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.
Cowboys WR Michael Gallup (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday night's game vs. the Bucs. He got in 3 limited practices this week and seemingly has some shot to make his 2022 debut in Week 2. Look for Noah Brown to serve as Dallas' #2 WR and Jalen Tolbert the #3 in the opener.
Eagles RB Miles Sanders (hamstring) put in a full week of practice and isn’t listed on the final Week 1 injury report. He’s ready to roll as Philly’s lead ball carrier for Sunday’s opener vs. the Lions.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (quad) isn’t listed on the final Week 1 injury report. After missing most of August, Waddle practiced all week, including full workouts on Thursday and Friday. It doesn’t look like that quad will be a problem in Sunday’s opener vs. the Patriots.
Dolphins RB Chase Edmonds (groin) is not listed on the final Week 1 injury report. He was limited on Wednesday but put in full practices on Thursday and Friday. Edmonds is a borderline RB2 in PPR leagues in Sunday's matchup with a Patriots defense that struggled against RBs in the passing game last year.
Cardinals TE Zach Ertz (calf) is listed as questionable for this weekend's opener vs. the Chiefs. Still dealing with a calf injury he suffered back on August 4, Ertz got in just limited practices on Wednesday and Friday. HC Kliff Kingsbury said Friday that he "hopes" Ertz can contribute in "some manner" on Sunday. It sounds like there's a good chance he's limited even if he ends up active. Ertz is shaping up as a shaky Week 1 fantasy play.
The Saints on Friday ruled CB Paulson Adebo (ankle) out for Sunday's game against the Falcons. S Tyron Mathieu (illness) is questionable after missing Friday's workout. We'll check his status Sunday morning.
Cardinals WR Rondale Moore (hamstring) is out for this weekend's opener vs. the Chiefs. He hurt his hamstring on Thursday and didn't practice on Friday. We'll look for further updates on Moore's hamstring, but this could be a multi-game absence. With WR DeAndre Hopkins out on suspension, it'll be Marquise Brown, A.J. Green, Andy Isabella and Greg Dortch as Arizona's top 4 WRs on Sunday. It's a concern for QB Kyler Murray.
Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (shoulder) is not listed on the final Week 1 injury report. After limited workouts on Wednesday and Thursday, Johnson was a full go on Friday and said his shoulder is just a pain tolerance issue. He carries a bit more risk than usual in fantasy lineups but still sits inside our top 30 WRs for Week 1.
Bears WR Velus Jones (hamstring) didn't practice all week and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the 49ers. Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown figure to operate as the #2 and #3 WRs behind Darnell Mooney.
The Giants list EDGE starters Azeez Ojulari (calf) and Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) as doubtful for Sunday's opener against the Titans. That puts the team in even worse shape in a matchup that already heavily favored Tennessee and further softens the matchup for Titans offensive players.
The Chargers list LB Drue Tranquill as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders. He turned up on the injury report after hurting his back Friday, which doesn't bode well for his outlook in the opener. Tranquill is listed as a ILB starter on the team's "unofficial" depth chart, next to Kyle Van Noy. His absence would leave room for either Kenneth Murray or Troy Reeder, but we wouldn't plan on using either in Week 1 IDP lineups.
Cardinals DE J.J. Watt (calf) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. He missed the entire practice week and looks like a poor IDP bet even if he turns up active. Arizona also ruled out CB Trayvon Mullen (toe), a recent acquisition from the Raiders, and deemed CB Byron Murphy questionable with an illness that sidelined him Friday. The matchup looks pretty favorable for Kansas City offensive players.
The Bucs list WR Chris Godwin (knee) as questionable for Sunday night's game vs. the Cowboys. He put in full practices on Wednesday and Friday, taking Thursday off. HC Todd Bowles said Friday morning that Godwin will be a game-time decision. Expect him to be limited if he does suit up, so Godwin isn't a recommended Week 1 fantasy play.
Bucs WR Russell Gage (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's opener vs. the Cowboys. He remained limited in practice all week after injuring his hamstring on August 10. We'll look for an update on Gage's status on Sunday morning but won't get the Bucs' inactives until 7 pm ET. Gage will carry elevated risk if he does end up playing vs. Dallas.
Patriots RB Ty Montgomery (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's opener vs. the Dolphins after a limited week of practice. Montgomery shouldn't be in your Week 1 fantasy plans, but his absence would free up passing-down snaps -- likely for RB Rhamondre Stevenson.
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