September 16, 2025
Heading into Week 2, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Marquise Brown was a popular waiver-wire target following his 16-target, 10-catch performance in Week 1. Even with top Chiefs wideouts
Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and
Rashee Rice (suspension) sidelined in Week 2, Brown was not nearly as prolific against the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing with five receptions for 30 yards. Early indications are that Worthy could return for Kansas City's Week 3 matchup against the New York Giants, which could limit Brown's target volume even further. Still, the 28-year-old looks like the Chiefs' clear WR2 until Rice is eligible to return in Week 7. Brown profiles as a WR4/low-end flex option in Week 3, although his outlook would improve if Worthy misses another game.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 16, 2025
Tennessee Titans running back
Tyjae Spears (ankle) suffered a high ankle sprain in preseason action and was placed on Injured Reserve before the start of the regular season. Given the nature of Spears' injury, he may be able to return as soon as he is eligible in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Titans have been a one-man show at running back so far this season, with
Tony Pollard having logged 38 of the team's 40 rush attempts by running backs through the team's first two games. However, this was not the case down the stretch of 2024, when Spears logged double-digit touches in each of the final three games he played. Spears finished the 2024 season with 536 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns across 12 games and should have a consistent role in the Titans' offense once healthy in 2025. In fantasy leagues where he is available, Spears is a worthy stash in an IR spot ahead of his impending return.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 16, 2025
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle (hamstring) suffered a hamstring injury and was placed on Injured Reserve prior to Week 2. As a result, the 31-year-old will not play until at least Week 6, when San Francisco is set to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the 49ers' first game without Kittle in Week 2, tight ends
Luke Farrell and
Jake Tonges combined for six catches, 45 receiving yards, and a touchdown. Kittle's return timeline could coincide with returns for 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe) and wide receiver
Brandon Aiyuk (knee). That could mean that San Francisco's offense could be firing on all cylinders when it welcomes Kittle back to the lineup. For fantasy managers with an open IR spot, this could be an interesting time to try and buy low on Kittle.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 16, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Tank Dell (knee) suffered a gruesome knee injury in December 2024, dislocating his knee and tearing his ACL, MCL, and LCL. The 25-year-old wideout was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list in August, meaning he is not eligible to return until Week 5. The most likely scenario remains that Dell will be out far longer than that. Given the timing of his 2024 injury, it would not be surprising if Dell does see any game action in 2025. Dell is worth stashing for future production in dynasty leagues, but he should not be on the radar of redraft fantasy managers unless there is a significant change in his return status.
--Will BradySource: USA Today - Jack McKessy
September 16, 2025
Seattle Seahawks running back
Kenneth Walker III acknowledged that
Zach Charbonnet is expected to continue splitting the backfield with him. Through two games, Charbonnet has outsnapped Walker (56% to 38%) and handled more carries (27 to 23). Head coach Mike MacDonald reinforced that approach, saying, "We're playing the long game. We want both backs to play the whole year." Walker also stated that he's buying into the committee approach to preserve his health. "I believe we have two great backs." Walker's history of injuries is expanding, as he missed six games in 2024 and multiple others earlier in his career. For fantasy purposes, Walker's upside is capped, and he should be valued as a high-end RB3 rather than his typical high-end RB2 profile.
--Nathan HarveySource: Gregg Bell - The News Tribune
September 16, 2025
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Jalen Coker (quad) is expected to play a significant role in the team's passing attack once he returns from injury. The second-year receiver suffered a notable quad strain prior to the season and was placed on injured reserve. In his absence,
Hunter Renfrow has stepped into a larger role, playing 79% of the snaps through two weeks and catching seven passes on nine targets for 48 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2. While Renfrow has been serviceable, the Panthers view Coker as a core piece moving forward. Fantasy managers should consider stashing him ahead of his potential Week 6 return.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 16, 2025
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver
Kyle Williams has yet to carve out a meaningful role in the offense. Through the first two games of the season, the 2025 third-round pick has been on the field for just 13% of the team's snaps and has only one target to show for it. Williams has been buried on the depth chart behind veterans
Stefon Diggs,
Mack Hollins, and younger receivers
Kayshon Boutte and
DeMario Douglas, all of whom have earned more consistent playing time. Until his role grows, Williams holds little fantasy appeal and is droppable in most formats.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 16, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jordan Addison will return from suspension in Week 4 when the team faces the Pittsburgh Steelers in London. Addison is serving the final game of his three-game suspension for offseason DUI charges. As a key piece of the Vikings' offense, Addison has posted 133 receptions for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns through his first 32 NFL games. However, his fantasy outlook has dipped with rookie quarterback
J.J. McCarthy battling inconsistency and a high-ankle sprain early in the season. Addison should be reinserted into lineups as a low-end FLEX option upon his return, with room for upside if McCarthy improves from under center.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 16, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Rashee Rice is expected to return to a full workload in Week 7 after serving his six-game suspension for reckless driving charges stemming from the 2024 offseason. In his three full games last year, Rice was highly efficient, catching 24 of 29 targets for 288 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs' passing attack has struggled in his absence, with
Patrick Mahomes currently sitting outside the top 15 in passing yards through two weeks. Rice's return should immediately boost the offense, making him a high-end WR2 in fantasy and providing Mahomes with a much-needed reliable weapon. His presence will likely cut into the target shares of
Travis Kelce and
Marquise Brown, though both will remain heavily involved.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 16, 2025
San Francisco 49ers legend Jerry Rice urged fans to temper expectations for wide receiver
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) earlier this offseason, noting, "It's going to take some time for him. I'd rely on those other guys to do most of the work and blend (Aiyuk) back in." Aiyuk is still recovering from the torn ACL and MCL he suffered in Week 7 of last season and has yet to resume practicing. In his absence, the 49ers have started 2-0 with steady contributions from
Jauan Jennings and rookie
Ricky Pearsall. With no firm return timeline, Aiyuk remains an uncertain fantasy asset and should not be counted on for meaningful production in 2025.
--Nathan HarveySource: Cam Inman
September 16, 2025
Miami Dolphins quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa bounced back statistically in Week 2, completing 26 of 32 passes for 315 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in the loss to the New England Patriots. While he topped 300 passing yards, he was sacked five times and sealed the defeat with a late fourth-quarter interception. Tagovailoa now faces the Buffalo Bills on a short week, a matchup that has consistently given him trouble. He has lost five straight starts against Buffalo, posting seven touchdowns and five interceptions during that span. With Miami's offensive line struggling to protect him, Tagovailoa is best left on fantasy benches in Week 3.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 16, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 3 against the New England Patriots. Highsmith suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 loss to Seattle, and there was initial concern he might land on injured reserve. With the Steelers in London in Week 4 and a bye the following week, Highsmith will likely return in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns. Highsmith has been a key piece of Pittsburgh's pass rush opposite T.J. Watt, and his absence leaves a significant void. Third-year linebacker Nick Herbig is expected to step into a starting role, with rookie Jack Sawyer also likely to see increased snaps in the rotation. For fantasy and matchup purposes, this is a slight boost for Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye, who won't have to deal with the Steelers' full-strength edge duo on Thursday night.
--Nathan HarveySource: Gerry Dulac
September 16, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Dylan Sampson was listed as the No. 2 back on the Week 3 depth chart, slotting in ahead of veteran
Jerome Ford but behind second-round pick
Quinshon Judkins. However, the usage tells a different story. In last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Ford played 49% of the snaps compared to just 24% for Sampson, suggesting the coaching staff still trusts the veteran on passing downs. It's unclear whether the updated depth chart reflects a genuine shift or is more of a formality, but for fantasy purposes, Sampson managers should be cautious. With the Browns set to face the red-hot Green Bay Packers defense in Week 3, Sampson is highly unlikely to make a fantasy impact and is best left on benches in all formats.
--Nathan HarveySource: Cleveland Browns
September 16, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Quinshon Judkins has been listed as the team's starting back on this week's depth chart. The rookie played just 26% of the snaps in Week 2 but was effective with his touches, rushing 10 times for 66 yards in his NFL debut. Judkins signed his rookie deal shortly before Week 1 and eased into action against the Baltimore Ravens, but being elevated to the top of the depth chart is an encouraging sign for his role going forward. That said, Week 3 sets up as a tough spot. The Browns face the Green Bay Packers, who have been one of the league's stingiest defenses to start the season. With a negative game script possible, Judkins should be viewed as a low-end FLEX option in deeper leagues this week, though his long-term outlook is trending up.
--Nathan HarveySource: Cleveland Browns
September 16, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) was limited in Tuesday's practice ahead of Thursday night's divisional matchup with the Buffalo Bills. Waddle wasn't listed on Monday's injury report, but his appearance Tuesday raises some concern given the short week. The former 1,000-yard receiver briefly exited Week 1 with a shoulder issue before returning, and while he found the end zone in Week 2 against New England, he finished third on the team in targets behind
Tyreek Hill and De'Von Achane. Waddle has also historically struggled against Buffalo's defense, putting up under 50 yards in their last three contests. With Miami's offense searching for rhythm and Waddle not at full strength, he profiles as more of a low-end FLEX option in Week 3.
--Nathan HarveySource: Marcel Louis-Jacques - ESPN
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