Fantasy football rumors: Kupp out for long period, Samuel to miss multiple weeks

Everything that happens in the NFL has extra context when you look at it from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and more, the news constantly impacts the value of players in fantasy football.

Our fantasy football buzz file, featuring contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the information they need when news breaks in the NFL.

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September 16: Kupp out for long period, Samuel missing several weeks

Liz Loza on Kupp: First Puka Nacua. Now Cooper Kupp. The Rams are way off the mark. There’s not much to say about this one, to be honest. Demarcus Robinson will likely lead the WR corps. The 29-year-old has played 92% of the offensive snaps in consecutive weeks. He also leads the team in routes run (75) and ranks second in team targets (11), trailing only Kupp. Robinson is a trusted veteran who has been useful in the late 2023 season, posting five straight 13+ fantasy point games from Weeks 13-17. He’s currently available in 67% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

One player can’t fill the void(s) left by Nacua and Kupp, so Tyler Johnson, who converted two of three passes for 20 yards last Sunday, will likely play a larger role. Johnson is currently listed in 13% of ESPN leagues. Tight end Colby Parkinson, who ranks third on the team in routes run (65) behind Kupp and ahead of the aforementioned Johnson (59), could also get more attention. Parkinson is still available in 56% of leagues. Tutu Atwell (0.2% listed) has three of four targets this season and is another player who could emerge.

The Rams host the division rival 49ers in Week 3. Vegas is expecting a tough battle with LA opening as an 8-point underdog, according to ESPN BET. However, Kyren Williams investors need not panic. Williams has put up 14 PPR fantasy points in back-to-back weeks. He is by far the team’s leading back (85.7% snap share) and adds value as a pass-catcher with seven total grabs through two games. San Francisco has allowed the eighth-most receptions (11 of 13 targets) to opposing RBs. Look for the bright spots where you can.

Tristan H. Cockcroft on Samuel: San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Deebo Samuel Sr., one of the team’s most productive receivers of the young season so far, will miss “a couple of weeks” with a calf injury. Samuel has scored 18-plus PPR fantasy points in each of the first two weeks, while hitting a 29.2 percent target share and making 10 of the team’s 63 rushing attempts while Christian McCaffrey has been sidelined. It’s another significant loss for the team, as Samuel’s dual-threat skill set, as well as his ability to amass massive yardage after the catch, is impossible to replace within the team’s current roster. both The fact that he and McCaffrey are likely to be sidelined for at least Weeks 3 and 4 puts the 49ers’ offense in a tough spot.

Fortunately, the 49ers have an extremely soft portion of their schedule coming up, with the Los Angeles Rams (away), New England Patriots (home) and Arizona Cardinals (also at home) scheduled over the next three weeks, which should alleviate any reason to panic. Expect continued heavy usage from Jordan Mason, further bolstering his top-10 position status. In receiving, Brandon Aiyuk should re-emerge as Brock Purdy’s go-to receiver, with Jauan Jennings most likely taking over the other starting role. Aiyuk and George Kittle should see the biggest boost in targets, though the team could also lean more heavily on backups like Ronnie Bell, Chris Conley or Jacob Cowing.

September 16: Panthers bench Bryce Young for Andy Dalton

Eric Karabell:Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young has scored 11.6 PPR points in the first two games of the season, each in ugly blowout losses, and that’s changing. The Panthers start veteran Andy Dalton, and while he’s not exactly a Hall of Fame prospect, Dalton gives the offense — and the individual fantasy football options within it — a better chance at proficiency. The Panthers are desperately seeking competenceYoung, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, didn’t yield much for Carolina.

Dalton, 36, isn’t someone fantasy managers in standard formats should be targeting or even considering right now, despite throwing for 361 yards and two touchdowns in his lone start for Carolina last season. However, in superflex/2 QB formats, every starting QB deserves a look. Dalton completed 66.7% of his passes for the New Orleans Saints in 2022, won six of 14 starts for a 7-10 team, and certainly didn’t hinder fantasy relevance for RB Alvin Kamara and then-rookie WR Chris Olave. Consider Dalton about equal, for fantasy value, with Raiders starting QB Gardner Minshew.

The quarterback switch helps everyone, especially WRs Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen, but it doesn’t make them so compelling that a fantasy manager should start either of them against the Raiders this week. Johnson has caught five of 12 targets in two games and scored 8.4 PPR points. Dalton is more accurate and pocket-savvy than Young, and he can move the offense. Treat Johnson as the WR4 option he was supposed to be when you drafted him, and if you were going to pass on him, think again.

September 16: Pacheco to IR with fibula injury

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is expected to go on the injured list after suffering a fibula injury against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Pacheco will undergo tests on Monday to assess the damage from the injury and will be out for at least four weeks.

Samaje Perine (in 3.6% of ESPN leagues) and Carson Steele (in 1.6% of ESPN leagues) are expected to handle the Chiefs’ defensive duties.

Steele was used primarily as a runner in the Week 2 win, collecting 7 carries for 24 yards (0.4 fantasy points). Perine has yet to have a carry this season and had 1 reception for 3 yards (1.3 fantasy points) on Sunday.