Jake Ferguson Injury: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Replacements (Week 2)

With the injury to Jake Ferguson, 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 fantasy football waiver wire this week. And check out all our fantasy football waiver wire advice for the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Injury Replacements

Injury Outlook

Jake Ferguson diagnosed with MCL sprain
Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain.

Fantasy Impact

Ferguson will be forced to miss some time, but the good news here is the injury will not end his season. Luke Schoonmaker should step into the TE1 role and see additional targets until Ferguson can return.

Jesse Garcia

Waiver Wire Replacements to Target: Tight Ends

Written by Derek Brown

Isaiah Likely (BAL): 28% rostered

• Next Opponents: LV, @DAL, BUF
• True value: $14
• Desperate Need: $22
• Budget-minded: $8

Analysis: Likely went wild in Week 1 with a 29.3% target share, a 38.2% air-yard share, and 3.58 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). His 26.1 fantasy points will likely be a season high, but we can’t dismiss Likely’s usage. I do think this could be fool’s gold, as Likely still only had 60.8% route participation. The Baltimore offense will still have limited passing volume, and I doubt Mark Andrews continues to draw a 4.9% target share weekly. I agree with strong bids for Likely’s services for your team, but I won’t be emptying the clip or bidding with reckless abandon. If Likely’s production and Andrews’ production flip in Week 2, you’ll feel foolish for spending 35% of your FAAB on Likely.

Tucker Kraft (GB): 2% rostered

• Next Opponents: IND, @TEN, MIN
• True value: $4
• Desperate Need: $6
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Well, well, well. Kraft was the starting tight end for the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, not Luke Musgrave. Kraft entered the week injured, so my expectations were low. I certainly wasn’t expecting him to be the lead guy out of the gate. Kraft had only 56% route participation, but I expect this to climb as he gets healthier. He only commanded an 8.6% target share, but he produced 1.76 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). When he started last year while Musgrave was recovering from a lacerated kidney, Kraft was the TE12 in fantasy while ranking 12th in receiving yards per game and first downs per route run. Stashing him is a bet on talent. Kraft also has a wonderful matchup next week against Indy, which allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game and the seventh-most receptions to tight ends last year – although the Packers are likely to be starting Malik Willis at quarterback rather than Jordan Love.

Colby Parkinson (LAR): 6% rostered

• Next Opponents: @ARI, SF, @CHI
• True value: $4
• Desperate Need: $6
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Parkinson entered the streaming tight end conversation this week after playing 88% of the offensive snaps in Week 1. While he only drew a 10.2% target share in the Rams’ overtime loss to the Lions, Parkinson could see an elevated role with Puka Nacua hurt. Parkinson also gets a wonderful matchup this week against an Arizona pass defense that allowed the fourth-most yards per reception and the second-most receiving touchdowns to tight ends last year.

Tyler Conklin (NYJ): 20% rostered

• Next Opponents: @TEN, NE, DEN
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $3
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Last year, Conklin was the TE21 in fantasy points per game while ranking 18th in target share, 16th in receiving yards per game and 21st in yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). He could operate as the team’s WR3 until Mike Williams is up to speed. His upcoming matchups aren’t great, but Conklin is a serviceable volume option if you’re in a pinch with TE injuries.

Noah Fant (SEA): 32% rostered

• Next Opponents: @NE, MIA, @DET
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $3
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Fant is a matchup-based streaming option with some plus matchups ahead. Fant didn’t blow up in Week 1, so I get it if you’re scratching your head, wondering, “Why is his name here?” I know he only had a 16% target share and 11 receiving yards in Week 1. The matchup angle plays large here. After tangling with the Patriots in Week 2, Fant faces the Dolphins and Lions, who allowed the seventh-most and 11th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends last year, respectively.