JK Dobbins Injury: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Replacement Pickups (Week 2)

With the injury to JK Dobbins, 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.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Injury Replacement Pickups

Injury Outlook

J.K. Dobbins confirmed to have torn Achilles in season opener

J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles in the Ravens season opener against Houston. The running back went down early on in the second half and did not return.

Fantasy Impact

It’s a brutal blow for Dobbins, who was trying to secure a contract extension before the start of the season. The talented back has had an injury-riddled career and his road to a meaningful contract has gotten much more difficult if not completely evaporated. Baltimore will likely add a veteran free-agent running back in the coming days.

Garrett Ball

Waiver Wire Replacements to Target

Gus Edwards (BAL): 20% rostered

• Next Opponents: @CIN, IND, @CLE
• True value: $7
• Desperate Need: $13
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: There are two hot waiver additions in this backfield. Each of them is worthy of a bid, but I prefer the reliability of the veteran Edwards. Every fantasy manager will seek light beyond the gloom of J.K. Dobbins‘ unfortunate injury. Edwards is a bruiser who will excel in short yardage and is a far superior pass blocker to Justice Hill. Melvin Gordon is expected to be elevated from the practice squad, but the Week 1 priority assures us that Edwards is the one to prioritize.

Justice Hill (BAL): 3% rostered

• Next Opponents: @CIN, IND, @CLE
• True value: $5
• Desperate Need: $12
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: Where I expect Gus Edwards to see more action than Hill in this backfield, Hill is a better receiver and fits the new Todd Monken offense better than the veteran plodder. It will be tough to bid high enough on Hill this week, since he scored two touchdowns. I’m hard pressed to spend a lot of FAAB on a player who barely averaged a single yard on his eight carries, but Hill will be an appealing flex play if you are fortunate to acquire him.

Tank Bigsby (JAX): 46% rostered

• Next Opponents: KC, HOU, ATL
• True value: $12
• Desperate Need: $18
• Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: There was only one thing to cheer about on Sunday for Tank Bigsby managers. He plunged into the end zone for a goal-line touchdown, but he only compiled 13 yards on his seven carries and lost a fumble in his NFL debut. Why add him on waivers? The Jaguars face a long homestand, with three-consecutive games in Duval County. Even better, all three opponents showed vulnerabilities against the run in Week 1. Tank’s role figures to grow, but getting short-yardage work is a great start.

Kenneth Gainwell (PHI): 46% rostered

• Next Opponents: MIN, @TB, WAS
• True value: $11
• Desperate Need: $16
• Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: Some fantasy managers were surprised to see Gainwell earn the start for Philadelphia in Week 1, with Rashaad Penny a healthy inactive. I was not. Much like his former Memphis teammate, Tony Pollard, Gainwell was ready to step into a newly expanded role on a winning team. He was impressive, with 18 touches (four receptions) and 74 scrimmage yards. The only missing piece was a touchdown. D’Andre Swift was far from impressive alongside Gainwell, which bodes very well for Gainwell the next few weeks.

Kyren Williams (LAR): 5% rostered

• Next Opponents: SF, @CIN, @IND
• True value: $9
• Desperate Need: $15
• Budget-minded: $5

Analysis: Until the Rams’ convincing victory over the Seahawks was in hand, everyone was wondering what happened with supposed starting RB Cam Akers. By the end of the game, Akers had 22 carries for a paltry 29 yards. The second-year back from Notre Dame was still the story, with a pair of rushing touchdowns on 15 attempts. LA’s line did not get very much push up front, but Akers’ managers are rightly freaking out about the early leverage opportunities largely going to Williams. It should also be noted that Williams is a stellar receiver and will be tough to pull off the field.

Joshua Kelley (LAC): 4% rostered

• Next Opponents: @TEN, @MIN, LV
• True value: $8
• Desperate Need: $13
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: One major difference between the old Joe Lombardi offense and the new Kellen Moore offense for the Chargers is a renewed emphasis on establishing the run game early and often. Austin Ekeler is the unquestioned starter, but Kelley was a physical presence with his 16 attempts. He compiled 91 yards and scored a rushing touchdown in the Week 1 shootout loss to Miami. Although he won’t sniff any real receiving work, expect the UCLA grad to maintain steady volume and benefit from a lot of scoring chances.

Jaylen Warren (PIT): 48% rostered

• Next Opponents: CLE, @LV, @HOU
• True value: $8
• Desperate Need: $13
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: Don’t sleep on this offense after one brutal performance. The Steelers were engulfed and overmatched versus the mighty 49ers, but it is certainly noteworthy that Warren shared an even split of RB snaps with “starter” Najee Harris. The Oklahoma State grad is a better receiver than Harris and has more explosive play capability in the open field. Pittsburgh’s schedule is much easier going forward, and Warren will be a main cog in the Matt Canada offense.