Brenton Strange Injury: Fantasy Football Impact and Waiver Wire Options

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange has been placed on injured reserve with a hip injury sustained during Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs, dealing a significant blow to both the Jaguars' offense and fantasy managers who relied on his breakout performance.

Strange suffered the injury in the second quarter of Jacksonville's 31-28 victory over Kansas City after running a route with no contact on the play. He managed just one 22-yard reception before exiting and did not return to the game. The hip injury will sideline him for at least four weeks, with the earliest possible return being Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Fantasy Impact

This is a devastating blow to fantasy managers who invested in Strange as a breakout candidate. Through five games, Strange led the Jaguars with 20 receptions for 204 yards, averaging 8.08 PPR fantasy points per game. His 83.3% catch rate on 24 targets demonstrated reliable hands and consistent target volume that made him a viable TE1 option in deeper leagues.

Strange was dramatically outpacing his 2024 production, projecting for 68 receptions and 694 yards over a full season compared to just 40 catches and 411 yards in 2024. Based on current PPR rankings, tight ends with his target share and efficiency typically rank in the TE8-12 range, making this injury particularly impactful for managers seeking consistent production at the position.

The immediate fantasy impact includes a significant opportunity for backup tight ends on Jacksonville's roster, though none possess Strange's proven chemistry with Trevor Lawrence. Fantasy managers should also consider that Strange's 4.8 targets per game will likely be redistributed among other pass-catchers, potentially boosting the value of Brian Thomas Jr. and other Jaguars receivers.

During Strange's absence, the Jaguars face Seattle, Las Vegas, Houston, and the Chargers - a mixed bag of matchups that would have provided both favorable and challenging opportunities. His blocking ability was also crucial to Jacksonville's rushing attack, making this loss felt beyond just receiving statistics.

Next Steps

Fantasy managers must immediately explore waiver wire options at tight end, as Strange's reliable target volume will be difficult to replace. Monitor Jacksonville's practice reports for updates on backup tight ends and consider prioritizing players from teams with upcoming favorable matchups against defenses that struggle against tight ends.

Keep Strange on your roster in redraft leagues if you have IR spots available, as reports indicate this is not a season-ending injury. In deeper leagues, his return could provide valuable late-season production for playoff runs.

Watch for any roster moves Jacksonville makes to address the tight end position, as they may sign a veteran who could immediately impact target distribution. The timeline suggests Strange could return for the fantasy playoffs if he heals properly, making him a potential stash candidate for managers with playoff aspirations.

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