Fantasy Injury Updates: Latest news on Michael Pittman Jr., Jonnu Smith, Darnell Mooney, more affecting Week 2 start 'em, sit 'em calls

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Injury Updates: Latest news on Michael Pittman Jr., Jonnu Smith, Darnell Mooney, more affecting Week 2 start 'em, sit 'em calls image

We're already seen Odell Beckham Jr. (knee), Will Fuller V (personal), and Tyrell Williams (concussion) declared out for this week, but there aren't many notable pass-catchers who are even "questionable" for Sunday afternoon's games. In fact, the majority of game-time decisions might already be on the unhappy side of start 'em, sit 'em decisions. Michael Pittman Jr., Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Mooney are the biggest names for season-long leagues, while guys like Jamison Crowder and Gabriel Davis are probably only relevant in DFS contests. Either way, we pride ourselves in providing injury updates for even semi-relevant players so you have all the information when finalizing your Week 2 fantasy football lineups.

We'll be here all day Sunday updating this post with the latest news. For an injury update on Marquise Brown ahead of SNF, click here; for an update on D'Andre Swift ahead of MNF, go here; for the Week 2 weather reportclick here. For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.

WEEK 2 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker

Is Michael Pittman Jr. playing Week 2?

UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported early Sunday morning that Pittman and Campbell are expected to play.

UPDATE 2: Pittman is officially ACTIVE, but Campbell is OUT.

Pittman (ankle) was a Friday add to the injury report, but considering he got in a limited practice, he still stands a good chance of suiting up on Sunday against the Rams. He's officially "questionable" (as is fellow wide receiver Parris Campbell, who has an abdomen injury).

Pittman likely won't be in many fantasy lineups this week even if he plays, as he could see a lot of Jalen Ramsey. His injury, even if minor, makes him an even easier "sit" call. If either Pittman or Campbell is out, Zach Pascal and Indy's TEs will likely see bumps in targets, but Pascal might then get the Ramsey treatment, which would ultimately lower his value. Rookie Mike Strachan would likely also see more targets if Pittman and Campbell are out, but he also can't be trusted. Obviously, this would also lower QB Carson Wentz's value, but Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines would see more touches and both be worth using in standard and PPR leagues.

WEEK 2 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker

Is Jonnu Smith playing Week 2?

UPDATE: Smith is officially ACTIVE.

Smith (hip) managed limited practices on Thursday and Friday, so despite his official "questionable" designation, it seems likely he will play against the Jets on Sunday. The Patriots are notorious for listing more players than necessary as "questionable," and it's possible this is another example of that.

If Smith is active, consider both him and Hunter Henry low-end TE1 considerations. If Smith is out, then Henry becomes a virtual must-start. 

WEEK 2 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo

Is Darnell Mooney playing Week 2?

UPDATE: Mooney is officially ACTIVE.

Despite playing through a "questionable" designation last week and getting in full practices all week, Mooney (back) once again has the "Q" tag ahead of Chicago's Week 2 game against the Bengals. 

Mooney wound up catching five-of-seven targets for just 26 yards last week. However, the targets were just as important as the actual (lack of) production. It seems Mooney will once again be in a high-volume role, and that should continue in a much more favorable matchup this week. He's a potential flex in PPR leagues, but if he's out, Marquise Goodwin would get a bump in value (though he's also questionable due to an ankle injury). If one or both are out, TE Cole Kmet, WR Damiere Byrd, and Chicago's running backs will all see more targets, with Kmet suddenly becoming a potential TE1. 

MORE WEEK 2 DFS: Best values | Best values | Lineup Builder

Is Gabriel Davis playing Week 2?

UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Davis is expected to play.

UPDATE 2: Davis is officially ACTIVE.

Davis caught just two-of-five targets for 40 yards last week, but he did get into the end zone and showed why he'll be a boom-or-bust WR3 candidate most games. He's "questionable" for Sunday's game against the Dolphins despite getting in two limited practices to close the week. 

It's tough to recommend playing Davis against a solid defense, but, again, he scored against the Steelers, so matchup might be irrelevant for a big-play guy like him. Still, if he's not 100 percent, give him another week on your bench. If he is inactive, Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders are both in play as WR3s, as they should continue to see steady targets behind Stefon Diggs.

WEEK 2 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

Is Jamison Crowder playing Week 2?

UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported early Sunday morning that Crowder is expected to play.

UPDATE 2: Crowder is officially OUT.

Crowder missed last week's game because of COVID protocols, and this week he's "questionable" because of a groin injury. He did get in limited practices on Thursday and Friday, so it seems likely he makes his debut against the Patriots.

Given the matchup and the possibility Crowder is less than 100 percent, it's best to keep him on your bench (or waiver wire) until we see him in action. The Jets have a lot of similar receivers, and it was clear last week that Corey Davis is the alpha in the WR room now. If Crowder is out, then either Denzel Mims or Elijah Moore will see more targets, but they're not legit fantasy options either.

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.