Week 2 was a tough one for injuries in the NFL, especially at QB, where fantasy stars Jayden Daniels (elbow) and Caleb Williams (hamstring) each left with potentially significant injuries. If you were counting on those players for fantasy production, where should you turn going forward?

In this post, we’ll run through the latest on the injuries to both star quarterbacks and look at a few of the top options to consider as fill-ins for the next few weeks. For more waiver wire options, check out my top Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3.

Jayden Daniels Injury Update

Daniels stumbled after taking a snap against the Cowboys on Sunday, and he landed awkwardly as he tried to brace himself with his left arm. After the game, Commanders coach Dan Quinn gave this update:

Daniels could have surgery to help secure the elbow, which would be a longer-term solution, but it would require him to miss the rest of the season. If he opts to return without surgery, he would likely return in about four weeks, but he would have a very high risk of the injury recurring once again.

Stay tuned for a clearer timeframe, but for now, expect Daniels to be sidelined for multiple weeks but not miss the season. He should be held on your bench if at all possible.

Caleb Williams Injury Update

While scrambling in the rain against the Vikings on Sunday, Caleb Williams went down, grabbing his leg with what looked like it could be a serious injury. After the game, it was announced that he was dealing with a hamstring injury, and on Monday, Tom Pelissero reported that further tests confirmed that Williams avoided major injury.

Williams could not even miss any time, but he is considered week-to-week, according to Ben Johnson, so having a strong backup plan ready to roll will be important, especially since the Bears don’t play this week until Monday, potentially forcing managers to make a decision on Williams before his final status is decided.

Holding onto Williams is unquestionably a good idea, but be sure to have him covered with a good option in Week 3 in case he does end up missing the tough matchup against the Eagles’ ferocious pass rush.

Top Five QB Replacements from the Waiver Wire Week 3

If you’re hitting the waiver wire looking for Week 3 options, here is a quick rundown of some of the top options to consider

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Young was the QB3 in Week 1 and the QB6 in Week 2. He led the Panthers to a dominant win over the Falcons in Week 2, racking up 287 yards and three touchdowns while completing 23-of-32 passes. He threw two touchdowns and ran for a score in Week 1, and has been very impressive in both Carolina’s games. He also has a favorable schedule with the Browns and Lions in the next two weeks.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

I highlighted Shough in my top waiver wire pickups for Week 3 after he led the Saints to a win on the road in Baltimore. He was the QB4 in Week 1 and the QB7 in Week 2, just behind Young both weeks. Coach Kellen Moore definitely trusts Shough to throw the ball a lot, with 90 pass attempts in two weeks. He threw for four touchdowns and 410 yards in Week 1 and then threw for a score and ran for a score in Week 2. He has back-to-back home games against the Raiders and Falcons before hosting the Vikings in Week 5. The Saints and Panthers are both trending up, and these young QBs are 1 and 1a to target on the waiver wire if you’re shopping for replacement options.

Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders

If you’re in a league where Young and Shough are snagged already, Cousins could be a solid pickup to consider after his hot start with the 2-0 Raiders. He threw three touchdown passes in each of the first two weeks against the Dolphins and the Chargers. He looked especially sharp in Week 2 on his way to 253 passing yards and connected with WR Tre Tucker after focusing on RB Ashton Jeanty in Week 1. He’ll be getting Brock Bowers back in action, giving him another elite pass-catcher, as he heads to the Big Easy to take on the Saints. He has a tough Week 4 matchup against the Chiefs and then a road game in New England, but he has proven he can still be a fantasy option in the Raiders new passing game.

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Watson turned back the clock in Week 2 with his best performance since joining the Browns. He threw for 238 passing yards and two touchdowns on the road in Tampa last week and added 22 rushing yards. This week, he faces the Panthers, who have allowed the most FPTS to QBs this season. He did enough to keep the starting job for another week and has some young playmakers around him in the offense. If you need just a one-week patch for Williams, he’s an interesting option who is available in over 95% of fantasy leagues.

Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders

If you need a replacement while Daniels is out in a deep league without many options, one consideration could be to go with a direct replacement and turn to Mariota, like the Commanders. Mariota’s starts will match up for as long as Daniels is out, and he threw for 111 yards and a touchdown in relief of Daniels on Sunday. The Commanders offer a solid group of skill options around him, including Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, and Chig Okonkwo. Mariota doesn’t have an extremely high ceiling, but he should put up decent numbers as he has in the past.