Prior reports indicated that the Packers’ coaching staff realized that their frequent wide receiver rotation was rubbing their stars the wrong way, prompting a positional personnel churn this offseason. LaFleur’s comments confirm the Packers’ starting wide receiver trio is going to play a lot, and fantasy managers should take note. Watson played extremely well in his recent from an ACL tear last year. If that play carries over, he is a shoo-in WR2 with substantial upside. Golden could be in for a Year 2 leap, and Reed could reliably return FLEX value, or better, if his snap share is high enough.
Meyers said yesterday afternoon that he will play in Week 1, and we believe him. We would just like to see him upgrade to full participation tomorrow, if possible. The Jaguars field a deep wide receiver corps and Meyers appears to be jockeying for the No. 2 spot in the target pecking order with X-WR Brian Thomas. Assuming he is active, Meyers is FLEX-viable against the Browns in Week 1.
Earlier this week, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said there is a “good chance” that Mahomes starts in Week 1. At this point, we would be surprised if he didn’t. The Chiefs’ quarterback is coming off season-ending ACL and LCL tears and will likely scramble less frequently than he did last year, potentially hurting his expected fantasy football output. He is a borderline QB1/2 against the Broncos’ elite defense.
Rice is evidently good to go for Week 1 after a tumultuous offseason, which included a knee operation and a jail stint. The Chiefs’ No. 1 wide receiver looked sluggish in training camp while rookie WR Cyrus Allen shined, but Rice’s status as the entrenched top target earner counts for something. Rice should be viewed as a WR2 entering the season.
Worthy’s range of potential outcomes remains quite wide. The team attributed his lackluster 2025 season to the significant shoulder injury he suffered in Week 1. He missed time in training camp with a shoulder issue as well. He can be treated as a volatile FLEX playing in a top-tier offense against the Broncos.
Delp is almost assuredly going to be ruled out tomorrow. The rookie tight end was unlikely to meaningfully challenge TE Juwan Johnson for targets early in the year, and the hamstring strain only reinforces that.
The Saints’ presumed passing down specialist is on track to play. Kamara sprained an MCL on August 18th, but the rehab is evidently going well. It is unclear whether Kamara could rotate in when the offense enters scoring position. Consider him a PPR FLEX option.
This is great news. The Ravens’ No. 1 wide receiver should be good to go for fantasy football WR2 duties against the Colts on Sunday. Flowers should log another full session tomorrow, barring a setback. He told reporters yesterday that he is feeling “better than ever.” That now appears to be the case.
Pierce is technically on track to play, but his continued practice limitations suggest he is still ramping up. If active on Sunday, he would be a boom-bust FLEX, though having him on the field would be a big boost for his teammates. Pierce’s downfield abilities help keep safeties honest, freeing up the short-to-intermediate field depths.
Nabers fielded quite a few questions from reporters this afternoon, with many focusing on who makes the decision for him to play and whether he will be on a snap count. Nabers was adamant that his participation level is entirely his call. Of course, he chose not to share whether he is leaning toward playing or delaying his return, but noted that he is keeping his long-term health and career in mind. Nabers continues to practice in full, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter said earlier today that Nabers is “on track to play.” We lean that way as well, but his usage is tough to project. He is likely best viewed as a WR2 if active.
Madubuike is seemingly on track to debut with his teammates, though his limited practice participation could result in limited snaps on game day. The interior game-wrecker is returning from a serious neck injury. Even playing on a snap count, Madubuike can make his presence felt.
It’s unclear whether Hall added the “if necessary” bit or if Cimini did, but regardless, this is good to hear. Hall is practicing in full leading up to the Jets’ Week 1 game against the Titans and can be treated as an RB1. Jets RB3 Isaiah Davis (knee) is also practicing fully.
Bears OL coach Dan Roushar adds that the team would “rather be a day too late than a day too early” with Trapilo, but it sounds like the young offensive tackle could join his teammates in team drills soon. The team has “confidence he can quickly return to the level he finished last season at.” That would be great news for the offense as a whole. The 2025 second-round pick produced a promising rookie season before rupturing his patellar tendon.
Earlier today, we learned that the Falcons’ Week 1 starting QB Tua Tagovailoa removed himself from individual drills with an apparent back injury. A report shortly after practice revealed that he suffered an oblique injury. As things currently stand, Rush should probably be treated as the expected starter for the Falcons’ Week 1 game against the Steelers. He is a low-end QB2.
Tagovailoa was seen grabbing at his back before removing himself from team drills earlier today. It turns out he is dealing with an oblique issue. The media viewing session ended before the Falcons began team drills, so it was unclear whether he rejoined his teammates. Backup QB Cooper Rush later told reporters that he took all first-team reps thereafter. Tagovailoa is now firmly in the questionable column for Week 1.
The Falcons’ third-round rookie wide receiver could end up playing this week, but his inability to practice fully will keep him in a pure backup role. Branch does not need to be rostered in 12-team leagues.
The Colts waived Jones only two days ago. He now hops across the AFC South to Tennessee. The Titans correspondingly waived CB Melvin Smith Jr.
It sure looks like the hamstring strain that Johnson suffered more than a month ago is going to keep him sidelined for the Bills’ season opener against the Texans. Starting RB James Cook was expected to play a larger role in the passing game this year. With Johnson sidelined, Cook could hog passing down snaps.
This appeared to be the case yesterday, with Jeanty practicing in full to begin the week. It’s still nice to hear Schefter confirm as much, though. While Jeanty nursed his sprained ankle, rookie RB Mike Washington showed out in preseason play, leading NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport to report that Washington is “going to be a thing this year.” Jeanty should be treated as a fantasy RB1, but Washington warrants FLEX treatment, particularly against a rebuilding Dolphins defense this week.
Love logged a limited session on Wednesday, and veteran RB Tyler Allgeier was listed as the team’s starter on the official depth chart. That said, the No. 3 overall pick can not simply be relegated to a pure backup role if healthy. As long as Love is practicing fully by Friday, he should be in fantasy lineups as a FLEX starter at worst.
Nabers began the week practicing fully with his teammates, and we expect that to remain the case today and tomorrow. Giants coach John Harbaugh stopped short of saying Nabers will face the Cowboys in Week 1, but signs are certainly pointing toward that outcome. Hopefully, we get an indication as to whether the team plans to keep him on a snap count in the coming days.
The NFL is “closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review of the personal conduct policy.” We expect Jacobs to receive a suspension, but the league can move at its own pace. Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd is expected to serve as the fill-in starter.
Tagovailoa reportedly “missed the first week of training camp due to lower back spasms.” Perhaps they are still an issue. Tagovailoa is slated to start in Week 1 against the Steelers, though he is only a low-end QB2. The team named QB Cooper Rush as the primary backup in front of QB Jack Strand.
Jacobs’ trial was initially slated to take place on November 17th. That date was recently moved up to today, signaling that Jacobs wanted to wrap up his legal proceedings quickly. He has been on the Commissioner’s Exempt List since the end of training camp. Roger Goodell could have kept him on the list indefinitely, especially with the trial previously scheduled multiple months into the season. With the legal matter now settled, Jacobs will likely serve a minor suspension as a result of the charges. MarShawn Lloyd is expected to handle the bulk of the carries until he returns.
Darnold underwent tests last night that ruled out a hip fracture. He went in for an MRI this morning, and the team’s medical staff is still trying to determine how much time he will miss. Still, the outcome is overall positive given that a season-ending injury looks unlikely at this point. Ian Rapoport later added that Darnold will miss Week 2 but could only miss a few weeks. Drew Lock will start for Seattle until Darnold is healthy. Lock threw for 187 yards and a score in relief of Darnold last night. He was only sacked once and did not turn the ball over. As long as he keeps that up, the Seahawks will be able to stay afloat on the back of their elite defense.