Through the first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season, injuries have dominated the top storylines.
Christian McCaffrey, Puka Nacua, A.J. Brown, Cooper Kupp, and Deebo Samuel are just a few of the many superstars who are set to miss time with injuries. Fantasy managers have been forced to scramble as their top picks hit the injured reserve early in the season.
Latest injury news roundup:
Eagles WR AJ Brown Could Miss Multiple Weeks With Injury
49ers WR Deebo Samuel to Miss Multiple Weeks With Calf Injury
Rams WR Cooper Kupp to Miss ‘Extended Period of Time’ With Injury
Vikings Head Coach Provides Latest Justin Jefferson Injury Update
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown Receives Massive Injury Update
Fortunately, fantasy managers can find some replacements on the waiver wire, and this week has a handful of great options. Here are the best players to add who are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues.
1. Carson Steele and Semaje Perine, RBs, Kansas City Chiefs
The top waiver add has to be a Chiefs running back with Isiah Pacheco expected to miss up to eight weeks with his fractured fibula. Steele will likely get a majority of the rushes, while Perine gets opportunities in the passing game.
Steele is the higher ceiling play while Perine should be solid in PPR leagues.
Steele is owned in 1.9 percent of leagues. Perine is owned in 3.7 percent of leagues.
Bonus add: The Chiefs are working out running back Kareem Hunt. Take a flier on him.
2. Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson, WRs, Los Angeles Rams
The injury to Nacua made both Robinson and Johnson must-haves in all fantasy leagues. And yet, Robinson is owned in just 33.6 percent of leagues, while Johnson is owned in 12.9 percent.
Now, both Nacua and Kupp are out, and quarterback Matthew Stafford has to throw to someone.
Both Robinson and Johnson should be picked up in every league, as it’s safe to assume one of them will turn into a fantasy stud for the next month-plus.
If you have to pick one, I would go with Robinson.
3. Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts (13.6 percent owned)
Pierce is currently the eighth-ranked wide receiver in PPR leagues with 38.1 points. He scored 21.5 points in Week 1 and followed that up with a 16.6-point performance last week.
Pierce has emerged as a favorite target of quarterback Anthony Richardson — especially on deep balls — and is one more good game away from being a safe start in the flex.
4. Jalen Nailor, WR, Minnesota Vikings (0.5 percent owned)
If you are a consistent reader of Newsweek Sports, you would have already picked up Nailor. When Jordan Addison was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, I told you to pick up Nailor and stash him on your bench.
What did he do in Week 2?
Four catches for 75 yards and his second consecutive game with a touchdown.
Nailor is emerging as a fantasy-relevant wide receiver thanks to his connection with quarterback Sam Darnold. Pick him up before it gets too late.
5. Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers (1.5 percent owned)
Jennings has already emerged as a favorite weapon of quarterback Brock Purdy — especially on third down — even with a fully healthy 49ers receiving core. With Samuel expected to miss a few weeks, Jennings is on the verge of being a low-end flex play.
Add him to your bench for this week, and potentially start him as soon as next week.
