Week 3 Sunday: Collins and Daniels Out, Bowers Is Back

Ruled out this morning

Nico Collins (hamstring) misses a second straight game at Indianapolis. He hasn't practiced since Sept. 16. There's a decent chance he returns Week 4 against Dallas, so hold, don't start.

Jayden Daniels is inactive with the elbow. Marcus Mariota starts in Washington, and Daniels is pointed at around Oct. 4. Caleb Douglas (ankle) is inactive for Miami. Alec Pierce went to IR with a heel injury, so Indianapolis is down its deep threat too. Jayden Reed (neck) is out and being tested further, with Week 5 the realistic target. Rico Dowdle (toe) missed the whole practice week and is out.

Puka Nacua is doubtful and hasn't practiced since Sept. 18. The Rams call the groin issue short term and haven't ruled out surgery entirely, but treat him as out today. Zay Flowers is the ugliest one: he works out pregame in Rio, and per Schefter the Ravens don't appear to expect him to play. Don't leave him active and hope.

Looking ahead to Monday: Caleb Williams has a Grade 2 hamstring strain, 3-to-4 weeks, out against Philadelphia. Dallas Goedert (MCL) is out and likely misses Week 4. A.J. Brown is on IR roughly six weeks.

Active, go ahead

Brock Bowers is expected to make his season debut at New Orleans off the meniscus trim. He carried a 23.6% target share last year and lines up in the slot near half his snaps. Start him at full volume.

Jalen Coker is confirmed active at Cleveland despite the ankle, and he's been playing through it for weeks as the clear WR2 behind Tetairoa McMillan. DJ Moore is active with the AC joint sprain; the snap count is the only question, not the start.

Malik Nabers practiced in full after the shoulder scare and gets clean X-rays: he's the Giants' undisputed target hog with Jameis Winston throwing. Jadarian Price is "full go" per Mike Macdonald. Jakobi Meyers has no designation at all. Tony Pollard practiced fully and carries no tag, and he gets a bump if Tyjae Spears (game-time ankle call) sits. Jaylen Warren is expected to play, and with Dowdle out he's the lead back in Pittsburgh.

The pivot by position

Lost Collins or Nacua at receiver? Drake London is the cleanest available answer after nine catches for 194 yards Thursday on a team-leading target share. Malik Nabers and Rashee Rice are the next calls, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba if he's somehow sitting on your bench.

Backfield hole from Dowdle or an inactive Spears? Jaylen Warren inherits the Steelers' workload today. If you need more, Kenneth Walker and Ashton Jeanty are the best-ranked healthy bodies on the board.

Tight end, if Goedert cost you Monday: Isaiah Likely and Colston Loveland are the usable plays, with Tyler Warren and Harold Fannin as deeper darts. Grant Calcaterra is the Philadelphia-specific streamer.

Quarterback without Daniels or Williams: Drake Maye at Jacksonville or Matthew Stafford in Denver. Michael Pittman is listed questionable with a foot issue and the reporting around him is thin. I can't confirm his snap share, so treat him as a bench flex at best.

The late games

Inactives aren't out yet for the 4:05 and 4:25 windows. Mike Evans (hip) intends to play against Arizona, but that's confirmed roughly 90 minutes before kickoff, so watch the list. Same window for Flowers in Dallas and Bowers in New Orleans.

Sunday night at Denver decides Nacua. J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey were both full participants Thursday, and with Jonah Coleman now on IR the Broncos backfield is a two-man split.

Monday's Philadelphia at Chicago game is a separate problem. DeVonta Smith practiced Saturday after missing Thursday and is trending toward playing, but no official designation was out. Saquon Barkley was a full go Friday and will wear protective gear for the stinger: start him normally.