Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 10: Injuries, Notes, & Waiver Wire

by Samwise · Featured
fantasy football injuries waiver

Blink and you missed it: Week 10 of the NFL in 2025 comes on the heels of an up-and-down ninth week that is sure to demand decisions that will affect your season. Welcome back to another entry into the annals of “Fantasy Whiplash!” This rolling stone gathers no moss, as every Tuesday, the consequences become more dire as the fantasy season picks up speed. Following is all the latest fantasy football news on injuries, updates, and waiver wire wonders you’ll need to heed heading into another week.

Strap in for everything Week 9 had to offer, as managers move on. Was he a one-hit wonder? Did someone flash and wind up back in the free agent pool? The information comes at you from every angle, like so many roster adjustments being made at 12:59 p.m. on a Sunday. Come along for a long-winded stream of consciousness rivaled only by the YouTube show/podcast of the same name (9 p.m. EST Tuesday nights on YouTube).

Given the current circumstances, there is yet more wisdom to weigh regarding the latest noteworthy developments in the NFL and how they impact you, the manager. This may include trending thoughts from industry analysts on Twitter, as well as my own perspectives on specific subjects. It’s all for the benefit of everyone, from casual fans to accomplished veterans.

Gear up for the stretch run to the playoffs. We’re flying to the moon so that we can play among the stars. Let’s go.

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Fantasy Football News

The Byes Keep Bye-ing

‘Tis the season of desperation! Fantasy managers everywhere are forced into difficult (or not so … see above) decisions to remain afloat in their leagues. This is also the No. 1 time that players do too much … aka “tinkering.” On the one hand, you have a stalwart in your lineup who is not particularly sexy but has been reliable. But the flipside is an explosive, shiny new car whose playing time is not guaranteed. To top it all off, each has choice traits, like so many post-Halloween Snickers versus 3 Musketeers decisions. At the time, you’ll surely choose incorrectly. In hindsight, you had it right all along. That is why “tinkering” can be the downfall of any team, even one currently in the driver’s seat.

“Let Me See what Life is Like”

The grass is not always greener, and mistakes are bound to be made at the most inopportune times. It’s how the fantasy manager recovers that separates the contenders from the bridesmaids. The temptation is always to do too much instead of what got you to this juncture to begin with.

If you have a squad that somehow defied the odds this season to establish (what I assume is) a commanding league lead, now is precisely not to switch horses in mid-stream. This is what “tinkering” can do to a team. Do you want to look back and say that you lost/won with your best team? The one that got you to 7-1? Or would you prefer the opposite and hear “…and THEN he drops Maye!” at every league meeting until the end of time?

There is a time and place to make the appropriate moves to improve your fantasy football team. Successful managers weigh their options carefully, research the moves, view upcoming schedules, and ask, “Do I care if this player is on a competitor’s team?” If the answer is no, then it’s not going to shake up the core of your team, and “Go with god.” If the answer is yes, you’d better be shooting for the moon. This is only advisable if the team is middling and you need a Hail Mary to make the postseason. Sugar, we’re going down swinging.

Step Aside, Puny Man

To the aforementioned end, there is a time and place to make those desperation heaves that may pay off in a run to the playoffs. As we say again and again, the hardest part is getting there. Once you’ve arrived, it’s “Any Given Sunday” times ten. The muscle-bound best team rarely wins in fantasy football, leaving a glimmer of hope for the scrawny, pasty-white wallflower who just wants a shot alone at the weights.

Life as a fantasy football manager is a lot like that. After all, you don’t have to actually play football or be the biggest dude. Rather, being the most savvy can have you doing mental gymnastics around that 30-year-old who still talks about that time they won State in 2013 and he got the most popular girl in school’s … best friend.

There is a Time and Place to Flex Your Muscles

It’s of the utmost importance not to let your league mates dictate how to behave in fantasy football. You can evaluate drops and calculate FAAB all you like. That’s research, and it has the potential to give you a leg up. Looking ahead at potential playoff schedules when adding players can do the same thing.

Nowhere is it more important to not let your competition dictate your choices than in pre-matchup projected point totals. Even the most disciplined fantasy football managers have fallen into the trap of trying to get the higher projected total on their respective platforms. I have news: You can do a better job than whatever AI they use or some intern cutting his teeth in the industry. Trust your gut. If you are surprised at one player being projected higher, find out why.

At the risk of putting a lot of “analysts” out of work, try to switch from “should I start this dude or this dude,” and start asking someone who will take the time out to explain why the projections are the way they are. First off, there are a lot of analysts and prognosticators who are great guys and gals who are always excited to help. Or, pay for a service that will put everything in black and white. Even better, find someone you like and respect and work out a person-to-person deal.

If none of these things are appealing, trust your judgment. Once you start asking five different start/sit questions the same week with the same team, it’s not really your team anymore. There has to be some heavy lifting done on your end. You will have more fun and satisfaction playing this silly little game.

Now let’s get to the good stuff.

Walking the Waiver Wire

If you are hitting the wire tonight, here are some winners:

Fantasy Football Injury Watch

Quarterbacks

  • Jayden Daniels (WAS) has a badly dislocated elbow and is out indefinitely, but the injury does not require surgery. Whether he returns or not is likely dependent on Washington’s play in the coming weeks.
  • C.J. Stroud took a bad hit and wound up in concussion protocol. He is unlikely for Week 10, which would give Davis Mills the start.
  • Brock Purdy (SF, toe/shoulder) and Kyler Murray (ARI, foot) are each still listed as day-to-day and could try to return for Week 10.

Running Backs

  • Bucky Irving (TBB, shoulder) is still listed as day-to-day but is without a timetable to return.
  • Omarion Hampton (LAC, ankle) remains on the injured reserve (IR). He will not return until after the Chargers’ Week 12 bye at the earliest, per HC Jim Harbaugh. Fantasy managers should not be expecting a comeback.
  • Trey Benson (ARI, meniscus) has recovered from surgery and is attending meetings. While he is working with trainers, he has not returned to practice. Benson is eligible for reinstatement after this weekend, but will likely remain out until Week 12. He is a sneaky waiver-wire stash for the playoffs at only 59% rostered.
  • All other running back injuries are listed as day-to-day. Monitor practice reports.

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

  • Garrett Wilson (NYJ, knee) said he intends to play in Week 10.
  • Terry McLaurin (WAS, quad) re-injured his quad and is out for a minimum of two weeks. Likely more.
  • Ricky Pearsall (SF, knee) is day-to-day but without a timetable. He has already been ruled out for Week 10.
  • Cooper Kupp (SEA, hamstring) plans to return in Week 10. The Seahawks also added Rashid Shaheed to their wide receiver room.
  • Chris Godwin (TBB, ankle) is still “getting close,” but has no timetable.
  • Marvin Mims (DEN, concussion) is almost a lock to miss Week 10. The Broncos play on Thursday night.
  • Tucker Kraft (GBP, ACL) has been lost for the season.
  • Cole Kmet (CHI, back) re-aggravated a lower back injury but was able to return to Week 9’s game … then exited with a concussion that will likely keep him out of Week 10

More “Whiplash!” to Come

Next Tuesday, we’ll go again with more football junk food before you settle in for waiver wire claims! More Quick Hits and Injury Updates than you can shake a stick at. Use your head! Don’t make unnecessary moves, and make the good ones count. Pay attention to playoff schedules. Smash the waivers, steal some drops, talk some smack, and get your popcorn ready. People are counting on you … pedal to the metal!

Keep in mind, on “Fantasy Whiplash! LIVE” at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesdays (that’s tonight!), we dig deeper into waiver wire gems, fades, and sleepers! I’ll see you back next Tuesday for all your fantasy football news needs.

Be sure to check us out on “Fantasy Whiplash LIVE!” wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube at 9 p.m. EST every Tuesday night! It’s completely different from the hum-drum same-old you’re used to! Have some fun in the chat and drop questions if you’ve got ’em!

For more articles from PlayerProfiler, check out the fantasy home page – NFL Fantasy | PlayerProfiler – Fantasy Football News & Media and follow Samwise on Twitter/X @BuyAndSellYou!