NFL Week 3 injury report: Jaxson Dart, Puka Nacua, Zay Flowers and Travis Etienne Jr latest updates

The first two games saw more injuries than expected, which is especially concerning as mid-season and crucial games begin. The New York Giants lost Jaxson Dart to an MCL, PCL, and meniscus injury that requires surgery.The Los Angeles Rams played Week 2 against the Giants without Puka Nacua because he developed a new injury, which head coach Sean McVay compared to “pre-hernia” pain.Baltimore Ravens’ wide receiver Zay Flowers first hurt his hamstring during a joint practice on August 20. Although he seemed fine for the regular season, his hamstring injury flared up during the Week 1 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, and he has not practiced fully since then.Additionally, the New Orleans Saints signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a blockbuster, four-year, $48 million contract this offseason, but he has not yet scored a touchdown through the first two games of the 2026 NFL season.He has appeared on the team’s injury report for the first time ahead of their Week 3 clash against the Las Vegas Raiders, dealing with a nagging hamstring injury.Jaxson Dart ruled out for regular season but could return for playoffsNFL Insider Ian Rapoport said just hours ago on Good Morning Football that the New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart could make a playoff appearance - provided the Giants make it and his recovery goes well.“Jaxson Dart is going to be out for the regular season, having surgery on his knee that, of course, we saw he injured on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams,” Rapoport said.“Initial thought was it was not a major injury. Then they had the MRI, and all optimism went away. It is a torn meniscus. It is an injury to his MCL. My understanding is Jaxson Dart will have surgery to repair both of them. Colleague Adam Schefter also adds there is damage to the PCL as well.Now, the meniscus is essentially the longest recovery. So that is four to six weeks, really five to six weeks. So we will see when Jaxson Dart is able to recover.The Giants kept the door open for a possible playoff run. Maybe he could make a late appearance. We shall see. That would mean everything had gone incredibly, incredibly well.”Jaxson Dart was sandwiched between two Los Angeles Rams defenders, Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart, after attempting a third-and-8 pass. He took a hard hit to his left knee, stayed on the ground, and grabbed his leg.After receiving medical attention, he walked to the medical tent for evaluation and was seen limping as he headed to the locker room.X-rays were negative, but an MRI revealed that his meniscus, MCL, and PCL were damaged. He will undergo surgery and is declared out for the season. Veteran quarterback Jameis Winston will take over as the starter for the New York Giants.Puka Nacua could sit out Week 3 clash against DenverDuring an ESPN Los Angeles interview, Rams head coach Sean McVay opened up about Puka Nacua’s progress and potential Week 3 return.“We’ll see,” McVay said. “It doesn’t… You know, he’s not making great progress. But we’d love to welcome Puka back with open arms. If not, I’ve got a ton of confidence in the group we will go with if he doesn’t go.”Puka Nacua missed training camp and the preseason practice schedule with a core muscle injury. He played in the Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, but he missed practice last week because of a new injury - hip and groin soreness.He also missed the Week 2 win over the New York Giants due to this hip and groin soreness, and he could miss the Week 3 clash against the Denver Broncos as well.Puka Nacua was a non-participant in Wednesday’s jog-through. Head coach Sean McVay compared the issue to pre-hernia pain but carefully noted that it wasn’t a hernia. “These soft-tissue issues - I wish I had better information,” McVay said.“It would be helpful for me to have a little bit more clarity as well. I want him to feel good. I know he’s chomping at the bit to get out there. But he wouldn’t practice [Wednesday] if we were able to go, and then [Thursday], we’ll see what that looks like.”Mark Morales-Smith of Sports Illustrated reports that Nacua could be in danger of sitting out the Week 3 game against Denver due to a lingering hip and groin injury.Zay Flowers not able to practice due to hamstring injuryBaltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said Zay Flowers [hamstring] is day-to-day. “Yeah, I mean, I think you have to take everything into account. But most importantly, what’s best for him. And so again, we’ll figure all these out,” Minter said.“I think we got a lot of guys in that day-to-day range right now. And so we’ll figure out what’s best. But I think you always take everything into account to make sure that it’s in the best interest of the player.”The Baltimore Ravens’ star wide receiver, Zay Flowers, rested in Week 2 after aggravating an offseason hamstring injury in Week 1.After two weeks of rest, he still couldn’t practice midweek on Wednesday ahead of the Week 3 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He will be monitored closely.Despite Flowers missing Wednesday’s practice, Minter feels the receiver has a good shot at playing in the Week 3 clash. If Flowers doesn’t play, 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman will serve as WR1, just as he did in the Week 2 loss against the New Orleans Saints.Zay Flowers’ presence was heavily missed in Week 2. If he sits out Week 3 as well, Rashod Bateman may have to step up his game against the Dallas Cowboys.Travis Etienne Jr could be questionable for Week 3 against RaidersTravis Etienne Jr. recorded 71 rushing yards on 17 attempts and 38 receiving yards on 9 catches but no touchdowns. He is sharing the backfield load, playing alongside Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. Both Kamara and Miller have nine rushing attempts each, and Etienne Jr.’s 17 carries lead the pack.The 27-year-old running back Travis Etienne Jr. was limited in practice on Wednesday due to a nagging hamstring injury. Since he was able to practice partially, he may not be ruled out for the Week 3 clash against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, September 27. If he is unable to play, Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller will likely split the backfield load.The practice report for other injured New Orleans Saints players includes:DE Chase Young [calf] – LimitedDB Jonas Sanker [knee] – LimitedDT Christen Miller [toe] – DNPWR/RS Barion Brown [hamstring] – DNPDL Nathan Shepherd [hip] – LimitedCB Martin Emerson Jr. [shoulder] – DNPLB Isaiah Stalbird [shoulder] – Full.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.