Week 3 Waiver Wire Targets to Replace Fantasy Players on Injury List

We may only be three weeks into the 2025 NFL season, but injuries are already having a massive impact on the fantasy landscape. Stars like Joe Burrow and George Kittle have landed on injured reserve, leaving many managers in need of long-term replacements.

Unfortunately, the list of injured players doesn't end with those on IR. Short-term injuries will affect Week 3, as players like Justin Fields and J.J. McCarthy have already been ruled out.

Here, you'll find the top healthy players still available at each position, key takeaways from the Week 3 injury report, and a look at some potential waiver-wire players to consider as injury replacements.

All rankings and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Giants QB Russell Wilson

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
2. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
4. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
5. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
7. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
8. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
9. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
10. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

There is an alarming number of injuries at the quarterback position already in 2025. Burrow is on injured reserve and expected to miss most of the season. Fields and McCarthy are set to miss this week, as is Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee).

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy remains hampered by a toe injury. Purdy practiced in a limited capacity this week, but his chances of playing seem low at best.

Managers willing to risk it with Purdy should scoop up Mac Jones, who started for San Francisco in Week 3 and threw for 379 yards and two touchdowns. Jones is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo leagues and virtually all ESPN leagues.

New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, who is rostered in 15 percent of Yahoo leagues and four percent of ESPN leagues, is another strong sleeper option for Week 3.

Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2 and is set to face the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City has surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season.

Carson Wentz, set to start for the Minnesota Vikings in place of McCathy, should also draw some waiver consideration.

Running Back

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier

1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
3. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
5. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
7. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
8. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
9. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
10. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

The Vikings placed Aaron Jones on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, which opens the door for backup Jordan Mason this week. Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (quad) is questionable, while Philadelphia Eagles back Will Shipley (obliques) is out.

Waiver options are limited at running back, though it's worth checking to see if Bhayshul Tuten is available. The Jacksonville Jaguars rookie recorded two receptions, 74 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in Week 2. He's rostered in 63 percent of Yahoo leagues but only 44 percent of ESPN leagues.

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier could also be a solid sleeper play off the wire this week. The Carolina Panthers have a middle of the road defense against fantasy backs (16th-most points allowed), and Allgeier is coming off of an 80-yard, one-touchdown dame.

Allgeier is still available in roughly 60 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Backs like Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Woody Marks are grab-and-stash options but have limited value this week.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn

Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte

1. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
2. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
3. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
5. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
7. Trey Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
8. Dake London, Atlanta Falcons
9. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
10. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

New York Jets wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hamstring) remains out, as does Tampa Bay Buccaneers widout Chris Godwin (ankle). Fellow Bucs receiver Emeka Egbuka is questionable with a hip/groin injury.

Panthers wideout Xavier Legette is questionable with a hamstring injury, while 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings is questionable with an ankle injury. Commanders receiver Noah Brown (groin/knee) has been ruled out.

Managers should find more waiver options at receiver than running back. New England Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte is high among them after tallying 119 yards and a touchdown through the first two weeks.

Boutte is rostered in just 24 percent of Yahoo leagues and one percent of ESPN leagues.

Tennessee Titans rookie receiver Elic Ayomanor is another WR worth scooping up. He caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown last week and has been targeted 13 times through two games. He's available in over 80 percent of Yahoo leagues and over 90 percent of ESPN leagues.

Marvin Mims Jr., Romeo Doubs and Wan'Dale Robinson are also among the list of WRs to target on this week's waiver wire.

Tight End

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr.

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
2. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
3. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
4. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
5. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
6. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
7. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
8. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
9. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
10. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram (back) has been ruled out, as has Commanders tight end John Bates.

The big question mark at tight end this week is Green Bay Packers standout Tucker Kraft. Coming off a 124-yard, one touchdown performance, he'd have top-10 potential this week if healthy. However, he suffered a knee injury in practice this week and is iffy.

"We'll give him up to gametime," Packers coach Matt LaFleur said, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

Managers should weigh their options carefully before betting on Kraft, who had jut two catches for 16 yards in Week 1—though he did find the end zone.

Harold Fannin Jr., who has caught 12 passes for 111 yards through two weeks, would be a sensible replacement for Kraft. The Packers and Cleveland Browns will face off on Sunday afternoon, meaning Fannin could be a last-minute swap if needed.

Fannin is still available in over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and nearly all ESPN leagues. Other tight ends to consider on the wire this week include Jonnu Smith and Chigoziem Okonkwo.

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros.