Dak Prescott Comments on Spitting Incident with Jalen Carter
Dak Prescott gave some clarification on the "spitting incident" that happened during Thursday's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both Prescott and Jalen Carter got into an altercation due to one of them spitting on the other. After the dust settled, Carter was ejected from the game in the first quarter. After the game, Prescott said he didn't intend to bait Carter or spit in his direction. It sounds like a misunderstanding, but one that certainly hurt the Eagles defense. It's unclear at the moment if Carter will face any other displicine from the league.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Source: Ian Rapoport
Jalen Hurts Rushes for Two Touchdowns on Thursday
Jalen Hurts completed 19 of his 23 pass attempts for 152 yards and zero turnovers during Thursday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. He also rushed 14 times for 62 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. All in all, it was a very strong game from Hurts, who played clean, turnover-free football while leading the team in rushing. The 27-year-old opened the season on an extremely positive note and will look to ride this momentum into the Eagles' Week 2 matchup against the reigning AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. Hurts is an elite fantasy QB because of his rushing abilities and needs to be started each and every week.
Source: RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Bo Nix Set Up to Get Off to Strong Start in Year 2
Bo Nix played well above expectations in his rookie season in 2024, throwing for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the franchise to the postseason for the first time since 2016. He also had 430 rushing yards and four touchdowns. There is plenty of room for growth in his sophomore campaign, especially after Denver boosted the RB and TE positions through the draft and free agency. With a better running game behind him and a much better pass-catching TE in Evan Engram at his disposal, Nix should have every opportunity to improve in 2025 in head coach Sean Payton's system. In this year's season opener, Nix and the Broncos are currently eight-point favorites at home against the visiting Titans. Tennessee allowed the second-fewest passing yards per game a year ago, but that shouldn't stop fantasy managers from using the Oregon alum as a low-end QB1.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Denver Broncos quarterback Source: Pro Football Reference
Landon Dickerson Aggravates Back Injury
Source: Philadelphia Eagles
Patrick Mahomes Set For Week 1
Patrick Mahomes is set to take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1 of the 2025 season. The Chiefs will face off against the Chargers on Friday in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the first international game of the year. Mahomes is coming off a disappointing season from a statistical standpoint, but Kansas City still made it to the Super Bowl last year, so it wasn't all bad. That said, fantasy managers are anticipating a return to MVP form for Mahomes since he was drafted as the consensus QB6 across multiple platforms this offseason, despite finishing as the QB12 in 2024. There are reasons for optimism since the Kansas City offense looked in top form during their preseason game, and Mahomes looks to have a rejuvenated Travis Kelce to throw to. Mahomes is ranked QB9 in our RotoBaller rankings this week, making him a solid QB1 option.
Source: NFL - Twitter
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Source: NFL - Twitter
Mike Kafka to Resume Play-Calling Duties for Giants
Saquon Barkley shouldering the workload. The Giants are hopeful new personnel, most notably veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, can provide stability under center and elevate a unit that has lacked consistency for years. With Kafka back in charge and Wilson at the helm, the Giants' offense could see modest improvement, though fantasy managers should still approach the passing game with caution until proven otherwise.
Source: Jordan Raanan
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced Thursday that offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will resume play-calling duties for the 2025 season. Daboll took over the role in 2024, but the offense continued to struggle, finishing 30th in total yards, 28th in passing, and 23rd in rushing. Kafka previously called plays in 2023, when the Giants ranked 29th in total offense, 31st in passing, 16th in rushing, and 30th in scoring despite Source: Jordan Raanan
A Potentially Challenging Week 1 for Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert is set to face a tough Week 1 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil. Herbert is entering the season fully healthy and will have his primary weapons back in Ladd McConkey, returning veteran Keenan Allen, and a healthy Quentin Johnston (concussion). However, the Chiefs are ranked among the top 10 defensive units this year and will look to pressure Herbert frequently. The Chargers' offense, led by offensive coordinator Greg Roman, is expected to lean on the run game this year, but Herbert must make plays with his arm. Herbert's impressive 2024 stats of 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just three interceptions show his efficiency. Still, this tough matchup between two solid defenses on the road makes it hard to predict a high ceiling performance. RotoBaller projects Herbert as the QB23 this week. He is a low-end QB2, and fantasy managers outside superflex leagues should consider other options.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Kenny Pickett Logs Full Practice on Wednesday
Kenny Pickett (hamstring) logged a full practice on Wednesday and is cleared to suit up in Week 1 when the Raiders face the New England Patriots. Pickett began the offseason with the Cleveland Browns but was traded to the Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick. The former first-round pick has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but appears to have moved past it. Fantasy managers should expect Pickett to operate as the backup option to Geno Smith. Currently, Aidan O'Connell (wrist) is on the injured reserve, which means Pickett will likely be given all of those opportunities under center if Smith were to miss time. Last season, Pickett spent time as Jalen Hurts' backup in Philadelphia but was deployed as a starter across his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. He is only worth a look in deeper superflex leagues if he were to take over the starting job.
Source: Anthony Galaviz
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Source: Anthony Galaviz
Alijah Vera-Tucker Likely Done for Season With Torn Triceps
New York Jets offensive guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (arm) is feared to have suffered a torn triceps during practice on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He'll get a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis, but the expectation is that Vera-Tucker will miss the entire 2025 season. The former first-round pick was highly productive in New York last season, maintaining a 77.7 PFF grade while allowing four sacks and eight hurries through 15 games. His loss will be felt as the Jets' offensive line works to stand strong and protect mobile quarterbackMatthew Stafford Off Injury Report Ahead of Week 1
Matthew Stafford (back) was not listed on the team's official injury report Wednesday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The veteran signal caller missed most of camp, but he evidently had enough recovery time to be ready for the Rams' upcoming season opener against the Houston Texans. Stafford is less than two years removed from a Pro Bowl campaign in which he threw for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua at his disposal. His productivity dipped slightly last year, but he was still healthy for 16 games and led the Rams to a 10-win season. Heading into 2025, Stafford still has a strong group of weapons at his disposal, including Nacua and Davante Adams. Although he lacks rushing upside, his role in a strong passing offense gives him fantasy relevance as a mid-to-low QB2.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Source: Tom Pelissero
Jordan Love Not on Week 1 Injury Report
Jordan Love (thumb) is not on the Week 1 injury report and got in a full practice on Wednesday, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Love had surgery to fix a ligament in his left (non-throwing) thumb early in the preseason, but he was back to full practice last week and is fully expected to start in the Week 1 divisional clash against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. The 26-year-old could be wearing a brace on his left thumb on game day, but he said it hasn't limited him at all on hand-offs to the running backs. Love will be active this weekend, but it will be a dicey matchup against pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson and Company, and he could be without one of his top receivers in Jayden Reed (foot). He's on the QB1/2 borderline for the first game of the 2025 season.
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Green Bay Packers quarterback Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Bryce Young in a Prime Spot Week 1
Bryce Young found his rhythm under head coach Dave Canales. Following a brief benching, he returned with a new command of the offense, throwing for 15 touchdowns and just nine interceptions on the year. This momentum sets up a prime Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, whose pass defense was one of the worst in the league last season, ranking dead last in passing yards allowed. The Panthers have also invested heavily in Young's success by drafting big-bodied receiver Tetairoa McMillan and bringing in veteran Hunter Renfrow to complement returning wideout Xavier Legette. With an improved supporting cast and a favorable opponent, Young is poised for a strong start. He should be viewed as a high-end QB2 in fantasy for Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
After a difficult start to his second season, Carolina Panthers quarterback Source: NFL.com
Sam Darnold Impressed with "Discipline" in Training Camp
Sam Darnold was "mostly impressive because of his discipline" as a passer in training camp, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. Per Dugar, Darnold ranked second in the NFL in offensive plays of at least 20 yards (62) while playing for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. However, Dugar writes, "that's not the Darnold we saw in training camp." It appears the Seahawks may be placing more of an emphasis on ball control and safe completions in the short and intermediate areas of the field in Darnold's first season with the team. The 28-year-old is reliant on big yardage and touchdown totals to score fantasy points. Darnold profiles as a fantasy QB3 who may not factor at all in 2025.
Source: The Athletic - Michael-Shawn Dugar
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Source: The Athletic - Michael-Shawn Dugar
Saints Sign Jake Haener to Roster
Jake Haener to their active roster, according to Ross Jackson of Locked On Saints. The 26-year-old is heading into his third pro season, including his third with the Saints. Haener didn't play as a rookie in 2023, but he took on a bigger role last year and even made one start. He finished the season with a 46.2 percent completion rate, 226 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He can be left on fantasy waivers as long as he remains the Saints' third-string quarterback behind Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. In fact, Haener will likely be inactive as the emergency third quarterback on gamedays.
Source: Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints have re-signed quarterback Source: Ross Jackson
Dak Prescott Opens Season With Tricky Matchup
Dak Prescott is making his big return from injury this Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The veteran signal-caller missed nine games last year, but he's now healthy and possesses significant fantasy upside. Most of the excitement around Prescott stems from concerns about the Cowboys' defense and running back room. If Dallas' defense struggles as much as expected, the offense will need to play catch-up and score a lot of points. However, without much star power in the backfield, most of Dallas' offensive attack will need to come through the air. Prescott could easily be asked to throw the football 600 times this year, and his career 66.8 percent completion rate, 5.1 percent touchdown rate, and 2.0 percent interception rate are all very appealing. This week, he faces off against a very strong Eagles defense. This unit allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks last year, and they only got slightly worse during the offseason. As 8.5-point underdogs, Prescott and the Cowboys could have some solid garbage-time stats, but it seems somewhat unlikely the quarterback lights the world on fire against a very tough opponent. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable with Prescott's floor, but refrain from expressing much optimism about his ceiling. He's merely a low-end QB1 this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Source: RotoBaller