September 15, 2025
With Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) looking unlikely to play in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in Sunday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, veteran signal-caller
Carson Wentz is now in line to start this Sunday. Wentz, a former first-rounder by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, hasn't been a full-time starter since 2021 with the Indianapolis Colts. Since then, he's appeared in only 13 games, making nine starts for the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs. The 32-year-old has gone 201-for-319 for 2,036 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in that span. McCarthy could easily miss multiple weeks, making Wentz a candidate for a waiver-wire pickup in superflex leagues. With All-Pro wideout
Justin Jefferson as his WR1 and with
Jordan Addison being available as soon as Week 4, Wentz could have a decent run for fantasy managers as a short-term fill-in at the QB position.
--Keith HernandezSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
September 15, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is dealing with an ankle injury and is likely to miss the Week 3 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. If McCarthy doesn't get cleared for Sunday, it would be veteran
Carson Wentz making his Vikings debut. Officially, McCarthy is considered week-to-week with a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in Sunday night's 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. If it's indeed a high-ankle sprain, it wouldn't be a surprise if the 22-year-old former first-rounder missed multiple games. McCarthy looked bad for three quarters in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears before leading a fourth-quarter comeback, but it was all ugly on Sunday night against Atlanta, as he went 11-for-21 for 158 yards, no touchdowns, and two picks. He also fumbled three times, losing one. It's a reminder of McCarthy's steep learning curve after he missed all of his rookie season with a torn meniscus in his knee.
--Keith HernandezSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
September 15, 2025
Buffalo Bills kicker
Matt Prater had his second straight perfect game in a 30-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. Prater hit all three of his field goals, including a 52-yarder, and went 3-for-3 on extra points. Filling in for the injured
Tyler Bass (groin), the 41-year-old Prater has opened the season 6-for-6 on field goals and five out of five on PATs. Despite that, the two-time Pro Bowler remains available in 88% of Yahoo leagues in advance of a Thursday matchup with the winless Miami Dolphins. They've already allowed 66 points in two games, and the Bills have scored 71, meaning Prater should be in line for another productive game in Week 3. He looks like an enticing option for fantasy managers who need a kicker.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
September 15, 2025
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Khalil Shakir was a fantasy non-factor in a 30-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, hauling in one of two targets for 12 yards. It was the first time that Shakir received fewer than six targets since Week 5 of last season, ending a 14-game streak (including playoffs). It should be noted that the Bills leaned more on their rushing attack than the pass in an easy victory, so nobody other than running back
James Cook put up gaudy numbers. Shakir seldom posts huge production anyway, though he is consistently solid and should see an uptick in targets on Thursday against the Miami Dolphins. Shakir combined for 11 catches on 12 targets last season in two meetings with the Dolphins, whose pass defense has been woeful during an 0-2 start this year.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
September 15, 2025
Keon Coleman was the Buffalo Bills' leading receiver in Week 1, securing eight catches on 11 targets for 112 yards and a touchdown in a 41-40 defeat of the Baltimore Ravens. Coleman's numbers nosedived in Week 2, though, as the team took a run-first approach in a 30-10 win over the New York Jets. The second-year man only picked up three targets, catching each of them for a total of 26 yards. He had another reception that was called back on an offensive pass interference penalty. It wasn't the performance fantasy managers wanted, but it wasn't all that surprising with shutdown cornerback Sauce Gardner leading the Jets' secondary. On paper, Coleman looks as if he'll have an easier time Thursday against the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the league's worst completion percentage (78.8) in the early going. Coleman accounted for just one reception (three targets) for 21 yards in two games against the Dolphins as a rookie in 2024, but he's clearly a bigger part of the Bills' offense this season.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
September 15, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) is unlikely to play in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. Jones injured his hamstring in Sunday night's 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the second half and never returned to the game. Before the injury, the 30-year-old veteran didn't look very good, going for only 23 rushing yards on his five carries. He also didn't catch a single pass while playing only 20 offensive snaps. Jones was a consistent performer for fantasy managers in 2024 in his first year in Minnesota, but so far in 2025, he has been outshone by
Jordan Mason, who will be a must-start in fantasy going forward if Jones misses any games. In addition to Mason having an elevated role,
Zavier Scott would be bumped up to RB2 duties and could be worth a look off the waiver wire in deeper formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
September 15, 2025
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen was a fantasy superstar in Week 1, but the reigning MVP fell short of expectations despite a 30-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. Allen wasn't especially sharp through the air, as he completed 14-of-25 passes for 148 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions, though he did contribute 59 rushing yards on six attempts. To the chagrin of fantasy managers, Allen didn't play the whole game. He missed two first-half snaps with a bloody nose, and with a blowout victory locked up in the fourth quarter, the Bills pulled Allen and let backup
Mitchell Trubisky take over for the final eight minutes and change. After a letdown in Week 2, Allen could return to form on Thursday against the Miami Dolphins. The 29-year-old has feasted on the Dolphins throughout his career, having totaled 42 touchdowns (37 passing, five rushing) against eight interceptions in 14 games. Plus, so far this season, the Dolphins have allowed a league-worst 78.8 completion percentage and a lofty 126.1 passer rating in matchups against
Daniel Jones and
Drake Maye. The fact that those two lesser QBs carved up Miami bodes well for an Allen rebound in Week 3
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
September 15, 2025
Late in the first half of Sunday's loss to the Rams, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Cam Ward connected with receiver
Elic Ayomanor for what would be the first touchdown of each of their careers. The pass came on a brilliant scrambling play by Ward that saw him throw the ball nearly 50 yards across the field as Ayomanor broke open in the endzone. On a day when Ward threw for less than 150 yards, his developing chemistry with Ayomanor was apparent, as his fellow rookie tied for the team lead in targets and receptions, and had only one fewer yard than
Calvin Ridley. The Titans have opened the year against two of the stingier defenses in the league in the Broncos and Rams. Still, their offense has shown glimpses, and with the WR2 role seemingly locked up, Ayomanor is a priority add in all league formats.
--Patrick McGrathSource: NFL
September 15, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (knee) underwent an MRI following Thursday's loss to the Green Bay Packers and has been diagnosed with a sprained knee. While the injury isn't believed to be long-term, Daniels' status for Week 3 against the Raiders is now in doubt. After turning in arguably the most successful season ever seen by a rookie quarterback, Daniels and the Commanders' offense have yet to hit their stride in 2025, scoring only 39 total points through their 1-1 start. Should Daniels miss Sunday's game, backup
Marcus Mariota would be in line to face one of his former teams. One of the better backups in the league, Mariota saw extended time in two games last season and was able to keep Kliff Kingsbury's offense on track. While any missed time by Daniels isn't necessarily a death knell for Commander's pass catchers
Terry McLaurin,
Deebo Samuel Sr., and
Zach Ertz, it's far from ideal for a unit already struck hard by injury this early into the season.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Ian Rapoport
September 15, 2025
Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl pass-rusher Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) is expected to miss multiple games after sustaining a hamstring injury in Sunday's win over the Browns. Van Noy's 12.5 sacks last season led the team, and while the Ravens are hoping the injury isn't too serious, any time missed will be a blow to a Ravens defense that has so far failed to live up to their own lofty standards. The unit was unable to keep reigning MVP
Josh Allen off the field or out of the end zone in Week 1, and they gave up over 300 yards to the
Joe Flacco-led Browns on Sunday. With upcoming matchups against the Lions, Chiefs, Texans, and Rams, there are not many chances to start the Ravens' defense/special teams in the near future. On the plus side,
Lamar Jackson,
Derrick Henry, and the Ravens' pass-catchers remain rock-solid starts in what could be a string of high-scoring contests.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Jeremy Fowler
September 15, 2025
Chicago Bears Pro Bowl Cornerback Jaylon Johnson (groin) is out indefinitely after aggravating an existing groin injury during Sunday's loss to the Lions. After missing all of training camp and the first game of the season, Johnson lasted only 20 plays in his season debut, exiting in the second quarter after breaking up a pass. The team is evaluating the injury to determine whether surgery will be necessary. Through the first two weeks of the season, the Bears' defense has allowed nearly 500 passing yards and a league-worst seven passing touchdowns, while also allowing a league-worst 79 points against. In Week 3, they face a Cowboys team coming off a 40-point OT thriller against the Giants.
Dak Prescott,
CeeDee Lamb, and
George Pickens could all be in store for huge weeks.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Adam Schefter
September 15, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars second-year wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. (wrist) has not had the start that fantasy managers were hoping for after they spent a late-first or early second-round pick on him in drafts. His disappointing performance against the Bengals on Sunday saw him reel in four catches for 49 yards while making a bad drop near the goal line late in the game. According to head coach Liam Coen, Thomas was dealing with a wrist injury heading into the game. Having gone through a week of practice without appearing on the injury report, it's difficult to say when the injury was sustained or how much of a factor it has played in his lackluster start to the season. The Jaguars face the Texans in Week 3, and it will be worth monitoring Thomas' injury status throughout the week, but fantasy managers should continue to start him with better days presumably ahead.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Demetrius Harvey
September 15, 2025
The Tennessee Titans and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons agreed on a revised contract on Monday that includes a $632,529 raise for this year, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Simmons didn't receive a game check from the 17th game in 2023 under his previous contract, so the amount of the raise comes from that. The Titans' defense kept them in the game in the Week 1 loss to the Denver Broncos and in the first half of Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams before falling apart in the second half. The 28-year-old Simmons has been a key piece of the defense early on, recording six tackles (four solo) with a sack and a forced fumble. Simmons and Tennessee's defense will have their work cut out for them in Week 3 against an Indianapolis Colts offense that quarterback
Daniel Jones has rejuvenated.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
September 15, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. was once again a big part of Cleveland's offense in his second career game in the 41-17 Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Fannin tied for the team lead with five catches on five targets while going for 48 yards, which ranked second on the team, behind only receiver
Jerry Jeudy. Through two weeks in 2025, the 21-year-old Bowling Green product ranks first on the team in receptions (12), third in targets (14), and second in receiving yards (111). While the Browns' offense is among the worst in the league, it doesn't appear that Fannin is going anywhere in terms of usage. However, his target share could change if Cleveland eventually benches quarterback
Joe Flacco. Fannin should once again be a popular waiver-wire target this week if he's still available. He's currently rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
September 15, 2025
Green Bay Packers tight end
Tucker Kraft was a popular fantasy breakout candidate entering the 2025 season, and he's well on his way through the first two weeks of the season. Kraft has scored in back-to-back weeks to kick things off while catching eight of his 11 targets for 140 yards in wins against the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. In Thursday night's 27-18 victory over Washington, the 24-year-old had six receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. It was his first career 100-yard game, and through two weeks, he's the TE1 in fantasy. Kraft led the Packers in catches, receiving yards, and targets in Week 2 and will only be more involved in Green Bay's passing attack after receiver
Jayden Reed suffered a broken collarbone on Thursday night. Keep Kraft locked in your fantasy lineups as a strong TE1 going into Week 3 versus the Cleveland Browns.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
RADIO
