RADIO
Derrick Henry Primed to Reprise Bellcow Role in Week 1
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is the NFL's active leader in rushing yards (13,018), and he looks to expand his lead in the Ravens' season opener against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday afternoon. Interestingly, the Week 1 matchup featuring Henry (1,595 rushing yards in 2025) and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (1,585) marks just the fourth game in NFL history to open the season with opposing rushers who each surpassed 1,500 yards the prior season, according to Next Gen stats. Admittedly, Henry does not see much action in the receiving game, tallying just 15 receptions for 150 yards last year. However, the veteran running back averaged over 20 rushing attempts per game with a 5.2 yards-per-carry average in 2025. Last season, Henry had eight games with over 100 yards, scored a touchdown in nine games, and reached the end zone multiple times in four games while enjoying ample goal-line and red-zone opportunities throughout the season. Even with the Ravens' offense going through significant off-season changes, Henry remains integral, and his running game is key to unlocking a new play-action style from quarterback Lamar Jackson. Derrick Henry is the unquestioned bell cow for the Ravens and is a locked-in RB1 starter for fantasy managers in every format this weekend.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rome Odunze Questionable for Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) is officially questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Carolina Panthers, according to Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune. Odunze was listed as limited Wednesday and Thursday after spending Monday and Tuesday rehabbing the injury, so this looks like one fantasy managers will have to carry into the weekend. The good news is that Chicago has been optimistic. Head coach Ben Johnson called Odunze day-to-day earlier this week and said the calf issue is not related to the foot injury that bothered him last season. Odunze still managed 44 catches for 661 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in 12 regular-season games in 2025. If he suits up, the calf adds some risk to what already looked like more of a WR3/flex spot for Week 1. If he cannot go, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland would be the biggest names to watch for extra targets, while Kalif Raymond could pick up more work on the outside.
Source: Sean Hammond
Source: Sean Hammond
Bengals Defense With A Tough Matchup In Week 1
The Cincinnati Bengals defense has a tough matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. The Bengals defense was among the worst defenses in the NFL in 2025, allowing the third-most points just behind the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. While the Jets and Cowboys defensive units are expected to be much improved this season, the same optimism is not surrounding the Cincinnati unit. The Bengals defense is also facing injuries with Shemar Stewart listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest. Even if this defensive unit were at full strength, they would still have a hard time slowing down the Buccaneers offense. The Bengals defense is ranked 29th in our RotoBaller Week 1 rankings, making them a unit to avoid this week and probably most weeks moving forward.
Source: Cincinnati Bengals - Twitter
Source: Cincinnati Bengals - Twitter
Evan McPherson Could Be Kicking Often In Week 1
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. McPherson knocked through a career-high 89.3% of his field goal attempts in 2025 and made 41 of his 44 PATs. The Bengals kicker was perfect through the preseason, nailing all of his kicks, and should be locked in for a heavy workload. McPherson should be among the league leaders in PATs considering that Cincinnati is projected to be a top-tier scoring offense again this season. McPherson should be in line for a lot of attempts against the Buccaneers in a game with the highest over/under of the week. McPherson is ranked K7 in our RotoBaller Week 1 rankings, making him a strong option to start at kicker this week. Fantasy managers should be interested in McPherson's prospects this season as he should be relied on often in a high-scoring offense.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Samaje Perine Opens Season As Bengals RB2 Against Tampa Bay
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine will operate as the team's RB2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. Chase Brown is the clear RB1 of the team, but that does not mean that he will take all of the opportunities out of the backfield. Perine will get the opportunity to mix in, especially on passing downs. Over the past five years, Perine has been one of the most efficient running backs on a per-target basis so it stands to reason that Cincinnati will want to get him involved in the passing game. There could be a lot of passing involved in the game against the Buccaneers this Sunday. With a 50.5-point over/under, Vegas is projecting a lot of scoring to take place in Cincinnati this weekend. Perine is ranked RB52 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, so he would have to be a desperation flex option for deep leagues only but his contingent upside is among the highest of all RB2s. If Brown goes down with an injury, Perine will step into one of the most valuable roles in the NFL. For now, Perine is likely best served warming the bench for fantasy managers.
Source: Fantasy Points Data - Twitter
Source: Fantasy Points Data - Twitter
Mike Gesicki Atop TE Pecking Order In Week 1
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Week 1. Gesicki has established himself as the top receiving option among Bengals tight ends and the role could potentially be valuable if he is able to produce with the opportunities granted to him. The Bengals have rarely relied on one tight end to produce and instead opted to rotate the position. Gesicki is the main receiving option, but Drew Sample is a much better blocker so he takes Gesicki off the field. Gesicki also has competition with Erick All Jr for reps at tight end. That said, Gesicki could find some fantasy points on Sunday in a game with the highest over/under of the week against the Buccaneers. If this week's contest turns into an offensive affair, fantasy points could be flowing in this game. Gesicki is ranked TE25 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, making him a difficult TE2 option to trust this week. If you're truly desperate at the TE position, he could be a worthy dart throw.
Source: Mike Petraglia - Twitter
Source: Mike Petraglia - Twitter
Emari Demercado Moves Onto the Waiver Radar
Dallas Cowboys running back Emari Demercado is basically unrostered on Yahoo, but that could change after Malik Davis was injured during Friday's practice. Davis had clearly won the No. 2 job behind Javonte Williams, with Demercado sitting directly behind him after Dallas claimed the veteran off waivers at the end of August. If Davis is forced to miss time, Demercado suddenly has a much cleaner path to backup work. He has been efficient when called on, averaging 6.5 yards per carry on 126 career attempts. Last season with Arizona, Demercado ran 44 times for 312 yards and caught 13 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. None of that makes him a Week 1 starter against the Giants. Williams is still the lead back here. But with Demercado at 0% rostered on Yahoo, deeper-league managers now have a reason to take a shot before there is more clarity on Davis. If Davis misses time, Demercado's handcuff value rises quickly.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chase Brown Ready To Make His Mark In Week 1
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 of the 2026 season. All the buzz around Brown this offseason has been about how the Bengals view him as an explosive playmaker and will be looking to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. These reports suggest that Brown could be in line for even more receiving work than he's had in recent years. Brown finished the 2025 season as the RB7 in PPR formats and could build on that this season. The road to finishing as the RB1 this season could start in Week 1 against the Buccaneers in a game that could very well turn into a back-and-forth scoring affair. The Bengals game has a 50.5-point over/under, making it the highest total of the week. Brown could score a ton of fantasy points in a great offensive environment. Brown is ranked RB5 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, making him a very strong start this Sunday.
Source: UnderdogNFL - Twitter
Source: UnderdogNFL - Twitter
Tee Higgins Removed From Injury Report, Ready For Full Workload
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was listed on the Week 1 injury report with a foot injury but was a full participant in all practices and has since been removed from the injury report ahead of Sunday. Higgins and the Bengals will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 of the 2026 season. Despite his quarterback missing nine games last season, Higgins still managed to finish as the WR15 in PPR formats. Higgins will have the opportunity to pick up where he left off against the Buccaneers in what should be one of the highest-scoring games of the week. The highly talented WR2 for the Bengals is a strong WR2 option for fantasy with the upside to finish as a WR1 if he and Burrow can both stay healthy. Higgins is ranked WR11 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, making him a low-end WR1 option in a positive offensive environment. Fantasy managers should start Higgins with confidence this week.
Source: Kelsey Conway - Twitter
Source: Kelsey Conway - Twitter
Ja'Marr Chase Off Injury Report, Ready To Begin Historic Season
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was previously listed on the Week 1 injury report with a knee injury, but he has since been removed from the report and is ready to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Despite losing his superstar quarterback, Joe Burrow, for nine games, Chase still managed to finish the season as the WR4 in PPR formats. Chase's ability to perform at a high level despite playing with backup quarterbacks for the majority of the season is just a testament to his immense talent and reliability. Now with his quarterback fully healthy, the runway should be clear for Chase to have another historic season. The 26-year-old completed the receiving triple crown in 2024 and now has his eyes set on the touchdown record. Chase said he wants to score 23 touchdowns this season, and he certainly has the opportunity to do it. Chase could get his scoring started this Sunday against the Buccaneers, in a game with a 50.5-point total. The Buccaneers defense gave up over 24 points per game in 2025 while the Bengals defense gave up nearly 29 points per game. If the Bengals find themselves chasing points, Chase could be in for a very hefty workload. Chase is ranked as the overall WR1 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, making him a smash play this Sunday. Fantasy managers should be prepared to see a massive fantasy output from Chase every week.
Source: UnderdogNFL - Twitter
Source: UnderdogNFL - Twitter
Joe Burrow Set To Make Season Debut Against Tampa Bay
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is poised to begin his MVP campaign against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Week 1. The Bengals superstar had an injury-plagued 2025 season, missing nine games with a severe turf toe injury. Burrow was productive upon his return, scoring 19+ fantasy points in five of the final six games of the season. Now Burrow enters the 2026 season fully healthy and armed with a trio of elite offensive weapons in Ja'Marr Chase, Chase Brown, and Tee Higgins. The 29-year-old will get an opportunity to run up the score against the Buccaneers in a game with the highest game total of the week set at 50.5 points. Both the Bengals and Buccaneers had down years by their standards in 2025, but both teams were top-six in scoring in 2024. With Burrow fully healthy and opposing quarterback Baker Mayfield fresh off signing his new contract extension, both teams should be ready for a high-scoring affair. Burrow is currently ranked as the overall QB1 in our RotoBaller Week 1 rankings, so fantasy managers should be very excited about starting him this week.
Source: Adam Schefter - Twitter
Source: Adam Schefter - Twitter
Malik Davis Carted Off With Undisclosed Injury on Friday
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis (undisclosed) was carted off the practice field on Friday due to an injury, a source told Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS. The Cowboys are looking into the severity of Davis' injury, but it does not look good for him playing on Sunday night in the Week 1 season opener against the division-rival New York Giants at the moment. The Cowboys surprisingly cut both Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah at the end of training camp, giving Davis a clear path to full-time RB2 duties in Dallas in 2026 behind starter Javonte Williams. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent from Florida did not play at all in 2024 but returned to carry the ball 52 times in 2025 for 250 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games played, adding two receptions for 16 yards. If Davis' injury requires a lengthy absence, Emari Demercado would become the next man up for the Cowboys behind Williams and a priority handcuff pickup off the waiver wire. Stay tuned for an update on Davis' injury on Friday or Saturday.
Source: All City DLLS - Clarence Hill Jr.
Source: All City DLLS - Clarence Hill Jr.
Bears to be Cautious With Rome Odunze Early?
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson said that wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) will practice on Friday, according to Sean Hammond of The Chicago Tribune. The Bears' coaching staff will assess where Odunze is after practice and make a decision on his Week 1 status against the Carolina Panthers from there. Johnson noted that "there's a long season ahead." The 24-year-old was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but it does not sound like Odunze is a slam dunk to be active this weekend in the season opener against Carolina. It makes Odunze a risky WR3/flex option in all fantasy formats since he could be on a strict snap count on Sunday if he is cleared to suit up. The former ninth overall pick from Washington in 2024 had six touchdowns but disappointed with only 44 receptions and 661 receiving yards in 12 starts in 2025 while dealing with a foot injury in the second half of the season. Odunze's foot injury is apparently a thing of the past, but a new calf injury has now put his Week 1 status in doubt. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Odunze's status on Sunday morning.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Sean Hammond
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Sean Hammond
49ers Signed Kyle Shanahan to Extension in the Offseason
The Ringer's Tom Pelissero reports that the San Francisco 49ers quietly signed head coach Kyle Shanahan to a contract extension in the offseason, per sources. Shanahan was previously believed to be signed through the 2027 season, but one of the league's top coaches is now locked up for years to come. Terms of Shanahan's new deal have not been disclosed, but it is a big plus for a 49ers squad that looked outstanding on both sides of the ball in their season-opening win on Thursday in Australia over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. San Francisco has been notably banged up in recent years and dealt with key injuries again this summer in training camp, but their defense, in particular, was impressive in Melbourne in holding the high-octane Rams offense to just seven points. Shanahan was involved in a scary car accident over the summer as well, but he recovered nicely and was available for the Week 1 win. Things are looking up for the Niners going into Week 2.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
KC Concepcion to Work as Punt Returner in Week 1
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said on Friday that rookie first-round wide receiver KC Concepcion will get all the work as the team's punt returner in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Scott Petrak of The Chronicle Telegram. Monken added that the Browns will play their best players "in every scenario." Cleveland's QB picture is not ideal for a rookie wideout coming into the league, but the 21-year-old Concepcion received plenty of training camp buzz this summer and could be the Browns' leading wideout when all is said and done in 2026. The 24th overall pick in April out of Texas A&M had 25 total touchdowns in his three collegiate seasons (first two years at North Carolina State) and added 919 receiving yards on 61 receptions in 13 games with the Aggies in 2025. He is locked into a top-three role heading into Week 1 alongside fellow rookie Denzel Boston and Jerry Jeudy, and fantasy managers should consider him an upside WR4/flex option in his NFL debut this weekend.
Source: The Chronicle Telegram - Scott Petrak
Source: The Chronicle Telegram - Scott Petrak
