2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley will take the field after a short week for a Week 2 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Both Kelley and Sony Michel were involved last week and took some touches away from starter Austin Ekeler. Kelley was even utilized as a receiving option as he hauled in both of his targets for 14 yards. His usage will be something to monitor this week and going forward, but Kelley is only a handcuff for Ekeler in fantasy at the moment and should remain out of starting lineups.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoDenver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (knee, hip) didn't practice on Wednesday. He was questionable heading into Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks with knee and hip injuries but ended up suiting up. The 23-year-old logged 40 snaps but was unable to secure his only target. Hamler is third on the WR depth chart behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. The 2020 second-round pick will look to practice in some fashion on Thursday. Hamler is far down the receiving pecking order and is mainly a stash in dynasty leagues for now.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Aric DiLalla of Broncos.com

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins will look to get back on track in Week 2 after missing one of his two field goal attempts in Week 1. The Chargers take on the division rival Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night in what projects to be a high-scoring affair. Despite a shaky start to the season, Hopkins remains a solid fantasy option at the kicker position as the Chargers' offense will continue to move the ball effectively and put up points.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoBaltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is officially finished talking about his contract situation. "Respectfully, I'm done talking about it," Jackson said. "I told you guys before, I was going to be done with it Week 1. Week 1 is over with. We're done talking about it. I'm focused on the Dolphins now." The 25-year-old recently turned down a massive six-year, $290 million contract that included $133 million fully guaranteed. He will play in the final year of his rookie deal and look for a contract extension next offseason. The 2019 NFL MVP completed 17-of-30 passes for 213 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in Sunday's 24-9 win over the Jets. He added 17 yards on six rushing attempts. Despite not receiving a new contract, Jackson is a high-end QB1 against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Jamison Hensley of ESPN

2 years agoThe Los Angeles Chargers defense/special teams had a solid fantasy performance in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, but have an even more challenging matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. The talent on the Chargers defense shined last week as they recorded six sacks and forced three interceptions from Derek Carr. Fantasy managers could bet on this talent to make plays again this week, but Patrick Mahomes is fresh off of a 360-yard-and-five-touchdown performance in which the Chiefs' offense looked unstoppable. The Chargers DST is not a recommended play this week solely based on their matchup but could be worth holding onto for a Week 3 bout with the Jacksonville Jaguars.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoSeattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (hernia) practiced in full Wednesday. He had surgery for a hernia in mid-August and was inactive for Monday's Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos. "Kenny Walker is going to be out there this week for us to add to that, said head coach Pete Carroll. The 21-year-old will make his NFL debut against the 49ers in Week 2. Walker will serve as Seattle's RB2 behind Rashaad Penny, who logged 12 carries for 60 yards, and two catches for seven yards In Monday's win over the Broncos. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Walker, but due to the uncertainty of his role, he is not recommended flex option in Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: John Boyle of Seahawks.com

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver DeAndre Carter will once again have a great opportunity in a Week 2 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. Carter saw four targets and scored a touchdown in Week 1 with Keenan Allen (hamstring) leaving in the first half. Allen has now been ruled out of Thursday night's contest, so Carter will likely be involved in what projects to be a shootout against a divisional foe. He is worthy of a stash in dynasty and deep redraft leagues but is not a recommended play this week as there is still plenty of target competition in Los Angeles.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett will look to build off his success in Week 1 in a Week 2 divisional matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Everett capitalized on the absence of Donald Parham Jr. (hamstring) and the early exit from Keenan Allen (hamstring) last week and should benefit once again as both players have been ruled out for Thursday night's contest. In a game with the highest projected point total of the week, Everett could easily find the end zone again and should be started as a TE1 this week.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer was a non-factor in Week 1, but will likely operate as the team's clear WR2 in a Week 2 clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. With Keenan Allen (hamstring) ruled out, Palmer's opportunity to validate the preseason hype he received has arrived. In one contest without Allen last season, Palmer saw seven targets and tallied five receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. He is still a risky option considering he has only posted two top-24 weekly finishes in 18 career games, but if there was a week for him to explode, it's this one in which the Chargers will be without their primary target for a game that figures to be a shootout. Palmer can be started as a WR3/flex this week and should be rostered in all formats.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams only garnered two receptions on four targets in Week 1 but should be primed for a much greater opportunity in Week 2 with Keenan Allen (hamstring) sidelined. The Chargers' matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs is currently projected to be the highest-scoring game of the week. It's hard to imagine a divisional shootout between these two teams without Williams having a significant role. He has always been a boom-bust fantasy option, but this week has boom written all over it. Williams must be started as a WR2 in all formats.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler had an underwhelming Week 1 performance and will look to get back on track against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. There was a surprising amount of utilization for Sony Michel and Joshua Kelley in Los Angeles' season opener, but Ekeler still saw the most targets out of the backfield and all of the goal-line touches. The Chargers also led the Raiders for almost the entire game, so Ekeler could see more snaps in what should be a back-and-forth battle with the Chiefs this week. With Keenan Allen (hamstring) officially ruled out, additional targets will be available for Ekeler as well. Fantasy managers should still deploy Ekeler as a high-end RB1 until further notice.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoThe Chicago Bears placed former first-round offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (illness) on the Non-Football Injury list on Wednesday, putting him out for at least the next four weeks. Leatherwood is dealing with mononucleosis, but head coach Matt Eberflus said, "We feel great about where he is and him coming back." The 23-year-old was inactive in the Week 1 season-opening win over the San Francisco 49ers, and he won't make his NFL debut for at least another four weeks. Leatherwood started all 17 games at right tackle as a rookie in 2021 with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he wasn't very good and was cut by Las Vegas last month. The Bears will sign Michael Schofield to take Leatherwood's spot on the roster.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will take the field for the second time in five days for a Week 2 divisional showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. In Week 1, Herbert proved worthy of his QB2 average draft position as he completed 26 of 34 pass attempts for 279 yards and three touchdowns. Herbert will be without Keenan Allen (hamstring) on Thursday night, but the Chargers' offense still has enough firepower to go toe-to-toe with the Chiefs. In four career matchups with Kansas City, Herbert has averaged almost 28 fantasy points per game. He should have no trouble repeating this success as a top-five fantasy quarterback option this week.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoThe Houston Texans tried out free-agent running back La'Mical Perine on Wednesday. Perine landed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason after he was waived by the New York Jets, but he was then released from Philly's practice squad just last week. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder received 72 carries for 263 yards and two touchdowns while adding 11 receptions on 15 targets for 63 yards through the air in his two seasons with the Jets. If Perine were to land in Houston, he'd serve as running back depth behind rookie Dameon Pierce, veteran Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

2 years agoThe San Francisco 49ers signed wide receiver Willie Snead to their practice squad on Wednesday. Snead will return to the team's practice squad after he was released by the team at the beginning of August. The 29-year-old veteran pass-catcher played in nine games with the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, catching only four of eight targets for 38 scoreless yards. Snead will merely be serving as wideout depth in San Francisco behind Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, rookie Danny Gray and Ray-Ray McCloud III. He's well off the fantasy radar.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport