Two Minute Warning - Week 2
By Steve Schwarz, Fantasy Sports Editor
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - There are just a few minutes left before the games begin for real and this is your last chance to set fantasy lineups.
The first week took it's toll on fantasy owners with injuries to Fred Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Devery Henderson, Rashad Jennings, Jake Locker, Nate Washington and Antonio Gates. But there were also surprise performances from Adrian Peterson (knee) and Maurice Jones-Drew (holdout) which had to make fantasy owners smile. Not to mention the efforts of Robert Griffin III, Stevan Ridley and Reggie Wayne.
Who will be this week's productive performers and disappointments? The answer starts with who will play and who will watch from the sidelines because of injury.
Here is the latest information as we approach game-time.
Quarterbacks -
Jake Locker, Tennessee - Locker had thrown for 229 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots before the shoulder injury and is expected to be ready for Week 2. He'll get talented Kenny Britt for a limited number of plays and could be a solid play against San Diego.
Kevin Kolb, Arizona - We don't expect Week 1 starter John Skelton to be active, so Kolb should get the start, but that doesn't mean we like him this week in New England. The Cardinals have traditionally bombed when playing on the east coast and we recommend staying away from either Arizona quarterback. LATEST UPDATE - Skelton is inactive.
Running Backs -
Ryan Mathews, San Diego - There has been a lot of talk of Mathews coming back for Week 2, but we don't believe it. He's too valuable to take a chance on him at less than 100-percent. Expect to use your backup plan for one more week before installing Mathews into the fantasy lineup against Atlanta in Week 3.
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville - Jones-Drew played well after missing all of training camp and the exhibition season. Week 2 starter Rashad Jennings will not play this Sunday which means it's all on MJD's shoulders. We still worry about players who miss this much work, but he should be started in all leagues.
Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh - The Steelers backfield is a mess. Dwyer has a foot problem, but did practice this week. Rashard Mendenhall also practiced, but we don't expect to see him at all and Isaac Redman seems to have been reduced to a backup role. None of the choices are exciting against the Jets defense.
Trent Richardson, Cleveland - Richardson came out of the Week 1 game against Philadelphia without any further knee problems and we think he gets a full workload this week. Unfortunately, the Browns have little else and Richardson could get 25 touches and still not post big fantasy numbers against stacked defenses.
C.J. Spiller, Buffalo - Fred Jackson is out for at least a month and Spiller's first week performance makes him a must-start.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota - Peterson said he felt about 95-percent after his Week 1 17-carry, 84-yard effort. He practiced this week and only had his normal post-game soreness so he should be a full go for fantasy owners.
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina - Stewart (ankle) is listed as questionable, but he is expected to play. Even if he's on the field the Panthers crowded backfield makes starting any Carolina running back a dicey situation. LATEST UPDATE - Stewart is active.
Beanie Wells, Arizona - Wells says he didn't have any problems with his hamstring, but rushed seven times for just 14 yards against Seattle. Ryan Williams will share the load again this week, but we don't expect much running against New England as we think the Cardinals will fall behind early and have to abandon the run game.
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle - Lynch (back) was limited all week in practice, but we fully expect him to play on Sunday against the Cowboys and he should be started.
Bernard Scott, Cincinnati - Scott is inactive. The entire workload should be on BenJarvus Green-Ellis making him a must start this week.
Wide Receivers -
Calvin Johnson, Detroit - Johnson practiced on Friday and we have no doubts he'll play on Sunday night against the 49ers. Since you can't run against San Francisco's defense, Megatron should be a very busy guy.
Steve Smith, Carolina - Smith (knee), is listed as questionable, but is expected to play. He should play well against a Saints team that could be missing a couple of their top cornerbacks. LATEST UPDATE - Smith is active.
Pierre Garcon, Washington - Garcon will workout pre-game to see if he can go, but at the moment we aren't expecting him to play. Check back just before game-time to see if he is indeed inactive.
DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia - We are expecting both Jackson and teammate Jeremy Maclin to be in uniform for the Eagles home opener, but they have a tough assignment against the Baltimore Ravens defense. LATEST UPDATE - Jackson and Maclin are active.
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants - Nicks practiced very little this week, but should be in uniform for the game against the Bucs. He's certainly not 100- percent and we like Victor Cruz much better, but Nicks is still worthy of a start. LATEST UPDATE - Nicks is active.
Austin Collie, Indianapolis - Collie was downgraded after missing practice time this week and fantasy owners should not expect him to play. LATEST UPDATE - Collie is inactive. LATEST UPDATE - Collie is inactive.
Nate Washington, Tennessee - Washington didn't practice all week and at this point we can't recommend putting him in fantasy lineups. Kenny Britt will be back for a limited number of plays, but this could be the opportunity for rookie Kendall Wright and tight end Jared Cook to shine.
Denarius Moore, Oakland - Moore was close to playing on Monday night and we feel certain that he'll be in uniform for Week 2. But we also think he'll have a play-count limit which puts a damper on starting him in fantasy leagues.
Devery Henderson, New Orleans - As expected Henderson is inactive. Lance Moore should be a strong play again this week.
Tight Ends -
Antonio Gates, San Diego - Gates knows how to play with injuries and we expect him to be out on the field.
Jason Witten, Dallas - Witten came out of the season opener without any further problems to his spleen and recently said he feels close to 100- percent. He should be started in all leagues.
09/16 12:09:02 ET