September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
Kyle Monangai (hamstring) has been removed from the injury report and is set to make his NFL debut Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. The rookie seventh-round pick is expected to mix in for touches, especially with
Roschon Johnson (foot) questionable, but D'Andre Swift should handle the clear majority of the workload. The matchup isn't favorable for Monangai, as the Vikings allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024. Given his limited practice time and uncertain role, Monangai doesn't offer startable fantasy value in Week 1. For now, he's best left on the waiver wire, though his early usage will be worth monitoring.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
The Buffalo Bills elevated veteran kicker
Matt Prater from the practice squad, and he's expected to handle kicking duties in Week 1 with
Tyler Bass on injured reserve. Entering his 19th NFL season, Prater brings plenty of experience, including spending the last four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. This is a strong fantasy spot for the 40-year-old kicker, as the Bills remain one of the league's top offenses and face the Baltimore Ravens in a matchup with the highest projected point total of Week 1. While Prater is a temporary fill-in, he still profiles as a solid streaming option and could provide low-end starting fantasy value this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Buffalo Bills
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears kicker
Cairo Santos will open his 12th NFL season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Santos has been a steady presence in Chicago, connecting on over 90% of his field goals in three of the last five seasons. This year brings optimism for the Bears' offense with head coach Ben Johnson and second-year quarterback
Caleb Williams at the helm. However, Johnson's track record in Detroit suggests he could favor fourth-down aggressiveness over settling for field goals, which would impact Santos' opportunities. Week 1 presents a tough draw against a Vikings defense that allowed the fifth-fewest points in 2024. Given the matchup and the uncertainty around how the new-look Bears offense will operate, Santos is best left out of fantasy lineups this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers have elevated veteran wide receiver
Russell Gage Jr. from the practice squad, meaning he will see his first game action since 2022. Gage missed the past two seasons after suffering a torn patellar tendon, but was previously a reliable WR3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback
Tom Brady. The 49ers' receiver room is in shambles, with
Brandon Aiyuk,
Jacob Cowing, and
Demarcus Robinson all sidelined. Gage has a chance to see the field in Week 1 as he's expected to serve as the team's WR5 and play limited snaps if needed. While fantasy production isn't likely, simply seeing Gage back on the field after such a long recovery is a great story and an encouraging sign for San Francisco's depth moving forward.
--Nathan HarveySource: San Francisco 49ers
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
D'Andre Swift enters his sixth NFL season, and his second in Chicago. Swift is looking to build on a solid 2024 campaign, where he averaged 11.4 half-PPR fantasy points per game and finished as the RB19. The Bears brought in former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who previously worked with Swift in Detroit in 2022. Swift is positioned for a ton of volume in Week 1, with backup running back
Roschon Johnson (foot) questionable. Swift's role should keep him in fantasy lineups, but Week 1 presents a difficult test against a Vikings defense that surrendered the eighth-fewest half-PPR points to running backs last year. Swift's volume and scheme familiarity make him a steady option, though the matchup caps his ceiling. He should be viewed as a low-end RB2 for Week 1.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
Roschon Johnson (foot) is listed as questionable for Monday Night's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson has not practiced fully since August 5 and only returned in a limited capacity on Saturday, casting doubt on his Week 1 readiness. Even if active, Johnson projects to handle a secondary role, behind starter D'Andre Swift, especially with his practice time missed leading up to this week. The matchup doesn't do him any favors either, as Minnesota's defense allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024. Given the injury concerns and difficult matchup, Johnson should remain on fantasy benches in Week 1.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams kicks off his sophomore season on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. As a rookie, the 2024 first-overall pick averaged 15.3 fantasy points per game, finishing as the QB16 on the year. Now, he enters Week 1 with a fresh start under new head coach Ben Johnson, the offensive mind behind Detroit's high-powered attack from 2022-2024. This matchup is no cakewalk, as Minnesota's defense allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks last season, while leading the league in interceptions forced. Still, Williams should benefit from an upgraded offensive line and a quarterback-friendly scheme designed to maximize his playmaking ability. For fantasy purposes, Williams has long-term upside, but given the tough Week 1 opponent, he's best viewed as a low-end QB2 in his 2025 opener.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
New England Patriots rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell (ankle) is on track to play Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Jordan Schultz. Campbell was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday with an ankle injury, but despite being listed as questionable, the fourth overall pick is expected to make his NFL debut in Week 1. This is a major boost for a Patriots offense that struggled badly along the offensive line last season. Protecting quarterback
Drake Maye, who is aiming for a Year Two leap, will be critical to the team's success, and Campbell's presence helps stabilize the unit. The rookie will be tested immediately, as he draws a tough Week 1 matchup against Maxx Crosby, one of the league's elite edge rushers. How Campbell holds up could be a defining factor for both the Patriots' offensive rhythm and Maye's performance in the opener.
--Nathan HarveySource: Jordan Schultz
September 6, 2025
San Francisco 49ers running back
Christian McCaffrey (calf) is expected to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, according to Ian Rapoport. After sitting out Friday's practice with a calf injury, McCaffrey expressed confidence in his media availability on Friday. Rapoport reported that barring any setbacks, McCaffrey is likely to suit up. The five-time Pro Bowl running back missed significant time last season due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis before suffering a PCL injury in his knee late in the year, making this update a welcome relief for fantasy managers. He faces a Seahawks defense that was middle-of-the-pack against RBs in 2024, but McCaffrey has historically dominated Seattle, averaging 158 yards per game in six career matchups. While the risk of reinjury is always present with McCaffrey, he remains a must-start fantasy option this week (if he's active) given his workload and track record against the Seahawks.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
September 6, 2025
It has been a long wait, but quarterback
J.J. McCarthy is a playable option in Superflex leagues with his Minnesota Vikings set to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The second-year quarterback missed his entire rookie season after sustaining a meniscus injury, but it's now his show in Minnesota after the Vikings parted ways with
Sam Darnold in the offseason. He'll start with a road game against a strong Bears pass defense that allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL and ranked seventh in pressure percentage in 2024. With a rebuilt interior offensive line, capable veterans at all skill positions -- including All-Pro
Justin Jefferson at receiver -- and a quarterback-friendly coach, McCarthy is still worthy of holding a QB2 spot in Week 1.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Green Bay Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons (back) is expected to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions, but his snaps will be limited. The three-time All-Pro has been managing a back injury that restricted his practice reps during his first week with Green Bay. Parsons was traded from the Dallas Cowboys just a week before the season opener, so a restricted workload is expected as he acclimates to the Packers' defense. He joins a pass rush that struggled in 2024, with Rashan Gary being the only player to record more than five sacks last season. Expect Parsons to be deployed primarily in obvious passing-down situations, where he can maximize his impact and do what he does best: pressure and sack the quarterback. His presence should immediately improve the Packers' pass-rushing effectiveness, even in limited snaps.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
September 6, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron Jones Sr. should be viewed as a flex/RB2 candidate as his team takes on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. A polarizing mid-round draft pick, the veteran back is one of the bigger wild cards in fantasy this season. Jones is a strong receiver who caught 50 passes in addition to surpassing 1,000 rushing yards last year and plays on a capable offense that rebuilt its interior line, but is now 30 years old, playing alongside a first-time starting quarterback, and most importantly, now sharing touches with
Jordan Mason, whom the Vikings acquired this offseason. Though a rotation is likely, Jones is still the team's best pass-catching back and should continue to get a steady volume of receiving targets, which will be especially valuable in PPR formats.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Running back
Jordan Mason will make his Minnesota Vikings debut on Monday against the Chicago Bears, against whom he should be viewed as a viable flex option. The Vikings have been dreadful in short yardage in recent seasons, but completely revamped their interior line and traded for the 26-year-old running back, who rushed for a career-best 789 yards in relief of
Christian McCaffrey with San Francisco last season. Minnesota also brought back
Aaron Jones Sr., so uncertainty surrounding the Vikings' backfield relegated both backs to the middle rounds of fantasy drafts. Ultimately, there is a reason Minnesota traded for Mason, who is likely to see regular short-yardage carries, including those near the goal line. Jones is the better receiving back, but Mason figures to still get enough touches to be fantasy relevant.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Justin Jefferson is a must-start option, as usual, when the Vikings open the season against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The sixth-year receiver dealt with a hamstring injury during training camp, but was not listed on Minnesota's final injury report and should continue to be the team's runaway top option for passing targets. Especially with fellow wide receiver
Jordan Addison (suspension) out for the first three games, the All-Pro should receive plenty of volume from new starting quarterback
J.J. McCarthy. Jefferson should be in starting lineups in every format.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Wide receiver
Adam Thielen is a risky fantasy proposition in his return to the Minnesota Vikings, who will take on the Chicago Bears in this season's first Monday Night Football game. The Vikings traded for the veteran due to instability elsewhere in their receiver room, as
Jordan Addison (suspension) will miss the first three games and
Rondale Moore (knee) suffered a season-ending injury. The 35-year-old figures to play quite a bit right away, but the reality is that he was a late addition who is still behind receiver
Justin Jefferson and likely tight end
T.J. Hockenson in the pecking order, and he's attached to a quarterback in
J.J. McCarthy who has never thrown a pass in the NFL before. Thielen certainly has something left in the tank and a history of making big catches, but an uncertain target share makes him tough to rely upon in Week 1.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
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