Derrick Henry had a productive Week 1 and should be a fantasy football standout in Week 2. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

NFL Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 2 RBs: Who’s In and Who’s Out? Ft. Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, And More

September 10, 2025 | 8:57 PM EDT

With Week 2 of the NFL season on tap, fantasy players everywhere are pondering running backs. After all, making the right decision in whom to play and whom to sit can be the difference between a close win and a close loss. Here’s some guidance on the players to play and the players NOT to play at running back in Week 2.

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Play Them or Sit Them: NFL RBs for Week 2

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley is a solid Week 2 play for fantasy football lineups. (Photo Credits: IMAGN)

Play Them

Derrick Henry, Baltimore

Yes, the late fumble was troubling, but the veteran Henry remains one of the best running backs in the game. Henry had 169 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Buffalo in Week 1. This week, Henry and the Ravens will face Cleveland. They’ll likely play from ahead, which would justify leaning heavily on the ground game, which would lead to another big week for Henry. If you’re lucky enough to have him, use him.

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia

Barkley had a sleepy Week 1, with 60 yards and a score on 18 carries. He also caught four passes for 24 yards and has the potential to be a massive threat in the passing as well as the running game. Playing at Kansas City in Week 2 could be big. The Eagles figure to want to keep the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’ hands and might feature the ground game more than one would normally expect against a quality opponent. Barkley is probably good to go.

Josh Jacobs, Green Bay

Jacobs had a good but not great Week 1. He had 66 yards and a score on 19 carries in the Packers’ opener against the Lions. He gets a favorable Week 2 matchup against the Commanders and seems likely to finish well. It’s worth noting that 38 of Jacobs’ 66 yards in Week 1 came in the fourth quarter. Look for a strong finish from him in Week 2 and get him in your lineup wherever that’s plausible.

Sit Them

RJ Harvey, Denver

Here’s the run on Harvey. He’s good to have on your roster, as his 50-yard gallop showed in Week 1. But the Broncos are riding J.K. Dobbins hard in the red zone. If you strongly believe in the Denver ground game, it might be worth playing them both. But for now, Harvey won’t see enough snaps or get enough carries close to the goal line to start him. Keep an eye on this, as Harvey could see more time in scoring situations later in 2025.

Dylan Sampson, Cleveland

Here’s the situation. Quinshon Judkins finally signed and may be ready to play for Cleveland. They’re playing the Ravens anyway, so that’s tough sledding on the ground. The possibility of Judkins splitting the workload on Sampson makes him a definitive wait-and-see guy. Leave him out for Week 2 and be aware that the whole Judkins situation might make him expendable in the long term anyway.

James Cook, Buffalo

Cook was adequate in Week 1, with 44 yards and a score on the ground and 58 yards via the passing game. But he was already splitting carries to some degree and is banged up heading into this matchup with the Jets. Cook might prove to be a more important part of the Bills’ offense, but between the injury and the slightly reduced role in terms of snap count, he’s probably a player to sit in Week 2.