago's passing game I had any interest in, coming off an out-of-nowhere 2016 breakout season in which he had 888 yards on 96 targets (9.3 average) in 14 games. 2015 first-round pick Kevin White will draw the attention as a potential beneficiary, but he still hasn't shown any signs of being up to the challenge, catching four of seven targets for 32 yards through three weeks of preseason action. Don't be surprised if the Bears end up relying on offseason acquisitions Kendall Wright and Markus Wheaton (finger) far more than they originally planned on. With Wheaton's status uncertain, Wright should stay busy early in the year even if he's limited to playing the slot. White still has the upside, but his draft price may rise to a point where it's not even worth taking a shot.
The QB Battles
The Jags decided to stick with Bortles after both quarterbacks were mediocre in Thursday's preseason game against the Panthers. It's probably the right decision, as the 2014 first-round pick at least offsets some of his many miscues with big plays, whereas Henne is just a check-down machine. I'll still be avoiding Bortles in drafts, but this at least is good news for Allen Robinson, and to a lesser extent for Marqise Lee (ankle), Allen Hurns and Leonard Fournette.
DeShone Kizer vs. Brock Osweiler
This one essentially was decided before the third preseason game, so it didn't matter when Kizer completed only six of his 18 passes. His athleticism hints at long-term upside, but he isn't dangerous enough as a runner to warrant draft consideration outside of two-QB leagues, considering his passing numbers almost certainly will be poor. The Cleveland offense will only go as far as Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson can carry it.
Backfield Committees
Eagles
LeGarrette Blount and Wendell Smallwood shared first-team reps Thursday against Miami, with the latter gaining 28 yards on four carries while the former picked up 19 yards on four carries. Darren Sproles is the top pass-catching option, making this a likely three-way timeshare to open the season. I like Smallwood as a late-round dart due to his potential three-down skillset, whereas Blount seems to be universally overvalued.
Panthers
This was another even split, with Jonathan Stewart getting the start before rotating with Christian McCaffrey on an impressive opening drive Thursday against Jacksonville. No surprise here, as everything has hinted at an approximately equal timeshare since the Panthers drafted McCaffrey in the first round. Given the rookie's expected role as a pass-catching threat, he could be a major asset while still allowing Stewart to tote the rock about 15 times per game.
Patriots
Mike Gillislee got serious run with the starters and took eight carries for 38 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn't all that informative because his main competition for early down work (Rex Burkhead) was absent with an undisclosed injury. This backfield won't shake out until the regular season and could change significantly on a week-to-week basis even if injuries don't play a major role.
Saints
Adrian Peterson (six carries for 15 yards) and Mark Ingram (four for nine yards) both failed to impress while splitting first-team work Saturday against Houston. The Saints haven't provided much indication about how carries will be split, but there's little question Ingram is still considered the lead back. Of course, the designation won't mean much if Peterson is averaging 10 carries per game and poaching goal-line work while Alvin Kamara replaces Ingram on some passing downs. I'd rather just avoid this backfield and target the New Orleans passing game for fantasy value.
Other notes
Jay Cutler looked comfortable targeting DeVante Parker again, hooking up for a 74-yard gain that came up just short of the end zone against Philadelphia.
Jay Ajayi played nearly all of the first-team snaps for Miami, staying in the game for the majority of obvious passing situations.
Kenny Golladay caught one pass for two yards on three targets against the Patriots, unable to take advantage of TJ Jones' absence due to a hamstring injury. The rookie has fallen off since his strong preseason debut, making it unclear whether he or Jones will enter Week 1 as the No. 3 wideout.
John Brown didn't get much work in the first quarter of Saturday's game against Atlanta, but he tore it up in the second quarter with a 28-yard touchdown from Carson Palmer and a 21-yard score from Drew Stanton. I still think Brown's upside makes him a worthy middle-round selection, even though there's a solid chance you end up cutting him at some point.
Per Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus, Paul Perkins played 15 of the first 17 snaps in Saturday's preseason game against the Jets while gaining 33 yards on six carries. He's otherwise been ineffective this preseason, so don't be surprised if he still loses a lot of touches to Shane Vereen and Orleans Darkwa.
Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams both looked good Saturday against Denver, with the former taking three carries for 31 yards and a score (at the goal line) while the latter caught three passes for 46 yards. It's still hard to tell just how much of the workload Williams will steal from Montgomery. Given where they're being drafted, both running backs look like nice values.
The Chargers' Branden Oliver clearly worked ahead of Andre Williams, making Oliver the choice if you're inclined to draft a handcuff for Melvin Gordon (which seems far from necessary).
The Rams offense was unable to sustain momentum from the second week of the preseason, though Todd Gurley's absence (for rest purposes) likely played a role. The unit should be improved from last year, but it's probably still a bottom 10 group.
