It might be an easier column to write if I listed the weekly injuries and then signed off. This 2026 season has been brutal where injuries are concerned. I know I do not need to tell you or your fantasy lineup that, but it feels somewhat cathartic to write it down. You know the season has taken a strange but interesting turn when there are stories about Austin Ekeler reuniting with the Commanders and the Commanders are one of the teams not to be decimated by RB injuries. Make it make sense.
Week 3 players lost to injury: Baker Mayfield, De’Von Achane (done for the season), Breece Hall, Travis Etienne, Jonah Coleman (do not @ me about him being the Waiver Add of Week 3…he had enough FAAB spent on him to lower the national debt), Justin Jefferson, Jalen Coker, Mike Evans. Players we saw come back in Week 3: Sam Darnold, Zay Flowers, DJ Moore, Michael Pittman, Brock Bowers.
With those lists out of the way, we need to decide how we are going to handle these injuries. While trading is always an option, good luck finding a trade partner willing to help you at cost. Most trades this early in the season will probably see you trading a stud for two players to fill in while your injured players heal. I guess that leaves the waiver wire to come to your rescue. Let’s find some names that can help you triage your lineup heading into Week 4.
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WAIVERS:
ADD OF THE WEEK = Ollie Gordon – 3% rostered: This recommendation is much more about the position than it is the player. Is the player serviceable? Sure, he is. Is the player one that moved the needle in 2025 when handed an opportunity to start for the Dolphins? No, not really. At this point I suspect there are rosters without a basic starting RB corps, so Ollie Gordon it is. Miami does not throw the ball often, so I am comfortable recommending their next starting RB. Keep an eye on the health of Jaylen Wright – 2% rostered (foot, stinger) as the week moves forward. He might be the better addition here. Gordon had 17 carries with Achane out and Wright inactive.
QB: Geno Smith – 9% rostered: Through three weeks, Geno has been a legitimate starting fantasy QB. With the Baker Mayfield dislocated thumb, you can do worse than adding Geno who has a nice run of games on the schedule. He is currently averaging ~20 points per contest.
Honorable Mention/Cheaper Options:
Kirk Cousins – 14% rostered: Two games, nine touchdowns. Not bad for a guy brought in to mentor the Heisman winner. Seriously, what more could you ask for from a guy that is free on your waiver wire? Cousins’ schedule is tougher than Geno Smith’s, so he is listed below Geno in this column.
Sam Darnold – 37% rostered looked good with 4 TDs and has Jaxon Smith-Njigba, so he is in play to be an injury replacement QB. His schedule is tough which could mean additional passing opportunities. Sure, Lock tossed three TDs to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but do not expect that each week. I think that is much more about JSN and the Arizona defense than it is about Drew Lock being a Top 10 fantasy QB.
Marcus Mariota – 3% just carved up the vaunted Seattle defense for three TDs while showing he still has some legs under him. Another replacement level QB with a decent upcoming schedule.
RB: Braelon Allen – 19% rostered: With Breece Hall ruled out near the end of Week 3, there is a decent change we see Allen as the RB1 for the Jets offense currently ranked in the top third of the league in rushing yards to start the season.
Honorable Mention/Cheaper Options:
Alvin Kamara – 11% rostered and Kendre Miller – 1% rostered are in a good offense and will see their touches increase with Etienne reported to miss time in Week 4 due to a hamstring injury sustained in Week 3. Trust when I say I do not like or trust either of these names, but they do play in a nice offense and have a friendly upcoming schedule. If you must fill a RB slot, then you must at least consider these names.
Emmett Johnson – 36% rostered: Deep stash only. Johnson is the one RB I would consider adding as a just in case insurance policy for the Chiefs. He is not a player you can start now but could return massive numbers should Kenneth Walker III miss time.
WR: Dontayvion Wicks – 50% rostered: The Eagles looked out of sorts on MNF. Wicks did not post great numbers. Nobody posted great numbers. I still like the player moving forward. I would not pay FAAB to acquire him at this point. Only add him for free in deeper formats.
Honorable Mention/Cheaper Options:
Rather than bore you with invented explicative comments about middling WRs, I will simply give you a list to consider. These are players that stepped in, possibly stepped up (a little) for their team in Week 3: Keon Coleman, Keenan Allen, Mack Hollins, Malik Washington, Tre Harris, Ryan Flournoy, Pat Bryant, Ted Hurst III, Cooper Kupp. As noted with other players in this column, these are all ‘in case of emergency, break glass’ players versus anyone you want to rely on long-term.
TE: Kenyon Sadiq – 19% may have just had his coming out party in Week 3. Not only did Sadiq drop 7-105-1 on the Lions, on the road, but he looked more like a pass catching option than he did an in-line blocking TE. With AD Mitchell injured, and Garrett Wilson seeing the most defensive attention, this might be the last week you can acquire Sadiq below his true value.
Darren Waller – 14% rostered: Two straight weeks of double-digit PPR points from Waller. We have to consider him at this point.
As mentioned above, it has only been one week, so if you lost, got blown out even, relax. It will be OK. There is no need to rush to drop any specific player.
Follow me @stiles08 on X and send questions comments at the bottom of this article. Make sure you jump around the Razzball site for all your fantasy football needs. We have a ton of free content to include our Slot Versus Wide tool additional articles from our crack team of writers.
-Stiles-
Mattay!!!!!!
Thanks, as always, for your great column. And sorry about the inuries for all of us.
Anyway, one of my leagues is a whacky guillotine with no bench spots. I might have the opportunity to grab Gordon for Doubs in my flex spot . . . does that make sense? Especially considering how Maye has looked?
Thankyasir!!!!
It absolutely makes sense. Doubs is not worth a roster slot. Gordon and possibly Jaylen Wright are much more valuable.
Thank you, sir!!! OG wasn’t available, so I grabbed Vele . . . hope it works out with Shough throwing so much. Will keep an etye on Wright, though.
I love Vele! Honestly, I think he is a better add over Ollie Gordon. I roster Vele in my home league and he is almost an auto start for the upcoming MNF matchup.
Would you trade away Mike Evans and Jardarian Price for Jameson Williams and Rhamondre? I have Gibbs out week 6 and that is a factor here in my thinking.
I would certainly consider it with the Evans rib injury and the lackluster performance by Price (and his fumbling). Jameson has not returned value but should do so in the future. He runs very hot and cold. I would prefer a nice floor option over him but can see acquiring him with Rhamondre who is still the lead back for NE.
Any idea why my football questions to you are always under review/moderation? Been on the site for years. Pepper Gray on baseball all the time
All questions that come into the site start in Word Press and must be “approved” to flow to the page for the writer to address.
Wonder why that is not the case on the baseball side of the site ?
Honestly, I am not sure. Just know we work hard on the football side to ensure there is minimal delay in getting your questions approved and addressed.
Appreciate it. He wants to keep Rhamondre but will part with Jameson Williams for Jadarian Price. I have Gibbs, Irving, Emmett Johnson, Allgeier and Jordan Mason on IR. London, Collins, Mike Evans at WR/Flex. Not sure Jamo cracks this lineup but Collins and Evans so frail. WDYT?
I do not like Jameson over the three WR you currently have. I would not make the deal.
Matt I’m in a 14 teamer .5 PPR … 3-0 and best team SO FAR … anyways Imma let someone overpay for Ollie .. should I go small on Wright for Emanuel Wilson?? Or leave er alone … thank you as always !
Congrats on the hot start! Not sure if we discussed this before but my wife’s family is all STEELERS all the time. I hang with them to watch games when my Packers are not on the TV. Last Sunday was a great game to watch with them and their Steelers group.
I digress. I would absolutely let someone overpay for Gordon while you sneak in and scoop up Wright on the cheap. Be careful when dropping E Wilson as J Price is currently in the doghouse (two fumbles in two weeks). Neither back looked good in Week 3 and either could own that backfield until Charbs is back. It is a coin flip for me at this point.
Hey man!
Weekly waivers here we go!
Record 3-0
In weeks past I haven’t made a claim, this week I feel is the week to do so. I have the last waiver order I’ll try to make some claims (not everyone I noticed makes claims, can’t bank on it every week)
1.) drop Jonah Coleman to add Ollie gordon extremely unlikely but try?)
2.) drop Jonah Coleman to add Kendre Miller
3.) drop Jonah Coleman to add Austin Ekler
4.) which I feel should be the top add for me: Vikings d
5.) drop Terrence Ferguson to add Kenyon sadiq
6.) drop Terrence Ferguson to add Darren Waller
Now my starter QB & don’t have a backup but thoughts on dropping demond Claiborne for Sam darnold or Bryce young ?
Take Jordan Mason out of my IR & drop him, add Tyreek hill & stash him on my IR? I’ve seen videos of him he’s been running at the beach & wants to return .
Next hold or dump Chris Godwin? Available WRs are Mack hollins, Roman Wilson
Trade Q:
I’m kinda done with Chase Brown
Hold or trade for one of these?
1.) Barkley
2.) jeanty
Or hold brown, and get a better flex?
My Aaron jones to get kyren Williams?, my Aaron jones to get tuten?
If I can get Ollie gordon or Kendre Miller that might be better than a trade?
My RBs bijan, Chase Brown , Aaron jones, demond Claiborne , Brian Robinson jr, rhamondre , Travis ETN, j Coleman
On IR slots
Charbonnet & Jordan Mason
My WRs
Justin Jefferson (dinged up), Amon ra, Devonta smith , waddle , Godwin , wicks ,
My TEs are likely & Ferguson
Just dak at QB 6pt passing , full ppr start 2 RB, we, 1 flex , start 1 TE
Thanks man!
My goodness Frank. This is a lot to unpack. Let me address in order of your questions:
1. Yes,, drop Jonah for Ollie
2. Only add Kendre if you must add an active RB. Kendre is not good.
3. No
4. Yes, MIN D is good option
5.Yes
6. No
Drop Claiborne for either QB
No need to chase Tyreek
Hold Godwin
Mi would not deal Chase for Saquon but would listen to Jeanty
Yes, deal A Jones before he gets hurt or wears down
I prefer Jaylen Wright over Ollie. Neither Ollie nor Kendre is better than those other RB names listed.
The dust has settled of waiver day
I got Vikings d, Kenyan sediq, and Sam darnold
Not looking for now to be great, I’m thinking big picture ROS.
Trade for any of these WRs: Kalif Raymond , Denzel Boston , Michael Pittman, metcalf
Or lastly Mike Evans who left week 3 with an injury but I’d look to deal Godwin or waddle for any of those
I know you said hold Chase brown
What about my Aaron jones straight up for Jeanty or include Godwin
It’s kinda the same deal I did this time last year I had a hot Rico dowdle who was on fire in Carolina turned him into james cook who was struggling at that point . After that trade cook was a beast & Rico still put us good games for that owner
I’m honestly really talking myself into Aaron jones for Jeanty
WR I’ll worry about later
I would not deal for either Steelers WR. They will not return value. I do not mind dealing Godwin for Boston or Raymond.
I doubt the Jeanty owner will entertain dealing him for Jones even if you add Godwin. I would not make that deal if offered to me.
If I can get Jeanty for jones do it before he changes his mind?
100%
Absolutely
Without question
Smash accept
10 Team 1/2 PPR Superflex w two Flex
0-3.
(lost Etienne to INJ)
I have the #1 waiver (no FAAB)
1. Would you grab an RB or K Sadiq?
B Allen, Gordon, Wright or Gainwell are all available
2. Any suggestions to the roster below?
Current Lineup:
QB Jackson
RB Hampton, Washington Jr.
WR St. Brown, P Washington
TE Bowers
FLEX Burden III, McLaurin
SFLEX B Young QB
K Loop
DST Eagles
Bench:
QB Nix
RB Mitchell, Claiborne
WR Wicks, A Williams
Base on your roster I think you need RB over YE.
I ten to prefer Braelon Allen over Gordon. And Wright over Gordon.
sadiq sure better have looked like a catching TE, he was noted as the best version of that by all the predraft evaluators. i got some real beef with every one of those if he didn’t. i didn’t draft that guy in at least 3 dynasties since i thought i was getting non DET hockenson.
Good to know.
Give up Saquon/Davante Adams and Odunze for Ken Walker and Matt Golden? Dynasty league.
Bench stash Adonai Mitchell/malik Washington or Jaylen Wright. I doubt any of these make it into my lineup so just a stash..
Thanks!
If getting younger is your plan then I like the deal. I also prefer Golden over Odunze long-term with their age being similar.
Jaylen Wright and its not close for me.
Never thought it would come to this, but who do I play in Flex between Barkley, Montgomery and Rice? Things are getting heavy in the elimination league, but all of these guys like boom or bust candidates…
Coming into this season, your question is super easy. Barkley, Rice, Monty, in that order. Now, with the status of fantasy. I am flipping that list considering this week’s matchups. Monty is my top choice against the Dallas D. Rice is second against a Raiders team trying to go 4-0. Barkley looked OK on MNF, but that offense looked off and now they get the Rams.
Position agnostic: Would you drop Josh Jacobs or Lynch for Tyson (stash), J. Wright, or Kamara? I already grabbed Ollie.
Jacobs may not play this season or ever again in the league. I am holding him until there is definitive information about his situation. In essence, he has time served of three games already. I do not know who Lynch is. Do you mean MarShawn Lloyd? If so, he is drop worthy. Green Bay cannot run the ball. Of the players on your list, I prefer them in this order: Jacobs (best player, most potential), Wright, Tyson (fear is that he is far behind where Vele is today), Gordon, LLoyd.
Yes, I meant Marshawn Lloyd not Lynch: LEAST MODE
There seems to be zero news on Jacobs but I agree I need to hold him a bit longer until there is some news/clarity.
Thanks for the reply!
Any time. LEAST MODE is an elite name drop!
Trade idea in 1/2 PPR league. Would you trade away B Irving and Mike Evans for Jeanty and Charbonnet?
My current squad has Gibbs and Bucky at RB, London and Collinscat WR, Evans at Flex. Bench: J Price, Allgeier, Emmett Johnson and K Miller at RB. WRs are Raymond and Wicks.
I think this move comes down to your opinion on Charbonnet. If you feel he can start at your Flex position, and is at least even or an upgrade over Evans, then you should make the deal. Your current roster is thin at WR, so dealing Evans is a consideration that must be weighed from a season-long perspective. Right now, I can see starting Raymond at Flex until Charbs is ready to go.
Thanks. I did forget to mention I have J Mason on IR
Mason on IR does not change my response.
Im in a guillotine league – 20 teams.
Current RBS and Bench – Ollie Gordon, Black, Brian Robinson, and Holani.
would you drop any of them for Emmett Johnson?
Yes. I like Johnson over Holani for sure.
Tyrek Hill and Emmett Johnson worth a pick up over – Holani, Brian Robinson, and or Ollie Gordon?
this is a guillotine league 20 teams deep. cut week after this week and well be down to 16 teams.
Johnson is. I am not sold on Tyreek at this point. Just a lot of click bait.
He pulled Jeanty which is fine. He has Nacua, Metcalf, Deebo, Nabers and Waddle yet wants Mike Evans. How do you feel about sending him Evans (so he can tandem with Deebo) and J Price for Waddle and Nabers? Winston is scary but I could use some WR depth behind London, N Collins. Can’t trust Wicks or Raymond quite yet. What say you?
Part 2: another manager wanted Bucky for Devonta Smith. I declined but like Smith once past his injury. Would you trade away Evans and a RB handcuff like Allgeier for him?
Part 1 – I like this return for you. Prefer Waddle/Nabers over Evans/Price.
Part 2 – 100% I would add D Smith in that situation.
Lotsa guys out. Have to play Wicks or Raymond at flex. Wicks may get more looks with Smith out but McDuffie may shadow? Eagles looked horrid on offense last week but trying to fend off recency bias. Raymond seems to have found a safe floor in the slot but lotsa mouths to feed in Chicago and quarterbacking an issue? I am favored by 8 and have the most points in the league. That and $4 gets you a cup of coffee as I am 1-2 somehow. What do you think of these choices in 1/2 PPR
I’d lean into ceiling while understanding floor. I’d also like to avoid the LAR defense. I think Raymond is the higher floor and ceiling.
Been offered Rhamondre or Wright for J Mason. I like Mason quite a bit ROS. Thoughts?
Also, I have J Price as you know. Do you value him less than Mason? Maybe I trade Price for Stevenson?
I would happily deal Mason or Price for Rhamondre. NEP cannot get much worse.
Such a scary group with a tough schedule this year vs last year’s cupcake slate. I think I would rather keep Mason and try to deal Price. Maybe I push the envelop and ask for both Rhamondre and Wright (or Jameson Williams who he is trying to unload) for Price and Wicks or Raymond.
Just to double check…appreciate your patience…..
My current lineup is Gibbs and Bucky at RB, Collins and London at WR, Price or Evans at flex when healthy and Raymond, Wicks, Allgeier, E Johnson and K Miller on bench. Swapping in Rhamondre and J Williams for Price and Wicks may be too ambitious but will try.
You win that deal if accepted.