RADIO
Malik Nabers Medically Cleared to Play, Remains Game-Time Decision
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) is medically cleared to play in Week 1 but remains a game-time decision, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler reports that the Giants are "prepared for (Nabers) to play," but that the decision is ultimately "up to (Nabers) and how he feels." The 23-year-old is working his way back from the devastating knee injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 4. Given the severity of the injury and the length of his absence, the thought is that both the team and player are taking a long-term view of his recovery rather than focusing on rushing him back out onto the field. The Giants play the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday Night Football, so fantasy managers may have to decide whether or not to leave Nabers in their lineups before knowing for sure if he will be active. If Nabers is unable to play, Giants wideouts Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields, and Odell Beckham Jr. could all be available on the waiver wire and would likely see increased workloads.
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Keyjuan Brown Injured in Week 2 Win
Louisville running back Keyjuan Brown (undisclosed) left Friday's lopsided win over Villanova with an injury. He was limited to just one carry, gaining 12 yards. Brown was more involved in Week 1 against Ole Miss, gaining 56 yards on seven carries and adding in a five-yard reception. If he cannot play in Week 3 against SMU, it could open the door for Marquise Davis and/or Braxton Jennings to be the team's RB2 after Isaac Brown. Davis has seven carries for 86 yards and two scores this season, while Jennings has three carries for 28 yards and a score. Brown is by far and away the leader in the RB room though, with 29 carries already, but for just 97 yards and no touchdowns.
Source: William McDermott
Source: William McDermott
Justin Herbert Carries QB1 Upside in Fantasy-Friendly Matchup
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will make his 2026 debut in Mike McDaniel's offense with a favorable home matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The 28-year-old is coming off a solid fantasy football campaign, finishing as the QB10 in overall scoring and points per game (18.7) last year. Herbert is expected to get a statistical boost this season with McDaniel's as the offensive coordinator, who has orchestrated one of the league's most explosive offenses and has led the league in passing yards before. The quarterback-coordinator duo will face a Cardinals pass defense that finished near the bottom in most passing stats last year. They allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns (31), ninth-most completions (375), 10th-most passing yards (4,128), 11th-highest completion percentage (65.6), and had the third-fewest sacks (30). In addition, the Cardinals will deploy a similar defensive scheme after keeping Nick Rallis as their defensive coordinator and making no big additions on defense this offseason. Herbert is RotoBaller's QB4 in a dream matchup and has it within his realm of outcomes to be the QB1 overall in Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Hawks Waive Lamont Butler
The Atlanta Hawks waived guard Lamont Butler (knee) on Friday, one day after signing him, and on the same day they cut Devin Carter, Hawks reporter Brad Rowland reports. Butler's brief return always looked procedural, with the likely goal of keeping him in the organization's G-League pipeline. His first pro season never got moving after he tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee during the College Park Skyhawks' preseason process, costing him all of 2025-26. The former San Diego State and Kentucky guard flashed in his lone preseason outing last October, posting 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 37 minutes. Atlanta still has a standard-roster crunch to solve, but Butler was not a realistic threat for NBA minutes behind CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Kingston Flemings, and Ryan Nembhard. There is no fantasy impact here.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
AK Dear, Michael Carroll Out in Week 2 with Injuries
Alabama running back AK Dear (ankle) and offensive lineman Michael Carroll (concussion) have each been ruled out for the team's Week 2 matchup against Kentucky. Dear didn't play in last week's game against East Carolina. Quarterback Keelon Russell had a team-high 13 carries in the Crimson Tide's win, while Daniel Hill got nine attempts. EJ Crowell and Trae'shawn Brown each received seven carries, while Kevin Riley had six. Hill and Brown were listed as co-starters in Week 1, with Riley and Crowell after that. Carroll was the starter at right guard in week 1, but suffered a concussion during practice this week. Ethan Fields was last week's backup at RG, so he's an option to replace Carroll this week.
Source: Pete Nakos - On3
Source: Pete Nakos - On3
Rome Odunze Not Yet Medically Cleared to Play in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) is not yet medically cleared to play in his team's season opener against the Carolina Panthers, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Odunze has been battling a calf strain and is officially listed as questionable to play. The 24-year-old told reporters on Friday that he feels "ready to go," but Fowler reports that the team will ultimately be making the call on whether to have him suit up on Sunday. Odunze had the tail end of his 2025 campaign disrupted by a nagging foot injury, so Chicago's decision-makers may be looking to avoid a similar situation where the calf issue lingers in 2026. If Odunze is active, he profiles as a flex option for fantasy managers in Week 1. If he's unable to go, Bears tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III would both likely see increased workloads.
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Sergio De Larrea Pushes for Backup Role
Dallas Mavericks guard Sergio de Larrea has a real path to backup point guard minutes entering camp, though nothing has been declared. The Smoking Cuban's Noah Weber reads Dallas' lack of an established veteran point guard addition as a sign of confidence in the rookie. The 20-year-old, taken No. 25 overall in June, sits behind Kyrie Irving (knee) alongside Marcus Sasser as one of the team's main traditional lead-guard options, while Cooper Flagg is also expected to handle creation. De Larrea's Summer League line showed the split: 8.0 points on poor shooting, but 8.8 assists per game, including a 14-assist night against Oklahoma City. Dusty May could still lean on Sasser, so De Larrea is more camp watch than draft target, but the passing gives him a path if Irving misses time.
Source: Noah Weber
Source: Noah Weber
Devin Carter Floated as Knicks' Guard Insurance
Guard Devin Carter could make sense as backcourt insurance for the New York Knicks once he clears waivers, Kris Pursiainen of Knicks Film School suggested. This comes after Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that Boston has shown interest in Carter following his release from Atlanta, so New York should be treated as a logical fit rather than a reported suitor. Carter has a tie to head coach Mike Brown, who coached the Sacramento team that drafted him No. 13 overall in 2024. The 24-year-old averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.9 steals in 18.4 minutes across 38 games last season. New York already has Jalen Brunson, Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, and Tyler Kolek in the guard mix, but Miles McBride missed 28 games after sports hernia surgery. Carter would still need the right landing spot to become more than a watch-list name.
Source: Kris Pursiainen
Source: Kris Pursiainen
Xavier Legette Off the Injury Report, a Deep-League Flex Vs. the Bears
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (ankle) was not listed on the team's injury report and will suit up against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Legette injured his ankle during practice a few weeks ago but has been cleared and will be active for the regular season opener. The 25-year-old is set to be Carolina's WR3 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker after catching 35 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Bears' secondary is banged up heading into Week 1 and will be without safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Kyle Gordon. Chicago also allowed the third most fantasy points to wideouts last year, giving Legette a plus matchup for this week. Despite the positive matchup and game script (47.5 points over/under), Legette is an option in very deep leagues and is ranked WR90 in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Greg Dulcich Is a Sleeper to Watch in Week 1
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich has the potential to develop into a top target in his team's passing game this season. With new QB Malik Willis expected to lead a run-heavy and conservative offense, Dulcich is expected to be the team's top pass-catching tight end. The team could also rotate rookies Will Kacmarek, Seydou Traore, and Justin Joly in what could be an interesting timeshare to monitor. Dulcich had 26 catches for 335 yards and a touchdown while playing 10 games for the Dolphins last year. He's the lone veteran in the tight end room coming into the year, and even though he has the potential to fill a growing role, he's a very high-risk start in Week 1, despite a favorable matchup against the Raiders in Las Vegas. Dulcich is the No. 30 TE in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings, so even though he has sleeper potential, it's best to see how the timeshare works out before using any of the Dolphins' tight ends for fantasy.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Daniel Jones is a Possible Superflex Option in Week 1
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) is set to take the field Sunday afternoon at home against the Baltimore Ravens for the first time since going down in Week 14 amidst a breakthrough season last year. He was QB13 in fantasy points per game through the first 13 weeks of the 2025 season and was a starter/streaming option for many fantasy managers prior to his injury. Jones' mobility in his first live NFL snap since his right Achilles tear will be a major item of interest in Week 1, but it is unclear how the new Ravens defense will apply pressure. Last year, the Ravens generated the fourth-lowest pressure rate (27.0%) on plays using a four-man pass rush, their lowest mark since 2017. According to Next Gen Stats, in 2025, Jones averaged 8.6 yards per attempt when facing a four-man pass rush through the first 13 weeks prior to suffering his season-ending injury, trailing only Drake Maye (8.9). However, newly acquired Ravens edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has aligned as the right edge on 94.2% of his snaps since 2021, projecting a matchup with Colts left tackle Bernhard Raimann. In their lone prior meeting in Week 14 of 2023, Hendrickson generated seven pressures, including two sacks, across 21 pass-rushing matchups against Raimann, resulting in a 33.3% pressure rate, also according to Next Gen Stats. Admittedly, plenty has changed since that duel almost three years ago, but that potential pressure coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Jones' post-Achilles injury mobility is a concern for his overall fantasy value this week. Jones is Rotoballer's QB23 heading into Sunday, putting him on the edge of superflex consideration in 12-person or larger leagues for Week 1.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
If Active, Darren Waller a Dart Throw in Week 1 Vs. the Bears
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller signed a one-year contract with the Panthers this offseason and is expected to be the team's starting tight end. Waller practiced all week and recently worked with the first-team offense, with the plan to play in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. According to Steve Reed of the Associated Press, Waller is not on the injury report for Week 1, but continues to ramp up his conditioning after joining the team in mid-August. The 33-year-old caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns in nine games for the Dolphins last season. He gives quarterback Bryce Young a red zone weapon, but the Bears were stingy against tight ends last year, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to the position. Waller ranks 31st in our tight end rankings and is mainly an option in deep-league TE premium leagues heading into Week 1. Even if Waller is active, he should be left on the bench and is a dart throw at best for the regular season opener.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Bell Has the Potential to Emerge in Miami's Offense
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell was named as one of the team's starting receivers in his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. An ACL tear ended his college career at Louisville and caused him to slide to the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Even though he missed most of his first training camp while rehabbing, he has made a splash right away with a quick acclimation to the Dolphins' offense. He only played one preseason game, but he was targeted five times in about 10 minutes of game action. In Week 1, Bell is RotoBaller's WR73, just behind teammates Caleb Douglas and Malik Washington. Bell could end up being the top fantasy receiver in Miami's offense at some point this season, and he has a huge opportunity ahead of him. He's extremely high risk for Week 1, but he's a rookie to monitor moving forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Washington Could Be In Position for a Larger Role
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington is his team's most proven option at wide receiver coming into the season, which will be the team's first year under new head coach Jeff Hafley and QB Malik Willis. The offense is expected to be very run-heavy, which could leave limited receiving production for anyone in the offense. Washington will be joined by rookies Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, along with veteran Jalen Tolbert as the team's top receivers. Washington is coming off 46 catches for 317 receiving yards and three scores in addition to 110 rushing yards and another score last season. With Jaylen Waddle out of the picture, he could end up as the team's top receiver this season, but with a new QB and offense, his role is still very uncertain. He's RotoBaller's No. 71 WR in Week 1 despite a favorable matchup against the Raiders, so he's best left on the bench until his workload is clearer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alec Pierce is Cleared to Play, but a Risky Start in Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) shed his injury designation Friday afternoon and will play against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Fantasy managers should still exercise some caution, however, as Pierce logged limited practices all week and missed the entirety of training camp while on the Physically Unable to Perform list after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. As of Friday afternoon, it is unclear if the veteran receiver, who led the NFL for two consecutive years in most air yards per reception, will be on a snap count. Even though Pierce finished the 2025 season as the WR23, his injury woes during the off-season pushed him into the later draft rounds, and he was drafted around WR40. Therefore, he is probably not in many starting lineups outside of deep leagues, 3WR leagues, or knockout formats. Additional uncertainty surrounds Pierce's connection with quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles). It is true that Pierce had two top-five finishes last season after Jones went down with a torn Achilles in Week 14. However, Pierce logged five top-24 finishes with Jones under center, showing a level of familiarity that translates to fantasy success. Pierce managers who don't need a WR4/flex option are best served keeping him on the bench, if possible, for Week 1 to build confidence in his recovery and observe his rapport with Jones.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
