The injury report coming out of Week 12 was brutal. It was not a pleasant Thanksgiving weekend for many Fantasy managers.
It started Thursday when D'Andre Swift (shoulder) and Darren Waller (knee) were hurt. Then came Sunday when Christian McCaffrey (ankle), Dalvin Cook (shoulder), Deebo Samuel (groin) and Dan Arnold (knee) all suffered serious injuries. It's not ideal with the Fantasy playoffs on the horizon.
McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve and is out for the season, and Cook is out for at least two games. Waller is considered "week-to-week," while Samuel is expected to "miss some time." Arnold is likely out 4-6 weeks, which means his Fantasy season is over.
There's a chance Swift could play Sunday in Week 13, but we'll have to see what happens during practice. We're also keeping an eye on other injuries to Jalen Hurts (ankle), Miles Sanders (ankle), Darrell Henderson (quad) and J.D. McKissic (neck), and hopefully all of them can play this week.
Now, it's not all doom and gloom. Alvin Kamara (knee) and Mark Ingram (knee) are trending in the right direction to play for the Saints in Week 13, and the Cowboys are getting CeeDee Lamb (concussion) and Amari Cooper (COVID-19) back as well. The Cardinals also might have Kyler Murray (ankle) and DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) returning in Week 13.
However, when you lose guys like McCaffrey, Cook, Waller and Samuel for an extended period of time, especially with the Fantasy playoffs almost here, it's tough to overcome. But we're here to help.
There are plenty of quality replacement options for you in this column to keep your Fantasy season afloat, including some of my favorite options like Taysom Hill, Boston Scott, Jamaal Williams, Sony Michel, Logan Thomas and Foster Moreau, among others. It's going to be a busy week on the waiver wire. So let's get started.
Editor's note: For this waiver wire column, we are only looking at players rostered in less than 65 percent of CBS Sports leagues.
Fantasy Football Today Newsletter
Know What Your Friends Don't
Get tips, advice and news to win your league - all from the FFT podcast team.
By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge Paramount's Privacy Policy.
Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
Week 13 Waivers
WAIVER WIRE
Quarterbacks
- Injuries: Kyler Murray (ankle), Aaron Rodgers (toe), Jalen Hurts (ankle), Teddy Bridgewater (shin), Justin Fields (ribs), Taysom Hill (foot), Daniel Jones (neck) and Zach Wilson (knee).
- On a bye: Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Ryan Tannehill and Baker Mayfield.
- Check to see if available: Derek Carr (88 percent rostered) and Carson Wentz (80 percent). Carr played well at Dallas in Week 12 with 22 Fantasy points, and he should stay hot in Week 13 against Washington. He's worth trusting again as a starting quarterback in all leagues with this matchup. ... Wentz turned in a strong Fantasy outing in Week 12 against Tampa Bay with 26 points, and he has a great matchup in Week 13 at Houston. He scored 20 Fantasy points against the Texans in Week 6 and should be considered a serviceable starter once again in the rematch.
- Drop candidates: Cam Newton (87 percent rostered), Ryan Tannehill (84 percent) and Matt Ryan (69 percent). Newton isn't worth stashing on his bye in one-quarterback leagues. He does have a favorable matchup in Week 14 against Atlanta, but he also just scored five Fantasy points in Week 12 at Miami. ... Tannehill also isn't worth stashing on his bye, especially with his receiving corps decimated by injuries. ... Ryan has combined for 13 Fantasy points in his past three games. Until Calvin Ridley (personal) returns, you can't start Ryan in any leagues.
Quarterback
Week 13 Priority List
Hill took reps with the starters Monday and should take over for Trevor Siemian in Week 13 against Dallas. Hill has been dealing with a foot injury, but he's expected to be fine. Last year, Hill was great as a Fantasy quarterback when he started four games for an injured Drew Brees, scoring at least 22 Fantasy points in three of those outings. He's worth adding now for at least 5 percent of your FAAB budget in one-quarterback leagues and at least 15 percent in two-quarterback and Superflex formats.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Tagovailoa didn't have a huge game in Week 12 against Carolina, finishing with 15 Fantasy points, but he looks great right now. He was 27-of-31 passing for 230 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers, and he should do well in Week 13 against the Giants. I like Tagovailoa as a streamer in all leagues, and he's worth up to 5 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Heinicke has played well of late and is worth using as a streaming option in Week 13 at Las Vegas. He only has one game with more than 17 Fantasy points in his past four outings, but Washington has won three games in a row. The matchup with the Raiders is positive since Las Vegas allows the seventh-most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and Heinicke can be a starter in deeper leagues. He's worth up to 5 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Taylor didn't have a great outing against the Jets in Week 12 with 19 Fantasy points, and he's averaging just 18.5 Fantasy points in his past two starts. But he's staying as the starter in Houston, and he's run for at least 23 yards in three games in a row. He faces the Colts in Week 13, and Taylor will hopefully get some garbage-time production. He's worth using as a streamer for 1 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Jones scored 25 Fantasy points in Week 12 against the Titans, and he's now hit that mark in two of his past three games and three times in his past six outings. I'd like him more if he wasn't playing the Bills in Week 13, followed by a bye, but Jones is worth consideration as a flier in deeper leagues. If the Patriots are chasing points at Buffalo then Jones could deliver another solid stat line. He's worth 1 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
WAIVER WIRE
Running Backs
- Injuries: Darrell Henderson (quad), D'Andre Swift (shoulder), Alvin Kamara (knee), Christian McCaffrey (ankle), Dalvin Cook (shoulder), Miles Sanders (ankle), Mark Ingram (knee), Michael Carter (ankle), J.D. McKissic (neck), Chase Edmonds (ankle), Derrick Henry (foot), Jordan Howard (knee), Jeremy McNichols (concussion), Trey Sermon (ankle), Rashaad Penny (hamstring) and Travis Homer (calf).
- On a bye: Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Chuba Hubbard, Ameer Abdullah, D'Onta Foreman, Dontrell Hilliard and Jeremy McNichols.
- Check to see if available: Alexander Mattison (78 percent rostered) and Devin Singletary (75 percent). Mattison is the No. 1 player to add if available with Cook expected to miss at least two weeks. Mattison has top-five upside in all leagues as the starter for the Vikings, and he scored at least 22 PPR points in the two starts he made for Cook earlier this season. ... Singletary looks like the lead running back for Buffalo, although he's still in a tandem with Matt Breida. In Week 12 at New Orleans, with Zack Moss a healthy scratch, Singletary led the Bills with 16 total touches, compared to 11 for Breida. Now, Singletary managed just 48 total yards (Breida had 54), but you should still roster Singletary where available.
- Drop candidates: Christian McCaffrey (100 percent rostered), Zack Moss (69 percent), Jeff Wilson (67 percent), D'Ernest Johnson (61 percent) and Tony Jones (32 percent). There's no reason to roster McCaffrey in any seasonal leagues now that he's out for the season. ... Moss isn't worth stashing in most leagues if he's third on the depth chart behind Singletary and Breida. ... Wilson can be kept as a handcuff for Elijah Mitchell, but he's clearly the No. 2 running back in San Francisco. ... Johnson isn't worth stashing with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt healthy, especially with Cleveland on a bye. ... Jones is back to being third on the depth chart at best for the Saints behind Kamara and Ingram, and he's not worth stashing in most Fantasy leagues.
Running Back
Week 13 Priority List
Hubbard and Ameer Abdullah (0 percent rostered) form the backfield in Carolina for the rest of the season with McCaffrey out. Hubbard will likely play on rushing downs, and Abdullah will likely work in passing situations. It could get messy, especially with Carolina on a bye in Week 13 and then upcoming matchups against Atlanta, Buffalo, Tampa Bay twice and New Orleans to close the season. We saw Hubbard in a featured role earlier this year when McCaffrey was out for five games with a hamstring injury, and Hubbard scored at least 13 PPR points in three of those outings. Hopefully, that's what happens again for Hubbard, but that was before Abdullah came to Carolina. Since Week 9, with McCaffrey on the field, we saw Abdullah involved in the passing game, and he has 13 catches on 20 targets in his past five outings. You should add Hubbard where available for at least 15 percent of your FAAB budget, and Abdullah is worth at least 5 percent, with his value higher in PPR.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Williams could start in Week 13 against the Vikings with Swift likely out. After hurting his shoulder in Week 12 against the Bears, Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday "it's hard to see" Swift playing against Minnesota. Williams had 15 carries for 65 yards, including five catches for 18 yards on five targets, against the Bears, and he could see 15-20 total touches again in Week 13. The Vikings have injury concerns along their defensive line, so Williams should be considered a quality starter in all leagues if Swift is out. And we don't know exactly when Swift will play if he does miss Week 13. Williams is worth at least 10-15 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Monday that Sanders is "heading in the right direction" after hurting his ankle in Week 12 at the Giants. But if Sanders and Howard are out for the Eagles in Week 13 at the Jets, which could happen since Philadelphia has a bye in Week 14, then Scott would be a must-start option in all leagues. And I would rather have him over Williams if that's the case. Scott has three games this season with at least 11 carries, and he's scored at least 12 PPR points in all of them. And even when Sanders and Howard are healthy, Scott should have some sort of role with how much the Eagles are running the ball right now. He also would be facing a Jets defense that allows the most Fantasy points to opposing running backs. Scott is worth 10-15 percent of your FAAB. You can also add Howard (38 percent rostered) for 1 percent in case he's back and leads the Philadelphia backfield if Sanders is out.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Michel could end up starting for the Rams this week if Henderson is out, and he would be a must-start Fantasy option in all leagues against Jacksonville. Henderson isn't expected to miss much time, if at all, but he continues to battle nagging injuries on a weekly basis. The Rams could opt to sit him, especially with a winnable game against the Jaguars, and Michel is a capable replacement. Henderson was out in Week 3 against Tampa Bay, and Michel saw 23 total touches (20 carries) in that outing. He only had 79 total yards and no touchdowns, but that was a much tougher matchup than facing Jacksonville. Michel should be added in all leagues for at least 10 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
McNichols should return after the bye, but if he's still out then look for Hilliard to remain the complement to D'Onta Foreman (63 percent rostered), who should also be added in all leagues. The Titans might also opt to use Hilliard ahead of McNichols based on what happened the past two games. With McNichols out, Hilliard scored at least 15 PPR points against the Texans and Patriots. He proved capable as a receiver against Houston with eight catches for 47 yards on 10 targets (he also added seven carries for 35 yards), and then he exploded for 131 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries at New England, with one catch for 2 yards. I'm adding him in all leagues where still available for at least 10 percent of my FAAB. And Foreman should be added as well for at least 10 percent of your FAAB. He had a breakout game against the Patriots with 19 carries for 109 yards, although he lost a fumble. Foreman is locked in as the big back for the Titans, and hopefully he can finish the season strong with Henry out.
| ||||||||||||||||||
The Jets are going to use three running backs with Carter out, so look for Coleman, Ty Johnson (86 percent rostered) and Austin Walter (0 percent rostered) to all get work. Coleman is the preferred lead option after he had 16 carries for 67 yards at Houston in Week 12, along with two catches for 3 yards on three targets. Johnson had six carries for 42 yards and no catches on one target, and Walter had nine carries for 38 yards and a touchdown and no catches on one target. The Jets don't have an easy upcoming schedule against Philadelphia, New Orleans and Miami in their next three games, and Carter could be back against the Dolphins. But Coleman has flex appeal in all leagues for 5-10 percent of your FAAB budget, and you can add Walter in deeper formats for 1 percent.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Breida has been Buffalo's best running back of late, and we'll see if he gets more work moving forward. With Moss a healthy scratch in Week 12 at the Saints, Breida had 11 total touches (two catches) compared to 16 for Singletary, but Breida had more yards (54-48) and scored a touchdown. He's now scored at least 12 PPR points in two of his past three games, and he has flex appeal in Week 13 against the Patriots. Breida is worth adding for 5-10 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
The Seahawks are getting nothing from their backfield, and maybe Dallas starts getting more work ahead of Alex Collins. On Monday night at Washington, Collins had seven carries for 14 yards, adding just one catch for 13 yards on one target. Dallas wasn't much better on the ground with three carries for 4 yards, but he added five catches for 27 yards on five targets. If Penny and Homer remain out, maybe Dallas gets more work in Week 13 against the 49ers, and he's easily the preferred option in the passing game, making him a flex in deeper leagues. Dallas is worth 1 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Lindsay got some extended action in his first game with the Dolphins in Week 12 against Carolina. He joined Miami after being cut in Houston, and he immediately got 12 carries for 42 yards in a blowout 33-10 win. Coach Brian Flores said Lindsay's role could increase as the backup to Myles Gaskin, and Lindsay is worth stashing in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Patterson is worth a speculative add in deeper leagues with McKissic banged up. After McKissic got hurt in Monday's win against Seattle, Patterson played on some obvious passing downs ahead of Antonio Gibson, although Patterson didn't touch the ball. While Patterson won't be a direct replacement for McKissic, he could have some value in deep PPR leagues if Washington gives him an increased role on passing downs. He's worth 1 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
WAIVER WIRE
Wide Receivers
- Injuries: Deebo Samuel (groin), DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), Amari Cooper (illness), A.J. Brown (chest), Antonio Brown (ankle), Odell Beckham (hip), Calvin Ridley (personal), Corey Davis (groin), Allen Robinson (hamstring), Julio Jones (hamstring), Kadarius Toney (quad), Sterling Shepard (quad), DeVante Parker (shoulder), Will Fuller (finger) and Randall Cobb (groin).
- On a bye: Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nick Westbrook, Chester Rogers and Dez Fitzpatrick.
- Check to see if available: Calvin Ridley (80 percent rostered) and Van Jefferson (69 percent). It's not a bad idea to speculate on Ridley where available with the hope he returns at some point this season. ... Jefferson has at least seven targets in three games in a row, and he just had nine targets in Week 12 at Green Bay for three catches, 93 yards and a touchdown. We hope that continues, and Beckham is a little banged up, although he should play in Week 13 against the Jaguars. Jefferson has the chance to be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in most leagues moving forward.
- Drop candidates: Emmanuel Sanders (91 percent rostered), Courtland Sutton (89 percent), Cole Beasley (87 percent), Marvin Jones (86 percent) and Tyler Boyd (66 percent). It's hard to trust Sanders and Beasley right now. Sanders hasn't scored since Week 5, and he's combined for 16 PPR points in his past three games on just 10 targets. And Beasley has scored 18 PPR points in his past three games on just 12 targets as he's been playing through a rib injury. I would hold Beasley in PPR, but I'm dropping him in non-PPR formats. ... Sutton has been bad lately, and it coincides with Jerry Jeudy coming back from his ankle injury. In his past four games, Sutton has combined for 16 PPR points with just 12 targets. I hate dropping him, but you might need to move on. ... Jones has one touchdown since Week 2 and has scored nine PPR points or less in five games in a row. ... Boyd has one touchdown since Week 3 and has two games over seven PPR points since Week 4.
Wide receiver
Week 13 Priority List
All the Giants receivers are worth adding heading into Week 13 at Miami with Golladay the top one, but hopefully Kadarius Toney (54 percent rostered) and Sterling Shepard (37 percent) are healthy. Golladay saw seven targets in Week 12 against Philadelphia in the first game with Freddie Kitchens calling plays, and hopefully that continues. I hope Kitchens will help Toney as well, so stash him where available even if he's out against the Dolphins. And Shepard is still likely to be a go-to option for Daniel Jones when healthy, so keep that in mind. Golladay is worth 5 percent of your FAAB, and Toney and Shepard can likely be added for 1 percent while they are hurt.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Bourne has done a nice job finding the end zone lately with three touchdowns in his past three games. And he has scored at least 14 PPR points in four of his past seven outings. Just keep in mind that he has only four games with more than four targets, one game with more than five catches and three games with more than 70 receiving yards. If he doesn't score you could be in trouble, but he's still worth adding with the potential to be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver moving forward. I would also still look at Jakobi Meyers (63 percent rostered) where available in PPR, and he has 14 targets in his past two games against Atlanta and Tennessee, finishing with five catches for 98 yards against the Titans in Week 12. Bourne and Meyers are worth 5 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Moore will hopefully pick up where he left off after the Cardinals bye in Week 12 because in Week 11 at Seattle he had 11 catches for 51 yards on 11 targets. You'd like to see more plays down the field, and that game was without Murray or Hopkins. But the Cardinals should try to get Moore additional touches, and he could prove to be a valuable weapon to close the season. I'd also look at A.J. Green (59 percent rostered) as someone to add as well, and he would benefit if Hopkins is still out. Green had four catches for 78 yards on seven targets in his last game against the Seahawks. Moore is worth up to 5 percent of your FAAB in PPR (1 percent in non-PPR leagues), and Green is worth 1 percent.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Reynolds finally made an impact with the Lions in Week 12 against Chicago with three catches for 70 yards and a touchdown on five targets. And now he gets a Vikings defense that has pass rush and secondary concerns in Week 13. Jared Goff should continue to look for Reynolds moving forward, and remember those two played together with the Rams. Reynolds is a sneaky sleeper for Week 13, and he's worth adding for 1 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Hilton just had four catches for 28 yards and a touchdown on five targets in Week 12 against Tampa Bay, and now he gets his favorite matchup in Week 13 at Houston. He had four catches for 80 yards on four targets in Week 6 against the Texans, and Hilton has scored at least 11 PPR points in four of his past five meetings with Houston. He's worth adding for 1 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Valdes-Scantling is worth adding even with Green Bay on a bye. He has 19 targets in his past two games against Minnesota and the Rams, and he did well against the Vikings with four catches for 123 yards and a touchdown in Week 11. He's never going to be a high-volume catch guy, but he does have game-winning upside for Fantasy managers. He's worth 1 percent of your FAAB to stash for the stretch run.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Jennings might see a boost in playing time with Deebo Samuel sidelined, and Jennings just had two catches for 24 yards and a touchdown on three targets in Week 12 against Minnesota. He also could have had a second touchdown, which was overturned because he was out of bounds. Samuel is out for 1-2 weeks, and Jennings could be needed to help Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle in the passing game. In deeper leagues, Jennings is worth 1 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
WAIVER WIRE
Tight Ends
- Injuries: Darren Waller (knee), Pat Freiermuth (concussion) and Dan Arnold (knee)
- On a bye: David Njoku, Austin Hooper, Tommy Tremble, Geoff Swaim and Josiah Degaura.
- Check to see if available: Noah Fant (78 percent rostered). Fant is tough to trust with no touchdowns since Week 6, and he's combined for 16 PPR points in his past three games. But he does have a positive matchup against the Chiefs in Week 13, and he's still worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues. Kansas City is No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this year.
- Drop candidates: Tyler Higbee (69 percent rostered), Dan Arnold (59 percent) and Jared Cook (59 percent). Higbee has one touchdown since Week 5 and just had one catch for 3 yards on five targets in Week 12 at Green Bay. I would hold him in PPR leagues, but I would cut him in non-PPR formats. ... Arnold is likely done for the Fantasy season with a 4-6 week timeline for his injury, so you can drop him. ... Cook scored against the Broncos in Week 12, but that was his first touchdown since Week 6. He's also been at 48 yards or less in seven games in a row.
Tight End
Week 13 Priority List
Thomas was back on the field for the first time since Week 4 after being out with a hamstring injury in Monday's game against Seattle. His playing time was limited, but he still had six targets for three catches and 31 yards. And he could have scored a touchdown, which was overturned late in the fourth quarter. He has an amazing schedule coming up against Las Vegas, Dallas twice and Philadelphia twice, and Thomas could be a difference maker to close the season. He's worth adding in every league for at least 10 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Moreau will start for Waller until he's back, and hopefully it's not an extended absence. We saw Moreau start one game for Waller in Week 7 against the Eagles, and Moreau had six catches for 60 yards and a touchdown on six targets. Waller averages 8.4 targets per game, and hopefully Carr leans on Moreau like that. He should be considered a low-end starter for Week 13 against Washington, and he's worth 5-10 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
We don't know who's starting at quarterback for the Bears in Week 13 against the Cardinals, or if Allen Robinson (hamstring) will play. But Kmet should remain a focal point of the passing game, and he just had eight catches for 65 yards on 11 targets in Week 12 at Detroit with Andy Dalton under center. In Week 9 at Pittsburgh, Kmet had six catches for 87 yards on eight targets from Justin Fields, so the quarterback concern should be minimal. Robinson's availability could sway how you view Kmet, but I like him as a low-end starter in all leagues in Week 13 against the Cardinals. He's worth 5-10 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
The Seahawks said they wanted to get Everett more involved, and it's shown recently. He has two games in his past three outings with at least eight targets, and he scored 14 PPR points in both of them, including Week 12 at Washington with five catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. He's worth adding in all leagues for up to 5 percent of your FAAB since he's become a go-to option for Russell Wilson of late, which should continue as well.
| ||||||||||||||||||
O'Shaughnessy will start in place of Arnold, and he should have a prominent role in the offense. Remember, in Week 1 at Houston, before Arnold was on the team, O'Shaughnessy had eight targets for six catches and 48 yards. Then in Week 13 against Atlanta, after Arnold got hurt, O'Shaughnessy had three catches for 29 yards on five targets. He should continue to be a go-to option for Trevor Lawrence, and O'Shaughnessy is worth adding in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Doyle has at least five targets in three games in a row, and he just had a breakout game in Week 12 against Tampa Bay with six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Hopefully he can build on that performance against the Texans in Week 13, and Doyle could be a streaming option in deeper leagues. He's worth adding for 1 percent of your FAAB.
| ||||||||||||||||||
WAIVER WIRE
DST
Vikings (35 percent rostered) at DET
Chiefs (19 percent rostered) vs. DEN
Bengals (15 percent rostered) vs. LAC
WAIVER WIRE
KICKERS
Daniel Carlson (51 percent rostered) vs. WAS
Matt Gay (52 percent rostered) vs. JAC
Matt Prater (35 percent rostered) at CHI
2021 NFL jerseys now available
The new NFL season is here! Win or lose, you can shop jerseys, shirts, hats, and much more to support your favorite team. Shop here and show your colors.
We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
