NFL Player News

Bolles left in the early portion of the fourth quarter with the ankle injury. The 32-year-old will likely miss the rest of Sunday’s contest against Seattle, and Matt Peart will handle protecting Bo Nix’s blindside while he’s out.

Hockenson more or less repeated his Week 1 statline, only this time on far less passing volume for the Vikings’ offense. Carson Wentz attempted just 20 throws as the Vikes went “survive and advance” mode in weather-addled Chicago. With Kyler Murray expected to return from his concussion in Week 3 in Tampa, perhaps Hockenson can post a higher-end TE2 statline.

Freiermuth has a hold on the Steelers’ TE1 role, getting much of Aaron Rodgers’ short-yardage looks in the flat and middle of the field. The Steelers were not in the red zone all that much, so we have yet to see the 27-year-old’s utilization near the end zone. Regardless, he is consistently a top-four pass-catching option for the team, though the fantasy ceiling is low for the Pittsburgh offense. Freiermuth is a touchdown-dependent fantasy play and will be in a low-end TE2 ranks for Week 3 against the Bengals.

It’s another disappointing statline for a wideout held without a catch in Week 1, though it was yet another game where we didn’t get to see the Vikings’ “real” offense. With Kyler Murray out with a concussion, Carson Wentz was fed to the wolves at rainy Soldier Field. Murray is expected back for Week 3 in Tampa, and with him, hopefully finally a useable statline for the Vikes’ talented No. 2 receiver.

Egbuka was oh-so-close to a big game but Baker Mayfield remained wildly inaccurate in this one. Mayfield connected with Egbuka for a short score in the first half — the only positive play in the pass game for the struggling Tampa offense. While Cade Otton led the Bucs with six targets, Egbuka remains the team’s clear No. 1 target who should bounce back sooner rather than later. He should remain in all lineups next week against the Vikings.

Watson was far more accurate than he was in Week 1’s meltdown loss to the Jaguars. He was 6.5 percent over his expected completion rate and once again hit rookie WR Denzel Boston for a long touchdown. Watson navigated the pocket well and was passably accurate on short-area throws (his 3.6 aDOT is as low as it gets for a full game’s work). His Week 2 play all but guarantees he’ll hang on to the Browns’ starting QB gig for a while before Shedeur Sanders of Dillon Gabriel get another shot under center. Watson will have superflex appeal in Week 3 against a gettable Carolina defense.

Jefferson caught a 30-yard pass against tight coverage on just the second play of the game, but the proceedings then quickly became a contest of wills on a rainy September day in Chicago. Carson Wentz completed all of 11 passes, though Jefferson was his leading receiver, as well as most targeted. With Kyler Murray (concussion) expected to return for Week 3 against the Bucs’ shaky defense, we will hopefully get our first extended look at the Vikings’ “real” offense.

Wilson tied with rookie Germie Bernard for second-most wide receiver snaps on the team, both tallying 55 snaps. He saw mostly short-yardage targets, with his longest reception tallying nine yards. Wilson’s role is as the clear WR3 in the Steelers offense; he did not see a role increase with Michael Pittman out of the game. Playing in a low-ceiling Steelers offense, Wilson is a WR5 at best for Week 3 against the Bengals.

Bernard saw increased opportunity with Michael Pittman ruled out for Week 2. He caught all four of his receptions on one drive in the second quarter but ended as the second-most targeted receiver on the team. Bernard seemed to lose much of the trust he earned with a rough bobble on an Aaron Rodgers screen pass that led to an interception in the fourth quarter. The rookie second-round pick will find fantasy relevance while Pittman is out, but is no more than a fantasy WR5 for Week 3 against the Bengals.

Monangai actually lead the Bears in rushing in adverse weather conditions at Soldier Field, though D’Andre Swift led in receiving. Monangai’s most notable play might have actually come via Swift, who lost a fumble at the one-yard line. Perhaps that will have coach Ben Johnson extra committed to getting Monangai his most important short-yardage looks. With Caleb Williams looking doubtful for Week 3 against the Eagles with a hamstring injury, we could see an even bigger dose of the Bears’ backfield than usual. Monangai remains a safe, if low-upside, RB3/FLEX.

Metcalf had an inefficient day, finishing fifth on the Steelers in yards despite leading the team in targets. He was unable to get open downfield; combined with Aaron Rodgers’ struggles in aiming for chunk gains, many intermediate targets fell incomplete. Metcalf dropped a critical third-down pass in the third quarter, continuing his drop issues from last week. A second straight inefficient week despite a high volume of targets makes Metcalf a rough fantasy play moving forward. Despite Michael Pittman’s absence, the fantasy points are just not consistent for Metcalf in the Steelers passing game. He will be a low-end fantasy WR3 for Week 3 against the Bengals.