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10 Fantasy Football busts from NFL Week 2

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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While many fantasy football owners had lots to celebrate, these 10 fantasy football busts let their teams down in week 2. Hopefully you avoided starting any of these 10 fantasy football busts this week.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) was one of a handful of running backs that turned into fantasy football busts after leaving early due to an injury. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

It was a lower scoring week 2 than many fantasy football owners were expecting. While there definitely were some bright spots (led by these high scorers), many owners were let down by these top ten fantasy football busts from Week 2.

Each week in our top 10 fantasy football busts, you can find the most disappointing options at each of the main fantasy positions. I highlight the players that had high expectations coming into the week but failed to live up to them. Whether due to injury or ineffectiveness, these players burned their owners badly.

You definitely want to avoid using players that end up on this list for your fantasy team. If you’ve got a great story about how someone let you down this week, let us know in the comments at the bottom of the page.

Make sure to check back later today for our fantasy football sleepers who emerged during Week 2 if these busts have left you looking for replacement options. For our full fantasy football weekly coverage make sure to drop a bookmark on our fantasy football hub. You can also check out our new start/sit tool and follow @FansidedFantasy on Twitter to help you avoid fantasy football busts from sinking your team in Week 3.

There were plenty of letdowns this week, so let’s start our list of fantasy football busts this week with a quarterback who failed to step up to the hype even though his team ended up getting the W.

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) sacks New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Eli Manning-QB-New York Giants

Manning was expected to have a monster week as he and the Giants hosted the Saints. New Orleans’ pass defense was shredded in Week 1, and last year Eli went off for a career day against them in the Big Easy. Unfortunately for his fantasy owners, Manning didn’t have an encore planned for Sunday.

It’s hard to categorize Manning as a total bust since he racked up 368 passing yards which was the fourth-highest for any QB this week. However, he threw for zero touchdowns in a game that ended up with just one offensive score.

Manning did move the Giants to 2-0, but his fantasy owners were hoping for so much more in this luscious matchup. Next week, Eli has another favorable opponent as the Giants host their struggling division-rivals from Washington.

While his day wasn’t a total disaster, lots of people were heavily invested in Eli making him one of the biggest fantasy football busts of Week 2.

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) runs with the ball during the first half of their game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Rashad Jennings-RB-New York Giants

An even bigger disappointment, in my opinion, than Eli was Giants’ running back Rashad Jennings. The Saints gave up huge chunks of yardage to the Raiders running backs in Week 1, but Jennings got nothing going Week 2.

Jennings’ down day wasn’t due to lack of workload sine he did get 13 carries. However, he totaled just 27 yards and ultimately lost work late in the game to Shane Vereen who ran for 42 yards on his 14 carries. Jennings did catch both passes thrown his way for 13 more yards, but overall it was a very disappointing day for his owners.

Not only was Jennings one of the bigger fantasy football busts of Week 2, his owners also should be concerned by Shane Vereen eating into his workload. He should be lined up for a bounce-back performance next week against Washington, but this “dream matchup” turned nightmarish in a hurry.

Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) is unable to make a catch during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field. Tennessee won 16-15. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Golden Tate-WR-Detroit Lions

The Giants at least ended up winning their game despite their sub-par fantasy performances. The Lions can’t say the same after taking a brutal home loss to the lowly Titans. One of the biggest fantasy football busts from a down day in Detroit was Golden Tate.

Some experts expected Tate to be the fill-in for the retired Calvin Johnson, but he has yet to produce big numbers despite being heavily targeted. He ended up with just 13 yards on two catches in Week 2 after 41 yards on seven catches in the season opener.

The good news for Tate owners is that he’s still getting plenty of passes thrown his way. Matthew Stafford targeted Tate nine times in their loss this week, and if that continues Tate has a chance to turn things back around as the season progresses. Next week, Tate and the Lions head to Lambeau Field where they’ll face a Packers team that just lost on Sunday Night Football.

For now, I’d drop Tate down in the rankings and maybe even stick him on the bench, but I wouldn’t give up on him entirely just yet. He’s definitely still worth a roster spot in most formats.

Sep 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) returns a punt against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown-WR-Pittsburgh Steelers

The weather was definitely a factor, but the Steelers never looked great in their week 2 win over the Bengals. To their credit, they were able to grind out the win relying heavily on DeAngelo Williams, but Big Ben came up less-than-huge.

Brown ended up getting 11 passes thrown his way, but he uncharacteristically caught only four for 39 yards. He was underthrown on a potential touchdown in the second quarter, and struggled to reel in inaccurate passes all day. One of his missed catches was totally on him, though, when he dropped a sure third-down conversion that was widely seen across the Twittersphere.

If you drafts Brown at no. 1 overall or paid big money for him in DFS, this definitely qualifies as one of the biggest fantasy football busts of the season. However, he should bounce back just fine and go off in next week’s matchup with the Steelers’ instate rivals from Philadelphia.

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) catches the ball in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Hyde-RB-San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers and Carlos Hyde opened the season in impressive fashion on Monday Night Football, but they had a depressing letdown Week 2 as they traveled to Carolina. The Panthers put a 46-27 beatdown on the ‘Niners as the San Francisco offense looked predictably sluggish after their short week and long trip.

Carlos Hyde was one of the biggest fantasy football busts of the week after his big week 1. He was limited to just 34 yards on 14 carries and also lost a fumble. Blaine Gabbert scored the only rushing touchdown of the game for San Francisco leaving Hyde owners with little to show for Week 2.

Hyde did stay involved as a receiver catching three passes for 18 yards, but he hasn’t really piled up yards yet in Chip Kelly’s rushing system. Hyde will continue to get plenty of work as a feature-back, but his fantasy value is tied to his ability to get into the end zone. When he fails to do that like this week, he can quickly become one of the biggest fantasy football busts of the week.

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) attempts to tackle Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) during a NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Doug Baldwin-WR-Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks struggled offensively for the second week in a row, but they didn’t get a last-minute bail-out touchdown this week from Doug Baldwin. Seattle fell to 1-1 with an ugly loss on the road as they lost to the Rams in their first home game since returning to LA.

Baldwin was definitely banged up in the Seahawks loss leaving the game with a twisted knee and trying to play through back spasms. He ended up with just three catches for 20 yards while being targeted six times. He’s scheduled for an MRI to make sure he’s good to go moving forward, but right now I think he’ll be able to give it a go in Week 3.

If Baldwin does return to the field, he should be set up for success since the Seahawks will take on the 49ers who were just lit up by the Panthers. If his health hold, he’s return to his spot as a low-end WR2 despite being one of the fantasy football busts this week.

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looses the ball during the first half of a NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson-QB-Seattle Seahawks

Wilson was less than 100% coming into this week as all his owners were well aware. He still was one of the fantasy football busts of the week, though, since he struggled badly against the Rams.

Wilson wasn’t able to get anything going at all in LA and finished with 254 yards on 22-of-35 passing. He didn’t lead the team to any touchdowns as they fell 9-3 in an ugly offensive game. Probably due to his ankle injury, Wilson was only able to total 14 yards on his five rushing attempts as well.

You shouldn’t give up on Wilson just yet, though, since he gets a great matchup next week against the 49ers who Cam Newton lit up this week. He remains a fringe QB1 who you can start for his upside in Week 3.

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) takes off his helmet against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Jameis Winston-QB-Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Winston and the Bucs looked great Week 1 getting a win in Atlanta behind a big game from famous Jameis. However, things took an ugly turn for Tampa as they traveled to the desert to take on the Cardinals this week.

Winston went from touchdown-maker to turnover-factory in no time ending up with four interceptions and a fumble against a tough Arizona defense. He did manage to throw for 243 yards and a touchdown while adding just nine yards on the ground.

In ESPN standard scoring leagues, Winston tied for the lowest scoring quarterback of the week finishing behind Jacoby Brissett and Case Keenum with only three fantasy points. This game definitely turned into a clunker for the sophomore QB who will try to get things back on track next week as the Bucs come home for their home opener against Keenum and the Rams. While I’m still high on Winston overall this year, he was definitely one of the biggest fantasy football busts of week 2.

Sep 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs after a catch against the New York Jets in the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Jets 23-22. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Green-WR-Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati’s no. 1 receiver was an absolute stud in Week 1 carrying his team’s to victory with a dozen catches for 180 yards and a touchdown. Green destroyed Darrelle Revis and looked ready to take the league by storm since the Bengals are a little short on other receiving options.

He came came crashing back to earth in Week 2, though, turning into one of the biggest fantasy football busts of the week against Cincinnati’s division-rival Steelers. Green had a total of eight targets, but he ended up with only two catches for 38 yards.

If you own Green in season-long leagues, you definitely keep starting him, but he’s got some rough matchups ahead. This week, he and the Bengals face the Broncos in their home-opener. I still see Green as a WR1, but he has limited upside since the matchup is such a tricky one.

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) left the game early against Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley (91) at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

ALL the injured running backs

There is a five-way tie for the top spot in our fantasy football busts of Week 2 since there was a handful of running backs that left their games early leaving their fantasy owners high and dry. All these running backs left their contests early due to injury and finished with underwhelming week 2 numbers although it isn’t really their fault.

First up, Adrian Peterson-RB-Minnesota Vikings: Peterson appears to have avoided catastrophic injury, but he didn’t do much for his fantasy owners for the second week in a row. He had just 19 yards on 12 carries and seven yards on two catches against the Packers on Sunday Night Football. He may miss a week or two, but his fantasy owners are hoping when he returns they get the old AP back.

Jonathan Stewart-RB-Carolina Panthers: Stewart also doesn’t appear to have any long-term injuries, but he is nursing both a hamstring issue and an ankle injury. He came into the week as questionable and only had five carries for nine yards before his departure. J-Stew owners can leave him on your bench until he proves he is healthy.

Arian Foster-RB-Miami Dolphins: It only took until Week 2 for Arian Foster to break down. He reportedly will miss at least one game with a groin injury after leaving Sunday’s loss in New England after three carries for nine yards.

Doug Martin-RB-Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs starting ball-carrier left the rout in Arizona early which only contributed to Jameis Winston’s troubles. Martin tweaked his hamstring after just 23 yards on seven carries in Week 2. Charles Sims owners should be excited to see what Sims can do Week 3 against the Rams if Martin is out.

Thomas Rawls-RB-Seattle Seahawks: If I had to pick just one injured running back to lead our fantasy football busts, Rawls would get my pick. Rawls re-joined the Seahawks lineup to face a beatable Rams defense in Week 2, but he only lasted until the second quarter before leaving with a bruised leg. Rawls ran a total of seven times for an ugly negative seven yards. He did add 15 yards on three catches, but Christine Michael out-performed Rawls for the second week in a row. Rawls role as the “bell-cow” back in Seattle is definitely in question moving forward, and he’s in danger of getting a permanent place on our fantasy football busts list.