Injuries and Waiver Wire week 2 2021

WEEK 2 WAIVER WIRE:

Injury report below

QUARTERBACKS:

Justin Fields (CHI) - If by some chance rookie QB Justin Fields is available on your waiver wire, now is the time to add him to your roster. Bears starting QB Andy Dalton had to leave week two's matchup vs the Bengals due to an injury, and Fields stepped in and completed the game for the Bears. Admittedly, the rookie did not have his best game, completing just 6 of 13 passes for 60 yards, an interception, was sacked twice, and had a fumble. As of this writing, it is unclear if Dalton is going to miss any time. If Fields is named the starter, he has a tough matchup vs the Cleveland Browns on the road in week three. However, that is followed by a home game vs division rival Detroit Lions in week four, and in week five the Bears take on the Raiders. Fields has immense upside and makes for a great second quarterback option. Don't worry too much about the uninspiring week two performance.

Daniel Jones (NYG) - Daniel Jones may not be the most talented passer in the NFL, but through two weeks of this season, he's a top five fantasy QB on the year, per ESPN fantasy scoring. In week 3, Jones gets a matchup at home against the Atlanta Falcons, who were just decimated by Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. (Brady passed for 276 yards and five touchdowns) Jones could be an intriguing start this week.

Also Consider: Teddy Bridgewater (DEN)

RUNNING BACKS:

Alexander Mattison (MIN) - Dalvin Cook reportedly limped off the field late in Sunday's game vs the Cardinals but was able to return for the final drive. However, Cook did not receive a touch on that drive. Mattison is the clear backup running back in Minnesota, and is a must add for any Cook owner, if he is available on the waiver wire. Mattison has very little standalone value, but if Cook is to miss any time at any point this season, Mattison would firmly be in play as a starter for most fantasy rosters.

Tony Pollard (DAL) - This call may be a bit of a stretch, as Pollard should have been drafted in most leagues. However, there are several leagues where he is a free agent. If Pollard is available in your league, he is a must add. Pollard rushed for 109 yards on 13 attempts and scored a touchdown in week two. Elliott ran for 71 yards on 16 attempts and had a score of his own. Pollard is the clear handcuff to Elliott, with standalone value. If anything were to happen to Elliott in the future, Pollard would be a top 12 or better fantasy RB. Add Pollard now before his price skyrockets.

Darrel Williams (KCC) - Chiefs starting RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire fumbled the ball very late in the game on the team's final drive, which gave Baltimore the victory. It is unclear if Edwards-Helaire is going to be put into coach Andy Reid's doghouse because of this fumble, but keep an eye on backup RB Darrel Williams, who scored a touchdown in Sunday's game. Williams is the number two back for the Chiefs right now and could have a more significant role if Edwards-Helaire receives a reduced role or suffers an injury. Williams is not someone to start right away but is nice to have as an insurance policy.

Others to Consider: Latavius Murray, Cordarrelle Patterson

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Rondale Moore (ARI) - Two weeks in a row where the first-round rookie has made big plays for the Cardinals offense. Despite the crowded receiver group in Arizona, Moore leads his team in targets through two weeks (yes, Moore has more targets than DeAndre Hopkins). In week three, the Cardinals face off against the Jaguars defense, one of the bottom three defenses in the league. Moore is an intriguing flex option this week in a nice matchup. Add him now before it's too late.

K.J. Osborn (MIN) - When the Vikings lost TE Irv Smith during the preseason, there was some shifting in personnel. The Vikings have shifted to 11 personnel (three wide receivers, one running back, one tight end) and the primary beneficiary of that is second-year receiver K.J. Osborn, who came up with a huge 64-yard touchdown in week two. In 2020, the Vikings only played 11 personnel just 29% of the time, per sharp football stats. Early on this season, Minnesota has increased that to 45%. Osborn has a healthy 71.5% snap share and has proven he can be productive in this role through two weeks.

Others to Consider: Anthony Schwartz, Donovan Peoples-Jones

TIGHT ENDS:

Jack Doyle (IND) - The Colts are a little banged up at the wide receiver position right now, with T.Y. Hilton and Parris Cambpell missing time. Starting receiver Michael Pittman had a great game on Sunday, catching eight passes for 123 yards. However, guess who the second most targeted player was for the Colts in week two? It was Jack Doyle with eight targets. Doyle caught five passes for 64 yards, with a long catch for 34 yards. Doyle has had his moments throughout his career and could be a solid backup TE option for the time being.

Pat Freiermuth (PIT) - The rookie TE has quietly produced an intriguing stat line early in his career. Freiermuth had only one reception and one target in week one, but it went for 24 yards. In week two, he had four targets, and caught all four of them for receptions for 36 yards. It's not just the targets and reception numbers that intrigue me the most, though. Freiermuth has played more snaps than veteran Eric Ebron in both games this season. Freiermuth has played in 54.4% of Pittsburgh's snaps, compared to Ebron's 44.7%. If this trend continues, Freiermuth could be a streaming option in future weeks. For now, Freiermuth is someone to put on your watch list as opposed to adding him right now, as the rookie second round pick has some long-term upside. Keep in mind, he is a rookie tight end and there will be very inconsistent production early in his career.

DEFENSES:

DEN (vs NYJ) - Denver faces off against rookie Zach Wilson and the New York Jets in week three. Wilson threw four interceptions in week two and was sacked four times. This is a smash spot for the Broncos defense.

CAR (@ HOU) - With Tyrod Taylor missing this game because of an injury, the Texans are forced to start third round rookie QB Davis Mills in this game on a short week. It is wise to pick on rookie quarterbacks with opposing fantasy defenses if the situation calls for it.

LVR (vs MIA) - If Tua Tagovaiola misses this week, you can go ahead and start the Raiders defense who will be facing an offense that was shutout in week two.


WEEK 2 INJURIES:

QUARTERBACKS:

Andy Dalton (Knee) - Dalton suffered a knee injury in the first half of Sunday's win over the Bengals and did not return.

Tua Tagovailoa (Rib) - Tagovailoa left the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Bills with a rib injury and was ruled out.

Tyrod Taylor (Hamstring) - Taylor was forced to leave the game against the Browns after injuring his hamstring during a touchdown run. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Taylor is not expected to play Thursday night vs. the Panthers, as the team is awaiting results of an MRI exam.

Carson Wentz (Ankle) - Wentz exited in the fourth quarter of Indy's loss with an apparent ankle injury.

RUNNING BACKS:

Dalvin Cook (Ankle) - Cook left Sunday's game vs the Cardinals but was able to return to the game. However, he did not receive a touch when he returned.

JaMycal Hasty (Ankle) - Hasty suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's win vs the Eagles.

Darrell Henderson (Ribs) - Henderson left Sunday's game with a rib injury.

Elijah Mitchell (Shoulder) - 49ers RB Mitchell left Sunday's game with a shoulder injury but was able to return later in the game. Mitchell was listed on the 49ers post game injury report, though.

Trey Sermon (Concussion) - Sermon suffered a concussion on Sunday.

WIDE RECEIVER:

Russell Gage (Ankle) - Gage left Sunday's game with an ankle injury and did not return.

Diontae Johnson (Knee) - Johnson needed to be helped off the field on the last play of Sunday's game vs the Raiders.

Jarvis Landry (MCL) - Landry suffered a knee injury in the first quarter and did not return against the Texans. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski said that Landry will undergo an MRI.

Laviska Shenault Jr. (Shoulder) - Expected To Play on Sunday.

TIGHT ENDS:

James O'Shaughnessy (Ankle) - O'Shaughnessy left the game with an ankle injury and was unable to return.