Zach Ertz Injury: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Replacement Pickups (Week 11)

With the injury to Zach Ertz, fantasy football managers are left with a void on their roster. Let’s check out the extent of the injury and players you can target on your waiver wire this week.

• Fantasy Football Week 11 Waiver Wire and FAAB Advice: Players to Target, Stash & Drop (2022)

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Zach Ertz Injury Outlook

Waiver Wire Replacements to Target

Hayden Hurst (CIN): 48% rostered

• Next opponents: @PIT, @TEN, KC
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $6
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: In the two games with Ja’Marr Chase on the shelf, Hayden Hurst has had a 14.3% target share, with meager TE19 and TE14 fantasy finishes. Despite those outings, Hurst is still tied to a productive offense and one of the league’s best quarterbacks. He also has a sizable red zone role for the Bengals, ranking ninth in red zone targets among all tight ends. This week’s matchup with Pittsburgh is tough, but his schedule lightens up afterward. Tennessee has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards and fifth-highest yards per reception to tight ends. The Chiefs entered this week tied for the fourth-most touchdowns allowed to tight ends.

Foster Moreau (LVR): 16% rostered

• Next opponents: @DEN, @SEA, LAC
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $5
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Foster Moreau reprised his every-down role with Darren Waller landing on IR this week. Moreau played 95% of the snaps, finishing third on the team in routes. He made the most of his 10.5% target share, snagging three of his four targets with 43 receiving yards and a touchdown. After a rough matchup with Denver, Moreau faces two defenses (SEA, LAC) that are top-12 in receiving yards allowed to tight ends.

Trey McBride (ARI): 0% rostered

• Next opponents: SF, LAC, BYE
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: McBride is a tight end worth considering for a roster spot after Zach Ertz left with an injury in Week 10. McBride played 91% of Arizona’s offensive snaps in Week 10, finishing third on the team in routes but with only one target. McBride could easily go the Cade Otton route for as long as Ertz is on the shelf as a talented rookie who will play every down in a productive NFL offense. He has to contend with DeAndre Hopkins and Rondale Moore for a piece of the target pie, but after them, the table is wide open, with only dust balls like Robbie Anderson and A.J. Green seeing significant route totals.

Isaiah Likely (BAL): 21% rostered

• Next opponents: CAR, @JAC, DEN
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Likely has put together TE2 and TE9 finishes in his last two games as the Ravens’ starting tight end. Mark Andrews‘ availability is still in the wind, so for the time being, Isaiah is Likely the starter. Yes, I hate myself for that dad joke, but it must be done. Likely has smash matchups coming the next two weeks that provide him upside even if Andrews is back. Carolina and Jacksonville are 28th and 32nd in DVOA (per Football Outsiders) against the tight end position. If Andrews remains out, Likely will be a top-shelf TE option in each of those weeks.

Stash Candidate: Juwan Johnson

Juwan Johnson logged another productive fantasy week against Pittsburgh with a 25.9% target share, as he got into the end zone again while leading the team in receiving yards (44). Johnson would be higher on this list, but his upcoming schedule is nightmare fuel. The Rams and 49ers are horrible matchups for tight ends, but all hope is not lost. Johnson is stash-worthy as he gets the Buccaneers and Falcons after the Rams and 49ers. Tampa Bay and Atlanta are ninth and 13th in fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends.