On Saturday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that Ravens TE Mark Andrews "is not likely to play" in Week 1 vs. the Texans. The veteran has dealt with a quad issue for a while and logged limited practice all week leading up to the 2023 season opener. Fantasy managers looking for a replacement should jump on the waiver wire now. Backup TE Isaiah Likely is an appealing option of note, as he's now the TE10 in our Week 1 rankings. Check those out before making a final decision.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen (ankle) is expected to play vs. the Falcons on Sunday, NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reports. Thielen only got in limited practices on Wednesday and Friday this week, so it's safe to assume that he won't be at 100%. He sits in WR4 territory in the Week 1 Rankings.
Jets RB Breece Hall (knee) is listed as questionable for Week 1. He practiced all week, though, including a full practice on Saturday. Hall is fully expected to play vs. the Bills on Monday night but figures to be on some type of touch count in his first action since last year's torn ACL. "We have a plan," HC Robert Saleh said. "I'm not going to talk about it here, but there's going to be a constant communication because what the plan is can be more, can be less, but we have an idea of what we want to get done. He has an idea of what he'd like to accomplish. But at the same time, communication -- constantly checking in to see where he's at, physically and mentally -- is going to be key." See where Hall sits in the Week 1 RB Rankings.
The Rams will place WR Cooper Kupp (hamstring) on IR, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That knocks Kupp out for at least the first four games of the season. Hopefully he's ready to go come Week 5 and the hamstring trouble doesn't resurface. Kupp is certainly worth stashing in all fantasy leagues. Van Jefferson figures to operate as Los Angeles' No. 1 WR with Kupp out. We'll see how the WR corps shakes out behind him. TE Tyler Higbee should also see a bunch of targets sans Kupp.
The Patriots released QB Matt Corral and elevated QB Bailey Zappe from the practice squad. So, after some early September shenanigans, Zappe is back at QB Mac Jones' backup.
Colts RB Zack Moss (forearm) has been downgraded to doubtful for Week 1. It looks like it'll be RBs Deon Jackson and Evan Hull vs. the Jaguars on Sunday, with QB Anthony Richardson also likely to be a big factor in the running game. Jackson is the favorite to lead in touches but is an unexciting RB3 or flex play.
Lions HC Dan Campbell said Friday that RB Jahmyr Gibbs' low snap count in the opener vs. the Chiefs was by design. "He'll begin to get more touches now, so that was just the beginning last night," Campbell added. Gibbs certainly looked like a guy deserving of more touches on Thursday night, averaging 6.0 yards per carry and 9.0 yards per catch. The rookie can stay in Week 2 fantasy lineups as a borderline RB2. We'll see how quickly his volume grows.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirms that Giants TE Darren Waller's hamstring injury is not believed to be serious. "The Giants are hopeful he can play Sunday night vs. Dallas," Fowler adds. "No firm determination yet. Team will likely monitor through the weekend." ESPN's Jordan Raanan, meanwhile, reports that Waller experienced "hamstring tightness" late in the week but "seemed to be moving relatively well at the open portion of Friday’s practice." We'll continue to look for updates on Waller's status for Sunday night's opener.
Patriots WR DeVante Parker (knee) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Eagles. We're expecting Parker to play, but hopefully you're not counting on him in Week 1 fantasy lineups.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson missed Friday's practice with an illness and is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Eagles. Stevenson is expected to play, according to The Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. But you'll need to check back Sunday to confirm that he's active. Patriots-Eagles doesn't kick off until 4:25 pm ET, but we should get an update on Stevenson on Sunday morning.
Cecil Lammey and Andrew Mason of Denver Sports expect Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin to have a role on offense in Sunday's opener vs. the Raiders. Lammey threw out a prediction of a 40/40/20 split between Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and McLaughlin. "Jaleel is trusted on those passing downs ... situations where you need that big play," Lammey added. It's certainly worth remembering that HC Sean Payton often deployed 3-RB committees with the Saints. McLaughlin is certainly not a Week 1 fantasy option, but garnering even a few touches would put a dent in Williams and Perine's fantasy value.
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (wrist) put in a full week of practice and isn’t listed on the final injury report. He’ll play vs. the Rams on Sunday, about 2-and-a-half weeks after wrist surgery. HC Pete Carroll said Friday that Smith-Njigba will have “no limitations,” but we’d still try to not use the rookie in fantasy lineups coming off that injury.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (oblique) isn’t listed on the final Week 1 injury report. He was sidelined for a good chunk of August, but Waddle practiced all week, including full workouts on Thursday and Friday. He should play his usual role vs. the Chargers this weekend.
Dolphins RB De'Von Achane (shoulder) put in a full week of practice and isn’t listed on the final injury report. He’ll make his regular-season debut vs. the Chargers on Sunday. Miami could certainly use Achane with RB Jeff Wilson on IR, but the rookie would be a desperation fantasy play after getting 0 first-team snaps this preseason.
Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders. Jeudy had to be carted off the field with what sounded like a significant hamstring injury just a little over two weeks ago. But it seems like he has a legitimate chance to play this weekend. We’ll look for further updates on Jeudy’s status. Broncos-Raiders doesn’t kick off until 4:25 pm ET on Sunday. Jeudy will carry elevated risk in fantasy lineups if he does suit up.
Texans WR John Metchie (hamstring) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Ravens. He’s off the redraft radar. Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Noah Brown, and Tank Dell will operate as Houston’s top four WRs.
Ravens WR Odell Beckham (ankle) is not listed on the final Week 1 injury report. He was limited in Thursday's practice but a full participant on Friday. It doesn't look like the ankle will be an issue in Sunday's opener vs. the Texans.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews (quad) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s opener vs. the Texans. HC John Harbaugh has been coy on Andrews’ status all week. We’re tentatively projecting him to play on Sunday, but check back around 11:30 am ET for Baltimore’s inactives.
Giants insider Art Stapleton tweeted that the "sense I get" is that TE Darren Waller's hamstring injury is "not considered a serious injury, but comes with caution because hamstrings are what they are and it's something that has slowed Waller in the past." It's relatively good news, although it sounds like Waller is in jeopardy of missing Sunday night's opener vs. the Cowboys. We'll continue to look for updates on Waller's status.
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker (groin) is not listed on the final Week 1 injury report. He was added on Thursday and limited in practice, but he's evidently good to go for this weekend's opener vs. the Rams. Walker is in a nice spot with Seattle 4.5-point home favorites.
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