Week 2 of the NFL season was one of those Sundays that left fantasy managers refreshing their phones every few minutes. Several stars went down with injuries, and the fallout will be felt heading into Week 3.
From Joe Burrow’s long-term absence to nagging hamstring issues across multiple rosters, the updates paint a mixed picture for both real-life teams and fantasy outlooks. Here’s what we know so far and how these situations could shake up lineups this week.
Joe Burrow – Turf Toe (Bengals QB)
The Cincinnati Bengals’ worst fear came true when Joe Burrow left Sunday’s game with a turf toe injury. After tests, it’s been confirmed that the injury will require surgery, putting him on the shelf for roughly three months.
Backup Jake Browning can keep the offense afloat, but it’s unlikely he’ll replicate Burrow’s ability to stretch the field. Expect Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to still draw heavy targets, though touchdown opportunities may be limited.
Aaron Jones – Hamstring (Vikings RB)
Minnesota Vikings’ offense took a hit when Aaron Jones pulled up with a hamstring injury against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The team labeled him as questionable moving forward, but hamstrings tend to linger.
If Jones is out or limited in Week 3, Jordan Mason and even rookie depth options will be leaned on more heavily. For fantasy players, that means Jones owners need to prepare a backup plan.
Chris Godwin – Foot (Buccaneers WR)
Chris Godwin will not suit up for the Tampa Bay Bucanners this week because of his foot injury. His absence funneled more looks toward Mike Evans, and it also gave younger receivers more opportunities.
If Godwin remains sidelined, Evans’ fantasy value should hold strong, while deeper league players might take flyers on Tampa Bay’s secondary options.
Tristan Wirfs – Knee (Buccaneers LT)
One of Tampa Bay’s anchors up front, Tristan Wirfs, left with a knee issue. Anytime a blindside protector goes down, it has a ripple effect. Mayfield could face more pressure, which might slightly ding the fantasy outlook for the Bucs’ passing game. That makes monitoring his status essential as we approach Week 3.
Christian Kirk – Hamstring (Texans WR)
Houston Texans’ Christian Kirk was sidelined by a hamstring injury, and his absence narrows the target distribution for C.J. Stroud. Expect Tank Dell and Nico Collins to see more consistent work, giving both a bump in PPR formats. Fantasy managers should treat Kirk as a wait-and-see option.
Braxton Berrios – Hamstring (Texans WR)
Texans’ Braxton Berrios also will be out due to a hamstring problem. He isn’t a major fantasy piece in most leagues, but his absence means the Texans’ top two receivers should have steadier roles week to week.
Jake Andrews – Ankle (Texans C)
Houston center Jake Andrews went down with an ankle injury. Offensive line injuries don’t grab fantasy headlines, but they can matter. Less stability inside could mean more pressure on Stroud and potentially less efficiency in the running game.
Denzel Perryman – Ankle (Chargers LB)
On the defensive side, Chargers’ linebacker Denzel Perryman will miss tonight with an ankle injury. For fantasy purposes, that means opposing running backs could see a bit more room to operate against the Chargers.
Elijah Molden – Hamstring (Chargers S)
Chargers’ safety Elijah Molden sat out with a hamstring injury as well. Without him, the Chargers’ secondary is thinner, making wide receivers facing them a slightly stronger play.
AJ Terrell Jr. – Hamstring (Falcons CB)
Falcons’ AJ Terrell Jr. was ruled out for the rest of Sunday’s game after going down with a hamstring injury against Minnesota. His outlook is unknown but a huge blow for the Falcons’ defense.
Cooper Beebe – Ankle (Cowboys C)
Dallas Cowboys’ Cooper Beebe left late in the game against the New York Giants and missed overtime due to an ankle injury. His time out is unknown, but clearly will be a blow to anyone rostering Dak or a Cowboys running back.
Justin Fields – Concussion (Jets QB)
New York Jets’ Justin Fields left the game early against the Bills with a concussion. From a fantasy standpoint, if he is unable to play next week, the Jets should keep the ball on the ground a lot more.
Bottom Line
Week 2 gave fantasy managers a reminder of how quickly things can change in the NFL. Joe Burrow’s injury is a season-altering blow for the Bengals. Meanwhile, skill players like Aaron Jones and Chris Godwin remain question marks heading into Week 3.
The key takeaway is simple: keep an eye on midweek practice reports and be ready to pivot. Whether that means scooping up Jake Browning, leaning into Nico Collins, or finding streaming options at RB, flexibility will be the name of the game this week.
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