NFL Player News

Jones played through an ankle injury last week despite the Vikings having nothing left to play for. He could do so again in Week 18, though it’s just as likely that he finally takes a week off. In addition to the ankle and hip injuries, Jones has been on the practice report with shoulder, toe, and hamstring issues this year. He has more than earned a week of rest to close the season. If that does happen, Jordan Mason would be in line for a larger role.

Irving for a second straight week functioned as the unquestioned No. 1 backfield option ahead of Kenneth Gainwell, who had two rushes and three receptions on the day. Irving had a few solid runs in the first half before the Browns put the clamps on the Tampa rushing attack and forced Baker Mayfield to beat them (he did not). While somewhat surprising, Irving’s early domination of the Bucs backfield means he’ll be a high-floor weekly running back option until proven otherwise. He gets a tough matchup in Week 2 against the Vikings.

It was Odunze’s second quiet statline in as many weeks to begin the season. The difference this time, of course, was the Bears scored only three points after dropping 59 on the Panthers in Week 1. They did attempt 35 passes, 26 of which came from Caleb Williams before he injured his hamstring midway through the fourth quarter. If Williams misses Week 3 against the Eagles as is currently looking likely, it would be difficult to jam Odunze into the WR3 ranks.

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 the 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.