It has been a whirlwind few days for Kenneth Gainwell’s fantasy soccer worth. Many considered him because the Eagles’ third-string RB as just lately as Sunday morning, however after Rashaad Penny’s shock deactivation and D’Andre Swift’s two touches in Week 1, Gainwell all of the sudden grew to become one of many high waiver-wire pickups heading into Week 2. Now, simply two days later, he is at risk of lacking Philadelphia’s Thursday Evening Soccer matchup in opposition to the Vikings due to a rib harm, making a begin ’em, sit ’em headache that nobody anticipated every week in the past.
We’ll proceed to replace this text with information on Gainwell till the official lively/inactive report comes out on Thursday round 6:50 p.m. ET.
Is Kenneth Gainwell taking part in Thursday evening Week 2?
UPDATE (9/13): Gainwell is reportedly “trending towards” not taking part in on Thursday, in response to Eagles’ beat author Jeff McLane.
UPDATE (9/13): After not working towards once more on Wednesday, Gainwell is formally OUT for Thursday’s recreation.
Gainwell was an estimated “DNP” on each Monday and Tuesday, which isn’t a great signal for a participant’s availability main right into a Thursday evening recreation. Gainwell may nonetheless swimsuit up if he will get in even a restricted session on Wednesday, however he’ll virtually definitely be “questionable” for Philadelphia’s Week 2 matchup in opposition to Minnesota.
WEEK 2 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Gainwell racked up 74 complete yards on 18 touches in opposition to a tricky Patriots’ protection in Week 1. Maybe most essential, he out-touched D’Andre Swift 18 to 2 and out-snapped him 41 to 19. Philadelphia might need been additional cautious with the injury-prone Swift given the fast turnaround this early within the season, however Gainwell clearly looks like the “lead again” in Philly’s potent offense proper now.
WEEK 2 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
An harm would clearly change that, although, and even when Gainwell is lively, it is cheap to count on extra taking part in time for Swift this week. We might nonetheless view Gainwell as a flex in all codecs if he is lively, however he positively comes with extra danger. We would not probability it with Swift if Gainwell is taking part in, but when he is out, Swift would profile as a boom-or-bust flex, a minimum of in PPR leagues. Boston Scott, who performed eight snaps final week, and Penny would even be concerned, however we now have to suppose Swift would see the majority of the touches.
Then once more, what can we — or anyone — know? The Eagles’ backfield may simply be a irritating guessing recreation all season, and Gainwell’s harm solely complicates issues. Ideally, you will not want to begin any of those guys, however for those who do, Gainwell stays the very best wager if he is lively.
Which Eagles’ RB is the very best fantasy play in Week 2?
In the end, we favor D’Andre Swift with Gainwell out. Eagles’ coach Nick Sirianni gave a cryptic reply earlier this week about whether or not Swift will likely be featured extra, saying some video games he may “[carry] the load” and different video games he may “be within the position … like final recreation” when he had two touches. As we mentioned earlier than, Swift noticed 11 extra snaps than Boston Scott final week, and Rashaad Penny wasn’t even lively. Whereas we count on all three to see taking part in time on Thursday evening, Swift is in prime place to steer the backfield in snaps and touches.
Given his explosiveness and receiving means, he is price a flex spot in 12-team leagues. Penny and Scott are a lot riskier, however we would not be shocked if both snuck in a TD. Nevertheless, in every week with few RB accidents and each crew in motion, you should not must probability it with both.