With the injury to J.J. McCarthy, 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 also be sure to check out all of our full fantasy football waiver wire advice for the week.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Injury Replacements
Injury Outlook
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) ruled out for Week 3
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Week 3.
Fantasy Impact
It was stated earlier Monday that McCarthy would likely miss Sunday’s game against the Bengals, but that is now official. He is considered week-to-week and the Vikings will turn to Carson Wentz until McCarthy is able to return.
Jesse Garcia
Waiver Wire Replacements to Target
Quarterbacks
Written by Ellis Bryn Johnson
Daniel Jones (QB – IND) (17% Rostered)
- Next Opponents: @TEN, @LAR, LV
- True Value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-Minded: $3
Analysis: Seeing Daniel Jones become a fantasy QB1 is like looking at a Picasso. You may not know what’s going on, but you don’t want to take your eyes off it. Seriously, this is not your dad’s Daniel Jones. Before Week 2, the last time Jones had passed for 300 yards was Week 2 of 2023. Now with the Colts, Jones has been balling out, rushing for three touchdowns and passing for 588 yards in his first two games. Although his upcoming schedule is not the most appealing, after seeing what he did against an elite Broncos defense in Week 2, he should be played every week. Plug your nose, close your eyes, give him a different name. Do whatever you need to do to stomach seeing him in your lineup. Grab your Pepto-Bismol and get yourself a weekly top-12 quarterback for the 2025 season.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB – ATL): 41% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, WSH, BYE
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: There has been a resurgence of gunslinging quarterbacks in the NFL this season. Now that Darnell Mooney is back from a shoulder injury, and Drake London survived his Week 1 injury scare, the Falcons have one of the most talented offenses in the league. In Week 2, we saw Penix play game manager in a run-heavy attack against the Vikings, completing 13-of-21 passes for 135 yards with zero touchdowns and no interceptions in a 22-6 Falcons win. Thankfully, the Vikings are hands down the young quarterback’s toughest early-season matchup. With games against the Panthers and Commanders on tap, Penix will see some mediocre secondaries. Although the Panthers’ secondary has yet to allow a 225-yard passer this season, it has only faced Trevor Lawrence and Kyler Murray. The Carolina defense is not intimidating, and I expect Penix to make a run at 300 yards against the Panthers in Week 3. Penix is a fringe top-12 quarterback over the next two weeks.
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR): 27% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @PHI, IND, SF
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Puka Nacua and Davante Adams form one of the best wide receiver tandems in the NFL. One of the only remaining pocket passers from an earlier generation of quarterbacks, Stafford put on a clinic against the Titans in Week 2. With Nacua and Adams combining for 242 yards from scrimmage and two scores last week, it’s all systems go for this Rams offense. The Rams had a good day in Tennessee despite Adams and Stafford failing to connect on multiple red-zone targets. Considering that Adams is one of the most prolific touchdown scorers of the last decade, this offense is only going to get better as the season goes on. Stafford’s next four games are against quality teams (Eagles, Colts, 49ers, Ravens), and Stafford will need to continue to lean on his top playmakers to keep the Rams in those games. Stafford is a safe volume play each week and should be viewed as a high-end QB2 for fantasy.
Jake Browning (QB – CIN): 0% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIN, @DEN, DET
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Every year, there are star players who miss extended time with injury. Unfortunately, Joe Burrow is often one of those stars. Wishing the King of the Jungle a speedy recovery, we now have Jake Browning leading one of the league’s best offenses. We have seen plenty of Browning, who filled in admirably in 2023 when Burrow missed time with a wrist injury. Over that stretch, Browning finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in six of his last seven starts. The Bengals rewarded Browning with a two-year contract that offseason. This week, we saw Browning lead an impressive comeback with multiple clutch fourth-down conversions on the Bengals’ game-winning drive against the Jaguars. We also saw Browning support both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to successful fantasy days. Although he also threw three interceptions against the Jaguars, Browning is a gunslinger and isn’t afraid to give his star players a chance at making a play. Despite the tough schedule over the next few weeks, Browning is a solid QB2 option in Superflex leagues and a fine spot start for any quarterback-needy teams.
Geno Smith (QB – LV): 30% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @WSH, CHI, @IND
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Raiders are not a run-first team. Despite having running back Ashton Jeanty and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, Smith makes coaches want to air it out. We saw it in Seattle, and we saw it again for the Raiders in Week 1, when Smith threw for 362 yards against the Patriots in New England. Although this team will still try to run, the Raiders are not stubborn enough to stick to it when it isn’t working. Smith struggled against the Chargers in Week 2, throwing three interceptions and no TD passes. But Smith’s Week 3 matchup against the Commanders has promise, with Washington having a stout run defense and leaky secondary. Smith is worth considering if you’re in quarterback purgatory.
Quarterback Stash Candidates
We saw vintage Russell Wilson in a banger of a Week 2 matchup against the Cowboys. Through two weeks, we have seen Wilson look like he is over the hill, and we have also seen him find the Fountain of Youth. It’s hard to imagine Wilson continuing the big-play success we saw in Week 2. Unless he does, Dart is inevitable. Rookies always carry high upside, and what we saw from Dart in the preseason should have fantasy managers optimistic. If you have the bench space, Dart is a good stash.
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