The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 2: 49ers rule out McCaffrey for Vikings game
UPDATE: 4:38 p.m. Friday
The big news this afternoon comes out of San Francisco, where all-world running back and consensus No. 1 fantasy draft pick Christian McCaffrey has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
This puts Jordan Mason back into the spotlight for Week 2, and longer if CMC winds up on the injured list. Mason ran over, around and through the New York Jets’ defense for 147 yards on Monday night. He could have similar success in Minnesota.
There’s another standout running back who is likely to miss Week 2. Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III is officially doubtful, so Zach Charbonnet looks like the Seahawks’ top rusher for Sunday’s game against New England.
Others whose status has gotten iffier include Detroit WR Jameson Williams, Green Bay WR Jayden Reed, Indy WR Josh Downs, Chicago WR Rome Odunze, Cincinnati WR Tee Higgins and Dallas tight end Jake Ferguson.
The Vikings have ruled out WR Jordan Addison.
ORIGINAL POST: 3:15 p.m. Wednesday
The worst thing you can do as a fantasy football maven is overreact to the happenings of Week 1.
Unless you were counting on the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback.
Jordan Love injured his knee on the substandard turf of Sao Paulo, Brazil, during the Packers’ loss to Philadelphia. He’ll miss at least a month, which means folks who had Love as their No. 1 QB have to move immediately to replace him.
Upper Midwesterners might see a suitable fill-in in the Vikings’ Sam Darnold, who showed some life against the lowly Giants. But his next four games are against strong defenses in San Francisco, Houston, Green Bay and the New York Jets. So he’s not an option.
There are some decent options in QBs who had varying levels of success in Week 1, and who are available on waivers in many leagues:
Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers): It appears his career renaissance is still in progress, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns in the opener against Washington. The Commanders are not defensive stalwarts, but then neither are the Bucs’ next four foes: Lions, Broncos, Eagles and Falcons.
Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms-up prior to a game against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 08, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Justin Herbert (Chargers): The former phenom tallied just 144 yards and one TD in the opener. But this is the ultimate buy-low opportunity for a player now under the tutelage of Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers’ next four opponents (Panthers, Steelers, Chiefs, Broncos) will give Herbert a chance to regain his mojo.
Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers prepares to handoff during the season opening game against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 08, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Jared Goff (Lions): He didn’t impress in the Lions’ Week 1 victory (217 passing yards, 1 TD). But Goff has as many offensive weapons as anybody, and the next four foes (Buccaneers, Cardinals, Seahawks, Cowboys) are less than daunting. Truth be told, he’s not a significantly lesser fantasy prospect than Love, anyway.
Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field on Sept. 08, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Derek Carr (Saints): It’s hard to gauge his three-TD, 200-yard effort as the Saints routed Carolina, which might be the NFL’s worst team. But he does have weapons such as Alvin Kamara and Rashid Shaheed, and a four-week stretch coming up against Dallas, Philly, Atlanta and Kansas City.
Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on Sept. 08, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Sitting stars
The Vikings’ Aaron Jones won’t repeat his Week 1 success against San Francisco. … It appears Las Vegas RB Zamir White has already been surpassed by former Viking Alexander Mattison in the Raiders’ plans. … Houston’s Stefon Diggs started strong with two touchdowns, but don’t expect a third against the Bears’ strong defense. … Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers will be only a bystander vs. Washington. … Until replacement QB Malik Willis shows something, stay away from Green Bay’s pass catchers. … Tennessee’s surprisingly stout defense will keep Jets QB Aaron Rodgers under wraps. … And Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence will have troubles against the Browns’ only asset: their defense.
Aaron Jones #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Matchup game
If you assume the 49ers will keep RB Christian McCaffrey on the shelf this week, you can also assume Jordan Mason will stand out again vs. the Vikings. … The Packers will have to rely on RB Josh Jacobs against Indy. … Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins looked great in the opener and is almost guaranteed to find paydirt at least once against the Panthers. … Same goes for New England RB Rhamondre Stevenson vs. the Jets. … Spoiler alert: Rams WR Cooper Kupp is back to being all-world. … For K.C., either Rashee Rice or Xavier Worthy, or both, will roam freely through the Cincinnati secondary. … Atlanta WB Drake London will rebound from slow start vs. Eagles. … Baltimore tight end Isaiah Likely will keep his toes inbounds against the Raiders. … And we expect better games from two quarterbacks: the Bengals’ Joe Burrow and the Colts’ Anthony Richardson (who missed several easy TD tosses in Week 1).
Running back Jordan Mason #24 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a first down against safety Tony Adams #22 of the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Sept. 09, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Injury watch
Let’s start with Thursday night and the Dolphins’ backfield. Raheem Mostert is out with a chest injury, and De’Von Achane is questionable with a balky ankle. So grab Jeff Wilson Jr. or rookie Jaylen Wright if you can. … Pittsburgh QB Russell Wilson will likely sit out again. … Notables listed as questionable include Seatle RB Kenneth Walker, Cincinnati WR Tee Higgins, Chicago rookie wideout Rome Odunze and two tight ends: Dallas’ Jake Ferguson and Cleveland’s Davis Njoku.
Raheem Mostert #31 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter of a preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium on Aug. 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Deepest sleeper
The departure of injured Rams receiver Puka Nacua may have led to the coming out party for former Gophers standout Tyler Johnson. He caught five passes for 79 yards, including a 63-yard catch-and-run that was one of Week 1’s top plays. Nacua is now on the injured list and will miss at least four games. This opens the door for Johnson and fellow Rams wideout Demarcus Robinson to get increased targets from Matthew Stafford.
Tyler Johnson #18 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a catch in front of Carlton Davis III #23 of the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sept. 08, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Thursday pick
Bills at Dolphins (-1½)
Pick: Dolphins by 3
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twi
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tter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.