Week 7 Waiver Wire Targets to Replace Fantasy Players on Injury List

Week 7 got underway on Thursday with an AFC North battle between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. It will pick back up on Sunday morning with a London showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Managing rosters for the rest of Week 7 will be a challenge for many managers. Injuries have been an issue all season, and several notable players face uncertainty entering the weekend.

The Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are also on bye.

Here, you'll find a look at the top remaining plays of Week 7, the latest from the Week 7 Injury Report, and the top waiver targets at each position.

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

Quarterback

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold

Top 10

1. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
5. Dak Prescott, Dallas cowboys
6. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
8. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
10. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are both on bye this week. Additionally, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray are both listed as questionable. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is also questionable, but head coach Kevin O'Connell announced on Friday that Carson Wentz will start.

Wentz has been filling in for McCarthy, while Jacoby Brissett started in place of Murray last week.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold doesn't have an ideal matchup against the Houston Texans. However, he has a strong supporting cast and has been a reasonable streaming option. He's thrown six touchdown passes with only one interception over his past two games.

Darnold is only rostered in 46 percent of Yahoo leagues and 27 percent of ESPN leagues.

Bryce Young hasn't been as impressive as Darnold but has a better matchup against the New York Jets, who have surrendered the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing QBS.

Young is available in over 75 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. Other QBs to consider include Michael Penix Jr. and Trevor Lawrence.

Running Back

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Cardinals RB Zonovan Knight

Top 10

1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
2. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
3. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
5. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
6. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
7. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
8. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
9. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
10. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

We won't see the return of backs like Omarion Hampton and Trey Benson, who remain on injured reserve. The Cardinals have also ruled out Emari Demercado.

Josh Jacobs, D'Andre Swift, Hassan Haskins and Travis Homer are among those listed as questionable this week.

Finding backfield replacements this late in the week usually doesn't happen. Los Angeles Chargers temporary starter Kimani Vidal, for example, is already rostered in over 70 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Arizona's Zonovan Knight is only rostered in 20 percent of Yahoo leagues and 21 percent of ESPN leagues. He also led the Cardinals in carries last week. However, he has an unfavorable matchup against the Green Bay Packers, who have surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs.

Knight might reward managers with sheer volume, but he's a risky play. Managers looking to avoid a blank can consider him, though, along with backs like Kareem Hunt, Kendre Miller, Blake Corum and Jerome Ford.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Broncos WR Troy Franklin

Top 10

1. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
3. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
4. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
5. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
6. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
7. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
8. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
9. Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
10. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

The Rams have already announced that star receiver Puka Nacua won't play in Week 7 because of an ankle injury. Since L.A. plays on Sunday morning, managers should go ahead and adjust their lineups ahead of time.

Calvin Ridley, Josh Downs, Terry McLaurin, Christian Watson and Ricky Pearsall qre also out, while Jets wideout Garrett Wilson is listed as doubtful. Jakobi Meyers, Stefon Diggs, Jalen Coker, Dontavyion Wicks and Deebo Samuel are among those listed as questionable.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven't made designations for Monday night yet, but Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka have all missed practice time this week.

Denver Broncos wideout Troy Franklin might be the most enticing waiver target this week, as he'll face a New York Giants defense that has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Franklin has logged at least three receptions in three straight games. He's rostered in just 22 percent of Yahoo leagues and 33 percent of ESPN leagues.

Kayshon Boutte's matchup with the Tennessee Titans isn't quite as attractive, but the New England Patriots receiver is coming off a 95-yard, two-touchdown performance. He's still available in over 60 percent of Yahoo leagues and 70 percent of ESPN leagues.

Other wide receivers to consider this week include Kendrick Bourne, Tre Tucker, Elic Ayomanor and Christian Kirk.

Tight End

AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis

Jets TE Mason Taylor

Top 10

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
2. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
3. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
4. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
5. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
6. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
7. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
9. Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins
10. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

It's looking like star 49ers tight end George Kittle will make his return from a hamstring injury in Week 7.

"I fully plan on playing on Sunday," Kittle said, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "As long as [coach] Kyle [Shanahan] lets me."

Zach Ertz is listed as questionable, while Brock Bowers is doubtful. The Cleveland Browns have already ruled out David Njoku with a knee injury.

With Njoku out, rookie Harold Fannin Jr. has an intriguing ceiling, as he's been consistently productive when both tight ends have been available. However, he's a total boom-or-bust play because of the weather.

Fannin is still one of the better waiver targets this week and is available in roughly 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and 40 percent of ESPN leagues. New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor might be an even better play, and he's available in over 60 percent of Yahoo leagues and 70 percent of ESPN leagues.

Yaylor had just one catch in Week 6 but had nine in his previous game. He could be New York's top target with Wilson injured, and the visiting Carolina Panthers have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing TEs.

AJ Barner, Taysom Hill and Theo Johnson are also worth some Week 7 consideration.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.