Just because an NFL player is injured and will be on the shelf -- for a little (or longer) while -- doesn't mean you should completely avoid him in fantasy football.
This is especially true if you have some IR spots that can be filled with a player who is on the actual injured reserve list. Sometimes, the best strategy with a talented player like that is to wait until the later rounds when that player is overlooked and to snatch them with a late pick.
In this case, we're ranking the names who could be noteworthy IR stashes in your draft. Let's run through some of them and rank them based on priority:
1. RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Obviously, rookie Jadarian Price is going to handle a lot of work from the get-go, and we may see more George Holani than we think. But Charbonnet
is coming back from a torn ACL in the playoffs, and when he does return, it's possible he'll get more work than you think he might. I'd take him late and stash him in the hopes that he's a factor by the middle of the season.
2. RB James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Jeremiyah Love is injured and a rookie. Tyler Allgeier will have a role. And Conner? The veteran with a foot injury will miss at least the first four games. Given some of the uncertainty here, I'd recommend a stash in the hopes that he's a factor in the offense sometime in October or November.
3. WR Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans Saints
He was a first-round pick for the Saints who could be out a while as he returns from a hamstring injury. And hamstring injuries can sometimes lead to reinjuries if not treated right or a player is rushed back. Given his draft pedigree and talent, the Saints may not want to get him back on the field so fast, so temper your expectations. I'd only take him in deep redraft leagues.
4. WR Tank Dell, Houston Texans
He's working his way back from a devastating knee injury, and despite the fact that the Texans traded for Kayshon Boutte, the WR2 role is a lot more open with Jayden Higgins out for the year.
5. WR Christian Kirk, San Francisco 49ers
I dunno. Throw a dart in extremely deep leagues in case you don't believe in the rest of the Niners' WR room.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 IR stashes for fantasy football drafts in 2026: Is Jordyn Tyson tops?
