Week 2 Fantasy Injury Report and Last Minute Waiver Wire Replacements

Injuries are already becoming a problem for fantasy football managers in 2026. We saw stars like A.J. Brown, Sam Darnold, Myles Garrett, and Zay Flowers exit in Week 1. In Thursday night's Week 2 opener between the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions, Bills receiver D.J. Moore left with a shoulder injury and did not return.

Other injury situations are likely to impact lineup decisions for Sunday's slate, but managers may still be able to find help on the waiver wire.

Here, you'll find a look at the latest from the Week 2 injury report, rankings for the top remaining plays on the schedule, and some sleepers who could potentially serve as last-minute options.

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

Quarterback

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Tyler Shough

Top 10

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
2. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
3. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
4. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
5. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
6. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
8. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
9. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
10. Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Injury Report and Waiver Targets

Darnold won't play for the Seattle Seahawks this week, which means we'll see Drew Lock against the Arizona Cardinals. The Atlanta Falcons have ruled out Michael Penix Jr. for the second straight week, while Tua Tagovailoa is listed as doubtful.

The Cincinnati Bengals have listed Joe Burrow as questionable with a back injury, though he's widely expected to face the Houston Texans on Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings have ruled out Kyler Murray (concussion), which means it'll be Carson Wentz against the Chicago Bears.

New Orleans Saints signal-caller Tyler Shough is coming off a 410-yard, three-touchdown performance and remains the top QB to consider grabbing off the wire. He did face a bad Detroit Lions defense in Week 1, but he has a ton of upside and is still only rostered in 49 percent of fantasy leagues.

Malik Willis, C.J. Stroud, and Bryce Young are other quarterbacks worth considering off the wire this week.

Running Back

AP Photo/John Locher

Kaelon Black

Top 10

1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
2. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
4. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
5. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
6. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
7. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
8. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
9. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
10. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

Injury Report and Waiver Targets

The list of key RB injuries is quite short, though the Vikings have placed Jordan Mason (thumb) on injured reserve. The Denver Broncos have listed RJ Harvey (hamstring) as questionable.

Good running backs are in short supply this year, and the trend extends to the waiver wire. San Francisco 49ers rookie Kaelon Black is about the only wire option with a reasonable amount of upside in Week 2.

Black had a prominent role spelling Christian McCaffrey on the ground in Week 1, and he'll face a suspect Miami Dolphins defense on Sunday. He's not likely to be heavily involved in the passing game and is listed as questionable (groin), but he is rostered in just 42 percent of fantasy leagues.

Braelon Allen, Kendre Miller, Jonah Coleman, and Jaleel McLaughlin are other backs to consider, though they're largely more valuable as stash options than Week 2 fill-ins. Miller is the exception, as he did get some goal-line work for the Saints last week.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Rey Del Rio

Devaughn Vele

Top 10

1. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
3. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
5. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
6. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
7. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
8. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
9. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
10. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

Injury Report and Waiver Targets

Several notable receivers will be out this week, in addition to Brown. Rookies Ja'Kobi Lane and De'Zhaun Stribling are headed to injured reserve, while Nico Collins, Jauan Jennings, Omar Cooper Jr., and Marvin Mims Jr. have been ruled out.

The Baltimore Ravens have listed Flowers as doubtful. Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Jalen McMillan are both listed as questionable.

Saints receiver Chris Olave is also questionable with a hamstring injury, which only boosts the value of Devaughn Vele.

Vele was already a strong waiver target after tallying seven catches for 69 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. He's been heavily added but is still available in over half of fantasy leagues.

Deebo Samuel, Denzel Boston, Caleb Douglas, and Dontayvion Wicks are other receivers worth considering that could have some real flex value in Week 2.

Tight End

AP Photo/John Locher

Michael Mayer

Top 10

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
2. Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
3. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
4. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
5. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
6. Isaiah Likely, New York Giants
7. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
8. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
9. Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
10. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

Injury Report and Waiver Targets

The Washington Commanders have ruled out tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo with a hamstring injury.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is considered doubtful as he continues to recover from a knee procedure. This gives some solid value to teammate Michael Mayer, who caught six passes for 32 yards last week.

Mayer is still only rostered in 16 percent of fantasy leagues.

The list of other tight ends to consider adding this week includes Mike Gesicki, Dalton Schultz, and Terrance Ferguson.

*Fantasy roster information from FantasyPros.