UPDATE: 9:36 a.m. Sunday
We’re still an hour away from the early inactive lists, but a lot of the questionable standouts for this week are now good to go.
Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers, finally, is expected to make his season debut and provide an additional great target for quarterback Kirk Cousins. It could be a big year for Bowers, but maybe not starting this afternoon.
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Others cleared to play today include four notable receivers (San Francisco‘s Mike Evans, Carolina’s Jalen Coker, Pittsburgh‘s Michael Pittman and Buffalo’s Keon Coleman) and one No. 1 running back (Steelers‘ Jaylen Warren)
We’ll be back with any news on the inactives in about an hour.
UPDATE: 10:43 p.m. Saturday
Just a few late-night notes while we’re watching the Gophers burn the midnight oil in Seattle. None of them too surprising.
The Chicago quarterback situation has clarified a little. Caleb Williams, of course, will not play Sunday. Tyson Bagent might, assuming he doesn’t show any more effects from his concussion. If not, then former Viking Case Keenum returns to the fray, Neither is worth starting, and their presence reduces the value of any Bears receivers.
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Philadelphia is expected to have its two best offensive weapons. RB Saquon Barkley and WR Devonta Smith practiced on Saturday and will play Sunday against the Bears..
UPDATE: 12:22 p.m. Saturday
We’ve got more updates than usual with our new Monday posting schedule. The big local one involves Vikings running back Aaron Jones, whose knee has been declared good to go for tomorrow in Tampa Bay.
A former Viking will be back in the starting lineup this week: Seattle QB Sam Darnold. Considering all the quarterback injuries, you could do worse than starting the Super Bowl MVP,
Veteran receivers are also in the news. San Francisco’s Mike Evans is expected to play Sunday. Baltimore‘s Zay Flowers will play but will have a snap count. And Buffalo’s D.J. Moore is considered a game-time decision.
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Two pass catchers have been ruled out: Houston‘s Nico Collins and Miami‘s Caleb Douglas.
Two noteworthy running backs have also been ruled out: Pittsburgh’s Rico Dowdle and Denver rookie Jonah Coleman. That gives a boost to the Broncos‘ R.J. Harvey and J.K. Dobbins. But Steelers RB Jaylen Warren is considered questionable, so we’d steer clear of him.
Rams wideout Puka Nacua is considered doubtful to return this week. And it’s questionable whether we’ll see Raiders TE Brock Bowers or Carolina WR Jalen Coker either.
ORIGINAL POST: 11:59 a.m. Monday
Some fantasy mavens rush to the waiver wire faster than others. Like the 20 percent of managers desperately racing right now to replace their injured star quarterbacks.
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How long Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Washington’s Jayden Daniels will be out remains to be seen, but it’s a good guess we’ve got at least a few weeks of Tyson Bagent and Marcus Mariota ahead. Neither will enter the MVP conversation.
There are better options. It’s probably too late to grab hot QBs like Carolina’s Bryce Young or New Orleans‘ Tyler Shough. But here are five guys available in most leagues that can offer varying degrees of competency:
Kirk Cousins (Raiders) — You like that? The former Viking had three TD passes in each of the first two games for the unbeaten Silver and Black. And their next three opponents (Saints, Chiefs, Patriots) aren’t too imposing defensively.
C.J. Stroud (Texans) — Sure, he stunk up the end of last season, but he’s averaging more than 300 passing yards a game for the 0-2 Texans, who are likely to rebound the next three weeks against the unimpressive defenses of the Colts, Cowboys and Titans.
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Daniel Jones (Colts) — Folks forget how strong this former Viking looked last season, with 19 TD passes and five scoring runs before his Achilles’ tendon snapped. We’d like him better were it not for a tough matchup this week against desperate Houston.
Cam Ward (Titans) — Tennessee nearly pulled off the upset of Philadelphia as this sophomore ran for both of the Titans’ touchdowns. But Ward’s supporting cast is mediocre, and they’ve got the Giants, Ravens and Texans the next three weeks.
Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons) — HIs promising 2025 season was cut short by a knee injury, and Atlanta badly needs him back after two weeks of the Cooper Rush Follies. But you probably can’t expect greatness if he returns in three days at Green Bay..
As good as Miami RB De’Von Achane is, he’s got no help. So, you might think twice before starting him against Kansas City. … The Vikings’ Aaron Jones topped 100 yards in the muck in Chicago, but he’ll be eclipsed by the passing attack in Tampa Bay. … Dallas RB Javonte Williams hasn’t done much so far, and he’ll be a non-factor against Baltimore. … We’d steer clear of Chicago pass catchers for a while, in particular Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland. … New England QB Drake Maye looks lost without A.J. Brown, and he will struggle in Jacksonville. … And two aged quarterbacks we’d definitely leave on bench this week are Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers and the Rams’ Matthew Stafford.
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Denver rookie RB Jonah Coleman could have a big day against the Rams with J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey uncertain. … TreVeyon Henderson may have eclipsed Rhamondre Stevenson as New England’s RB1. … Cleveland‘s suddenly revived offense will prosper against Carolina, especially RB Quinshon Judkins. … Detroit will get back on track against the Jets, so it’s safe to count on Jameson Williams for a change. … Denver WR Jaylen Waddle was great on Sunday and will be great again versus the Rams. … Same for Chiefs TE Travis Kelce against Miami. … And as bad as Chargers QB Justin Herbert has been, Buffalo’s generous defense could be the tonic he needs.
Other than the quarterbacks, the most significant Week 2 injury was the stinger suffered by Eagles RB Saquon Barkley. He left Sunday’s game for a while and did little when he returned. Watch updates closely. … Colts receiver Alec Pierce reinjured his heel Sunday night and likely will miss some time. … Other receivers hurt Sunday include 49ers’ Mike Evans and Packers‘ Jayden Reed. … All eyes will be on three standouts who might return this week: Vegas tight end Brock Bowers, Houston wideout Nico Collins and Baltimore WR Zay Flowers.
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Former Green Bay RB Emanuel Wilson came in for Seattle on Sunday after Jadarian Price went down with a chest injury. He looked good, rushing 21 times for 92 yards. That’s not too surprising since he ran for about 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons with the Packers. He’s worth a pickup in case Price is not able to go against a very modest Washington defense.
Falcons at Packers (-6½):
Pick: Packers by 11
We’ll be updating our column, based on the latest injuries and innuendo, right up until Sunday’s kickoff. Go to TwinCities.com/theloop.
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You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X— @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
