Week 10 of the NFL season brought a wave of injuries that will shape fantasy lineups moving forward. With four teams on bye—including the high‑scoring Chicago Bears—owners will need to scout the waiver wire for viable replacements.
Running backs
Rhamondre Stevenson left the Patriots game with a knee injury in the third quarter. If he misses time, Corey Kiner could see a larger workload. Kiner rushed eight times for 55 yards and a touchdown against the Packers, most of it coming late in a blowout. He would be a solid flex option against the Lions if Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson are unavailable.
Jonathon Taylor of the Patriots remains a question mark ahead of the trade deadline. Should he be moved, McGowan—who posted six carries for 45 yards and a touchdown—could earn a start in the Dolphins matchup.
Rashod Bateman (note: actual name from source is “Johnson”) found the end zone with a 34‑yard rush and a touchdown, though his touches were limited. He offers upside as a bench depth piece.
Wide receivers
The Rams lost Puka Nacua to a knee injury on the final play of their win over Washington. While no immediate replacement stands out, the Rams have a favorable matchup against the Cardinals next week. Potential options include Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield and Colby Parkinson, who could see increased targets if Nacua is sidelined.
Philadelphia’s Mike McConkey was forced out with a back injury. The Chargers’ passing attack remains strong, but finding a reliable receiver to step in will be difficult. Tre Harris and Quinten Johnston are the best available options for desperate fantasy owners.
In Denver, Jaylen Royals and Cyrus Allen could see more snaps if the Chiefs decide not to trade for a higher‑upside receiver after Brian Thomas, George Pickens and Garrett Wilson remain on the roster.
Quarterbacks
CJ Stroud delivered a dominant performance, throwing for 384 yards, five touchdowns and one interception against the Chargers. His supporting cast of Texas receivers—Boutte, Dell and Nico Collins—produced solid numbers, though most caught four passes or fewer. While Stroud’s production is impressive, his supporting cast’s consistency remains a concern for fantasy owners.
Tight ends
The Broncos’ tight ends saw increased usage against the Panthers. Tommy Tremble and Darren Waller both scored, with Waller leading the team with eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Though Waller may not retain the lead role, his route volume (29 routes) suggests a near‑full‑time role heading into a favorable matchup with the Saints.
Defensive considerations
Defensive matchups also influence waiver decisions. The Chiefs’ pass defense, which allowed the eighth‑most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, will face the Bills in Week 10—a game likely to generate passing volume for opposing receivers like Smith, who was limited by a strong Kansas City defense.
Key takeaways
- Monitor the injury status of Rhamondre Stevenson, Puka Nacua and Mike McConkey before making waiver moves.
- Backups such as Corey Kiner, Kaleb Johnson, Tutu Atwell and Darren Waller offer upside in favorable matchups.
- Week 10 matchups favor passing attacks for teams like the Bills, Chiefs and Broncos, creating potential streaming opportunities.
Fantasy owners should act quickly on the waiver wire, as many of these players could become weekly starters if injuries persist.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
