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With so many injuries around important fantasy players, you can notice that you dig deeper on the exemption wire than you ever expected in the third week of the season. Here are five players to consider adding the exemption wire on the way to week 3 if you are in a pinch because of an injury.
QB Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings
The attack by Kevin O’Connell has consistently offered a good fantasy QB production, from Kirk Cousins to Sam Darnold to even Joshua Dobbs and Nick Mullen in spot starts. Wentz scored 22 fantasy points in four of his eight starts with 20-plus passing attempts since 2022, including a 26-point version in his last start (week 18, 2023 with the Los Angeles Rams). The Vikings should be given an important upgrade of their attacking line this week with left -wing Tackle Christian Darrisaw expected to make his seasonal debut. Wentz gets a good matchup against the defense of the Cincinnati Bengals, which allowed Trevor Lawrence to pass 271 Yards and three touchdowns last weekend. It will not be nice, but if you have to take a Quarterback from a distance to start in week 3, Wentz has a good chance of becoming a top 12 fantasy producer.
Available in 97% of ESPN competitions and 95% of Yahoo! Competitions.
RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson will have the most imagination list as their RB1 for week 3; However, there is enough room for both Robinson and Allgeier to have a big day. The Carolina Panthers have allowed the most fantasy points and hasten to run back since the beginning of the 2024 season. In their two matchups against the Panthers last year, Robinson had an average of 139 scrimmage yards and 28.4 fantasy points per match, while Allegier recruited on average 88.4 per game.
Allgeier was involved in the Falcons Backfield this season and has seen double digits in the first two weeks. The gamecript of the Falcons’ Week 3 can be similar to their week 2 -matchup against the Vikings, who all allowed Allgeier to collect hurry while he closed the match with a big lead in the fourth quarter.
Available in 63% of ESPN competitions and 62% of Yahoo! Competitions.
RB Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
Bears’ starts to run back D’Andre Swift has to do with a groin injury that has limited him in practice this week and can keep him out or can keep it limited in their week 3 match. If Swift is missing the game or is unable to record a full workload, Monangai would be the next man. There were several reports all summer that Monangai was impressive in the Bears training camp, and he played as Swift’s Back -Up during the first two weeks, even with Roschon Johnson Active. Monangai saw his snap increase from 13.4% in week 1 to 41% in week 2 -he received eight touch for 26 Yards.
If Monangai sees an increased workload this weekend, he could have a big match against the weak defense of the Dallas Cowboys. The cowboys were Cameron Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. To combine 23 fantasy points against them in week 2 and Saquon Barkley to score 18.4 points against them in week 1.
Available in 95% of ESPN competitions and 92% of Yahoo! Competitions.
Wr Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers
This season, Austin played at 87% of the attacking snaps of the Steelers – he and DK Metcalf are the only broad recipients in the team who play at least 30% Snaps or have three or more goals during the first two weeks. Austin already has a great fantasy version this season under his belt and ends with 70 receiving yards and a touchdown for 17 fantasy points in week 1 against the New York Jets.
Steelers recipients have an excellent matchup against the New England Patriots this weekend, which have allowed the second most receiving yards per match and fantasy points this season to the broad recipient. No team has allowed more receptions of more than 20 meters this season to broad recipients than the patriots, while Austin leads the Steelers with three receptions of 20-plus meter. The Patriots have already allowed three broad recipients to score 17-plus fantasy points against them during the first two weeks (Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill and Jakobi Meyers).
Available in 89% of ESPN competitions and 83% of Yahoo! Competitions.
WR Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans
Ayomanor fell on the fourth round of the NFL design of 2025 after he was considered Stanford. Unfortunately, Stanford’s wrestling attack last season did not allow Ayomanor to set up large numbers, which led to his slide in the design. He offers good size, speed and body control to be a good receiver in the NFL, and he proves that during his first weeks in the competition.
This season, Ayomanor is leading all Rookie-wide recipients with a 23.2% team objective this season and has had at least six goals in both competitions with a solid 56-yard and One-Touchdown performance in week 2.
This Sunday, Ayomanor will have a favorable matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, which have to do with injuries in their secondary – Jeylon Jones is on an injured reserve and Charvarius Ward is currently in a concussion protocol. With these injuries, Ayomanor should see a heavy dose of Xavien Howard in coverage, and he gave up many large plays to the recipients of Denver Broncos last weekend.
Available in 81% of ESPN competitions and 81% of Yahoo! Competitions.
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