Carolina Panthers rookie running back Trevor Etienne has played only four offensive snaps through the first two games of his first year in the NFL and is the clear RB2 in Carolina's backfield behind Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle heading into a Week 3 divisional clash against the Atlanta Falcons. In the Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the 21-year-old didn't have a carry and caught his only target for a two-yard gain while playing two snaps. Currently, the Georgia product is primarily being utilized as the team's kickoff-return specialist. He has returned five kicks for 101 yards through two weeks. Etienne is only worth rostering as RB depth in dynasty/keeper leagues right now, and he probably won't be worth a look on the waiver wire unless Hubbard or Dowdle miss time with an injury.

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New York Jets veteran backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor will make the start in Week 3 on Sunday against the hosting Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the Jets officially ruled out Justin Fields (concussion) on Wednesday, according to head coach Aaron Glenn. Taylor entered the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter after Fields slammed his head on the turf and went 7-for-11 passing for 56 yards and a touchdown on two drives to end the 30-10 loss. The 36-year-old also had three carries for 21 yards. Taylor looked better than Fields did, albeit at the end of a blowout. Taylor can use his legs when needed, but he's made only five starts since the start of 2022, and none since 2023 with the New York Giants. Expect the Jets to lean even more on their ground game this weekend against a stout Tampa defensive line. In two-QB superflex leagues, Taylor will be a low-upside, low-end QB2 option for those already in trouble at the position.

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New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (concussion) has been ruled out for Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero . Fields was forced to leave New York's Week 2 contest early due to a concussion. Given how early in the week Fields has been ruled out, it's possible he could be facing a multi-week absence, but that's pure speculation at this stage. Veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor will get the start against Tampa Bay in Fields' absence. Taylor completed seven of 11 pass attempts for 56 yards and a touchdown after taking over mid-game in Week 2. His last stretch of extended NFL action came in 2023 for the New York Giants, when he threw for 1,341 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 197 yards on 38 attempts across 11 games (five starts). The 36-year-old Taylor still offers some dual-threat ability and could be a low-end injury replacement option in two-quarterback fantasy leagues.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota is scheduled to meet with the media on Wednesday in place of Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee), per ESPN's John Keim. Keim notes that this does not mean that Daniels, who suffered a knee sprain in Week 2, will not be able to suit up in Week 3. Still, it could be an early indication that Washington is preparing for Mariota to make the start this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 31-year-old Mariota played very well in limited action across three games for Washington in 2024. He completed 34 of 44 pass attempts for 364 yards and four touchdowns, adding 92 yards and a score as a rusher as well. If Mariota gets the start against Las Vegas, he could be a quality streamer/injury replacement option at the quarterback position, particularly in two-quarterback fantasy leagues.

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From Week 1 to Week 2, Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Isaiah Bond saw his snap count increase from 21 to 28, and his target volume jumped from one to three. Bond has recorded just two catches for 11 yards across his first two NFL games, but the team may be slowly ramping him up, given that he was not signed until August. Bond was accused of sexual assault in April, which led to him going undrafted, but he no longer faces criminal charges. The 21-year-old could be establishing himself as Cleveland's WR3 behind Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. Still, he would likely be behind Browns tight ends David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. in the target pecking order for the Browns. Bond is a player to monitor in dynasty formats, but is unlikely to hold fantasy value in redraft leagues in 2025.

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Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter has not been a factor in his team's offense through the first two games of the season. After being a healthy scratch in Week 1, Hunter was active for Week 2 but did not record a carry. The 22-year-old appears to be firmly behind Blake Corum in the Rams backfield pecking order after RB1 Kyren Williams. Corum logged five carries for 44 yards and a score on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, which likely only solidified his hold on the RB2 role. Hunter would have some fantasy relevance if either Williams or Corum were to go down with an injury, but for now, he should be off the radar of managers in redraft leagues.

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New Orleans Saints rookie running back Devin Neal did not record a touch in Week 2 and appears to be the clear RB3 in New Orleans behind Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. The Saints are averaging 114 rushing yards per game as a team through the first two weeks of the season, but it does not appear that Neal will be a regular contributor in the run game without an injury to one of the backs ahead of him on the depth chart. Neal still has some value as a stash play in dynasty leagues, but he should not be on the radar of redraft managers for the time being.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) suffered a knee sprain in the team's Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, and his status for the team's Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders is in question as a result. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said earlier this week that Daniels should be considered day-to-day. Quinn also said he would have more to share on Wednesday, so fantasy managers should be on the lookout for updates from the team as the Commanders' initial Week 3 injury report gets released later today. If Daniels is unable to play, veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota would be in line to start against the Raiders. Mariota appeared in three games for Washington in 2024, completing 34 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 92 yards and a score on 18 attempts. The 31-year-old could be a worthy fantasy option as a QB streamer/injury replacement in Week 3, particularly in two-quarterback formats.

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The Houston Texans have been worringly vague when providing updates on the status of running back Joe Mixon (ankle, foot), who did not participate in any team offseason activities while recovering from an ankle/foot injury. Mixon was placed on the non-football injury list before the start of the regular season, meaning his earliest possible return date is Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. However, it appears as though Mixon will likely be out significantly longer and could even miss the entirety of 2025. The 29-year-old was a huge piece of Houston's offense in 2024, totaling 1,325 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns in 14 games. In Mixon's absence so far, the Texans have turned to veteran running back Nick Chubb, who has 103 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 carries through the team's first two games. Mixon may be worth stashing in an IR spot for fantasy managers, but the lack of updates from the team is a concerning sign.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. could emerge as a trade candidate in the coming weeks. Through his first two seasons, Richardson has completed just 50.6% of his passes with more interceptions than touchdowns, but the former top-five pick is still viewed as an unpolished talent with untapped potential. After the Colts named Daniel Jones their starting quarterback at the end of training camp, speculation grew that Richardson might seek a fresh start elsewhere. With teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Commanders already battling quarterback injuries, Richardson could draw interest as a developmental option or insurance plan. While his playing style doesn't seamlessly fit every system, it wouldn't be surprising to see him land a new role before season's end.

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Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe has served as the team's emergency quarterback in the 31-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Sam Darnold locked in as the starter and Drew Lock currently operating as QB2, Milroe has opened his career as the third-string option and has only seen the field as a change-of-pace option. The 2025 third-round pick brings an element of explosiveness that neither Darnold nor Lock can match, with elite rushing ability that could eventually add a unique wrinkle to Seattle's offense. For now, the organization's priority is letting Milroe develop behind the veterans, with the hope that he can leapfrog Lock on the depth chart later this season. Until he earns meaningful snaps, Milroe remains off the fantasy radar.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is on track to start in Week 3 against the New York Jets. Mayfield appeared shaken up during Monday night's win over the Houston Texans but avoided any structural damage and did not require further testing. While he may scale back practice reps on the short week, there are no concerns about his availability for Sunday. With elite weapons at his disposal and improved consistency as a passer, Mayfield remains firmly in the QB1 mix for fantasy managers.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed underwent successful surgeries on both his shoulder and foot on Tuesday. Reed broke his clavicle in Week 2 while also playing through a Jones fracture, and with surgery already needed for his shoulder, he opted to address both issues at once. The second-year wideout is expected to return before the end of the season, but his fantasy outlook is murky. Matthew Golden might begin to emerge, Christian Watson is nearing a full return, and Green Bay could explore a trade before the deadline. For now, Reed is best stashed on injured reserve in fantasy leagues, with no guarantee he regains a significant role down the stretch.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) is currently on the Injured Reserve and eligible to return on October 5, as the Buccaneers will travel to take on the Seattle Seahawks. McMillan left Tampa Bay's exhibition in Pittsburgh on August 16 with what eventually was termed a strained neck. This injury has opened the door for rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka to be involved early on in the season, and he has not disappointed, hauling in three touchdowns in his first two career NFL games. McMillan had a nice rookie campaign in 2024, hauling in 37 of his 58 targets for 461 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Before the draft, McMillan was lined up to be in the WR2 spot on the Bucs offense with Chris Godwin (foot) recovering from his injury. At this time, McMillan remains a dynasty stash and can be picked up off the waivers in leagues with deeper benches once he returns.

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Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis could see an increased role on Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins. Through the first two weeks, Davis has logged just 10 carries for 26 yards, while starter James Cook has dominated the backfield touches. However, with a quick turnaround on a short week, the Bills may look to lighten Cook's workload. Historically, Cook hasn't handled a heavy rushing volume in Thursday games, recording just 42 carries across five career appearances. While Cook remains a locked-in fantasy starter and Davis isn't on the fantasy radar yet, he could make a sneaky impact for Buffalo in this divisional matchup.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith logged his first NFL carry on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles and turned that into two yards. He also saw a target in the pass game, although he didn't come down with it. Smith is currently listed as the No. 3 running back on the depth chart; however, with Isiah Pacheco (3.13 YPC) and Kareem Hunt (3.62 YPC) both struggling to break out, it stands to reason that the Chiefs may give the rookie out of SMU a chance for some more carries in the coming weeks. At this time, Smith remains a decent dynasty stash and someone to keep an eye on in leagues with deeper bench spots. Until then, Smith will likely serve primarily as a returner on special teams and try to make his impact that way.

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The Los Angeles Rams' second-round rookie tight end, Terrance Ferguson, played a few snaps on Sunday and was not targeted against the Tennessee Titans after not seeing the field in Week 1 against the Houston Texans. Ferguson is listed second on the depth chart behind Tyler Higbee, with Colby Parkinson (shoulder) dealing with an injury. At this time, it's unclear what Ferguson's role will be in the offense, as he has not gotten many opportunities in the offense to this point. In his career with the Oregon Ducks, he had 134 receptions, 16 receiving touchdowns, and 1,537 career receiving yards. In his senior year in 2024, he recorded 43 catches for 591 yards and three touchdowns. He set school records for tight ends in career receptions and receiving touchdowns.

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Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback spoke highly of Jaylen Warren, saying that "We might have to keep giving (Warren) him more opportunities in the pass game, because every time he touches it, something good happens." Warren has always been a solid fantasy asset in the passing game in his career, with 133 receptions in four NFL seasons; however, last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, he was very productive through the air, hauling in all four of his targets for 86 yards, for a total of 134 all-purpose yards on 18 touches (14 on the ground and four through the air), This is an excellent sign for Warren fantasy owners, as rookie third round pick, Kaleb Johnson, does not appear to be getting any opportunities of the backfield. His only other competition for opportunities is Kenneth Gainwell, who went from a 54% snap share in Week 1 to a 42% snap share in Week 2. Warren should be considered a solid RB2 heading into Week 3 against the New England Patriots.

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Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is listed as the team's starting running back, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Throughout the first two weeks of the season, Croskey-Merritt has had a sizeable role in the offense, but he has typically been deployed as the No. 2 option, behind Austin Ekeler. However, with Ekeler suffering a torn Achilles during their Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, it appears the rookie will see an uptick in workload. In Week 1, the first-round rookie made an immediate impact, totaling 82 yards and a score on 10 attempts. However, in the second week, he took a step back, earning just four attempts for 17 yards. However, fantasy managers should expect the Arizona product to see double-digit attempts weekly, given his new placement on the depth chart. Croskey-Merritt carries low-end RB2 value heading into a Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott looks primed for more playing time in Week 3 against the Raiders with John Bates (groin) unlikely to play, according to head coach Dan Quinn. Bates is Washington's primary blocking tight end and is pivotal to what they do in the run game. Sinnott played only three snaps in the Thursday night loss against Green Bay, but did catch one ball for seven yards. Sinnott has played some in three tight end sets as a move blocker and isn't quite a direct replacement for Bates. Bates is an incredibly stout point of attack blocker for a tight end and is roughly 15 pounds heavier than Sinnott. The 2024 second-round pick is an elite athlete with some intriguing upside as a receiver, but has mostly been used as a move blocker with Washington. We will learn a good bit about how the coaching staff views Sinnott after this week's game.

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