Ikem Ekwonu Expected to Play in Week 2
Bryce Young and the rest of the Carolina pass game, which had a miserable showing against the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend.
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Carolina Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (appendix) is expected to play in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Ekwonu missed Week 1 while recovering from an appendectomy. Ekwonu's replacement at left tackle in Week 1 was Yosh Nijman, who was graded as the 71st-best pass-blocker out of 82 qualified tackles by Pro Football Focus. Getting his blindside protector back on the field should help Panthers quarterback Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Eddy Pineiro Chose 49ers Over Falcons
Eddy Pineiro revealed that he had offers from at least two teams before signing with the Niners this past week. Pineiro acknowledged that he chose the 49ers over an offer from the Atlanta Falcons. While the veteran kicker did not explain his reasoning for the decision, it's likely because he was offered a 53-man roster spot with San Francisco, whereas Atlanta merely wanted to add him to the practice squad as competition for Younghoee Koo. The Falcons pivoted to John Parker Romo, who will now add some pressure on Koo going forward. As for Pineiro, the veteran kicker will be active for his 49ers debut on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. He owns an impressive 88.1 percent success rate on field goals through his five years in the NFL, which includes stints with the Bears, Jets, and Panthers. Pineiro has top-12 kicker upside in fantasy football, but scoring opportunities could be a little harder to come by with Brock Purdy (shoulder), George Kittle (hamstring), and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) sidelined. On the other hand, Mac Jones' drives may stall just over midfield, creating more long field goal opportunities for Pineiro. He's a solid streaming option in leagues with 12+ teams.
Source: Matt Maiocco
San Francisco 49ers kicker Source: Matt Maiocco
Ryan Flournoy Added to 53-Man Roster for Week 2
Ryan Flournoy from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's Week 2 contest against the New York Giants. The 2024 sixth-round pick was active for the season opener, too, but he didn't register a target. As a rookie last year, the Southeast Missouri State product caught 10 of 14 targets for 102 yards. He's still searching for his first career NFL touchdown. It's unlikely to happen this week as Flournoy remains buried in a depth role behind players like CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin.
Source: Todd Archer
The Dallas Cowboys have elevated wide receiver Source: Todd Archer
Colby Parkinson Doubtful to Play in Week 2
Colby Parkinson (shoulder) is listed as doubtful to play in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. He missed all three practices this week while recovering from an AC joint sprain that he suffered last Sunday against the Houston Texans. Parkinson was actually able to finish last week's game after receiving medical attention, but evidently, the Rams aren't going to send him onto the field for Week 2. Instead, look for Terrance Ferguson to make his NFL debut in a tight end committee that also features Tyler Higbee and Davis Allen. None of these Rams tight ends can be trusted in fantasy football, but Ferguson is an intriguing stash in dynasty leagues.
Source: Sarah Barshop
Los Angeles Rams tight end Source: Sarah Barshop
Tyler Higbee Headed for Minimal Production Despite Majority Snap Share?
Tyler Higbee is headed for another sizable snap share in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans, but his target share and overall productivity are far less certain. Higbee played 58 percent of the offensive snaps last week, and Los Angeles routinely rolled out two-tight end sets. However, he was not targeted in the victory. Furthermore, Los Angeles shared the wealth as Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen were both on the field for more than one-third of the offensive snaps, too. It's possible that we see a tight end committee for the rest of the season in Los Angeles, and rookie Terrance Ferguson should join the mix with Parkinson (shoulder) doubtful to play. With too much uncertainty here, all Los Angeles tight ends, including Higbee, can be left on waivers in redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Source: RotoBaller
Tristan Wirfs Ruled Out for Week 2
Baker Mayfield's blindside. The talented passer ranks as a low-end QB1 this week versus the Texans, who surrendered two touchdowns to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.
Source: Greg Auman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 2 game against the Houston Texans. Wirfs underwent knee surgery during the offseason. He is inching closer toward returning, as evidenced by the Buccaneers keeping him on their initial 53-man roster, but today's news confirms he's not quite ready to play in a game yet. Charlie Heck will likely operate as the starting left tackle in Wirfs' absence. This represents a downgrade in the trenches as the Buccaneers work to protect Source: Greg Auman
Davante Adams Ranks in WR2 Range Given His Matchup
Davante Adams should rank as a mid-to-low WR2 in fantasy football this week against the Tennessee Titans. While Adams has WR1 upside every week, he might not reach his full potential this week given his matchup with Tennessee. With Los Angeles heavily favored to win, the Rams could choose to run the ball and drain the clock, resulting in fewer pass attempts. That's at least a little concerning for Adams, who is already competing for targets with Puka Nacua. Furthermore, Tennessee's pass defense is very respectable. The Titans' secondary intercepted Bo Nix twice last week and held Courtland Sutton to a modest six catches. Adams has the talent and role needed to be a fantasy starter in all leagues, but it's fair to have some questions about his ceiling given this week's matchup. Adams is best viewed as a WR2 this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Puka Nacua Ranks as WR2 Ahead with Passing Volume Uncertain
Puka Nacua should rank as a mid-to-high WR2 in fantasy football this week against the Tennessee Titans. While Nacua has WR1 upside every week, he might not reach his full potential this week given his matchup with Tennessee. First of all, Los Angeles is heavily favored to win, which means that the Rams could choose to run the ball and drain the clock, resulting in fewer pass attempts. Furthermore, while Tennessee has plenty of weaknesses, its pass defense is not one of them. The Titans' secondary intercepted Bo Nix twice last week and held Courtland Sutton to a modest six catches. There's no doubt that Nacua will deliver enough volume and production to be a fantasy starter in all leagues, but his ceiling is a little lower this week given the matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Tutu Atwell at Risk of Losing More Snaps?
Tutu Atwell could see his snap count continue to decline in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. During last week's season opener, Atwell, who was originally believed to be the team's No. 3 receiver, finished fourth among the position group in snap share (42 percent). He caught just one pass for four yards when all was said and done. To make matters worse, a portion of Atwell's snaps came when Puka Nacua was being evaluated for a concussion. With Nacua healthy, it's possible that Atwell plays even fewer snaps in Week 2. Plus, his productivity could suffer against a surprisingly solid Titans secondary that intercepted Bo Nix twice last week. Atwell is an intriguing waiver wire option if Nacua or Davante Adams suffer an injury, but for now, he should be left off your roster.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Chris Godwin Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Chris Godwin (ankle) will not play in Week 2 against the Houston Texans. Godwin is working his way back from a dislocated ankle that he suffered in Week 7 of 2024 and has since required multiple surgeries. The 29-year-old was able to return to the practice field this week, but was always considered a long shot to play in Week 2. In any fantasy leagues where Godwin is available, he should be stashed in an IR spot ahead of his pending return.
Source: Pewter Report
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Source: Pewter Report
Saints Acquiring Ja'Lynn Polk From Patriots
Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) and a 2028 seventh-round pick from the New England Patriots for a 2027 sixth-round pick, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Polk is currently on season-ending Injured Reserve due to a shoulder issue, so this is a future-focused move for New Orleans. A second-round pick in 2024, Polk recorded just 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games for New England as a rookie. He'll now get a chance at a fresh start with the Saints.
Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
The New Orleans Saints are acquiring wide receiver Source: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
Atlanta D/ST Should be Avoided in Road Matchup Against Vikings
Baker Mayfield to toss three touchdown passes but did not record an interception, nor did the defense force any fumbles. The Falcons take on the Vikings on Sunday night, who have J.J. McCarthy making just his second career start at quarterback, and who threw an interception in Week 1 while taking three sacks, but the Atlanta defense is not the Chicago defense. With Minnesota projected to score 24 points in this one as the favorites, there are many more favorable units to use in Week 2.
Source: ESPN
The Atlanta Falcons defense/special teams ranked in the bottom third in points allowed per game last season (24.9) and struggled to get after the quarterback, finishing with the second-fewest sacks in the NFL (31). Both issues were apparent in Week 1, as the Falcons yielded 23 points to the Buccaneers and sacked the opposing quarterback just once. The defense allowed Source: ESPN
Jordan Whittington Could Maintain Sizable Role in Week 2
Jordan Whittington could remain involved in the team's offensive attack this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Whittington's involvement in the season opener last Sunday was a pleasant surprise as he played 50 percent of the snaps and was on the field more than teammate Tutu Atwell. Whittington rushed the ball once in last week's win but did not command a target. His snap share was also slightly elevated due to Puka Nacua missing a portion of the game for a concussion evaluation. While Whittington seems to have shown the coaching staff that he deserves to get on the field, he still doesn't have the production necessary to achieve fantasy relevance. He can be left on waivers in all redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Cam Little a Great Kicking Option Against Bengals
Cam Little has a chance for another good fantasy outing against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. Little finished with 14 fantasy points against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, and this week has the potential to be another high-scoring game for the Jaguars. Whether that leads to field goal attempts is the question, but Little at least proved last week he is capable of high-scoring outings. That makes him a solid full-season kicker to have at the moment. Start Little with confidence in Week 2 in what should be a shootout.
Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Quinshon Judkins Officially Activated to Browns 53-Man Roster
Quinshon Judkins, per a team announcement. Judkins is expected to make his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens after an offseason arrest kept him out of training camp and delayed his signing with the team. The 21-year-old is likely to split touches with fellow rookie back Dylan Sampson and veteran Jerome Ford early on. Judkins should not be started in fantasy this week, but he's definitely a player to stash for later on this season.
Source: Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have officially activated rookie running back
Source: Cleveland Browns