Panthers QB Bryce Young and WR Jalen Coker both finished in the top 10 highest-scoring fantasy players. Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesESPN FantasySep 13, 2026, 11:37 PM ETCloseMultiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsEverything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league.Sept. 13: Scoring leaders after the Sunday Night FootballThrough Sunday Night Football, here are the fantasy scoring leaders so far this week:Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears: 37.26 FPTSJosh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills: 35.66 FPTSDerrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens: 35.3 FPTSJalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers: 33.8 FPTSJahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions: 33.6 FPTSAshton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders: 32.7 FPTSChristian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers: 32.7 FPTSD’Andre Swift, RB, Bears: 32.4 FPTSBryce Young, QB, Panthers: 31.44 FPTSBijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons: 31.3 FPTSHere’s the full list of Week 1’s top scorers.Sept. 11: Tua’s absence shouldn’t impact Falcons’ fantasy starsBy Michael F. FlorioQuarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out of the Atlanta Falcons’ Week 1 road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury at practice Thursday. With Michael Penix Jr (knee) also out, that leaves Cooper Rush as the starter for the Falcons. Even in superflex leagues, fantasy managers should have better options.The big question is what this means for the Falcons’ playmakers. Running back Bijan Robinson was a consensus top-two pick in fantasy drafts and remains a must-start option.
If anything, the QB issues could lead to the Falcons relying even more on the star back. Last year, Rush directed 19% of his passes to the backfield, per Next Gen Stats.Wide receiver Drake London, who was drafted in the second round in the majority of fantasy leagues, also remains in play. While it is a new-look defense in Pittsburgh, the Steelers did allow the fifth-most yards and seventh-most touchdowns to receivers in 2025. Plus, Rush has thrown 41% of his passes to outside wide receivers over the last four seasons.
London should still see solid volume.Tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. also remains in play and could be relied upon as a safety blanket of sorts for Rush. Plus, Kevin Stefanski likes to feature the tight end, with his offenses having targeted the position at the third-highest rate during his Cleveland Browns tenure. Multiple tight ends (David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr.) finished as top-12 fantasy tight ends in his system. We also saw in the preseason that Pitts’ catch-and-run ability fits this offense nicely.While there is more volatility with the change at QB, the Falcons’ stars should be used as normal for fantasy football in Week 1.Sept. 11: Kaelon Black carries the rock 14 times as Niners close out Ramsplay1:14Why Mike Clay doesn’t like Patriots offense without A.J.
BrownBy Adam RankThe biggest news Thursday night? Kaelon Black carried the ball 14 times. Yep, 14 times!Oh sure, the 49ers pounded the seemingly invincible Los Angeles Rams. And yes, the travel itinerary will be endlessly discussed (not by me, though).
Still, Black was the biggest fantasy story of the night. But before you go out and spend your entire FAAB budget on Black (he is rostered in 15.5% of ESPN leagues), let’s have a little bit of perspective.The 49ers were wise to not overwork Christian McCaffrey given the travel schedule (sorry, I had promised not to talk about that). I need more evidence before I’m ready to pronounce this a true split backfield. Although the snap count was close.
You might also consider McCaffrey did lead the 49ers with eight targets, as I suspected he would. He didn’t reach the end zone but did show his floor right around 13 points — which is great. If that’s the case, the monster games are going to be classic CMC. And I’m ready for it.Here are some other notes on the night:There was a thought that Mike Evans could fulfill a role for the 49ers like what Davante Adams did with the Rams last year as a touchdown merchant.
Evans had seven targets that he turned into six receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown, so his role was significantly bigger than that at least in Week 1. Evans led the team with 26 routes run. McCaffrey was second with 22.Deebo Samuel Sr. was heavily involved as well. Seven targets for him.
George Kittle completed an amazing comeback and registered five targets. The skeptics might look at the injury history of the 49ers’ players, and I understand that. But you can’t account for injuries.De’Zhaun Stribling avoided a serious injury as coach Kyle Shanahan said the rookie’s Achilles was intact. No timetable was given on his return.
Brock Purdy had 21.1 fantasy points against the Rams on Thursday night. Mac Jones had two above-average games against the Rams last season, too. Maybe Shanahan knows what he’s doing against this defense. Kyren Williams saw 39 snaps against the 49ers on Thursday night compared to just 14 for Blake Corum — even though the carries were nearly identical.
Williams did get the rushing touchdown. Williams also had 21 routes run, compared to just three for Corum.The Rams did use a ton of 12 and 13 personnel (multiple tight ends), but it was a disappointing night for Terrance Ferguson. He was second among Rams tight ends with 31 snaps, but managed just one target.Sept. 10: A.J. Brown, Sam Darnold injured in season openerplay1:10Introducing ESPN knockout leagues, a new way to play fantasy footballBy Michael F.
FlorioInjuries were unfortunately the story of the first game of the season as both Sam Darnold (hip) and A.J. Brown (ankle) exited early.Brown is expected to miss time with what is believed to be a high ankle sprain. That means DeMario Douglas and Romeo Doubs will be waiver wire options. Doubs will likely run most of the Brown routes, with Mack Hollins also mixing in.
Douglas was the Patriots’ top target in Week 1, but he finished with just 20 yards on five catches. There is more upside with Doubs, but both are merely depth pieces for fantasy purposes.Though the Seahawks have a mini-bye now — 11 days between games — Darnold is expected to miss Week 2’s game but he could be back sooner rather than later, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A fracture has been ruled out, per Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald.Drew Lock is the next man up until Darnold’s return, but he is only an option in superflex leagues. Jaxon Smith-Njigba showed he was QB-proof, finishing with 11 targets, eight catches, 122 yards, one touchdown and 26.2 fantasy points.
Perhaps there is more weekly variance if Darnold remains out, but JSN remains a must-start WR1.Other notable fantasy takeawaysDrake Maye had a rough night at the office, throwing three interceptions and finishing with just 9.82 fantasy points. The Seahawks’ defense remains his kryptonite. Still, this is one of the very best defenses in the NFL, so fantasy managers should not overreact. Maye remains a must-start QB with a bounce-back opportunity against the Steelers in Week 2.Jadarian Price was the lead back for Seattle, playing 50% of the snaps, with 10 carries and two targets.
George Holani saw a lot of the early passing downs and the initial red zone snaps. It was Price’s first NFL game, so do not overreact: he was used more late in the game, which shows the coaches’ confidence in him. His usage should expand as the season goes on. However, he is a RB3/flex option until that happens.
Especially considering there will be fewer scoring opportunities if Darnold is sidelined. Rhamondre Stevenson saw elite usage with TreVeyon Henderson sidelined. He played 85% of the snaps with 18 of 24 RB carries. He also
Leave a Reply