Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney had a nightmare opener vs. the Lions on Thursday night. He played just 16 snaps (25%) but managed to cost the Chiefs the game. Toney let a perfectly thrown pass clang off his hands and into S Brian Branch's for a 50-yard pick-six in the third quarter. Then Toney dropped a deep ball on Kansas City's final drive of the 21-20 loss. He earlier got the ball on a trick play from Detroit's two-yard line but was stopped at the one. We'll see how Toney rebounds from this ugly outing. He remains worth stashing on fantasy rosters but should not be in Week 2 starting lineups.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco struggled to get anything going on the ground vs. the Lions on Thursday night, averaging just 2.9 yards on eight carries. He lost six carries to RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who started the game. On the plus side, Pacheco led Chiefs RBs with a 42% route rate. He caught all four of his targets for 31 yards, including a screen that went for 10 yards. Pacheco only reached four catches once all last season -- and that came in the AFC Championship. We'll see how the carry distribution evolves in Kansas City going forward. But more action in the passing game would be excellent news for Pacheco's fantasy value.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta didn't post a huge fantasy score in his debut in Kansas City on Thursday night, but it was an encouraging outing for his rest-of-season value. LaPorta ranked fourth on the Lions with five targets, a decent 14.3% share. And he caught all five of them for 39 yards. Per Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke, LaPorta's five receptions were the most from a rookie TE in Week 1 since T.J. Hockenson's six back in 2019. With plus matchups vs. the Seahawks and Falcons the next two weeks, expect to find LaPorta inside the top 15 TEs in our weekly rankings.
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown did Amon-Ra St. Brown things in Thursday night's upset win over the Chiefs. He led Detroit with nine targets and six catches, racking up 71 yards and a TD. St. Brown drew 25.7% of the targets, which is actually slightly below his target share in healthy games last year. Perhaps TE Sam LaPorta's emergence keeps St. Brown from broaching a 30% target share this season, but he's still clearly the top dog in this passing game -- and a WR1 in fantasy lineups.
Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs worked clearly behind RB David Montgomery in Thursday night's opener vs. the Chiefs. The rookie tallied seven carries and two targets to Montgomery's 21 carries. That's the bad news. The good news? Gibbs looked like the most explosive player in the game, ripping off a 17-yard run and an 18-yard catch. “You can almost hear the acceleration,” NBC's Chris Collinsworth said. Montgomery's reliability is certainly valued by the Lions coaching staff, but we fully expect Gibbs' role to grow from here. Consider him a lower-end RB2 in the short term. But Gibbs could still be a difference-maker later this season. Consider sending a trade offer to the Gibbs owner in your league if he or she is disappointed by this first game.
Lions RB David Montgomery started Thursday night's opener vs. the Chiefs and operated as the lead back throughout. He played 79% of the offensive snaps and out-carried RB Jahmyr Gibbs 21 to 7, totaling 74 yards and a score. Montgomery wasn't targeted but led the backfield with a 56% route rate. There's no doubt that Gibbs is the more explosive back, but Montgomery's no-nonsense running style is clearly valued by HC Dan Campbell and the Lions. Expect Gibbs' role to grow over the course of the season. But, for now, Montgomery looks like a rock-solid RB2. He gets plus matchups the next two weeks at home for the Seahawks and Falcons.
NBC's Melissa Stark reported during Thursday night's season opener that the Chiefs are "optimistic" TE Travis Kelce (knee) will be ready for Week 2. Kelce worked out in the pool on Thursday morning but couldn't produce any power off that injured knee, per Stark. We'll track Kelce's progress when Kansas City gets back to work next week.
Jets RB Breece Hall (knee) was limited in Thursday's practice. He's fully expected to play vs. the Bills on Monday night -- but this is a reminder that Hall will likely be on some type of snap count coming off last October's ACL tear.
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker was added to the injury report on Thursday with a groin issue and limited in practice. Walker, of course, missed about two weeks in early August with a groin injury. His availability for Sunday's opener vs. the Rams is now uncertain. Walker's absence would make rookie RB Zach Charbonnet an exciting fantasy play. Check back tomorrow for an update on Walker.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (oblique) was upgraded to full participation in Thursday's practice. He's good to go for this weekend's potential shootout vs. the Chargers.
Packers WR Romeo Doubs (hamstring) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. That gives him a shot to suit up for this weekend's opener vs. the Bears. We'll see what Doubs does on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report.
Packers WR Christian Watson (hamstring) missed practice again on Thursday. At this point, he looks unlikely to play vs. the Bears this weekend. We'll see if Watson is able to get on the field tomorrow.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin (toe) was upgraded to full participation in Thursday's practice. He'll play vs. the Cardinals this weekend -- and will seemingly be at least close to 100%.
The Bengals and QB Joe Burrow have agreed to a 5-year, $275 million extension with $219 million guaranteed, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. It makes Burrow the highest-paid player in NFL history. The Bengals will now turn their attention to locking up Burrow's top two WRs. Tee Higgins is entering the final year of his deal, while Ja'Marr Chase becomes eligible for an extension next offseason.
49ers TE George Kittle (groin) remained limited in Thursday's practice. We're tentatively expecting him to play in this weekend's opener vs. the Steelers, but we'll see how Kittle is listed on the final injury report tomorrow.
Ravens WR Odell Beckham was added to the injury report and limited in practice on Thursday with an ankle issue. Check back tomorrow to see if Beckham practices and how he's listed on the final injury report for Sunday's opener vs. the Texans.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews (quad) remained limited in Thursday's practice. He's seemingly on track to play in this weekend's opener vs. the Texans, but check back tomorrow for another update on his status.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen (ankle) did not practice on Thursday. That follows Wednesday's limited practice. This could have been a planned day off for Thielen. But, more likely, he hurt that ankle on Wednesday and is now in danger of missing this weekend's opener vs. the Falcons. WR D.J. Chark (hamstring) remained sidelined on Thursday. Rookie WR Jonathan Mingo could be in for a busy debut.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (knee) is officially inactive for tonight's opener vs. the Lions. That leaves Noah Gray as Kansas City's top TE. Chiefs WRs -- particularly Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Kadarius Toney -- have more target potential with Kelce out.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (knee) will not play vs. the Lions tonight, according to insider Jordan Schultz. "I’m told the Chiefs’ All-Pro TE made a strong push to play after this morning’s workout, but the team did not want to risk anything with a full season of games ahead," Schultz adds. It sounds like Kelce has a good chance to make it back for Week 2, but we'll track his progress throughout next week. Noah Gray will step in as Kansas City's lead TE tonight and is an option for desperate Kelce owners.
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