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NFL Preseason Week 2 Review - Fantasy Impact

Week 2 of NFL Preseason game action is in the books. Chris Mangano reviews the important injuries, performances, and keeps an eye on depth chart risers and fallers for fantasy football owners during draft season.

As teams have now played two exhibition games, things are starting to get more clear. You'll hear a lot of overreaction from other sites, but we're here to tell you what really matters this early in the exhibition season.

There are two things that really matter this early in the preseason: injuries and player roles. Ignore noise like big-splash plays, or long runs against third stringers, and look deeper to see how the coaching staff appears to view players in accordance with the depth chart.

In case you missed the games, we are here to give you a rundown on the big news that affects fantasy owners and take note of whose stock rose or fell.

Editor's Note: Discover RotoBaller’s top Fantasy Football Sleepers to gain an edge in your drafts. Our free who to draft tool and expert picks spotlight undervalued players, breakout candidates, and late-round gems for all league formats.

 

Injuries

A.J. McCarron fractures shoulder, then doesn’t

Initial reports after the Bills second preseason game was that A.J. McCarron had a hairline fracture in his throwing shoulder. However, after a second opinion, it was deemed that there was no fracture. Still, it appears the Bills are ready to give their seventh overall pick Josh Allen the reigns regardless if McCarron is healthy or not.

Rex Burkhead tears knee

Bill Belichick always keeps injuries as under-reported as he can, but apparently, Rex Burkhead has a “slight” tear in his knee. Allegedly he could have played in the team’s second preseason game if it mattered, but considering he was gaining steam with rookie Sony Michel’s own knee injury, drafters have to be a bit worried. For now, everything seems to be OK, but Burkhead is likely not one you want to reach for without more clarity.

Adrian Peterson signs with Washington

While not technically an injury, injuries led to this signing. First Derrius Guice tore his ACL, then Samaje Perine limped off the field after his opening carry with an ankle injury. If that wasn’t enough, Byron Marshall also got hurt. So Washington went out and signed future Hall-of-Famer Adrian Peterson. Unfortunately, it’s not 2012, and this is not a hall of fame caliber player anymore. Rob Kelley was clearly the preferred option over Perine, but now we have to wonder what Peterson’s role will be. As I said last week, I either want Chris Thompson or no one in this backfield.

 

Stock Up, Stock Down

Christian McCaffrey - Stock Even Higher?

Ignore the 71-yard touchdown run that almost broke Twitter, Christian McCaffrey appears to be locked in as a workhorse back in Carolina. After playing all 15 snaps with the starters in the first preseason game, he played the first 17 in the second before giving way to C.J. Anderson for the night. McCaffrey had 117 carries a year ago, and Jonathan Stewart vacated roughly 200 more. If McCaffrey gets half of those and pushes over 200 carries, he will be an easy top-10 RB in PPR formats.

Trey Burton - Stock Up

Yes, Adam Shaheen hurt his ankle (not serious thankfully) but even before that Trey Burton was lighting it up. Through the first two preseason games, Burton has played 92% of snaps with starters, has been targeted on 33% of Mitch Trubisky’s throws, and has run 47% of his routes from the slot. Much like Travis Kelce who ran 50% of his routes from the slot a year ago under coach Matt Nagy, Burton looks like he will be a focal point of this offense.

Carlos Hyde Stock Up, Nick Chubb Stock Down

If it wasn’t obvious in the first preseason game that Carlos Hyde is the Browns starter, it is now. The starters played four series and Hyde was in on all of them. In total, he played 17 of 23 snaps with the starters, with Duke Johnson getting the other six. As for rookie Nick Chubb, it does not look good. Thus far the Browns starters have played 32 snaps and he has been in for zero of them. It doesn’t seem likely that Chubb will contribute early.

Royce Freeman - Stock Down

This one pains me, as I am one of the biggest Royce Freeman supporters out there. There is a lot of hype around Freeman right now, and I don't totally understand it. Through the first two preseason games, he and Devontae Booker have split the starter snaps dead evenly. In fact, Booker has started both games. Yet fantasy drafters are treating Freeman like he is locked into a starting role. Do I think it will happen eventually? Yes. But it may not be right away. Even if he does eventually get the starter gig, Booker and Phillip Lindsay will negatively impact his receiving ceiling. While I like Freeman to contribute this year, it may be time to slow down a bit.

John Brown - Stock Up

John Brown has been getting a lot of positive talk in Ravens camp this year, and he did not disappoint Monday night. Playing just about every snap with Joe Flacco, Brown was targeted twice on nine throws, including a red-zone target that resulted in a seven-yard touchdown. Brown appears to be the clear number two receiver and could become more of a 1B to Michael Crabtree's 1A. Still basically free in most drafts, Brown is becoming a must-draft late round pick.

Phillip Dorsett - Stock Up

For the second straight week, Phillip Dorsett started for the Patriots. Tom Brady and the starters played 35 snaps, and Dorsett was on the field for 27 of them - the same number as Julian Edelman and just two less than Chris Hogan. With Edelman suspended four games, Dorsett could have sneaky early season value. And if Edelman or Hogan go down, he can become a waiver wire hero.

Keelan Cole - Stock Up

After missing the first preseason game, Keelan Cole showed that he is the other wide receiver to own in Jacksonville along with Marqise Lee. Cole led all receivers with 22 starter snaps. Reports out of camp is that Cole and Lee have been receiving the majority of starter reps, and this usage confirmed it.

Ricky Seals-Jones - Stock Up

A popular “sleeper” pick at tight end, Ricky Seals-Jones has played 18-of-22 snaps with starter Sam Bradford. This is great news for Seals-Jones owners, as Bradford has historically targeted his tight end plenty. Seals-Jones was very good in limited playing time a year ago, and could be in for a nice season if he is going to be on the field this much.

Michael Gallup - Stock Up

Rookie Michael Gallup has been on the field for 33-of -39 snaps with Dak Prescott, and appears to be in Dez Bryant’s old X-receiver role. Gallup has six targets through the first two games, and had three of them on Prescott’s 15 throws in game two. Gallup has a chance to make an immediate impact as a rookie on a team that is relatively weak at wide receiver.

Courtland Sutton - Stock Up

When Courtland Sutton was drafted by Denver, many had him pegged as a Demaryius Thomas replacement down the road. But his role in this offense may already be here. He has primarily been the outside receiver opposite Thomas in three-receiver sets, with Emmanuel Sanders moving into the slot. If Thomas misses any time, Sutton will likely see an increased role. For dynasty owners, it’s nice to see that Sutton has already earned a role.

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Chicago White Sox

Billy Carlson Goes 10th Overall to White Sox
Cincinnati Reds

Steele Hall Selected Ninth by Cincinnati
Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays Select JoJo Parker with Eighth Overall Pick
Boston Celtics

Damian Lillard Drawing Interest from the Celtics
Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins Select Aiva Arquette with Seventh Overall Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates Select Seth Hernandez with Sixth Overall Pick
Kyle Stowers

Punishes Former Team with Three-Homer Game
St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Select Liam Doyle with Fifth Overall Pick
Daniel Gafford

Agrees to Contract Extension with Dallas
Colorado Rockies

Rockies Select Ethan Holliday Fourth Overall
Seattle Mariners

Kade Anderson Selected Third Overall by Seattle
Los Angeles Angels

Tyler Bremner Selected Second Overall by Angels in 2025 MLB Draft
Washington Nationals

Nationals Select Eli Willits First Overall
Cooper Flagg

Shut Down for Rest of Summer League
LeBron James

Hasn't Requested a Trade
Quinshon Judkins

Following Quinshon Judkins Arrest, NFL Declines Comment
Travis Hunter

Earning Praise in Jaguars Camp for Work Ethic
Memphis Grizzlies

Cole Anthony, Grizzlies Agree to Contract Buyout
Edward Cabrera

Hopeful to Avoid Injured List
Oneil Cruz

Absent on Sunday
Lars Nootbaar

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Jake Burger

Scratched on Sunday
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Back in Action on Sunday
Sean Manaea

Reinstated From Injured List
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Julius Chestnut

Kalel Mullings Competing for RB3 Role
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
Carlos Correa

Returns to Twins Lineup
Connor Norby

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Kimani Vidal

Fighting for No. 3 Job
Cam Hart

Recovering From Shoulder Surgery
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
Quentin Johnston

Might Not Get Many Chances to Prove Himself
Tre Harris

Officially a Holdout
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Should Move Up on Sunday
Ross Chastain

is a Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Josh Berry

Should Be Avoided in Fantasy at Sonoma
Chris Buescher

is A Great DFS Option to Consider for Sonoma Lineups
Riley Herbst

a Deep Sleeper at Sonoma
Joey Logano

May be A Sneaky DFS Option Who Can Pay Off for Sonoma Lineups
Austin Cindric

Could Austin Cindric Work for DFS Lineups at Sonoma?
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Worth Rostering For Sonoma DFS Lineups?
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek A Sneaky DFS Play for Sonoma?
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Probably More Valuable for DFS If He Doesn't Flip the Stage
Alec Bohm

Unlikely to Play on Sunday
Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Brady House

Homers Twice on Saturday
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

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MMA

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Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
Gary Woodland

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Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
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Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
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