Week 10 waiver wire roundup
An update on the latest injuries and the waiver wire options that could help you get by.
🤕 Pain index
🚫 Nope: Dak Prescott (hamstring)
🏴☠️ Not bloody likely: Zack Moss (neck)
🫤 Looking iffy: Tee Higgins (quadriceps), Isaiah Likely (hamstring), Amari Cooper (wrist), Keon Coleman (wrist), Nico Collins (hamstring), CeeDee Lamb (shoulder), Drake London (hip)
🙏 Cautiously optimistic: Adam Thielen (hamstring), Jauan Jennings (hip), Will Levis (shoulder)
✅ Looking good: Christian McCaffrey (Achilles), Derek Carr (oblique), A.J. Brown (knee)
Note: The above are estimates based on the latest news and injury reports. Always double-check your own rosters before Sunday kickoff!
🎯 Waiver wire targets
Percentages reflect how many teams have that player rostered in Yahoo! Sports fantasy leagues.
Teams on a bye this week: Seahawks, Raiders, Packers and Browns
Quarterback
As the Chargers’ receiving corps has gotten healthier, so has Justin Herbert’s (44%) stat line. He’s had multi-touchdown performances in the last two weeks and has a load of enticing matchups lined up. “Over the next six weeks, the Chargers have matchups against the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. Those teams pass the ball a lot, so they all rank in the top four at allowing fantasy points to quarterbacks.,” writes PFF.com’s Nathan Jahnke.
Other QBs to consider: Tua Tagovailoa (60%), Russell Wilson (16%), Daniel Jones (11%)
Running Back
Ray Davis (21%) has proven he’s more than just a handcuff following his 18+ fantasy points filling in for James Cook in Week 6. He’s topped 11 fantasy points in two of the last three games, averaging six touches per game over his last three. “Davis is the type of player to prioritize in the second half of the fantasy season. He has stand-alone value in deeper formats but could become a league winner if starter James Cook misses time,” writes ESPN’s Eric Moody
One more plug for Jaylen Warren (42%), whose usage spiked to double-digit touches in each of the last two games before last week’s bye. He’s getting healthier by the week, bolstered by the recent week off, and should see 10-12 touches per game moving forward.
Other RBs to consider: Isaac Guerendo (18%), Tyler Allgeier (39%), Trey Benson (N/A)
Wide Receiver
Quentin Johnston (16%) returned from an injury last week with 22 fantasy points against the Browns. “It should go without saying that Johnston will remain a boom-or-bust fantasy option, reliant on big plays. But he’s also tied to an exceptional quarterback with a howitzer arm, so it’s not as if he’s made his last trip to the end zone,” writes Yahoo Sports’ Andy Behrens.
After recommending Jauan Jennings following the 49ers injury plague a few weeks ago, only to see Jennings sidelined for two games himself with an injury, I’m not super comfortable talking about this receiving corps. However, Ricky Pearsall (28%) could emerge as a fairly reliable weapon for Brock Purdy, putting up 77 total yards from scrimmage on five touches following Deebo Samuel’s exit in Week 8. There are banged-up receivers coming off a bye and a trade deadline today, so a lot can change between now and kickoff in terms of his potential this week, but he’s a stash that could pay off big down the stretch, given how unhealthy the rest of this crew is.
Cedric Tillman (58%) is on a bye this week, but it might be the last chance you’ll have to grab him if he’s available in your league. He continued his impressive run post-Amari Cooper trade with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, marking his third-straight game with at least 18 fantasy points.
Other WRs to consider: DeMarcus Robinson (13%), Xavier Legette (27%), Jalen Tolbert (22%)
Tight End
Taysom Hill (38%), everyone’s favorite tight end who isn’t really a tight end, is coming off of 19 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus 41 receiving yards on four catches. It was only his second 14-plus fantasy point performance of the season, but with Chis Olave sadly dealing with another concussion, he could be leaned on more in the passing game over the next few weeks.
Other TEs to consider: Mike Gesicki (14%), Zach Ertz (39%)
D/ST
The New York Giants (7%) are usually only mentioned in this space when another defense is playing them, but did you know that the Giants lead the league in sacks? There could be plenty of these in Germany this weekend against Bryce Young (or possibly Andy Dalton) and the Panthers.
Other D/STs to consider: Bears (59%), Falcons (9%)
Initial Week 10 player rankings
Each week, I’ll add a link to the rankings here once they’re up (typically early AM on Wednesday). Or, bookmark this link and check back there. I’ll also send a “note” out on Substack when they’re ready.
