Saquon Barkley Injury: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Replacement Pickups (Week 3)

With the injury to Saquon Barkley, fantasy football managers are left with a potential 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

Saquon Barkley dealing with a possible ankle sprain

Giants RB Saquon Barkley is dealing with a possible ankle sprain. Barkley had to be helped off the field late in the game and was clearly in pain.

Fantasy Impact

Barkley will undergo an MRI Monday to determine the severity of the sprain. One source stated that they believe it is a normal ankle sprain and not a high-ankle sprain, but they need the tests Monday to verify. With the Giants playing on Thursday night in Week 3, fantasy managers should expect Barkley to face an uphill battle to suit up with the short turn around.

Jesse Garcia

Waiver Wire Replacements to Target

Roschon Johnson (CHI): 38% rostered

• Next Opponents: @KC, DEN, @WAS
• True value: $17
• Desperate Need: $29
• Budget-minded: $11

Analysis: The inevitable occurred ahead of schedule when D’Onta Foreman was inactive in Week 2, paving the way for stud rookie Roschon Johnson to shoulder a larger workload. Johnson is very well-rounded, and his role as a mop-up checkdown receiver will come in handy with how atrocious the Chicago defense has been.

Chuba Hubbard (CAR): 19% rostered

• Next Opponents: @SEA, MIN, @DET
• True value: $12
• Desperate Need: $22
• Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: Though not exactly the most riveting player to this point in his career, Chuba Hubbard is the clear second man in the Carolina backfield behind Miles Sanders. The Panthers also have one of the most favorable early-season schedules in the NFL. This translates to adding Hubbard for your own depth and plugging him in as a flex starter if the need arises.

Justice Hill (BAL): 44% rostered

• Next Opponents: IND, @CLE, @PIT
• True value: $10
• Desperate Need: $18
• Budget-minded: $5

Analysis: Gus Edwards was a great waiver pickup from last week, but Justice Hill was also much more useful for fantasy than expected and is still under 50% rostership. His 14 touches in Week 2 included three receptions – a refreshing new look for Baltimore’s offense. While the Gus Bus is more likely to see goal-line work, it’s Hill’s speed and receiving ability that make him a worthy addition in fantasy.

De’Von Achane (MIA): 45% rostered

• Next Opponents: DEN, @BUF, NYG
• True value: $10
• Desperate Need: $18
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: Achane is slowly creeping toward being ineligible for this column after spending the offseason and Week 1 as a stash play. He was activated in Week 2 in New England after missing the first game with a shoulder injury. Expect Mike McDaniel to slowly ease Achane into the fray before folding his illustrious speed into Miami’s relay team of an offense.

Tyjae Spears (TEN): 17% rostered

• Next Opponents: @CLE, CIN, @IND
• True value: $8
• Desperate Need: $13
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: The Titans haven’t done very well with bolstering their RB room around Derrick Henry, but Tyjae Spears is already earning a solid role through his first two professional games. The former Tulane back is very explosive in the open field and more than adequate as a receiver. This is less of a handcuff than it is a bet that the rookie will continue to carve out games with double-digit touches.

Matt Breida (NYG): 1% rostered

• Next Opponents: @SF, SEA, @MIA
• True value: $4
• Desperate Need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Saquon Barkley‘s lower-leg injury at the end of the Giants’ Week 2 win over the Cardinals is problematic for fantasy. Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell have barely seen the field to this point, neither making an impression. Explosive rookie Eric Gray has only seen the field as a kick returner. Beware the waiver spend for the sake of chasing a miracle, especially if Saquon only figures to miss Thursday’s game against the nasty 49ers defense.