Turf toe doesn’t sound nearly as bad as it is. The injury to the base of the big toe causes pain described as getting a nail driven into the bottom of one’s foot.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts after an injury during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Joe Burrow knows that sensation well. The Cincinnati quarterback suffered the injury in Week 2 when a pile of linemen descended on his foot. And that pretty much ended the 2025 season for the former Heisman Trophy winner.
He’s not the only QB on the sidelines. The Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy will likely miss a few weeks with a high ankle sprain. Washington’s Jayden Daniels hurt his knee, and the Jets’ Justin Fields has a concussion. Oh yeah, and the 49ers’ Brock Purdy is still out.
So this will be a big week for quarterback hunting on the waiver wires. Here is a handful of dudes that are still available in most leagues:
Jake Browning (Bengals)
Burrow’s replacement has actually played well the past couple of years in relief. He passed for 241 yards and two touchdowns in their comeback win over Jacksonville. He’s not a particularly great option this week against the Vikings, but he should be good for the remainder of the fantasy season.
Jake Browning #6 of the Cincinnati Bengals reaches across the goal line for a touchdown while playing against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the game at Paycor Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Daniel Jones (Colts)
You probably already missed your chance to grab the NFL’s hottest QB. He has passed for 588 yards, thrown for two touchdowns and, most importantly, ran for three scores. And Indy has been blessed with one of the league’s lighter schedules, including this week’s matchup against modestly talented Tennessee.
Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass against the Denver Broncos during the second half in the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Sam Darnold (Seahawks)
The Vikings’ savior of 2024 is still looking pretty good a year later. He looked great last week in Pittsburgh, with 295 yards and two TDs. And he might look even better this week versus the Saints.
Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers (Steelers)
He’s just a shadow of his former hall of fame self, but No. 12 has 447 yards and five TD passes through the first two weeks. Not bad. This week he should look even better against the meager New England defense.
Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball during the first quarter ..against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)
We’re still waiting for the former No. 1 pick to become the star he was supposed to be. He has 449 yards and four TDs so far, and he has a nice set of targets, including rookie Travis Hunter. And a soft schedule, led by this week’s date with Houston.
Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks to pass during the second quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Sitting stars
Rams RB Kyren Williams hasn’t wowed anyone so far, and he won’t against Eagles’ top defense. … Two other RBs that will underwhelm this week are Houston’s Nick Chubb versus the Jaguars and Jacory Croskey-Merritt against Las Vegas. … Bears WR D.J. Moore will continue to be eclipsed by teammate Rome Odunze against Dallas. … Carolina QB Bryce Young will be cooled off by Atlanta’s improved defense. … And while Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes will regain his mojo on Sunday night, the Giants’ Russell Wilson will lose whatever temporary mojo he had last week against the Cowboys.
Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half in the game at Nissan Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Matchup game
We said Green Bay RB Josh Jacobs would hit paydirt last week, and he did. This week he makes it 11 games in a row with a TD against Cleveland. … But we were wrong about Seattle RB Kenneth Walker III, who will have another nice game vs. Saints. … Cincinnati will rely more on RB Chase Brown against Vikings. … Miami’s terrible secondary will wake up Bills receivers Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir. … Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers and D.K. Metcalf will keep connecting against New England. … Baltimore WR Zay Flowers’ hot start will continue against Detroit. … And New Orleans’ Juwon Johnson will again be a top tight end vs. Seattle.
Josh Jacobs #8 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball against the Washington Commanders during the third quarter in the game at Lambeau Field on Sept. 11, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Injury watch
Besides quarterbacks, the biggest absence will be Vikings running back Aaron Jones, who’s on injured reserve with an injured hamstring. So Jordan Mason could have a big game. … Washington RB Austin Ekeler is done for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon, and Packers WR Jayden Reed is out for a while with a broken collarbone. … Notables listed as questionable include four receivers (Jaguars’ Brian Thomas, Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy, Niners’ Jauan Jennings, Texans’ Christian Kirk) and Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Deepest sleeper
Denver wide receiver Troy Franklin came into the league two years ago with his Oregon teammate, Bo Nix. They were quite a combination in two seasons in Eugene, with Franklin tallying 2,274 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns. Through the first two weeks on ‘25, Nix has completed 12 passes to Franklin for 133 yards and a TD. Franklin appears locked in as the Broncos’ No. 2 receiver, and this week likely is your last chance to claim him.
Troy Franklin #11 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Thursday pick
Dolphins at Bills (-12½)
Pick: Bills by 17
James Cook #4 runs for a touchdown as Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills reacts during the second quarter in the NFL 2025 game between Buffalo Bills and New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
Related Articles
The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 2: Last-minute moves
The Loop NFL Picks: Week 2
The Loop Fantasy Football Report Week 1: Last-minute moves
The Loop NFL Picks: Week 1
The Loop: Nipsey Russell’s 2025 NFL Preview
Leave a Reply