Burrow Injured, Rankings Shift as NFL Fantasy Season Progresses
As the NFL fantasy football landscape evolves, injuries and performances are reshaping player rankings for the remainder of the 2025 season. Notably, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is sidelined until December due to a toe injury, prompting a significant shift in the rankings. Burrow, who was the No. 3 quarterback scorer last season, has been replaced in the rankings by backup Jake Browning, who previously demonstrated his potential over a seven-game stretch in 2023.
Browning now finds himself ahead of several starting quarterbacks, as the competition intensifies entering Week 3. There are key developments at the quarterback position, with Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts making a surprising leap into the QB1 conversation. Meanwhile, Dak Prescott from the Dallas Cowboys and Jared Goff from the Detroit Lions are also climbing closer to that tier following strong performances.
Amid these changes, Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers has dropped out of the top ten due to injury, while Caleb Williams from the Chicago Bears continues to struggle, moving further away from the QB1 range.
Running Back Rankings See Major Injury Impact
In the running back category, the injury to Austin Ekeler of the Washington Commanders has significant implications for fantasy teams. Ekeler will miss the rest of the season due to an Achilles injury, creating an opportunity for rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. While the Commanders may adopt a committee approach in their backfield, Croskey-Merritt’s ascension could provide some value to fantasy managers.
Despite recent dips in performance, Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens and Ashton Jeanty from the Las Vegas Raiders should not cause panic among fantasy owners. Other players like Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks and Javonte Williams of the Dallas Cowboys are also emerging as reliable RB2 options.
The situation is less favorable for TreVeyon Henderson of the New England Patriots, Aaron Jones Sr. from the Minnesota Vikings, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. of the New York Giants. Each of these players is facing challenges that could impact their fantasy viability moving forward.
Wide Receiver Rankings Shift Amid Strong Performances
At the wide receiver position, Rome Odunze of the Chicago Bears has emerged as a top option, surpassing DJ Moore after a noteworthy start to the season. Four wide receivers scored over 30 PPR points in Week 2, including top performers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Malik Nabers, and Ja’Marr Chase.
The rankings have shifted significantly, with Davante Adams from the Los Angeles Rams, Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks, and Zay Flowers from the Baltimore Ravens making notable climbs. In contrast, players like A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles and Drake London from the Atlanta Falcons need to step up their performances to maintain their standings.
Notably, DeAndre Hopkins, Troy Franklin, and Elic Ayomanor have entered the rankings, while injured Jayden Reed of the Green Bay Packers has dropped out due to a collarbone injury.
As the season progresses, fantasy managers will need to stay vigilant and adapt to the ever-changing landscape, making strategic decisions to optimize their teams for potential success in upcoming weeks.
