A source close to Bucs QB Tom Brady tells NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that this is expected to be Brady's final season. Brady has said multiple times that he'd play until he was 45 -- and he turned 45 earlier this month. It's also worth noting that Brady isn't under contract for 2023, which Rapoport calls "noteworthy," and has a broadcasting deal waiting from FOX Sports. Of course, Brady has changed his mind on retirement before, so this certainly isn't set in stone. But dynasty owners should be making other plans for 2023 and beyond.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Commanders RB Brian Robinson has a "realistic chance" of returning when he's first eligible in Week 5. Robinson is recovering from a pair of gunshot wounds sustained to his lower body on August 28. There was no structural damage, though, and Robinson is already off crutches. He's expected to pick up his conditioning work this week, per Schefter. Robinson looked like Washington's lead ball carrier before the shooting and could reassume a significant role once he's close to 100%.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero confirms that Packers WR Allen Lazard (ankle) is not expected to play vs. the Vikings today. He's listed as doubtful after missing practice all week. Lazard's absence leaves Green Bay with WRs Sammy Watkins, Romeo Doubs, Randall Cobb and Christian Watson. Pelissero also reports that LT David Bakhtiari (knee) and RT Elgton Jenkins (pectoral/knee) will miss today's opener. It's a tough spot for QB Aaron Rodgers.
49ers TE George Kittle (groin) is "not likely" to play vs. the Bears today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Kittle didn't practice after injuring his groin on Monday. "Pushing it early doesn't make sense," Rapoport tweets. We'll see if Kittle can make it back for Week 2. His absence is a significant loss for QB Trey Lance but frees up targets for WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
Saints WR Michael Thomas (hamstring) is "likely" to play vs. the Falcons today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Thomas got in 3 limited practices this week and is listed as questionable. He can be penciled into fantasy lineups for now, but check back around 11:30 am ET to make sure he's active.
Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers (knee) is expected to play vs. the Dolphins today, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirms. Meyers was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable, but we haven't sensed any concern about the knee. Meyers seems safe to use as you normally would.
Falcons WR Drake London (knee) is expected to play vs. the Saints today, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. London was limited in practice all week after his August 12 knee injury, so it's unclear if he'll be ready for a full workload. We'd try not to use London in Week 1 fantasy lineups.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport calls Cardinals TE Zach Ertz "likely" to play against the Chiefs today, "assuming no issues warming up." Ertz got in just limited practices on Wednesday and Friday this week, and HC Kliff Kingsbury hinted Friday that Ertz could be limited if he does suit up. He's a shaky Week 1 fantasy play -- although there is upside in what should be a high-scoring game.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin (knee) is expected to play vs. the Cowboys tonight, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "He may be eased back, but he should play," Rapoport tweets. Godwin is not even 9 months removed from last year's torn ACL. It's been a speedy recovery, but don't expect to see him at 100% playing time or effectiveness tonight. We'd try to keep Godwin on fantasy benches for Week 1.
49ers insider Eric Branch confirms that TE George Kittle (groin) is not expected to play vs. the Bears on Sunday. Kittle is listed as questionable but didn't practice all week after hurting his groin on Monday. Kittle should be on fantasy benches at this point. We'll see if we hear anything different on his Week 1 status.
The Raiders and TE Darren Waller agreed to a 3-year, $51 million contract extension. The deal makes Waller the league's newest highest-paid TE in average annual salary and locks him in with the Raiders through the 2026 season. It's confirmation that Waller will remain a big part of this new Josh McDaniels offense.
Commanders TE Logan Thomas is "ready to go" for Sunday's opener vs. the Jaguars, according to ESPN's John Keim. We'd be surprised if Thomas played a full allotment of snaps in his first game since last December's knee injury. He was just activated from the PUP list on August 22.
Broncos WR K.J. Hamler (hip, knee) is listed as questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Seahawks. He was limited in practice all week. We're expecting Hamler to be active on Monday, but it's possible that he's on some type of snap count in his first action since last September's torn ACL and dislocated hip. Hamler would be a shaky Week 1 fantasy play.
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker (hernia) didn't practice all week but is for some reason listed as questionable for Monday night's opener vs. the Broncos. Walker is highly unlikely to play in that one and should be on fantasy benches. Look for Rashaad Penny to operate as Seattle's lead back, with Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas mixing in on passing downs.
Cowboys insider Bryan Broaddus "wouldn't be surprised" if WR Jalen Tolbert was a healthy scratch for Sunday night's opener vs. the Cowboys. We knew Tolbert had a disappointing August, but it'd still be surprising if he was scratched considering the Cowboys will be without WRs Michael Gallup and James Washington. The takeaway, of course, is that Tolbert should be nowhere near fantasy lineups. Noah Brown figures to serve as Dallas' #2 WR this week. WRs Simi Fehoko and Dennis Houston could also see snaps.
Rams HC Sean McVay talked about RB Cam Akers on Friday, a day after Akers carried just 3 times in the opener. "There were some instances where there were some positive things and some things that he can do better, but we want to see just an increased level of urgency and accountability snap in and snap out from him," McVay said. “I know what Cam is capable of. We've all seen how talented and what a special player this guy's capable of being. And I want to see him reach his highest potential." It sure sounds like Akers has just been beaten out by RB Darrell Henderson for the starting job. That's probably not set in stone for the entire season, but Akers obviously belongs on fantasy benches for the time being.
49ers TE George Kittle (groin) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s opener vs. the Bears. He didn’t practice on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday after hurting his groin on Monday. But Kittle said Friday that he’s gotten “progressively better” and is still hoping he can play this weekend. We’ll see. Fantasy owners obviously need to have a backup plan in place.
Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett dropped the "hot hand" bomb on Friday when discussing his Javonte Williams/Melvin Gordon backfield. "I've always been a true believer in you want to roll with the hot hand," Hackett said. "One guy gets going, you want to be sure to keep feeding that person. But I think they're going to be great compliments to each other." It's the latest indication that Gordon will remain significantly involved in this backfield, at least out of the gate. We'll get our first look at the work split in Monday night's opener vs. the Seahawks.
Broncos TE Albert Okwuegbunam isn't listed on the Week 1 injury report. He said last weekend that he was dealing with a "lower-body injury" but is evidently ready to go for Monday night's opener vs. the Seahawks. Okwuegbunam will be Denver's clear lead TE with rookie TE Greg Dulcich on IR.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (ankle) isn’t listed on the final Week 1 injury report. He was limited on Thursday but was back to full participation on Friday. The ankle isn’t a concern heading into Sunday night’s opener vs. the Bucs.
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