Fantasy Football News

Graham Gano is expected to be unavailable for a few weeks due to a hamstring injury sustained in Week 2's contest against the Washington Commanders. (Source: Ari Meirov on X)

Fantasy Impact: Gano can be dropped in fantasy leagues following this news. The Giants will likely sign a kicker this week, but that is yet to be determined. The 15-year veteran started 2024 in perfect fashion, going 2-for-2, before suffering this soft tissue injury.

Andy Dalton has been named the starting quarterback for Week 3's contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. (Source: Tom Pelissero on X)

Fantasy Impact: Dalton has the ability to make Carolina Panthers fantasy relevant again, but keep in mind he is a 36-year-old pocket quarterback. In his lone start with the Panthers last season, Dalton finished as the QB7 overall with two touchdowns, 58 pass attempts, and 361 passing yards—an outlier performance, in other words. In 2022, with the New Orleans Saints, Dalton started from Week 4 to Week 18 and averaged 13.1 fantasy points per game, which is a more accurate reflection of his fantasy production. Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, and Adam Thielen should benefit as pass catchers. Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders may offer a slight boost in fantasy production, but not enough to fully trust them.

Carson Steele is anticipated to receive increased usage in Week 3, alongside newly signed veteran Samaje Perine. Head coach Andy Reid also suggested that the Chiefs intend to stick with their current backfield for the time being. (Source: Adam Teicher on X)

Fantasy Impact: Steele must be on rosters heading into Week 3 because starting running back Isaiah Pacheco will miss a chunk of time due to a broken fibula. The first two weeks in the NFL have been quiet for Steele, who has averaged three yards per carry on nine attempts for 27 rushing yards. The best-case scenario for the undrafted rookie is taking on early-down work, along with short-yardage and goal-line situations. Perine, the more experienced of the two, operated as a three-down back for a short time while on the Bengals in 2022, but he is a career backup running back. Only Andy Reid knows how Steele and Perine will be deployed, making both players difficult to project and priority pickups heading into Week 3.

Samaje Perine is expected to see additional usage in Week 3, alongside fellow rookie Carson Steele. Head coach Andy Reid also hinted that the Chiefs plan to stick with their current backfield for now. (Source: Adam Teicher on X)

Fantasy Impact: Perine's fantasy value just increased substantially, along with undrafted rookie Carson Steele. With Isaiah Pacheco sidelined by a fractured fibula, the Chiefs are expected to turn to a running back by committee (RBBC) of Steele and Perine. Both players have seen limited action—Steele has 27 rushing yards and a fumble, and Perine has 13 receiving yards without a carry. In PPR formats, Perine is the more appealing option due to his veteran experience and ability to function as a three-down back if needed. Steele may take early-down and goal-line opportunities.

Bryce Young has been benched by the Panthers' coaching staff ahead of Week 3. Andy Dalton is expected to start in Carolina's next game, which is against the Las Vegas Raiders. (Source: Tom Pelissero on X)

Fantasy Impact: Young's benching does not directly affect most fantasy managers due to his low roster percentage. While the Panthers have hit rock bottom, Dalton offers a sliver of hope for Carolina's fantasy assets. Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, and Adam Thielen should benefit as pass catchers. Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders may offer a slight boost in fantasy production, but not enough to trust them fully. Ultimately, things will depend on Dalton's performance. The former TCU Horned Frog has plenty of experience and should bring a more functional offense. In Dalton's lone start in 2023, he scored 23.5 fantasy points, finishing as the QB7 overall; but don't expect that from Dalton in Week 3.

The Tennessee Titans D/ST recorded two sacks in their Week 2 loss to the New York Jets, 24-17.

Fantasy Impact: The Titans allowed 24 points and 265 yards but did not earn a single takeaway, making for an unimpressive fantasy outing. Tennessee faces the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, and while they will likely face their former backup under center, G.B. ran all over Indianapolis in Week 2, making for an uninspiring matchup.

Tennessee Titans WR Tyler Boyd saw five targets on Sunday against the New York Jets, though he only caught two for a 26-yard day.

Fantasy Impact: Boyd was set to be a part of the new-look Titans passing attack alongside WRs Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins. While the former has emerged as the leader of the pack, Boyd and Hopkins have seen limited involvement in a low-end passing attack. Boyd has 10 targets and has only converted five this year, gaining 44 yards in the process

Tennessee Titans TE Chig Okonkwo caught all three of his targets for 16 yards on Sunday against the New York Jets.

Fantasy Impact: So far this season, Okonkwo has caught all five of his targets but has only accrued 31 yards in the process. This Titans passing offense has ran through Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard so far, and with QB Will Levis averaging just 159.5 passing yards per game at a 5.3-yard average (and a 35.3 QBR), there is not much of a pie for the athletic tight end to eat from.

Tennessee Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins caught one of two targets for nine yards in a Week 2 loss against the New York Jets.

Fantasy Impact: Through two games, Hopkins now has just two catches for 17 yards on three targets. The veteran WR had a 75-1,057-7 campaign in 2023, and now in Year 12, he is clearly behind WR Calvin Ridley, at least early in the season. He did only play 29 snaps (44%) as he recovers from an offseason injury, but it's been a slow start regardless for the 32-year-old.

Ogbo Okoronkwo has cleared concussion protocol for the Browns.

Fantasy Impact: Okoronkwo hasn’t made much of an impact so far for Cleveland, managing a snap share just north of 30% on defense so far this year. He’s off the radar for IDP leagues as of right now, but could be a deep league flier if he gains additional work.

Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley caught four passes for 77 yards and a TD to pair with a 10-yard rushing TD in a losing effort against the New York Jets.

Fantasy Impact: Ridley tied with RB Tony Pollard for the team-high in targets, hauling in four for a team-high in receiving yards. The former Jaguar is averaging a very strong 18.1 yards per catch right now, a good sign given Tennessee's low-end passing offense. He's been pacing WRs Tyler Boyd and DeAndre Hopkins and is the clear WR1 in Tennessee.

Pierre Strong Jr. suffered a hamstring injury during Cleveland’s victory over Jacksonville on Sunday. The severity is unknown at time of writing.

Fantasy Impact: It looked like Strong was going to be part of a three man rotation in the backfield until he went down with the injury. Strong could be out a week or more, and in the meantime that opens up more work for Jerome Ford and D’Onta Foreman.

David Bell suffered a hip dislocation in Sundays game against the Jaguars and will require surgery. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bell had three catches early on against the Jags but fell victim to the injury bug. He’ll likely be placed on IR and be out for multiple weeks. While you weren’t relying on Bell for fantasy, his absence could open up things a little more for Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore.

Taysom Hill (chest) has been discharged from the hospital and has avoided major injury. (Source: Ed Werder on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hill was transported to a hospital after suffering a chest injury in Sunday's game, but he has since been discharged and has returned home. It's not expected to be a serious issue, but he will undergo further testing to diagnose the extent of the injury. Fantasy managers should keep tabs on his status at practice this week.

Jermaine Johnson II is going to miss the remainder of the season after tearing his Achilles. (Source: Ari Meirov on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Johnson went down with an Achilles injury during Sunday's game, and the team has since confirmed that he ruptured it. That will leave him sidelined for the rest of the 2024 season, but since it happened early on in the season, he will have a good shot to be ready by the start of the 2025 season. This is a tough blow for New York's defense, especially with Haason Reddick still holding out for a new contract.

Rachaad White's groin injury is expected to be minor and he 'should be good'. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: White left Sunday's game after suffering some kind of a groin injury, but it's not expected to be a serious issue and he should be good to go for Week 3. Fantasy managers should monitor his practice status to ensure that he'll be a full go for next Sunday's game.

Tyjae Spears is expected to be fine after tweaking his ankle on Sunday. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Spears tweaked his ankle during Sunday's loss to the New York Jets, but it isn't a serious issue and he is expected to be fine. Fantasy managers should keep tabs on his practice status this week and expect him to play in Week 3 against the Packers.

Tennessee Titans RB Tony Pollard saw 17 carries for 62 yards and five catches for 40 yards in their Week 2 loss to the New York Jets.

Fantasy Impact: While Pollard is dominating the workload in Tennessee, he did not reach the end zone in Week 2. After it initially seemed like the Titans would split the backfield 50/50, especially given coach comments and the two starting RBs on their initial depth chart, it is clear that Pollard will be the main actor out of the backfield. His 22 touches and 23 opportunities outpaced backfield mate Tyjae Spears (six carries and two catches on as many targets in Week 2). Pollard seems like a solid floor play going forward at RB2/Flex.

Joe Mixon is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday on his ankle injury. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Mixon suffered the injury during a hip drop tackle. "The NFL and NFLPA made it a rule and an emphasis for a reason," Mixon posted Sunday night. "Time to put your money where your mouth is." If Mixon is sidelined in Week 3, Cam Akers could lead the backfield with Dameon Pierce also dealing with an injury.

The Miami Dolphins signed Tyler Huntley off the Ravens practice squad. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: With Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol, Skylar Thompson is in line to start Sunday at Seattle on Sunday. Huntley could be a factor for Miami in the coming weeks after this coming Sunday.