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To say we saw a lot of injuries last week is around the NFL would be an understatement. Top players from every position caught the injury bug, some will miss a game or two, others longer, and unfortunately some players are done for the year.
You might be scrambling to fill multiple roster spots, so here are the players you should look to add in Week 3.
RB Mike Davis
With Christian McCaffrey expected to miss multiple weeks, Mike Davis is the clear backup. In his relief of CMC, he had eight receptions for 74 yards last week. Important pickup if you’re a McCaffery owner, but if you have another running back that was injured this week, this could be a viable plug and play for you.
RB Jerick McKinnon
With Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman out with injuries for the foreseeable future, McKinnon will step into the lead back role. He’s seen the end zone in both games this year and has run well, such a bright site after being plagued with injuries over the last couple of years.
WR Russell Gage
One thing is for certain about the Falcons, they’re going to throw the ball. Matt Ryan has attempted 90 passes in the first two games and Gage has been targeted 21 times. He could have even have had a touchdown pass this past week if it wasn’t for Julio Jones dropping it.
RB Dion Lewis/Wayne Gallman Jr.
With Saquon Barkley done for the year with an ACL tear, Lewis and Gallman look to take over the backfield for the Giants. Lewis saw all of the touches after Barkley went out because he was the only active running back, Gallman was a healthy scratch.
Lewis gets the slight edge because of his ability to catch out of the backfield, but they will likely split snaps unless one supersedes the other.
RB Darrell Henderson
Rams running backs Cam Akers and Malcolm Brown are dealing with injuries. In their absence, Henderson was lead back and had 14 touches for 121 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. If either misses time, Henderson is a valuable pickup.
TE Mo Alie-Cox
Alie-Cox was hands down the best receiver for the Colts in Week 2, tripling the number of receiving yards of anyone else. Coach Frank Reich praised the former VCU basketball player during training camp. With Jack Doyle out, Mo is the man at the position.
TE Jordan Reed
With George Kittle dealing with an MCL sprain, Jordan Reed was next in line. He stepped in with an impressive day against the Jets.
If you need a plug and play in Kittle’s absence he’s the guy.
RB Joshua Kelley
I featured Kelley last week, his ownership did jump, but he’s still rostered in under 50% of most platforms. He nearly doubled his carries from Week 1 and even got involved in the passing game. He’s a strong volume-based RB2 going forward.
TE Dalton Schultz
It was a question of whether or not Schultz could step up as Blake Jarwin’s replacement and he answered. Schultz led the team in catches in their comeback win against the Falcons.
QB Justin Herbert
Tyrod Taylor was a late scratched after he aggravated a rib injury in pregame. The Chargers’ first-round pick was impressive in his debut. Herbert threw for 318 yards and had two total touchdowns.
Coach Anthony Lynn said that if Taylor is healthy he’ll start, but Herbert could be worth a stash in the meantime.
WR Keelan Cole
Cole has found the end zone in both weeks. He’s also leading the team in target shares. I believe his 100% completion rate might regress, but this Jags offense has been better than expected and Cole is worth adding in deeper leagues.
WR KJ Hamler
Noah Fant and Jerry Jeudy are the primary targets in Denver with Courtland Sutton done for the year. Hamler was tied with Jeudy in seeing seven targets. Another consideration in deeper leagues.
WR Myles Gaskin
Gaskins leads the Miami backfield in touches after two weeks. His ten catches over these two games gives him value in PPR leagues. Miami will play from behind a lot so he could see those catch numbers stay on par.
RB Devonta Freeman
I’m not telling you to make Freeman your number one priority, I’m just saying that with a lot of running backs going down last week, Freeman could end up with a job very soon. Freeman is someone to consider stashing if you have the bench spot.