Fantasy football owners have already been treated to a couple of monster performances this week, with D'Andre Swift doing a complete 180 from the week before and T.J. Hockenson making an early claim for fantasy's top TE. Heading into the Week 2 Sunday slate, we're bound to see more breakouts, disappointments, and, unfortunately, injuries.
Speaking of the fantasy owners' least favorite thing, we're already down Austin Ekeler (ankle) and Diontae Johnson (hamstring), who have been ruled OUT, and several other key players (Aaron Jones, Breece Hall, Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Christian Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, Brandin Cooks, Puka Nacua, and Amari Cooper) are "questionable."
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Jones, Watson, and Cooks are unlikely to play, but Hopkins and Kelce are expected to suit up. Nothing will be official for Jones, Watson, Kelce, and Hopkins until 11:35 a.m. ET (and 2:55 p.m. ET for Cooks), but fantasy owners should prepare accordingly.
As always, we'll be here all morning, reacting to the latest injury news, monitoring the active/inactive lists for any surprises, watching the weather (there are a few rainy spots), and providing start 'em, sit 'em advice based on all the latest developments.
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Fantasy football live news for NFL Week 2
Live updates will begin at 9 a.m. ET.
Injury updates for NFL Week 2
UPDATE (9:20 a.m. ET): NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Mark Andrews is expected to play against Cincinnati today. As long as Andrews is active, he should be in all of his owners' starting lineups.
UPDATE (9:20 a.m. ET): NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Brandin Cooks is NOT expected to play against the Jets today. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the same on Saturday night, so fantasy owners should look to Michael Gallup as a deep-league, boom-or-bust flex.
UPDATE (9:20 a.m. ET): NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also echoed Adam Schefter by reporting Aaron Jones and Christian Watson are NOT expected to play. That makes AJ Dillon a must-start, and Romeo Doubs should once again pay off as a WR3. For those in deep leagues. TE Luke Musgrave should also see extra targets against a Falcons' defense that struggled against TEs last week.
UPDATE (11:52 a.m. ET): ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Amari Cooper is NOT expected to play on Monday night against the Steelers. Donovan Peoples-Jones is an obvious pivot, as he should see more targets, but fantasy owners now have the opportunity to replace Cooper with any receiver on their roster, and they can likely do better than DPJ. Elijah Moore will also see more targets for the Browns, putting him squarely in the WR3 conversation.
UPDATE (12:25 p.m. ET): NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that Puka Nacua is expected to play against San Francisco. Despite the tough matchup, Nacua is still a WR3, at least in PPR leagues, because of his high target share.
NOTABLE EARLY ACTIVES (11:35 a.m. ET): DeAndre Hopkins, Mark Andrews, Travis Kelce, C.J. Stroud, Joey Bosa
NOTABLE EARLY INACTIVES (11:35 a.m. ET): Aaron Jones, Christian Watson, D'Onta Foreman, Austin Ekeler, Jakobi Meyers
WEEK 2 INJURY UPDATES:
RBs | WRs | TEs | Cooper
Playing time updates for NFL Week 2
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Sunday morning that Jahmyr Gibbs will see a "bigger role" in the Lions' offense in Week 2. Gibbs should have already been penciled in as flex this week, and this just confirmed that he has RB2 upside. David Montgomery is still worth a flex spot, too, but his owners shouldn't expect another 20-plus touches.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that the Falcons will continue to split carries "evenly" between Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in Week 2. This doesn't really affect Robinson's must-start status, but it is encouraging for Allgeier, who should continue to have at least flex value in this split.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Sunday morning that D'Onta Foreman will be a healthy scratch in Week 2, opening the door for more carries for Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. This is especially interesting for Johnson, who profiles as a potential flex given the boost in touches.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Chiefs' DT Chris Jones will play around 20-30 snaps. His presence will certainly help the Chiefs' D/ST but not enough to make them a worthwhile starting unit against Jacksonville's stellar offense.
The Bengals made Chris Evans inactive this week, which means rookie Chase Brown will serve as the No. 3 back. This won't have an impact on Week 2 fantasy matchups, but it's something to watch going forward, as Brown was a popular preseason sleeper and surprise inactive last week.
Weather updates for NFL Week 2
For a full breakdown of all of the Week 2 weather worries, click here.
There are really only two spots that look worrisome this week -- Chiefs @ Jaguars and Bears @ Buccaneers. With around a 50-percent chance of rain for both, chances are we'll see some wet conditions. Ultimately, though, unless there are sudden downpours (which is slightly more likely the Bears-Buccaneers game), there's no need to bench any of your normal starters from these games.
UPDATE (11:43 a.m. ET): Forecasts now suggest the Bears-Buccaneers game is likely to see spotty rain, at most. Fantasy owners shouldn't let weather worries affect their lineup decisions this week.
Who should I start in fantasy football today?
Advice based on 12-team, half-point PPR leagues
The recommendations below are from Vinnie Iyer's Week 2 start 'em, sit 'em column.
Must-starts
QB: Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. MIN), Patrick Mahomes, Cheifs (at JAX), Josh Allen, Bills (vs. LV), Justin Herbert, Chargers (at TEN), Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. KC), Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. BAL), Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at CIN), Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at NE)
RB: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at LAR), Nick Chubb, Browns (at PIT), Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. LAC), Saquon Barkley, Giants (ARI), Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. GB), Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. KC), Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs. NYJ), Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at BUF), Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. MIA), Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (at DET), David Montgomery, Lions (vs. SEA), Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. SEA), Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. BAL), Dameon Pierce, Texans (vs. IND), James Cook, Bills (vs. LV), Rachaad White, Buccaneers (vs. CHI)
WR: Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at NE), Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at PHI), Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at BAL), Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. LV), Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. SEA), A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. MIN), DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. MIN), Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (vs. KC), Chris Olave, Saints (at CAR), Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at LAR), Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at NE), Mike Williams, Chargers (at TEN), DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at DET), Keenan Allen, Chargers (at TEN), Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. BAL), Davante Adams, Raiders (at BUF), CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. NYJ), Garrett Wilson, Jets (at DAL), Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at LAR), Zay Flowers, Ravens (at CIN), Amari Cooper, Browns (at PIT), Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. CHI), Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. CHI), DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (vs. LAC), Jahan Dotson, Commanders (at DEN)
TE: Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at JAX), Mark Andrews, Ravens (at CIN), T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at PHI), Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. MIA), Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. KC), George Kittle, 49ers (at LAR), Darren Waller, Giants (at ARI)
D/ST: Cowboys (vs. NYJ), 49ers (at LAR), Eagles (vs. MIN), Bills (vs. LV), Saints (at CAR), Giants (at ARI), Broncos (vs. WAS), Jets (at DAL)
Smart sits
QB: Deshaun Watson (at PIT), Anthony Richardson (at HOU), Dak Prescott (vs. NYJ)
RB: Raheem Mostert (at NE), Brian Robinson Jr. (at DEN), Cam Akers and Kyren Williams (vs. SF), Joshua Kelley (at TEN), Dalvin Cook (at DAL)
WR: George Pickens (vs. CLE), Terry McLaurin (at DEN), Christian Kirk (vs. KC), Drake London (vs. GB), Marquise Brown (vs. NYG)
TE: Kyle Pitts (vs. GB), Tyler Higbee (vs. SF), Jake Ferguson (vs. NYJ), Juwan Johnson (at CAR)
D/ST: Ravens (at CIN), Patriots (vs. MIA), Commanders (at DEN), Colts (at HOU)
Read more coverage from Sporting News' team of fantasy football experts, including Week 2 rankings for PPR and standard formats, sleepers, busts, DFS picks, and other projections below.
WEEK 2 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
WEEK 2 DFS: DK lineup | FD lineup | Best stacks | Best values
WEEK 2 TOOLS: RotoBaller "Who To Start?" tool | Draft Sharks' Week 2 projections
Fantasy football rankings Week 2
Below are Sporting News' updated fantasy football rankings for Week 2. Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring.
Quarterback
Rank Player
1 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ Jaguars
2 Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. Vikings
3 Justin Herbert, Chargers @ Titans
4 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars vs. Chiefs
5 Josh Allen, Bills vs. Raiders
6 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins @ Patriots
7 Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ Bengals
8 Joe Burrow, Bengals vs. Ravens
9 Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Jets
10 Justin Fields, Bears @ Buccaneers
Running back
Rank Player
1 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers @ Rams
2 Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. Packers
3 Saquon Barkley, Giants @ Cardinals
4 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Dolphins
5 Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. Chiefs
6 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Bills
7 Nick Chubb, Browns @ Steelers
8 Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Chargers
9 Najee Harris, Steelers vs. Browns
10 Tony Pollard, Cowboys vs. Jets
11 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Lions
12 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs @ Jaguars
13 Joe Mixon, Bengals vs. Ravens
14 James Conner, Cardinals vs. Giants
15 James Cook, Bills vs. Raiders
16 Miles Sanders, Panthers vs. Saints
17 David Montgomery, Lions vs. Seahawks
18 Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Commanders
19 Dameon Pierce, Texans vs. Colts
20 Rachaad White, Buccaneers vs. Bears
Wide receiver
Rank Player
1 Justin Jefferson, Vikings @ Eagles
2 Tyreek Hill, Dolphins @ Patriots
3 Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals vs. Ravens
4 Davante Adams, Raiders @ Bills
5 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions vs. Seahawks
6 A.J. Brown, Eagles vs. Vikings
7 CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys vs. Jets
8 Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. Raiders
9 Calvin Ridley, Jaguars vs. Chiefs
10 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins @ Patriots
11 Chris Olave, Saints @ Panthers
12 Garrett Wilson, Jets @ Cowboys
13 DeVonta Smith, Eagles vs. Vikings
14 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers @ Rams
15 DeAndre Hopkins, Titans vs. Chargers
16 Tee Higgins, Bengals vs. Ravens
17 Amari Cooper, Browns @ Steelers
18 DK Metcalf, Seahawks @ Lions
19 Keenan Allen, Chargers @ Titans
20 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts @ Texans
21 Deebo Samuel, 49ers @ Rams
22 Terry McLaurin, Commanders @ Broncos
23 Mike Evans, Buccaneers vs. Bears
24 Mike Williams, Chargers @ Titans
25 Chris Godwin, Buccaneers vs. Bears
Tight end
Rank Player
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ Jaguars
2 Mark Andrews, Ravens @ Bengals
3 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ Eagles
4 Darren Waller, Giants @ Cardinals
5 George Kittle, 49ers @ Rams
6 Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Vikings
7 Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Chiefs
8 Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Packers
9 Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs. Browns
10 Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. Giants
Defense/Special teams
Rank Player
1 San Francisco 49ers @ Rams
2 Dallas Cowboys vs. Jets
3 Buffalo Bills vs. Raiders
4 Philadelphia Eagles vs. Vikings
5 New Orleans Saints @ Panthers
6 Denver Broncos vs. Commanders
7 Baltimore Ravens @ Bengals
8 New England Patriots vs. Dolphins
9 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Browns
10 Cleveland Browns @ Steelers
WEEK 2 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
