Minnesota Vikings

Kirk Cousins completed 24 of 41 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Vikings to an exciting 28-24 win over the Lions.

Fantasy Impact: Capitalizing on the non-primetime game, Cousins returned to being a productive real-life and fantasy QB. The 34-year-old struggled with overthrowing receivers throughout the game, but he reconnected with Adam Thielen and developed some chemistry with K.J. Osborn, both of whom caught TD passes. Cousins and Co. head to London next week to face the Saints. He should be a low-end QB1 with that matchup.

Dalvin Cook has been ruled out for the rest of Week 3 with an arm/shoulder injury.

Fantasy Impact: Cook had a productive day before the fumble, rushing 17 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. He was removed from the game for medical evaluation, and apparently, there was enough concern to rule him out for the rest of a close game. We will provide more information as it becomes known.

According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, S Harrison Smith is "more than likely" being ruled out for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. (Source: Alec Lewis on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Smith has been a staple of the Minnesota Vikings' pass defense for years, and in his absence, young players will be expected to step up. Rookie S Lewis Cine and S Josh Metellus are expected to fill his role. The Lions have an ascending offense as QB Jared Goff and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown continue to develop chemistry and RB D'Andre Swift looks better every week.

The Vikings D/ST allowed 486 total yards to the Philadelphia offense, 390 of which was produced by QB Jalen Hurts himself, during their 24-7 loss to the Eagles.

Fantasy Impact: On the brighter side, the D/ST unit blocked a field goal and ran it back deep into Eagles' territory, and they captured an interception that set up the Vikings' offense well inside the 20. Turnovers stymied both of those drives by the offense, burying the fact that they allowed zero points in the second half. They have a good Week 3 matchup at home against the Lions, although it has the potential for a shootout with D'Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown involved. Jared Goff will be a nice change of pace from Hurts, who ran with impunity for half the game. The Vikings' defense is a borderline D/ST1 for Week 3.

Irv Smith Jr. caught five passes for 36 yards and scored Minnesota's lone touchdown during their 24-7 loss to Philadelphia.

Fantasy Impact: Smith also dropped a would-be touchdown pass as he was wide open in the second secondary level and could not corral it. QB Kirk Cousins did target him eight times on the night, which is a promising sign for his usage going forward. Smith is a fringe TE1 heading into the Week 3 showdown against Detroit in a game that should be a high-scoring affair.

Alexander Mattison rushed twice for eight yards and caught three passes for six yards during Minnesota's 24-7 loss to Philadelphia.

Fantasy Impact: The 24-year-old running back has been unable to get anything going through the first two weeks. The Eagles took a commanding lead, which took away the run game for the Vikings in a hurry. Mattison does have an appealing matchup at home against the Lions in Week 3, and Detroit has given up 304 yards and five touchdowns to opposing backs through two games. Still, he is a very low Flex2 option heading into it because he essentially has no floor in a premium position.

K.J. Osborn caught two passes for 25 yards during Minnesota's 24-7 loss to Philadelphia.

Fantasy Impact: The Eagles' defense shut down every facet of the Vikings' offense, including holding Kirk Cousins to only 221 yards passing. Through two weeks, Osborn has not seen many targets, making him a difficult player to start in all but the deepest of leagues with multiple flex positions. However, if roster limitations prevent you from having better options, Osborn could see an increased number of targets in what should be a high-scoring Week 3 game against the Lions.

Adam Thielen reeled in four catches for 52 yards during the Vikings' 24-7 loss to the Eagles.

Fantasy Impact: All of Thielen's yardage came late in the game when the outcome was already decided; he was essentially ignored in the offense otherwise. The 32-year-old has only 88 receiving yards and no touchdowns through two games. Whether QB Kirk Cousins looks in his direction more in the upcoming weeks remains to be seen, but Thielen is a fringe WR3 for Week 3, even heading into what should be a high-scoring affair against the Lions.

Justin Jefferson caught six passes for only 48 yards and no touchdowns during the Vikings' 24-7 loss to the Eagles.

Fantasy Impact: The second-year wideout struggled against Philadelphia's defense, particularly Darius Slay, who nabbed two interceptions on passes targeting him. Jefferson will head home to face the Lions next week and should have an easier time finding openings against the 30th-ranked defense. He remains an elite WR1 and a must-start for Week 3.

Ty Chandler is inactive for the Vikings’ matchup with the Eagles in Week 2. (Source: Vikings on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Chandler is a healthy scratch for the Vikings in Week 2. The 24-year-old is behind Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, and Kene Nwangwu and would need an injury to likely crack the roster on game day. Chandler should likely only be on taxi squads in dynasty leagues.

Greg Joseph was 3-for-3 in field goals and 2-for-2 in extra points during the Vikings' 23-7 win over the Packers.

Fantasy Impact: One of the field goals was from 56 yards, offering fantasy managers the extra points for those in leagues with that bonus. Joseph remains a strong kicking option, playing for a good offense in a dome. He will be outdoors for Week 2 when Minnesota heads to Philadelphia, but he is still worth starting in all leagues.

The Minnesota Vikings waived Sean Mannion Tuesday. (Source: Dov Kleiman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: After waiving Mannion and Kellen Mond, it appears that Nick Mullens and Kirk Cousins will be the only QBs on the roster. Mannion could be an option for a team looking for a veteran backup quarterback.

QB Kellen Mond has been released by the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. With a new front office in Minnesota, the Vikings move on. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Mond's time seemed to be limited in Minnesota after the Vikings traded for QB Nick Mullens to pair with Sean Mannion behind Kirk Cousins. Mond had his moments in the preseason but was inconsistent. Mond was a third-rounder and "had a lot of fans in the pre-draft process," Pelissero said, meaning he might be able to find a new home elsewhere.

The Vikings have cut WR Myron Mitchell ahead of the 53-man roster deadline. (Source: Chris Tomasson on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The 24-year-old from UAB may still find a place on the practice squad, but that remains to be seen. Mitchell did appear in one game for the Vikings last year.

The Vikings released CB Tye Smith for the second time in two weeks on Monday following their final preseason game. (Source: Chris Tomasson on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The 29-year-old re-signed with Minnesota last week and was promptly let go after providing roster depth for the team's final preseason game against Denver. The six-year veteran is now free to sign with any team.

The Minnesota Vikings have released DL T.Y. McGill Jr. (Source: Adam Schefter)

Fantasy Impact: The 29-year-old veteran played in two games for the Vikings last season. Because of his veteran status, he is now free to sign anywhere he would like.

Bisi Johnson was feared to have suffered a torn ACL in Saturday’s preseason game. An MRI on Sunday confirmed the tear, ending Johnson’s season. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: A tough break for Johnson who has now torn his ACL in both knees over the last two seasons. Johnson was praised heavily in camp by new head coach Kevin O’Connell as he seemed to be a player that would factor into the offense this year. The 25-year-old is scheduled to be a free agent in the offseason.

Ihmir Smith-Marsette caught three passes for 63 yards during Minnesota's 23-13 loss to Denver in the final preseason game.

Fantasy Impact: With this performance, Smith-Marsette may have locked up the fourth wide receiver position on the roster. The 23-year-old appeared in eight games last year, catching five of six targets for 116 yards and two TDs. Any injury to a WR above him would make him worth a flier in deeper fantasy leagues.

Nick Mullens was acquired Monday from the Las Vegas Raiders for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2024. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This move was likely a result of the poor play from Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion in the Vikings’ preseason loss Sunday. Mullens showed in his time with the 49ers and Browns that he is a competent backup QB, completing 64.6% of his passes in 20 career games. Mullens is expected to be the backup for Kirk Cousins moving forward.

Kene Nwangwu rushed the ball seven times for 41 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards during the Vikings' 26-20 loss to the Raiders.

Fantasy Impact: The 24-year-old second-year running back appeared in 11 games last season, rushing 13 times for 61 yards. He is battling Ty Chandler for the third spot on the depth chart behind Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison and will not hold any fantasy appeal unless multiple injuries occur.