RADIO
Kenneth Walker Explodes For 191 Yards In Week 1 Victory
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker put up a historic performance in his Kansas City debut. Walker handled 23 carries for 173 yards and a score in the 31-10 win over the Denver Broncos. The star back also caught three passes for 18 yards and another touchdown. Walker accounted for 191 total yards of offense in the Monday night rout. The Broncos offense totaled 176 yards on the night, so Walker was able to outgain them all on his own. It was a perfect debut for his new team as Walker broke off several breakaway runs, including a 60-yard score. All this production came against one of the strongest defensive units in the NFL, so it remains to be seen what kind of stat lines he'll put up against lesser squads. Walker will look to repeat this performance next week against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts' defense was middle-of-the-pack in points allowed last season, so the Chiefs should have no trouble moving the ball. Walker should be viewed as a rock solid RB1 heading into Week 2 after this impressive game.
Source: NFL - Twitter
Source: NFL - Twitter
Patrick Mahomes Proves Doubters Wrong In Week 1
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 15 of 27 pass attempts (56%) for 184 yards and two touchdowns in the 31-10 blowout win over the Denver Broncos. Mahomes also took two sacks and threw one interception in the contest. The storyline surrounding Mahomes has been his knee returning from an ACL injury, but he put those doubts to rest early. Mahomes scrambled for a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter for the first score of the game. The star QB finished the game with seven rushes for 23 yards, but that stat line is skewed due to several kneel-downs in the final minutes of the game. Mahomes finished the week as a top-10 QB for fantasy, so he could be a reliable option moving forward. The 30-year-old will take on the Indianapolis Colts at home in Week 2. The Colts defense allowed the 12th-most points to opposing offenses in 2025, and the Chiefs just mowed down the touted Broncos defense, so Mahomes could be in for another good fantasy performance next week. Fantasy managers should be excited about the prospect of a healthy Mahomes for the 2026 season.
Source: NFL - Twitter
Source: NFL - Twitter
Jaylin Noel Offers Deep-League Stash Value
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel was all over the field during Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Noel only played 24 of 79 offensive snaps at wideout, but he was still able to make an impact. He secured both his targets for 53 yards in the loss. He also had three kickoff returns for 70 yards, but that doesn't help fantasy managers in every league. It seems that Noel is going to be the fourth wideout on this roster, which will hurt his overall value. However, Noel has the ability to make big plays when called upon, which makes him an interesting deep league stash candidate in case another wide receiver goes down with an injury.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Dylan Sampson is Expected to Miss Significant Time with Knee Injury
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (knee) was seen using crutches following Sunday's Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to Jeremy Fowler, Sampson is expected to miss significant time due to the knee injury he suffered on Sunday. Fantasy managers will likely need to wait until later in the week for a better timetable. The Browns aren't required to provide any update until the injury report is released on Wednesday. His absence will mean an uptick in value for Quinshon Judkins, while Raheim Sanders figures to handle the backup duties going forward. Fantasy managers should check back later in the week for a better timetable on Sampson.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Brenton Strange is Gaining Steam After Scoring in Season Opener
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange is coming off a relatively quiet game in Week 1. Strange didn't do much in terms of receptions or yardage, but salvaged his fantasy value with a touchdown. He caught two of his three targets for 23 yards, including a 14-yard score in the second quarter. Strange is the clear No. 1 tight end in this high-profile passing offense, which could be good news for fantasy managers. He recorded a career-high 540 receiving yards this past season and is being slept on in fantasy leagues. Strange isn't an elite option, but he profiles as a solid TE2 on a weekly basis.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Bell Could Emerge as Stash Option
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell made his NFL debut against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. The Dolphins selected Bell in the third round during this year's draft. He's expected to be a significant part of the offense during his first year in Miami. On Sunday, Bell got off to a slow start as he didn't record his first catch until the third quarter. He finished the day, hauling in one 25-yard pass on three targets in the loss to the Raiders. The good news is that Bell played over 50 percent of the offensive snaps on Sunday. He didn't make a ton of noise in his debut, but it sounds like he's going to see steady playing time. Fantasy managers in deep leagues should consider stashing Bell for later in the season. He'll get a tough test against the San Francisco 49ers defense in Week 2.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Mansoor Delane is Questionable to Return with Shoulder Injury
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Mansoor Delane (shoulder) is questionable to return during Monday's game against the Denver Broncos, Nate Taylor reports. Delane landed on his right shoulder after intercepting a pass during the first quarter of Monday's game. He remained on the sideline for the second drive of the game. Delane was dealing with a shoulder injury during OTAs, so he might've re-aggravated it on Monday. His absence could mean more snaps for Kristian Fulton, Nohl Williams, and Christian Roland-Wallace.
Source: Nate Taylor
Source: Nate Taylor
Drew Brees Considered Playing for Broncos in AFC Championship
Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees considered coming out of retirement in January to rejoin former head coach Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Starting QB Bo Nix (ankle) was sidelined with a fractured ankle in the overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round, forcing backup Jarrett Stidham into action in the AFC Championship, a game that the Broncos lost 10-7 in a snowstorm. Previous offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael had discussions with Brees about him coming out of retirement to play in the game. Brees wanted to first work out to see how his body responded, but he quickly felt discomfort in his wrist and quickly nixed what would have been one of the most improbable returns in NFL history. Lombardi and Carmichael did not include Payton or inform him about their initial conversations with Brees. Stidham struggled in place of Nix, going 17-for-31 passing for 133 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while also losing a fumble.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Marvin Harrison Jr. Sees Limited Targets Due to Game Flow
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. saw limited targets (three) in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday because of how the game unfolded, head coach Mike LaFleur told Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. "I wouldn't look too much into the targets and all that stuff," LaFleur said. Harrison had a disappointing season opener despite the Cardinals pulling off the road upset, catching just one of his three targets for 33 yards. Tight end Trey McBride was quarterback Jacoby Brissett's favorite target, as he caught nine of his 13 targets for 95 yards and a touchdown in the 26-14 victory at SoFi Stadium. The good news for Harrison's fantasy managers is that he was second among the wideouts with a 79% snap share, behind Michael Wilson's 85%. Still, Kendrick Bourne was targeted five more times than Harrison. It is only one week, but the former fourth overall pick from Ohio State is now falling into shaky WR4/flex territory in fantasy with an upcoming Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday.
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Eagles Place Guard Landon Dickerson on Injured Reserve
The Philadelphia Eagles placed three-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Landon Dickerson (knee) on Injured Reserve on Monday with a knee injury, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Dickerson will now be forced to miss at least the next four games. The earliest Dickerson would be able to return would be on Oct. 18 against the Carolina Panthers. It is a major blow for the 27-year-old former second-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft from the University of Alabama, and it could have a pretty big effect on the new-look Eagles offense as they head into a Week 2 matchup this Sunday on the road against the Tennessee Titans. While the Eagles have the personnel to overcome Dickerson's injury, it is for sure a slight downgrade for quarterback Jalen Hurts and the rest of the offense in the short term over at least the next four weeks.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Sam Darnold Has "Very Unique" Short-Term, Soft-Tissue Injury
According to a Seattle Seahawks spokesperson, quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) has a "very unique" soft-tissue injury that is considered a short-term injury, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. Darnold's hip joint is unaffected, but there is currently no timeline for his return. The Seahawks initially termed it a hip injury after Darnold was forced from last Wednesday's season-opening win over the New England Patriots on the first offensive drive of the game. The 29-year-old is now believed to be dealing with a glute injury, and he will most likely miss the Week 2 contest on the road against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals this Sunday. Beyond that, it is unclear when the 29-year-old signal-caller might return under center for Seattle after leading the team to a Super Bowl championship in February. The fact that Seattle has not placed Darnold on Injured Reserve means they have some confidence that he will be back within the next four games. In the meantime, Drew Lock will start for the Seahawks as more of a game manager, with little upside as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Kalif Raymond on Waiver Radar After Leading Bears in Receiving
On a day when the Chicago Bears' offense put up 59 points in a Week 1 season-opening win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, it was wide receiver Kalif Raymond who led the team in receiving. Raymond was second among the team's wideouts (behind Luther Burden III) with a 60% snap share, and he caught eight of his nine targets for 84 yards, all team highs. The 32-year-old veteran pass-catcher was talked up during training camp by his teammates and coaches, and he has experience playing for head coach Ben Johnson during their time together with the Detroit Lions. In fact, Raymond, a former undrafted free agent from Holy Cross, had his best season (career-high 616 receiving yards) with Johnson back in 2022. It was a bit of a surprise to see Raymond become the focal point of Chicago's passing attack in Week 1, and it came at the expense of tight end Colston Loveland, who did not have a single catch on only two targets. Raymond had just 24 catches for 289 yards and one touchdown in his final season in Detroit last year, but he has his sights set on a much bigger role in the Windy City and is now firmly on the waiver-wire radar heading into Week 2. He is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Bhayshul Tuten Looks Like Jaguars' Lead Back
After the Jacksonville Jaguars' 34-10 blowout win over the visiting Cleveland Browns on Sunday in the Week 1 season opener, John Shipley of Sports Illustrated wrote that "for now, it looks like" running back Bhayshul Tuten is the team's lead back. Tuten outsnapped Chris Rodriguez Jr. 28 (49%) to 23 (40%) and out-touched him 16 to six. However, as third-down back LeQuint Allen Jr., who had only one snap, gets healthier, the distribution of snaps could shift more. For now, Tuten's fantasy football stock is rising, especially since head coach Liam Coen has been praising him. "I think Tuten ran his tail off. He ran hard. The first run of the day, the first play of the day, I think we maybe had a chance to keep that thing inside, but there was a little color that he did see that allowed him to bounce it. I don't think he missed many reads, personally," Coen said. The 23-year-old handled 15 carries for 16 yards and caught his lone target for 22 yards. It was not a huge game by any means, but it was efficient as the lead back. Tuten is definitely the most fantasy-relevant back in Jacksonville right now, but he faces a difficult Week 2 matchup against the Denver Broncos and their stout defense.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Isiah Pacheco Could Return by Early December After Back Surgery
Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (back) underwent surgery to remove a body that was pressing on a nerve in his back, a source told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Pacheco is facing a 12-week recovery, with a chance that he is back from Injured Reserve by early December. The former Kansas City Chiefs RB was dealing with an MCL injury late in training camp before injuring his back while training. There is not much incentive for fantasy managers to hold Pacheco now in an IR spot in redraft leagues. The 27-year-old had 1,765 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 375 carries in his first two seasons with the Chiefs, adding 57 catches for 374 yards and another two TDs as a receiver. But since the start of the 2024 season, Pacheco has dealt with injuries, limiting him to 20 games in his final two years in KC. With Pacheco now out until the final month of the regular season, the Lions could look to add RB depth behind bell-cow back Jahmyr Gibbs. Sione Vaki operated as Detroit's RB2 in Sunday's Week 1 season-opening win over the New Orleans Saints in overtime, but he handled only two rushing attempts for seven yards and caught one pass for 11 yards.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Jeremiyah Love Wasn't On Snap Count in NFL Debut on Sunday
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said on Monday that rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) was not really on a snap count coming off an ankle injury in the team's Week 1 season-opening win on the road over the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Darren Urban of the team's official website. The usage between Love and Tyler Allgeier on Sunday in L.A. had more to do with game flow. In the 26-14 win at SoFi Stadium, Love saw 11 rushing attempts for 41 yards and the touchdown, adding two catches on four targets for just nine yards as a receiver. Allgeier had a team-high 17 carries for a team-high 61 yards, adding two catches on two targets for nine yards through the air. Allgeier saw the field more than Love, outsnapping him 59% to 43%. Eventually, Love is expected to take over Arizona's backfield, especially with Trey Benson (knee) out for the year and veteran James Conner (foot) on Injured Reserve, but in the early portion of the 2026 season, Allgeier could continue to have a larger role, limiting Love's fantasy ceiling to that of a fringe RB2/3. Love will have a difficult Week 2 matchup this Sunday at home against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks.
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
