Josh Downs' Stock Down After Underwhelming Week 1 Usage 0mLink copied!

Sep 18, 2026, 1:51 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush has again been named the starter ahead of the team's Week 2 divisional matchup with the Carolina Panthers, with head coach Kevin Stefanski confirming on Friday. Rush was thrust into a starting role two days ahead of the Falcons' season-opening loss to the Steelers, when Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) popped up on the injury report and was ruled out with an oblique injury. With the Falcons already ruling out 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. ahead of Sunday's game, Rush will make his second consecutive start, making all Falcons pass-catchers difficult to trust even against a Panthers defense fresh off allowing 59 points to the Chicago Bears. Rush completed only 12 passes in Week 1, with eight going to running back Bijan Robinson, while Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. combined for four targets, two receptions, and 29 yards. Rush is RotoBaller's QB32 for Week 2.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Atlanta Falcons

Sep 18, 2026, 1:38 PM ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) missed the team's season-opening loss to the Bengals with a knee injury sustained midway through training camp, and head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Friday that he will be listed as questionable ahead of Tampa's Week 2 matchup with the Browns, considering him a game-time decision. McMillan logged full practice participation on Wednesday and Thursday, and Bowles gave no indication of any setback Friday, so he appears to be trending toward his season debut. The third-year player missed four games as a rookie with lingering hamstring issues and was limited to only four games in 2025 after suffering a serious preseason neck injury, but he has been an impactful fantasy presence whenever healthy and active.--Patrick McGrath
Source: River Wells

Sep 18, 2026, 1:30 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (back) was inactive in the team's season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons last weekend, but his future with the organization is in question after the two sides failed to agree to a contract extension before the start of the 2026 regular season, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor and Jeremy Fowler. The 26-year-old was put on the Physically Unable to Perform list this summer and missed all of training camp with an aggravated back injury that he reported in late July. Porter was listed as limited on Wednesday for conditioning purposes, but he was back to being listed with a back injury on Thursday. Head coach Mike McCarthy has declined to give specifics on Porter's timeline or availability for Week 2 against the New England Patriots. "I don't know if he ever puts on a Steelers uniform again," a source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN. There has been a significant difference between the Steelers' view of Porter's value and how he views himself. The Steelers' organizational precedent that does not fully guarantee a large portion of the contract was considered a sizable hurdle. The emergence of defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. has not helped Porter's case. He could remain out indefinitely with his back injury.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor and Jeremy Fowler

Sep 18, 2026, 1:27 PM ET

Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 2 matchup with the Cowboys, according to team senior writer Zach Selby. Okonkwo exited his Commanders debut, a season-opening loss to the Eagles, after making two catches for 16 yards, and he has been unable to practice all week leading up to a second consecutive divisional matchup. Head coach Dan Quinn told the assembled media on Friday that Okonkwo is working hard and the team will reassess his status next week when Washington hosts the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Zach Selby

Sep 18, 2026, 1:18 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) was spotted during the media accessible portion of Friday's practice for the first time since undergoing meniscus trim surgery on September 9th. Bowers missed the Raiders' season-opening win over the Dolphins, but his camp has held to a recovery timeline of 1-2 weeks, despite the procedure generally requiring a 4-6 week absence. Bowers' presence on Friday is an encouraging sign, and fantasy managers will need to check the team's official injury report when it is released later in the day for further information on his participation level. The third-year player was RotoBaller's TE1 heading into the 2026 season, and he should be viewed as a must-start as soon as he is made active to play.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Sam Warren

Sep 18, 2026, 1:02 PM ET

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (back) was a full participant in Friday's practice and is good to go versus the Houston Texans in Week 2, head coach Zac Taylor told Ben Baby of ESPN. Burrow was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday after coming out of the Week 1 season-opening win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with back soreness, but it was nothing serious, and Burrow will suit up this weekend against a Texans team with a strong pass rush. The 29-year-old three-time Pro Bowler is coming off a Week 1 performance against the Bucs in which he threw for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 35 pass attempts. Despite the tough matchup this Sunday and coming off a minor back injury, Burrow should be considered a must-start QB1 in traditional fantasy leagues for the second game of the 2026 season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Baby

Sep 18, 2026, 12:54 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (ankle) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and has been cleared to play in the Week 2 contest this Sunday in Atlanta against the division-rival Falcons, according to the team's official website. Coker tweaked his ankle in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears and was seen in a walking boot on Monday. He put in two limited practices to begin the week but ultimately has been cleared to play. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent from Holy Cross will be looking for an encore this weekend after one of his best games as a pro in the season opener, when he caught eight of nine targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns against Chicago. Now that Coker has been cleared to play against Atlanta, he should be treated as a strong WR3/flex option for fantasy managers with upside for WR2 numbers as Carolina's WR2. If Coker can play a full season in 2026 -- injuries limited him to 22 total games in his first two seasons -- there is clear breakout potential here.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Panthers.com

Sep 18, 2026, 12:29 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush is taking the majority of the throws with the starters in the final practice of the week on Friday, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Raimondi notes that this is the same way last Friday looked before Rush made the start in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has been practicing in full as he finishes off the final stages of his recovery from a partially torn ACL late last year, but without full first-team reps in practice this week, he is unlikely to make his 2026 season debut this weekend against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) has not practiced all week and is expected to be officially ruled out for Week 2 on Friday. The 32-year-old Rush threw for 143 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in last week's 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he could be in for a better showing this weekend against a Carolina defense that gave up nearly 60 points to the Chicago Bears in the season opener.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi

Sep 18, 2026, 12:24 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) is back at practice on Friday after not going on Thursday due to a heel injury, according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. Pierce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, so his absence on Thursday could have just been for rest purposes. The 26-year-old also suffered a wrist/hand injury in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but tests later revealed that it was nothing serious. All signs are pointing towards Pierce being ready for the Week 2 tilt this Sunday night on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs, but fantasy managers will want to check back on his status on the team's final injury report on Friday. The former second-rounder in 2022 from Cincinnati has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons, and he should be considered a boom/bust WR4/flex in fantasy lineups this weekend if he is active. Pierce caught four of his six targets last Sunday for 61 yards in the 41-23 loss to the Ravens.--Keith Hernandez
Source: 107.5 The Fan - Kevin Bowen

Sep 18, 2026, 12:20 PM ET

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) is participating in practice on Friday, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Flowers missed the first two practices of the week before returning to practice on Friday, although it is unclear whether he did enough on Friday to gain clearance to play in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. Before injuring his hamstring in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts, the 26-year-old made his fantasy managers happy with five catches on his six targets for a career-high 150 yards and his first touchdown of 2026. Despite returning to the field on Friday, Flowers is very much up in the air for Week 2, and fantasy managers must check back for his final status on Friday's injury report. Rookie Ja'Kobi Lane fractured his wrist in Week 1 and is on Injured Reserve, so if Flowers cannot play this weekend, the Ravens will be using Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, and rookie Elijah Sarratt, who was a healthy scratch in the season opener, in starting three-wide sets against New Orleans.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec

Sep 18, 2026, 12:11 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. disappeared from the passing game in Week 1, finishing without a catch on one target against Pittsburgh. He was still on the field for 38 of Atlanta's 60 offensive snaps, so the problem wasn't playing time. It was involvement. Bijan Robinson drew 10 targets, Drake London had four, and Jahan Dotson saw three while Pitts got one. That's a sharp change from 2025, when Pitts finished with 118 targets, 88 catches, 928 yards, and five touchdowns on his way to a TE2 finish in PPR scoring. The quarterback situation gives him some cover. Tua Tagovailoa has yet to practice this week with an oblique injury, while Cooper Rush and Michael Penix Jr. have both been full participants. Atlanta still hasn't announced who will start Sunday. Pitts can rebound quickly if the passing game settles down, but one target after last year's volume is enough to knock his fantasy stock down heading into Week 2.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 18, 2026, 12:03 PM ET

Houston Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is not practicing on Friday morning and is not expected to play on Sunday in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals after suffering a Grade 1 hamstring injury during Wednesday's practice, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Collins also did not practice on Thursday, and he could be ruled out entirely on the team's final injury report on Friday. Fantasy managers should remove Collins from their starting lineups right now for a healthier option. It will be a big loss for Houston's offense as they try to keep up with Cincy's high-scoring attack this weekend. Collins, 27, caught seven of 10 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown in a strong season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills last weekend. With Collins heading for an absence in Week 2, Kayshon Boutte, Jaylin Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson are expected to start in three-wide sets for the Texans. Boutte, who caught just one of his two targets for 21 yards in an underwhelming debut with the team, could be in line for a much larger workload on Sunday with Collins likely sidelined.--Keith Hernandez
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson

Sep 18, 2026, 12:01 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (ankle) was back on the field Friday, according to Joe Person. Coker rolled his ankle in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to Chicago but stayed in the game and finished with eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He opened the week in a precautionary walking boot, then was limited Wednesday and Thursday. Dave Canales said earlier this week that he expected Coker to play against Atlanta and hoped to turn him loose Friday. Carolina had not posted its final injury report at the time of this update, so Coker's official Week 2 designation is still pending. His participation Friday is another encouraging sign that he'll be available.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Joe Person

Sep 18, 2026, 11:58 AM ET

Kicker Jason Sanders will be the New York Jets' kicker again for their Week 2 contest at home against the Green Bay Packers, head coach Aaron Glenn told Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Sanders will once again be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for this Sunday's game as the Jets try to improve to 2-0. The 30-year-old former seventh-rounder in 2018 from New Mexico made three of his four field-goal attempts and both of his extra-point tries in the 23-10 Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday, with his only miss coming from 50-plus yards out. It was a nice showing in the season opener and was enough to hold off Blake Grupe, who remains on the Jets' roster as kicking insurance. In most fantasy football leagues, there should be better streaming options available at the kicking position than Sanders, who will need to continue to play well to hold off Grupe.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt

Sep 18, 2026, 11:49 AM ET

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that the hope and belief is that Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald will make his season debut in the Week 2 Monday night tilt against the New York Giants. It is not a guarantee that Donald will be cleared to play on Monday, but all signs are pointing to the All-Pro pass-rusher making his much-anticipated return to the Rams for the team's home opener on national television. Donald did not make the trip to Australia with the Rams for the Week 1 season-opening loss to the division-rival San Francisco 49ers last Thursday, but it appears he is in better football shape a week later and is raring to go. It is great news for L.A. after they placed star pass-rusher Myles Garrett (knee) on Injured Reserve this week, but if Donald does return on Monday, fantasy managers in IDP formats should be hesitant to start him because he will most likely be on a strict snap count in his first NFL game since retiring after the 2023 season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

Sep 18, 2026, 11:45 AM ET

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (back) was out for the team stretch during Friday's walkthrough, according to Paul Dehner Jr. That's another good sign after Burrow was limited Wednesday and Thursday with back tightness. Burrow has been clear all week that he expects to play Sunday in Houston. He threw for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 25-of-35 passing in the opener against Tampa Bay. Cincinnati had not posted its final Week 2 injury designations at the time of this update, so Burrow's official status is still pending. Barring a change there, he is expected to start against the Texans. UPDATE: Burrow was a full participant on Friday and feels good, according to BengalsTalk.com's Jay Morrison--Bruno Mulé
Source: Paul Dehner Jr.

Sep 18, 2026, 11:42 AM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) was not seen during the stretching period of practice open to the media on Friday, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. Pittman did not practice on Thursday due to a foot injury and was limited on Wednesday. He could still return to the practice field on Friday, but as of right now, the veteran wideout is looking extremely questionable to play in the Week 2 game this Sunday against the New England Patriots. The former second-rounder in 2020 from USC by the Indianapolis Colts caught all three of his targets for 58 yards in his team debut in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons last weekend, but he might be on the cusp of missing his first game of the year in 2026. Fantasy managers should be checking back for Pittman's final status on Friday's injury report. If he does not play or is limited in any way this weekend, DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, and rookie Germie Bernard would be in line for more targets, as well as tight end Pat Freiermuth. Pittman is shaping up as a pretty risky WR4/flex play for fantasy managers this week.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo

Sep 18, 2026, 11:34 AM ET

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith was still on the field for almost everything in Week 1, but the fantasy return wasn't there. He caught three of six targets for 53 yards against Washington while playing 52 of 55 offensive snaps. Six targets led the team. That part is fine. The concern is how crowded things can get when Philadelphia doesn't throw much. Jalen Hurts attempted only 25 passes, and Dallas Goedert turned five targets into 77 yards and two touchdowns. Dontayvion Wicks had four targets and finished with 73 yards and a score. Smith isn't losing his job or suddenly getting squeezed off the field, so this is a mild drop rather than a major warning sign. Still, a near-every-down role only goes so far if the Eagles keep the passing volume down and Goedert and Wicks are taking meaningful chunks of it. Smith comes out of Week 1 with his usage intact, but a little less margin for error than fantasy managers hoped.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 18, 2026, 11:24 AM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip) should be much more involved after playing only one offensive snap in the opener. Head coach Liam Coen told Ryan O'Halloran that he "fully anticipates" Allen returning to a regular role on third downs. That was Allen's specialty as a rookie. He logged 146 third-down snaps last season, far more than any other Jacksonville running back, even though he finished with only 33 offensive touches. Allen caught 10 of his 11 targets for 54 yards and also earned trust in pass protection. He has remained limited at practice this week with the hip injury, so there is still some uncertainty about how quickly the Jaguars expand his workload. Still, Coen's comments make it clear that the one-snap showing against Cleveland isn't what Jacksonville has planned for Allen going forward. His path to fantasy relevance remains through passing-down work rather than a large rushing role.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Ryan O'Halloran

Sep 18, 2026, 11:14 AM ET

New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle) will not play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, according to Zack Rosenblatt. Cooper sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday after being labeled week-to-week earlier in the week, so the rookie will miss at least one game. He made an impact before getting hurt in the opener, turning his only target into a 30-yard gain that set up New York's first touchdown. Cooper played just five offensive snaps before leaving. The MRI brought encouraging news, and the hope remains that he can return within four weeks, though there is no firm timetable yet. Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell remain atop the receiver group, while Isaiah Williams played 40 offensive snaps in Week 1 and should stay involved with Cooper unavailable.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Zack Rosenblatt