Patrick Mahomes Injury: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

With the injury to Patrick Mahomes, 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.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Injury Replacements

Injury Outlook

Patrick Mahomes II (knee) diagnosed with torn ACL
Patrick Mahomes II (knee) has been diagnosed with a torn ACL. He suffered the injury late in the Chiefs’ game against the Chargers. His season is over.

Fantasy Impact

It’s a tough break for the Chiefs, who saw their playoff hopes slip away in this game with the loss. Mahomes has a chance to come back for the beginning of 2026, but don’t be surprised if he misses some time next season due to his recovery.

Garrett Ball

Waiver Wire Replacements to Target

Quarterbacks

Written by Ellis Bryn Johnson

Bryce Young (QB – CAR): 18% Rostered

Next Opponents: TB, SEA, @TB
True Value: $2
Desperate Need: $4
Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: Bryce Young was hot early on in the Panthers’ Week 15 game against the Saints, dropping a beautiful throw to Jalen Coker for his lone passing touchdown. But Young finished with only 163 passing yards in Carolina’s disappointing 20-17 loss to New Orleans, adding seven carries for 49 yards. The Panthers host the Buccaneers this week. Over the last five weeks, they have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. With the Panthers’ last three regular-season games being must-win affairs, Young will need to do everything he can to make his first NFL postseason. With the Buccaneers’ defense being very beatable, Young looks like the top streaming option for Week 16.

Marcus Mariota (QB – WSH): 10% Rostered

Next Opponents: PHI, DAL, @PHI
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Touted as the best streaming option for Week 15, Marcus Mariota let managers down with only 13.7 fantasy points against a weak Giants defense. Why give him another chance? Well, for the second time in three weeks, Mariota had 10 rush attempts for 43 yards. He also had 49 rushing yards against the Dolphins in Week 11 and 55 rushing yards against the Broncos in Week 13. That type of production on the ground is desirable from a streaming quarterback option. Mariota also played a clean game against the Giants on Sunday, completing 10-of-19 passes for 211 yards and a score. This week, he takes on a more formidable opponent in the Eagles. Although the Eagles’ defense boasts a lot of big names, we saw Mariota post a QB3 finish against the vaunted Broncos defense in Week 13. If you just lost Patrick Mahomes, Mariota is a solid option to close out the season.

C.J. Stroud (QB – HOU): 48% Rostered

Next Opponents: LV, @LAC, IND
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The turnaround for the Texans since their Week 6 bye is one of the most impressive storylines of the season. Powered by their incredible defense, they’re now in the thick of the playoff chase. Although Houston’s defense deserves a lot of praise, C.J. Stroud has admirably controlled games and limited turnovers. On Sunday, he had 260 yards and three scores without an interception in a 40-20 win over the Cardinals. In Week 16, Stroud faces the Raiders, who had the NFL’s eighth-worst opponent passer rating going into Week 15. With the Texans’ defense likely controlling this game from the opening kickoff, Stroud probably won’t be asked to do a lot. However, if the Raiders can make this a game, only Maxx Crosby stands in the way of another solid fantasy finish for Stroud.

Aaron Rodgers (QB – PIT): 26% Rostered

Next Opponents: @DET, @CLE, BAL
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Aaron Rodgers we saw in Week 14 is a version we have only seen glimpses of over the last two years. However, if Rodgers has adopted the “let my weapons make plays” mentality, we could see more deep shots in the final weeks of the regular season. In Week 14, we saw Rodgers complete 23-of-34 passes for 284 yards and a score in a 27-22 win over the Ravens. He also had his first rushing touchdown since Week 17 of the 2022 season. With a Week 16 shootout on tap against the pass-funnel Lions defense, the gunslinging Rodgers may need to return as the Steelers push for the AFC North crown. Rodgers offers a solid floor but a limited ceiling.