We are already in Week 10, and the injury hits just don’t stop. There were some crushing blows this week that are irreplaceable, but we’ll do our best to patch up those holes.
First and foremost, Tucker Kraft Mac ‘n Cheese is no more. He is officially out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Another big loss this week is Jayden Daniels. In a blow out game with no reason for him to still be in the game, Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow and is out indefinitely. Other injuries to keep an eye on are: C.J. Stroud with a concussion; Kayshon Boutte with a hamstring injury; Cole Kmet with a concussion; Brian Thomas Jr. with an ankle sprain; Matthew Golden with a shoulder injury; Dyami Brown with a concussion; and Aaron Jones with an AC joint sprain. Whew, the list never seems to get any shorter.
Week 10 also brings us another pretty big Bye Week with the Cowboys, Bengals, Chiefs, and Titans all out. Between that and all the injuries, we’ve got a long list of players to replace. Let’s get to it!
Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold (QB – SEA): 38.5% Rostered | Last Week: QB5
Guys. Guys. GUYS! Why is Darnold still available? Every week there’s a *slight* uptick in ownership, but come on. We’re in Week 10, and he is on a short list of most consistent QBs. He should be at minimum 50% owned. Darnold is QB 6 on the season with a 70.4% completion percentage. That’s higher than four of the QBs ahead of him. Do with that info what you will. On top of that, the Seahawks have already had their Bye Week. I think we are done talking about Sam Darnold now.
JJ McCarthy (QB – MIN): 26.3% Rostered | Last Week: QB12
In his first game back, McCarthy seems to be finding his rhythm. He had 14 completions on 25 attemtps for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he also had a rushing touchdown. Not too shabby against what’s been a pretty stout Lions defense. With guys like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson to target, I feel pretty confident putting in a waiver claim for him.
Running Backs
Terrell Jennings (RB – NE): 2.8% Rostered | Last Week: RB19
The New England backfield. It’s not quite what we all envisioned, but here we are. If you didn’t know who Terrell Jennings was before Week 9, you are not alone. With Rhamondre Stevenson out, this was TreVeyon Henderson’s time to shine. And while he received the majority of the carries, it was Terrell Jennings that everyone was talking about. On 11 carries, he ran for 35 yards and a touchdown. He also had one reception for nine yards. It’s unclear whether or not Rhamondre will be back in Week 10, so Jennings might be a good target if you’re in need of an RB this week. .
Kareem Hunt (RB – KC): 49.6% Rostered | Last Week: RB16
With Isaiah Pacheco out, Kareem Hunt was the undisputed RB1 in a game that did not allow much room for rushing. Even with the Bills dictating a pass heavy game for the Chiefs, Hunt managed to put up double digit fantasy points, with 11 carries for 49 and a touchdown. The Chiefs are on Bye this week, and there is a chance Pacheco returns in Week 11, but Hunt will still have a role on this team even with Pacheco in the mix. And the Chiefs don’t play the Bills every week. If by some miracle Kareem Hunt is available in your league, and you have a bench spot (really you should make a bench spot for him regardless), pick him up this week.
Wide Receivers
DeMario Douglass (WR – NE): 11.4% Rostered | Last Week: WR9
Kayshon Boutte left the game with a hamstring injury, leaving Drake Maye with Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglass and Hunter Henry as his top targets. Douglass was a major talking point in the preseason with his potential to be the WR1 of the Patriots. While that doesn’t seem likely with Diggs to contend with, there is plenty of room for Douglass to become a viable WR2.
Darius Slayton (WR – NYG): 25.9% Rostered | Last Week: WR34
With Jaxon Dart at the helm, Darius Slayton is looking like a decent flex play. Against the 49ers, he had 5 receptions on 7 targets for 62 yards. Slayton was looking like a solid target for Dart before missing Weeks 6 and 7, and he’s starting to look like a favorite target again behind only Wan’Dale Robinson. Up next, the Giants get the Bears whose defense just got chewed up by Joe Flacco and company.
Christian Watson (WR – GB): 19.7% Rostered | Last Week: WR49
If the Packers weren’t happy to have Christian Watson back last week, they are thrilled now. With Tucker Kraft done for the season, Matthew Golden day-to-day with a shoulder injury, and Jayden Reed still on IR, the receiving corps has taken some big punches. Watson has the potential take over Kraft’s targets, and is looking like the clear WR2 for the Packers at this point.
Alec Pierce (WR – IND): 16.7% Rostered | Last Week: WR15
Alec Pierce just might be my top add this week. He has always been talked about as a “boom or bust” player, but there doesn’t seem to be any “bust” about him. In 9 weeks, he’s had only 3 games in single digit fantasy points. Over the last three weeks, he is the WR17. In Week 9, he finished with 6 receptions on 13 targets for 115 yards. That put him first in target share over Michael Pittman’s 12. This week might prove to be more challenging, as the Colts get the Falcons in Germany, but Pierce is still a MUST ADD.
Tight Ends
Colston Loveland (TE – CHI): 24.3% Rostered | Last Week: TE2
Colston Loveland is a must add if you’re in TE purgatory. If you had Tucker Kraft and need to pivot, or you need to make it through a Bye Week, Colston Loveland is the TE to pick up (NOT Luke Musgrave). In what was a very entertaining shoot out against the Bengals, Loveland had 6 receptions on 7 target for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns. While I don’t see this happening every week (especially at the expense of Rome Odunze), I do see Loveland’s target share increasing. There’s no putting the genie back in the bottle now. Next up for the for the Bears is the Giants, then the Vikings and Steelers. If Cole Kmet is out in Week 10 and beyond, Loveland should boom.
Other Players to Consider
Roman Wilson, Troy Franklin, Rasheed Shaheed (just traded to SEA), Dylan Sampson (even if Quinshon Judkins plays, he’s still banged up), Mac Jones (Purdy is still “day to day” until infinity), Theo Johnson, Davis Mills (deep league/ Superflex/ 2QB leagues ONLY)
