As any real fan knows the NFL had a terrible week off the field, one of its worst ever. This isn’t a gossip site so I only like to comment on off field issues if they pertain to fantasy football. In Week 2 they certainly did. Many Adrian Peterson owners did not hear the terrible news surrounding him until it was too late. Apparently Peterson will play in Week 3 but I would be shocked if he doesn’t miss more time this season and eventually end up gone for the year.
On the field it was a terrible week for the league as well. However what happened on field is nothing new. Week 2 saw a rash of injuries that isn’t seen in a normal week, or even 2 or 3 weeks. There is good news for the NFL. Injuries are far easier to deal with than the human interest stories that are becoming so frequent in the Smart Phone/TMZ era. Good fantasy GM’s make it through injuries. Great GM’s don’t miss a beat. Here’s a look at the key injuries and news from Week 2. Believe it or not there is even some good news!
Key Injuries
RGIII – The biggest injury of the week belongs to RGIII. It’s always hard to see a franchise QB go down. Even harder when he’s young. In this case I’m not sure it won’t help the Redskins on the field. I think his injury is good news for his fantasy owners. I expected a bad year for Griffin. I don’t think he’s as good of a fit for Washington as Kirk Cousins. Now we’ll get to find out if I was right.
Jamal Charles – Charles was hurt early in his game vs Denver. Charles wasn’t able to put up a single point in standard ESPN leagues. Many teams probably lost their games not getting any points from their top pick. Charles has a high ankle sprain and is likely to be out again next week. The injury does not look serious but high ankle sprains have a tendency to linger. Back up Knile Davis did well in Charles place. It won’t surprise me to see Davis maintain a decent work load even when Charles returns. He will probably get the majority of the goal line carries as he had 2 short TD runs Week 2. Davis is certainly a must start while Charles is out.
AJ Green – Green was listed as probable going into the week. His fantasy owners have to be extremely frustrated. There wasn’t any real warning he would hardly be able to play. Even if he had been a game time decision his owners most likely would have had to play him. We will certainly be keeping a closer eye on him this week. Turf toe injuries can be very tricky. Green’s owners may be in a bad spot in the coming weeks.
Ryan Matthews – Matthews suffered a sprained MCL and will likely miss at least 4 weeks. He did score enough fantasy points before his injury for his Week 2 to not be a complete loss. That said this is a very tough injury for Matthews and his owners. His back up Donald Brown is already owned in most leagues and it’s hard to see Matthews returning and becoming a work horse. Matthews will be back this year but you may want to cut your losses.
Knowshon Moreno – Moreno and Matthews have had similar career paths. Just when they look like they are ready to turn into a top tier back they get hurt. It’s sad to see but fantasy owners must move on. Moreno is reported to be out 4-8 weeks. The 8 week part of that would scare away me from keeping him. Lamar Miller should be looked at a solid starting option with Moreno out but like Brown is already owned in most leagues.
Mark Ingram – Ingram’s injury is not serious but his broken hand will keep him out around 4 weeks. Amongst the reported 4 week injuries I’d be most comfortable holding on to Ingram. His hand injury should fully heel and not affect him once he comes back. He should also return to his role as the goal line runner for the Saints. It’s hard to tell who will pick up Ingram’s carries, but I don’t suggest starting a Saints RB unless you have to.
Vernon Davis – Davis left his game on crutches and his week 3 status is in doubt. To make matters worse for fantasy owners Davis’ backup Vance Walker also left the game with an injury.
The Highs
Jordy Nelson/Randall Cobb – You could also put Aaron Rodgers in this category but I expect huge games from him every week. Nelson obviously had the bigger week but I was more impressed by Cobb. He scored 2 TD’s in the Red Zone. The first from 6 yards out and the second was from the 1. That isn’t the way we’re used to seeing Cobb score his fantasy points. The versatility was nice to see and is a great sign for his owners.
Antonio Gates/Philip Rivers – Rivers and the Chargers offense did not back from the vaunted Seahawks D and looked brilliant. Gates had a game you were used to seeing from him 10 years ago. He probably won’t replicate the 3 TD performance. I’ve been on Gates bandwagon since preseason and this game obviously won’t change that. Rivers and Gates were way underrated fantasy wise going into the season. If you have either player you should be playing them or looking to sell high.
Darren Sproles- Sproles makes the list for the 2nd week in a row. He is clearly not the starting RB on his own team. He is a must start for fantasy owners. He probably won’t have 23 points every week but he should be good for a big play or 2 every game…at the least.
Redskins Offense – RGIII’s injury is very unfortunate to him but it may be a blessing for Washington and his fantasy owners. Kirk Cousins shined on Sunday. I don’t expect that kind of performance from him every week. I do think he is a lot more solid and consistent than Griffin. Alfred Morris looked good and is a must start after a low preseason ranking. Pierre Garcon did not benefit with Cousins in the lineup and DeSean Jackson was hurt early. I still feel more comfortable with them as fantasy options with Cousins in the lineup. Niles Paul was the go to guy for Cousins so his fantasy stock has just gone way up.
Delanie Walker – Walker put up on eye popping 10 catches for 142 yards and a TD. That was good for 20 points in standard ESPN leagues. Walker had a TD last week as well and was targeted 14 times in Week 2. Walker looks like a top flight TE this season, but he probably won’t get you 20 again. He is only owned in 70% of leagues but should be 100%.
Bengals RB’s – Giovani Bernard is the big winner here. It was an encouraging week for backup Jeremy Hill as well. Bernard is the starter and his workload is in no jeopardy. He led RB’s Sunday with 22 fantasy points. There was still enough carries left over for Hill to get 15 and score 15 fantasy points. Bernard looks to be a fantasy stud this year. I wouldn’t play Hill unless I was desperate but if are you may luck out and get a 15 point game.
Sammy Watkins – It only took Watkins until Week 2 to have a break out game. Watkins is clearly the best rookie in fantasy this year. It looked like a stacked draft but it’s not surprising to see Watkins making the biggest impact. It’s a little surprising that he was able to do it with EJ Manuel as his QB. I’m not sure if Watkins and the Bills offense can consistently produce. If I was a Watkins owner I’d consider selling high but he looks like a solid fantasy play that will score TD’s and have some big games.
Panthers D/ST – The Panthers have their own off field drama to deal with, with Greg Hardy. Hardy is one of their 2 best defensive players with Luke Kuechly. The Panthers deactivated Hardy for Sunday’s game against Detroit. The Lions looked like one of the best offenses in the league in Week 1. In Week 2 the Panthers shut them down completely without Hardy. The Panthers are still an elite NFL defense with or without Hardy.
Brandon Marshall – Marshall was clearly limited in his Sunday Night game vs the 49ers. That didn’t stop him from having a great fantasy game. Marshall showed why you are safe playing him even if he’s injured.
Bobby Rainey – Rainey had a huge game filling in for the injured Doug Martin. It was such a good game that you have to think Martin may have trouble getting his job back. More on Rainey to come later.
The Lows
Toby Gerhart – Jacksonville has the look of a terrible offensive team again. Gerhart was rated way too high on fantasy boards going into the season. I wondered why. Gerhart is a perfect example of picking a RB just because he has a starting job. Gerhart had 0 fantasy points in Week 2 and his owners should really be wondering why they drafted him. Especially if you used a 5th-6th Round pick on him.
Seahawks, 49ers D/ST – These 2 defenses were considered the 2 best going in to the season by many. They both had rough weeks in Week 2. I wouldn’t be too worried about the Seahawks and I think the talk that Richard Sherman was exposed is ridiculous. I would be slightly worried if were a 49ers D/ST owner. Injuries and suspensions have really taken their toll. You may want to try to find a decent backup option off waivers before it’s too late.
Marques Colston – Colston was held catchless in Week 2 vs Cleveland. He did have a crucial fumble late in New Orleans Week 1 loss vs Atlanta. He was having a very good game until that point. His 0 catch performance is his first in 6 years and very puzzling.
Colin Kaepernick – Kaep threw 3 picks and had a fumble in Week 2. I was looking for a break out fantasy season for Kaepernick. Through 2 games he looks like an average backup or worse.
Alshon Jeffrey – Unlike his teammate Brandon Marshall, Jeffrey was not able to have a big game with his hamstring injury. Jeffrey didn’t look anywhere close to 100%. Hamstring injuries can really effect a player’s season. It’s too early to panic but it wouldn’t surprise to see Jeffrey struggle until he’s 100%.
Waiver Wonders
Kirk Cousins – Cousins should be the most added player this week as RGIII owners scramble to get his replacement. I’d consider Cousins even if you don’t own RGIII. I think he’ll be a solid fantasy performer. I’d be surprised if Griffin gets his job back even if he recovers from his injury this season.
Ahmad Bradshaw - Bradshaw is still available in over 75% of leagues on ESPN. Trent Richardson finally showed signs of fantasy life. Bradshaw still looked like the better back. Richardson also had 2 fumbles in Week 2. I wouldn't be surprised if Bradshaw ends up taking the starting job. If you need a RB and Bradshaw is available in your league, I'd take him first.
Bobby Rainey – Rainey filled in brilliantly for injured Doug Martin and may just take his job. Rainey is only owned in 5.1% of fantasy league on ESPN, which means if you have a high waiver pick you should be adding Bradshaw or Rainey this week.
Niles Paul – Kirk Cousins has probably played a lot on the scout team with Paul. It showed in Week 2. Highly touted preseason TE Jordan Reed was injured but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Paul remain the top TE in Washington. Paul is owned in under 1% of fantasy leagues. He would be a solid addition off waivers this week.
Mohamed Sanu – Normally I would call Sanu’s performance fool’s gold. However if you are an AJ Green owner I suggest you pick him up.
James Jones – If you watched the highlights this week you would think Jones looks like a fool. The man had 2 fumbles on 1 play. He did manage to have a solid game putting up 15 points and has been targeted 14 times this season. The Raiders will likely to be playing from behind a lot. Jones should continue to see a high rate of targets in garbage time. That makes him a solid backup.
Andrew Hawkins – Cleveland looked impressive beating New Orleans on Sunday. Believe or not, Brian Hoyer is not horrible. Cleveland may not have many viable fantasy options on offense but someone has to score points. Hawkins has the look of a consistent performer scoring 8 in Week 1 and 7 in Week 2. Hawkins is owned in 16% of leagues on ESPN and is a solid backup WR.
Matt Asiata – Most Adrian Peterson owners were out in front of the story covered in the opening. Asiata went from .5% to 11.9% ownership on ESPN. He doesn’t have much fantasy value unless the game’s most recognizable RB is out.
