Saints WR Michael Thomas (hamstring) is active for today’s game vs. the Falcons. He was limited in practice all week after hurting his hammy in the middle of August. That adds even more risk to a guy who’s playing his first game since January 2021.
ESPN's Dianna Russini hears that Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) is a game-time decision for today's opener vs. the Jets but is trending toward sitting. "It’s unlikely he plays but he’s going to try," Russini tweeted. Dobbins should be on fantasy benches even if he ends up active today. Look for Mike Davis and Kenyan Drake to handle most of Baltimore's RB work.
Broncos LB Josey Jewell is doubtful for Monday night's game against the Seahawks with a calf injury that kept him out of practice both Friday and Saturday. That clears the way for Jonas Griffith to work as lead LB in the opener. Griffith missed most of the preseason with an elbow injury suffered early in the 1st exhibition, but he practiced in full all week and is off the injury report. Denver also lists EDGE Randy Gregory as questionable with shoulder and knee issues. We'd plan to not use Gregory in Week 1 IDP lineups, given the late kickoff.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that the Steelers will give QB Mitchell Trubisky a "long look" as the starter. 1st-round rookie QB Kenny Pickett had a strong preseason, but according to Rapoport, the Steelers would like this to play out like it did for Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, with Trubisky starting all year and Pickett taking over in 2023. We'll see if Trubisky can play well enough to make that happen. We're still betting on seeing Pickett this year.
The 49ers remain "fully behind" QB Trey Lance, despite the decision to retain QB Jimmy Garoppolo, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport adds that the team simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to keep Garoppolo as a quality backup for just $6.5 million -- and that a midseason trade is still possible.
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.
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