Week 2 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy Football Stars to Play and Bench

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season brought its fair share of surprises. That extended to the fantasy realm, where regular fantasy stars like Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and Amon-Ra St. Brown disappointed.

Late-week injuries to players like Christian McCaffrey and Tee Higgins certainly didn't help managers during the opening slate.

Many managers will be looking to make up ground in Week 2, though the lineup decision-making won't be a whole lot easier. Several injury questions still linger, and a few fantasy stars will face difficult matchups.

Here, you'll find a look at some of those difficult Week 2 situations, along with start-sit recommendations.

J.K. Dobbins ripped off the big runs in the Los Angeles Chargers' opener, and his performance left a lot of Gus Edwards managers in distress.

While Dobbins racked up 135 rushing yards, three catches and a rushing touchdown, Edwards finished with just one catch and 28 scrimmage yards. However, managers shouldn't be quick to pull the plug on Edwards ahead of Week 2.

The Chargers face a favorable matchup against the Carolina Panthers, who allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in Week 1. The Panthers will also be without star defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who suffered a knee injury that could end his season.

Jim Harbaugh will lean on the run against Carolina, and Edwards will have a strong opportunity to bounce back. While his numbers against the Las Vegas Raiders weren't great, it's worth noting that he actually had more carries (11) than Dobbins (10).

Fantasy football is often a game of opportunities, and Edwards should have plenty of them in Week 2.

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift was another Week 1 letdown, and his disappointing performance was probably a bigger surprise.

The 2023 Pro Bowler was added to provide rookie quarterback Caleb Williams with a strong outlet option in the backfield. However, Swift finished his Bears debut without a reception and only saw a single target.

Swift also had a mere 30 yards on 10 carries.

Now, Williams and the rest of the Bears offense underwhelmed as well, and the rookie quarterback is hoping to improve quickly.

"I will be better," Williams said, per ESPN's Courtney Cronin.

It's extremely hard to trust Swift in Week 2, though, given his lack of involvement in the passing game. Chicago faces a road matchup with the Houston Texans, who faced Jonathan Taylor in Week 1 and still allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Swift may eventually return to being a reliable fantasy starter, but it's unlikely to happen this week.

The New Orleans Saints are facing a road game against the Dallas Cowboys, whose defense dominated in Week 1. It may feel difficult to trust a wide receiver like Chris Olave against Trevon Diggs and Co., especially after Olave underwhelmed in Week 1.

Olave caught just two passes for 11 yards against the Panthers.

However, it's important to remember that New Orleans was rolling early against Carolina and leaned heavily on the ground game (37 rushing attempts, 24 pass attempts).

The Saints should be much more pass-heavy against a Cowboys offense that can put points on the board. That will help ensure that Olave gets a lot more opportunities than he did a week ago.

And while the Cowboys defense does present matchup problems, new Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak should find ways to counter. As the San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator in 2023, Kubiak helped quarterback Brock Purdy throw for 252 yards and four touchdowns against Dallas.

Olave may not be a top-10 fantasy receiver this week, but he's certainly worth a start.

Denver Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton is far less likely to have a bounce-back game in Week 2.

While Sutton was targeted 12 times in Week 1, he finished with only four catches for 38 yards. He and rookie quarterback Bo Nix never appeared to be on the same page, and that trend is likely to continue this Sunday.

Nix had a difficult time against the Seattle Seahawks and Mike Macdonald's defense in his debut. Now, he'll get a heavy dose of T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers. That doesn't bode well for the rookie after watching the Steelers stymie a far more experienced quarterback in Kirk Cousins last Sunday.

The Steelers allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers in Week 1.

It doesn't bode well for Sutton either, as he's likely to spend most of the game matched up with standout cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

Because of his target share, Sutton is unlikely to be a flat-out bust in Week 2. However, managers who have other flex options would be wise to consider them.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.