Fantasy Football Daily Notes: J.K. Dobbins, Kenneth Walker III nearing return; Keenan Allen ruled out
Read ESPN’s fantasy football daily notes every weekday to stay caught up on the news you need to know and get a head start on the fantasy football content coming today and tomorrow to ESPN.com and the ESPN Fantasy App.
The news: Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins practiced in full on Wednesday.
What it means in fantasy: Having practiced fully for the first time since suffering a knee injury last year in the Ravens’ preseason finale, Dobbins has a better chance of playing Sunday against the Dolphins. He will be eased back into the game by Baltimore when he returns. It’s very risky to rely on Dobbins as anything more than a flex option upon his return.
Going deeper: Dobbins had 805 yards on 134 carries in 2020. He scored a rushing touchdown in seven consecutive games, including the wild-card playoff game against the Titans, which tied for the second-longest streak in NFL history by a rookie.
The news: Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III is a full participant in practice.
What it means in fantasy: Walker is on track to make his NFL debut Sunday against the 49ers. Drafted in the second round, he amazed coaches during the summer despite a nagging hernia injury. Walker is now ready to go but can’t be trusted in fantasy lineups yet. The Seahawks used Rashaad Penny on early downs and Travis Homer on passing downs in Week 1, as expected. Take a wait-and-see approach with Walker to see what role he’ll play in Seattle’s committee.
The news: Chargers WR Keenan Allen is out for tonight’s game against the Chiefs.
What it means in fantasy: With the veteran receiver out, Josh Palmer is firmly on the flex radar. Palmer had five receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown in the one game Allen missed last season. He is available in 98.6% of leagues. Palmer can be viewed as a flex option with upside.
The news: 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said that “We’ll go with the hot hand in the game” when talking about San Francisco’s running back by committee.
What it means in fantasy: A comment like this makes a fantasy manager’s stomach feel queasy, as if they were eating day-old sushi from a gas station. It is worth mentioning that in each of Jeff Wilson Jr. ‘s four starts in 2021 he had at least 13 rushing attempts. Rookies Tyrion Davis-Price and Jordan Mason will be involved, but as I wrote in this week’s waiver wire column, Wilson is best viewed as a flex option.
The news: Cardinals WR Rondale Moore and TE Zach Ertz did not practice Wednesday.
What it means in fantasy: The Cardinals won’t know Moore’s availability until later in the week, but a lack of progress doesn’t bode well for his availability against the Raiders in Week 2. As for Ertz, he is expected to participate in Thursday’s practice and play Sunday. Moore (and Ertz) will help fill the void left by DeAndre Hopkins, who is serving a suspension, in Arizona’s receiver group when he returns. The second-year receiver is still available in 70.7% of ESPN leagues. In Week 1 against the Chiefs, Greg Dortch led the Cardinals in targets (9), receptions (7) and receiving yards (63). He should be considered by fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Marquise Brown remains a WR2. Ertz is a TE1.
The news: Lions RB D’Andre Swift’s ankle injury is nothing to worry about.
What it means in fantasy: Swift’s career-best rushing performance in Week 1 against the Eagles came on an afternoon when he played through a sprained ankle. He did not practice Wednesday but is not concerned about missing this week’s matchup against the Commanders. Swift’s absence appears to be precautionary. We’ll know more after practice Thursday. If Swift is unable to play in Week 2, Jamaal Williams would get most of the touches.
Going deeper: Detroit’s running back duo of Swift and Williams is well positioned for fantasy success behind the team’s revamped offensive line. For the first time since 1998, the Lions had 25 rushing attempts and three rushing touchdowns in Week 1. The game also saw Detroit average 6.5 yards per carry.
The news: Sarah Barshop of ESPN reported that Rams coach Sean McVay said WR Van Jefferson’s status is “similar to what it has been.”
What it means in fantasy: Jefferson didn’t practice Wednesday. A pair of procedures were performed on his left knee, one after the Rams’ Super Bowl victory and another in early August. Jefferson’s status seems to be week-to-week. There should be one takeaway for fantasy managers. It’s not to prioritize Ben Skowronek; it’s that Allen Robinson II should not be given up on in fantasy football. The Rams will figure out how to get him involved, and in this week’s game against the Falcons, he could have his breakout game.
The news: Buccaneers WR Julio Jones did not practice for the Buccaneers on Wednesday, and RB Leonard Fournette was limited.
What it means in fantasy: Several players were featured on Wednesday’s injury report as the Buccaneers prepare for their Week 2 matchup against the Saints. Jones has a knee injury, and WR Russell Gage has a hamstring injury. Both did not practice. Fournette (hamstring), Mike Evans (calf) and Breshad Perriman (knee) were all limited by injuries. Tom Brady would be hard to trust as a fantasy starter if Jones or Evans (although Jenna Laine of ESPN reported that his calf injury sounds minor) were to miss Week 2. That scenario would make me consider streaming Commanders’ QB Carson Wentz, the Saints’ Jameis Winston, or the Colts’ Matt Ryan. I’ll also remind fantasy managers that Rachaad White would handle a substantial workload if Fournette missed time.
Going deeper: Fournette averaged 17.8 touches and 90.4 total yards per game in 2021.
The news: 49ers TE George Kittle was still sidelined from practice Wednesday.
What it means in fantasy: After suffering a groin strain last week, Kittle did not play against the Bears in Week 1. Tyler Kroft and Ross Dwelley combined for four targets in Chicago. If Kittle cannot play, neither of the others is a good streaming option. Fantasy managers should consider Giants TE Evan Engram or Rams TE Tyler Higbee.
The news: Steelers RB Najee Harris was limited in practice Wednesday.
What it means in fantasy: As mentioned in Wednesday’s column, all reports imply that Harris plans to play this week. Whether you can trust him in fantasy is a whole other conversation. Harris finished Week 1 against the Bengals with 12 touches before his foot injury but averaged 22.4 touches per game in 2021. Harris can be viewed as a midrange RB2 in Week 2 against a Patriots defense that held the Dolphins to 43 yards in Week 1.
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