Minnesota Vikings

According to Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell, Alexander Mattison is still the Vikings lead back, despite the acquisition of Cam Akers, especially for this week as Akers is unlikely to suit up. (Source: Matthew Coller on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Mattison will have an excellent opportunity to raise his stock in the offense in a choice match against the Chargers' defense. The unit ranks dead last in defensive DVOA and is particularly weak against the run. Mattison should be the bell cow with Akers likely sitting and has a strong chance to outperform expectations in Week 3. All Vikings skill-position players are solid options this week, and Mattison is no exception.

Vikings C Garrett Bradbury (back) is listed as questionable for the team’s Week 3 game against the Chargers. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Bradbury has not played since exiting after seven snaps in the Vikings Week 1 game with Tampa Bay. A potential return in Week 3 would help bolster an offensive line looking to protect Kirk Cousins against a Joey Bosa led pass rush.

According to HC Kevin O'Connell, Cam Akers, who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings this week, is unlikely to make his Vikings' debut in Week 3 due to the short turnaround. (Source: Kevin Seifert on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Akers was benched and traded in the last week and is not entirely up to speed with his new offense. He does have the luxury of having worked with O'Connell in the past when he was the Rams' OC, but for this week, he is not likely to be active. This clears the way for Alexader Mattison fantasy owners to get one more bell-cow week from the veteran back. Against a very weak Chargers' run defense, Mattison is a very solid RB option in Week 3.

Vikings LB Marcus Davenport (ankle) has been officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Chargers. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Davenport continues to nurse an ankle injury he has dealt with since the start of the season. The veteran played just four snaps in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Eagles and will need more time to heal up before a potential return in Week 4.

The Minnesota Vikings have placed WR Jalen Nailor on the injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the next four games. (Source: Minnesota Vikings on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Nailor is a former sixth-round selection by the Vikings in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Michigan State. In his rookie year, he caught nine passes for 179 yards and a score. After playing just one offensive snap in 2023, he will miss time on injured reserve.

Dalton Risner is signing a 1-year deal worth $4M with the Minnesota Vikings. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Vikings are currently 0-2 and have had some rough play from their offensive line to start the season, so they are now signing Risner out of free agency to help bolster that unit. He's been waiting to sign in right situation all offseason, and now he'll be going to Minnesota to block for Kirk Cousins and Co.

Despite being lit up for 430 yards and 34 points, the Vikings' defense did come up with four sacks and one interception in Thursday night's 34-28 loss.

Fantasy Impact: The Vikings' defense isn't great at all, especially against the run. The unit gave up 259 yards and three scores on the ground to the Eagles. However, four sacks and one pick did salvage the night fantasy wise for any manager that took the risk of playing them. The Vikings DST is not one to target in Week 3 against the Chargers.

Greg Joseph did not attempt a field goal in Thursday's 34-28 loss to the Eagles, but he made all four of his extra-point attempts.

Fantasy Impact: Joseph was obviously limited in his output Thursday, as the Vikings attempted no field goals. Looking ahead, the Vikings will face off against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3, and Joseph will be ready to boot the ball through the uprights, aiming to help his team bounce back from this week's defeat.

T.J. Hockenson caught 7 of 8 targets for 66 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2.

Fantasy Impact: Hockenson showcased his versatility and reliability throughout the game, making key catches in crucial moments and consistently gaining yardage. Next week, he'll look to continue his hot streak against the Los Angeles Chargers. Given his current form, Hockenson is a must-start for any fantasy manager lucky enough to have him on their roster.

K.J. Osborn was targeted six times, hauling in three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown Thursday night.

Fantasy Impact: Osborn's performance was highlighted by a 10-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, marking his first touchdown of the season. Osborn's season stats now stand at 12 targets, six receptions, 65 receiving yards, and a touchdown through two games. Looking ahead to Week 3, Osborn and the Vikings will face off against the Los Angeles Chargers, providing another opportunity for the young receiver to continue his upward trajectory.

Jordan Addison grabbed 3 of 5 targets for 72 yards and a touchdown Thursday night.

Fantasy Impact: With 133 receiving yards and two touchdowns through two games on the season, Addison is proving to be a key weapon in the Vikings' offensive arsenal. Looking ahead to Week 3, fantasy managers should keep an eye on Addison as the Vikings prepare to face off against the Los Angeles Chargers. His ability to make big plays, as evidenced by his impressive catch and run for a touchdown, could be a game-changer.

Justin Jefferson put on a show Thursday night, hauling in 11 passes for 159 yards in a 34-28 loss to the Eagles.

Fantasy Impact: Although he didn't find the end zone Thursday, Jefferson's consistent production and high volume of targets make him an elite asset for fantasy managers. His season stats now stand at 20 receptions for 309 yards through two games, and while he's yet to score a touchdown, his performance suggests it's only a matter of time. Jefferson's play-by-play data shows a mix of short and deep completions, demonstrating his versatility and Cousins' trust in him as a go-to receiver. Looking ahead to Week 3, Jefferson will face off against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he'll look to continue his impressive start to the season.

Kirk Cousins was a passing machine Thursday night, completing 31 of his 44 attempts for a whopping 364 yards and four touchdowns.

Fantasy Impact: Cousins' arm was on fire, connecting with receivers left, right, and center, with no interceptions to tarnish his stellar performance. His favorite target was clearly Justin Jefferson, who made several key catches throughout the game. Despite the loss, Cousins' fantasy managers have to be thrilled with his performance, as he continues to rack up impressive numbers this season. Looking ahead to Week 3, Cousins and the Vikings will face off against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he'll look to keep his hot streak going.

The Vikings signed Myles Gaskin to their 53-man roster. (Source: Minnesota Vikings on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Gaskin was originally released by the Vikings and signed to their practice squad. He could see some action on Thursday against the Eagles.

Josh Oliver caught all three of his targets for 32 yards in a 20-17 loss to the Buccaneers in Week 1.

Fantasy Impact: Oliver was solid in his debut with the Vikings, finishing fourth on the team in receiving yardage. That being said, he would need an injury to T.J. Hockenson ahead of him to be relevant in fantasy leagues.

Ty Chandler carried the ball three times for zero yards and added an 18-yard catch in a 20-17 loss to Tampa Bay in Week 1.

Fantasy Impact: Chandler operated as the strict backup to Alexander Mattison, seeing just three of 14 running-back carries in the loss. The veteran will be nothing more than injury insurance for Mattison in fantasy heading into a Week 2 matchup against the Eagles.

Jalen Reagor has been waived by the Minnesota Vikings. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Vikings were hopeful that Reagor could live up to his first-round draft capital when they acquired him, but that never happened, and now the team is waiving him. A team could choose to claim him, but if he doesn't get claimed, he will become an unrestricted free agent and will be eligible to sign anywhere before the season begins.

DeWayne McBride has been waived by the Minnesota Vikings. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: McBride was a seventh-round pick in this year's draft coming off of a great season at UAB, but he wasn't able to lock down a roster spot and the Vikings are now waiving him. He seems like a prime candidate to come back on the practice squad, assuming he passes through waivers unclaimed. This move locks in Ty Chandler as the Vikings RB2 and also probably means that Kene Nwangwu will cycle in periodically.

Esezi Otomewo was cut by the Vikings on Tuesday. (Source: Adam Schefter on X)

Fantasy Impact: The 2022 5th-round pick will miss the cut down to a 53-man roster. He appeared in five games for the Vikings last season and collected five tackles and one tackle for loss.

Joejuan Williams has been released by the Minnesota Vikings. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Williams, a former second-round pick, had a chance at making the roster in this thin cornerback room, but he is being cut and will ultimately go back on the open market. He has some in-game experience and high draft capital, however, so there's a decent chance that he lands on some team's practice squad before the season begins.