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"No Guarantee" Alec Pierce is Able to Return by Midseason
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) left Sunday night's loss to the Chiefs after aggravating a heel injury that had been surgically repaired, and with the fifth-year veteran opting to attempt rehab without another surgery, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport shared on Tuesday that the hope is he'll be able to return by midseason, but "there's definitely no guarantee." Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million deal this offseason but missed most of training camp after the initial surgery and caught four passes in the season opener while working on a limited snap count. While Rapoport praised Pierce for his willingness to return, he did add, "When surgery is a possibility, and you elect to rehab, there's always a chance that it doesn't go great." In Pierce's absence, Josh Downs is a must-roster player, fresh off a seven-catch, 72-yard performance.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
More Recent News
Ryan Flournoy a Potential Long-Term Waiver Stash
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy saw the team's third-highest target share in Sunday's win over the Commanders, and although he's not a plug-and-play starter, he is worthy of waiver consideration as a long-term stash. Through two weeks, the third-year player has turned 11 targets into 45 receiving yards, but should either CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens miss time, Flournoy could step into an important role in an offense that looks to have gotten back on track after a disappointing season-opener. Flournoy topped 100 yards twice in 2025, once in an early-season game missed by Lamb, and again in Week 14 when Lamb was limited to a 46% snap share. As an injury fill-in, Flournoy boasts a potential week-winning ceiling and is worth a low-priority claim in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
AJ Terrell Placed on Injured Reserve With Groin Injury
The Atlanta Falcons placed cornerback AJ Terrell (groin) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, according to Tori McElhaney of the team's official website. Terrell was initially evaluated for a concussion in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Carolina Panthers before being cleared after testing. However, he was eventually ruled out after injuring his groin, which will now keep him sidelined for at least the next four games. Defensive back C.J. Henderson played the rest of Sunday's game across from Mike Hughes, and that could continue to be the setup in Atlanta's defensive backfield with Terrell out for the foreseeable future. Avieon Terrell, A.J.'s younger brother, could also be asked to help out more outside. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich recently praised Henderson, saying that he "doesn't feel any angst" when calling Henderson's number. The earliest Terrell can return will be for an Oct. 25 game at home against the San Francisco 49ers.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Tyson Bagent Worth an Add in Superflex Leagues
Chicago Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent came on in relief of an injured Caleb Williams (hamstring), completing 55.6% of his passes for 54 yards on two non-scoring drives, and with Williams' status up in the air ahead of a Monday night contest with the Eagles, Bagent is well worth waiver consideration in superflex formats. The Monday night timeline and a difficult matchup add an unfortunate wrinkle for managers in need of a starter, but with Williams originally deemed week-to-week with a hamstring injury, Bagent's potential value could extend beyond just this week. The Bears offense struggled in the Week 2 loss to the Vikings, but playmakers are in place to support Bagent if he's thrust into his fifth career start, and he is RotoBaller's QB28 heading into Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pat Bryant Still Worth a Roster Spot Despite Disappointing Week 2
A quiet performance in Sunday's win over the Jaguars could have Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant hitting waivers this week, but despite his one-target, zero-catch outing, the second-year player is still worth a roster spot in deeper leagues. Bryant saw the second-highest snap share of all Broncos wide receivers and was on the field for 76.5% of the team's passing plays. He has been moved across the formation through the first two weeks of the season, and while Sunday's game plan benefited offseason acquisition Jaylen Waddle, Bryant still has the second-most receiving yards of all Broncos receivers and should see more involvement moving forward. He is RotoBaller's WR65 ahead of a tough Sunday night matchup with the Rams.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Falcons Looking to Get Kyle Pitts Sr. More Involved?
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is taking accountability and said that it is on the offensive staff to get tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. more touches, according to Will McFadden of the team's official website. "We take a lot of pride in that, and getting him going is something that's important to us," Rees said. After a strong 2025 season in which Pitts caught a career-high 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns on 118 targets across 17 starts, he has started off his 2026 campaign slowly with just one catch on four targets for 15 yards through two games. It sounds like the Falcons could grease the squeaky wheel in Week 3 on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers, and it will help the 25-year-old's cause that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has been cleared to make his first start of the year after suffering a partially torn ACL late last year. Savvy fantasy managers may want to consider buying low on Pitts now that Penix is ready to roll.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Will Levis Signing With Jets' Practice Squad
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is signing with the New York Jets' practice squad on Tuesday, sources told Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Levis started 21 games for the Titans before missing all of last year with a shoulder injury. He will take the place of Bailey Zappe, who is being released this week. The 27-year-old Levis was drafted in the second round by the Titans in 2023 from Kentucky. In his 21 starts over two seasons in Tennessee, he struggled with decision-making and accuracy, completing 61% of his pass attempts for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Levis also added 70 rushing attempts for 240 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He has plenty of arm strength at the QB position, but Levis has quickly become a backup option after a few seasons in the NFL. In New York, he will be the third QB option on the roster behind veteran starter Geno Smith and rookie Cade Klubnik.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Mack Hollins has Extended Waiver-Wire Appeal in New England
With New England Patriots top wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) on Injured Reserve and forced to miss at least three more games, Mack Hollins will continue to have a big role in the Patriots' passing attack. The 33-year-old veteran had four catches on five targets for 51 yards in the season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks and disappointed with only two receptions for 18 yards in the Week 2 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first game with Brown on the sidelines. Quarterback Drake Maye did not have a good game overall throwing the football against the Steelers, and the positive for Hollins is that he played 71% of the offensive snaps, which was the most among any of New England's receivers. Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas will also be involved more for however long Brown is out, but Hollins should not be ignored as a waiver-wire pickup with short-term upside in the Patriots' offense with Brown sidelined. The former fourth-rounder by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 is rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kaleb Johnson Becomes More Interesting After Week 2 Usage
Green Bay Packers second-year running back Kaleb Johnson did not see a single offensive snap in the team's Week 1 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings after the Packers acquired him in a training camp deal from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Johnson played only 27% of the offensive snaps in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets, but he saw a team-high eight carries for 32 yards (4.0 yards per carry), signaling that he could start becoming a much bigger part of the Packers' committee backfield with starter Josh Jacobs still on the commissioner's exempt list. The 23-year-old Johnson was not involved in the passing game, while MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks combined for three catches for 21 yards and a touchdown (Lloyd). Johnson has familiarity with Green Bay's offense from playing in a similar scheme in college at Iowa, so he could slowly become more of a trusted early-down back for head coach Matt LaFleur for as long as Jacobs remains out. Fantasy managers searching for RB depth will want to give Johnson a look in deeper leagues. He is rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Xavier Hutchinson a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Candidate
With Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) potentially missing another game in Week 3 against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts this weekend, Xavier Hutchinson should be on the waiver-wire radar this week. Hutchinson did not exactly stand out in the box score in the Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday with Collins sidelined -- he caught three of his nine targets for 37 yards -- but he was targeted a team-high nine times and played 81% of the offensive snaps, which was the most among Houston's pass-catchers. If Collins misses a second straight game this weekend, Hutchinson will be in line for an elevated role again and could be a nice sleeper flex play in deeper leagues against a Colts defense that has allowed a league-high 337.5 passing yards per game through he first two weeks of the season. Through two games in his fourth NFL season, Hutchinson has six grabs on 15 targets for 69 scoreless yards. He is rostered in 5% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Drew Lock Could Have Streaming Potential Again in Week 3
Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback Drew Lock has led the defending Super Bowl champions to a 2-0 start in 2026 after starting QB Sam Darnold injured his glute early in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots. The 29-year-old has completed 35 of his 48 pass attempts (72.9%) while throwing for 422 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He was much better in the Week 2 win over the division-rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, going 19-for-26 for 235 yards and three touchdowns in an easy 31-7 blowout. Darnold is making good progress from his injury and could return to practice this week, so it is up in the air right now whether he will have a realistic chance to make his return this weekend. If Seattle plays it safe and holds Darnold out for another week, Lock will have plenty of streaming potential in a Week 3 matchup this Sunday against a Washington Commanders defense that just allowed four passing touchdowns to Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. Lock is only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues, but he will make for an interesting QB2 streamer in superflex leagues if he makes a second straight start for Seattle this week.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jacob Cowing Should Have Bigger Role With 49ers
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins and is a candidate for Injured Reserve. With Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season and rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) out for around 10 weeks, The Athletic's Matt Barrows points out Jacob Cowing as a receiver who could replace Robinson for however long he is out. Cowing's 24 snaps in Week 2 were the most since he had 50 in the 2024 regular-season finale, which came two weeks after the 49ers had been eliminated from the postseason. Jordan Watkins, who has been a healthy scratch for the first two weeks of the season, will also likely be used as receiver depth with the Niners really hurting at the position. The 25-year-old Cowing, a fourth-rounder from Arizona in 2024, did not play at all last year and caught four of six targets for 80 yards in 15 games as a rookie. He is not currently rostered in any Yahoo leagues and is strictly a deep-league dart throw for fantasy managers devastated by injuries already at the WR position.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Rashid Shaheed Remains a Boom-or-Bust Stash
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed finally got a little more work in Week 2, catching three of six targets for 35 yards and adding four yards on one carry against Arizona. That still leaves him with only four catches for 39 yards through two games, so there is not much production to chase yet. Shaheed did play 39 offensive snaps Sunday, more than Cooper Kupp, which at least keeps the role interesting. Sam Darnold (glute) is also expected back at practice this week after missing Week 2, though his status for Sunday is not settled. A Darnold return could help, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba has dominated Seattle's passing game and Shaheed remains a volatile option behind him. There is still enough big-play ability and playing time to justify some patience. Shaheed makes sense as a bench stash for managers with room, but he is not a priority waiver claim and can be replaced if a stronger option is available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rams "Hopeful" Puka Nacua Can Play in Week 3
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) remains uncertain for Week 3 after sitting out Monday night's win over the Giants. Head coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that he is hopeful Nacua can play Sunday night against Denver, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times, but added that he isn't sure of his status yet. Nacua missed the final two practices last week after groin soreness surfaced following Thursday's session and was inactive Monday. The Rams officially listed the issue as a hip injury, while McVay has described it as soreness in Nacua's groin. McVay said the Rams will play him if he's ready and continue without him if he isn't.
Source: Gary Klein
Source: Gary Klein
Kalif Raymond Has Carved Out a Real PPR Role
Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond keeps getting the ball. He followed an eight-catch, 84-yard opener with five receptions for 40 yards against Minnesota, leaving him with 13 catches for 124 yards through two games. That is not a fluky one-week line anymore, even if the ceiling remains modest. Raymond is still sharing the field with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, and now there is a quarterback issue to watch. Caleb Williams is week-to-week with a right hamstring injury, and head coach Ben Johnson said Monday that he does not expect Williams to practice this week. Tyson Bagent would be next up if Williams cannot go against Philadelphia. RotoBaller has Raymond 30th overall on its Week 3 waiver board and recommends him in 12-team PPR leagues, while its dedicated receiver column is a little more cautious. Raymond is not worth chasing with a top claim, but 13 catches in two games is enough to make him a reasonable PPR depth add.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Shough Is Making Himself Hard to Leave on Waivers
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough backed up his huge opener with another strong fantasy game Sunday, completing 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown while adding 23 yards and a score on nine carries against Baltimore. He did not need another 410-yard afternoon to get there, either. Through two weeks, Shough leads the NFL with 90 passing attempts and 662 yards, and he has now accounted for five total touchdowns. That kind of workload is getting difficult to treat as a temporary streaming situation. Las Vegas has generated plenty of pressure early this season, but RotoBaller still lists Shough as a potential Week 3 boom and has him second among quarterbacks on its waiver rankings. He is still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues. Shough should be added in 12-team formats at this point, and managers searching for a quarterback should be comfortable holding him beyond just this week's matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Washington Is Becoming a Longer-Term PPR Hold
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has put together two useful games without giving fantasy managers a huge box score to chase. He followed three catches for 53 yards in Week 1 with four for 43 against San Francisco, and he added a four-yard carry. Washington has 13 targets through two games, which matters on an offense that has thrown only 50 passes. The bigger question now is Caleb Douglas (ankle). Head coach Jeff Hafley said Monday that it was too early to know whether Douglas could miss Week 3, and any absence would leave more work available in a thin receiver room. Washington still comes with risk because Miami's passing volume has been low, but the role has been steady enough to take seriously. He is worth adding in 12-team PPR leagues and makes more sense as a longer-term bench hold than a one-week streamer, especially while Douglas' status remains unsettled.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darren Waller Has Played His Way onto 12-Team Rosters
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller made the most of limited work Sunday, catching all three of his targets for 33 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-3 win over Atlanta. The touchdowns will get the attention, but the role still needs some context. Waller played 29 offensive snaps, or 44%, while Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans both played more. That was still a step up from Week 1, when Waller logged 24 snaps and had a touchdown wiped out by penalty. Carolina clearly has a use for him near the goal line, and this is not new territory. Waller scored six times on only 24 catches for Miami last season. The volume may stay frustrating, but tight end is thin enough that those scoring chances matter. RotoBaller's Week 3 waiver coverage has him as an add in 12-team leagues, with one column calling him a must-add at that depth. He is worth picking up now, but managers should expect some low-target weeks along the way.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kayshon Boutte Looking For Breakout In Week 3
Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was targeted five times and caught three passes for 37 yards in Week 2's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Boutte has yet to breakout for the Texans through two weeks after a lackluster Week 1 performance against the Bills (one catch, 21 yards). The performance last week was even more disappointing with Nico Collins missing the contest with an injury and seemingly giving Boutte a route to more targets and greater role in the game. Acquired from the Patriots, Boutte may still be adjusting to his new team and getting familiar with quarterback CJ Stroud and the passing scheme for the Texans. The Texans do have a favorable matchup with the Colts in Week 3 so it might be worth fantasy managers giving Boutte another try.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Antonio Williams A Risky Option On The Waiver Wire
Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams caught all three of his targets for 24 yards in Week 2's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The rookie receiver out of Clemson has been good so far this season after catching four passes for 64 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against Philadelphia. At 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Williams operates mostly in the slot and is fighting for the No. 3 wide receiver role with Washington behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. He's showed some promise, but with quarterback Jayden Daniels set to miss some time it puts a cap on all the Washington receivers' fantasy value. Williams has done a nice job so far in his rookie season, but it might be worth a close examination on the waiver wire. It is a risky move to pickup Williams as a starting receiver for your fantasy teams although he does have some deep-league value.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Germie Bernard Could Be Worth a Look In Deep Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard saw eight targets in Week 2's loss to the New England Patriots with Michael Pittman missing the game. Bernard, serving as the WR3 for the Steelers caught four of those eight targets for 35 yards. The rookie second-round pick out of Alabama had the most receiving yards of any Steelers' pass catcher and was second in targets to DK Metcalf. It was a good showing for Bernard and with Pittman sidelined, Bernard could emerge as a nice receiving threat for Aaron Rodgers. Pittman is considered day to day with his foot injury, but should he miss Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals then Bernard could have another fairly big role in the passing game. The Steelers offense has not really gotten going yet this season but Bernard can help out.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
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