2 years agoThe Los Angeles Rams defense and special teams unit faces the Atlanta Falcons this week in what could be a tough matchup. The Falcons offense didn't do much last season, but now they have a new quarterback who can run in Marcus Mariota, rookie receiver Drake London and record-setting tight end Kyle Pitts entering his second year. Add in dual-threat running back Cordarrelle Patterson, and they looked good in Week 1. The Falcons gained over 400 yards and scored 26 points on the Saints. The Saints defense allowed fewer yards and fewer points last season than the Rams defense did, so if the Falcons can do that to the Saints, they could do it to the Rams.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: Team Rankings

2 years agoTennessee Titans running back Dontrell Hilliard (hamstring) missed Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury. He touched the ball five times in Week 1 against the New York Giants. The 27-year-old made the most out of those touches by catching three passes and racking up 69 total yards with two receiving touchdowns. He picked up a hamstring sometime during the week and could not practice Thursday. The Titans play on Monday, and Hilliard will have a few more sessions to try and practice this week. Hilliard will be the Titans' RB2 behind star Derrick Henry if active. Hassan Haskins, Julius Chestnut, and Trenton Cannon would back up Henry if Hilliard cannot suit up in Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Turron Davenport of ESPN

2 years agoArizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (hamstring) is not expected to play in Week 2's matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. He has been unable to practice this week and will miss his second straight game due to a hamstring injury. According to Aaron Wilson of the Pro Football Network, Moore will miss Week 2 and could be sidelined for multiple weeks. The 22-year-old initially hurt his hamstring during practice last week. Arizona is depleted at the wide receiver position with Moore, Andy Isabella (back), and DeAndre Hopkins (suspension) out. A.J. Green and Greg Dortch should see an uptick in targets with Moore sidelined, but both are dart throws at best in deep-league formats.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Wilson

2 years agoSan Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (groin) is not expected to play in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. He has been unable to practice this week and is expected to miss his second straight game due to a groin injury. "Hopefully, we'll have better luck this week," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said of Kittle. "Made a lot of progress." The 28-year-old hasn't officially been ruled out, but fantasy managers with Kittle should look for a streaming option in Week 2. Tyler Kroft and Ross Dwelley should continue to see an increase in snaps with Kittle sidelined, but neither tight end is a good fantasy option against the Seahawks.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Wilson

2 years agoLos Angeles Rams kicker Matt Gay is a solid streaming option in his Week 2 home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons allowed the most touchdowns per game in 2021 but only the 25th-most field goals. In sum, they allowed the 15th-most points to opposing kickers. There is a lot of random variability when it comes to field goals, but one reason for the relative lack of FGs by Falcons opponents is that the Falcons were one of the worst defenses in the red zone, allowing touchdowns 63.8% of the time. With the Rams strong offense and the Falcons weak defense, Gay has a good chance to at least kick some extra-points and maybe a FG or two.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: Team Rankings

2 years agoAtlanta Falcons running back Damien Williams (ribs) did not practice on Thursday. He missed most of the Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints with a rib injury and couldn't practice this week. The 30-year-old is trending in the wrong direction to suit up for Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams. He will have one more chance to practice on Friday. Williams finished with two carries for two yards and only 13% of the offensive snaps in Week 1. Avery Williams and Tyler Allgeier would see an uptick in snaps if Williams is ruled out against the Rams.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Falcons

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ribs) will undergo more tests on his injured ribs Friday. According to head coach Brandon Staley, the star quarterback is "OK" after the quarterback sustained an injury late in Thursday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The severity of Herbert's injury will be known after he undergoes further evaluation. The 24-year-old completed 33-of-48 passes for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in the Week 2 loss to the Chiefs. Herbert will have a few extra days to recover, but his status for Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars is up in the air for now. Stay tuned.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network

2 years agoLos Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers goes into a Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons with questions about his usage. Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, he had only three carries and did not gain positive yardage. Rams coach Sean McVay said that he maintains confidence in Akers and is pushing him to step up. He said, "I want him to be able to be a guy that we're heavily able to lean on, both him and Darrell." His matchup against the weak Falcons defense could be tempting—if he gets enough carries. The Falcons allowed opposing RBs to run all over them for the ninth most fantasy points last season. But it is risky to start Akers until you can be assured that he has a role in the Rams offense.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: Cameron DaSilva - USA Today

2 years agoLos Angeles Rams running back Darrell Henderson Jr. is a hot "start" choice in Week 2 in the  home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs last season and the most total touchdowns to all positions. Because Henderson has a major role in the Rams passing game, he could score a receiving touchdown, too. Henderson took 82% of the Rams rushing volume in Week 1, but he probably won't monopolize carries at such a high margin very often, even if he remains the lead back. Rams head coach Sean McVay says he wants to get Cam Akers involved more. Against a weak Falcons team, there should be more total carries for both backs. Henderson is a strong starter at flex with real potential to finish as an RB1 this week.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: Cameron DaSilva - USA Today

2 years agoLos Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is a must-start with a favorable home matchup against the weak Atlanta Falcons defense Week 2. Kupp made 13 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown Week 1 against the tough Buffalo Bills defense. Now he faces a Falcons defense that allowed the sixth most fantasy points to opposing receivers last season. While the Rams might not target him 15 times if they get out to a big lead early, Kupp could gain more yards per catch and have more red zone opportunities than he did Week 1.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoLos Angeles Rams wide receiver Allen Robinson II has a good chance to rebound from his lack of Week 1 production with a favorable home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons Week 2. Robinson disappointed fantasy managers who started him with just one reception for 12 yards against the Buffalo Bills in his first game as a Ram. But the strong Bills defense allowed the least fantasy points to opposing WRs last season. The Falcons, by contrast, allowed the sixth most fantasy points to WRs. Last week, two Saints receivers put up double digit fantasy points (standard scoring) on the Falcons. Fantasy managers who had the confidence in Robinson to draft him and start him Week 1 should have the confidence to stick with him Week 2.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoLos Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford looks to bounce back from a tough opening game with a more favorable home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons Week 2. Stafford struggled greatly Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, throwing three interceptions and taking seven sacks. He finished as the QB29. In contrast to the No. 1-ranked Bills defense, the Falcons are considerably weaker. The Falcons defense allowed a 67.8% completion percentage, 232.5 passing yards, and 1.8 passing TDs per game last season. Last week, they allowed 269 yards and two passing TDs to Saints QB Jameis Winston. The Falcons also had the least sacks in the entire NFL, so the Rams shaky offensive line should be able to hold up better against them than they did against the tough Buffalo D-line. Stafford should return to being a top 12 QB this week.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: Team Rankings

2 years agoThe Los Angeles Chargers defense/special teams gave up 21 points and was unable to force any turnovers in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The defense looked stout early on and forced Kansas City to punt on each of their first two drives, but Patrick Mahomes and company eventually got things going. Los Angeles unfortunately only sacked Mahomes once after racking up six sacks and three interceptions against the Las Vegas Raiders last week. The Chargers DST looks like a solid fantasy option for the next three weeks, though, with matchups against Jacksonville, Houston, and Cleveland on the schedule.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins drilled his lone field goal attempt and all three of his extra-point tries in Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Hopkins' field goal accounted for the first points of the game but he was not asked to do much for the rest of the night. Because of the Chargers' explosive offense, Hopkins should provide a somewhat high floor for fantasy by kicking multiple extra points every week. He will continue to be a fine fantasy option for this reason.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver DeAndre Carter caught all three of his targets for 55 yards in the team's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Carter saw an expanded opportunity in Week 1 and scored after Keenan Allen (hamstring) was forced to exit the game early. Although Allen remained out in Week 2, Carter was out-targeted by four of his teammates and gained 35 of his 55 yards on a big play late in the fourth quarter. He will be a desperation flex play, at best, in games in which Allen is inactive, but can be safely dropped in fantasy if Allen returns next week.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett tallied six receptions for 71 yards on 10 targets in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Everett was utilized heavily on an important drive in the fourth quarter and appeared to ask to be taken out of the game. Unfortunately, a visibly tired Everett remained on the field as the Chargers entered a no-huddle offense and was unable to make a play on a ball near the goal line, resulting in a 99-yard pick-six. Still, Everett has been a key piece of the team's passing attack in each of the first two weeks. His involvement with a healthy Keenan Allen (hamstring) remains to be seen, but Everett should have plenty of opportunities to score throughout the season. Regardless of Allen's status going forward, Everett is worth holding onto for fantasy and should be started confidently for as long as Allen is out.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoHouston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. had a nice night on the mound on Thursday as he struck out 11 batters in his club's 5-2 win over the Athletics. He unfortunately settled for a no-decision after allowing two runs on two hits and four walks over six innings of work, throwing 99 pitches in the sharp performance. McCullers only ran into trouble in the fourth inning when he loaded the bases before giving up a two-run single, but he would go on to retire the next eight batters he faced to end his night. The 28-year-old will take a 2.34 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 37 K through 34 2/3 IP into his next start versus the Rays next week.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told reporters that Justin Herbert (abdomen) is "OK" after the quarterback sustained an injury late in Thursday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert took a couple of big but clean hits in the fourth quarter and was clearly in pain for the team's final two drives before heading to the X-ray room immediately after the game. Staley also added that more information on Herbert's status would be available on Friday, but that he doesn't expect the injury to be of much concern going forward. Luckily, Herbert will have a long week to recover before a Week 3 matchup next Sunday with the Jacksonville Jaguars.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: Daniel Popper

2 years agoNew York Mets starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco was superb on Thursday as he struck out 11 batters in his club's 7-1 win over the Pirates. The veteran allowed one run on four hits while walking a pair in the 104-pitch effort as he took his record to 15-6 on the season. Carrasco retired the last eight batters he faced with his only hiccup on the scoreboard coming off a Michael Chavis RBI double in the second inning. He now holds a serviceable 3.70 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 143 K through 141 IP in his bounce back season as he sets his sights on the Brewers in his next matchup.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoCincinnati Reds reliever Alexis Diaz recorded his seventh save of the season on Thursday to close out his team's 3-2 win over the Cardinals. The 25-year-old did allow one run after loading the bases on a walk and two singles, but he limited the damage by allowing a sac fly to Albert Pujols before getting a groundout to end the game. Diaz has been getting some run as the team's closer in the latter part of the season, and for good reason since he's posted a strong 1.93 ERA and 0.96 WHIP through 56 IP in his rookie campaign.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoMinnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober (groin) will be activated off the injured list to start Friday's game versus the Guardians with Jharel Cotton getting designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Ober hasn't pitched since June 1 after straining his groin, but he's pitched decent in his rehab starts in the minors. He got up to 66 pitches in his latest outing, so he should be stretched out enough to throw about 80 pitches. He'll be a risky fantasy play in his first start back in the majors, but managers could scoop him up and stash him for his start next week versus the Royals.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: Betsy Helfand - Twitter

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer finished with four receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown on eight targets in the team's Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It took some time for Palmer to get going as he was targeted early by Justin Herbert but didn't tally his first reception until the second quarter. Still, this appeared to be a disappointing performance for fantasy until Herbert connected with Palmer on the game's final touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Palmer is worth hanging onto with Keenan Allen's (hamstring) status for Week 3 unknown, but will only be a WR3/flex play if Allen remains inactive.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoPittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker threw just three innings during Thursday's start before getting removed with lat discomfort. The right-hander wasn't very sharp in the outing by giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks, but he was able to strike out five batters on the night. The team has yet to provide any further information of his injury, but with their season going nowhere, there was no need to push him any further. There's a good chance Brubaker misses his next scheduled start the Yankees next week, but look for the club to update his status within the next 24 hours.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: Mike Persak - Twitter

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams hauled in eight of 10 targets for 113 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Justin Herbert made an obvious effort to get Williams involved early in this one with Keenan Allen (hamstring) sidelined. His first score of the season came on an excellent one-handed contested grab in the third quarter. Williams likely won't see double-digit targets every week, especially once Allen returns, but this performance served as a nice reminder of why he should be a fixture in fantasy lineups. Williams remains a solid WR2 with week-winning upside heading into a Week 3 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler handled 14 carries for 39 yards and added nine receptions for 55 yards on 10 targets in the team's 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Ekeler again ceded some snaps to Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel, with the latter even taking the goal-line work early in the contest. The good news is that Ekeler was heavily utilized as a receiver throughout the game, especially in the fourth quarter with the Chargers trailing. Perhaps fantasy managers should temper their expectations for Ekeler's touchdown upside going forward, but he is still a primary weapon on a high-flying offense. A Week 3 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars is on deck.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was excellent for fantasy yet again in Thursday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, completing 33 of 48 pass attempts for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The interception was a costly one as it was thrown at the Chiefs' three yard line and returned for a touchdown that gave Kansas City the lead in the fourth quarter. Herbert also took a few hits late in the game, suffering an apparent rib injury that even forced him to miss a play. Luckily, Herbert came back in and, despite being visibly in pain, led the Chargers on an impressive drive that resulted in a touchdown pass to Joshua Palmer. Herbert is expected to have x-rays completed immediately and fantasy managers should closely monitor his status for Week 3. Obviously, if healthy, he will continue to be a must-start fantasy option every week.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLas Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller will look to build off of a solid Week 1 performance where he totaled 79 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers. He will be facing a Cardinals defense in Week 2 who surrendered eight catches for 121 yards and a touchdown to Travis Kelce last week. Waller was used as a downfield target in Week 1, which we love to see from a tight end. With defensive attention shifted to new Raiders receiver Davante Adams, Waller saw plenty of room to operate in the middle of the field. He should continue to be a go-to target for Derek Carr as the offense looks to get rolling after a losing effort.--Al Calo - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoLas Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (hamstring) did not practice Thursday. He's now missed back-to-back sessions due to a hamstring issue. Before his injury in the Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, he rushed three times for seven yards while securing both targets for 21 yards and a touchdown while logging 16 snaps. The 32-year-old is trending in the wrong direction and could miss Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. If Bolden is inactive, Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah will work behind starter Josh Jacobs.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Tyler Drake

2 years agoSeattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (hernia) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice. He had surgery for a hernia in mid-August and was inactive for Monday's Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos. The 21-year-old was a full participant on Wednesday and will make his NFL debut this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Friday's practice status should give fantasy managers a good idea if Walker will suit up on Sunday. Walker will serve as Seattle's RB2 behind Rashaad Penny, but due to the uncertainty of his role in Week 2, he is not recommended flex option in Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: John Boyle of Seahawks.com

2 years agoLas Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will look to put together a better performance in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. Carr turned the ball over three times while taking five sacks in the Raiders season opener, leading to a sub-par fantasy output. He will look to bounce back against a Cardinals defense that just allowed Patrick Mahomes to throw for 360 yards and five touchdowns. As long as the offensive line can protect Carr in this one, the offense should have more overall success. We saw in Week 1 that even in poor performance, having a superstar option in the passing game like Davante Adams will keep the fantasy floor elevated for the popular late-round QB. Treat Carr as a low-end QB1 in this plus matchup.--Al Calo - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com