It might be easier to tell you which players aren’t injured heading into Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. Even if you didn’t get a win in Week 2, leaving the weekend with a generally unscathed team may be more valuable right now. On top of the long list of injuries is now two weeks of gameplay and data to factor into our Week 3 waiver wire decisions.
The biggest, perhaps unspoken, variable when working the waiver wire is your team’s record. If you are 2-0, you feel great! Don’t overlook players on the Week 3 waiver wire, however. You should always be looking to improve your roster, especially with replacement or high-upside players. If you’re 0-2, panic is starting to creep in. You’re probably looking for a savior on the Week 3 waiver wire. There are players that can help you, but don’t make an irrational decision and cut someone the rest of your league will clearly benefit from scooping up.
You may be dealing with injuries, bye weeks, or just need to cycle out players from your bench. Whatever the case may be, the waiver wire is there to help. There’s not always a need to put in a claim for players each week, but if you do, make it count. Below, we’ll look at players at each position, who are on 50% or less of most fantasy football rosters, that could be considered on the Week 3 waiver wire.
Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire By Position
Running Back
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
I’m still of the belief that it’s only a matter of time before Rico Dowdle is the clear lead back in Dallas. This could happen sooner than later. In a negative game script for the entirety of Week 2, Dowdle played two more snaps than Ezekiel Elliott. Dowdle logged seven carries to Zeke’s six with two more targets on the same amount of routes run.
Both Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott have just 56 rushing yards each after two games. Dowdle, however, has no more than eight carries in either contest. I do believe with more opportunities, Dowdle can provide a much-needed spark to the offense. We may see it as soon as Week 3 when the Cowboys host a hungry Baltimore Ravens next Sunday afternoon.
Samaje Perine and Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs
Arguably the biggest injury from Week 2 is the news that Isiah Pacheco broke his fibula, the smaller of two bones in the lower leg. He’s going to be out for multiple weeks and will probably spend more than the minimum of four games on Injured Reserve.
So, what are we doing with this Chiefs backfield? Well, it’s not an accident that I don’t have either as the top Week 3 waiver wire add at the position. In my opinion, there isn’t a clear one-for-one replacement to Pacheco’s 42 total opportunities (34 carries + 8 targets) so far in two games. It’s possible that the running back we want in Kansas City for fantasy football purposes isn’t on the Chiefs’ roster yet. Remember, this team inquired about Josh Jacobs in free agency with Pacheco on the roster.
Some potential acquisitions include Khalil Herbert, Jerrick McKinnon, and Kareem Hunt. The latter two have a history with the Chiefs, but either would indicate a true committee approach until Pacheco returns, if at all. It’s worth noting Hunt already has a scheduled visit with the Chiefs so he is the most likely addition as of now. He may already be on the roster by the time you’re reading this! Herbert is barely seeing the field in Chicago and is on an expiring contract.
When it’s time to submit Week 3 waiver wire claims, I prefer Perine slightly more than Steele. I would rather the Chiefs’ running back who will catch passes that can also score touchdowns. Steele, though, likely leads the two in carries, handling nine to Perine’s zero after Pacheco’s exit. This is a great opportunity, but a frustrating fantasy football headache. Neither is any more than a flex play until we see how it shakes out.
Cam Akers, Houston Texans
As of submitting this Week 3 waiver wire piece for publication on Monday night, all we know is that Joe Mixon is scheduled for an MRI on his ankle. He left Sunday Night Football in Week 2 early, returned for three plays, then left again. Not great, but par for the course of this season so far with injuries to big names. Akers did have an impressive preseason with 19 carries across three games for 99 yards. That’s good for a 5.21 yards per carry average. Unfortunately, when he did come in for Mixon on Sunday night, he fumbled a goal line carry turning it over to the Bears. Still, he figures to be the Texans’ best option if Mixon is absent.
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings
The lead running back for the 2-0 Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 was Ty Chandler. His 10 carries are one more than Aaron Jones’ nine, but Chandler averaged an eye-opening 8.2 yards per carry against a tough San Francisco 49ers defense. That includes a run of 25 yards. Jones still gets the best of Chandler in the passing game, however. He has eight targets this season to Chandler’s three. That includes five in Week 2 while Chandler didn’t get a single look. This backfield favors Jones more, for now, in regard to playing times and opportunities. Chandler could mix in more as the season progresses, however, and is a top handcuff to Jones who is a bit older with a bit of an injury history.
Other Running Backs to Consider
Bucky Irving continues to draw interest on the waiver wire, but he’s still the backup to Rachaad White. Looking at snap count through two weeks, White hasn’t played any less than 70% and Irving hasn’t played any more than 31% of the snaps. If at any point White misses time, Irving will be a priority add on the waiver wire. Adding him now is getting ahead of that. It’s worth noting White is reportedly dealing with a groin issue, but is expected to play in Week 3.
Antonio Gibson is a compliment to Rhamondre Stevenson in the Patriots’ backfield but is worth adding to your bench on the Week 3 waiver wire. The Patriots are making it known they want to run the ball as much as possible. They have 66 non-quarterback rush attempts to 51 pass attempts so far this season. Gibson has just 19 opportunities to Stevenson’s 56 but did rush 11 times for an impressive 96 yards in Week 2. If it’s running back depth you seek, then stash Gibson. His value is dependent on the matchup and Stevenson’s availability as of now.
Braelon Allen will stand out when looking at the Jets/Titans Week 2 box score. He rushed seven times for 33 yards and a touchdown adding two receptions for 23 yards and a score. Allen is hard to trust each week behind Breece Hall, but he needs to be on rosters everywhere. The Jets running backs account for 33% of their team’s 2024 target share thus far. That’s the highest percentage in the league at the position.
Blake Corum may be available on your Week 3 waiver wire. If he was dropped ahead of Week 2, after logging zero touches in Week 1, check if he’s available. Kyren Williams is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry this season. His two fantasy performances have been salvaged by late third-quarter touchdowns. On eight garbage time carries during the Rams’ final Week 2 drive, Corum rushed for 28 yards. That includes a run of five, eight, and nine yards. He could see more opportunities as the season progresses.
Wide Receiver
Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson, Los Angeles Rams
These two again? Yes, these two again. Puka Nacua is already on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. Now it sounds like Cooper Kupp will be joining him with an ankle injury of his own. So the answer to “Demarcus Robinson or Tyler Johnson?” on last week’s waiver wire is now BOTH on the Week 3 waiver wire. That is, of course, if they’re still available.
The Rams can’t catch a break. Just take one look at their depth chart and it’s littered with injury designations. They will likely have to pass to survive and keep up in most games each week. Demarcus Robinson is the priority add here given his Week 2 involvement. That’s two receptions for 50 yards on four targets playing a positional high 92% of the snaps. Johnson wasn’t far behind playing 87% and catching two of his three targets for 20 yards. Both players are flex options for now until we see how this team manages to get through Week 3 and beyond. I’ll also mention sixth-round pick Jordan Whittington. He’s a deeper league stash but played every second half snap of Week 2 after Kupp went down.
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
With the news that Deebo Samuel is dealing with a calf strain, we can expect to be without him in our fantasy football lineups for a few weeks. The obvious beneficiaries of his absence are Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle. Consider adding Jauan Jennings on the Week 3 waiver wire, however. He has nine targets through the first two games with a catch of 22 yards or more in each contest.
Additionally, Jennings is in his fifth year with the 49ers and has a rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy. Fun fact: Jennings is only the second player in Super Bowl history to catch and throw for a touchdown. He hauled in four of his five targets against the Chiefs as well as threw a touchdown to Christian McCaffrey in the 49ers’ Super Bowl LVIII loss back in February. You cannot replace Deebo Samuel and his dynamic role on the field, but Jennings should see more playing time and targets in his absence.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Look, this guy has taken a ton of heat for how his short career has gone thus far. Week 2, against the Carolina Panthers I must mention, was the best game of his career. Johnston isn’t a top claim or “break the bank” bid on the Week 3 waiver wire, but if you need wide receiver depth, you could do a lot worse.
Let’s look at some positives. Quentin Johnston led the Chargers with a team-high six targets (31.5%) hauling in five of them for 51 yards, two of which were for a touchdown. However, Justin Herbert threw just 20 passes. That’s after throwing just 26 in Week 1. This is a predictably low-volume passing offense. Picking up Johnston on the waiver wire is a worthwhile move after his Week 2 performance, but until we see him establish a clearer role as the WR1, he could burn you week-to-week as the Chargers focus on running the ball.
Other Wide Receivers to Consider
Jerry Jeudy is on my waiver wire radar, but I don’t have the confidence to make him a priority add at the wide receiver position. It’s great to see that he caught five of six targets in Week 2 for 73 yards. That’s his highest reception total in a game since Week 11 of last season. Jeudy has never had a 1,000-yard season yet in the NFL and I’m not ready to get excited about his chances of doing so after this modest Week 2 output. Elijah Moore led the Browns with eight targets and caught six of them for 44 yards. Meanwhile, Amari Cooper caught just three of his eight targets for 11 yards. This offense is messy.
Josh Downs looks ready to make his 2024 debut after suffering an ankle injury in early August. So far, Michael Pittman Jr. (15) and Alec Pierce (10) account for 50% of Anthony Richardson’s targets through the first two games. Pierce is another Week 3 waiver wire add for this reason. Downs, though, flashed as a rookie in 2023 with 68 receptions for 771 yards an two touchdowns, most of which with Gardner Minshew at quarterback. His return could be a ding to Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchells’ value who figure to be more of boom or bust players. Downs has upside in PPR formats in shorter areas of the passing game.
Jalen Tolbert‘s six catches for 82 yards in Week 2 is a breakout performance. His production, including nine targets, are all career-highs. It sounds like tight end, Jake Ferguson, is closer than once believed in returning from a Week 1 knee injury. If he’s back as soon as Week 3, it could relegate Tolbert in the pecking order. Tolbert is nothing more than a deeper league stash.
Tight End
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Henry looks like the focal point of a Patriots passing game, however on a run-first offense. Still, Henry’s 12 targets in Week 2 stand out and put him at the top of the team in total targets (15) through the first two games. The next closest players, Rhamondre Stevenson and K.J. Osborn, each have eight. If you’re looking for a tight end on the Week 3 waiver wire, you’re probably committed to streaming the position this season. That said, you’re usually hoping for a touchdown from whoever you grab. Hunter Henry has a bit more upside week-to-week. He isn’t as touchdown-dependent.
Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams
After losing Puka Nacua in Week 1, it looks like the Rams could be without Cooper Kupp for some time, as well. It sounds like Kupp is dealing with a high ankle sprain suffered in the Rams’ Week 2 loss. He was seen in a walking boot following the game. While this is a major play to Los Angeles’ passing game, it could create more opportunities for Parkinson. Despite logging just two targets, Parkinson ran the third-most routes on the Rams in Week 2. Without Kupp, he could see a slight uptick there on a team that may have to pass for the majority of any game to survive.
Other Tight Ends to Consider
Zach Ertz has exactly four targets in each of the Commanders’ first two games. His eight total targets ranks second to Terry McLaurin in Washington’s passing game. He also ran the second-most routes (32) to McLaurin (36) in Week 2, as well. By no means is claiming Zach Ertz on the Week 3 waiver wire a league-winning add, but he’s got enough of a role to invest in if truly desperate.
Mike Gesicki‘s 42.8% target per route run rate in Week 2 is a ridiculously elite number. For reference, Tyreek Hill registered a 36.8% target per route run rate in 2023. Bengals rookie tight end Erick All registered a noticeable 26% rate in Week 2, as well. Gesicki got the better of the two, however, with nine targets to All’s four. Claiming either on the Week 3 waiver wire is for much deeper leagues. I’m doing my best to avoid Cincinnati’s passing game outside of Ja’Marr Chase and maybe Andre Iosivas until Tee Higgins returns.
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield returns to the top of the waiver wire column for Week 3 just in case he’s still available to quarterback-needy fantasy football rosters. After two weeks, Mayfield is fantasy football’s QB1 on a fantasy points-per-game basis. He’s averaging 24.7 points per game with no less than 19.8 points so far. In new offensive coordinator, Liam Coen’s, offense, Chris Godwin is thriving in the slot, a role in which he’s had major success in before. Mike Evans is an obvious, constant threat to make a big play, as well. Baker and the Bucs next four matchups are as follows: v. Broncos, v. Eagles, @ Falcons, @ Saints. Mayfield presents the highest floor amongst Week 3 waiver wire quarterbacks with a top-five ceiling any given week.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
I didn’t put Derek Carr on the Week 2 waiver wire column. Including him on the list after beating up on the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, before traveling to Dallas to face the Cowboys in their home opener, felt like a trap. Well, shame on me. Carr looks fantastic in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense.
Believe it or not, Carr is the QB2 on a fantasy points-per-game basis after two weeks. On just 39 total pass attempts this season, Carr has thrown for at least 200 yards in each game with at least two passing touchdowns, as well. Maybe more importantly, Carr has just been sacked once per game. He’s getting the protection he needs up front to find his receivers, especially Rashid Shaheed downfield, who has a 59-yard and 70-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter of each game respectively.
The Saints host the Eagles in Week 3 and face the Falcons in Week 4 before heading to Kansas City to play the Chiefs in Week 5. You can pick up Carr on the Week 3 waiver wire for the next two weeks. That should buy you some time before deciding how to move forward at the position beyond that.
Other Quarterbacks to Consider
Geno Smith is a potential streamer for the next three weeks. The Seahawks host the Tua-less Dolphins, then play the Lions in Detroit, followed by a home game against the Giants. What’s key here is whether or not Kenneth Walker returns from an oblique injury. I believe the Seahawks do want to take a run-first approach to their offense. That’s easier to do when Walker is available. Smith threw the ball 44 times in Week 2 without Walker compared to just 25 times in Week 1 with Walker. Both games were decided by six or less points in favor of the Seahawks. Above all else, Smith has great weapons in the passing game and provides a safe floor as a result.
Sam Darnold deserves his flowers. The positives of sliding into head coach Kevin O’Connell’s pass-heavy system was always known, but how Darnold would perform was a massive question mark. Darnold has an average of 238 passing yards on just 25 attempts per game. He’s also thrown exactly two passing touchdowns per game, as well. That includes a 97-yard bomb hauled in and taken to the house by Justin Jefferson. Darnold doesn’t quite have the ceiling other Week 3 waiver wire quarterbacks have, but he’s in a comfortable position to succeed with one of the best receivers in the game. A fine quarterback band-aid to those in need moving forward.
Michael Penix Jr. is still a quarterback I want to mention on the Week 3 waiver wire as a Superflex league stash. The weapons are there for Penix and, if given the opportunity, I do think you can start him in said format. We’ve seen some managers scramble to add Justin Fields and even Malik Willis in deeper leagues because of injuries to the starter ahead of them. Kirk Cousins is older and doesn’t look great after a Week 8 Achilles tear from last season. If you have the room, Penix is worth stashing just in case.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!