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FFL: Week 2 | NFL: Week 2

Vikings' Justin Jefferson 'not mad' at Kirk Cousins for departure

Wed Jul 10 12:08pm ET
Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson said he understands quarterback Kirk Cousins' decision to sign with the Atlanta Falcons.

Cousins, after all, signed a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed after spending the past six seasons with Minnesota.

"I'm not mad at him at all for that," Jefferson said Tuesday on "The Rich Eisen Show."

The Vikings addressed Cousins' departure by signing veteran Sam Darnold and selecting J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

"I always knew that Kirk was going to do whatever he needs to do for (him) business-wise," Jefferson told Eisen, "and I just knew that everything just wasn't the way he wanted it to be here, especially just with having to pay me and having to pay so many other different guys. I feel like he just wanted a new start, a new opportunity to start with Atlanta and a clean slate and I'm not mad at him at all for that. I'm grateful for what he has brought to me and the things that we have accomplished together.

"But at the end of the day, it's a business and you've got to do what you've got to do for yourself and for your family, and I clearly understand that. But it's on to the next. It doesn't really matter what quarterback it is in my eyes. I'm always going to try to make the best of the opportunity. I'm always going to try to be the quarterback's friend and make his job a lot easier. It doesn't matter if it was Kirk or if it's Sam or if it's J.J. I'm going to make it as easy as possible for him."

Jefferson, the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension last month.

After leading the NFL in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809) in 2022, Jefferson reached the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth straight season in 2023 despite missing seven games due to injuries.

Drafted in the first round (22nd overall) in 2020, Jefferson is a three-time Pro Bowl selection with 392 catches for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns in 60 career games (57 starts). His career average of 98.3 receiving yards per game is the highest in NFL history.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 2

Player Notes
Will Levis Sep 15 8:20pm ET
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis completed 19-of-28 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 24-17 loss to New York. He also rushed four times for 38 yards while losing a fumble in the defeat. Levis once again showed flashes of brilliance, but was doomed by inconsistent play and turnovers that lowered his fantasy numbers considerably. The constant pressure didn't help, but Levis accounted for three turnovers for the second consecutive week, which led to 10 points for the Jets. The QB did make some splash plays, including a 40-yard TD to Calvin Ridley, but struggled to connect with any other receiver in the game. Levis will have another tough test next Sunday with the Packers coming to town in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Ridley Sep 15 8:20pm ET
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, adding a 10-yard rushing touchdown in a loss vs. the New York Jets. It was a monster afternoon for the sixth-year pro, who was able to get in the end zone twice while battling one of the toughest secondaries in the NFL. His 40-yard touchdown reception from Will Levis was a thing of beauty, as Ridley made an incredible grab with First-team All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner right on his back. The former Pro Bowler once again led the Titans in receiving as the clear cut top option in a not-so-great passing attack. Even with quarterback Will Levis' struggles, Ridley should be started in all formats on a weekly basis given his role in the offense. He will look to keep the momentum going against the Packers stiff defensive unit in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Sep 15 8:20pm ET
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard rushed 17 times for 62 yards, also securing five passes on six targets for 40 yards in a 24-17 loss to New York. For the second straight week, Pollard was the clear lead back for this Titans offense, out-touching Tyjae Spears 22-8 in Week 2. Although Spears left the game late with an ankle injury, Pollard was still dominating the time on the field up to that point and was more effective when given the ball. He was also tied for the team lead in targets with six, proving he still has a role carved out for him in the passing game even with Spears' ability in that department. With how much this coaching staff seems to trust Pollard, he should be locked into lineups moving forward as a mid-tier RB2 with a tinge of upside. Up next is the Packers vulnerable run defense in a Week 3 home matchup.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Sep 15 8:20pm ET
DeAndre Hopkins

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught one pass for nine yards in a 24-17 loss to the Jets in Week 2. It was the second straight near-dud for the veteran receiver, who could not get anything going on a day that where his teammate Calvin Ridley scored over 20 fantasy points. It's possible that Hopkins is still a bit slow to come back from the MCL injury, but it's concerning to record only two targets in an offense that is struggling to move the bar through the air. Levis and Hopkins showed some great chemistry last season, but Ridley seems to have snatched the crown from him in the Titans pecking order. With not many yards to go around, this is not a good sign for his rest-of-season outlook. Hopkins will look to rebound in Week 3 vs. Green Bay.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Sep 15 8:13pm ET
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) left the Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals, and he was unable to return. After the game, Kupp was in a walking boot on his left leg.

Fantasy Spin: We'll watch Kupp's practice status during the week before making a determination for Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers. If he cannot go, it appears Demarcus Robinson would be the No. 1 wideout, with Tyler Johnson as the No. 2, and Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington as the others. Stay tuned.

From TheHuddle

Dak Prescott Sep 15 8:10pm ET
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott struggled in the home opener, throwing two interceptions in a blowout 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Prescott went 27-for-39 with 293 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while rushing for 12 yards on two attempts. The Cowboys seemed to have plenty of momentum heading into Week 2 after Prescott agreed to a lucrative contract extension, and the team secured a win over the Cleveland Browns. However, Prescott looked completely out of sync, throwing two first-half interceptions and getting sacked three times. While it's still too early to overreact, Prescott has a good chance to bounce back next week against the Rams, who just surrendered 266 yards and three passing touchdowns to the Arizona Cardinals.

From RotoBaller

Isiah Pacheco Sep 15 8:10pm ET
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ankle) had a solid outing in Sunday's narrow win over the Bengals. Pacheco ran the ball 19 times, amassing 90 yards. He added five catches for 21 yards. However, the 25-year-old suffered an ankle injury late in the contest, with head coach Andy Reid stating the back would undergo further testing. Without question, Pacheco is featured in nearly every fantasy lineup imaginable. But he'll likely appear on the injury report heading into the Week 3, Sunday Night Football showdown with the Atlanta Falcons. If Pacheco can't suit up for that one, Carson Steele, who had seven touches for 24 yards, could be the preferred runner, with Samaje Perine potentially handling most of the pass-catching duties out of the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Mark Andrews Sep 15 8:03pm ET
Mark Andrews

Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews posted four receptions for 51 yards on five targets in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fantasy Spin: It still wasn't a giant stat line which we've come to expect from the TE1, but he is rounding into form after being nearly invisible in Week 1. Andrews is making his way back from a major injury, and he should be just fine as he settles into the season. The Ravens travel to meet the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3.

From TheHuddle

Nelson Agholor Sep 15 8:03pm ET
Nelson Agholor

Baltimore Ravens WR Nelson Agholor had one catch for 13 yards on three targets in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From TheHuddle

CeeDee Lamb Sep 15 8:00pm ET
CeeDee Lamb

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb scored his first touchdown of the season with an electrifying 65-yard reception in Sunday's 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints. After signing a lucrative contract extension, the All-Pro was out to prove his worth, finishing the game with four receptions for 90 yards and a score. Lamb remained the focal point of the Cowboys' offense, seeing seven targets, the second-most on the team behind Jalen Tolbert's nine. He'll have a great opportunity next week against the Los Angeles Rams, who just gave up 41 points to the Arizona Cardinals. Lamb remains a must-start in all fantasy football lineups.

From RotoBaller

Dameon Pierce Sep 15 8:00pm ET
Dameon Pierce

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) won't play against the visiting Chicago Bears on Sunday night. He didn't practice on Friday because of a hamstring injury, so fantasy managers already assumed he wouldn't be available for Week 2. However, with Joe Mixon coming off a 30-carry, 159-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Week 1 win over the Colts, Pierce wasn't expected to be a featured offensive option anyway. With Pierce out, Mixon should see another healthy workload, with Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers backing him up.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Sep 15 7:53pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson completed 21-of-34 passes for 247 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders, while adding five runs for 45 yards.

Fantasy Spin: Well, Jackson isn't going to run for 100 yards every week, and this game looked more like a traditional game, as Derrick Henry led the run game. The Ravens will look to rebound in Week 3 on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.

From TheHuddle

Derrick Henry Sep 15 7:53pm ET
Derrick Henry

Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry rushed 18 times for 84 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders, while posting a 12-yard reception on his only target.

Fantasy Spin: That's two games and two touchdowns for Henry. He was much more productive, from a yardage perspective, in this one, too. He might not necessarily be a bona fide RB1 week in and week out, but he remains a fantasy must-start in all formats. He'll look to keep up the scoring ways in Week 3 at Dallas.

From TheHuddle

Kyle Van Noy Sep 15 7:43pm ET
Kyle Van Noy

Baltimore Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy posted three solo tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and three quarterback hits in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From TheHuddle

Roquan Smith Sep 15 7:43pm ET
Roquan Smith

Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith was good for a game-high 11 total stops with four solo tackles and a pass defensed in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From TheHuddle

Marlon Humphrey Sep 15 7:43pm ET
Marlon Humphrey

Baltimore Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey posted 10 total stops, including eight solo tackles, with a tackle for loss and a pass defensed with an interception in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From TheHuddle

Cooper Kupp Sep 15 7:40pm ET
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (foot) exited Sunday's blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Puka Nacua (knee) is sidelined for the foreseeable future, so Kupp was projected to have a big game. However, he had just four grabs for 37 yards before exiting the contest with a foot injury. Unfortunately, Kupp was observed in a boot after the contest, so his health ahead of the Week 3 meeting with the 49ers will be on the minds of fantasy managers. If the wideout isn't out there for that one, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, and Tyler Johnson will do their best to fill the void on the offensive end. Kyren Williams would also presumably see more work than the 12 carries he had in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Ameer Abdullah Sep 15 7:33pm ET
Ameer Abdullah

Las Vegas Raiders RB Ameer Abdullah rushed twice for one yard in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, while posting two receptions for one yard on two targets.

From TheHuddle

Velus Jones Jr. Sep 15 7:30pm ET
Velus Jones Jr.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. is a healthy scratch ahead of Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. There was a chance Jones' services would be needed for this one. However, while Keenan Allen (heel) won't play, the team at least has Rome Odunze (knee) active for Week 2. Either way, Jones likely wouldn't have seen much attention from fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Sep 15 7:23pm ET
Davante Adams

Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams registered game bests with nine receptions, 110 yards and 12 targets while also scoring a touchdown in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Fantasy Spin: It appeared that the Raiders had a difficult matchup against the Ravens defense, but Las Vegas definitely went beyond projections in the pass game. The Raiders face the hapless Carolina Panthers in Week 3, but that is a double-edged sword. Adams and the pass game could get off to a big start, but if the team takes a giant lead, the offense could be more run-based, too. Still, Adams is always a must-start fantasy option when healthy.

From TheHuddle