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FFL: Week 2 | NFL: Week 2

RB Strength of Schedule

Tue May 28 9:03am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Robinson setup for big season


Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the running back position. We are using our fantasy defenses report to calculate the rankings. This report can be found in all of our leagues under the "reports" heading. We took the schedule of each team and entered the average number of fantasy points allowed to running backs last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the running backs with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the running backs that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.

  RB SOS  
1. Green Bay Packers 356.01
2. Houston Texans 361.46
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 361.46
4. Las Vegas Raiders 361.48
5. Seattle Seahawks 362.28
6. Buffalo Bills 363.19
7. Arizona Cardinals 363.76
8. Dallas Cowboys 363.9
9. Jacksonville Jaguars 364.51
10. Washington Commanders 364.86
11. Chicago Bears 364.89
12. Indianapolis Colts 365.41
13. San Francisco 49ers 365.86
14. New Orleans Saints 366.49
15. New York Jets 368.23
16. Detroit Lions 368.49
17. Philadelphia Eagles 369.05
18. Minnesota Vikings 369.06
19. Carolina Panthers 369.88
20. Cleveland Browns 370.34
21. Kansas City Chiefs 371.71
22. New York Giants 372.21
23. Los Angeles Chargers 373.19
24. Denver Broncos 373.32
25. Cincinnati Bengals 373.66
26. Los Angeles Rams 374.09
27. Baltimore Ravens 374.16
28. New England Patriots 375.60
29. Atlanta Falcons 376.19
30. Miami Dolphins 377.49
31. Tennessee Titans 378.2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers 378.72


The two teams with the easiest fantasy schedules for running backs are the Steelers and Titans, which is interesting because both teams could platoon running backs. The Steelers split the work between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. And the Titans are likely to use both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. All four backs could be setup for solid seasons with favorable schedules. It is always scary to take a back that might split work but seeing these positive schedules could make pulling the trigger on them a little easier come draft day. All four could be top flex plays for fantasy teams.

The Dolphins had huge success running the ball last year and could have similar solid production this season with the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs. Devon Achane is really looking good in year two. He is expected to get more work and likely lead the backfield in touches. Raheem Mostert had a career season last year and a great schedule but he carries a little more risk. He is 32 years old and now has rookie Jaylen Wright pushing him for playing time. Just something to keep in mind come draft day.

The Falcons are another team with a top-five favorable running back schedule, making Bijan Robinson a very intriguing pick this year. Robinson had a bit of a disappointing rookie season, but a new coaching staff and really favorable schedule make Robinson a huge breakout candidate. He is moving up draft rankings in a hurry and is capable of finishing first overall in fantasy running back scoring because of his skill set.

Rhamondre Stevenson is a possible rebound candidate. He was slowed by injury last year but is back healthy and with the fifth easiest schedule for running backs. Stevenson has shown in the past he can be a big-time fantasy back. Things are looking up for him this year, making him a good buy-low candidate.

The Packers had the easiest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks but get the toughest for running backs. This isn’t great news for new back Josh Jacobs. It is hard to bet against the productive back, though. You just might want to temper expectations for him this coming year. Jacobs could have a few down weeks, especially for his standards.

The Texans signed Joe Mixon to shore up their running back spot, but he carries some concerns. He wasn’t highly productive the last few seasons besides all his scores and now gets the second toughest schedule for running backs. Plus, the Texans are likely to be a pass heavy team, which could limit his workload a little. Mixon could end up being a boom or bust player.

Tampa also has a unfavorable fantasy schedule for running backs. Rachaad White had a big season last year but padded his numbers because of all his work in the passing game. That might be a similar scenario for him, having a tough time to run with this schedule. The positive for White is he is very good in the passing game. You have to worry about his rushing totals, though.

The Raiders haven’t really settled on a starting running back, but Zamir White is likely to get first shot at the job. That is great news for his fantasy value but the not so great news is his tough fantasy schedule. This could limit the ceiling of White a little. He has risk to begin with because it isn’t 100 percent certain he wins the job. This makes him a bit of a scary pick for fantasy teams.

Kenneth Walker didn’t have quite the breakout second season many hoped but was fairly productive with his work. And the good news is Zach Charbonnet didn’t really put a big dent in his workload. The Seahawks seem happy with Walker as the lead back. The unfortunate news for Walker is he has the fifth toughest fantasy running back schedule. Walker might fail to reach his lofty expectations once again in year three.

We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy running backs. So we crunched the numbers of all the schedules from Week 14-17, which is the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. We know you have to get to the playoffs first, but knowing the running backs with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.

  RB PLAYOFF SOS  
1. San Francisco 49ers 291.43
2. Washington Commanders 325.2
3. Houston Texans 327.8
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 332.03
5. New York Jets 337.57
6. Cleveland Browns 340.8
7. Las Vegas Raiders 341.1
8. Miami Dolphins 348.27
9. Chicago Bears 350.37
10. Buffalo Bills 350.53
11. Arizona Cardinals 352.8
12. Dallas Cowboys 358.87
13. Detroit Lions 359.7
14. New York Giants 365.67
15. Kansas City Chiefs 366.53
16. Green Bay Packers 368.97
17. Seattle Seahawks 370.23
18. Carolina Panthers 377.15
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 378.37
20. Los Angeles Chargers 380.73
21. Jacksonville Jaguars 381
22. Baltimore Ravens 381.43
23. Cincinnati Bengals 383.50
24. Philadelphia Eagles 391.07
25. New England Patriots 397.95
26. Indianapolis Colts 398.40
27. Denver Broncos 399.53
28. Tennessee Titans 401.63
29. Los Angeles Rams 403.92
30. New Orleans Saints 406.33
31. Minnesota Vikings 407.87
32. Atlanta Falcons 422.4

 

There are two teams with a top-five favorable schedule for fantasy running backs for both the regular season and playoffs. Those teams are the Falcons and Titans. Atlanta actually has the easiest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. Robinson was looking good even before hearing this news but looks even better now. He is making a strong case to be the second running back off the board come draft day.

And Pollard and Spears are intriguing running back options with schedules that could produce big for both during the regular season and playoffs. You just have to worry about one back emerging to grab most of the work. If that happens, one of these backs could end up being a bust.

Minnesota has the second easiest playoff schedule for running backs. Aaron Jones has some injury concerns after the last few seasons, but he could be setup for a big workload with an unsettled quarterback situation in Minnesota. Jones has some good upside with his new team, especially during the playoffs.

One other team to mention for the playoff is New Orleans. Alvin Kamara isn’t getting any younger but remains the lead back and still productive. He still seems to have something left in the tank and could be a big fantasy factor for at least one more season, especially when it matters most in the playoffs. He could be a difference maker, having the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs.

Houston is the lone team in both the top five for the toughest regular season and playoff fantasy running back schedules. This is an obvious concern for Mixon. He is looking more and more like a player you might to avoid come draft day. He might have some big games along the way in this great offense, but you have to wonder about his consistency and playoff performance.

So the top rated fantasy back, Christian McCaffrey, also has the toughest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. You aren’t fading McCaffrey because of this. He is one of those rare backs that it doesn’t really matter who he plays. McCaffrey will produce. We still think he is the clear No. 1 fantasy back. He can still get it done in the playoffs.

Washington has Brian Robinson and Austin Ekekler likely splitting the work at running back, which hurts both their fantasy values. They also get the second most difficult playoff schedule for running backs. We wouldn’t reach too early for either back because of this.

The Steelers have the easiest fantasy running back schedule during the playoffs but fourth toughest for the playoffs. This is a tough one. Both backs have potential for good things, showing they can co-exist last year and produce well for fantasy teams. You just have to wonder if fading in the playoffs will make all that good work during the regular season all for nothing.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 2

Player Notes
Kyren Williams Sep 11 3:20pm ET
Kyren Williams

The Los Angeles Rams placed offensive linemen Joe Noteboom (ankle) and Steve Avila (knee) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, meaning the pair of starters will not be eligible to return until after the Week 6 bye. This is a troubling development for the Rams, who also placed Paka Nacua (knee) or IR. While dealing with a banged-up offensive line against the Lions in Week 1, Kyren Williams could only produce 50 rushing yards on 18 carries. Until the Rams offensive line returns to health, there could be little running room to work with, which lowers Williams' floor and ceiling moving forward.

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Jaylen Waddle Sep 11 3:20pm ET
Jaylen Waddle

The Buffalo Bills defense/special teams travels to Miami to meet with the high-powered Dolphins' offense in Week 2. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both had a reception of over 60 yards against the Jaguars. The Buffalo defense, introducing new faces in their secondary, struggled to slow down the Arizona offense in Week 1. The Las Vegas sportsbooks predict Thursday Night Football will be one of the highest-scoring affairs of the Week 2 slate. Starting a defense in a matchup where points will come easy isn't a smart strategy. The Bills D/ST can be left on waiver wires.

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Tyler Bass Sep 11 3:10pm ET
Tyler Bass

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass was a perfect six-for-six on kicks during his 2024 debut against the Arizona Cardinals and now enters a matchup where points should come easy. Josh Allen rarely has difficulty moving the offense against Mike McDaniel's Miami Dolphins. That will set up Bass for several kicking opportunities. Fantasy managers will be hopeful that field goals come more often than extra points, but there's a great chance that Bass won't go scoreless. Bass is a safe option for fantasy football and is ranked among the top kickers in Week 2.

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Tua Tagovailoa Sep 11 3:10pm ET
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will square off against the Buffalo Bills this Thursday night to open up the NFL's second week of action. Tagovailoa tossed just one score this past Sunday when Miami defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in what was a slow start for the Dolphins. However, his 338 passing yards were good enough to lead the league after the first week of action. Jacksonville's defense kept Tua and the Fins in check during the first half, but long completions of 63 and 80 yards to Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill in the second half were enough to flip the momentum in their favor. Leading into Week 2, running back Raheem Mostert (chest) has been ruled out, and De'Von Achane (ankle) will be a game-time decision. If Achane is deemed unfit to suit up, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Wright will pick up the slack in the Dolphins' backfield, with Waddle and Hill projected for increased volume. Buffalo isn't the easiest matchup for Tua and Miami, but the fifth-year signal-caller is still a QB1 (QB11) in RotoBaller's Week 2 rankings.

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Keon Coleman Sep 11 3:00pm ET
Keon Coleman

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman begins his second week of professional, regular season football leading the team in most statistical receiving categories. Unfortunately, his four catches and 51 yards aren't an amazing stat line. Josh Allen spreads the football around, connecting with nine different receivers in Week 1. That could be the story of the Buffalo season, especially if Dalton Kincaid doesn't command targets as expected. Coleman is the most intriguing prospect of the Bills' wide receivers but he's not ready to be in fantasy football starting lineups. The leading receiver could change every week. Like Week 1, Coleman could emerge as the top receiver or score his first touchdown. He could just as easily catch one or two passes on Thursday Night Football.

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Ty Johnson Sep 11 3:00pm ET
Ty Johnson

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (knee) returned to full practice on Wednesday following limited sessions on Monday and Tuesday with a knee injury. The 26-year-old was banged up in the Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals, but he is good to go for Thursday Night against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. Johnson saw two carries for seven yards and drew one target in the season-opener, so he's not on the fantasy football radar in traditional leagues unless James Cook or Ray Davis have to miss any time in the future.

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Khalil Shakir Sep 11 3:00pm ET
Khalil Shakir

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir scored a touchdown in Week 1, but that's all he did to excite fantasy managers. Three catches (on three targets) won't cut it as a flex-worthy option every week, because the touchdowns won't stay consistent. That's the problem facing Buffalo wide receivers. Josh Allen will score a lot of fantasy points and throw the football up and down the field. The matchup against Miami is forecasted to be one of the highest-scoring games of the Week 2 slate. It's just difficult to predict who, if anyone, will command the lion's share of targets. Nine different receivers caught a pass from Allen in Week 1. If it's a winning formula, why deviate? Shakir is the safest of the Bills' wide receivers, but target distribution will likely cap his upside.

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Mack Hollins Sep 11 3:00pm ET
Mack Hollins

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins caught two passes for 25 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. As was the case throughout his career, Hollins appears now and then with a double-digit fantasy football game. And just like his previous stops, Hollins is a part-time player who does the little things well. Interestingly, however, the Bills utilized Hollins far more than Curtis Samuel. The latter played 17 (27%) of the Bills' snaps in Week 1 and appeared to be the direct backup to Khalil Shakir. Hollins will be on the field for most three-receiver sets. That doesn't mean he needs to be on fantasy football rosters. He'll continue to be a low-target receiver who catches a touchdown or long pass from time to time. Keep Hollins on waiver wires ahead of the team's matchup with Miami on Thursday Night Football.

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James Cook Sep 11 2:50pm ET
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook may not get the red zone opportunities that fantasy managers love, but he'll get plenty of touches elsewhere on the field. Although on the field for just over 60% of Buffalo's snaps in Week 1, James Cook dominated backfield touches. He carried the ball 19 times and caught three passes. Rookie Ray Davis got four touches while veteran Ty Johnson (knee) received two. The latter has been limited in practice. With offensive coordinator Joe Brady's reliance on the running game since he took the helm, Cook is in line for another 15-20 touch game. Consider Cook a low-end RB1 against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.

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Dalton Kincaid Sep 11 2:50pm ET
Dalton Kincaid

Tight end Dalton Kincaid, considered to be the top receiving option in the Buffalo Bills' passing game, caught one pass for 11 yards in his season debut. Josh Allen connected with nine different receivers in Week 1, leaving Kincaid's fantasy managers clamoring for more. There are encouraging numbers for the second-year tight end. Allen only threw 23 times in the win over Arizona. He averaged 34 attempts per game in 2023. Kincaid was on the field for over 80% of the snaps and ran a route on over 80% of passing plays. The volume will eventually come. Don't panic with Kincaid just yet. There should be plenty of passing and points in Miami, one of the highest over/under lines of the Week 2 slate.

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Malik Washington Sep 11 2:50pm ET
Malik Washington

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington (quad) is officially ruled out of the Thursday Night Football contest against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. Washington didn't play last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a quad injury, so he will have to wait at least one more week to make his NFL debut. It's unfortunate that Washington hasn't been able to play, especially while Odell Beckham Jr. is on the PUP list, requiring him to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. Washington was a sixth-round pick by Miami in the 2024 NFL Draft following a 1,400-yard season at Virginia in 2023. Braxton Berrios will continue to operate as Miami's WR3, but he has limited upside behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

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Josh Allen Sep 11 2:40pm ET
Josh Allen

There's no concern about the matchup for Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (hand) in Week 2. The two-time Pro Bowler has passed for over 300 yards and scored multiple touchdowns in each of his last five matchups against the Miami Dolphins. The 45 rushing yards he's averaged in those contests is the cherry on top. Although he only threw for 232 yards in his season debut, Allen's four touchdowns confirm that the Buffalo scoring offense runs through the quarterback. Allen is dealing with an injury to his non-throwing hand, but he's been a full participant in practice this week. Allen belongs in starting lineups in every fantasy league.

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Devon Achane Sep 11 2:40pm ET
Devon Achane

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (ankle) is officially listed as questionable to face the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. The second-year pro missed practice on Tuesday and Wednesday due to an ankle injury. Fantasy managers were hoping his lack of participation was for extra caution, but he's considered a game-time decision. 32-year-old running back Raheem Mostert (chest) has been ruled out with a chest injury, so rookie Jaylen Wright is likely to be active on Thursday. If Achane is active, he's a must-start option despite the risk of a potentially decreased role. Miami will only play him if the team believes he is healthy enough to go, and he's a threat to score a touchdown on any play. If he's out, Wright and Jeff Wilson Jr. are intriguing flex options with wide ranges of outcomes. Both would have upside, but it's tough to know how Mike McDaniel would distribute touches.

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Puka Nacua Sep 11 2:30pm ET
Puka Nacua

The Los Angeles Rams officially placed wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. The team announced early in the week that he would go on IR, but it is now official, and he must sit out at least the next four games. It's an unfortunate development for Nacua and his fantasy managers who took him in the first or second round of preseason fantasy drafts following a 105-catch, 1,486-yard, six-touchdown season as a rookie. He will be first eligible to return following Los Angeles' Week 6 bye leading up to the matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. While he's out, Cooper Kupp, who saw 21 targets in Week 1, should continue to dominate targets. However, wideouts Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson and tight end Colby Parkinson will see increased opportunities. In deep leagues, Tutu Atwell might be worth stashing.

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Lamar Jackson Sep 11 2:20pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (soreness) was not at Monday's practice while dealing with general soreness. However, he is back on the practice field on Wednesday, which should ease any concerns that fantasy managers had early in the week. Jackson had a strong Week 1 performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, throwing for 273 yards and a touchdown and rushing 16 times for 122 yards. The two-time MVP remains a must-start fantasy option in all matchups, as he can pay off in fantasy football despite down weeks as a passer. Baltimore hosts the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2, and he has overall QB1 upside.

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Maurice Hurst Sep 11 2:10pm ET
Maurice Hurst

The Cleveland Browns placed safety Juan Thornhill (calf), linebacker Tony Fields II (ankle), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (ankle), and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (hip) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. All four players will now have to miss at least the next four games, meaning they are ineligible to return until at least Week 6 ahead of the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Thornhill is the biggest loss for the Cleveland defense that gave up 33 points in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The team signed three defenders from its practice squad and signed two more players to the practice squad in corresponding moves. This is obviously not an ideal development, but Cleveland could still play strong defense with a healthy Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.

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Rome Odunze Sep 11 2:00pm ET
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee) is not practicing on Wednesday and will be "day-to-day," according to head coach Matt Eberflus. Reports earlier this week had Odunze labeled as week-to-week due to an MCL sprain that he suffered in his NFL debut in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans. This new report is much more optimistic, but fantasy managers should still consider the 22-year-old very questionable for the Week 2 game in Houston against the Texans. And with Keenan Allen (heel) also banged up, Chicago's deep receiving corps could suddenly be thin this weekend. Odunze played 77% of the offensive snaps in his first regular-season NFL game last Sunday but caught just one pass for an 11-yard gain. As long as both DJ Moore and Allen remain healthy, Odunze figures to be an inconsistent fantasy option on a weekly basis despite all of his upside.

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Noah Brown Sep 11 1:40pm ET
Noah Brown

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that they are "definitely trending in the right direction" to have wide receiver Noah Brown read to make his team debut in Week 2 in a divisional matchup versus the New York Giants this Sunday. Brown hasn't had enough time to learn the playbook after joining the Commanders recently, but it appears as though he could be active this weekend after being a healthy scratch in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 28-year-old could immediately compete for a role as the WR3 behind Terry McLaurin and Olamide Zaccheaus, which would be bad news for rookie Luke McCaffrey and Dyami Brown in the receiving pecking order. If Brown is active, don't expect him to play many offensive snaps in his first game. He can remain on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues for now.

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Tee Higgins Sep 11 1:30pm ET
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is making strides in his recovery but deferred to the injury report that will come out later on Wednesday after practice. Higgins tweaked his hamstring in practice last Thursday and was ruled out of the season-opening upset loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. It sounds like Higgins might be limited in practice on Wednesday, which still puts him up in the air to play in Week 2 versus the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. If the 25-year-old makes his season debut this weekend, he could also be on a pitch count, making him a shaky WR3/flex play. With Higgins out in Week 1, Andrei Iosivas played 100% of the offensive snaps but hauled in only three passes for 26 yards on six targets, which tied for the team lead with Ja'Marr Chase.

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Darius Slayton Sep 11 1:30pm ET
Darius Slayton

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said on Wednesday that wide receiver Darius Slayton (concussion) is still in the league's concussion protocol and won't practice. Slayton suffered a concussion in the season-opening blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings and had only three catches on four targets for 26 yards. Right now, he's on the wrong side of questionable as the team prepares for a Week 2 divisional matchup against the Washington Commanders. Even if Slayton returns to practice later this week and clears the NFL's concussion protocols by Sunday, fantasy managers should look to leave him out of their lineups in deeper leagues. He's currently rostered in only 2% of Yahoo leagues. If Slayton misses this weekend's contest, expect Jalin Hyatt to have the best shot at picking up more snaps in a bad offense behind rookie Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson.

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