September 16, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back
Kaleb Johnson "probably" will lose kickoff-return duties in Week 3 against the New England Patriots after a crucial special-teams gaffe in the Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Johnson allowed a kickoff to bounce over his head and into the end zone on Sunday in the fourth quarter because he thought the play would be called dead. But with the NFL's new kickoff rules, it was a live ball, which the Seahawks recovered for a game-changing touchdown. The Steelers will give Johnson a chance to work his way back into the special teams role, but in the short term, he'll be benched. Fantasy managers had high hopes for the 22-year-old during draft season, but
Jaylen Warren's demise has been premature, and
Kenneth Gainwell has operated as the No. 2. Johnson only played two snaps on offense in Week 2 and has just two carries for a loss of one yard in his first two NFL games. His special-teams gaffe on Sunday certainly didn't help his cause for a bigger role on offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
September 16, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Christian Watson (knee) said he expects to return to practice when his window to do so opens in Week 6, although it will ultimately be up to the training staff. Watson opened the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list after tearing his ACL in Week 18 in 2024. He's eligible to return to practice in Week 5, but the Packers have their bye that week before facing the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6. The 26-year-old said he's checked all the boxes in his recovery before returning to practice. Once he returns to practice, Green Bay will have 21 days to activate him from the PUP list. "I'm already chomping at the bit," Watson said. The former second-rounder caught 98 passes for 1,653 yards and 14 touchdowns in 38 games in his first three seasons. Watson can stretch the field vertically and pick up chunk gains for fantasy managers. He could also have a bigger role if he returns before
Jayden Reed, who broke his collarbone in Week 2. Watson has been boom or bust in fantasy, but he's worth stashing in an IR spot with his 2025 debut on the horizon.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
September 16, 2025
The Athletic's Dan Duggan writes that New York Giants rookie running back
Cam Skattebo "might have already surpassed
Tyrone Tracy Jr." as the team's top RB. Skattebo played seven more snaps and took six more carries than Tracy in the Week 2 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The rookie from Arizona State broke a 24-yard run in the fourth quarter and then had a one-yard touchdown plunge, his first career TD. Skattebo finished with 11 carries for 45 yards and the TD, while also catching two passes for 14 yards. Meanwhile, Tracy had only five carries for 15 yards and added four catches for 36 yards. The Giants putting Tracy back in a kickoff-return role also "suggests a reduced offensive role." Tracy returned three kickoffs as a rookie in 2024, but that role ceased when he became the starting RB in Week 5. Skattebo will be a popular waiver-wire target going into Week 3, while it's looking like Tracy might be the 1B option in a backfield committee.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
September 16, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings signed running back
Cam Akers to their practice squad on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) was also placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, so the Vikings are bringing back a familiar face to serve as RB depth behind
Jordan Mason and
Zavier Scott heading into a Week 3 tilt against the Cincinnati Bengals. This will be Akers' third different stint with the organization, and he could surpass Scott on the RB depth chart sooner than later. The 26-year-old spent training camp with the New Orleans Saints but was unable to make their 53-man roster. He had a healthy 4.3 yards per carry on 104 rushing attempts for 444 yards and two touchdowns while adding 14 catches for 68 yards and three TDs as a pass-catcher last year with the Houston Texans and Vikings. Akers is worth a look for RB depth in deep leagues if you just lost Jones.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 16, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings are placing running back
Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jones suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night and will now be knocked out for at least the next four games.
Jordan Mason now becomes Minnesota's unquestioned RB1 and a must-start in fantasy every week. For more RB depth, the Vikings signed
Cam Akers to their practice squad. The Vikings have a bye in Week 6, so the earliest Jones would be able to return would be in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 30-year-old veteran needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues while he heals up, but he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry the first two weeks and looked like the second-best RB in Minnesota's backfield before his injury.
Zavier Scott will be elevated to No. 2 duties behind Mason for the foreseeable future.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 16, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings signed free-agent quarterback
Desmond Ridder to their 53-man roster on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Vikings need some depth at the QB position with
J.J. McCarthy out two to four weeks after suffering a high-ankle sprain in the Sunday night loss to the Atlanta Falcons. With McCarthy out for Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals and possibly beyond, veteran
Carson Wentz will step into starting duties under center for Minnesota, with undrafted rookie
Max Brosmer serving as his backup. Given Brosmer's lack of experience in the NFL, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ridder be elevated to the No. 2 role sooner than later once he learns the offense. Ridder, a third-round pick in 2022 by the Falcons, quickly wore out his welcome in Atlanta and spent last year as the backup for the Las Vegas Raiders.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 16, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert looked sharp in Monday night's 20-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He completed 19-of-27 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 31 rushing yards on nine carries. Herbert again appeared poised and confident, demonstrating good pocket awareness and using his legs when necessary. In Week 3, he faces a tough Denver Broncos defense. Denver has elite talent, but they just allowed 29 points to the Indianapolis Colts. Herbert and OC Greg Roman should find ways to exploit weaknesses even in a challenging matchup. Fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate, as he remains a safe top-10 QB option.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
September 16, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers was a fantasy letdown in Week 2 after throwing four touchdowns in the season opener. He completed just 18 of 33 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, the box score doesn't tell the whole story. In the first quarter, Rodgers delivered a perfect 50-yard strike while on the run that was dropped by tight end
Pat Freiermuth. He was later picked off in the end zone on a pass that bounced off the hands of wide receiver
Calvin Austin III. While his second interception was on an errant throw, it came late in the game with Pittsburgh down two scores and desperately trying to push the ball downfield. At 41, Rodgers' best days may be behind him, but he still appears to be a quality QB. Fantasy managers should view him as a bounce-back candidate against the New England Patriots in Week 3.
--Jorden HillSource: ESPN
September 16, 2025
The Atlanta Falcons really did not need to rely on the left arm of quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. in Week 2 in their 22-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. Penix attempted only 21 passes on the night, completing 13 of them for 135 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He carried the ball just once for a loss of a yard and was sacked three times for a loss of 27 yards. The Falcons were content to let running backs
Bijan Robinson and
Tyler Allgeier carry the load in a game in which Atlanta was ahead from start to finish. When Penix dropped back to pass, he mostly worked the short areas of the field. This type of game script could happen again in Week 3 versus the division-rival Carolina Panthers, but Penix showed in Week 1 that he can sling the ball around the yard when needed, as he nearly threw for 300 yards and a touchdown. Penix is a solid QB2 stash with upside in his first year as the Falcons' full-time starter under center.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
September 16, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jalen Nailor operated as the clear WR2 behind All-Pro
Justin Jefferson in the team's 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football in Week 2. Nailor finished the night second in both targets (five) and yardage (31) while tying for the team lead in catches (three) in a game in which quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) looked like a rookie. The 26-year-old could have had a much bigger game had McCarthy not overthrown him on what could have been a long touchdown reception. Nailor really hasn't been anything special through two weeks in a Vikings offense that has mostly struggled in McCarthy's first two career games, as he's caught four passes on eight targets for 59 yards and no scores.
Jordan Addison has one more game to serve on his suspension, so Nailor might have one final chance for flex value in a plus Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Minnesota's defense could actually see a boost with the move to backup QB
Carson Wentz.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
September 16, 2025
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Tuesday that wide receiver
Christian Kirk (hamstring) is expected to return in Week 3 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars after he missed the first two games of the year with a hamstring injury. Houston will welcome Kirk back with open arms after opening the season 0-2. While Kirk should operate as the starter out of the slot, he'll be a pretty shaky flex play in fantasy in his Texans debut this Sunday, especially since quarterback
C.J. Stroud has been under pressure on 39% of his dropbacks through two weeks -- seventh-most among starting QBs. The return of Kirk should only help Houston's offense, though, and take some attention off All-Pro wideout
Nico Collins. Rookies
Jayden Higgins and
Jaylin Noel will have an even harder time standing out with Kirk back in the fold.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime
September 16, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Miles Sanders didn't look great in the season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles as the backup to
Javonte Williams, but he gave fantasy managers a reason to hold on in deeper leagues in the 40-37 overtime win over the New York Giants on Sunday. Sanders scored his first touchdown of the season on a four-yard run in the fourth quarter, but he had only five carries on the day for a total of 15 yards, while Williams ran the ball 18 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. The 28-year-old caught both of his targets for four yards. Sanders isn't going away anytime soon, but with a minimal RB2 role behind Williams, he can remain on the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues. Right now, he's only rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues. Rookie
Jaydon Blue has been a healthy scratch the first two weeks, but if he starts to get involved, Sanders will lose what little fantasy appeal he has left.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
September 16, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback
Geno Smith struggled in prime time in the 20-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football. Smith got off to a bad start in this one, throwing an interception on the first play of the game and failing to lead the Raiders to a single touchdown all night against a suffocating Chargers defense. All in all, the 34-year-old veteran went 24-for-43 for 180 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. He ran the ball five times for 20 yards and took three sacks. It was a very disappointing performance after Smith threw for 362 yards in a Week 1 win over the New England Patriots. While fantasy managers shouldn't be writing Smith off for the rest of the year, it's a reminder of why he's more of a matchup-based QB. Smith will get a better matchup in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL.com
September 16, 2025
Through the first two weeks of his NFL career, Las Vegas Raiders rookie receiver
Jack Bech has caught one ball for 23 yards. The catch came on his only target in Week 1. The second-round pick who became a fan favorite through the pre-draft process has taken the field for only nine offensive snaps to start the year. Reports out of training camp were that fourth-rounder
Dont'e Thornton Jr. was the Raiders' rookie best putting himself in position to make an early impact in the passing game, and through two weeks, those reports have borne some fruit. Thornton has been on the field for 95 total snaps, turning his eight targets into three grabs for 65 yards. While Thornton Jr.'s big-play ability put him on the radar of best ball drafters, he's also worth a look in what is a relatively uninspiring week for waiver pickups. Bech can be dropped in all redraft formats.
--Patrick McGrathSource: ESPN
September 16, 2025
In his Week 2 loss to the Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence dropped back 45 times and attempted 43 passes. Both numbers were the highest that he's put up since Week 18 of 2023. In his ten games in 2024, Lawrence attempted 28.4 passes per game. Through his first two weeks in Liam Coen's offense, that number sits at 37 attempts per game. Facing entirely different game scripts against the Panthers and Bengals, the raw volume he's putting up is an encouraging sign for fantasy managers who are still waiting for
Brian Thomas Jr. to make an impact. Any fears of Thomas Jr. and
Travis Hunter eating into one another's workload can also be put to rest, as the two have combined for 32 targets through the first two weeks. Now it's just a matter of turning those opportunities into points.
--Patrick McGrathSource: ESPN
RADIO
