Fantasy Football Week 2 RB Report: TreVeyon Henderson productive in return, plus more backfield committee analysis

Week 2 may have lacked scoring but it didn’t lack late-game drama. While there were plenty of exciting finishes, and some big upsets, weather impacted quite a few games, thwarting early fantasy football scoring. Fortunately, things rebounded a bit, though that wasn’t the case for running backs. High point totals were difficult to come by on Sunday but another week means more data to help inform our RB committee decisions moving forward. Let’s look at some of the top backfield splits and what we learned from Week 2.

New England Patriots

We had awarded the Patriots’ backfield to Stevenson after Henderson missed Week 1 due to injury and the veteran got 23 touches vs. the Seahawks. Henderson said “not so fast” in Week 2. The second-year back returned from an ankle injury and took advantage of an early fumble by Stevenson, leading the way with 4.8 yards per carry. The highlight of the day came on his 39-yard touchdown run. It was never a question about talent with Henderson, but more if he could do everything the coaching staff asked of him. Well, talent may win out over that.

Stevenson did have a nice 24-yard gain after the fumble, and he won’t be forgotten by the coaching staff. But Henderson could leap-frog Stevenson moving forward because of his explosiveness and game-breaking ability. Henderson has moved himself back into the RB2/3 discussion while Stevenson also hovers in that area since he should be in on passing downs.

This backfield is shaking out to be another frustrating one, similar to last season.

New Orleans Saints

It was another lackluster week for the Saints’ running game despite getting veteran Alvin Kamara back after he missed the opener. The money New Orleans shelled out to Etienne is looking questionable, though he does have 26 touches over the first two games. The Lions and Ravens are also tough against the run and both games were on the road.

Etienne did get in on a two-point conversion, which helped him a bit in fantasy. But the one thing to takeaway from Week 2 is Kamara’s role in the passing game. It wasn’t successful (5 catches, 7 yards) but it was prominent, taking snaps away from Etienne. Kellen Moore also appears fine letting Tyler Shough sling the rock and use his legs, which could vulture touchdowns away from the backfield.

Kamara could full-PPR scam his way to a decent floor if you need a desperation flex option. He’s also available in around 70% of leagues. Etienne’s usage is a bit concerning, espeically considering the draft season ADP, but let’s see how things go when New Orleans has an easier matchup up front. We know this offense can score but we just haven’t seen that converted into goal-line touches. Still, Etienne is moving into fringe RB3/flex territory and may be difficult to trust if we don’t see results soon.

Carolina Panthers

Sometimes a player is just injured. That was clearly the case last season for Hubbard, but he’s looked like his 2024 self through two games this season. Hubbard scored his third TD of the season and got to double-digit fantasy points again in a positive game script — a blowout win over the Falcons. Brooks was second-fiddle again but didn’t get a chance to flash his explosiveness much in this one. He also went down with a groin injury in the fourth quarter and could miss time.

If Brooks is out, Hubbard could challenge for RB1 status most weeks but is a very, very safe RB2 option for all fantasy formats. He’s looking like he’ll be a Zero RB hero this season so long as Carolina’s offense continues to click.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Dowdle was the starter at RB for the Steelers in this contest, which often doesn’t mean a ton, but left in the first half due to a toe injury. He was able to return briefly for the second half but was held back and was eventually ruled out.

Even before the injury, there was already concern about the sustainability of this duo in fantasy. Pittsburgh’s offense looks bad. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have much left and with Michael Pittman Jr. out, the passing game was non-existent. A-Rod was sacked four times and finished with 187 yards and a 60.5 passer rating.

If that passing game can’t get anything going, it doesn’t bode well for Warren and Dowdle. No trips to the red zone. Bad. No positive game scripts. Bad. None of it feels great if you’re rostering either player, especially Dowdle with the injury.

Warren wasn’t bad but there’s just no ceiling there for a big game. He’s a fringe RB2/3 if Dowdle misses time given he’ll get targets because Rodgers can’t push the ball downfield much. Dowdle is losing value fast. In shallow formats, he could potentially become a drop candidate. In deeper formats, he’s likely a forced hold, but he’s barely in flex consideration right now.