Week 13 Waiver Wire: Examining Fantasy Football Lineup Options After Injury Reports

Week 13 Waiver Wire: Examining Fantasy Football Lineup Options After Injury Reports0 of 3

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The football gods sort of gave fantasy football managers a break during Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season.

Six teams were on a bye in Week 12, and another six will sit out Week 14. In Week 13, though, everyone is in action—although eight teams will have already completed their contests by the time you’re reading this.

Setting your lineup shouldn’t quite be as difficult as it has been (and will be next week), then, but you might still have spots to fill for injuries or areas to upgrade after ongoing disappointments. Let’s find a few potential plugins, then, who are available in 50-plus percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros.

Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (17 Percent Rostered)1 of 3

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Fire up the bus, folks!

When looking for an injury replacement in fantasy, it’s never a bad idea to search out the real-life replacement. That’s the primary selling point here, as Gus Edwards seems the likeliest fill-in for the Chargers—at least on early downs and around the goal line—with J.K. Dobbins sidelined by a sprained MCL.

Now, volume will be critical, as Edwards hasn’t exactly been the most efficient back this season. In fact, his 3.3 yards per carry are easily the fewest of his career, and his rushing touchdown in Week 12 was his first of the season.

As long as those carries come, though, that will help raise his floor. And who knows, maybe a heavier workload than he’s been seeing will help him find his rhythm. You’re hoping for a positive (or at least neutral) game script in this contest, but considering the Atlanta Falcons scored 23 games over their last two games combined, it’s hard to see the Chargers falling into a big enough hole where they’d have to abandon the running game.

Devaughn Vele, WR, Denver Broncos (1 Percent Rostered)2 of 3

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If you’re unfamiliar with Devaughn Vele, it’s time to familiarize yourself with Denver’s seventh-round rookie receiver.

The 6’5″, 210-pounder is emerging as one of rookie quarterback Bo Nix’s favorite targets. Vele has seen 18 passes sent his way over the past three games, and considering he turned those chances into 14 receptions for 185 yards and a score, he is doing what he can to ensure those targets keep coming.

“Vele’s doing good,” Broncos coach Sean Payton told reporters. “Very quickly we’ve seen his growth. … The strengths for him certainly are his hands. You guys saw it in camp. He has strong hands in traffic. He’s a guy that plays well over the middle. He reminds me a lot of [former Saints WR] Marques Colston, who I had in New Orleans for 10 or 11 years.”

Colston, for those with fuzzier memories, was also a sizable seventh-rounder with great hands and an ability to make plays. He spent all 10 of his NFL seasons with Payton in New Orleans, tallying 9,759 yards and 72 touchdowns.

Clearly, Payton thinks plenty of Vele to give him that kind of praise, and fantasy managers should take note. Vele’s hot streak has a great chance of continuing in a favorable matchup with the Cleveland Browns. If you’re on the fence about using DeVonta Smith or Keon Coleman (both questionable), Vele should get a long look.

Russell Wilson, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (22 Percent Rostered)3 of 3

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Russell Wilson has come back to earth a bit since his fiery start as the Steelers’ signal-caller.

A matchup with Cincinnati should give him a chance to launch back into orbit.

Only two teams have allowed more fantasy points to quarterbacks than the Bengals, per Yahoo. The last two quarterbacks to face the Bengals (Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson) each threw for 290-plus yards with six touchdown passes between them.

Wilson may no longer be that same caliber of quarterback, but he is clearly capable of making things happen. Even with the recent slowdown, he’s still averaging better than 240 passing yards and has eight touchdowns (seven passing, one rushing) with only two interceptions.

If you’re uneasy about the questionable designations given to Brock Purdy or Trevor Lawrence, Wilson offers an intriguing alternative.