Hopefully you all survived the week from hell, as things get slightly easier in Week 10 with just four teams on bye. There weren’t a lot of significant injuries this past week and there are not a lot to monitor as we head into Week 10 of the fantasy football season. The biggest injury of all surrounds Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver A.J. Green, who will be sidelined for at least the next two games. It’s awful news for owners, but if you can get by in these next few weeks without him, you may just get him back for the playoffs as it sounds like he won’t need surgery on his toe. The other big time injury occurred in Seattle with Chris Carson, making Mike Davis one of the better Week 10 waiver wire pick ups. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out @chrismeaney.
Teams on bye:
Baltimore Ravens
Denver Broncos
Houston Texans
Minnesota Vikings
Key Week 10 Injuries
Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold (foot) – in walking boot
Ryan Tannehill (shoulder) – RULED OUT
C.J. Beathard (wrist) – Nick Mullens starting WK 10
Josh Allen (elbow) – could play WK 10
Derek Anderson (concussion) – could start WK 10 if Allen can’t
Running backs
Leonard Fournette (hamstring) – returned to practice
Sony Michel (knee) – reportedly could play WK 10
Chris Carson (hip) – considered day-to-day
Royce Freeman (ankle) – missed WK 9; questionable WK 10
Ronald Jones (hamstring) – expected to miss few weeks
Chris Ivory (shoulder) – considered day-to-day
Giovani Bernard (knee) – expected to return WK 10
Raheem Mostert (fractured arm) – done for season
Chris Thompson (ribs) – missed WK 9
Darren Sproles (hamstring) – returned to practice
Wide Receivers
A.J. Green (toe) – out at least 2 games
Stefon Diggs (ribs) – missed WK 9; on bye
Sammy Watkins (foot) – could miss WK 10
Allen Robinson (groin) – missed last 2 games; questionable WK 10
Keke Coutee (hamstring) – missed WK 9
Paul Richardson (knee) – done for season
Jamison Crowder (ankle) – missed WK 9
Geronimo Allison (groin) – missed WK 9; likely out multiple weeks
John Ross (groin) – returned to practice Monday
Taywan Taylor (foot) – left WK 9
Torrey Smith (leg) – missed WK 9; doubtful WK 10
Tight Ends
Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back) – missed WK 9
Charles Clay (hamstring) – left WK 9
Geoff Swaim (knee) – missed WK 9
Week 10 Waiver Wire (under 60% Owned on Fantrax)
Running Backs
Mike Davis – Seattle Seahawks (53%)
Chris Carson left last week’s game and is considered day-to-day. Mike Davis took over the backfield with 62 rushing yards on 15 carries. Davis also caught seven passes on eight targets for 45 yards. Davis would be a solid RB2 if Carson can’t play in Week 10. Carson missed Week 4, and Davis racked up 124 yards on 25 touches with two touchdowns.
Ito Smith – Atlanta Hawks (54%)
Ito Smith is very much involved in the Atlanta offense, especially inside the red zone where he scored another touchdown. Tevin Coleman had 13 carries to Smith’s 10, but it was Coleman who was used more in the passing game (five catches on seven targets). It’s very clear that Smith is the red zone back which gives him a ton of value, especially in standard formats. He has a rushing touchdown in four of his past five games.
Elijah McGuire – New York Jets (33%)
Elijah McGuire returned to the New York lineup and led all backs with 55 percent of the snaps. He only had seven carries to Isaiah Crowell’s 13, but he had three catches on five targets. McGuire stepped in and took the Bilal Powell role from earlier in the season. He has more value in PPR leagues and could just completely take over down the stretch, especially in games where the Jets are playing from behind.
Theo Riddick – Detroit Lions (50%)
The same thing applies here for Theo Riddick and the Detroit Lions. When this team is down in football games, it’s Riddick who will be on the field. Kerryon Johnson and Riddick both checked in with 56 percent of the snaps played, compared to just 16 for LeGarrette Blount. Johnson led the way with 12 carries, but Riddick had a team-high eight targets and seven catches. There’s been a lot of talk about Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay seeing a spike with the loss of Golden Tate, but the biggest spike may just go to Theo moving forward. He’ll be a solid FLEX play in PPR formats as along as he’s healthy. Chicago is a another tough matchup for KJ, so you can expect some more more Theo.
Josh Adams – Philadelphia Eagles (34%)
First of all, I’d roster Wendell Smallwood first as he’s hovering around the 60 percent mark, but this is what I wrote about Josh Adams after the London win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8. This was last week’s write up as the Eagles are coming off a bye this week. Keep in mind, Darren Sproles is back this week, so this is just a depth add.
Josh Adams is not worth a high pick as the Philadelphia Eagles are on bye this week, and it’s going to remain a crowded backfield when they return. Adams led the Eagles in carries (9), rushing yards (61), and his 21-yard run in Sunday’s win against Jacksonville was the longest by a Philadelphia back this season. Wendell Smallwood was still involved, though, as he had eight carries and two catches. One of his catches resulted in a 36-yard touchdown. Corey Clement took a backseat as he only had five yards on five total touches. Adams is big and runs hard, but his two longest runs came on some pretty huge holes. The Eagles will be without Lane Johnson for the next several weeks due to a knee injury, which hurts an already banged up offensive line. On top of that, Darren Sproles could return Week 10. Nonetheless, Adams deserves more touches, it’s just Doug Pederson tends to rotate through all his backs. I also wouldn’t drop Smallwood unless you are in a shallow league and desperate for a back this week.
Wide Receivers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling – Green Bay Packers (48%)
This is the fourth time MVS has appeared near the top of the waiver wire rankings. Here’s last week’s write up…
It looks like Marquez Valdes-Scantling earned himself some more looks when Geronimo Allison was sidelined. Valdes-Scantling only had two catches last week, but totaled 45 yards and found the end zone. He has two touchdowns in his last three games and is starting to get Aaron Rodgers’ attention. MVS has 12 catches for over 200 yards in those three games. Allison had just the one catch on one target last week, and is just a guy we liked because this offense is potent. MVS has more skill and upside.
Valdes-Scantling had another 100 yards in Week 9 as he caught three of his six targets. He’s finished with double-digit fantasy points in four straight games and it looks like Allison will be sidelined for multiple weeks.
John Ross (27%) & Alex Erickson (1%) – Cincinnati Bengals
I’m actually not crazy about John Ross, but he’s appealing with A.J. Green out at least two weeks. Ross only has one game this season with more than two targets and one with more than two catches. He’s yet to have a game with more than three grabs. Tyler Boyd and C.J. Uzomah are the big winners here, but Ross is definitely worth an add and perhaps a start in a Week 10 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are going to score points and it’ll force Andy Dalton to take some shots downfield. Alex Erickson should benefit as well and may just turn out to be the safer start, but his ceiling is not as high.
Adam Humphries, WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19%)
Adam Humphries has reeled off two strong games in a row now. He caught all eight of his targets for 82 yards, in the Week 9 loss to Carolina. He also scored his first two touchdowns of the season. Humphries leads Tampa Bay WR’s in fantasy points over the last four weeks. He has 27 targets, 19 catches, and 195 yards in his last three games. I still like Chris Godwin, but he only has four catches on 10 targets in his last two weeks. Humphries is hard to start in a 12-team league, but in deeper formats you can get by with plugging him in. The TB defense will continue to force Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw the football, plus they have no run game.
Maurice Harris, WR – Washington Redskins (2%)
Maurice Harris had a season-high 12 targets, 10 catches, and 124 yards last week against the Atlanta Falcons. It was a really good matchup for Harris and a coming out party for him as well. Things actually get a bit easier for him this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are just as bad defensively (maybe worse). Paul Richardson is done for the season with a knee injury and Jamison Crowder has missed the past few games. It’s definitely a risky start, but nobody else in this offense has put up the kind of numbers Harris just did. The most targets Josh Doctson has had in a game is seven (Week 2) and the most catches he’s had is five. He’s yet to top 50 yards and scored his first TD last week. No other active WR has topped three targets or two catches. Harris’ outlook would take a hit should Crowder return, but he reportedly only has a chance to practice this week.
Anthony Miller, WR – Chicago Bears (55%)
I’m slightly surprised Anthony Miller’s ownership is this low. I know he hasn’t blown anyone away, but he should be owned considering Allen Robinson has been sidelined for the past couple weeks. Miller is coming off a career high five catches and 49 yards. He has two touchdowns in his last four games.
Tre’Quan Smith, WR – New Orleans Saints (53%)
Tre’Quan Smith has received a lot of hype over the past couple weeks, especially with Ted Ginn Jr. sidelined, but he really hasn’t lived up to it. Smith scored a touchdown last week, but only had two catches on three targets for 23 yards. He had three grabs for 18 yards the week before. A Dez Bryant signing would hurt Smith’s value. As for Dez, he’d be worth an add if he signed with the high-powered Saints. Keep in mind, he’d be the third or fourth option, though. He’ll be a FLEX play at best in a standard format. I see him as a red zone piece for this offense.
Pierre Garcon, WR – San Francisco 49ers (54%)
Pierre Garcon had his best game of the season last week as he scored a touchdown and racked up 56 yards on three catches. It doesn’t make me want to go out and start him, but it’s encouraging to see Nick Mullens look his way. The matchup was easy and they have a bye after this week’s game against the Giants. Garcon is a pass for me unless you are playing in deep formats.
Tight Ends
C.J. Uzomah, TE – Cincinnati Bengals (32%)
The last time we saw C.J. Uzomah, he played 97 percent of the snaps. He failed to catch one of the four balls thrown his way, but you can expect more targets this week against the Saints with Green sidelined.
Chris Herndon, TE – New York Jets (42%)
Chris Herndon is a mainstay inside these waiver wire articles for me. He has three touchdowns in his last four games and at least 42 yards in three of those contests. Herndon tied a season-high with four catches last week and had a career high 62 receiving yards. He’s the TE7 in PPR formats over the last four weeks.
Jeff Heuerman, TE – Denver Broncos (8%)
Jeff Heuerman turned out to be a pretty amazing replacement for Zach Ertz last week as he had 10 catches for 83 yards and found the end zone. It was his second straight game with a touchdown and he has 16 targets in those two games. He enters the bye this week so you don’t need to spend a high waiver claim on him, but have him on your radar as someone to use going down the stretch. The loss of Demaryius Thomas may just benefit Heurerman the most.
Quarterbacks Streams
Blake Bortles @ IND
Marcus Mariota vs. NE
Eli Manning @ SF
DST Streams
NYJ vs. BUF
LAC @ OAK
GB vs MIA
IND vs JAX
BUF @ NYJ
WSH @ TB
Reminder
Spencer Ware, RB – Kansas City Chiefs (35%)
I keep putting Spencer Ware near the bottom of these waiver wire articles, but by now Kareem Hunt owners should know to roster him. He has double-digit fantasy points in two of his past three games, while hardly touching the football. That’s how good this offense is.
Deep League Stash
D’Onta Foreman, RB – Houston Texans (52%)
With the Houston Texans on bye this week, we could see the return of D’Onta Foreman in Week 11. I don’t expect him to fully take over from Lamar Miller, but he’ll be involved in this offense. Miller hasn’t been the most durable back either.
Like these Week 10 Waiver Wire adds? Get more Chris Meaney on his new podcast, By Any Means. Each week he’ll bring in guests from around the industry to break down all the fantasy news you need to know for your march to the championship.
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