We’re only two weeks into the season and we have some surprising developments in terms of rosters and injuries. So we’ll start with those who have already been declared inactive and we’ll add a special note at the end for a new plater that may suit up this weekend, although it would be pretty stunning if he did.

 

Officially OUT For Week Three

Aaron Murray (QB – Tampa Bay Vipers): This shouldn’t surprise anybody. Murray missed last week’s game with a foot injury and failed to practice on Thursday. It is a bit of a shame because there’s the potential for Tampa to play catch-up with Houston and accumulate some garbage time production. But it isn’t in the cards for Murray this week. Sadly, the Vipers will have to turn to Taylor Cornelius once again with Quinton Flowers spelling him occasionally. This is somewhat of a disappointment for the Vipers who are pretty banged up.

Nick Truesdell (TE – Tampa Bay Vipers): Speaking of “banged up” we’ve got another Viper here who won’t play in Week Three! Truesdell has been dealing with a knee injury and he hasn’t practiced all week. He’s had a pretty slow start to his season after being touted as the XFL’s best tight end. The quarterback play hasn’t helped his case, but it certainly does hurt the Vipers offense that hasn’t met the expectations of the coaching staff so far.

Kasen Williams (WR – Seattle Dragons): Williams didn’t practice on Thursday and he’s been listed as OUT for Saturday’s game against Dallas. It’s unclear when Williams will make his season debut, but he’s on track to miss his third straight game.

Seantavius Jones (WR – Free Agent): He’s not hurt, but just be aware that he was waived by Tampa Bay this past Wednesday and he will not play in Week Three.

 

Questionable

Josh Johnson (QB – Los Angeles Wildcats): If you’ve followed Johnson’s progress the last few weeks, you’ll know he’s been hobbled by a thigh injury. And this dates back deep into the preseason as well. He missed a good amount of time leading up to Week One and while he made his debut in Week Two, it’s clear he’s hurting. Last week he completed just 52.9% of his pass attempts and he fumbled twice and he has a difficult matchup against DC this week. I do expect him to play, but don’t expect to see him at his best.

L’Damian Washington (WR – St. Louis Battlehawks): Washington is an interesting follow this week. On Thursday he was downgraded a little bit with an ankle injury so he didn’t practice and then on Friday he was a limited participant in practice. If I had to guess, I’d say he suits up because St. Louis will play on Sunday so he gets an extra day to rest. He’s coming off a huge game and is looking to keep that momentum going with a home matchup against New York this week.

Matt Jones (RB – St. Louis Battlehawks): Washington’s teammate, Matt Jones, is also Questionable for Sunday’s game against New York. He didn’t practice Wednesday, was a limited participant on Thursday, but was a full participant on Friday so that bodes very well for his prospects this weekend. That will likely mean he plays on Sunday, especially if he has Saturday to rest as well so we’ll assume he plays, although he’s officially listed as Questionable. Keith Ford is also Questionable who was a full participant in St. Louis’ practice on Friday. If Jones is surprisingly ruled Out, Ford and Christine Michael would be in line for some nice work. But we’re operating under the assumption that Jones plays.

 

Probable

Cam Phillips (WR – Houston Roughnecks): Phillips is listed as Probable to play on Saturday, which is a good sign. However, he was limited in Thursday’s appearance with an ankle injury and I’m hoping this isn’t a case where the Roughnecks throw him out there as a decoy. He’s caught four touchdown passes through two games so he’s truly been a fantasy gem and he’s a threat to score against Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Kenneth Farrow (RB – Seattle Dragons): It’s been a bit of a slow start for Farrow and the Dragons, but he is very likely to play. He was limited on Thursday, but it doesn’t seem to be serious. Farrow has looked pretty solid when he’s had the chance to run the ball, but he’s been limited to 17 carries through two games despite the 5.06 yards per carry.

Elijah Hood (RB – Los Angeles Wildcats): Hood is listed as Probably for Sunday’s game against DC. He’s gotten off to a slow start and it doesn’t project to get much better in Week Three against one of the best defenses in the league. He’ll likely suit up after practicing in a limited capacity on Friday.

Donald Parham (TE – Dallas Renegades): In a league where tight end consistency is hard to find, Parham is in a decent spot this week if Landry Jones is feeling better. Parham caught a touchdown last week against the Wildcats and Parham was targeted 11 times. He practiced in full later in the week and he should be fine to play this weekend.

Darius Victor (RB – New York Guardians): Victor got popped pretty good in last week’s game and he was absent from practice earlier in the week. Victor practiced in full on Thursday so it doesn’t appear he’ll have any lingering issues with his head injury. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Guardians played it smart and gave Tim Cook a majority of the touches this weekend.

 

Fear of the Unknown

I won’t harp on SJ Green too much, but there’s still a chance he plays. Green was a new acquisition for the Tampa Bay Vipers and boy do they need the help. Green was brought in after Seantavius Jones was waived, and that was a bit of a letdown after it looked like he could be a reliable weapon for them. As of Friday, Green’s status for Week 3 was “to be determined” so while it’s possible he plays, let’s be a little realistic and assume he’s out, unless a surprise report surfaces before the slate locks. Update: SJ Green is confirmed as OUT for Tampa Bay.