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Sione Vaki Emerging as Detroit's No. 2 Back
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki only had three touches in Sunday's 31-30 overtime win over New Orleans, but his playing time made the bigger statement. Vaki carried twice for seven yards and caught his only target for 11 more while logging 22 offensive snaps. Jacob Saylors did not play an offensive snap, and Detroit's current depth chart now lists Vaki second behind Jahmyr Gibbs. That matters even more after Isiah Pacheco underwent back surgery and was given an estimated 12-week recovery timeline. Gibbs is still going to dominate this backfield after handling 34 touches in the opener, so Vaki has little immediate starting value. The path behind him is much cleaner than it looked a week ago, though. Vaki still needs to improve after an uneven opener, particularly in pass protection, but he has the first crack at the reserve role while Pacheco is sidelined. He is worth stashing in 14-team PPR leagues and deeper formats before Detroit's backfield hierarchy becomes more settled.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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Ray Davis' Week 1 Usage Hurts His Handcuff Appeal
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis opened the season with one carry for three yards in Sunday's 36-31 win over Houston, but the bigger concern was how little he played. Davis logged only five offensive snaps, while practice-squad call-up Frank Gore Jr. saw 11 and also carried once for three yards. Buffalo still lists Davis second behind James Cook III on the depth chart, so this is not enough to say he has lost the backup job. It does make his handcuff value much shakier than it looked entering the season. Davis has shown he can handle volume when needed, including 21 carries for 151 yards in last year's regular-season finale, but Week 1 did not suggest Buffalo is eager to give him much work right now. He remains worth holding in deeper leagues, especially with Cook managers looking for insurance, but Davis should not be a priority add in standard 10- or 12-team formats ahead of Thursday's game against Detroit.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cowboys Signing Running Back Tyler Goodson
The Dallas Cowboys are signing running back Tyler Goodson off the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad to their 53-man roster on Tuesday, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Goodson will join Emari Demercado and Israel Abanikanda as RB depth behind starter Javonte Williams after the Cowboys placed Malik Davis (hip) on Injured Reserve this week. The 25-year-old Goodson is a former undrafted free agent from Iowa who has 54 career carries for 264 yards and just one touchdown in his three NFL seasons (all with the Indianapolis Colts). He has added 19 career receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown as a receiver. The 5-foot-, 200-pounder had 1,151 rushing yards and six touchdowns in his final collegiate season with the Hawkeyes and was an All-Big Ten selection that year. Goodson must now learn a completely new offense, and he should be considered the RB4 in Dallas for now.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Attorneys File Motion to Seal Evidence in Josh Jacobs' Criminal Case
Attorneys for Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs' ex-girlfriend on Tuesday filed a motion to seal evidence and discovery materials in the criminal case involving Jacobs, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Jacobs' ex-girlfriend wishes to protect her privacy in light of Jacobs taking responsibility for his actions in the criminal proceeding. The NFL is attempting to obtain the alleged video from the incident that led to Jacobs being charged with battery and criminal damage to property, and they want to interview Jacobs before they potentially hand down a suspension. The 28-year-old is currently on the commissioner's exempt list and missed the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings. If the NFL suspends Jacobs, it likely will not be for longer than four to six games, including the game he already missed. In Sunday's loss to Minnesota, MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks were the Packers' primary RBs, but they could involve Kaleb Johnson eventually as well. While Jacobs' legal situation plays out, he should be stashed in all fantasy leagues as Green Bay's clear lead back when he returns.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Kaelon Black has the Trust of the Coaching Staff
The Athletic's Matt Barrows writes that San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kaelon Black has the trust of head coach Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner. In his NFL debut in the Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia last Thursday, Black played 43% of the offensive snaps behind Christian McCaffrey (55%) and was awarded 14 carries for 65 yards (4.6 yards per carry). The 24-year-old third-rounder from Indiana caught his only target for a pickup of five yards as a receiver. The Niners did not put too much on McCaffrey's plate in the season opener, especially in a blowout of the Rams, but they could be looking to dial back the All-Pro's touches throughout the year, which would obviously benefit Black. Given CMC's lengthy injury history and the coaching staff's trust in Black, he is a valuable RB stash in 12-team leagues, even if you do not have McCaffrey rostered. Right now, Black is rostered in 27% of Yahoo leagues. If McCaffrey were to go down with an injury, Black would become a weekly must-start in fantasy leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Cardinals Plan to be "Judicious" With Jeremiyah Love's Workload
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer writes that the Arizona Cardinals' split in their run-game workload in their Week 1 season-opening win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday is "probably a good window" into how they will manage rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love's first year in the league. The third overall pick from Notre Dame had 11 carries for 41 yards and his first career rushing touchdown while catching two of his four targets for nine yards as a receiver. Meanwhile, Tyler Allgeier had a team-high 17 rushing attempts for 61 yards while catching both of his targets for nine yards. Breer adds that Arizona plans to "be judicious about running up mileage on their special young talent." Trey Benson (knee) is already done for the season, but in time, veteran James Conner (foot) will return to help lighten the load on Love. Allgeier saw 59% of the offensive snaps in Week 1, compared to 43% for Love. The 21-year-old has clear three-down potential, but especially after Love dealt with an ankle injury in the preseason, the Cardinals will continue to be mindful of his overall workload, making him more of a fringe RB2/3 for fantasy managers going into a Week 2 showdown against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Bryce Young on the Waiver Radar After Strong Week 1 Performance
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young looked very strong in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday and could already be in contention as a Week 2 streamer in an upcoming matchup against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. In the first game of his fourth year in the NFL, Young completed 62.2% of his 37 pass attempts for 361 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in a 59-37 loss to the Bears. The 25-year-old former first overall pick from Alabama in 2023 also ran the ball twice for 10 yards and an additional touchdown. Young had his best season as a pro, particularly late in the season, in 2025, throwing for a career-best 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 16 regular-season starts to get the Panthers into the postseason. He is off to a great start in 2026 and has an excellent chance to build on his numbers from a year ago in another season with Dave Canales as his head coach. Young is only rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
C.J. Stroud a Potential Waiver-Wire Streamer Against the Bengals
After going largely undrafted in most single-quarterback leagues, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has worked his way back into the streaming conversation after a solid outing in a Week 1 loss to the Bills. The Texans face the Bengals in Week 2, but after being one of the top defenses to target in 2025, Cincinnati held Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield to 7.6 fantasy points in Week 1, forcing three turnovers. After throwing four interceptions of his own in a season-ending playoff loss to the Patriots, Stroud protected the ball better in Sunday's season opener but still lost two fumbles, including one deep in Bills territory on a potential game-winning drive. Even with the two turnovers, Stroud finished the week as the QB15 and is RotoBaller's QB19 for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyler Murray To Remain the Vikings' QB1 When Healthy
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion) exited Sunday's win over the Packers with a scary concussion, and his timeline to return remains unclear. In his absence, backup Carson Wentz led the Vikings to victory, throwing three touchdowns in the come-from-behind win, but NFL Insider Ian Rapoport believes the starting job still belongs to Murray. When asked if Wentz has a chance to take the QB1 role with another strong performance against the Bears in Week 2, Rapoport told Pat McAfee, "Kyler is going to come back, and I would expect it to be him." Murray signed a one-year veteran minimum deal with the Vikings this offseason and beat out both Wentz and 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy to earn the starting job, and although he managed only 11 snaps in Week 1, Rapoport believes the team is still excited about what he can bring to the offense.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Ladd McConkey to Be Evaluated This Week, Not Believed to Be Significant
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey will be evaluated this week after leaving Sunday's loss to the Cardinals with a rib injury, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. McConkey was originally listed with a chest injury, but further reporting has indicated an acute rib issue, and Rapoport notes it is not believed to be significant, adding that the third-year wideout is considered "day-to-day" and noting that it's an injury that can be played through. McConkey caught five of seven targets for 82 yards and a touchdown before exiting in the third quarter, and he appears to be a focal point of Mike McDaniel's offense. Los Angeles hosts the Raiders in Week 2, and fantasy managers will need to monitor McConkey's status throughout the week, as he boasts low-end WR1 upside if he's able to suit up.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Brenen Thompson A Waiver-Wire Flier in Deep Leagues
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson saw only 10 snaps and was held off the stat sheet in his first career game, but with Ladd McConkey (rib) day-to-day with a rib injury, he is a player to at least consider on waivers in deeper leagues. As an undersized field-stretcher, Thompson is unlikely to command an every-down role even if McConkey is unable to suit up against the Raiders. Still, his big-play potential could be leaned on, and he has the opportunity to work his way into three-receiver sets alongside Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris. At RotoBaller's WR103, Thompson is not a player that needs to be actively targeted on waivers, but he is deserving of flier consideration in leagues with big-play bonuses.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Terrance Ferguson Still Worth Watching on Waiver Wire
Despite running the most routes of all Los Angeles Rams tight ends in Week 1, second-year player Terrance Ferguson was targeted only once and held without a catch in the team's season-opening loss to the 49ers. While the results weren't encouraging after an offseason of hype, fantasy managers should stay patient and avoid dropping him unless necessary. Week 1 brings extra challenges in parsing what will be predictive from a season-long perspective, and that is especially true in a game where the Rams arrived in Australia roughly 28 hours ahead of kickoff. With four trustworthy tight ends on the roster, Ferguson's usage may see issues of predictability, but he earned a healthy route share to begin the year, and the Rams are still in need of a third pass-catcher behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, who saw more than 55% of the team's targets in Week 1. At RotoBaller's TE28, Ferguson is a difficult play against the Giants on Monday night, but he should still be held wherever it makes sense to keep a second tight end.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cooper Rush the QB Placeholder For Falcons Going into Week 2
The Athletic's Josh Kendall reports that the Atlanta Falcons updated their media advisory for the week on Tuesday, with the old one listed as "starting QB press conference" on Wednesday. The new one reads: "QB Cooper Rush press conference." The NFL Network's Steve Wyche checked in on this and was told that the Falcons listed Rush "based on no new information." Head coach Kevin Stefanski will announce who the Week starting QB is "whenever he decides to make his decision public." So for lack of a better term, Rush is the team's starting QB placeholder for now, with both Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) dealing with injuries. Penix is still recovering from a partially torn ACL late last year, and while he is progressing, he might not be ready for the Week 2 contest against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Tagovailoa was set to start in the Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but an oblique injury in practice last Thursday forced him out, and he might be trending towards missing a second straight game. If Rush makes a second straight start for Atlanta this weekend, fantasy managers will need to downgrade all of the team's offensive weapons again. The 32-year-old Rush threw for 143 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh.
Source: NFL Network - Steve Wyche
Source: NFL Network - Steve Wyche
Zay Flowers Could Potentially Miss A Game or Two
The Baltimore Ravens are apparently having a wide receiver workout on Tuesday, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Zrebiec does not think the Ravens are desperate, even with rookie Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) expected to miss extended time and Zay Flowers (hamstring) potentially missing a game or two after they were both injured in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Devontez Walker (groin), who was inactive in the season opener, and rookie Elijah Surratt, who was a healthy scratch, could both get an opportunity for big roles in Week 2 on Sunday in the team's home opener against the New Orleans Saints. The 26-year-old Flowers' hamstring injury is not considered serious, but the fact that he did not return to Sunday's win over Indy is a bit concerning for fantasy managers in terms of his availability going into Week 2. Before injuring his hamstring, Flowers caught five passes for a career-high 150 yards and a touchdown to make his fantasy managers happy. However, quarterback Lamar Jackson's top target could miss a game or two. Keep a close eye on Flowers' practice status from Wednesday through Friday.
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Minkah Fitzpatrick Expected to Miss 2-3 Weeks With Groin Injury
New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin), who suffered a groin injury in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, is expected to miss two to three weeks, according to Jordan Schultz. Fitzpatrick ended up playing only six snaps in the season opener after he was a major offseason addition to the Jets' defense. The 29-year-old five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro did not record a single tackle in the Week 1 game before departing with his groin injury. In Fitzpatrick's absence over the next couple of weeks, both Malachi Moore and Andre Cisco should see more playing time in New York's secondary, which will be more vulnerable, starting in Week 2 at home against the Green Bay Packers. Last year in 14 starts for the Miami Dolphins, Fitzpatrick recorded 82 tackles (59 solo), his first career sack, an interception, six pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in his ninth year in the NFL.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Bo Nix Calls Broncos' Offensive Performance "Pitiful"
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix called the team's offensive performance "pitiful" in their season-opening loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, according to Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. Head coach Sean Payton and new offensive coordinator Davis Webb planned to invigorate the team's ground game in 2026 after re-signing J.K. Dobbins and adding rookie Jonah Coleman in the fourth round of this year's draft, but that went out the window quickly in the first half of Week 1. Nix attempted 19 passes in the first half, compared to only six rushes for the Broncos. They ran the ball four times on 12 first-down snaps. Dobbins had just two carries in the first half. Nix was sacked four times, just the third time he has been sacked that many times in 35 NFL starts, and he also turned the ball over twice. It was not the start that Nix and the Broncos offense wanted, but the good news for Broncos fans is that there is plenty of time to turn it around, starting in the team's Week 2 home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Source: The Denver Post - Parker Gabriel
Source: The Denver Post - Parker Gabriel
Jaylen Warren Remains the RB1 on Steelers' Depth Chart
The Pittsburgh Steelers did not make any changes to their official depth chart as they head into a Week 2 battle on the road against the New England Patriots on Sunday, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Running back Jaylen Warren had a team-high 10 carries for 46 yards in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons and added five catches on six targets for another 27 yards, and he is still listed as the team's RB1 on the depth chart over Rico Dowdle. In his Steelers debut on Sunday, Dowdle had two fewer carries (eight) than Warren, running for just 15 yards (1.9 yards per carry). He caught two of his five targets for six yards. The 27-year-old Warren also lost a fumble, and although the distribution of touches between him and Dowdle was pretty even, Warren was much more efficient with the ball in his hands. Going into the Week 2 matchup this weekend against the Pats, Warren should be the slight fantasy favorite at RB for the Steelers, especially in PPR leagues.
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Dan Campbell "Not Concerned" About Jameson Williams' Drops
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams caught only four of his nine targets for 45 yards in the Week 1 season-opening win in overtime over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, adding three dropped passes. One of Williams' drops likely would have gone for a long touchdown against New Orleans. The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett reports that head coach Dan Campbell said he is not concerned about Williams' drops to begin the 2026 season. The good news is that Williams led the Lions with 128 air yards and was second with a 23% target share, running a route on 37 of the team's 40 dropbacks during the game. The 25-year-old former first-rounder in 2022 from Ohio State does have a tendency to drop passes, but he is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Detroit with 14 combined touchdowns in 2024 and 2025 during the regular season. In a game that could easily turn into a shootout on Thursday night to kick off Week 2 action, Williams should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups as he looks for his first touchdown of the year.
Source: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett
Source: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett
Malik Nabers Didn't Think he Would Play in Week 1
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers told NFL insider Josina Anderson that he did not think he was going to be cleared by the team to play in the Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. "I canceled the trip for my family to be here just because I thought I wasn't playing. So, I came out here all alone. I had to do it myself. I had to lock myself up in the room and fight that 1-on-1 battle," Nabers said. The 23-year-old was active in the 28-20 win over Dallas, but he played just over half (52%) of the offensive snaps, which came in third among the team's WRs, behind rookie Malachi Fields (72%) and Darnell Mooney (57%). Nabers finished second on the team in receiving, though, catching a healthy six passes on a team-high nine targets for 69 yards, which has to be considered a successful debut after the Giants were tight-lipped about his status right up until kickoff on Sunday night. It was his first game action since tearing his ACL early in 2025, and although he had his snaps monitored, he looked good when he was on the field and drew the attention of quarterback Jaxson Dart often. Going into Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football, Nabers should see more action and should be a must-start in fantasy lineups.
Source: Josina Anderson
Source: Josina Anderson
Emmett Johnson Has Already Earned a Bigger Fantasy Look
Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson made a strong first impression Monday night, turning eight carries into 24 yards and catching both of his targets for another 44 yards in a 31-10 win over Denver. Kenneth Walker was the clear lead back, piling up 173 rushing yards on 23 carries, but Johnson still played 25 snaps and ran 10 routes in his NFL debut. That is the part worth chasing. The fifth-round rookie is now listed second on Kansas City's depth chart, and his two receptions included gains of 19 and 25 yards. Some of Johnson's work came after the Chiefs had taken control, so fantasy managers should not treat 10 touches as a guaranteed weekly floor. He does not need to be in Week 2 lineups against Indianapolis, either. Johnson has already shown enough as both a runner and receiver to offer more than ordinary handcuff appeal, though. He should be one of the priority running back additions in 12-team leagues, with even more value for managers rostering Walker.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brian Robinson Could Be One Injury Away From a Huge Role
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson handled nine carries for 31 yards in Sunday's 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh, giving fantasy managers a clear look at his role behind starter Bijan Robinson. He played 15 offensive snaps and was not targeted, so there is not enough standalone work here to trust him in Week 2 lineups. The handcuff case is much stronger. Atlanta lists Robinson second on the depth chart, and the Falcons kept only two running backs on their initial 53-man roster. He also brings far more lead-back experience than most reserves, topping 700 rushing yards in each of his first three NFL seasons. Sunday's nine carries were already a slight step up from the workload he handled as San Francisco's RB2 last year. Robinson is not going to carry much weekly value while the backfield is intact, but he would be in line for a major increase in touches if that changes. He belongs on benches in deeper leagues and remains one of the stronger contingency backs available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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