Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.

Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league.

Sept. 21: Who got the ball on Sunday?

By Eric Moody

The box score doesn’t tell you everything. Here are the roles and usage trends from Sunday that stood out to me.

Chuba Hubbard led the Panthers’ backfield in snaps, routes and touches (14), finishing with 14.4 fantasy points. Carolina used more of a committee approach with Jonathon Brooks before he left in the fourth quarter with a groin injury and didn’t return. If Brooks is ruled out, Hubbard can be viewed as a mid-range RB2 against the Browns.

Kyle Pitts Sr. remains in a tight end rotation with Austin Hooper and Charlie Woerner. He saw just three targets and finished with 2.5 fantasy points, although the Falcons did pull their starters for the final 13 plays. Pitts’ reduced playing time, particularly in 11 personnel, remains a concern. Cooper Rush’s struggles also limited the entire offense. Pitts moves back into TE1 consideration if Michael Penix Jr. returns in Week 3, but he’s difficult to trust if Rush starts again.

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Why Aaron Jones’ Week 2 fantasy performance was better than the numbers suggest

Aaron Jones Sr. led the Vikings’ backfield in snaps and carries (23), rushing for 105 yards against the Bears. With Jordan Mason on injured reserve and wet, windy conditions limiting the passing game, Minnesota leaned heavily on Jones. He wasn’t targeted but recorded his first 100-yard rushing performance since 2024. Jones suffered a knee injury in the second half but played through it. His health is worth monitoring, but he’s firmly on the RB2 radar against the Buccaneers in Week 3 if active.

Rome Odunze led the Bears’ receivers in snaps (62) and routes (38), while Luther Burden III played 42 snaps and ran 30 routes. Colston Loveland played 64 snaps but ran just 29 routes as he was asked to pass block more often. Burden’s playing time remains a concern, while Loveland’s limited route participation hurts his upside. Caleb Williams‘ hamstring injury could further limit all three players if Tyson Bagent starts against the Eagles in Week 3.

D’Andre Swift led the Bears’ backfield in snaps and touches (21), finishing with 12.9 fantasy points against the Vikings. Kyle Monangai played fewer snaps and had 12 touches, rushing for a team-high 47 yards. Swift also lost a costly fumble at the goal line. The backfield remains a committee, but Swift has the edge in playing time and receiving opportunities, leading the way in snaps, routes and targets. Both backs could see more work in Week 3 if Williams misses time with his hamstring injury.

Saquon Barkley missed significant time after suffering a stinger in the first quarter but returned for the second half. Tank Bigsby handled most of the early-down work in his absence, while Will Shipley took on more passing down snaps. Bigsby finished with 15 touches and 11.8 fantasy points. He’s the Eagles’ insurance back to roster and would have league-winning upside in this offense if Barkley missed extended time.

Jaylen Warren played a career-high number of snaps against the Patriots and dominated the Steelers’ backfield after Rico Dowdle left with a toe injury in the second quarter. Warren has averaged 4.7 yards per carry and 7.3 yards per reception in his career but has rarely had the backfield to himself. In six career games with at least a 60% snap share, he has averaged 13.0 fantasy points. He has also averaged 14.4 fantasy points in 19 games with at least 15 touches. Warren’s fantasy upside increases significantly if Dowdle misses time.

DK Metcalf led the Steelers’ skill-position players in snaps, routes and targets against the Patriots, but he caught just four passes and finished with 8.0 fantasy points. He also had two drops. His 19 targets and 44.7% share of Pittsburgh’s air yards this season are encouraging, but his 42.1% catch rate needs to improve. Metcalf has scored just 14.7 fantasy points through two games, far from the start fantasy managers were hoping for. He’s best viewed as a low-end flex option heading into Week 3.

Hunter Henry, Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins led the Patriots in routes but combined for just 10 targets, with Henry and Doubs seeing four apiece. Drake Maye and the passing game continue to struggle through two games. Doubs finished with 12.6 fantasy points and remains the Patriots receiver to roster with A.J. Brown on injured reserve, even as Maye continues to spread the targets around. Doubs is still best viewed as a flex option in deeper leagues.

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Why you should feel “really good” if you have TreVeyon Henderson in fantasy

TreVeyon Henderson led the Patriots’ backfield in snaps, routes run and carries (16), finishing with 13.6 fantasy points thanks in part to a 39-yard touchdown run. He capitalized on an early fumble by Rhamondre Stevenson and now has five rushing touchdowns of at least 30 yards since the start of last season, the most in the league. Henderson can be viewed as a low-end RB2 against the Jaguars in Week 3.

The Packers used a three-man backfield with Josh Jacobs still out. Kaleb Johnson led the team with eight carries, while MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks split the remaining work. Brooks dominated passing situations, while Lloyd led the way with 8.6 fantasy points but lost a fumble in the fourth quarter. All three remain difficult to trust in fantasy lineups.

Tucker Kraft played nearly every snap against the Jets and appears to have no playing time restrictions. He ran nearly as many routes as Christian Watson and Matthew Golden but saw just three targets. If Jayden Reed misses Week 3 due to injury, Watson, Golden and Kraft would see additional targets in Green Bay’s passing game.

Bucky Irving led the Buccaneers’ backfield in early down, third down and short-yardage snaps, finishing with 21 touches and 13.0 fantasy points. Kenny Gainwell managed just five touches and 4.5 fantasy points. Irving has taken control of this backfield and is firmly on the RB2 radar. Gainwell is merely an insurance back with little standalone fantasy value.

Quinshon Judkins led the Browns’ backfield in snaps, routes and touches (17) following Dylan Sampson’s placement on injured reserve. He finished with 9.8 fantasy points as Cleveland’s running game struggled, managing just 44 yards at 1.9 yards per carry. Despite the poor production, Judkins’ workload keeps him firmly on the RB2 radar.

Alvin Kamara finished with 14 touches but managed just 22 yards against the Ravens. Travis Etienne Jr. led the backfield in snaps, while CJ Donaldson maintained his third-down role. Kamara dominated the touches early, but Etienne saw more work in the second half. The committee approach and lack of production make both backs difficult to trust. Kamara is a desperation flex option against the Raiders in Week 3, while Etienne is a low-end RB2.

Juwan Johnson caught all four of his targets for 66 yards against the Ravens, but his playing time raises concerns. With Oscar Delp returning, the Saints used more of a tight end rotation involving Johnson and Noah Fant. Johnson’s route participation dropped significantly from Week 1 to Week 2, making his production difficult to sustain. He’s best viewed as a TE2 against the Raiders in Week 3.

David Montgomery and Woody Marks split snaps fairly evenly in the Texans’ backfield against the Bengals. Montgomery managed just 4.4 fantasy points on eight touches after scoring 28.9 fantasy points in Week 1. Marks finished with 8.5 fantasy points on 13 touches, including five receptions. Houston continues to rotate backs by drive, limiting both players’ fantasy ceilings. Montgomery remains on the RB2 radar against the Colts in Week 3, while Marks is a flex option.

J.K. Dobbins suffered a hamstring injury late in the third quarter and didn’t return, opening the door for Jonah Coleman with RJ Harvey already sidelined. Coleman led the Broncos’ backfield in snaps and touches (13), finishing with 14.8 fantasy points. He handled early downs after Dobbins exited, while Tyler Badie took passing-down work. Coleman is a priority waiver wire pickup and could have RB2 upside against the Rams if Dobbins and Harvey are both out.

Bhayshul Tuten led the Jaguars’ backfield in snaps, routes and touches (15), finishing with 14.2 fantasy points. His usage compared to Chris Rodriguez Jr. was notable. We’ll see if that trend continues in Week 3. Tuten is firmly on the RB2 radar against the Patriots in Week 3.

Jake Ferguson caught all four targets for 43 yards and two touchdowns against the Commanders, but his usage is concerning. He played just 60% of snaps and ranked fourth in routes and targets behind CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Ryan Flournoy. Reduced playing time and increased target competition make Ferguson more touchdown-dependent. He’s a TE2 against the Ravens in Week 3, and now is a good time to explore his trade value.

Omarion Hampton led the Chargers’ backfield in snaps and touches (25), finishing with 17.5 fantasy points against the Raiders. Keaton Mitchell saw six touches, while Kimani Vidal became more involved on third downs. Despite the three-man rotation, Hampton continues to dominate the workload, but his second lost fumble in two games is concerning. He remains firmly on the RB2 radar against the Bills in Week 3.

Marvin Harrison Jr. played the third-most snaps and tied Trey McBride for the second-most routes among Cardinals pass catchers, but he finished without a catch on one target. He has just four targets and one reception through two games. His snap share has also declined, with Michael Wilson seeing more work in single receiver sets. McBride continues to dominate targets, leaving Harrison difficult to trust. He’s a boom-or-bust flex option against the 49ers in Week 3.

George Kittle caught all four of his targets for 80 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins. He’s still working his way back from an Achilles injury, but his route participation increased from Week 1 to Week 2 as the 49ers used him more in passing situations. Kittle’s playing time remains limited as he continues to split snaps with Luke Farrell and Brayden Willis, but his increased involvement in the passing game is encouraging. He remains on the TE1 radar against the Cardinals in Week 3.

Rashee Rice caught four of six targets for 83 yards against the Colts, but his role in Kansas City’s offense has changed. He’s spending less time in the slot, while Xavier Worthy is earning targets at a higher rate. Travis Kelce (17) and Kenneth Walker III (16) lead the team in targets through two games, with Walker seeing more opportunities on shorter passes. Rice remains on the WR2 radar with Patrick Mahomes under center, but his changing usage and increased target competition are concerning.

Sept. 20: Week 2’s scoring leaders through Sunday Night Football

  1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks – 42.5

  2. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills – 40.82

  3. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys – 35.3

  4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions – 35.2

  5. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions – 29.8

  6. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys – 29.76

  7. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts – 29.2

  8. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs – 29.98

  9. Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers – 28.48

  10. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – 27.7

Check out the complete list of scoring leaders here.

Sept. 18: Josh Allen puts league on notice with 40-point night

by Adam Rank

We had one of the highest-scoring Week 1s in NFL history last week. There was no way we could possibly top that, yeah? Well, I’ve got news for you, the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions accepted the challenge and put up massive numbers on Thursday night.

Josh Allen led the way with more than 40 points to get your week started. We went into the draft season saying Allen was in his own tier and he’s proving it early on. Allen had over 300 total yards and five total touchdowns. Allen is the third player in NFL history with nine total touchdowns and no turnovers in his team’s first two games of the season. The other two were Patrick Mahomes in 2018 and Peyton Manning in 2013. Both went on to win MVP. Manning’s Broncos also set the NFL record for most points in the season.

  • The Bills are the first team to record 35 points and more than 400 yards of offense in both of their first two games of the season since the Packers in 2020. The Bills have also scored five touchdowns in five red zone drives.

  • My guy Tristan H. Cockcroft pointed out during our in-game group chat that Allen broke the record for most fantasy points scored in the first two weeks of the season. Breaking the record of … Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers version (as noted by Field Yates, who knew the answer to Tristan’s trivia question).

  • Our group chat also had an interesting conversation about James Cook III. Is he a trade-high candidate because it’s Josh Allen’s offense, including goal-line carries — or do you try to get more shares of Cook, if possible? Put me in the convo for more shares. I want as much of this Bills offense as possible. Especially if D.J. Moore is going to miss time. (Note: Moore is considered day-to-day)

  • Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir both had six targets. Joshua Palmer had a 43-yard TD reception on his lone target.

  • Dalton Kincaid had seven receptions for 95 yards and one receiving touchdown. He now has 225 receiving yards this season — the first Bills player to do that since Stefon Diggs in 2022. Maybe those Travis Kelce comparisons Kincaid had coming into the league might finally be happening.

  • I thought Jared Goff‘s preseason ranking was way too low, with him going in the teens. He has put up huge numbers in the first two games of the season. He might have to continue this pace when you consider the condition of the Lions’ defense.

  • I had Amon-Ra St. Brown as my WR2 heading into the season. Did I have him too low? Nine receptions for 142 and a pair of touchdowns. His sixth career game with 100-plus receiving yards and two touchdowns. It’s wild.

  • Jahmyr Gibbs had 100-plus scrimmage yards, six receptions and a touchdown. And yet, it feels like not enough when you look at some of the other gaudy numbers being thrown around on Thursday night.