Cardinals TE Zach Ertz (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Commanders. It marks an impressive return from last November’s torn ACL and MCL. We’d be surprised if Ertz was ready for a full slate of snaps, though. He’s not a viable Week 1 fantasy play.
Cardinals WR Marquise Brown (hamstring) is active for today’s game vs. the Commanders. He was limited in practice all week, adding some risk to his Week 1 fantasy profile.
Colts RB Zack Moss (forearm) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Jaguars. That leaves the backfield to Deon Jackson and Evan Hull. JacksoN is the favorite for touches but is an unexciting RB3 in fantasy lineups.
Saints RB Kendre Miller (knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Titans. The rookie didn’t practice all week, so his availability for Week 2 is also in doubt. Miller’s absence leaves Jamaal Williams, Kirk Merritt, and Tony Jones in New Orleans’ backfield. Williams should dominate work and is a solid RB2 play in fantasy lineups.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews (quad) is officially inactive for today’s game vs. the Texans. That leaves Isaiah Likely as Baltimore’s lead TE. In two games without Andrews and with QB Lamar Jackson last season, Likely registered a 20% target share and receiving lines of 7-77-1 and 1-24-1. He’s in a new offense this year with more target competition for Baltimore’s WRs. But Likely still looks like a lower-end TE1 option for Week 1. Andrews’ absence also moves Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers, and Odell Beckham up the WR rankings.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says Steelers RBs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris "could split carries" vs. the 49ers today. "Najee Harris is going to be the starter, getting the first- and second-down snaps. Jaylen Warren third-down snaps," Rapoport adds. "But Warren is expected to get a little more of the first- and second-down snaps than usual." We've heard conflicting reports on this backfield all summer, so it'll be nice to actually get a look at it today. We'd still try to keep Warren on fantasy benches; Harris is a low-end RB2 in a tough matchup vs. San Francisco.
Dalvin Cook is expected to open the season as the Jets' lead back, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "Dalvin Cook is expected to get the bulk of the carries for the New York Jets at least during the early part of the season," Rapoport adds. "My understanding is that they'll be extremely smart and safe with" RB Breece Hall. No surprises here. Cook figures to be the more reliable fantasy option early in the season. But Hall's touches should climb throughout the year.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo confirms that Giants TE Darren Waller (hamstring) will play vs. the Cowboys tonight. "They will keep an eye on [the hamstring] during the game, but the expectation is that he will be a big part of their offense right away," Garafolo adds. Waller is safe to get into Week 1 fantasy lineups.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero hears that the Cowboys are looking to get RB Tony Pollard 18-20 touches vs. the Giants tonight. That's more than enough for him to return RB1 production. "We'll also see Rico Dowdle some on third downs, and they do have packages in the game plan for rookie Deuce Vaughn," Pelissero adds.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Dolphins RB De'Von Achane is not expected to play vs. the Chargers today. The rookie wasn't listed on the final injury report but has "some rust" after missing time in August with a shoulder injury, per Pelissero. Achane remains worth stashing on fantasy benches but is unlikely to be a viable fantasy starter for at least another few weeks. Raheem Mostert figures to handle the majority of RB touches for Miami today. Salvon Ahmed will be the No. 2 RB.
Jaguars HC Doug Pederson is turning over play-calling duties to OC Press Taylor, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "I totally trust Press," Pederson told NFL.com. "We think alike. We've been together for a long time, and he's around Trevor [Lawrence] all the time and knows what Trevor likes." We'd prefer Pederson continue calling plays considering Jacksonville's success last year. But we're ultimately not expecting a significant fantasy impact here. Taylor has worked under Pederson for six NFL seasons.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is "planning to be ready to play as early as Week 5," ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. That's when Taylor is first eligible to come off the PUP list. Taylor is "going to pass his physical and could pass it today," Schefter adds. We'll see whether Taylor is still on Indianapolis' roster come Week 5. The passed physical could make it more likely he's traded, although it sounds like the Colts have been asking for too much in return.
Patriots WR DeVante Parker (knee) is not expected to play vs. the Eagles today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Parker was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable, but this one still comes as a surprise His absence would leave JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne as New England's top two WRs, with rookie Demario Douglas the likely No. 3. Smith-Schuster is the only viable Week 1 fantasy play.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) "should play" vs. the Eagles today, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweets. Stevenson popped up on Friday's injury report but never seemed in danger of missing this one. He can stay in Week 1 fantasy lineups.
Giants TE Darren Waller (hamstring) is expected to play vs. the Cowboys tonight, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Waller is officially listed as questionable after reportedly experiencing hamstring tightness late in the week. That obviously adds risk to his fantasy profile. But, barring a conflicting report on his status for tonight, Waller can stay in fantasy lineups.
Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) is not expected to play vs. the Raiders today, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jeudy got in three limited practices this week and should have a good chance to play Week 2. His absence today leaves Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims as Denver's top two WRs. TE Greg Dulcich could also pick up extra routes and targets with Jeudy out.
49ers TE George Kittle (groin) is expected to play vs. the Steelers today, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Kittle was limited in practice all week and comes with a bit more risk than usual today. But he belongs in fantasy lineups, especially considering all the other injury issues at TE.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter report that Packers WR Romeo Doubs (hamstring) is expected to play vs. the Bears today. But he'll be limited. Rapoport tweets that Doubs "likely won't have a full complement of snaps." He's not a recommended Week 1 fantasy starter. Expect a run-heavy attack from the Packers, with RB Aaron Jones, WR Jayden Reed, and TE Luke Musgrave the best bets for targets.
Cardinals TE Zach Ertz (knee) is expected to play vs. the Commanders today, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It'll be Ertz's first game action since November's multi-ligament knee injury. Ertz is not a viable Week 1 fantasy play. His presence should also knock TE Trey McBride out of fantasy consideration.
Cardinals WR Marquise Brown (hamstring) is expected to play vs. the Commanders today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Brown was limited in practice all week and carries elevated risk in fantasy lineups with the hamstring issue.
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