Week 3 waiver wire roundup and initial player rankings
Week 3 waiver wire roundup and initial player rankings
My first stab at this week's rankings. Plus, recapping key injuries from a very painful Week 2 and what waiver wire options might be worth targeting.
If you’re here for Week 3 rankings, you can jump to those here and check back throughout the week, as they will update often. Keep reading for some injury updates and waiver wire suggestions.
🏥 Injury roundup and waiver targets
Percentages reflect how many teams have that player rostered in Yahoo! Sports fantasy leagues.
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is now on the IR and will be out of action until at least Week 8, given Miami’s Week 6 bye. The entire Dolphins offense takes a fantasy hit here, with Skylar Thompson behind center.
Top available QBs: Derek Carr, NO (22%); Geno Smith, SEA (35%); Sam Darnold, MIN (14%)
Running Back
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (leg) will be placed on IR and will likely miss more than the minimum of four weeks. Samaje Perine and Carson Steele are the next men up, though Kareem Hunt was just added to the practice squad … The Texans will “take it day by day” regarding Joe Mixon’s ankle injury. With Dameon Pierce also banged up, we could be looking at Cam Akers as Houston’s top back against the Vikings ... Titans coach Brian Callahan says RB Tyjae Spears (ankle) is day-to-day, further solidifying Tony Pollard’s grip on the team’s top RB role.
Top available RBs: Perine (7%) and Steele (7%) are top targets only because of the offense they are on. Either could be passable flex options in PPR leagues this week, but beyond that, Hunt could be in the mix, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire is eligible to return after Week 4. … The buzziest back on the RB waiver radar is probably the Jets’ Braelon Allen (10%), who garnered 56 total yards and two touchdowns. He’s someone to stash if you have the bench space, but a definite must-add as insurance for Bryce Hall owners.
Other RB waiver options: Rico Dowdle, DAL (41%); Cam Akers, HOU (2%); Ty Chandler, MIN (29%); Bucky Irving, TB (34%);
Wide Receiver
Another week, another top Rams WR down. Cooper Kupp (ankle) will miss “an extended period,” potentially landing on the IR. Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell are now the top two WRs for LA … Deebo Samuel (calf) will likely miss a few weeks with a calf strain, according to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. Expect Jauan Jennings to be more involved in the passing game … Eagles WR A.J. Brown (hamstring) says he will miss a few weeks, too, a fantasy bump for DeVonta Smith … Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) is “heading in a good direction” on a Week 3 return … Keep an eye on Justin Jefferson this week. He left in the third quarter against the 49ers with a knee bruise, but the injury doesn’t appear serious.
Top available WRs: Quentin Johnston (9%) has been the most-added WR in Yahoo! leagues so far this week after his two-TD performance, and “targets should continue to flow in Johnston’s direction, given the unsettled nature of the Chargers' receiving hierarchy,” writes Andy Behrens … Somebody should probably catch some balls for the Rams, and Demarcus Robinson (43%) is probably the best bet for now.
Other WR waiver options: Jauan Jennings, SF (3%); Jordan Whittington, LAR (2%); Darnell Mooney, CHI (17%); Jerry Jeudy, CLE (42%)
Tight End
The Cowboys’ Jake Ferguson (knee) is trending toward playing in Week 3 against Baltimore … Evan Engram (hamstring) was a surprise scratch after suffering an injury in pregame warmups. He’s week-to-week, and there’s a good chance he misses this week.
Top available TEs: Hunter Henry, NE (26%), Mike Gesicki, CIN (7%)
Initial Week 3 fantasy football rankings
My Week 3 fantasy football rankings for PPR, Half-PPR, and Standard scoring formats will be updated throughout the weekend up until kickoff on Sunday.