While we had significantly fewer injuries in Week 2, it's Joe Burrow who's going to leave fantasy managers shaking their heads going into Week 3. It looks like Burrow suffered turf toe and will miss AT LEAST THREE months (go ahead, it's okay to scream). Add in the fact that we're still probably a week or more away from seeing Brock Purdy back on the field for the 49ers and Justin Fields is now in concussion protocol … time to find a quarterback on the waiver wire!

To try the optimistic approach — at least we are still a few weeks away from bye weeks hitting us. There should be serviceable quarterbacks available for you to start next week, just check out John Laghezza's QB Streamers column in a couple days...and say an extra prayer to the fantasy gods while you're at it. 

This week I'm going to add more QBs than usual just to cover all the bases, and they will be in order of highest priority to least. All rostership percentages are from Yahoo. Also, don't forget our Waiver Wire Tool, which will have even more targets on a weekly basis.

Week 2 Injuries

• Joe Burrow (toe)
• Justin Fields (concussion)
• Aaron Jones (hamstring)
• J.J. McCarthy (ankle)
• Jayden Daniels (knee)

Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire

Daniel Jones, QB, Colts (17% rostered)

Hand up, I did not expect the Indianapolis Colts to be doing what they're doing right now — but we need to be paying attention. Quarterbacks are dropping with injuries and one thing is clear: Daniel Jones is here to help your fantasy teams. After two weeks the Colts have a 2-0 record (for the first time since 2009) and Jones has two interception-free games — resulting in a pair of 20-plus fantasy point performances. Even if you're not fully buying into this start from Jones and the Colts, they are facing the Titans in Week 3, which very much makes him a viable starter.

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Falcons (41% rostered)

In Week 1, Michael Penix Jr. threw for 298 yards and a touchdown. One thing that could make Penix a gem on the waiver wire is his potential rushing upside. In Week 1 he had a 9% scramble rate and one designed rush attempt — and scored 24 fantasy points. Penix had trouble against the Vikings defense in Week 2, but we have to remember that was the case for most of last season when we looked at quarterbacks against Minnesota. They allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to QBs in 2024, per PFF. I really like Penix as an option for teams missing Joe Burrow. The Falcons take on the Panthers in Week 3.

Mac Jones, QB, 49ers (3% rostered)

Listen, it wasn't pretty the whole time, but I know a lot of you are in deep leagues and could be desperate heading into Week 3. Mac Jones stepped in for the injured Brock Purdy and attempted 39 passes, completing 26 of them for 279 passing yards and three touchdowns — good for 21.7 fantasy points on the day. It's not bad for a quarterback you need to stream! The 49ers are back home for the next two games taking on the Cardinals and then the Jaguars before going on the road to face the Rams. It seems like Jones will be San Francisco's QB1 for at least one more week... and that's why Jones is a solid streaming option.

Jake Browning, Bengals, QB (0% rostered)

We got bad news with Joe Burrow's injury. It looks like Burrow is going to be out a minimum of three months but could miss the season entirely. The Bengals won on Sunday and we got another game to analyze from backup quarterback Jake Browning, who completed 21 passes for 241 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also had a one-yard touchdown run. Browning can be a streamer most weeks because the Bengals don't have too intimidating of a schedule for their quarterbacks. Next week they take on the Vikings (which is one I might stay away from — see Michale Penix's blurb above) and then the Broncos (woof). But Browning has proven that he can be a viable starter and he has the weapons to succeed. 

Cam Ward, QB, Titans (19% rostered)

There are obvious reasons why Cam Ward wouldn't be my favorite quarterback to add this week. He's still a rookie finding his way in the NFL, but at least we got to see him throw his first touchdown pass of the season! Ward threw for 175 yards on 19-of-33 passing against the Rams on Sunday, but it's still evident that the offensive line had pass-protection struggles — Ward was sacked five times. For the season, he has 31 completions for 287 passing yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. The Titans take on the Colts at home for Week 3

Elic Ayomanor, WR, Titans (8% rostered)

This is a "run, don't walk" situation with Elic Ayomanor at this point. Last week he had a 28% target share on an 82% route participation rate, but only scored 3.3 fantasy points. On Sunday he had six targets, which was tied for a team lead with Calvin Ridley and Chig Okonkwo. He finished with four receptions for 56 yards and one touchdown. Remember, even though the Titans are a real-life bad NFL team, that means they will be playing from behind and those game scripts will benefit the passing game for fantasy. The chemistry is there with Cam Ward and Ayomanor getting dangerously close to flex territory heading into Week 3.

Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers (16% rostered)

My Matthew Golden shares continue to scream at me, but with Jayden Reed being sidelined with a collarbone injury more targets are opening up. This offense is toxic for fantasy football, but if you're in a pinch then you'll be happy to know that Doubs has been targeted nine times over the last two games and has come down with five catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.

I think eventually Golden steps into that WR1 role, but this is still a good offense and with Doubs not being as highly rostered as other receivers he might be your best bet right now.

Cedric Tillman, WR, Browns (39% rostered)

Just another week hoping you have Cedric Tillman on your fantasy squads! Jerry Jeudy leads the team over the last two games with 16 targets, but Tillman is right behind him with 15. On Sunday he was able to show off his connection with Joe Flacco, coming down with one touchdown and 22 receiving yards. And he was able to come down with this (weird) touchdown. Flacco and Co. are going to be playing from behind in a lot of games — he's had 45 attempts in the first two games of the season. He's worth rostering everywhere.   

Troy Franklin, WR, Broncos (3% rostered)

The drumbeat for Troy Franklin is getting louder and louder by the week. The Broncos might have lost, but fantasy managers are winning seeing the utilization from Franklin. He finished with eight receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown and led the Broncos with nine total targets. Go get him!

Chris Rodriguez (4% rostered) / Jeremy McNichols (1% rostered), RBs, Commanders

Unfortunately, Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles on Thursday Night Football against the Packers and he will miss the remainder of the season. Since the Commanders shipped off Brian Robinson Jr. the next player up (for the RB2 spot) is between Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols. I really could see see all three Commanders running backs taking turns to step in and replace Ekeler's third-down and pass catching role — making the RB2 role tough to truly decipher right now.

Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jaguars (55% rostered)

Yes, Bhayshul Tuten is highly rostered in most leagues, but this is just a PSA that if he is available in your league then you need to go scoop him up. Tuten took a quick pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence into the end zone on Sunday for an 8-yard touchdown reception and all managers are now paying attention. Tank Bigsby was traded to the Eagles last week, opening up the RB2 door for Tuten. Travis Etienne is still going to get his, but if he were to ever go down then look for Tuten to get major work in this offense.

​​Zach Ertz, TE, Commanders (56% rostered)

Since we saw so many tight end injuries during the first few weeks of the season I wanted to make sure Zach Ertz was rostered heading into Week 3. The pace may slow down slightly but it's hard to ignore the fact that Ertz has nine catches for 90 and two touchdowns. With how up and down the tight end landscape is across fantasy football, Ertz should be making his way onto more rosters going forward.

The Other Guys:

• Wan'Dale Robinson, RB, Giants
• Tory Horton, WR, Seahawks
• Tyquan Thornton, WR, Chiefs
• Kyle Monangai, RB, Bears
• Isaiah Likely, TE, Ravens
• Isaac Teslaa, WR, Lions