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Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates held up his end of the bargain in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, nailing both of his field goal attempts and an extra-point try in his team's 27-13 loss. Bates will not have to worry about any potential weather issues in Week 2, as the Lions return home to the domed Ford Field to take on the Chicago Bears. Bates has more career points scored (21) against Chicago than any other NFL team. The Lions should also have an easier time moving the football and generating scoring opportunities against the Bears than they did against the Packers. Bates profiles as a low-end top-12 fantasy kicker in Week 2 against Chicago.

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Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. was quiet in the team's Week 1 win over New England, logging just two catches on four targets for 45 yards while playing 60% of the snaps. Encouragingly, he drew more targets than Tre Tucker despite fewer snaps, and the Raiders leaned on the passing game as Geno Smith threw for 362 yards. With Chip Kelly determined to stretch the field, Thornton's speed keeps him in play as a stash with big-play potential. The Week 2 matchup adds intrigue, as the Chargers just allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in Week 1, giving Thornton an outside chance to make noise if he sees increased usage. Until his role grows, he's best kept on benches, but the upside is worth monitoring.

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Cleveland Browns rookie second-round running back Quinshon Judkins is officially listed as questionable to make his NFL debut in Week 2 versus the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, according to Tony Grossi. The Browns think Judkins is in good shape, but the 21-year-old practiced with the team on Thursday for the first time since mandatory minicamp in the spring due to a domestic-violence incident. Even if Judkins is active on Sunday, he'll likely work as the team's RB3 behind Jerome Ford and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson, making him one to fade in all fantasy formats. Although nothing is official yet, there are rumblings that the NFL could come down hard on Judkins and suspend him for two to four games, even though he wasn't formally charged in his domestic-violence case. The Browns have until Saturday afternoon to officially activate him and put him on the 53-man roster.

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers cemented himself as the offense's most reliable option in Week 1, drawing 10 targets and converting eight into 97 yards. As the veteran presence in a young receiving corps, Meyers has quickly earned the trust of Geno Smith, thriving as a chain-mover while Tre Tucker and Dont'e Thornton Jr. stretch the field vertically. His high-volume role makes him a consistent fantasy asset, and if Brock Bowers (knee) is sidelined, Meyers could see an even larger workload as the Raiders lean on his reliability. Ranked as RotoBaller's WR22 for Week 2, Meyers should be locked into starting lineups across all formats.

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Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta was one of the few Lions who delivered a decent fantasy performance in Week 1, hauling in six of his nine targets for 79 yards against the Green Bay Packers. LaPorta will now face the Chicago Bears in Week 2, a team he has scored three touchdowns against in four career games played. Chicago allowed just three catches and 15 yards to Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson in Week 1. LaPorta's Lions have health and productivity questions along their offensive line, but that could actually help LaPorta's outlook by forcing Jared Goff to target the short and intermediate areas of the field more often. LaPorta is a must-start fantasy tight end against Chicago in Week 2.

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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff averaged just 5.8 yards per pass attempt in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. He was also sacked four times, and could now be without starting left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) in Week 2. Goff does have an easier matchup on paper this Sunday against the Chicago Bears, whom he torched for 523 passing yards and five touchdowns across two games in 2024. However, particularly if Decker cannot play, Detroit's offensive line looks significantly worse in 2025 and may prevent Goff from consistently pushing the ball downfield. He profiles as a mid-tier fantasy QB2 in Week 2 against the Bears.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) is missing his second straight day of practice on Friday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Kirk missed the Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday and looks primed to miss his second straight game to begin the 2025 season in Monday night's tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the 28-year-old has one more chance to practice on Saturday. But as of now, fantasy managers shouldn't like Kirk's chances of playing in Week 2. Rookie Jaylin Noel was expected to see most of the slot duties in Week 1 with Kirk out, but he caught just one of two targets for seven yards. The Texans spread the ball around and couldn't do much on offense against the Rams. Expect Nico Collins to continue to see the vast majority of looks in the passing attack if Kirk sits, with Noel, rookie Jayden Higgins, and Xavier Hutchinson battling for secondary looks.

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Like most of the Lions offense, David Montgomery had a quiet Week 1. The 28-year-old rushed for 25 yards on 11 carries, adding 18 yards on four receptions out of the backfield. The re-worked interior of Detroit's offensive line struggled last week against the Green Bay Packers, but they have an easier matchup on paper against the Chicago Bears in Week 2. In three career games against Chicago, Montgomery has rushed for 230 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries. In the lone game last season where both Montgomery and fellow Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs were active, Montgomery earned 21 carries while Gibbs recorded just nine. Detroit's shaky offensive line play in Week 1 raises questions about Montgomery's effectiveness in Week 2, likely making him dependent on finding the end zone to be productive in fantasy. He profiles as a low-end RB3/flex option against the Bears.

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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs had one of the least efficient games of his career in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, totaling just 50 yards from scrimmage on 19 touches without reaching the end zone. Gibbs led the Lions in receptions with 10, but he was only able to log 31 receiving yards on those 10 catches. The 23-year-old has a much easier matchup on paper in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, who allowed 120 rushing yards to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. In two games against Chicago last season, Gibbs rushed for 196 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries and added six catches for 62 yards as a receiver. However, it's worth noting that fellow Lions back David Montgomery did not play in one of those games, and Gibbs had fewer rush attempts (nine) than Montgomery (11) against the Packers on Sunday. Gibbs remains a must-start fantasy RB1 in Week 2, but he may need to stay heavily involved as a receiver to post a monster game.

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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) missed a third straight day of practice on Friday, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports. Goedert suffered a knee sprain in the season-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday and now looks like he'll miss the Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. The Eagles have not released their final injury report on Friday or ruled Goedert out yet, but it's trending that way. Fantasy managers with Goedert in their lineups need to have a backup plan in place. The 30-year-old played 92% of the offensive snaps in Week 1, so he's a big part of the offense when he's healthy. If Goedert is out, Grant Calcaterra will be a deep-league sleeper at the position on Sunday. Receivers A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson should also all be more involved.

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Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) was in uniform and doing a workout in front of the training and medical staff on Friday, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Likely has "upped his activity level" and is getting closer, but he won't play in Week 2 against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. It sounds as though Likely could return as early as Week 3 against the Detroit Lions after fracturing his foot in training camp. The 25-year-old will miss a second straight game to open the year, giving veteran tight end Mark Andrews an opportunity for increased opportunities this Sunday after he fell flat in the season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills last Sunday night, when he had just one catch for five yards. We'd expect Andrews to be more involved this weekend, especially if receiver Rashod Bateman (undisclosed) cannot play.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (undisclosed) was not present for the start of Friday's practice, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. It's unknown what Bateman is dealing with, but it's a new absence this week, which is concerning. We'll have a better idea of Bateman's availability for a Week 3 divisional clash against the Cleveland Browns when the team releases its final injury report for the week. The 25-year-old wideout was barely involved in the team's 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills last Sunday night, catching two of his four targets for only 10 yards despite Baltimore's offense facing little resistance from Buffalo's defense. It was a poor showing from Bateman, but he'll surely be more involved at times in 2025. However, his availability is now in question for this Sunday. If Bateman is out in Week 2, DeAndre Hopkins will be the clear WR2 behind Zay Flowers.

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Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (knee) is unlikely to play in Week 2 on Sunday against the division-rival New England Patriots, but head coach Mike McDaniel is not 100 percent certain, according to Travis Winfield of MiamiDolphins.com. Wright missed the Week 1 loss to the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday but was able to return to the practice field in a limited fashion this week while wearing a sleeve on his leg. The 22-year-old could draw a questionable tag on Friday's final injury report, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to make his season debut this weekend. Wright also won't be a lock to return in Week 3 against the division-rival Buffalo Bills, with that contest coming next Thursday night. Last week, with Wright inactive, rookie Ollie Gordon II was barely involved behind starter De'Von Achane.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will look to follow up his stellar Week 1 performance in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. JSN displayed early chemistry with new quarterback Sam Darnold in the team's home opener. His nine receptions for 124 yards both led the team by a long shot. Smith-Njigba looked the part as well, constantly getting open and putting himself in position to succeed. The Steelers just got torched by New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson in Week 1. Wilson proved that the Steelers' defense may not be as scary as many thought it would be, at least not to start the season. Regardless, Smith-Njigba seems to be a perfect fit in the new Seahawks offensive scheme, which should make him matchup-proof. He was the WR12 in Week 1, and he has a great opportunity to finish as a WR1 once again this week.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) will suit up for a Week 2 divisional matchup against the New England Patriots on Sunday despite being on the injury report this week, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. Waddle suffered a minor shoulder injury in the Week 1 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts and put in a couple of limited practices this week heading into Friday. The 26-year-old looks fine after catching four of his five targets for only 30 yards last weekend while playing just 65 percent of the offensive snaps. It was an ugly showing for Waddle and the Dolphins' offense against Indy last weekend, but they'll try to get it turned around quickly against a very beatable Patriots squad. Until we see Miami's offense get it figured out after a disappointing 2024 campaign, Waddle will merely be a WR4/flex option in fantasy lineups.

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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that tight end Darren Waller (hip) will be out in Week 2 against the division-rival New England Patriots. Waller has not practiced this week and will miss his second straight game in 2025 after coming out of retirement to join the Dolphins. The 32-year-old was ramping up all summer during training camp after not playing at all in 2024, and he suffered a hip injury in practice last week. His injury doesn't appear to be very serious, but the Dolphins aren't going to take any chances with a player who sat out all of last year. It remains to be seen if Waller will be able to make his Dolphins debut in Week 3 against the division-rival Buffalo Bills, but it's probably unlikely, given that it will be on a short week next Thursday night. Tanner Conner and Julian Hill will continue to fill in at TE, but neither player will be an acceptable fantasy streamer in Week 2.

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Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer may be due for an elevated workload this Monday night when he faces off against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer saw an increased snapshare in Week 1's win over the New England Patriots when teammate Brock Bowers (knee) picked up a knee injury. Bowers was tagged with a DNP on Thursday, and with the Raiders playing on Monday night, it's possible we won't know his definitive status in time for Sunday roster decisions. In the case he can't go, Mayer would slot in as Las Vegas' de facto TE1 and should see a good bit of work in the passing game. If Bowers plays, the Notre Dame product would be difficult to trust, particularly in a difficult matchup. Mayer comes in as RotoBaller's PPR TE39 ahead of Week 2.

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will look to bounce back in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his first start as a Seahawk. Darnold posted just 150 passing yards on 16 completions. 124 of those yards went to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks' offense lacks rhythm and cohesiveness, although that is to be expected with a new scheme and so many new pieces. Week 2 presents a new opportunity, but it may not bring fantasy fun. The Steelers' defense should improve upon its poor outing in Week 1 against the Jets. On the flip side, the Seahawks' offense can also go nowhere but up. Either way, Darnold should not be rostered right now. While he has a great chance to play well for Seattle this year, his 2024 fantasy breakout was fueled by his 35 touchdown passes. That seems like an unlikely feat for Darnold to achieve in this scheme. Unless the Seahawks' pass rate grows substantially, Darnold should not be on the fantasy radar.

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Buffalo Bills kicker Matt Prater showed no ill effects from last season's meniscus injury in a 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Prater nailed all three of his field-goal attempts, including a 43-yarder at the end of the first half and a game-winning 32-yarder as time expired, and both extra points last Sunday. It was especially impressive considering Prater was out of the league just a few days before. With starter Tyler Bass (groin) on Injured Reserve, the Bills signed Prater, who will be their kicker for at least the next few weeks. The 41-year-old may not have age on his side, but he has been dependable throughout his career and should receive plenty of opportunities to rack up points with the Bills boasting one of the league's best offenses. Still available in 92% of Yahoo leagues, Prater looks like a worthwhile addition heading into a meeting with the New York Jets on Sunday.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will get a much more difficult test in Week 2 when his team lines up with the visiting Denver Broncos. Jones was remarkable in his first start with the Colts, racking up 298 total yards and scoring three combined touchdowns -- a feat he'd accomplished just once in ten tries last season. He'll be put to task this Sunday, however, when the Broncos -- a top defensive unit in the league -- comes to town. The veteran looked excellent in Week 1, but whether that was more a product of his team's offense or the Miami Dolphins' defense will become clearer following Sunday. Jones presents as a fringe QB2 for now, but another solid showing and we'll have to start taking him seriously. He's RotoBaller's QB25 ahead of this week's slate of action.

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