Preseason Week 2 Highlights Show Rising Roles for Mike Washington Jr. and Jonathon Brooks
Second-week preseason games revealed Mike Washington Jr. emerging as a top running back option and Jonathon Brooks earning a larger share of Carolina’s backfield snaps.
Week two of the 2026 NFL preseason provided clearer pictures of several players’ roles ahead of the regular season. Running back Mike Washington Jr. saw the most snaps for the Las Vegas Raiders’ second-team offense, suggesting he could be the primary handcuff if starter Ashton Jeanty’s ankle issue lingers. In Carolina, Jonathon Brooks started and logged 12 of 13 snaps with quarterback Bryce Young, indicating the Panthers may rely on him if Chuba Hubbard remains unavailable.
Atlanta’s backups featured Zachariah Branch, who remains behind Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahan Dotson on the depth chart, while Baltimore’s Ja’Kobi Lane completed all 19 snaps with the second-team offense, reinforcing his position as a likely starter. Buffalo’s Ray Davis handled every running back snap for the second unit, positioning him as the probable RB2.
In Chicago, wide receiver Kalif Raymond received limited snaps despite injuries to other WR3 candidates, and the Bears appeared to favor an extra tight end in the slot. Cincinnati’s Tahj Brooks out-snapped all other backs, earning 36 yards on five touches, while Samaje Perine solidified his status as the clear RB2.
Dallas rotated Malik Davis and Jaydon Blue in the backfield, with Blue seeing the most second-team snaps, though his value as a traditional runner appears limited. Denver’s RJ Harvey performed well as a pass-catching back, but rookie Jonah Coleman is receiving the majority of carries.
Green Bay’s starter lineup featured Christian Watson and Matthew Golden on the outside, with MarShawn Lloyd scoring an 11-yard touchdown as the only back to receive a target. Houston’s Xavier Hutchinson earned a notable share of routes with C.J. Stroud, strengthening his case for a starting role.
Kansas City’s running back committee continued to rotate, with Emari Demercado receiving snaps after Kenneth Walker’s early exit. Los Angeles Chargers’ Brennen Thompson emerged as the most likely WR4 option after injuries to higher-ranked receivers.
Other notable observations include the Raiders’ limited use of Tre Tucker, the Patriots’ lack of fantasy-relevant players, and the Titans’ ongoing competition between Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard, with Spears gaining a slight edge in snap counts.
Overall, the second preseason week highlighted emerging depth-chart shifts that fantasy managers should monitor as teams finalize their Week 1 rosters.