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Here are the five most impactful situations for fantasy managers heading into Week 2:
Joe Burrow’s Back Tightness (Bengals)
As ESPN.com reported, "A back injury isn't going to keep Burrow from playing this weekend against the Houston Texans." Burrow is dealing with back tightness after the team's Week 1 win over Tampa Bay. He made no significant throws in Wednesday's open practice and, asked about his workload, said he got in "mental reps." Burrow isn't sure how much he'll practice but is comfortable leaning on that mental prep, and Zac Taylor expressed no concern. Burrow was able to throw on Thursday. Cincinnati still faces a tough test in Houston's edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., and a Texans defense that's likely to rebound after a rough Week 1. None of this is good news for Ja'Marr Chase investors, who need the receiver to rebound from a 2-catch, 12-yard, WR86 finish in Week 1.
Will Baltimore's Potent Passing Attack Be Limited? (Ravens)
Derrick Henry logged 24 carries for 144 yards and three touchdowns, but Baltimore's passing game was sharp in the Week 1 win over the Colts. Declan Doyle schemed open his playmakers as Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards, added 41 rushing yards, scored twice, and posted a QB4, 27-point finish. Footballguys projects him as QB2 vs. the Saints. Zay Flowers caught five passes for 150 yards despite missing time with a hamstring issue that leaves his status for this week uncertain. Flowers did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Rookie Ja'Kobi Lane landed on IR for four games with a fractured wrist, leaving Jackson to work with a limited wide receiving corps led by Rashod Bateman.
Brock Bowers' Week 2 Status (Raiders)
Bowers missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, still recovering from last week's meniscus trim. Per ESPN.com's Dan Graziano, the injury is "not overly serious," and Las Vegas felt he could've played last week if needed. Optimism about his Sunday availability against the Chargers began last weekend, and Klint Kubiak characterized him as "day-to-day." Sitting out two practices doesn't rule out Sunday, nor does it signal an imminent return. Graziano says the latest we'd likely see Bowers back is Week 4, though it could come sooner. Given how a nagging PCL limited him even after he returned to the lineup last season, fantasy managers might prefer the Raiders wait until he's fully healthy.
Stefanski Isn't Ready to Name a Week 2 Starting QB (Falcons)
The Falcons aren't ready to name a Week 2 starter. HC Kevin Stefanski said Monday he had "no updates" on Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr., though ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports Penix is "not yet ready for live game action." Cooper Rush got the start after Tagovailoa strained an oblique last Thursday, going 12-of-22 for 143 yards, a score, and two interceptions in a 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh. Tagovailoa remained out Thursday, while Rush and Penix both threw to starters during the media portion of practice. With Rush starting, Atlanta leaned on Bijan Robinson, who had 21 carries and caught 8 of 10 targets. Drake London caught two of four for 29 yards, and Kyle Pitts Sr. missed his lone target. While London remains a must-start, consider sitting Pitts.
Potential WR1s Ailing in Houston, Los Angeles (Texans, Chargers)
Nico Collins hurt his hamstring during practice Wednesday. Early indications are that it isn't considered serious, but his availability against Cincinnati is reportedly in jeopardy. With Jayden Higgins already unavailable, Collins sitting would radically change C.J. Stroud's target distribution and put Kayshon Boutte and Dalton Schultz into much more prominent fantasy roles. Meanwhile, head coach Jim Harbaugh is characterizing Ladd McConkey as day-to-day with a rib injury. Still, McConkey missing two days of practice to start the week puts his status against the Raiders in doubt. With the Chargers already thin at receiver (leading to the signing of Marquez Valdes-Scantling), Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris could see target bumps if McConkey is sidelined, as Justin Herbert and OC Mike McDaniel try to get this offense back on track after a disappointing Week 1.
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