Fantasy Football

The Week 2 NFC South clash between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers has all sorts of injury concerns circling it.

Alvin Kamara's status for the Saints is the most concerning injury for fantasy football players from that game.

Kamara has not practiced each of the last two days because of a rib injury. He is officially listed as questionable, per ESPN.com's Adam Schefter.

A potential absence or even limited action for Kamara could throw a wrench in fantasy football plans because of the alternatives the Saints have in the backfield.

The statuses of Jameis Winston and Mark Ingram will also be watched closely. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported both players are listed as questionable along with Kamara.

Tampa Bay already ruled Chris Godwin out for the Week 2 clash inside the Superdome. Three wide receivers and Leonard Fournette are also listed as questionable, per ESPN's Field Yates.

Injury concerns are not limited to the Tampa Bay-New Orleans clash. Baltimore listed running back J.K. Dobbins as questionable ahead of Sunday's meeting with the Miami Dolphins, per Yates.

Dobbins did not play in Week 1 but did practice throughout the week. That should allow some hope to seep in for fantasy football players in need of help at running back.

Below is a look at the other top injuries that could affect fantasy football rosters for Sunday's Week 2 games.

• Alvin Kamara, RB, NO: questionable (ribs), per ESPN's Adam Schefter. 
• Chris Godwin, WR, TB: out (hamstring), per Schefter. 
• Jameis Winston, QB, NO: questionable (back), per team injury report. 
• Mark Ingram, RB, NO: questionable (ankle) 
• D'Andre Swift, RB, DET: questionable (ankle), per NFL.com.
• Kadarius Toney, WR, NYG: questionable (hamstring), per NFL.com. 
• Mac Jones, QB, NE: will play (back), per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 
• Najee Harris, RB, PIT: will Play (foot), per Rapoport. 
• C.J. Uzomah, TE, NYJ: doubtful (hamstring), per NFL.com. 
• George Kittle, TE, SF: questionable (groin), per The Athletic's Matt Barrows. 
• Damien Williams, RB, ATL: out (rib), per NFL.com. 
• Tee Higgins, WR, CIN: questionable (concussion), per Yates.  
• Michael Gallup, WR, DAL: out (knee), per NFL.com. 
• Rondale Moore, WR, ARI: out (hamstring), per NFL.com. 
• K.J. Hamler, WR, DEN: out (knee/hip), per NFL.com. 
• Allen Lazard, WR, GB: Questionable (ankle), per Schefter.

Alvin Kamara Listed as Questionable

Kamara's lack of practice time could mean he will miss the clash with Tampa or that he will be affected by it if he plays.

New Orleans' fantasy football situation at running back is different than any other team in the NFL because of Taysom Hill's presence.

Hill reclaimed his role as the NFL's No. 1 touchdown vulture by scoring in the Saints opener against the Atlanta Falcons. He also led the Saints in rushing yards with 81.

As of Friday, Hill is listed as a quarterback and a tight end in Yahoo fantasy football leagues. The positional versatility is vital for fantasy managers in need of roster help, and it is also worrisome for those who may go up against a player listed as a tight end that puts up running back numbers.

Hill ran for 54 and 33 yards in two of his last three meetings with the Buccaneers. He could be considered as a fantasy option even if Kamara is ruled as available for Sunday.

The entire Bucs-Saints game is difficult to sort out from a fantasy perspective right now. Godwin being out opens up roles in the passing game for Jones and Gage, but both players are listed as questionable.

The waiver wire will likely see some late action Sunday morning, and it would not be surprising to see Bucs and Saints players lead the list of adds from the waiver wire because of the unknowns in that contest.

J.K. Dobbins Questionable Despite Practicing

In a more promising situation, Dobbins practiced all week in the buildup to the Ravens' home opener against the Miami Dolphins.

Dobbins' questionable status appears more promising than the designation given to Kamara on Friday afternoon.

Dobbins can turn into a popular fantasy football running back in the coming weeks, but it may be wise to show some caution with the third-year running back. He missed all of 2021 and needs to get used to in-game action again.

Baltimore used Kenyan Drake, Mike Davis and Justice Hill at running back in Week 1, but none of them did anything of significance. Drake had the most carries of the trio, but he managed 31 yards on 11 carries.

Lamar Jackson shouldered the offensive load against the Jets, as he threw for three touchdowns and completed 17 of his 30 passes.

A pivot away from the Baltimore running backs is necessary if you believe Dobbins will not make an immediate impact. Miami held Damien Harris to 48 rushing yards on nine carries in Week 1, so the matchup may not be ideal to use Dobbins.

Jeff Wilson Jr. and Darrell Henderson are two of the running backs you could land on the waiver wire in place of Dobbins. Wilson could shoulder Elijah Mitchell's workload in San Francisco, and Henderson played more snaps than Cam Akers in Week 1.

Starting Dobbins off his extended rest period is a risk, but if you believe he will be up to the task, then play him at your own risk. He should be a much better fantasy contributor as the season goes on.

New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara's status for Week 2 is uncertain because of a rib injury he suffered against the Atlanta Falcons.

ESPN's Adam Schefter noted Kamara is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's home game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 27-year-old was a limited participant in practice Wednesday but sat out Thursday and Friday.

The Saints offense has other injury problems. Backup running backs Dwayne Washington (hamstring) and Mark Ingram (ankle) are also questionable.

Quarterback Jameis Winston is listed as questionable with a back injury, though he has been able to participate on a limited basis every day this week.

Kamara missed time last season because of a knee injury suffered in the Saints' loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9. The five-time Pro Bowler sat out the next four games before returning in Week 14.

Injuries were a major problem in New Orleans during the 2021 season. Michael Thomas missed the entire year with complications from offseason ankle surgery.

Winston tore his ACL in Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Taysom Hill sustained a concussion in Week 5 and missed the subsequent two games.

Not having Kamara would create problems for the offense. He led the team last year in yards from scrimmage (1,337) and total touchdowns (nine), despite missing four games.

Kamara was limited to 38 snaps with 46 total yards on 12 touches in Week 1.

The Saints could rely heavily on Winston, assuming he plays, and the passing game if Kamara and the other backs are limited or unavailable. He played well, particularly in the second half, against Atlanta to lead a comeback 27-26 victory.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Godwin suffered a hamstring injury in Tampa Bay's Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. It was his first game back since suffering a torn ACL and MCL in Week 15 of the 2021 campaign.

When healthy, Godwin is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and a go-to for many fantasy managers.

The 26-year-old is coming off an impressive 2021 campaign despite missing three games due to his knee injury. He caught 98 passes for 1,103 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games.

Godwin is expected to be equally as impressive this season, provided he can remain healthy. The Penn State product got off to a hot start before suffering an injury against the Cowboys, catching three passes for 35 yards.

However, considering he will be unavailable for Week 2, fantasy managers will need to consider their replacement options.

There are some highly talented receivers available for the taking, too.

Washington Commanders rookie wide receiver Jahan Dotson is rostered in just 41 percent of Yahoo Sports' fantasy leagues; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robbie Anderson is rostered in just 36 percent of leagues; and Saints wide receiver Jarvis Landry is rostered in just 54 percent of leagues.

Some long shots that might be available include Julio Jones (rostered in 71 percent of leagues) and rookie Drake London (rostered in 80 percent of leagues).

The Buccaneers are 1-0 on the season but haven't won in New Orleans in the regular season since September 2018. With Godwin sidelined, it could be tough for the team to escape with a win.

Thursday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers was supposed to come with plenty of offensive fireworks and fantasy points.

Someone must have forgotten to tell the star players.

The five offensive touchdowns in Kansas City's 27-24 victory came from Zander Horvath, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, Justin Watson and Jerick McKinnon, which is not what fantasy players relying on Austin Ekeler wanted to hear.

The Chargers star running back ended up with 14 carries for 39 yards and just 2.8 yards per attempt. He added nine catches for 55 yards at least, but the lack of a rushing attack combined with Sony Michel receiving a handoff at the Kansas City 1-yard line instead of him was reason for concern.

Fans on social media expressed some of that concern:

Ekeler had just 36 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards with no touchdowns in the Chargers' Week 1 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, so there is something of a troubling pattern emerging in the early portion of the season for those fantasy players relying on the No. 1 back.

Fortunately, there is a track record to fall back on after he scored 20 touchdowns a season ago, but the dominant fantasy playmaker from 2021 has yet to make an appearance in 2022.