Weinfuss received this information from a source familiar with the situation, but this news isn’t all that surprising. Love has logged back-to-back limited practices to start the week, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that “it looks like” Love will suit up in Week 1. The first-round rookie is expected to split touches with Tyler Allgeier, who was listed as the RB1 on the Cardinals’ unofficial depth chart earlier this week, but we would still expect Love to see enough touches to warrant starting as a mid- to low-end RB2 in his regular-season debut.
This is notable because Sanders is currently on the Jets’ practice squad while veteran kicker Blake Grupe is on the 53-man roster. Fantasy managers expecting Grupe to contribute to their Week 1 lineups will want to make sure they find a replacement. Sanders certainly makes for a viable option after he converted 37-of-41 field goal attempts last season while going 12-of-14 from distances of 50-plus yards.
The Jets have not released their final injury report, but this news comes from head coach Aaron Glenn, who spoke with the media Friday morning. Ponds was a limited participant in each of the team’s first two practices this week, but the belief is he hasn’t had enough time to be ready for the season opener. It doesn’t sound like the second-round rookie has suffered any setbacks in his recovery, so hopefully he’ll be on track to make his debut in Week 2 against the Packers. Glenn also said RB Kene Nwangwu (back) is doubtful while EDGE Joseph Ossai (foot) and WR Tim Patrick (groin) will be held out of Sunday’s game.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jones will receive $3.5 million in base salary with a chance to earn up to $6 million on his deal. The 34-year-old vet started in all 12 games he appeared in for the Bills last season, totaling 22 tackles, three TFLs, and three sacks while also forcing a fumble. Jones played under head coach Mike Vrabel from 2018 to 2020 and should provide immediate help up front for the Pats’ d-line.
Humphries’ release comes just a few weeks after the Commanders signed him to bolster an offensive line that had recently lost Laremy Tunsil. The veteran tackle apparently failed to make much of an impression in his brief stint with the Commanders, although it’s possible this is a roster management decision, and at some point he re-signs with Washington’s practice squad with a chance to be elevated in future weeks.
Coen also noted that Washington is “the guy right now,” suggesting that his role as the returner could change at some point in the year. Washington returned 25 punts for the Jaguars last season and racked up 341 return yards and two touchdowns on those returns. Coen said the Jaguars will hope to get Travis Hunter involved as the punt returner at some point, but Washington will start the season in the role. Washington profiles as a solid WR2 to start the fantasy season after going for 58-847-5 last year.
We’ll have a better sense of Brooks’ Week 1 availability in a few hours when the Panthers release their final injury report for the week, but the third-year back logged limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday and is trending in the right direction for Sunday’s game against the Bears. If he’s active, Brooks is expected to split touches with Chuba Hubbard, which could put a hard cap on both players’ upside in the season-opener.
Shanahan told reporters that it “doesn’t look good.” The 27-year-old tight end suffered the injury near the end of the first half, and it sounds like San Francisco will be without the backup tight end for some time. Luke Ferrell will likely see more snaps with Tonges unavailable.
Coming off an underwhelming debut in which he failed to even record a tackle in Week 1’s loss against the 49ers, Garrett said he was “the worst version” of himself in Thursday’s game. The star pass rusher was dealing with a knee injury in the days leading up to the game, but was ultimately removed from the injury report on Wednesday. Speaking after the game, he said his knee didn’t feel 100 percent, but Garrett still managed to play on 40 snaps, per PFF. Unfortunately, he generated only three pressures and failed to get a hit on the quarterback. Hopefully, some extended time off before next Monday’s game against the Giants will be enough for Garrett to get right in the Rams’ official 2026 home debut.
Flournoy is now under contract through the 2027 season. The 26-year-old receiver caught 40 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns last season, while finishing third among Cowboys receivers in routes run (273) and fourth on the team in targets. It was reported earlier this summer that he was seeing more snaps in the slot, but it’s hard to imagine Flournoy making enough of an impact to be fantasy-relevant as long as CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson are healthy.
Stribling was carted from the game late in the second quarter after briefly attempting to play through the ankle injury he suffered earlier in the game. While there was some concern that his injury was Achilles-related, Shanahan’s comments after the game suggest there’s little reason to be concerned about his Achilles at this time. Stribling played 21 snaps in the first half of Thursday’s game but was held without a catch. We’ll likely get more clarity on his status in the coming days, but hopefully the worst was avoided here.
McCaffrey’s usage was a bit underwhelming in the first half of Thursday’s win. The 30-year-old running back played on 20 offensive snaps to Kaelon Black’s, while Black’s seven rush attempts more than doubled the three carries we saw from CMC, who also saw six first-half targets. McCaffrey’s second-half usage saw a slight uptick, but it’s possible some of what we saw as it pertains to last night’s split was related to this cramping issue. McCaffrey was undoubtedly the more efficient of the two Niners backs in last night’s win, but Black was solid in his debut, rushing 14 times for 65 yards. McCaffrey should be positioned for a big Week 2 game next week against the Dolphins.
Higbee ended up leading the Rams’ tight ends in targets and receptions, as Davis Allen had just one catch before exiting with a head injury, and Terrance Ferguson didn’t catch his only opportunity. Ferguson still seems like the tight end to roster going forward, but one could argue Higbee has the higher floor because he’ll see more snaps because of his blocking ability. That’s not a ringing endorsement, if it’s not obvious. The Rams will try and get it going against the Giants in Week 2.
Shanahan told reporters that it “doesn’t look good.” The 27-year-old tight end suffered the injury near the end of the first half, and it sounds like San Francisco will be without the backup tight end for some time. Luke Ferrell will likely see more snaps with Tonges unavailable.
Purdy also added 29 yards on his five attempts. The veteran signal-caller did throw a terrible interception, but outside of that pick he played exceptionally well; even if most of his completions were for short yardage. All three passing scores came to different players, with his best throw being a perfectly placed touchdown to Deebo Samuel between two Rams’ defenders to cement the blowout. Purdy will look to keep it going in Week 2, and gets a friendly matchup against the Dolphins.
Stafford didn’t get much time to enjoy Australia, and likely won’t leave this contest with fond memories. He completed just 4-of-11 passes in the first half and didn’t do much better in the final 30 minutes, and outside of a 41-yard connection with Puka Nacua, he just couldn’t get the ball downfield. He was also stuffed on a fourth-and-goal run at the goal line to cement the poor day. Credit the 49ers’ defense, but it’s fair to call this a disappointing season debut for the reigning MVP. Expect a rebound in Week 2 against the Giants in a Monday Night Football contest.
The man they call CMC was not a big part of the first-half attack, but saw plenty more touches over the final two quarters to turn what was looking like an ugly fantasy debut into a decent — although far from spectacular — outing for the 30-year-old veteran. It’s worth noting that Kaelon Black received 14 carries in the contest for 68 yards, and it’s likely that Black is going to be involved going forward in at least a somewhat similar capacity. McCaffrey should still get plenty of touches going forward, and should have a good day against the Dolphins in Week 2.
Williams’ day was salvaged with a short-yardage score. He finished with one more rushing attempt than Blake Corum, but Corum did look spryer with 54 yards on those attempts. The Rams’ offense just didn’t have it in the Australian showdown, and Williams should see a better box score in Week 2 against the Giants; even if Corum remains a fantasy adversary.
It was Black’s NFL debut, and all things considered, it was a pretty good one. The former Indiana star had four more carries than Christian McCaffrey, and was much more involved in the rushing attack in the first half; although CMC was obviously a factor in the passing attack and Black had just one catch for five yards. It wasn’t the most impressive statline you’ll see from a debut, but there were definitely flashes that suggest success for the 24-year-old. Black and the 49ers will get a chance to face the Dolphins in Week 2.
Corum was unable to find the end zone while Kyren Williams did, but Corum was the more efficient tailback between the 20s with Williams only tallying 41 yards. He was also a non-factor in the passing game, but the Rams were basically a non factor in the passing game with Matthew Stafford struggling to figure out the 49ers’ defense. Corum could see more touches in Week 2 against the Giants, but there’s no guarantee.