George Kittle Injury: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Replacements

With the injury to George Kittle, fantasy football managers are left with a void on their roster. Let’s check out the extent of the injury and players you can target on your fantasy football waiver wire this week. And check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 2.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Injury Replacements

Injury Outlook

George Kittle (hamstring) to miss ‘a few weeks’
49ers TE George Kittle is set to “miss a few weeks” with a hamstring injury, per head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Fantasy Impact

Kittle suffered the injury in the first half of Sunday’s game and did not return. Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges should see the bulk of the snaps at tight end until Kittle returns.
– Jesse Garcia

George Kittle (hamstring) to undergo MRI Monday
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said George Kittle will undergo an MRI “in the next 24 hours.”

Fantasy Impact

After opening the scoring with a touchdown reception, Kittle departed in the second quarter and did not return. There should be an update on Monday, but hamstring injuries typically aren’t ideal.
– Ari Koslow

Waiver Wire Replacements to Target

Written by Derek Brown

Juwan Johnson (TE – NO): 1% Rostered

• Next Opponents: SF, @SEA, @BUF
• True Value: $4
• Desperate Need: $6
• Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: Juwan Johnson had one helluva Week 1. He had a 23.9% target share, finishing second on the team in targets behind only Chris Olave. Johnson was an every-down player who also surprised with 1.61 yards per route run. Spencer Rattler and the Saints were trailing all day, which ramped up the passing volume, as New Orleans only handed it off to their running backs 18 times. This could be a familiar weekly scenario for this team, so the target volume could be here to stay. If you’re looking for a cheap option to replace an injured tight end, Johnson could be your guy this week.

Harold Fannin Jr. (TE – CE): 2% Rostered

• Next Opponents: @BAL, GB, @DET
• True Value: $4
• Desperate Need: $6
• Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: It looks like Harold Fannin Jr. will be an integral part of the Cleveland passing attack this year. He surpassed any expectations that I had for him in Week 1, playing 72.3% of the snaps with a 71% route per dropback rate and a 20% target share, per PFF. He led the team in targets and finished with seven grabs and 63 receiving yards. David Njoku had a quieter day in Week 1, so we also have to factor that in. In most weeks, Fannin will be fighting for the third spot in the target pecking order for this team, so keep your expectations in check. This was a nice start to his career, though. Fannin is a nice depth pickup and could assume an even larger workload later this season if the Browns decide to entertain any ideas of trading away Njoku, who becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Michael Mayer (TE – LV): 0% Rostered

• Next Opponents: LAC, @WSH, CHI
• True Value: $4
• Desperate Need: $6
• Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: Michael Mayer could be the Raiders’ starting tight end for the short term, as Brock Bowers was knocked out of Week 1 with a knee injury that isn’t believed to be major. Mayer’s 63% snap share and 50% route per dropback rate in Week 1 will both go up while Bowers is out. Mayer should be an every-down tight end for Las Vegas until Bowers is healed up and could be the No. 2 option in the passing attack behind only Jakobi Meyers during this stretch. Expect his 11.7% target share to rise in the next week or two.

Brenton Strange (TE – JAX): 22% Rostered

• Next Opponents: @CIN, HOU, @SF
• True Value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Brenton Strange had a solid but not flashy performance in Week 1. He led the team with 59 receiving yards but only had a 12.9% target share. His 2.45 yards per route run were also nice to open the season. Strange looks like he’s fighting with Dyami Brown for the third spot in the target pecking order behind Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter. Strange is only a matchup-based streaming option at this point, but he’s worth a pickup if you have needs at tight end after the multiple injuries at the position in Week 1.

Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ): 11% Rostered

• Next Opponents: BUF, @TB, @MIA
• True Value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Better days are ahead for Mason Taylor. While he had only one target in Week 1, Taylor was a full-time player (87.5% snap rate). Jeremy Ruckert might have out-targeted Mason (two), but he ran only seven routes, per PFF. Jets quarterback Justin Fields looked quite comfortable in Week 1 against the Steelers, who have one of the league’s best defenses. Taylor’s role in this offense will only grow, so scoop him up for cheap this week and stash him on the bench. He will have streamer-worthy moments and could grow into a top-15 option at the position if Fields continues to spread his wings in this offense.