2 years agoCincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins (concussion) was a full participant in practice on Friday but is officially listed as questionable to play in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. According to ESPN's Ed Werder, the Bengals expect Higgins to play on Sunday. He missed practice on Thursday to attend the funeral for his father. The 23-year-old must clear the league's concussion protocol in order to play on Sunday, but he still has time to do so. If Higgins is available against Dallas, he'll have WR2 upside as the Bengals look to bounce back from their season-opening overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Higgins doesn't play,
Tyler Boyd would be the team's No. 2 receiver, with
Mike Thomas seeing an expanded role as the No. 3 pass-catcher.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Field Yates
2 years agoPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Zack Wheeler (forearm) pitched two simulated innings on Friday, and is targeting a return to the rotation Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Good news for the righty, who has been out since August 20 with elbow soreness/forearm tendinitis. He was originally expected back two weeks ago, but after experiencing renewed soreness in his elbow he took a week off from throwing. He is feeling better now, though, and won't need a minor league rehab assignment before jumping back in the Phillies rotation. His first start will be an abbreviated one, but he can still be of use in daily lineup leagues next week.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Matt Gelb
2 years agoNew Orleans Saints quarterback
Jameis Winston (back) was limited in practice all week and is officially listed as questionable for the Week 2 game against his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite the questionable tag, Winston is expected to play on Sunday in the divisional clash. Running backs
Alvin Kamara (ribs) and
Mark Ingram II (ankle) are both questionable, but Winston will have his top three receivers available in
Michael Thomas,
Jarvis Landry and rookie first-rounder
Chris Olave. Winston went 23-for-34 for 269 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He'll look to continue building chemistry with his receivers, but the matchup against Tampa's D isn't an easy one. Consider the 28-year-old signal-caller to be a high-end QB2.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Greg Auman
2 years agoNew York Yankees left-handed pitcher
Aroldis Chapman (leg) has been activated off the IL before their weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Chapman hasn't pitched since August due to a leg infection related to a tattoo. The fireballer threw two innings of scoreless ball in his minor league rehab games, striking out five while allowing three baserunners. Chapman will likely return to a set-up role behind closer
Clay Holmes, limiting his fantasy value. He is still useful in save plus holds leagues, but outside of that he can be safely dropped.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: New York Yankees
2 years agoNew Orleans Saints running backs
Alvin Kamara (ribs) and
Mark Ingram II (ankle) are both listed as questionable for Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kamara was limited in practice on Thursday, but he said out the last two days, putting his status in serious question for the divisional clash on Sunday. Ingram was limited all week. Kamara's fantasy managers should grab Ingram off the waiver wire if he's available, just in case Kamara is inactive this weekend. The Saints also have
Tony Jones Jr. and
Dwayne Washington, who is also questionable with a hamstring injury. If Kamara is inactive,
Taysom Hill, who had four carries for 81 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, will most definitely see an expanded workload on the ground next to Ingram.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Greg Auman
2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers
Julio Jones (knee) and
Russell Gage (hamstring) are both listed as questionable for Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints.
Breshad Perriman (knee) is also questionable. Jones missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but he returned to a limited session on Friday, giving him a shot to suit up Sunday. With
Chris Godwin (hamstring) already ruled out and No. 1 receiver
Mike Evans (calf) also questionable, Tampa's receiving room is the most beat up in the NFL. It remains to be seen if Jones is in real danger of missing the Week 2 game or if he'll be limited if he suits up. With that said, both Jones and Gage could see big target shares if they are active this week with Godwin out. Check back for the Bucs' inactives Sunday morning.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Greg Auman
2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is listed as questionable for the Week 2 contest against the New Orleans Saints. Fournette was able to practice on a limited basis all week, so there seems to be a pretty good chance that he'll be active and serving as the team's lead back this weekend. The 27-year-old played 76 percent of the offensive snaps and handled 21 carries for 127 yards in the Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, also chipping in two catches for 10 yards. Fantasy managers will want to check his status again on Sunday morning, but if he's active, Fournette is an RB1 play. If he's inactive or limited at all against the Saints, rookie
Rachaad White would be in for a bigger workload.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Greg Auman
2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Mike Evans (calf) is listed as questionable for Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. Evans was limited in practice on Wednesday and Friday and took a DNP on Thursday. The fact that Evans was able to practice at all on Friday is a good sign that he'll be able to suit up in the divisional clash on Sunday. And with
Chris Godwin (hamstring) already ruled out, the 29-year-old should once again serve as quarterback
Tom Brady's top target if he's active. Evans secured five of his seven targets for 71 yards and his first touchdown of the season in the Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys. As long as Evans is active this weekend, he's a must-start for fantasy managers. Check back on his status Sunday morning.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Greg Auman
2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin (hamstring) didn't practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 2 divisional clash against the New Orleans Saints. Left tackle Donovan Smith (elbow) is also doubtful after not practicing all week. Godwin is no lock to return in Week 3 after injuring his hamstring in the season-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday night. The Bucs are extremely banged up at the position, with
Mike Evans (calf),
Julio Jones (knee) and
Russell Gage (hamstring) all questionable as well. All three of Evans, Jones and Gage were able to practice on Friday, though, so they are trending in the right direction to serve in three-receiver sets on Sunday against New Orleans.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Greg Auman
2 years agoAtlanta Falcons kicker
Younghoe Koo had an outstanding performance in the Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He made both of his extra point attempts and converted four-of-five field goals. Furthermore, he was perfect on the day kicking until the final play when the Falcons asked him to attempt a 63-yard field goal for the win, which got blocked. Despite the blocked kick, Koo scored 18 fantasy points, making him the top fantasy kicker in Week 1. The fifth-year veteran from Georgia Southern is a solid streaming option this week against the Los Angeles Rams.
--Mike FanelliSource: RotoBaller
2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert (rib) is dealing with a fracture to his rib cartilage, according to head coach Brandon Staley, and he's being listed as day-to-day. Herbert gutted through a painful rib injury in Thursday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and finished with 334 yards on 33-for-48 passing with three touchdowns and a costly pick-six. Staley didn't expect Herbert's injury to be a factor moving forward, but that remains to be seen, as Herbert was clearly battling a ton of pain at the end of the 27-24 loss. The good news is the Bolts don't play again until Sept. 25 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but fantasy managers will have to monitor Herbert's status leading up to that Week 3 game.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Lindsey Thiry
2 years agoThe Atlanta Falcons defense was one of the worst units in 2021. However, with the additions they made in the offseason, headlined by the signing of cornerback Casey Hayward, some believed the Falcons would have an improved unit in 2022. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case in the 27-26 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons had only one turnover in the game while giving up the sixth-most points in Week 1. Now they face the Los Angeles Rams, who are looking to get their offense back on track after their disappointing performance on opening night. Fantasy players need to avoid the Atlanta defense this week.
--Mike FanelliSource: RotoBaller
2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers running back
Najee Harris (foot) was removed from the Week 2 injury report and will play on Sunday against the New England Patriots. Harris was limited in practice on Wednesday, but he practiced in full the last two days and is good to go after aggravating his foot injury in the Week 1 overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old led the league in touches in his rookie season in 2021, but he carried the ball just 10 times for 23 yards (2.3 yards per tote) and added two catches for three yards and a score in Week 1. He should see more usage in Week 2, although the Patriots held the Dolphins to just 18 rushing attempts and 43 yards in the season opener. Because of the chance that Harris is limited this weekend, fantasy managers should consider him more of an RB2.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
2 years agoAtlanta Falcons tight end
Kyle Pitts had a quiet Week 1 performance against the New Orleans Saints. While he matched the rookie
Drake London for a team-high seven targets, the second-year tight end was able to catch only two for 19 yards. However, Pitts should bounce back this week against the Los Angeles Rams. While
Dawson Knox had only one reception for five yards last week against Los Angeles, he saw only two targets in the game. Whether this game remains close or turns into a blowout win for the Rams, Pitts remains a plug-and-play high-end TE1.
--Mike FanelliSource: RotoBaller
2 years agoAtlanta Falcons wide receiver
Olamide Zaccheaus has never been a fantasy-relevant player. Despite a poor performance from
Kyle Pitts and a lack of options around him, the former undrafted free agent had only four receptions for 49 yards last week against the New Orleans Saints. While he played the second-most snap among wide receivers on the team, Zaccheaus was targeted only once per 11.3 snaps played. Some fantasy players might consider Zaccheaus a potential sleeper, given the lack of weapons for Atlanta. However, the former Virginia receiver isn't worthy of a roster spot except in the deepest fantasy leagues.
--Mike FanelliSource: RotoBaller
2 years agoAfter a dominant Las Vegas Raiders debut, wide receiver
Davante Adams will look for similar success in a Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Adams saw the most targets in the NFL in Week 1 with 17, which is something fantasy managers should get used to. Fantasy managers were eager to see how the superstar wide receiver would adapt to a new team and a new quarterback, so far, so good. The connection between Carr and Adams will look to continue its hot start against a Cardinals defense that showed plenty of holes in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, giving up 44 points. Adams should dominate this defense in his second game as a Raider, fire him up with high expectations.
--Al Calo - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
2 years agoCarolina Panthers kicker
Eddy Pineiro was successful on his lone field goal attempt and all three of his extra-point tries in the team's Week 1 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Carolina will face the New York Giants in Week 2, and although the Giants' defense isn't one that fantasy managers need to avoid, Pineiro remains an uninteresting play. The Panthers' offense simply doesn't project to be effective enough to consistently put Pineiro in a position to rack up fantasy points. There should be kickers on better offenses available on your waiver wire that are far more worthy of fantasy consideration.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 years agoAtlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver
Drake London had a solid Week 1 performance. The rookie receiver had seven targets, pulling in five for 74 yards. While he failed to find the end zone, the former USC star led the team in receiving yards, targets, and route participation. Furthermore, London was second on the team in snaps played with 54, only behind
Kyle Pitts. Meanwhile,
Stefon Diggs and
Gabe Davis had at least 88 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams last week. London should see enough volume this week to produce WR3 numbers, even if he doesn't score a touchdown.
--Mike FanelliSource: RotoBaller
2 years agoMinnesota Twins second baseman
Luis Arraez (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians and right-hander
Triston McKenzie, serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff. Arraez didn't start Thursday's game after leaving Wednesday's contest early with hamstring tightness, but he's back in there on Friday for the start of a weekend series against Cleveland. The 25-year-old Venezuelan native doesn't bring a ton of power, but he's still plenty useful in fantasy. He currently leads the league with a .320 batting average, and he's also sporting a .380 on-base percentage, .812 OPS, eight home runs, 46 RBI, 79 runs scored and a stolen base in 128 games. Get the first-time All-Star back into your lineups.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press
2 years agoAtlanta Falcons running back
Cordarrelle Patterson is coming off an excellent Week 1 performance. The veteran running back had 22 rushing attempts for 120 yards and a touchdown in the loss against the New Orleans Saints. After
Damien Williams left the game with a rib injury, Patterson saw 91.3% of the running back rushing attempts in the game. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams gave up 4.5 yards per rushing attempt to
Devin Singletary last week. With Williams out for this week's matchup, Patterson is a safe floor mid RB2, thanks to his expected workload.
--Mike FanelliSource: RotoBaller
2 years agoAtlanta Falcons quarterback
Marcus Mariota is coming off a strong performance in Week 1, completing 60.6% of his pass attempts for 215 yards. He also added 12 rushing attempts for 72 yards in the loss to the New Orleans Saints. While Mariota is coming off a 19.8 fantasy point performance, the former No. 2 overall pick is a solid QB2 against the Los Angeles Rams. Last week the Rams surrendered 297 passing yards and four total touchdowns to
Josh Allen. Obviously, Mariota isn't the player Allen is, nor does he have the same level of weapons at his disposal. However, the former Oregon star is startable in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
--Mike FanelliSource: RotoBaller
2 years agoThe Carolina Panthers defense/special teams appeared to be set up for success against the
Jacoby Brissett-led Cleveland Browns last week but unfortunately did not come through for fantasy football. They have another enticing matchup in Week 2, however, against the New York Giants. Although the Giants' offense looked improved to start the season, turnover-prone quarterback
Daniel Jones still threw an interception and lost a fumble while being sacked five times by the Tennessee Titans. If there aren't any obvious options for fantasy on the waiver wire, the Panthers DST should be a fine play in your starting lineup this week.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 years agoCincinnati Reds shortstop
Jose Barrero is out of the starting lineup for a second straight game on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Barrero is hitting just .160 (20-for-125) with two home runs, 10 RBI and three stolen bases in 35 games for the Reds this year, and he's also gone just 7-for-39 (.180) with 17 strikeouts in 11 games in the month of September. With Barrero out again on Friday,
Kyle Farmer is starting at shortstop and batting third, while
Spencer Steer will get the start at the hot corner and bat eighth against Cardinals right-hander
Jack Flaherty.
Donovan Solano is also starting at first base and batting fifth in the order.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press
2 years agoCarolina Panthers tight end
Ian Thomas operated as the team's TE1 last week and will go on the road to face the New York Giants in Week 2. Thomas was only targeted three times in Week 1, but turned one of his two receptions into a 50-yard gain and was brought down just shy of the end zone.
Tommy Tremble is also competing for tight end duties in Carolina but ran clearly behind Thomas, who out-snapped him 35-to-18 in the season opener. Quarterback
Baker Mayfield has frequently targeted tight ends throughout his career, so Thomas' utilization going forward is something to keep an eye on. For now, he can be left on the waiver wire in all but the deepest of redraft leagues.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 years agoWashington Nationals outfielder
Victor Robles (neck) is back in center field and is hitting eighth on Friday against the Miami Marlins and left-hander
Jesus Luzardo. It will be the first time that Robles has been in the starting lineup since Sept. 7 due to neck stiffness. Before the injury, he had gone 3-for-10 with a run scored and a stolen base in five games to begin the month of September. Overall, the 25-year-old Dominican outfielder is hitting a mere .224/.283/.304 with four home runs, 28 RBI, 40 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 349 plate appearances over 115 games. Robles is only attractive in deeper fantasy leagues because of his speed, and he's a low-upside DFS play.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press
2 years agoThe plan is for Cleveland Guardians right-hander
Aaron Civale (forearm) to return to the starting rotation and pitch against the Chicago White Sox next Tuesday, according to manager Terry Francona. Civale surrendered four earned runs and allowed two home runs in 2 2/3 innings in his minor league rehab start on Thursday, but the Guardians feel he's ready to return to their rotation next week. The 27-year-old hasn't pitched well in the big leagues this year either, going 2-6 with a 5.40 ERA (3.92 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP, 75 strikeouts and 20 walks in 75 innings over his 16 starts. Civale won't particularly be an attractive streaming option for fantasy managers in his first start back, though he could be a two-start pitcher next week.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Akron Beacon Journal - Ryan Lewis
2 years agoCarolina Panthers wide receiver
Robbie Anderson was surprisingly the best fantasy option on the team in Week 1 and will look to continue his hot start in an away matchup against the New York Giants. Anderson's performance last week can mostly be attributed to one big play, a 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback
Baker Mayfield. That aside, though, Anderson was targeted eight times which led the team. He has been a vertical threat throughout his career and could connect for a deep touchdown on any given week, especially if he continues to be heavily targeted. He will always have a high ceiling and thus can be deployed as a flex play, but nothing more until he proves he can produce consistently for fantasy football.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
2 years agoThe Houston Astros activated starting pitcher
Justin Verlander (calf) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and optioned
Seth Martinez to the minors in a corresponding move. Verlander, who landed on the injured list on Aug. 30 with a calf injury, will make the start in a great matchup against the Oakland Athletics on Friday. There's a chance he could face a pitch count in his first start back, though, since he didn't go on a minor league rehab assignment while away from the team. Still, it's hard to leave the 39-year-old ace out of starting lineups, especially in the excellent matchup. The nine-time All-Star currently leads all of baseball in ERA (1.84), wins (16) and WHIP (0.85) while striking out 154 and walking just 26 in 152 innings over 24 starts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Houston Chronicle - Chandler Rome
2 years agoPhiladelphia Phillies first baseman
Rhys Hoskins (hand) is out of the starting lineup on Friday against the Atlanta Braves. Hoskins was hit on the hand by a pitch on Wednesday, although X-rays thankfully came back negative. He won't start the first game of the series against Atlanta, but there's a chance he'll start at some point this weekend. Hoskins is deserving of being returned to all starting fantasy lineups when he's back in Philly's lineup, as he's clubbed 28 homers and driven in 71 runs in 524 at-bats this year.
Alec Bohm will shift to first base and hit second on Friday, while
Yairo Munoz is starting at the hot corner and batting eighth against Braves left-hander
Max Fried.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press
2 years agoChicago White Sox outfielder
Luis Robert (hand, wrist) remains out of the starting lineup on Friday against the Detroit Tigers. Robert continues to be a headache for fantasy managers due to lingering injuries. The 25-year-old will miss a second straight game, but he's had just 14 at-bats in the month of September due to his left hand/wrist injury. When healthy, though, Robert has produced, hitting .291/.327/.437 with 12 home runs, 56 RBI, 54 runs scored and 11 stolen bases in 371 at-bats.
AJ Pollock will draw another start in center field and hit seventh in the batting order on Friday against Tigers right-hander
Matt Manning. Pollock is hitless in his last three games, but he's gone 15-for-50 (.300) with two homers, five RBI, nine runs and a steal in 14 games this month.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press
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