Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler was quiet as a rusher Sunday afternoon but made his impact through the air. Ekeler caught all three of his targets for 47 yards. On the ground, he saw just eight attempts for 38 yards. The veteran running back was primarily deployed as a pass catcher in the season opener, and Week 2 was quite similar. Last week, he registered 52 receiving yards (which led the team) on four receptions. While Brian Robinson Jr. will continue to see the lion's share of rushing attempts, Ekeler will still hold fantasy value, especially in PPR formats as he is becoming a safety valve for rookie QB Jayden Daniels. Fantasy managers should continue to view Ekeler as an upside flex in PPR leagues, but in standard leagues where receptions are not scored, it is better to find production elsewhere.

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler led the team in receiving yards (52) in the season opener but had a limited role in the offense. In his Washington debut, Ekeler was exclusively deployed as a pass-catching running back as he saw just two rushing attempts, compared to Brian Robinson Jr.'s 12 attempts. However, through the air, Ekeler made the most of his limited touches as he caught all four of his targets. In addition, he ran 19 total routes and posted an average of 2.74 yards per route run, which was one of the best marks of the weekend. While the 29-year-old will typically serve as the No.2 option in a committee, his production on such limited touches is still worth noting as he still possesses some quality upside. For now, Ekeler remains a solid flex play in deeper PPR leagues but holds much less value in standard formats.

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler did not see a heavy workload on the ground but caught a team-high four receptions in the season opener. Ekeler shared the spotlight with Brian Robinson Jr. throughout the preseason but saw only two carries Sunday afternoon in Tampa Bay. However, he made up for that disappointing workload through the air as he caught all four of his targets for 52 yards. Ekeler made a nice 22-yard catch-and-run play in the second quarter, which helped set the Commanders up for their first touchdown. Fantasy managers should lower expectations for Ekeler heading into Week 2 in standard scoring but give him a slight uptick in PPR as he is clearly building a connection with his rookie QB making him a low-end flex play for the time being.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) suffered a calf strain in the Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and will be forced to miss a couple of weeks. It comes as a surprise after Samuel had eight catches (10 targets) for 110 receiving yards while also carrying the ball twice for 10 yards. With both Samuel and All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) out for the foreseeable future, San Fran's offense could struggle to put up points heading into a Week 3 divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Jauan Jennings should step into the WR2 role behind Brandon Aiyuk, who has been slow out of the gates after a lengthy contract hold-in, while tight end George Kittle's fantasy ceiling and floor will now be raised. Samuel's injury makes running back Jordan Mason even more of a lock as a must-start in fantasy lineups going forward.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. was impressive in a 23-17 loss to the Vikings in Minneapolis on Sunday. He caught eight of 10 targets for 110 yards receiving -- all team-high figures. Samuel Sr.'s hands were particularly sticky in this one, with multiple difficult receptions coming on contested passes. In a bit of a departure from his usual style, relatively few of his yards came after the catch. Although it didn't matter in the end, Samuel Sr. made a great hustle play in the 49ers' final possession near the goal line when linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel jumped a backward wide receiver screen pass intended for Samuel Sr., who got back to secure the ball when Van Ginkel bobbled it. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, it counted as a carry for a loss of nine yards. He would finish with two carries for minus-10 yards. Samuel Sr. will look to keep it going in a road tilt against the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is in Minnesota as the team prepares for a Week 2 matchup versus the Vikings. The former South Carolina Gamecock fulfilled expectations and then some in Week 1 against the New York Jets. He finished the game with five receptions on nine targets for 54 yards through the air to go with eight carries for 23 yards and a touchdown on the ground. It's reasonable to expect similar usage in the running game, given running back Christian McCaffrey's continued absence and San Francisco's success with their approach last week. The similarities may stop with the passing game though, as 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk was playing in his first game action after sitting out the preseason, so the window for Samuel Sr. to take target advantage of Aiyuk's lack of football readiness may be closing. Minnesota's pass defense tamped down the fantasy performances of all New York Giants involved last week, but it's also possible New York's offense is just inept against everybody. Last year's Vikings defense was sixth-worst in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers in half-PPR. Samuel Sr. is a locked-and-loaded WR1 in Week 2.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle caught 4-of-4 targets for 41 yards in the team's 31-10 defeat Thursday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. He also rushed once for four yards. The Dolphins struggled to get anything going after they scored a touchdown in the first quarter, and their offense stalled indefinitely when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) was forced to leave the contest early. Waddle and Tyreek Hill combined for just 65 yards through the air, as it was the first game since 2022 that neither wideout led the team in receiving. Although the severity of Tagovailoa's injury -- and how much time he might miss -- is currently unknown, we're expected to learn more over the coming days. In his stead, Skylar Thompson would man the helm for Miami. If that is how it shakes out, it would be tough to trust any Miami WR when they take on the Seattle Seahawks in a road matchup in Week 3.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is an excellent play in Week 2 as the Fins face off against their division-rival Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. Waddle was briefly checked for concussion-like symptoms this past Sunday in the team's 20-17 defeat of the Jacksonville Jaguars but still finished the day with five receptions for 109 yards -- catching all five of his targets on 72% of his team's snaps. It took Miami's offense a bit to get on track, but quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hit his superstar wideouts for gains of 63 and 80 in the second half to lead the Dolphins to victory. In the past, Buffalo's defense might have been a death knell regarding matchups, but after several key defensive departures this offseason, they aren't the doom-and-gloom opponent we're used to. The fourth-year wideout is a good bet for a heavy workload, with running back Raheem Mostert (chest) officially ruled out and De'Von Achane (ankle) a game-time decision. He's RotoBaller's PPR WR12 heading into the second week of action.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle hauled in all five of his targets for 108 yards in Sunday's 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. On the Dolphins' first play of the second quarter, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hit Waddle short right for a 12-yard gain, but he exited the game afterward and was checked for a concussion. Fortunately for the fourth-year wideout, he was cleared to return to play and finished the game with the second-most yards and third-most receptions on the team. His big play of the day came in the third quarter when Tua found Waddle on a deep crosser that flipped the field for a 63-yard gain. He would also snag another grab that went for 20 yards. Despite the offense's slow start, both superstar wideouts were able to eclipse 100 yards in an encouraging first performance. The Alabama product will look to keep rolling in Week 2 on a short week when he and the Fins square up against their division rival Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that he believes wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is moving in a positive direction and that the extra day this week will help as the team prepares to face the Washington Commanders in Week 3 next Monday night. Higgins injured his hamstring in practice just days before the season opener and has missed the first two games of the season as a result. The 25-year-old's status for next Monday's game will depend on how much he can do in practice this week. If Higgins draws a questionable tag on the final injury report on Saturday, fantasy managers probably won't want to take any chances with him in their starting lineups. Andrei Iosivas scored two touchdowns in the Week 2 loss to the Chiefs on his two receptions, while tight end Mike Gesicki saw more involvement with Higgins out. The 0-2 Bengals could certainly use their WR2 in Higgins back sooner than later.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is officially inactive for Sunday's AFC showdown with the Chiefs. There is no surprise here, considering the wideout missed Week 1 and was doubtful heading into Week 2. Fortunately, Joe Burrow has Ja'Marr Chase as his primary pass-catcher. There's also room for Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin, and Mike Gesicki to enter the flex conversation in 12-team fantasy leagues and up.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) is expected to be inactive for Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Higgins had been listed as doubtful and was trending toward missing his second consecutive game. His absence isn't official yet and won't be confirmed until 90 minutes before kickoff, but fantasy managers should still start making lineup adjustments and finding players to replace Higgins. Internally, Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin are candidates for more volume, but neither of them should be deployed in typical 12-team leagues.

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is in a timeshare with Gerald Everett, who out-snapped him and ran more routes in Week 1. Kmet was on the field for less than half of the team's offensive snaps and received just one target during those 27 plays. Given that the Bears passed the ball on 57% of their offensive plays, this lack of involvement stems from the playbook rather than the game script. It appears that specific offensive packages are designed to feature Everett over Kmet. Conversely, with wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (knee) not practicing and listed as questionable, Kmet could see an increase in targets in Week 2. If the Bears continue to ease rookie quarterback Caleb Williams into the game, particularly with two of his top wideouts potentially limited, Kmet may see more action. Expect him to run more routes, potentially catching three to four passes, with a chance for a red-zone opportunity. While Kmet is a risky, touchdown-dependent play in deep leagues, this could be the week to take a chance on him, given the uncertain status of Allen and Odunze.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus explained that tight end Cole Kmet's limited playing time in Sunday's win over the Titans was due to the team's rotation strategy. Kmet saw fewer than 50% of the snaps, as Eberflus highlighted using multiple tight ends and personnel groupings to exploit defensive matchups. Despite signing a four-year, $50 million extension last offseason and being viewed as a key player in the team's rebuild, Kmet's role is currently shared with Gerald Everett to diversify the offense. Everett and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who has previously collaborated with the Rams and Seahawks, bring a wealth of experience and trust from their history together. Kmet expressed dissatisfaction with the reduced playing time but emphasized focusing on making the most of his opportunities. As long as he remains in a rotation, Kmet isn't a reliable fantasy starter. However, he has a favorable matchup against the Houston Texans this Sunday, which could help him turn his season around.

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is not a recommended starter this week due to the tough matchup against a strong Titans secondary and a decreased target share. The Titans allowed the third-fewest fantasy points and receiving yards to tight ends last year, as well as the second-fewest touchdowns. With the addition of Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Gerald Everettwho is expected to see more snaps than anticipatedKmet's role in the offense will likely diminish. While Kmet still has the potential to capitalize on his opportunities, the presence of other top fantasy tight ends in less crowded offenses makes him a riskier choice. Kmet could be a valuable asset and a key player for the Bears, but his value as a fantasy starter is uncertain, given the current dynamics.