Fantasy Footnotes: Remember the Titans; Fear Ameer; Jones' homecoming

Every gameday during the regular season, theScore's fantasy editors recap the most important news and notes from around the league.

Remember the Titans.

When submitting your waiver wire claims this week, that is.

With rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota looking like a seasoned veteran instead of the raw prospect we were led to believe he is, the Titans shredded Jameis Winston's Buccaneers in a battle of the top-two picks in the draft.

Mariota looked a little skittish on his first pass of the game, overthrowing tailback Bishop Sankey on an easy swing pattern.

After that, Mariota was just about pristine.

He finished 13-of-16 for 209 yards and four touchdowns (all of them in the first half) and a perfect passer rating before giving way to Zach Mettenberger in the fourth quarter.

Mariota was clinical, throwing each touchdown pass to a different receiver. He did everything you could ask of a rookie, with one notable exception: he didn't run.

Many analysts predicted Mariota would have to lean on his strong running ability as a rookie, while gradually learning to be a pocket passer. That wasn't the case Sunday, as Mariota carried the ball just twice for six yards.

The Buccaneers have one of the NFL's worst defenses, and Mariota probably won't throw four touchdowns in a half again this season (and perhaps not again in his career).

But Mariota's ceiling is no longer a theoretical concept. It's there, staring fantasy owners in the face. We could be looking at a QB1 from Day 1 - especially when he starts mixing in runs with his passes.

And he's probably sitting on your waiver wire.

Fear Ameer

It was obvious from Ameer Abdullah's first carry as a pro that he's a player fantasy owners will regret missing on in their drafts.

Abdullah took a handoff from Matthew Stafford, accelerated to top speed in an instant and then - poof - teleported past a hapless safety on his way to a 24-yard touchdown.

Abdullah went off the board after Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon in most fantasy leagues, just as he did in the NFL Draft. It's far too early to write the book on any of the three, but Abdullah is clearly the player in the best position to make an immediate fantasy impact.

He looked like a new-and-improved Reggie Bush on Sunday, impacting the game not only as a rusher, but also as a receiver and a kick returner.

For fantasy purposes, Abdullah looked like a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside.

Joique Bell will carve out a role in this timeshare, but the Lions can't deny their offense is at its best with Abdullah on the field and featured.

Jones' homecoming

The Raiders didn't want James Jones. Neither did the Giants.

The Packers did, and they may be wondering now why they let him leave in the first place.

With Jordy Nelson sidelined for the season with a torn ACL, Jones stepped right into a big role in the Packers' offense only a week after re-signing with the team.

When the smoke cleared, Jones had four catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns. In high-leverage situations, Aaron Rodgers looked his way.

If you squinted, it looked just like Jones' 2012 season with the Packers, a campaign that saw him lead the NFL with 14 touchdown catches. He's older now, and maybe a little slower, but he certainly isn't washed up.

Forget the idea of Jeff Janis or rookie Ty Montgomery emerging as the Packers' third option - a viable fantasy WR3 almost by default. This is Jones' job.

Notable Fantasy Lines

Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals
307 yards passing, 3 TDs, 14 yards rushing
Palmer looked fully healthy and highly dangerous against a banged-up Saints secondary.

Alex Smith, QB, Chiefs
243 yards passing, 3 TDs, 15 yards rushing
Still no touchdowns to a wide receiver, but Smith's fantasy owners don't care about that right now.

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Bills
195 yards passing, TD, 41 yards rushing
Taylor was accurate throwing deep and added value with his legs. Fantasy owners can't ask for much more.

Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos
175 yards passing, INT
Manning averaged 4.4 yards per attempt and couldn't put any zip on his deep balls. The signs are very worrisome.

Matt Forte, RB, Bears
141 yards rushing, TD, 25 yards receiving
The coaches are new, but Forte's vital role in the Bears' offense is unchanged.

Bishop Sankey, RB, Titans
74 yards rushing, TD, 12 yards receiving, TD
Is it possible Sankey is actually pretty good?

C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos
29 yards rushing, 19 yards receiving
Shades of Montee Ball, circa 2014? Ronnie Hillman looked like the better Broncos tailback.

Frank Gore, RB, Colts
31 yards rushing
Gore missed time with calf cramps and couldn't get anything going when he was on the field.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans
98 yards receiving, 2 TDs, 2-pt
Imagine the kind of damage Hopkins could do with better quarterback play.

Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
166 yards receiving
Allen looked as dangerous as he ever has as a pro. He's set up for a big year.

Kendall Wright, WR, Titans
101 yards receiving, TD
Marcus Mariota's favorite target?

Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
39 yards receiving
Better days are ahead.

Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
106 yards receiving, 2 TDs
The comparisons to Gronk might not be so far off.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Buccaneers
110 yards receiving, 2 TDs
The result of Mike Evans' absence or a sign of things to come?

Injury Ward

Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys
Bryant has a broken bone in his foot and will require surgery. His timetable is 4-6 weeks, meaning Jason Witten and Terrance Williams are about to see a lot more targets.

Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals
Head coach Bruce Arians said the team fears Ellington suffered a PCL injury. It's unclear how much time Ellington will miss.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts
Hilton will reportedly miss a few weeks with a bruised knee.

Delanie Walker, TE, Titans
Walker was spotted with a heavy cast on his hand after the game, but told reporters he has no broken bones. Walker missed the first two preseason games with 12 stitches in his right thumb. It's unclear if the injuries are related.

Waiver Wire Targets

Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans
We need to see it again before calling Mariota a trustworthy fantasy starter, but the seeds of a big season were planted. Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III were fantasy studs as rookies. Mariota looks like he's next in line.

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Bills
It's easy to overlook Taylor's impressive day in light of Mariota's magic, but it would be unwise. He's an intriguing QB2 with substantial upside.

James Jones, WR, Packers
If Jones is on your waiver wire, acquiring him should be your top priority this week. The chemistry with Aaron Rodgers is still there. Double-digit touchdowns is well within reach.

Chris Johnson, David Johnson, RBs, Cardinals
If Andre Ellington misses significant time, both Johnsons will have fantasy value. Chris is the pickup for those seeking a high floor. His CJ2K days are a distant memory, but he's still a competent runner who can usually get what's blocked. David is the high-ceiling play. He's a raw rookie, but he has the physical tools to make a big impact. Both players should be owned in all formats.

Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett, WRs, Colts
T.Y. Hilton will miss a few weeks with a bruised knee and Andre Johnson looked surprisingly old and slow in his Colts debut. Moncrief seems to have the edge on the Colts' depth chart, but first-round pick Dorsett could also be a big factor.

Brandon Coleman, WR, Saints
Someone has to step up in Jimmy Graham's old role as Drew Brees' preferred red-zone target. The 6-foot-6 Coleman could be the guy. He caught his first career touchdown Sunday.