With the injury to Joe Burrow, 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
Joe Burrow could miss ‘at least three months’ with Grade 3 turf toe injury
Bengals QB Joe Burrow is expected to miss at least three months due to a Grade 3 turf toe injury that will require surgery, according to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero. He is getting second opinions.
Fantasy Impact
This is close to the worst case for fantasy managers who roster Joe Burrow or any of the Bengals’ playmakers. Three months would sideline him for most of the season, and while Jake Browning led Cincinnati to a win over the Jaguars today, he threw three interceptions in the process. It’s possible that additional opinions are more optimistic, but fantasy managers should prepare for the worst.
– Mike Maher
Joe Burrow limps to locker room after sack Sunday
UPDATE: Burrow is questionable to return with a toe injury, according to the team. Bengals QB Joe Burrow stayed down after being sacked during the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Jaguars, and he eventually limped off the field on his way to the locker room. Jake Browning replaced Burrow.
Fantasy Impact
Four different Jaguars defenders were in on the sack, and Burrow ended up at the bottom of a pile. Early speculation is a potential ankle injury, but nothing has been confirmed as of this writing. We’ll provide an update when additional information is available.
– Mike Maher
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.
Geno Smith (QB – LV): 30% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @WSH, CHI, @IND
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- 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 in Week 1, we saw it again for the Raiders. Although this team will still try to run, the Raiders are not stubborn enough to stick to it when it isn’t working. We’ll see what happens against a tough Chargers’ run defense on Monday night, but I’m guessing Smith will have another productive passing day. With a similar stout run defense and leaky secondary in Washington coming up next, Smith is worth considering if you’re in quarterback purgatory.
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.
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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