The first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season have seen a significant number of injuries impacting fantasy football rankings. Fortunately for fans, not many quarterbacks have faced severe injuries.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love sustained an MCL sprain in their Week 1 matchup, while Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion that placed him on injured reserve during Week 2. The only Week 1 starter missing in Week 3 is Bryce Young, who has been replaced by 36-year-old Andy Dalton for the Carolina Panthers.

The abundance of available quarterbacks simplifies things for fantasy managers in some ways, but it also presents tricky start-sit choices for those with multiple quarterbacks or those searching for viable streaming options.

Week 3 offers several enticing matchups for various potential QB1s, though injuries to other key offensive players might restrict the performances of some higher-ranked quarterbacks.

Here’s a guide on which quarterbacks to start and which to sit in Week 3 of fantasy football.

Fantasy football start ’em: Week 3 QBs

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints

He faces a Philadelphia Eagles secondary that has allowed the fifth-highest passing yards per game (242) so far, putting Carr in a strong position to maintain his status as a top-12 fantasy QB for another week.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow is in a prime position against the Washington Commanders in Week 3. Washington has given up a league-high six touchdown passes in the first two games, facing off against Baker Mayfield and Daniel Jones.

With Ja’Marr Chase getting back to form and Mike Gesicki emerging as a dependable target, Burrow and the Bengals are poised to finally find their rhythm this week.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

The Arizona Cardinals delivered a strong performance against Matthew Stafford and the Rams, but that shouldn’t deter Goff’s fantasy owners. He leads the league with 83 passing attempts and will have plenty of chances to throw against the high-scoring Cardinals, who are currently averaging 34.5 points per game.

Detroit’s defense is likely to perform better than Los Angeles’ did previously, yet Goff remains a solid option to reach around 250 yards and two touchdowns against a defense that has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year.

Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 3 QBs

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Although Mayfield is tied with Carr for the most touchdown passes in the league, this Sunday may not be ideal for him. The Denver Broncos have limited opponents to just 134 passing yards per game in the first two weeks, thanks to standout corner Patrick Surtain II, who has excelled in controlling half of the field.

Mayfield might still have a decent game given the Buccaneers’ strong receiving corps, but Tampa Bay is more likely to rely on their running game against a Denver defense that has struggled against running backs. This could pose challenges for owners relying on Mayfield, especially if the Buccaneers pull ahead strongly in the second half.

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

Richardson has had a tumultuous start to his second season. With a completion rate of just 49.1% for 416 yards, three touchdowns, and a league-worst four interceptions, he isn’t producing as fantasy owners hoped. His scrambling has also been minimal with only 93 yards and a touchdown from 10 attempts this season.

It’s advisable to avoid Richardson until he faces a more favorable matchup. The Chicago Bears, who limited C.J. Stroud to only one touchdown in their Week 2 matchup, do not fit that bill. Chicago has permitted an average of just 10.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, ranking sixth-best in the NFL.

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

With Jim Harbaugh taking over as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, he has pledged to emphasize the running game and has stuck to his word.

In the past two weeks, Los Angeles has maintained the NFL’s third-highest run-play percentage at 59.66%.

With limited opportunities, Herbert is counting on big plays and touchdowns to prove his worth in fantasy leagues. However, his chances may be slim against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have allowed only one touchdown to quarterbacks in the last two weeks.

Adding to the situation is Herbert’s ankle injury. Coach Jim Harbaugh indicates it shouldn’t be a concern, yet it’s an aspect to keep an eye on as the weekend approaches.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Stafford will be missing his top two receivers (Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua) along with two starters from the interior offensive line (Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson) as they face the San Francisco 49ers, who have a solid pressure rate of 20.6%. This could lead to another challenging week for the Rams’ offense.