Jayden Daniels knee sprain casts doubt on Week 2 eligibility for the Washington Commanders against the Las Vegas Raiders. MRI confirmation hints at a potential absence, elevating Marcus Mariota to a possible first start since 2022, with Josh Johnson as the emergency backup. The injury backdrop includes hamstring issues for John Bates and Noah Brown and season-ending losses of Ekeler and Wise earlier in the year, creating a significant fantasy ripple through Washington’s Week 2 outlook.

For fantasy managers, Daniels status shapes the passing game’s ceiling, Mariota’s rushing upside, and the viability of a thin receiver corps. If Daniels sits, Washington leans on a run-first approach with a veteran QB, and the Raiders’ defense could force more ground work. The interplay among the backup QB trio and the injury-riddled depth chart will define waiver priorities and lineup decisions this week.

Week 3 tight end waiver pickups carry strong fantasy upside with George Kittle sidelined for San Francisco. Zach Ertz leads Week 3 adds for Washington, while Juwan Johnson and Brenton Strange remain hot on the radar in New Orleans and Jacksonville. Harold Fannin Jr. continues to ride hype from preseason, and Noah Fant has overtaken Gesicki in Cincinnati. Jonnu Smith, Chig Okonkwo, Davis Allen, and Dalton Schultz all offer plausible streaming or depth plays in the early season.

Targets and role matter most early in the year, and these options provide varying floors and ceilings based on quarterback play and matchup. The list emphasizes volume, red-zone chances, and tactical usage, giving fantasy managers several overlapping paths to week-by-week production as offenses settle in. Consider roster flexibility and opponent strength when deciding who to add or start in Week 3.

To navigate these choices, use waiver tools and compare up to four players to identify the best fit for your lineup, especially with ongoing injuries and early-season spread. These options are designed to fill tight end gaps quickly while you monitor in-season developments and the health of key quarterbacks.

Week 2 injuries reshape fantasy NFL rosters. Burrow's toe surgery outs him for months; Browning starts, elevating Chase's and Higgins' ceiling only if Cincinnati stabilizes at QB. Reed's 6-8 week absence widens Packers targets to Wicks, Doubs, and Kraft while Love powers the offense. Ekeler's season-ending injury opens Croskey-Merritt as Washington’s lead back, with Jones’ hamstring risk looming. Fields' concussion creates Jets QB uncertainty, boosting Tyrod Taylor as a streamer. Week 3 brings more volatility as backfields and pass-catching duties shift to fill the gaps.