Sep 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) runs with the ball against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter at EverBank Stadium.

Week 1 of the NFL season delivered countless moments but we're onto Week 2. It's easy to overreact to some performances in the opening week but there's no reason to panic just yet.

Whether you're 1-0 or 0-1, a long fantasy football season awaits.

The injury bug has already struck the tight end position. Most notably, Brock Bowers suffered a mild knee injury but the team said he is "fine" for Week 2. George Kittle sustained a hamstring injury that landed him on IR, which will hold him out until Week 6 at the earliest. Additionally, Bronocs tight end Evan Engram suffered a calf injury forcing him out of action. Having a backup plan in place is crucial.

Still, there appears to be depth at the position with the influx of youth paired with veterans like Travis Kelce, David Njoku and Mark Andrews.

Some fantasy managers who roster the likes of Kittle or Engram could end up scouring the waiver wire for weekly streamers at the position.

Here is a breakdown of who you should start and who you should sit at tight end in Week 2:

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 2 TEs

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Bengals

Trevor Lawrence and Strange connected on four of four targets for 59 yards in Week 1. Their next matchup in 2025 is against the Cincinnati Bengals and their soft secondary.

Cincinnati allowed the most receptions to opposing tight ends in 2024, and ranked in the bottom three in touchdowns and yards allowed. The Jaguars are underdogs on the road in what projects to be one of the highest-scoring matchups of the week.

The Bengals allowed 10 receptions for 100 yards to Browns tight ends last Sunday. It won't be strange if Brenton finishes inside the top 10 at the position in Week 2.

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs. Dolphins

Our first rollover start of the season is the veteran in New England. The Patriots offense struggled to put long drives together last Sunday, but Henry managed to tie for the team lead with eight targets. A trend that was apparent in the 10 games Henry played with Drake Maye in 2024: Henry led New England in targets, receiving yards, receptions, and end zone targets in those games.

There's little target competition outside of 31-year-old Stefon Diggs. The Patriots play against the Dolphins' secondary this week, which could be among the worst in the NFL in 2025. Rookie Tyler Warren posted a respectable seven receptions for 76 yards in Week 1 vs. Miami. Expect a similar showing from Henry.

Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans vs. Rams

One of the top sleepers heading into 2025 should have a nice bounce back as should the entire Titans offense after facing the Broncos on the road in Week 1. Tennessee has its home opener in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, who allowed the second-most receptions and fourth-most yards to opposing tight ends a season ago.

Okonkwo finished inside the top 10 among tight ends in route rate in Week 1 at 77% which tied Jake Ferguson.

The Titans offense is expected to improve with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward under center and we could catch our first glimpse of it this Sunday.

Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts vs. Dolphins

Tyler Warren is a must-start until further notice. He is the most likely rookie at the position to have a top-10 finish at the position. Warren has little target competition in Indianapolis and actually led the Colts in targets in their Week 1 blowout. He should excel in Shane Steichen's RPO-heavy offense, where he can create after the catch.

Indianapolis hosts the stingy Denver defense, but Warren should continue to make an immediate impact as the Colts will likely play from a deficit.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 2 TEs

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints vs. 49ers

One of the most popular waiver wire recommendations for Week 2 is a sit this week. Unfortunately for managers who roster Kittle or Engram and hoped to find gold in Johnson this week, it's a poor matchup.

The Saints host the 49ers, who allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends a season ago. In Week 1, Seahawks tight ends combined for under 3 fantasy points against San Francisco at home. With Fred Warner patrolling the middle of the field it's difficult for most tight ends to have big days against this Niners defense.

Week 1 was an outlier for Johnson, who failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in 12 games a season ago. The 49ers offense might be banged up, but the defense is going to come to play against the Spencer Rattler-led Saints. You don't have to leave Johnson on waivers, but you should make arrangements to keep him out of lineups this week.

Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears vs. Lions

The Chicago Bears battled the Minnesota Vikings on "Monday Night Football" to close out Week 1 and Loveland was a near non-factor. The rookie first-rounder had just two catches on two targets for 12 yards in the loss, and his matchup with Detroit on the road in Week 2 doesn't look much easier.

Chicago's offense passed the eye test in Week 1, and things should continue to improve, especially under new head coach Ben Johnson. Still, Loveland should be left on the bench until he garners more attention from Caleb Williams.

The presence of wide receivers DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, along with veteran tight end Cole Kmet likely will keep the rookie from Michigan in deep TE2 range..

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 2

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 2.

→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 2.

→ Kickers are people, too. Here are the most clutch kickers to start, and some to sit, for Week 2.

→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 2 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

→ Defense (and special teams) can win you championships – including your fantasy league's. Here are some of the best D/ST units to start and sit in Week 2.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em tight ends for Week 2 fantasy football

Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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