Penix was cleared to participate in 11-on-11s back on August 22nd and hasn’t logged much practice in camp. As a result, Tua Tagovailoa has been named the starter for the Falcons to kick off Week 1 against the Steelers, buying Penix some additional time to get practice reps and get his knee right before being put in game situations. Rapoport said the Falcons hope to give Penix “a couple more weeks” before playing him, so it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw Tua under center for the first few games of the season before the Falcons consider a switch at the position. Tagovailoa struggled in camp and throughout the preseason and is expected to be on a short leash once Penix is ready to go.
Despite an up-and-down training camp, Tagovailoa will get the nod as the starter when the Falcons kick off the season on Sunday against the Steelers. Given the fact that Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was still limited at the start of camp, Tagovailoa had long been assumed to have the inside edge on the QB1 job at the start of camp, but Penix was still given a shot to compete for the job despite not being cleared for 11-on-11 practice until August 22nd. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, part of the decision to name Tagovailoa the starter came down to the fact that Penix “” to play on game days. Tagovailoa shouldn’t be counted on in standard 1QB leagues at this point, and fantasy managers looking to add him in 2QB and superflex leagues shouldn’t view him as a long-term solution. It would not be at all surprising if we saw both Tagovailoa and Penix start multiple games for the Falcons this season, with rookie UDFA Jack Stand also being a dark horse to see snaps at some point in the season after an impressive training camp and preseason.
While most of us were asleep on Sunday night, the 49ers were already conducting a Monday afternoon practice in Australia. According to NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco, McCaffrey was not seen taking part in drills during the early portion of practice. It’s possible this is by design as the Niners prepare for their season opener on Thursday against the Rams, so we won’t read too much into this just yet. McCaffrey missed some time during training camp due to “tightness,” but seemingly downplayed any idea of an injury when he later said the time off during camp was “the plan from the jump.” This is something to keep an eye on in the coming days, but for now, we’ll assume McCaffrey will be good to go for the season opener. According to Maiocco, DE Nick Bosa was also not spotted during the early portion of practice on Monday.
Kittle was on the field on Monday when the Niners took the field to begin prepping for their Week 1 opener against the Rams in Australia. The veteran tight end has long been expected to play in Thursday’s game, so the fact that he was on the field doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Kittle was able to log a few practices last week, but could be on a bit of a pitch count in his first game since suffering a torn Achilles in mid-January. Assuming he is limited in some capacity, Kittle should be viewed as a boom/bust TE1 for fantasy purposes.
Tuipulotu, 24, led the Chargers with 70 quarterback pressures and 13 sacks last season. He is scheduled to enter free agency next offseason. According to Popper, the team would like to see Tuipulotu “do it again” before paying him like a top pass rusher. Tuipulotu has already proven himself. He totaled 40 quarterback pressures and nine sacks in 2024 and 51quarterback pressures and eight sacks as a 2023 rookie. An in-season extension is possible.
Popper fielded a question about Hampton’s top-10 chances as a guest on the Locked On Chargers show. The metrics for measuring this feat were left undefined, but rushing yardage or scrimmage yardage are the two most likely baselines. While OC Mike McDaniel has teased a potential hot-hand approach, Popper has remained steadfast in his stance that Hampton is set for bellcow duties thanks in part to speed, physicality and scheme versatility. He warrants RB1 treatment right out of the gate.
Popper makes clear that RB Omarion Hampton will be an offensive centerpiece, but Mitchell should have his own helpful role as well. Mitchell will be involved in the passing game, at times lining up outside and getting involved “vertically” as a receiver. Mitchell will need to maximize his touches if he is going to warrant FLEX treatment as Hampton’s sidekick, and his health remains a question at the moment, as he deals with an undisclosed injury. On the plus side, Popper did not mention the ailment at all, which could be taken as a positive.
This outcome is unsurprising, given his absence during the portion of practice open to the media. If Henderson is unable to play on Wednesday night, starting RB Rhamondre Stevenson would take on a sizable workload. Backup RB Corey Kiner and practice squad players RB Lan Larison and RB Hassan Haskins are the Patriots’ remaining backfield members.
Emmanwori’s participation is somewhat surprising. That said, The News Tribune’s Gregg Bell echoed ESPN’s Brady Henderson in a report issued at the end of practice, writing that Seahawks teammates seem to suggest that Emmanwori is doubtful to play this week. The team is still working through backup options at this time, though coach Mike Macdonald wants CB Devon Witherspoon to contribute as a nickel defender, both in coverage and via blitz packages, if Emmanwori cannot play. Fellow starting safety Ty Okada (hamstring) did not practice on Sunday.
The Seahawks’ starting tight end is firmly on track to play in the 2026 season opener on Wednesday night. Barner is reportedly set to handle a bigger role than he did last year, when he finished as the PPR TE14. He can only be viewed as a borderline TE1/2 early on, though.
Now we know what has kept Horton sidelined since mid-August. Although the speedy wide receiver has resumed practicing, which is a good sign, he is not guaranteed to suit up. If active, he is likely only relevant in single-game DFS contests.
Wilson is the wildcard in the Seahawks’ backfield. If he logs 6-8 touches, he can reduce RB Jadarian Price’s and RB George Holani’s fantasy-scoring outlook. That said, he is third on the depth chart for a reason and can only be viewed as a mildly interesting bench stash in very deep leagues.
Barmore is a pivotal player in the Patriots’ defensive front. He racked up 20 tackles, 50 quarterback pressures and two sacks last season. If he is unable to face the Seahawks this week, his absence would be consequential.
McVay’s comments also relate to Nacua’s status with the league office. The 25-year-old wide receiver was at one point thought to be a suspension candidate, but the league has made no such ruling while doling out suspensions and Commissioner Exempt List placements elsewhere in the league. Rams LT Alaric Jackson was also a suspension candidate, but is expected to play in Week 1, per McVay. His presence positively impacts the Rams’ passing game outlook. Assuming he is active, Nacua can be treated as an elite WR1.
This report largely affirms what we already believed to be true. Price can be expected to lead the backfield in carries, although Fowler thinks his workload will fall short of 20 carries per game. Few running backs hit that mark anyway, so that is hardly surprising. A report from The Athletic suggested RB George Holani could be trusted to handle high-value touches on passing downs and is scoring position, which hurts Price’s outlook. If only two running backs are involved, though, Price should provide usable stat lines. However, three-player rotations are fantasy-unfriendly situations.
Shipley leaves the light on for offensive contributions, entertaining the idea that Hunter can chip in “a few hundred yards and a few touchdowns” this season as well. That said, the early indications for Hunter’s FLEX viability in managed leagues are pretty bleak. Stash him if you wish, but understand that starting him in Week 1 against the Browns could result in zero points.
Henderson’s assessment is reasonable. Jones’ comments on Emmanwori’s abilities meandered, but he closed by saying the team is “focused on who’s out there, who’s available right now.” Emmanwori underwent surgery to deal with a nagging ankle issue in July. Seahawks GM John Schneider said recent trade acquisition CB Avery Smith had a “phenomenal preseason” and can line up on the perimeter and over the slot, making him a potential fill-in for Emmanwori’s hybrid nickel/safety role.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal includes $21.5 million in guarantees. It’s a solid deal for the 29-year-old interior blocker.
Garrett, 30, has been sidelined by swelling in his knee since late July. His return to practice puts him on track to play in Week 1 against the 49ers on Thursday. Donald’s status is tougher to decipher. The fact that he is practicing is a great sign, but the Rams could still slow-play his return to action. Rams coach Sean McVay said he will provide an update on their Week 1 statuses on Tuesday. Stay tuned.
Stevenson’s position on the depth chart has been apparent for some time, but Reiss helpfully states it in plain terms after rhetorically asking how the Patriots will handle in-game running back reps if RB TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) cannot play in Week 1 against the Seahawks on Wednesday night. That said, if Henderson is unable to play, Stevenson will likely take on a larger-than-normal workload, with RB Corey Kiner and practice squad members RB Lan Larison and/or RB Hassan Haskins serving as his in-house touch competition. Although the Seahawks field a top-tier run defense, Stevenson can be treated as a high-end RB2 if Henderson is out, thanks to his hefty workload.
Winston, 32, will remain in New York as QB Jaxson Dart’s mentor for the foreseeable future. He is a capable, fantasy-friendly backup who can bridge the gap if Dart misses time. Winston started two games last year, completing 37-of-65 passes for 567 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and rushing seven times for 23 yards and one touchdown while fumbling once.
The injury has sidelined Henderson since August 24th. The Patriots face the Seahawks on Wednesday. At this point, Henderson must be considered questionable to play. Even if he were active, he would be slated for No. 2 duties behind starting RB Rhamondre Stevenson, and it is fair to wonder if the team would keep Henderson on a snap count. Reiss reported this morning that RB Lan Larison and/or RB Hassan Haskins would likely be elevated from the practice squad if Henderson cannot play, joining Stevenson and backup RB Corey Kiner on game day.
The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Goodell’s new extension runs through the 2030 season and expires at the end of March 2031, the same time that the current Collective Bargaining Agreement is also set to expire. Goodell, 67, succeeded Paul Tagliabue as NFL Commissioner in 2006.
The signing was first reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. It’s a one-year, $12.25 million deal with a maximum value of $16.25 million. Smith, 37, spent the offseason contemplating retirement before returning to the Vikings, the team that drafted him in the first-round in 2012, for his 15th season. He had a 68.9 overall PFF grade in 2025, which was 33rd out of 98 graded safeties.
Let it be known that these are “preliminary indications” from Wiederer, but Bears fans and fantasy managers alike can breathe a sigh of relief. The team will now go on break over the weekend, and coach Ben Johnson will address the media sometime next week. The first injury report comes out on Wednesday, so we should have an update by then, at the latest. It should be noted that Odunze injured his left foot last season. Today’s injury is to his right leg, so the two issues are unrelated. This is not a re-injury. For now, there is reason for cautious optimism regarding Odunze’s health.