RADIO
Aaron Jones Sr. Eclipses 100 Yards In Vikings Victory
The Minnesota Vikings rode running back Aaron Jones Sr. for 23 carries and 105 yards on Sunday in Chicago, doing just enough in a 9-3 victory in which neither side scored a touchdown. Jones was the centerpiece of the Minnesota offense during awful weather conditions, drawing a significant workload as the Vikings also played without fellow running back Jordan Mason (thumb) and quarterback Kyler Murray. The veteran running back briefly departed the game with a knee injury, but he returned to finish the fourth quarter as Minnesota tacked on a late field goal and held off the Bears' final drive. Even if Jones is unlikely to carry the ball as often as he did in Week 2, his involvement Sunday suggests he'll be lineup-worthy while Mason is on injured reserve. The Vikings travel to Tampa in Week 3.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Travis Etienne Jr. has Disappointing Effort in Backfield Split vs. Ravens
New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne struggled to make an impact in Week 2 in his team's 24-17 victory against the host Baltimore Ravens. The 27-year-old offseason addition had just eight carries for 25 yards as he split first-team reps with veteran Alvin Kamara, who ended the day with nine carries for 15 yards. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, making his second start of the season, ran for 23 yards and had the Saints' only rushing touchdown on the day. The former Jaguar eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in three of his four seasons in Jacksonville, but it doesn't look like he can reach that level of production in the Big Easy if he is splitting time with Kamara down the stretch.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ja'Marr Chase Scores Twice In Week 2 Win
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase bounced back in a big way in Week 2 with seven catches for 75 yards and two scores in the 20-6 win over the Houston Texans. Chase shook off that disappointing season opener performance as he and quarterback Joe Burrow connected often throughout the contest. The star wideout finished first on the team in receptions, but trailed teammate Tee Higgins in receiving yards and targets. This game gave fantasy managers a much-needed sigh of relief and should give them confidence about starting Chase heading into a Week 3 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have allowed 20 points to opposing teams in each of their first two games, which bodes well for the Bengals' chances of scoring. Chase is the focal point of the Cincinnati passing attack, so when the offense succeeds, he's usually the reason why. Chase is one of the most reliable targets in the league, and he should be considered a top-end WR1 heading into Week 3.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Colston Loveland a Bust Yet Again in Week 2
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland had another difficult outing in Week 2, catching just one of three targets for three yards in a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It's yet another letdown for Loveland, who entered the season with plenty of fanfare but failed to catch a single target in a 59-37 victory against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. Chicago had a plethora of problems on Sunday, including starting quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring) getting injured mid-game. Still, the second-year tight end out of Michigan hasn't lived up to his TE2 status in the RotoBaller positional ranking.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Caleb Williams Ruled Out With Hamstring Injury
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday's loss to Minnesota. Williams went down on a non-contact scramble in the fourth quarter and needed help leaving the field before Tyson Bagent replaced him. He finished the game 15-of-26 passing for 138 yards with one interception while adding 42 rushing yards on five carries. Chicago later confirmed the hamstring injury, but there has been no word yet on the severity. Williams' status will now be worth monitoring heading into Week 3.
Source: Bears Communications
Source: Bears Communications
Aaron Jones Sr. Returns vs. Bears
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) returned for the end of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears. Jones was questionable to return after being injured in the second half, although he was able to get off the field on his own before being tended to by trainers. The veteran back is leading the Vikings' running game with teammate Jordan Mason (thumb) on IR, recording 17 carries for 85 yards before being injured in Week 2.
Source: Lindsey Young
Source: Lindsey Young
Jonathon Brooks Questionable to Return With Groin Injury
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against Atlanta. According to Mike Kaye, Brooks signaled for a trainer immediately after his last carry before walking to the tunnel with three staff members. The Panthers have since announced that he is dealing with a groin injury. Brooks had five carries for 16 yards before leaving the game. Chuba Hubbard had already handled most of the backfield work, rushing 12 times for 53 yards, and would remain the clear lead option if Brooks can't return. AJ Dillon is next behind them on Carolina's depth chart.
Source: Mike Kaye
Source: Mike Kaye
Eli Raridon Out for Remainder of Week 2 vs. Steelers
New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon (thigh) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, his team reported via the X platform. The rookie had one catch for 30 yards in Sunday's home game before sustaining the injury. Hunter Henry becomes New England's go-to tight end with Raridon out of the game.
Source: Patriots Comminucations
Source: Patriots Comminucations
Rico Dowdle Out with Toe Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) won't return to Sunday's game against the New England Patriots due to an apparent toe injury. Dowdle briefly returned for the second half of Sunday's game after sustaining the injury in the second quarter and being taken to the locker room on a cart. He had Pittsburgh's first carry of the second half and was involved in the subsequent drive before leaving the game again. Fellow backs Jaylen Warren and Travis Homer remain active in Sunday's road game. If Dowdle's toe injury is serious enough to keep him sidelined going into Week 3, Warren would become an absolute must-start fantasy RB for the Steelers.
Source: 93.7 The Fan via X.com
Source: 93.7 The Fan via X.com
Caleb Williams Carted Off With Serious-Looking Leg Injury
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (leg) was taken to the locker room on a cart during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Courtney Cronin. Williams went down on the play and appeared to injure his right leg before being helped off and evaluated in the medical tent. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards with one interception and added 42 yards on five carries before leaving. The Bears have not announced an official injury or return designation yet. Tyson Bagent has taken over at quarterback with Williams out of the game.
Source: Courtney Cronin
Source: Courtney Cronin
Aaron Jones Sr. Questionable to Return With Knee Injury
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears, Mike Garafolo reported via the X platform. Jones had 17 carries for 85 yards before being injured in the second half of Sunday's low-scoring game. He was able to get off the field by himself before being tended to by Minnesota's trainers. The veteran back recorded 12 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers and led the Vikings' ground game in Week 2 with fellow RB Jordan Mason (thumb) on injured reserve.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Source: Mike Garafolo
Jack Strand Makes Regular-Season Debut vs. Panthers
Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Jack Strand made his regular-season debut in Week 2 after entering Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons were down 34-3 in the third quarter, with Cooper Rush completing 10 of 17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Strand played in three preseason games for Atlanta, completing 24 of 36 passes (66.7% completion rate) for 306 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception. The 22-year-old had a 63.8% completion rate over four seasons playing at Minnesota State Moorhead with a 126:50 TD:INT ratio.
Source: Darius Hayes
Source: Darius Hayes
Jalen Tolbert Inactive Against 49ers
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jalen Tolbert tops the inactive list once again as his team prepares to face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. Tolbert was a healthy scratch in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, which opened the door for rookie Caleb Douglas to catch five passes for 94 yards in his NFL debut. Fellow wideouts Malik Washington and Chris Bell should also have a healthy workload in Week 2 with Tolbert on the sidelines. Tolbert signed with the Dolphins in the offseason after four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and was expected to carve out a role for himself in Miami's evolving receiver room. After two weeks riding the bench, fantasy managers can't rely on Tolbert for weekly production.
Source: Miami Dolphins vs. X.com
Source: Miami Dolphins vs. X.com
Kaelon Black Active Against Dolphins
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black (groin) is listed as active for Sunday's Week 2 battle against the visiting Miami Dolphins, the Athletic's Matt Barrows reported via the X platform. Black was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday after sustaining the injury mid-week, but didn't appear on the injury list ahead of Sunday's home opener. The rookie back out of Indiana had 14 carries for 65 yards against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1, and he should have an even easier time getting the ball downfield against a Dolphins defense that allowed 130 rushing yards to the Las Vegas Raiders to open up the season. The 49ers will likely lean heavily on Christian McCaffrey once again, but Black should see a similar workload to Week 1 if his injury doesn't flare up mid-game.
Source: Matt Barrows
Source: Matt Barrows
Rico Dowdle Returns After Toe Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) returned to Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, according to Brooke Pryor. Dowdle was questionable to return after being taken to the locker room on a cart during the second quarter. He had four carries for 11 yards and one catch for nine yards before leaving. Dowdle received Pittsburgh's first carry of the second half and remained involved afterward, resuming his role in the backfield alongside Jaylen Warren and Travis Homer.
Source: Brooke Pryor
Source: Brooke Pryor
