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Adam Thielen A High-End WR2 Against The Falcons
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen has been a bright spot for the Carolina Panthers of late and a reliable target for young quarterback Bryce Young. In Week 17 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thielen caught five of his six targets for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Over the past five weeks, Thielen has put up 13 plus fantasy points in four of those contests. Thielen, a two-time pro-bowler for the Minnesota Vikings (2017, 2018), has lost a step or two with his age (34) but is finishing the 2024 campaign strong and is in a prime spot to continue to do so in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are stout against the run. However, they have given up the fifth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers on the season. Fantasy managers can confidently start Thielen as a WR2 in Week 18.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
More Recent News
Zach Charbonnet Will Not Return to Practice this Week
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) will not return to practice this week, per Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune. Charbonnet is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he recovers from a torn ACL and is not eligible to return until Week 5. However, he is now eligible to begin practicing with the team as he ramps up toward a potential return. While certainly not definitive, Charbonnet's lack of practice participation may signal that he's unlikely to come off the PUP list when first eligible. Without Charbonnet, Seattle has relied on running backs Jadarian Price (shoulder), Emanuel Wilson, and George Holani so far in 2026. Charbonnet recorded 730 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns across 16 games in 2025 and could take over the team's RB1 role upon his return. He could be worth stashing in an IR spot where possible, but fantasy managers should be aware that Charbonnet may not return until midseason.
Source: Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Source: Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Skyy Moore's Big Return Doesn't Make Him a Priority Add
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Skyy Moore finally made a splash in Week 2, but almost all of it came on special teams. Moore caught two passes for six yards against the Jets and ripped off a 63-yard punt return that helped set up the game-tying field goal. Jayden Reed (neck) is now dealing with an injury serious enough that head coach Matt LaFleur said it is too early to know whether he will play again this season. That opens snaps, but it does not automatically make Moore a fantasy starter. Christian Watson and Matthew Golden remain ahead of him in the passing game, and Moore has only two catches through two weeks. RotoBaller's September 23 mid-week waiver rankings have him 61st overall and recommend him only in 14-team PPR leagues. Moore is worth a deep-league stash while Reed's situation develops, but standard-league managers should wait for actual target volume before spending a roster spot.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonathon Brooks Could Miss Eight Weeks After Core-Muscle Surgery
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that the timeline for running back Jonathon Brooks (abdomen, groin) to return after undergoing core-muscle surgery is six to eight weeks, per Steve Reed of The Associated Press. Per Reed, Canales said that the return timeline with or without the surgery "would have been about the same," prompting the team to take the surgical route. It's the latest in a long line of injury setbacks for Brooks, who has appeared in just five games since Carolina selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Across two games in 2026 before getting injured, the 23-year-old recorded nine carries for 30 yards and two catches for 43 yards on three targets. With Brooks sidelined, Panthers RB1 Chuba Hubbard could take on an even larger share of the team's backfield work. Carolina also hosted veteran running back Austin Ekeler for a workout on Wednesday, but no deal between the two parties has been announced yet.
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
DeeJay Dallas Can Stay on the Waiver Wire
Minnesota Vikings running back DeeJay Dallas got three touches in Week 2, but there still is not much of a fantasy case here. He carried twice for eight yards and caught one pass for 12 yards against Chicago after making a one-yard catch in the opener. Jordan Mason's fractured thumb and move to injured reserve opened a roster spot for Dallas, not a meaningful role. Minnesota still lists Aaron Jones Sr. first on the depth chart, Demond Claiborne second and Dallas third. Jones handled 23 carries in Week 2, while Claiborne remains the more interesting stash if managers want exposure to this backfield. RotoBaller's September 23 mid-week waiver rankings have Claiborne 55th overall and leave Dallas off the top 85 entirely. That lines up with the usage. Dallas can stay on waivers in standard leagues and does not need to be rostered unless the Vikings lose another back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Not a Sure Thing for Week 3
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) did not practice Wednesday, and his availability for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay is up in the air. Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported that Jones is "not a sure thing" to play after he worked through the injury during last week's win over Chicago. He still finished that game with 23 carries for 105 yards. Minnesota is already without Jordan Mason, who landed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery on a fractured thumb. Asked what the backfield would look like without both Jones and Mason, head coach Kevin O'Connell first mentioned DeeJay Dallas and rookie Demond Claiborne. Dallas has two carries for eight yards this season. Claiborne has yet to record an NFL rushing attempt but caught one pass for two yards against Chicago. If Jones can't go, there isn't an obvious one-for-one replacement in this backfield.
Source: Kevin Seifert
Source: Kevin Seifert
Jadarian Price Expected to Practice This Week
Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (shoulder) is expected to practice at some point this week, according to Mazvita Maraire. Head coach Mike Macdonald wasn't sure whether Price would be able to get on the field Wednesday, but this is another encouraging update after he left Sunday's win over Arizona. The injury was initially announced as a chest issue before Macdonald clarified Monday that it was actually Price's shoulder and did not appear serious. The rookie has started both games for Seattle, rushing 23 times for 104 yards while catching three passes for 14 yards. He had 13 carries for 52 yards before leaving against the Cardinals. Emanuel Wilson finished that game with 21 carries for 92 yards and would be in line for more work if Price can't play Sunday against Washington. With Zach Charbonnet still unavailable, getting Price back would be a significant boost to Seattle's backfield.
Source: Mazvita Maraire
Source: Mazvita Maraire
Sam Darnold Being Ramped Up Ahead of Week 3
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) will practice Wednesday, but he won't take every rep as the team works him back in, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. Head coach Mike Macdonald said Seattle plans to ramp Darnold up throughout the week and would like to make a decision by Friday on whether he can play Sunday against Washington. Darnold injured his glute on Seattle's opening drive against New England and missed last week's win over Arizona. This is still encouraging progress after there was initially no firm timetable for his return. If Darnold isn't ready, Drew Lock would make another start after completing 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns against the Cardinals. For now, Darnold's status remains something fantasy managers will need to follow through Friday.
Source: Brady Henderson
Source: Brady Henderson
Johnny Mundt Is Better Left on Waivers
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Johnny Mundt is going to see the field while Dallas Goedert (knee) is out, but that does not make him a strong waiver target. Mundt caught two of three targets for eight yards against Tennessee and played 49 of 76 offensive snaps, already starting alongside Goedert before the injury. The bigger issue is what Philadelphia did next. The Eagles brought Zach Ertz back on the practice squad, and RotoBaller's FAAB column flatly notes that Mundt is not a starter. His history points the same way. Mundt has never reached 200 receiving yards in a season and has only four touchdowns in his NFL career. There may be a random short touchdown while Goedert is sidelined, but the target ceiling is hard to trust, especially if Ertz is elevated for Monday night. Mundt can be monitored in very deep leagues, but most fantasy managers should leave him on waivers and look elsewhere for Week 3 help.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emari Demercado Is a Deep-League Lottery Ticket
Dallas Cowboys running back Emari Demercado has almost no standalone fantasy value right now. He has five carries for 15 yards through two games and has not drawn a target, while Javonte Williams has handled 24 carries and eight receptions. The reason Demercado still matters is pretty simple. Dallas lists him second on the depth chart, with Tyler Goodson behind him, and Malik Davis (hip) is out for the season after undergoing surgery. That leaves Demercado with a much cleaner path to touches if something happens ahead of him. For now, though, fantasy managers are stashing the role rather than the production. RotoBaller's September 23 mid-week waiver rankings have Demercado 59th overall and recommend him in 14-team leagues. He is not worth forcing onto a standard 10- or 12-team roster, but managers in deeper formats can hold him as a lottery ticket in case the Dallas backfield suddenly opens up.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Konata Mumpfield Needs More Than Snaps to Matter
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Konata Mumpfield got plenty of playing time Monday night, but almost none of the passing game came with it. With Puka Nacua (hip/groin) and Jordan Whittington (quadriceps) inactive, Mumpfield led the Rams' wide receivers with a 69% snap share and caught one of two targets for 12 yards. That is the part fantasy managers should focus on. The opportunity was there, and Matthew Stafford still looked elsewhere, with Davante Adams and the tight ends doing most of the damage. Nacua's status for Week 3 against Denver remains uncertain, so Mumpfield could stay on the field if Los Angeles is short-handed again. That does not make him a 12-team pickup yet. RotoBaller has Mumpfield 60th on its September 23 mid-week waiver board and recommends him only in 14-team PPR leagues. He is worth a deep-league stash while the injuries sort themselves out, but he needs more than snaps before fantasy managers can trust him.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Devin Singletary's Week 1 Role Did Not Hold
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary saw his role shrink quickly in Week 2. After getting 10 touches and scoring on a reception in the opener, he finished Monday's loss to the Rams with three carries for nine yards and no catches. Cam Skattebo handled 12 carries, Najee Harris got four in his season debut, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. is still part of a crowded depth chart behind Skattebo. There is no clean No. 2 job here for Singletary to lean on. His Week 1 receiving work at least showed one way he can stay involved, but fantasy managers should not chase that touchdown after what happened Monday night. RotoBaller's September 23 mid-week waiver rankings have Singletary 50th overall and recommend him only in 14-team leagues. That feels like the right range. He can be held in deeper formats, but 10- and 12-team managers should have better uses for the roster spot.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonah Coleman Dealing With Sprained Ankle
Denver Broncos rookie fourth-round running back Jonah Coleman (ankle) is dealing with a sprained ankle that he suffered in Sunday's Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Second-year back RJ Harvey continues to make progress with his hamstring recovery (he missed Week 2), and the team also received good news on J.K. Dobbins, who dealt with leg cramping on Sunday. Dobbins is expected to practice this week. It is not what fantasy managers who just picked Coleman up off waivers this week want to hear, but it still remains to be seen if his ankle injury will keep him from playing in a Week 3 showdown on Sunday night against the visiting Los Angeles Rams. The 23-year-old did not get involved at all on offense in the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, but with Harvey out and Dobbins leaving the Week 2 tilt, Coleman had 10 carries for 39 yards and his first NFL rushing touchdown while catching all three of his targets for 19 yards. He has plenty of fantasy football appeal despite Denver's crowded backfield. However, with his new ankle injury and both Harvey and Dobbins potentially playing this weekend, fantasy managers might need to be patient.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Aaron Jones Sr. Won't Practice on Wednesday
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) will not practice on Wednesday, head coach Kevin O'Connell told Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The Vikings placed Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve last week, so their backfield is extremely thin heading into a Week 3 matchup on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones was the leader of the Vikings' backfield in the Week 2 win over the division-rival Chicago Bears by a mile, handling 23 carries for 105 yards. However, Jones is now banged up, and the Vikings want to take some of the load off his shoulders while Mason is out. The Vikings signed Jaret Patterson for more backfield depth on Tuesday behind rookie Demond Claiborne and DeeJay Dallas. If Jones is unable to play this weekend because of his knee injury, the Vikings would likely split their backfield with Dallas and Claiborne on Sunday. At best, Jones is shaping up as a low-end RB2 this weekend against Tampa, and we will have to see what the rest of the week holds as far as his practice participation.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Brock Bowers "Day-to-Day," Will Practice on Wednesday
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will be evaluated "day-to-day" and also said that Bowers will practice on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers has a very good chance of making his season debut in Week 3 on the road against the New Orleans Saints as long as he gets through the week of practice without any setbacks to his knee. Bowers missed the first two weeks of the 2026 season following a meniscus trim that he had on his left knee on Sept. 8, but he appears to be itching to go this weekend against the Saints. The 23-year-old former first-rounder was a limited participant in practice last Friday, but hopefully he can upgrade to full at some point this week. In his absence for the first two games, Michael Mayer did not make a huge statement, but he was adequate, catching nine of 11 passes for 55 yards. Bowers has elite TE1 upside for fantasy football managers when he is healthy, and he should be returned to all starting lineups if he is active in Week 3.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Nico Collins Not Practicing on Wednesday
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday, according to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. Collins injured his hamstring at practice last Wednesday and did not play in the Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans are hopeful that the 27-year-old is not out long-term, but there is no guarantee that he will play this weekend on the road against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts. Fantasy managers who have Collins rostered should be prepared for a potential second straight missed game. Receiver Kayshon Boutte had a bigger role in his second game with Houston last week with Collins out, and Xavier Hutchinson was also targeted frequently by quarterback C.J. Stroud. Second-year wideout Jaylin Noel will remain in starting three-wide sets if Collins misses another game. But perhaps the safest fantasy floor will belong to tight end Dalton Schultz, who exploded for 12 catches and 140 yards on 14 targets last week with Collins sidelined.
Source: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime
Source: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime
Rico Dowdle in Boot, Not Seen at Practice
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) had a boot on his left foot and was not seen practicing during the period of practice open to the media on Wednesday, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. Jaylen Warren was also not seen at practice on Wednesday, so the Steelers' backfield has some question marks going into a Week 3 divisional meeting against the Cincinnati Bengals. Warren seems to be the healthier of the two, but we might not have a better read on this situation until later in the week. The 28-year-old Dowdle, who is coming off two straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons, has gotten off to a slow start with the Steelers in 2026 and is now banged up. He carried the ball 15 times for 37 yards (2.5 yards per carry) and caught four passes for 28 yards through the first two weeks of the season. If Dowdle cannot gain clearance to play this weekend against Cincy, rookie Eli Heidenreich would be in line for a much bigger role in an offense that has looked very sluggish early on.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Andrei Iosivas Heading to Injured Reserve with Thumb Injury
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (thumb) tore a ligament in his thumb and will be placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the next four games. Head coach Zac Taylor told the media that the fourth-year receiver will return at some point this season, but his absence should serve to funnel even more of the offense through Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Through two games, Iosivas has been the only other wide receiver on the roster to see more than two targets, though he has turned those opportunities into only 19 total yards. The third spot in three-receiver sets could now see a rotation between fourth-round rookie Colbie Young and former CFL star Dohnte Meyers, but the passing offense will continue to run through Chase and Higgins, with running back Chase Brown also likely to see an uptick in targets.
Source: Ben Baby
Source: Ben Baby
Tyjae Spears Missing Practice with Soreness
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (soreness) is not practicing on Wednesday, with head coach Robert Saleh attributing his absence to general soreness. Both Spears and starter Tony Pollard were given the day off as the team begins preparation for a Week 3 matchup with the Giants. Now in his fourth season with the Titans, Spears was expected to carve out a significant pass-catching role after a strong training camp, but he has caught only two passes in each of the team's first two games. Through two weeks, only the Vikings have gained fewer total yards than the Titans, making fantasy viability difficult to find out of Tennessee. While neither Spears nor Pollard appears at risk of missing time, their statuses will need to be monitored throughout the week, and if either or both face limitations, it could lead to an expanded role for fifth-round rookie Nicholas Singleton.
Source: Turron Davenport
Source: Turron Davenport
Tony Pollard Not Practicing as He Deals with Soreness
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (soreness) is not practicing on Wednesday, with head coach Robert Saleh telling the media that he is dealing with soreness. The 29-year-old veteran has seen a team-leading 24 opportunities to begin the year, converting those looks into 99 yards without a score. Change-of-pace back Tyjae Spears is also missing practice with general soreness, and while neither absence appears to be overly serious, rookie Nicholas Singleton is at least a player to keep tabs on heading into a Week 3 matchup with the Giants. The fifth-rounder was a healthy inactive for the season opener before carrying the ball four times for 10 yards in Week 2, but he could see a larger workload if either veteran faces limitations.
Source: Turron Davenport
Source: Turron Davenport
Caleb Williams Will Not Practice on Wednesday
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring) and Tyson Bagent (concussion) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN. Head coach Ben Johnson said the Bears have confidence in any of their three QBs to start on Monday against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he praised general manager Ryan Poles for how the QB room is constructed. Johnson does not know who will start under center on Monday, but he knows that Case Keenum will practice on Wednesday. Williams strained his right hamstring late in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. The 24-year-old avoided a significant hamstring injury, but at the same time, he is viewed as unlikely to be ready to suit up again on Monday night. With Bagent suffering a concussion after replacing Williams on Sunday, the Bears could be down to third-stringer Keenum against the Eagles. Fantasy managers should have Williams on their bench this week while also downgrading all of the offensive skill players.
Source: ESPN.com - Courtney Cronin
Source: ESPN.com - Courtney Cronin
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