As the NFL season progresses, fantasy football managers should be scouting the waiver wire for injured players who could provide significant value later in the season. With injuries mounting across the league, several high-upside players sit on waivers in many leagues. Here are seven players worth considering as long-term stashes, depending on your roster construction and available IR spots.
For a full report on all players on IR, check out the IR Injury Report. This article differs in focusing on players who might be dropped and whether you should stash them.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk remains on the PUP list recovering from torn ACL and MCL injuries suffered in Week 7 of last season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has targeted a Week 6 return for the veteran receiver, though the timeline could extend into the Week 6-10 range depending on his recovery progress.
Brandon Aiyuk looks really close to being ready
His return might come sooner than we think… #FTTB
pic.twitter.com/M6KtKPupZQ— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) September 11, 2025
The apparent upside is that Aiyuk has been a high-end WR2 before, posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023. While Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings are solid players, neither possesses true WR1 capabilities. If Aiyuk can return to 75% of his pre-injury form by Week 12, he could be a difference maker during the fantasy playoffs when healthy players become increasingly scarce.
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
According to recent reports, Brock Purdy is dealing with turf toe and is expected to miss only another week or two. Initially projected to miss up to five weeks, the timeline has become more optimistic, with NFL insiders suggesting he could return as early as Week 4.
With Joe Burrow now requiring season-ending surgery, Jayden Daniels dealing with a knee sprain, Justin Fields sidelined with a concussion, and J.J. McCarthy expected to miss a month with an ankle injury, the quarterback position has become decimated league-wide.
It’s entirely possible Purdy was dropped in some leagues due to the initial pessimistic timeline. However, he should return to fantasy QB1 status when healthy, making him an excellent stash candidate if available.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
Tyjae Spears suffered a high ankle sprain during preseason action against Tampa Bay on August 9 and was placed on injured reserve. Although the typical recovery time for high ankle sprains is 4-6 weeks, nearly 10 weeks will have elapsed by his Week 5 eligibility date.
Tony Pollard’s unexceptional performance to start the season creates an opportunity for Spears to assume a larger role upon his return. Fantasy managers witnessed Spears’ ceiling in Week 17 of last season when he handled a feature workload. If available, he represents excellent lottery ticket value for the stretch run.
Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans
Joe Mixon remains on the NFI list with a mysterious foot/ankle injury he sustained during offseason workouts away from the team facility. While he’s eligible to return in Week 5, the lack of progress updates and concerning comments from coaches suggest a more prolonged absence is likely. The earliest realistic return would be Week 7 following Houston’s bye week, but even that doesn’t remain very certain.
If he does return healthy, Mixon would immediately reclaim his workhorse role, given the lack of quality alternatives in the Houston Texans backfield.
Mixon represents the most speculative of these stashes. The most likely scenario this season is that he doesn’t play at all, making him only worthwhile for managers with abundant roster flexibility.
Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers
Jayden Reed underwent surgery earlier this week to repair his broken collarbone suffered against Washington. Given that he is now forced to miss two months, he had his Jones fracture fixed as well. The timeline for return potentially brings him back in November.
While Reed has shown explosive potential with three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, he’s not an every-week fantasy starter caliber player, making him a speculative stash at best.
The Packers have adequate depth with Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Matthew Golden to weather his absence. Fantasy managers should not burn a valuable roster spot on Reed unless they have an open IR spot for the extended wait.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson seems to be flying under the radar while recovering from his injury. Between Reed’s extended absence, Matthew Golden’s limited involvement, and Watson’s proven weekly upside when healthy, he could end up with a more prominent role than anticipated upon his return.
Watson is expected to return to practice around Week 6 following Green Bay’s bye, which could put him back on the field in the Week 8-10 range. His big-play ability and red-zone target potential make him intriguing in an offense that should be more efficient this season.
Can’t wait for Christian Watson to get back for the Packerspic.twitter.com/3axB5oji86
— MVP10VE (@MVP10VE) September 10, 2025
However, like Reed, Watson should only be stashed if managers have an open IR spot. His injury history and the depth chart situation make him a risky hold on active rosters.
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers
Jalen Coker represents one of the most intriguing under-the-radar stash candidates available. The Panthers have a clear WR1 in Tetairoa McMillan, but lack a viable WR2 option. That role belongs to Hunter Renfrow, whom Carolina cut after the preseason because Coker had won the WR2 job outright. The team only brought Renfrow back due to Coker’s quad injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined until Week 7.
When Coker returns, he should be able to reclaim the WR2 position he earned in camp. Xavier Legette certainly isn’t doing anything to prevent Coker’s return to prominence, and the organization already made its feelings clear about the Coker versus Renfrow competition. He could emerge as a sneaky WR4/Flex play during the peak bye week and injury period later in the season.
