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

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers offensive lineman Corey Linsley (knee) is questionable to return in Thursday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He suffered a knee injury during the second quarter and did not come out with the team during the second half. The 31-year-old logged the major of snaps before injuring his knee. Linsley controls many of their protection adjustments, and his absence from the offensive line only hurts quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers' offense.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter of ESPN

2 years agoLas Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs will look for his first touchdown of the season in the team's first home game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. Jacobs led the team in rush attempts (10) while playing 60 percent of the snaps in Week 1. His percentage of running back touches were a good indication of his expected usage going forward. The Raiders offense should have more success against a Cardinals defense that gave up 44 points to the Chiefs, including three touchdowns to running backs. Jacobs will look to continue his efficient play while hoping for more volume in this one. Start Jacobs as a mid-range RB2 in this Week 2 matchup.--Al Calo - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoNew York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) is "really confident" in making his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. He continues to recover from an MCL sprain he suffered in mid-August and is trending towards the right direction of suiting up against Carolina. "Getting close," Thibodeaux said Thursday. "Like I said, trying not to look too far what is today? Today is Thursday - still have Friday and Saturday. I'm really confident in this Sunday." The No. 5 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft participated in some drills on Thursday and was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Thibodeaux will look to log a full session on Friday and could make his debut this Sunday. Stay tuned.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Raanan of ESPN

2 years agoArizona Cardinals defensive lineman J.J. Watt (calf) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice. He has been dealing with a calf injury and was held out of the regular season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 33-year-old did not practice Wednesday and is hopeful of playing in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders. "It was a good day of work, a good first day back out there (at practice). I'll get some more tomorrow and then go from there," said Watt. The former Houston Texan is trending in the right direction towards suiting up on Sunday but will most likely need to log a full practice on Friday. Stay tuned.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Tyler Drake

2 years agoArizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (calf) practiced in full Thursday. He did not practice on Wednesday and was given a maintenance day off. He was upgraded as a full participant on Thursday. The 31-year-old has been dealing with a calf issue since early August but was active for Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. "I feel great now. The calf, God willing, is behind me, so really just focused on being the best I can be on Sunday and find a way to win," said Ertz. He caught two of four targets for 14 yards and a touchdown. Ertz is a borderline TE1 against the Las Vegas Raiders and should be started in most leagues in Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Tyler Drake

2 years agoJacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram is slated to make his second start with the Jaguars in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts. The former first-round pick hauled in four passes for 28 yards on four targets in Week 1 versus the Washington Commanders. After signing with Jacksonville, the Ole Miss product was expected to immediately become the starting tight end, and he's clearly earned the role. In the first game of the season, Engram was on the field for 47 offensive snaps for the Jaguars in Week 1, which was 19 more than the next tight end on the roster. For those who need someone to start with George Kittle likely out or just need a streaming option, the 28-year-old tight end is worth consideration in Week 2.--Skyler Carlin - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoThe Pittsburgh Steelers defense was fantastic in a Week 1 win, notching seven sacks and forcing five turnovers. They draw another plus matchup in a home matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 2. New England managed just seven points against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 and quarterback Mac Jones (back, illness) will come into the weekend banged up. Even though the Steelers will be without star pass rusher T.J. Watt, they still need to be treated as a top-10 fantasy option for Week 2.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell made three of his four field goals in a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Boswell will look for another multiple-field goal game in a home matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 2. The Patriots were generous to fantasy kickers in 2021, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position. Boswell could be busy against the Patriots in Week 2, but the Pittsburgh offense isn't quite explosive enough to treat him as a top-12 fantasy option for this weekend.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth led his team with 75 receiving yards in a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. The second-year tight end showed nice chemistry with new quarterback Mitch Trubisky, drawing 10 targets, good for second on the team. Freiermuth will look to keep it going at home against the New England Patriots in Week 2. The Patriots were tough on opposing tight ends in 2021, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, Freiermuth appears to be on the verge of a breakout in 2022 and needs to be treated as an every week TE1 until he proves otherwise. Freiermuth should be active in fantasy for Week 2.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoNew York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay is set to face the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 of the 2022 season. The veteran wideout had a quiet performance in Week 1 versus the Tennessee Titans, concluding the game with two receptions for 22 yards. While Golladay didn't have a notable stat line in the win over the Titans, he still managed to be on the field for the most offensive snaps among the wide receivers on the Giants. That being said, Sterling Shepard (who was coming off of an Achilles injury) and Richie James Jr. were more productive on fewer snaps. Even with Wan'Dale Robinson and Kadarius Toney questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Panthers, Golladay shouldn't be considered unless you're absolutely desperate in a deeper league.--Skyler Carlin - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens garnered plenty of attention based on his productive preseason but he didn't fare as well in his regular-season debut, catching just one ball for three yards. The rookie wideout will look to bounce back in a home matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 2. On the positive side, Pickens saw plenty of playing time in Week 1, playing on 71.4% of the offensive snaps. Pickens remains a strong hold in dynasty but he's nothing more than an end of roster stash in redraft leagues moving forward. Pickens should not be in fantasy lineups in Week 2.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool saw a surprising six carries for 36 yards to lead his team in a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Claypool didn't fare as well through the air, however, finishing with four catches for just 18 yards. The third-year wideout will look to break out in Week 2 when he takes on the New England Patriots at home. The Patriots struggled against receivers in 2021, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, Claypool has struggled to produce consistently in fantasy for over a year now and is best treated as a low-end WR3 in Week 2.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoKansas City Chiefs running back Ronald Jones is once again a healthy scratch for Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. Jones was on the roster bubble in training camp, but he made the final roster and has been inactive for their first two games of the season. In the season-opening blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals, Clyde Edwards-Helaire operated as the lead back, although pass-catching back Jerick McKinnon had the exact same snap percentage as him (38.6 percent). Rookie Isiah Pacheco played only 16 of the team's 70 offensive snaps. Jones will probably need an injury to one of the backs ahead of him in order to dress up on game days. He can be dropped in redraft leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Adam Teicher

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers rookie running back Isaiah Spiller is a healthy scratch on Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. Spiller will have to wait to make his NFL debut in a regular season game. To open the year, the Bolts have decided to go with Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel as the backups to starter Austin Ekeler. In the Week 1 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Kelley played 26.9 percent of the offensive snaps, while Michel saw 23.9 percent behind Ekeler's 49.3 percentage. Spiller has plenty of long-term potential, but it might take an injury for him to become fantasy relevant outside of deeper and dynasty/keeper formats. Neither Kelley nor Michel have standalone fantasy appeal on Thursday night.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper