Some big-name playmakers are hurting going into Week 3, leaving many fantasy owners scrambling for replacements. Among the most valuable fantasy assets banged up heading into the third weekend, Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Braylon Edwards are all on teams that face the NFL abyss that is 0-3.

Some of the top fantasy athletes in this young season may be on the shelf this weekend, so their owners had better beware in several of these cases:

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, SD – Arguably the top-ranked fantasy player has been hampered by a big toe injury all week. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, and his touches were limited during practice Friday. He is listed as questionable for San Diego’s Monday Night Football matchup with the Jets, which means Darren Sproles may get a majority of the carries for the Chargers.

Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN – Virtually the only functional part of Minnesota’s offense is now in question. Peterson tweaked his hamstring late in last week’s heartbreaking loss to Indianapolis, and like Tomlinson, A.P. did not practice most of the week. Peterson will be a game-time decision for the Vikings, so fantasy owners should keep backup Chester Taylor on their radars if Peterson can’t go.

New England Patriots running backs – Both Laurence Maroney and LaMont Jordan are fighting injuries for the New England Patriots, who take on a lackluster Dolphins team in Foxboro this weekend. Jordan did not practice all week because of a foot injury and is doubtful, while Maroney might see limited action (shoulder). Still, the rest of the Patriots offense, namely running back Sammy Morris, can expect big numbers against Miami.

Cleveland Browns wide receivers – The Browns have looked like anything but a playoff contender in their two unpleasant home losses to Dallas and Pittsburgh. Braylon Edwards has failed to yield any productive numbers in two games, leaving the offense sputtering with only 16 total points. He is questionable with shoulder problems along with Donte’ Stallworth, who is laboring a quad injury. Joshua Cribbs may help the return game, but the rest of the offense should struggle against a rested Baltimore team.

Joey Galloway, WR, TB – Galloway will sit out this week with a foot injury when the Bucs take on Chicago. Tampa’s top receiver on the bench hurts an offense led by Brian Griese sine Jeff Garcia’s injury, and the Bucs now will turn to backup wideouts Michael Clayton and Antonio Bryant. Expect Earnest Graham to be featured often against Chicago’s physical defense.

Devin Hester, WR, CHI – The Bears most electrifying player is still nursing an injury to his ribs that might keep him out of Sunday’s action. If he sits, the Bears defense and special teams will not have the same impact without Hester’s return game helping. Yet, don’t expect Hester to remain sidelined beyond this week.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT – Pittsburgh’s quarterback is still feeling the effects of the sore shoulder from a bruising hit in Week 1 against Houston. Relatively untested last week in Cleveland, Roethlisberger, who is likely to play, will have to be his best against a good Eagles team in a hostile stadium. Expect Big Ben to downplay the injury and give it all for the W in this cross-state matchup.

Carson Palmer, QB, CIN – The Bengals have started the 2008 season with two more sluggish performances. Nothing seems to be working for Cincinnati, including the ankle injury to signal-caller Carson Palmer. Although Palmer is probable for Sunday, don’t expect the Bengals to drastically improve against the defending Super Bowl Champion Giants.

Dallas, Green Bay safeties – Two defensive starters will be on the sidelines for the Sunday Night Football clash between the Cowboys and Packers in Lambeau. Dallas safety Roy Williams is out for at least four weeks with a broken forearm and Green Bay’s Atari Bigby will not be in the secondary. This can only help quarterbacks Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers, who both have the potential to torch opposing defenses.

Justin Fargas, RB, OAK – An injury to Fargas will allow all the “Rookie of the Year” talk about Darren McFadden to get a little more serious. A groin injury leaves Fargas doubtful for Sunday at Buffalo, but that doesn’t mean Oakland’s rushing attack will be powerless. McFadden will be the feature back for the Raiders, who need to ride momentum from a big win last week in order to come up with a big road win over the surging Bills.