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49ers RB Christian McCaffrey ruled out, could be headed to IR

Fri Sep 13 6:53pm ET
Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the host Minnesota Vikings and could be placed on injured reserve.

McCaffrey is dealing with Achilles and calf injuries that caused him to be a game-day scratch for Monday's season opener against the New York Jets. The injury hasn't calmed down this week and San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday was McCaffrey's "worst day" dealing with the injury.

"(Injured reserve) is something we are considering now," Shanahan told reporters on Friday. "Yesterday was his worst day. It's on and off but with him having the worst pain yesterday, it's something we are going to be discussing in the next 24 hours."

McCaffrey practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday's workout.

A move to the IR would require McCaffrey to miss four games before he returns. If done before the Minnesota game, McCaffrey would be eligible to return Oct. 10 against the Seattle Seahawks.

McCaffrey, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards last season. He has four 1,000-yard rushing seasons and two 100-catch campaigns in 91 games (84 starts) for the Carolina Panthers (2017-22) and 49ers.

Former undrafted free agent Jordan Mason will again be the main ball carrier against Minnesota. He had a career game with 147 yards on 28 carries against the Jets.

San Francisco listed safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) as doubtful and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) as questionable.

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Fantasy Preview: Week 2

Player Notes
Joshua Karty Sep 13 6:10pm CT
Joshua Karty

Los Angeles Rams rookie kicker Joshua Karty turned in a good performance in Week 1 in a hostile environment at Detroit. He made two field goals with a long of 41 yards and all of his extra points. With another test on the road, this time against a division opponent, the pressure will once again be on the Stanford product. But he looked up to the challenge in Week 1 and was unfazed by the raucous crowd. Fantasy managers can wait and see how Karty backs up his opening performance, but he could emerge later in the season as a viable starting fantasy option at the position.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Robinson Sep 13 6:00pm CT
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson could be in line for more usage in Week 2 at Arizona after Puka Nacua (knee) has landed on the IR. Robinson has good size and is a good possession receiver. Matthew Stafford could look to the big target in the red zone against the Cardinals if Arizona shifts its focus to Cooper Kupp in those situations. Tyler Johnson will be Robinson's main threat for targets at the wide receiver position opposite Kupp with Nacua out. Robinson may lack the ability to break a big play like Johnson did against the Lions in Week 1 on his long catch and run in the second half. Robinson, however, may be the better bet to score a touchdown. It remains to be seen how the dynamic will play out between the two popular waiver-wire additions but both make for decent speculative plays in deep leagues.

From RotoBaller

Brayden Narveson Sep 13 6:00pm CT
Brayden Narveson

Green Bay Packers kicker Brayden Narveson was a busy kicker in Brazil against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, booting home three of four field goal attempts and knocking in both extra point attempts. With the Packers' offense downgraded as a whole with Jordan Love (knee) likely out and Malik Willis in as the likely starting quarterback, the kicking game could find field position in the opponent's end a bit harder to come by. That said, Narveson did look the part in several pressure kicks, so he will have to make the opportunities he does get count. As far as fantasy goes, Narveson is still very much down in the lowest tier of kickers as many have better situations and are safer options in terms of consistency and opportunity.

From RotoBaller

Colby Parkinson Sep 13 6:00pm CT
Colby Parkinson

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson saw five targets and caught four passes for 47 yards in the team's Week 1 loss at Detroit. Expect more of the same from Parkinson in Week 2 at Arizona with room for more volume and more production. Parkinson is an athletic tight end who was brought in from Seattle to fill in for Tyler Higbee (ACL) until he returns to full health. Expect Matthew Stafford to target Parkinson in the middle of the field and on short and intermediate patterns to the outside. Cooper Kupp should demand a lot of attention as moves throughout the formation so Stafford's secondary progressions could lead him to Parkinson. The reality is the tight-end landscape in fantasy is a bit bleak and Parkinson is a reliable option with some upside for big performances should he find the end zone.

From RotoBaller

Tucker Kraft Sep 13 5:50pm CT
Tucker Kraft

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft enters Week 2 with some momentum in terms of getting on the field and running routes. Kraft was expected to be the second tight end behind Luke Musgrave, who was drafted a round before him in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, Kraft ran 81% of routes per dropback and took 96% of snaps as well. Per PFF's Nathan Jahnke, Musgrave's only playing time was in 12 personnel where there were two tight ends in the formation, leaving the other snaps with one tight end to Kraft. While this didn't lead to any fantasy production in Week 1, you have to be on the field to produce to begin with. Kraft shouldn't be started in fantasy football when the Packers host the Colts in Week 2, but if starting quarterback Malik Willis uses Kraft as a safety valve option in the passing game, Kraft could find himself on the short list of fantasy options when Week 3 rolls around.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Johnson Sep 13 5:50pm CT
Tyler Johnson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tyler Johnson has been a popular waiver-wire pickup this week after news that Puka Nacua (knee) has landed on the IR. Opportunity knocks for the former Minnesota Golden Gopher. He will compete for targets with Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell opposite Cooper Kupp, but Johnson flashed his big-play ability in Week 1 after Nacua exited. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams will need to establish another threat outside of Kupp and Johnson could be that guy. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer is looking like a potential sleeper this week. Johnson probably doesn't profile as a WR3 in fantasy this week, but in deeper leagues, he could be used as a viable flex option.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Sep 13 5:40pm CT
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is fully healthy and that meant a healthy amount of targets, catches, and fantasy points in Week 1 at the Lions. Kupp was targeted 21 times and caught 14 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. His massive target total was aided by the fact that Puka Nacua (knee) left the game early and Nacua has been placed on IR, so that figures to continue in Week 2 at Arizona. Everyone knows Kupp is going to get looked for as Matthew Stafford's primary target, but there is often nothing the defense can do because the Rams are so creative with pre-snap motions and lineup configurations to complement Kupp's already superior route-running skills. In other words, expect another large target share against the Cardinals, which usually translates to a big fantasy day for Kupp. While healthy, Kupp is one of the top receivers in the NFL and for fantasy purposes.

From RotoBaller

Kyren Williams Sep 13 5:40pm CT
Kyren Williams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams found the end zone in Week 1 at the Lions against Detroit's very stout run defense. The touchdown salvaged an otherwise subpar night for the talented running back. Williams rushed 18 times for 50 yards (2.8 yards per carry) and caught three passes for four yards. The Notre Dame product is a very versatile back and the good thing for his fantasy managers is he saw a massive snap share in the backfield compared to Ronnie Rivers and rookie Blake Corum. The Cardinals were gashed on the ground by the Bills in Week 1, making Williams a strong play in Week 2 in the Rams' game at Arizona. Look for Williams to find pay dirt and remain involved in the passing game as well. His upside is extremely high in this matchup and his volume makes his floor pretty high as well.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Sep 13 5:30pm CT
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) popped up on the Week 2 injury report on Friday and was listed as limited practice participant. Mid-week additions are typically never a good sign, but this doesn't necessarily mean that Brown will be forced to miss this week's Monday night contest against the visiting Atlanta Falcons. However, if the 27-year-old is deemed questionable on Saturday's final injury report, fantasy managers may have a tough decision to make in Week 2 as to whether to leave Brown in their starting lineup. We'll continue to keep a close eye on Brown's status this weekend. Brown is a must-start if he's active after catching five of his 10 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening win over the Green Bay Packers last Friday in Brazil. If Brown is out or limited on Monday, Jahan Dotson and rookie Johnny Wilson would both see bigger roles behind DeVonta Smith.

From RotoBaller

Romeo Doubs Sep 13 5:30pm CT
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs will enter Week 2 with a much different quarterback situation than he for sure anticipated. With Malik Willis the likely starting quarterback for Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts, the entire pass-catching group for the Packers will be downgraded in fantasy, including Doubs. Running the most routes per dropback, most snaps and targets in Week 1, Doubs' production will be at the whim of how the Packers choose to attack the Colts' defense. That will likely be a heavy dose of the running game to protect Willis, who has not shown much in the way of passing efficiency in his third season as an NFL quarterback. Doubs is a low-end FLEX option for fantasy managers, where you're hoping he can get into the end zone.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford Sep 13 5:30pm CT
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was one of just two quarterbacks in the NFL to surpass 300 yards passing in Week 1. Stafford did so against the Lions, going 34-of-49 passing for 317 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception. The first thing that stands out about Stafford's Week 1 line is his 49 attempts. With Puka Nacua (knee) exiting early from that game, Stafford still threw the ball a ton and targeted Cooper Kupp a whopping 21 times. He might not be called upon to pass as much in Week 2 at Arizona, but he should be primed for another efficient afternoon. The Stafford-to-Kupp connection is firing on all cylinders and the veteran quarterback should be able to spread some production around to tight end Colby Parkinson as well as the receiving trio of Tyler Johnson, Demarcus Robinson, and Tutu Atwell. The Cardinals' defense is beatable and while the Rams could lean more on the run game, Stafford should be a borderline QB1 in an exploitable matchup.

From RotoBaller

Josh Jacobs Sep 13 5:20pm CT
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs had a solid game in Week 1, with 104 yards from scrimmage and three receptions. He'll look to build on that against the Indianapolis Colts in the Packers' home opener in Week 2. Throughout the week, Jacobs had been limited in practices with a back injury, but Friday's practice report had no designation for Jacobs. He should be good to go against a Colts' defense that was gashed repeatedly by Texans' running back Joe Mixon to the tune of 159 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Packers will need Jacobs as the team is likely to start Malik Willis in the place of Jordan Love (knee). Consider Jacobs a low-end RB1 in fantasy that should get quite a bit of volume, especially if fellow running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) cannot suit up for the team in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Noah Fant Sep 13 5:20pm CT
Noah Fant

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (toe) was removed from the team's final injury report on Friday and will suit up for the Week 2 contest versus the New England Patriots. Meanwhile, tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) has been ruled out. There wasn't much question as to whether Fant would be able to play this weekend, but he shouldn't be in many starting fantasy lineups in the second week of the 2024 season. The 26-year-old played 75 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 1 win over his former team, the Denver Broncos, but it translated to only two catches on four targets for 11 yards receiving. Although Seattle is running a new offense this year under coordinator Ryan Grubb, not much is expected of Fant after he had career-lows in catches (32), targets (43), receiving yards (414) and touchdowns (zero) in 2023. Fant profiles as a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE2 in fantasy in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Malik Willis Sep 13 5:10pm CT
Malik Willis

Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis will be the team's starting quarterback until Jordan Love (knee) can return from an MCL sprain he suffered at the end of the game in Week 1. However, the team has left the door open a crack as Love was designated as questionable for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Perhaps the Packers are playing some mind games with the Colts so they have to leave some preparation for Love on the off chance he is cleared in time to start, but the likely timeline for an MCL sprain is three to six weeks. The Packers also did not put Love on Injured Reserve as well. Willis has been a subpar quarterback option during the sporadic playing time he's gotten in two seasons in Tennessee before coming over to Green Bay after the preseason, but Willis is not a recommended option in fantasy football in Week 2 against the Colts, and in superflex leagues, would only be a desperation QB2 option.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Sep 13 5:10pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said on Friday that he's not putting a timeline on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's (concussion) recovery after he suffered another scary concussion in Thursday night's loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills. McDaniel said he has "zero idea" what any timeline might be and doesn't want to put pressure on Tagovailoa. He was quickly ruled out after leaving the field with team trainers under his own power. Tagovailoa missed five games in 2022, including a playoff contest, due to two separate concussions. Given his concussion history, nobody is pushing for Tagovailoa to return to the field anytime soon. McDaniel declined to speculate if Tagovailoa, who signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension last month, might consider retirement. Unless Miami signs a QB off the street, Skylar Thompson is set to run this offense for the foreseeable future.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Lockett Sep 13 5:10pm CT
Tyler Lockett

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (thigh) was removed from Friday's final injury report and will play in Week 2 against the New England Patriots. Lockett put in two limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday before being cleared for this weekend's contest. Lockett has been dealing with his thigh injury since the middle of last month and was even questionable for the Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos. The 31-year-old veteran ended up suiting up for that one and finished with six receptions on seven targets for 77 receiving yards despite playing the third-most offensive snaps among the receivers on the team. With Lockett moving further from his thigh injury, he could see more time on the field this weekend against an underrated Patriots defense that shut down the Bengals in Week 1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's presence will make Lockett a boom/bust WR4/flex play most weeks in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Ridley Sep 13 5:00pm CT
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley is up against the New York Jets in Week 2 of NFL action this Sunday. While not much went right for the Titans on offense in Week 1, Ridley led the team in targets and receiving yards, which should give fantasy managers some hope moving forward. Quarterback Will Levis will need to be better if Ridley is going to reach WR2 output, but the duo appeared to have some decent chemistry vs. Chicago. However, the Jets present a different kind of challenge. New York returns almost their entire secondary that allowed the fewest points to the WR position in 2023 and Ridley should see plenty of Sauce Gardner, who is one of the best cornerbacks in the game. The matchup definitely downgrades Ridley to a WR3 for this week, but he is still viable given his spot as the top man in the Titans passing attack.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Sep 13 5:00pm CT
DeAndre Hopkins

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins faces the New York Jets and their stingy secondary in Week 2 of NFL action. The veteran receiver has been taken off the injury report completely after playing limited snaps against Chicago due to an MCL injury. That is wonderful news for both Hopkins managers and the Titans offense in general, which really struggled to move the ball downfield in Week 1. However, playing Hopkins against the Jets secondary that was #1 against opposing wideouts last year is not advisable. "Nuk" should be kept out of lineups this week.

From RotoBaller

Chigoziem Okonkwo Sep 13 5:00pm CT
Chigoziem Okonkwo

Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo will play the New York Jets this Sunday in Week 2. The third-year player started off his 2024 campaign with a bang, snagging a picturesque 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Will Levis against Chicago. However his only other reception in the game went for -2 yards, as the Titans passing attack was shut down for much of the contest. While he was able to get into the end zone, it's still not advisable to play Okonkwo given that he is still at very best the #3 option in a bad passing offense, and facing a more than formidable defense in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Sep 13 5:00pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

The Tennessee Titans defense takes on the New York Jets at home in Week 2. This unit was one of the biggest surprises of Week 1, holding the Bears offense and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams to 94 passing yards and zero offensive touchdowns. The Titans still managed to lose the game due to a number of offensive and special teams blunders, but the defense looks primed for a potential breakout year in 2024. Aaron Rodgers leads a Jets offense into Nashville that looked very shaky against the 49ers last week, which could open up some more opportunities for this team to flex their muscles on that side of the ball. The Titans D/ST isn't a top option, but could produce sneaky fantasy numbers if they can bother Rodgers and star cornerback L'Jarius Snead can slow down the uber-talented receiver Garrett Wilson. Consider them a fine play for Week 2.

From RotoBaller