NFL Preseason Week 2 Fantasy Takeaways: Ashton Jeanty Injury Concerns

  • August 24, 2026

Analyzing every minor aspect of preseason games can teach us a lot. Having done this for a long time, I find this detailed scrutiny highly beneficial. My goal is to filter out the distraction and offer deeper insight beyond basic first-team snap counts. Player positioning, roles, and execution are crucial for future outlooks. Come check out our YouTube channel, where we discuss these topics weekly.

My comprehensive analysis of the opening preseason week is available here. We can now shift our focus to the revelations from Week 2 after analyzing the All-22 film. Though you can skip directly to my insights from Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, I recommend checking out the complete piece so you stay updated on every event, starting with the most significant news of the weekend. Before analyzing the game action, we must address an occurrence from Sunday’s practice.

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Early updates regarding Jeanty’s Sunday injury raised fears that his year might have come to an early end. Practice came to a halt, music was turned off, players gathered to pray, and Jeanty required help from medical personnel to leave the field without placing pressure on his ankle. During a five-and-a-half-hour period of uncertainty, Jeanty’s value in numerous fantasy drafts fluctuated wildly from the second to tenth rounds, alongside his talented backup Mike Washington Jr. (who we will discuss shortly). It was a chaotic stretch.

Fortunately, national reporters later revealed that Jeanty avoided a worst-case scenario. The current diagnosis is an ankle sprain, an issue that usually sidelines a player for two to ten weeks. Given how his teammates reacted on the field, his recovery might stretch past a month, showing once again how unpredictable training camp health issues can be. With just under three weeks until the Raiders kick off their season, he could still land on injured reserve for a minimum of four weeks if there’s a minor fracture similar to Omarion Hampton’s injury last season, or if a high-ankle sprain necessitates tightrope surgery.

On the other hand, he might be back on the field shortly after the regular season begins. I was already avoiding Jeanty in the latter part of the first round prior to this setback, so this news only reinforces my cautious stance. At the moment, he ranks as my 18th running back and 36th player overall, putting him in the same bracket as players like Travis Etienne Jr., Javonte Williams, Kyren Williams, and Josh Jacobs.

Based on how well his physical traits have translated to the field in August, Washington warrants selection in all 12-team fantasy formats. Camp updates have also consistently praised his performance. Though analytics-focused analysts dismissed him due to a late breakout age and average college usage, his physical profile rivals Adrian Peterson’s, and he registered 28 receptions during his last college campaign while being valued as a late-third to early-fourth-round prospect. His film shows exciting qualities, particularly for a ground-heavy scheme looking to attack the edges. I’ve moved Washington up to RB37, right behind Blake Corum, the Carolina backfield duo, Rico Dowdle, and Keaton Mitchell. This tier of running backs offers strong upside if a starter goes down, along with some stand-alone value during bye weeks. Washington has the potential to serve as a reliable RB2 or flex option for the first month of the year, depending on how long Jeanty is sidelined. This makes him a sensible target if you need early-season output or expect a lengthy absence for the starter.

The first-team offense for the Titans saw action on three possessions, lasting 19 plays, and the results were discouraging. Cam Ward continues to play with an overly casual demeanor in a scheme designed for quick decisions. He overthrew Carnell Tate on multiple occasions due to bad ball placement and showed poor awareness when leaving the pocket, resulting in another lost ball. These costly turnovers plagued him in college and during his first year in the NFL, and their persistence is a red flag.

On a positive note, we received clarity regarding the wide receiver rotation. Tate was on the field for every single snap, though his inability to shake his defender on a crossing route was somewhat disappointing. Calvin Ridley took his place as the opposite perimeter threat, participating in 17 of the 19 plays. Meanwhile, Wan’Dale Robinson looks poised to be a focal point of this short-passing, shotgun-heavy scheme, operating out of the slot in three-receiver sets where he registered 16 snaps. In contrast to the previous game, Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike did not see much action with the starting quarterback. While Tate remains my choice to pace the roster in yards and scores, Robinson is the superior target for pure catch volume in full PPR formats.

The division of labor in the backfield was straightforward. Tony Pollard handled the opening possession in its entirety (eight snaps), before Tyjae Spears took over for the subsequent drives of four and seven snaps. This suggests a possession-by-possession split is likely, with Pollard probably getting the nod to start each half.

Does a backfield committee in Tennessee excite you?

Seattle: First-team players rested.

Cleveland: Shedeur Sanders gets the nod, Deshaun Watson struggles in press conference

Beyond those headlines, the key development was that KC Concepcion was rested, whereas rookie second-rounder Denzel Boston saw some action. Though Boston was pulled before Sanders completed his half of play, this usage confirms that Concepcion is viewed as a vital piece of the offense. He remains a premium mid-round target with immense sleeper appeal.

Sanders put together a strong performance. His decision-making pace and poise under pressure looked better than at any other point in his professional career. He remained disciplined inside the pocket instead of fleeing early—a bad habit that lingered from his college days. He completed several impressive throws and pick up yards with his legs. While he won’t wow anyone with elite rushing ability and still needs to refine his ball placement, this was a highly encouraging step forward in terms of his poise.

Watson’s performance on the field was neither spectacular nor terrible. He had some throws tipped at the line, hit a few short targets, picked up a first down with his legs, and threw two risky passes over the middle that could have been picked off. While his arm strength remains solid, his rhythm and precision have not returned to the levels he displayed prior to his suspension and physical setbacks. Despite a highly awkward post-game press conference, the team confirmed him as the starting quarterback for their opening game.

Jayden Daniels and the rest of the veteran starters played a mere three snaps. In the single two-receiver play, Terry McLaurin and Treylon Burks were on the field, whereas Stefon Diggs was utilized strictly in the slot during three-receiver looks. It remains to be seen if Burks will continue to outsnap Diggs in heavy personnel packages once the season starts, but we cannot rule it out, especially since the Patriots successfully limited Diggs’ usage last year. This deployment would slightly cap his fantasy ceiling, placing him in a role comparable to Jayden Reed or Josh Downs. Chigoziem Okonkwo stayed on the field for all of Daniels’ brief playing time, but he was the only notable starter who remained in the game to play alongside the second-stringers.

Minnesota: JJ McCarthy relies on maximum velocity on every throw with poor results

McCarthy plays with an frantic pace that is concerning. He processes his progressions too rapidly, throwing before the route concepts have time to develop, which leads to poorly timed passes delivered with excessive power. While his strong arm allows him to push the ball down the field and make the occasional brilliant throw over the middle, he misses too many routine short and medium throws to be trusted. This was another discouraging showing, resembling his struggles from last year. Should Kyler Murray sustain an injury in 2026, Carson Wentz would likely give the team a better chance to win.

Meanwhile, rookie third-rounder Tai Felton is challenging Jauan Jennings for the third receiver role, making a spectacular catch over a defender on a deep sideline pass from McCarthy. Felton’s deep speed is highly apparent, and he also showed his playmaking ability by catching a quick out route and breaking away from a defender on a screen. I believe Felton poses a genuine threat to Jennings’ role.

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Though Lane was the most high-profile player on the field, his performance was fairly quiet. He managed to secure one slant route but struggled to create separation on a comeback route. However, with Rashod Bateman dealing with off-field issues, Lane appears to be on track for an immediate starting role.

The third-round pick lined up on the perimeter for one snap, but his primary home will clearly be the slot. His straight-line speed is incredibly impressive once he gets going. He showed excellent body control on the boundary, reminiscent of Tank Dell’s rookie season, but he also had trouble shaking tight man coverage on an in-breaking route. While Branch remains a raw prospect, expect the coaching staff to design specific plays to get the ball in his hands each game.

It is discouraging that while almost every key player sat out, TeSlaa was out on the field. He participated in the opening four possessions with Luke Altmyer under center.

We didn’t gain a lot of new information, though Rome Odunze was targeted on a designed play-action bootleg where he released into the flat. This serves as a good reminder that while Odunze isn’t utilized on traditional receiver screens like Luther Burden III, Ben Johnson will still find ways to get the ball into his hands on designed concepts.

With Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy sidelined by minor ailments, the remaining starters saw some action. The game began with consecutive handoffs to Kenneth Walker III from an under-center alignment—a look that has been highly prevalent in camp videos. This represents a significant shift, as the team has avoided under-center run plays in recent years. In the previous season, the offense ranked near the bottom of the league in under-center rushing volume and struggled to generate missed tackles out of those formations. This year’s unit is poised to look quite different, with Walker serving as a focal point. He is currently my favorite target in the second round of drafts.

Deep sleeper Cyrus Allen is competing for the third receiver spot, though it is important to point out that over two-thirds of his exhibition snaps in three-receiver looks have come from the slot, which is where Rashee Rice is expected to play once available. Consequently, Tyquan Thornton is more likely to handle perimeter duties while Allen serves as a depth option in the rotation.

The first-team offense put together an impressive 14-play drive that resulted in points before being pulled. With Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft sidelined, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden served as the primary passing game weapons. Golden showed exceptional acceleration on his deeper routes and made an incredibly athletic catch on a short crossing route. The positive reports out of camp are fully supported by his game film, cementing him as a top-tier deep option for fantasy managers.

MarShawn Lloyd was on the field for nine of the 14 snaps, sharing reps with depth running back Chris Brooks. Lloyd’s athletic traits are highly evident, even if his running style can look a bit frantic at times. He showed his receiving ability by scoring on a well-run angle route. With Josh Jacobs’ off-field situation still unresolved, Lloyd needs to be rostered in all competitive formats.

The starting offense remained on the field for two possessions. RJ Harvey handled the opening drive, followed by Jonah Coleman taking every snap on the second series while J.K. Dobbins sat out. Because neither back played after Nix was subbed out, it’s clear they are both viewed as key contributors in a running back committee. Harvey made a spectacular play on a designed third-down wheel route in the red zone, making a contested touchdown catch over a linebacker. Sean Payton utilized him in a very similar fashion last year. While Coleman performed adequately, he lacked the explosive burst that Harvey displayed.

Pat Bryant filled the third receiver spot alongside Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton, with the established players taking the snaps in two-receiver packages. Waddle found open space against a heavy blitz on an in-breaking route for a major gain. Encouragingly, Nix looked comfortable on several designed rollouts and bootlegs, delivering the football with excellent zip. He showed no lingering effects from the ankle injury he suffered late last season.

The majority of the first-team offense played three series, totaling 19 snaps. Though key players like Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf were rested, we got our first real glimpse of the backfield breakdown. Jaylen Warren got the starting nod, playing all three snaps on the first drive. Rico Dowdle then handled the entirety of the second four-play drive, after which both backs split six snaps each on the final possession. Warren excelled in pass protection early on and showed his trademark energy as a runner. Dowdle’s performance was relatively standard, and his choice to wear number 13 was certainly an unexpected look.

In the tight end room, Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth are splitting reps, highlighting their contrasting skill sets. Washington serves essentially as an extra blocker on the line, whereas Freiermuth provides route-running ability in the short passing game. This ongoing time-share limits the fantasy value of both players to deep formats.

With the exception of Breece Hall, the starting unit was on the field. Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell handled the two-receiver looks, while rookie first-round selection Omar Cooper Jr. entered the game for three-receiver sets. He played ahead of Isaiah Williams, who was limited to just a single snap on the opening possession. Even though Williams got the start over Cooper in the previous matchup, Cooper was rested early while Williams played deep into the game with the reserves. While the starting role for the opener remains up for grabs, it would be shocking if Cooper does not secure the primary slot role for the majority of the year. However, for him to become a high-impact fantasy asset, he will eventually need to challenge Mitchell for snaps in two-receiver sets, which has not occurred yet.

The first-teamers saw action on 13 plays across two possessions. Jonathon Brooks was on the field for 12 of those snaps, capping his day with a short touchdown run. While his return is positive news, his athletic movement on film left something to be desired. He appeared somewhat rigid when trying to cut back as a runner and when moving laterally to block in pass protection. His struggles in pass blocking were especially notable, as many expect him to serve as the primary third-down option alongside Chuba Hubbard once fully healthy. Given their current market values, I much prefer taking a shot on the sliding Hubbard over paying a premium for Brooks.

In the receiving corps, Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker shared slot snaps. McMillan remains an excellent target in the fourth round, while Coker’s usage and film suggest he is a highly viable late-round sleeper.

Jacksonville: No fantasy-relevant starters played.

San Francisco: Shanahan disproves analytical models with Stribling and Black on film

While several key players sat out, Brock Purdy led the first-team unit on an opening 10-play drive. Deebo Samuel Sr. and Demarcus Robinson began the game in two-receiver sets, with De’Zhaun Stribling joining the huddle for three-receiver formations. Stribling was once again a major target earner, executing a sharp comeback route, a quick out versus off-coverage, and a crisp dig route where he caught the ball in stride through traffic. Had he secured a deep target on a double-move from the slot, his draft value would be skyrocketing into the sixth round. The coaching staff clearly holds him in high regard, and he seems to have secured the versatile role previously occupied by Jauan Jennings. There is a clear path for him to earn snaps in two-receiver sets and become a fantasy asset early in the year. Meanwhile, Samuel has been quiet, though his average draft position has climbed to 123.7, up over 13 spots in the past week.

Shanahan faced criticism for selecting Stribling at 33rd overall, as well as for taking running back Kaelon Black in the third round. However, Black’s stellar performance on Thursday suggests he has already secured the high-value backup job behind Christian McCaffrey. He put together two excellent reps in pass protection against blitzes, matching the traits he showed during his college career at Indiana. Furthermore, his vision and patience as a runner were exemplary. He plays faster than his timed speed because of his decisive and confident mental processing, and he displayed great physicality by running over multiple defenders. Facing a potential challenge from the returning Jordan James, Black currently looks like a highly viable target in fantasy drafts. If you want to insure McCaffrey, Black is the player to target.

Now that we’ve updated Jeanty’s status, let’s evaluate the exhibition game. The first-stringers were held out, allowing the backup unit to play 26 snaps. Interestingly, wide receiver Tre Tucker rested with the starters, whereas free-agent acquisition Jalen Nailor played through the first three drives. Given that Tucker also started in single-receiver sets last week, it is safe to rank him above Nailor on draft boards. Meanwhile, Jack Bech’s stock is falling; he saw just four snaps on the initial three drives alongside Nailor and was used primarily in the slot. This indicates his usage will likely be capped to three-receiver formations, which carry less fantasy value.

Mendoza’s performance was a mixed bag. He is transitioning to a completely different offensive scheme than the one he ran at Indiana, and he will face a learning curve as he adjusts to under-center drops, turning his back on the defense, and executing quick-game concepts from the line. His standout play was a precise throw into a tight window against zone coverage, though he did throw an interception returned for a touchdown due to a miscommunication with Washington Jr. The bulk of the error on that play appeared to lie with the rookie running back.

Still, we shouldn’t dismiss the possibility of Mendoza earning starts by mid-season. He possesses the physical traits to succeed, keeping expectations high.

The main story here is Washington’s continued brilliance. He quickly generated a major gain, relying on his elite physical tools rather than help from his blockers. He has the strength to run through arm tackles and outstanding acceleration. The coaching staff should carve out at least five touches per game for him even after Jeanty returns, which would help keep the starter fresh over the course of the season. Beyond his impressive film, his value as a premier handcuff was fully established as he took 22 of the 26 snaps, while Dylan Laube was barely involved. Should Jeanty miss time to begin the year, Washington is locked into a massive workload.

The offense began the game in a two-tight end look with Justin Herbert under center, utilizing Charlie Kolar and David Njoku instead of the receiving-first Oronde Gadsden II. This alignment reflects camp reports and is expected given Gadsden’s blocking limitations. Kolar, who showed strong receiving traits in college and played alongside Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely under John Harbaugh in Baltimore, possesses genuine fantasy upside that current projection models are missing. He is on track to lead the position group in playing time.

Former SEC standout Brenen Thompson got the start opposite Ladd McConkey, though he remained on the field with the second team afterward. While it’s positive that he is currently ahead of KeAndre Lambert-Smith, it’s worth noting that Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris did not play. Thompson is projected to serve as a deep-threat option in the receiver rotation. This game highlighted that the offense will rarely utilize three-receiver packages, making the competition for two-receiver sets between McConkey, Johnston, and Harris incredibly important.

Omarion Hampton was pulled after taking the initial three snaps with the starting unit, paving the way for Keaton Mitchell to see extensive action ahead of Kimani Vidal. Mitchell made an impact in the passing game with two receptions, including a vertical seam route and a short catch where he forced a missed tackle. It is notable how creatively offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is deploying Mitchell, lining him up in unique formations and using him on outside pitches and in the passing game. Mitchell is highly likely to set a career-high in receptions this season, making him an excellent target in drafts, while I am avoiding Hampton at his current top-15 ADP. This backfield is shaping up to be a highly productive tandem rather than a single-workhorse system.

On a negative note, the interior of the offensive line struggled significantly. Rookie center Jake Slaughter had several rough plays, and left guard Kayode Awosika showed physical limitations that raise doubts about his starting capabilities, alongside right guard Cole Strange. With Tyler Biadasz already sidelined for the year, any prolonged absence or slow recovery for left tackle Rashawn Slater could turn this highly-touted unit into a major liability relative to prior expectations.

While several starters saw the field, Nico Collins and David Montgomery were held out. During C.J. Stroud’s opening 10-play possession, backup running back Woody Marks played every snap. He capped the drive with a spectacular touchdown run, leading beat writers to speculate about an even workload split between Montgomery and Marks this season. As someone avoiding Montgomery in drafts, this is highly encouraging news. Marks represents a highly appealing late-round target, as he is one of the rare backup running backs with the talent to earn a starting role based on performance alone.

Marks also excelled in pass protection. Facing a third-and-medium, the defense aligned two linebackers in the A-gap, prompting Marks to set up directly in front of them. When the linebackers dropped back and a cornerback blitzed off the edge instead, Marks quickly diagnosed the pressure, shifted his positioning, and completely stopped the rusher to keep the pocket clean for a first-down completion.

These are the details that matter. This kind of execution is why we should expect Marks to carve out a meaningful role and take snaps away from Montgomery.

We still lack clarity on Jaylin Noel’s potential usage in the absence of Jayden Higgins, as Noel continues to rehab a hamstring strain. Head coach DeMeco Ryans indicated last week that Noel was still a couple of weeks away from returning, though he has begun participating in individual drills on a limited basis. Meanwhile, Tank Dell remains sidelined from full-contact drills as he recovers from a severe knee dislocation. Local reporters suggest his return could still be several months away, which is understandable given the gravity of the injury.

In the short term, Xavier Hutchinson’s physical profile and experience make him the favorite to handle two-receiver sets for the season opener. Players like Noel, Dell, or a potential trade acquisition will have to outplay him as the year progresses. While that is a manageable task, it would require Noel to prove he can play on the boundary rather than just in the slot. I am avoiding this entire group in standard 12-team leagues, though I would be intrigued if the team made a move for a player like Kayshon Boutte—which is precisely the trade they completed on Monday!