Fantasy Football Week 2 Recap: Injuries, Breakouts, and Staying the Course
Here's the main takeaways from Week 2!
Week 2 of the NFL season is in the books, and what a ride it’s been! Fantasy football managers are sorting through the highs, lows, and surprises that make this game so unpredictable. Let’s break it all down together, with insights from Tyler Helf of JHEN Fantasy to help you navigate the chaos and stay ahead.
Joe Burrow’s Injury: What It Means for the Bengals (and Your Fantasy Team)
The big headline this week? Joe Burrow’s toe injury will sideline him for three months. If you’ve got Bengals players on your roster, it’s natural to feel uneasy. But don’t hit the panic button just yet. Ja’Marr Chase is still a must-start—his talent and target share make him nearly matchup-proof. For the rest of the Bengals, though, it’s time to tread carefully. With Jake Browning stepping in, they’re no longer automatic starts, but talented playmakers can still produce, even with a backup QB.
Jayden Daniels diagnosed with a sprained knee: Status in doubt for Week 3
The Commanders already lost RB Austin Ekeler (Achilles) for the season and now their franchise QB is dealing with a sprained knee. The injury is not expected to keep the dynamic dual-threat QB off the field long-term; however, he may not be ready to play in Week 3 versus the Raiders. Fantasy managers should be looking for contingency plans outside of Commanders backup QB Marcus Mariota this week.
Vikings’ Injury Woes: Downgrades and Opportunities
The Vikings were hit hard in Week 2, losing QB JJ McCarthy to injury. He’s been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain and will be out at least 2-4 weeks. Veteran QB Caston Wentz is next up, and while Jefferson is still a must-start, expectations should be tempered until McCarthy returns.
On the ground, Aaron Jones Sr. is also sidelined, opening the door for Jordan Mason to step into a significant role. Mason is a strong RB2 heading into Week 3, especially with the Vikings likely to lean on him to stabilize the offense.
Wide Receiver Wins: Did You Have These Guys?
If you had one (or both) of Ja’Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, Malik Nabers, or Amon-Ra St. Brown, chances are you crushed it this week. These breakout performances were game-changers, and if you’re riding this wave, enjoy the view from the top.
Jacksonville’s Backfield: A Goldmine in the Making
The Jaguars’ backfield is looking like fantasy gold again. Travis Etienne is delivering as expected (89 yards with a TD), but make sure Virginia Tech rookie RB Bhayshul Tuten is not on waivers. He’s likely not available in deep leagues, but he is the priority add ahead of Week 3. Despite limited snaps, he turned 10 touches into 74 yards and a touchdown. His role will continue to grow, so if you’re looking for a high upside RB, Tuten is the one.
Also, news dropped Monday afternoon that star WR Brian Thomas Jr. has been dealing with a wrist injury. That likely had some bearing on one of the worst performances of his young career. Through two games, the second-year WR has caught just five of his 19 targets, with numerous drops.
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Quarterback Surprises: Who Saw This Coming?
Here’s a fun stat: Mac Jones, Daniel Jones, and Russell Wilson all finished as top-seven fantasy QBs this week. Fantasy football is nothing if not unpredictable, and this is your reminder that early-season stats can be wild. For deep-league managers, Wandale Robinson also deserves a shoutout for his sneaky value.
Tight End Alert: Is Juwan Johnson the Next Big Thing?
Tight end struggles are real, but Juwan Johnson might be the answer. He played on 83% of the Saints’ snaps and saw significant slot usage. If this trend continues, he could be this year’s breakout at the position. If you’re scrambling at TE, Johnson is a name to circle on the waiver wire. He’s moved into must-start territory and is trending towards being a top-5 TE this season.
Jets’ Offense: A Glimmer of Hope
The Jets’ offense is, well, a mess. QB Justin Fields suffered a concussion, and the passing game was far from ideal. But there’s a silver lining: Breece Hall’s snap share jumped to 65%. While it didn’t translate to big points this week, the increased usage is a great sign for his rest-of-season potential. Better days could be ahead with Braelon Allen’s usage fading.
Seattle’s Backfield: Don’t Overreact
Kenneth Walker is firmly in control of the Seahawks’ backfield, holding off Zach Charbonnet for now. The game plan shifted for the Seahawks in Week 2, with the offense designing far more outside zone runs than in Week 1.
Don’t overreact to single-game results—like the Lions’ offense cooling off briefly. Fantasy football is a long game, and patience is key. Still, those with Kenneth Walker are feeling better after his first 100-yard performance of the season.
Final Thoughts: Stay the Course
If you’re 0-2, don’t panic. Fantasy football is a marathon, not a sprint. Two weeks of chaos don’t define your season. Stay patient, keep grinding, and adapt to the ever-changing landscape. Sometimes, the best strategy is simply staying the course.