In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by New Era:

The Buffalo Bills had to rally in Week 1 to get a win. The Bills made sure to ease the stress on their fans Thursday night with a dominant 31-10 win on the road against the Dolphins. There was, however, a late-game injury to Tua Tagovailoa that will be the subject of much scrutiny over his health and whether he can play in Week 3 or beyond. Here is the Friday Morning FAQ.

How much concern should there be with Tua Tagovailoa?

Tagovailoa suffered a concussion late in the third quarter when he led with his helmet into Damar Hamlin after scrambling for a first down. He was able to walk off the field on his own power. There has to be concern about his health considering the history of concussions. Tagovailoa has now been diagnosed with three concussions since 2022. Skylar Thompson finished the game at quarterback for the Dolphins, and Tagovailoa’s condition and availability will be monitored on this extended break before Week 3. 

What was De’Von Achane’s role without Raheem Mostert?

More than we anticipated. Coming off an ankle injury, a short week and being a game-time decision, the Dolphins didn’t hold back Achane, who had 16 touches with a touchdown in the first half. Jaylen Wright had 1 carry and Jeff Wilson Jr. had 2 receptions in the half. Achane finished with 22 carries for 96 yards and caught 7 passes for 69 yards with a score and looks like a league winner.

Will Josh Allen hold back James Cook?

Allen tends to get most of the carries near the goal line and scored twice in Week 1. Cook will pile up the yards, but the question coming into the season was touchdowns. So far, so good. Cook had 4 carries inside the 5-yard line last season and already has 2 in the first 2 games after a 1-yard run last night. In the previous 19 games, Cook had 2 rushing touchdowns. Last night, he had two. Cook is losing some snaps on third downs, but if he can score touchdowns he will be an RB1. Cook, who finished with 12 touches for 95 yards with 3 touchdowns, had 6 touchdowns last season and already has half that.

Should we be worried about Dalton Kincaid?

Kincaid didn’t have a great line, but the Bills didn’t have to pass much after opening a big lead. Kincaid had 2 catches on the first drive, took a knee to the head and missed a drive before returning. He caught all 4 of his targets for 33 yards. Keep in mind Josh Allen only needed to pass 19 times and completed 13. Stay patient with Kincaid.

What else is in today’s newsletter?

  1. Jorge Martin runs through the Week 2 Injury Roundup
  2. Watercooler: Several Fantasy Life videos to help you get ready for the weekend.

Fantasy Football Injury Report: Nine Key Players to Watch for Week 2

by Jorge Martin

Originally this introduction was a lighthearted take on injuries causing chaos for fantasy football in 2024. Then in the third quarter on Thursday Night Football Tua Tagovailoa suffered his third concussion since 2022, and this sobering thought hit home: This violent game brings with it injury realities that could affect players well beyond their playing days. So we’ll get straight into the injuries that are impacting fantasy in Week 2 and sometimes beyond.

Here are nine players who have varying degrees of injuries, with some already ruled out and others possibly joining them. Or they could play. We’ll start out with the player with the most intrigue surrounding him for the past month.

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

Well, the player most drafted at the 1.01 missed Week 1. What’s next? Earlier this week John Lynch said that if this were a playoff game instead of the opening of the season that CMC would have played. Well, does he play in the season’s second week? 

Dr. Edwin Porras looked at the injury history, and since 2018 there have been 25 players on NFL injury reports with calf/Achilles injuries. Only 2 had a further injury. McCaffrey was at practice on Thursday, though it was not fully padded. There is the possibility that the 49ers may be waiting this out so he could be completely ready for what could be a lengthy playoff run. Target CMC if you want in trade talks. As far as this week is concerned, the Jordan Mason ship has sailed—he’s the RB10 in Fantasy Life rankings and rostered in 81% of Yahoo leagues. Be ready for contingency plans and be pleasantly surprised if CMC gets the active designation on Sunday in the early window at Minnesota.

Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

An abdominal injury could keep Walker out of Week 2, which would be a shame for a player who has received so much praise from the Seattle coaching staff throughout training camp. Now he’s missed his second day of practice, and was seen in workout clothes. The running game is an important part of OC Ryan Grubb’s offense, and Walker was fantastic in rushing for 103 yards on 20 carries and put up the No. 8 Utilization Score of 8.5.

With two missed practices it is trending toward Walker going inactive, which would put the spotlight on Zach Charbonnet, who is rostered in 53% of Yahoo leagues. Charbonnet may be one of the most valuable handcuffs for fantasy football, though he will be facing a New England defense that held Cincinnati RBs to 55 total rushing yards. As for Walker, if he is inactive but not placed on IR this could mean less than a four-week absence.

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Around the Watercooler

AROUND THE WATERCOOLER

The latest analysis and insights from our merry band of football nerds:

❤️ A tradition unlike any other … Matthew’s Love/Hate for Week 2 is live.

👀 One lucky winner got to draft his Fantasy Football team at MetLife Stadium with Matthew Berry, with RGIII as a surprise guest, all courtesy of Verizon.

🏆 Lots of action on tap for Week 2 … but none better than the Matchup of the Week.

📈 Chris Allen and Pete Overzet sport their Homage gear and run through Isaiah Likely’s potential breakout.

🚑 Ian Hartitz and Dwain McFarland present the Week 2 Fantasy Football Injury Report live today at 9 a.m. ET.

📊 No better way to prep for the weekend … Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings Risers and Fallers!