Examining Week 1 Injury Reports and Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Options

While Week 1 of the 2026 regular season got underway on Wednesday, the bulk of the schedule remains ahead. Fantasy football managers still have time to adjust lineups, react to Friday's injury reports, and look for replacements on the waiver wire.

Of course, many of the top wire targets were claimed when waivers were processed earlier in the week.

Fortunately, some capable replacements should still be available for the Week 1 slate. Here, you'll find a look at the top remaining plays, the latest buzz and reporting from the NFL's injury report, and a few sleepers to consider ahead of Sunday.

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

Quarterback

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Saints QB Tyler Shough

Top 10

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
3. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
5. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
6. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
7. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
8. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
9. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
10. Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

Injury Updates and Waiver Targets

Quarterbacks around the league are mostly healthy heading into Week 1, though the Atlanta Falcons have some legitimate concerns. Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury during the week, and both he and Michael Penix Jr. have been ruled out.

This means the Falcons will start backup Cooper Rush against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In larger leagues, Rush could serve as an emergency starter, since he'll at least get to throw to Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London. Of course, a road matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers isn't the most enticing option.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is a much more attractive waiver target. He is a viable dual-threat signal-caller, and he'll face a Detroit Lions defense that surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points in 2025.

Malik Willis of the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts' Daniel Jones are two other QBs to consider adding this week.

Running Back

AP Photo/John Locher

Raiders RB Mike Washington Jr.

Top 10

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
2. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
3. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
4. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
5. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
6. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
7. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
9. Travis Etienne Jr., New Orleans Saints
10. James Cook, Buffalo Bills

Injury Updates and Waiver Targets

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty and Arizona Cardinals rookie back Jeremiyah Love are both dealing with ankle sprains and will bear watching until kickoff.

The good news is that both players appear to be on the mend. Jeanty was a full participant in practice this week and should get the start. Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur told reporters on Friday that Love is "trending well," but will be a game-time decision.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers back Sean Tucker is listed as doubtful, while Saints RB Alvin Kamara is questionable. Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis has been ruled out with a hip injury.

Raiders rookie Mike Washington Jr. remains the top RB sleeper, even with Jeanty trending to play. The speedy Arkansas product should get multiple opportunities as a complementary back and will face a Dolphins defense short on star power.

Washington is rostered in just 23.8 percent of leagues. Cardinals back Tyler Allgeier and Jacksonville Jaguars back Chris Rodriguez Jr. are also worth consideration this week. Allgeier is actually listed as RB1 on Arizona's depth chart.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Colts WR Keenan Allen

Top 10

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
3. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
4. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
5. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
6. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
7. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
9. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
10. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Injury Updates and Waiver Targets

New England Patriots receiver A.J. Brown came out of Wednesday's game with an ankle injury and is headed to injured reserve. San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling suffered his own ankle injury on Thursday night and is likely to miss some time.

Fortunately, there isn't an extensive list of injured receivers for the rest of the Week 1 slate. New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers, who is working his way back from a torn ACL, is officially questionable. Buccaneers wideout Jalen McMillan is doubtful with a knee injury. Chicago Bears receiver Rome Odunze (calf) is questionable.

Colts receiver Alec Pierce has been recovering from ankle surgery and dealing with a heel injury but has been cleared for Week 1. Even so, fellow Indy receiver and free-agent addition Keenan Allen is worth considering.

Allen has regularly carried a high PPR floor and will face a Baltimore Ravens defense that surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs last season—though the unit is expected to improve under new head coach Jesse Minter. Allen is rostered in only 15 percent of fantasy leagues.

Ravens rookie Ja'Kobi Lane, Cleveland Browns rookie Denzel Boston, and Raiders receiver Tre Tucker are other receiver targets to consider plucking from the wire this week.

Tight End

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Saints TE Juwan Johnson

Top 10

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
2. Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
3. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
4. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
5. Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
6. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
7. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
8. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
9. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
10. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Injury Updates and Waiver Targets

The big injury news at tight end involves Raiders star Brock Bowers. He recently underwent a knee procedure and is expected to miss "a game or two," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport.

Saints tight end Oscar Delp is out with a hamstring injury.

Fellow Saints tight end Juwan Johnson is a prime waiver target for Week 1. He's likely to be Shough's No. 2 target behind Chris Olave, and he'll be up against a Lions defense with several question marks in the secondary. He should have top-10 value this week but is rostered in just 33.3 percent of fantasy leagues.

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz and Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange are other wire targets who carry top-10 upside.

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros