September 3, 2025
Dallas Cowboys rookie running back
Jaydon Blue makes his NFL debut on Thursday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 2025 fifth-round pick suffered a low-ankle sprain in the preseason finale against Atlanta, but practiced in full this week and is off the injury report. Blue opens the year as the RB3 in Dallas, sitting behind
Javonte Williams and
Miles Sanders on the depth chart. That leaves him without a clear fantasy role heading into Week 1. Even if the Cowboys mix him in for a handful of touches, the matchup is as bad as it gets. Philadelphia allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024. For now, Blue is more of a deep stash in dynasty and very deep leagues, while redraft managers should keep him on their bench until his workload becomes more defined.
--Nathan HarveySource: RotoBaller
September 3, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Miles Sanders is set to make his debut in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. After a disappointing 2024 campaign in Carolina, where he lost the starting job to
Chuba Hubbard, Sanders is looking for a fresh start in Dallas. In Cowboys camp, Sanders has been splitting first-team reps with
Javonte Williams, though Williams is expected to open the season as the starter. With Sanders expected to be the team's RB2, it makes it very difficult to trust starting him in fantasy lineups this week. Sanders also faces the league's toughest defense vs running backs in 2024, making his path to fantasy production nearly impossible in Week 1.
--Nathan HarveySource: RotoBaller
September 3, 2025
New York Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has suffered a significant arm injury and could miss extended time, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Vera-Tucker is seeking a second opinion to determine whether surgery will be required. The former first-round pick, who started 15 games at right guard in 2024, has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. He previously missed time with a torn triceps in 2022 and a ruptured Achilles in 2023. With Vera-Tucker's status uncertain, fourth-year guard Xavier Newman-Johnson is the most likely candidate to step in, though the Jets have yet to announce their official plan at right guard.
--Nathan HarveySource: Dianna Russini - The Athletic
September 3, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys and fullback
Hunter Luepke have agreed to a two-year contract extension worth up to $7.5 million, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo. The deal makes Luepke the second-highest paid fullback in the NFL, joining San Francisco's
Kyle Juszczyk, behind Miami Dolphins'
Alec Ingold. The third-year pro out of North Dakota State is coming off the best season of his career in 2024, when he tallied 149 yards and a touchdown on 24 touches. Beyond his production, Luepke proved his value as a versatile contributor, excelling as a runner, receiver, and blocker in the Cowboys' offense. With the extension secured, Luepke is expected to remain Dallas's starting fullback as the team prepares for a critical Week 1 divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
--Nathan HarveySource: Tom Pelissero - NFL Network
September 3, 2025
Tennessee Titans running back
Julius Chestnut has been listed as the team's RB2 to start the season. With
Tyjae Spears opening the year on injured reserve, the fourth-year back holds the backup role ahead of 2025 sixth-round pick
Kalel Mullings. Through his first three seasons, Chestnut has appeared in 26 games, recording just 31 carries for 114 yards, but now steps into an expanded opportunity. Chestnut will serve as the primary backup behind veteran
Tony Pollard until Spears returns. While he remains a non-factor for fantasy purposes, especially in a tough Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos' defense, this promotion reflects Chestnut's growth within the organization and solidifies his place on the Titans' depth chart.
--Nathan HarveySource: Tennessee Titans
September 3, 2025
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) is expected to suit up Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. The two-time Pro Bowler is coming off a season-ending knee injury in 2024 that required a chondral tissue graft procedure. While Diggs and the team expressed uncertainty about his Week 1 availability during training camp, his return for the season opener is a positive sign. Diggs is likely to see plenty of star wide receiver
A.J. Brown, who PFF graded as the NFL's top wide receiver against man coverage in 2024. Brown's physicality and route-running will test Diggs immediately, making this one of the marquee matchups of Week 1 as the Cowboys look to slow down the defending champions.
--Nathan HarveySource: Tom Pelissero - NFL Network
September 3, 2025
Baltimore Ravens tight end
Isaiah Likely (foot) is not expected to suit up for Sunday night's matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Likely suffered a broken bone in his foot during a non-contact drill in late July and underwent surgery shortly after. The initial timeline projected a six-week recovery. Baltimore elected not to place Likely on the PUP list or injured reserve, signaling optimism that he will return early in the season. With Likely sidelined,
Mark Andrews should see an uptick in opportunities. In the lone game Likely missed last season, Andrews produced six receptions on seven targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens will hope to have Likely back as soon as Week 2, when they host the Cleveland Browns.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
September 3, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver
Jalen Royals (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. The fourth-round pick has been sidelined for multiple weeks with knee tendinitis and did not travel with the team to Brazil on Wednesday. Royals was expected to provide depth behind third-year starter
Rashee Rice, who is suspended for the first six games. With both Royals and Rice unavailable, veteran
JuJu Smith-Schuster is positioned to take on a larger role. Smith-Schuster, who rejoined the Chiefs in 2024 after Rice suffered a season-ending LCL injury, has an opportunity to stabilize the passing game early in the year. Royals' next opportunity to make his NFL debut is against the Philadelphia Eagles. - Nathan Harvey
--Nathan HarveySource: Kansas City Chiefs
September 3, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Russell Gage Jr. was released from the active roster on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, the team plans to sign him to their practice squad, and they will elevate him to the active roster if he's still available on gameday. The 29-year-old is best known for the first few years of his career with the Falcons, but he also scored five touchdowns in 2022 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gage actually hasn't been targeted since the 2022 season, but San Francisco clearly likes what it sees from the former sixth-round pick. If he does suit up for Sunday's game, he'd be off the fantasy radar.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
September 2, 2025
The Denver Broncos hosted free-agent running back
Deuce Vaughn for a workout on Tuesday, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The 23-year-old spent each of the last two seasons in a depth role with the Dallas Cowboys. Through 14 career games (zero starts), he has 110 rushing yards and 58 receiving yards. However, he's still searching for his first NFL touchdown. If signed, Vaughn would offer additional running back depth behind
J.K. Dobbins,
R.J. Harvey,
Tyler Badie, and
Jaleel McLaughlin. He can be avoided in all fantasy leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jordan Schultz
September 2, 2025
The New Orleans Saints have re-signed quarterback
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.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ross Jackson
September 2, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie two-way star
Travis Hunter is listed as a starting wide receiver and backup cornerback on the team's initial depth chart. Hunter and
Brian Thomas Jr. are listed in the first-team offense, along with
Dyami Brown. The Colorado product exploded for 96 catches, 1,258 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns last year, cementing his status as a top prospect. He was ultimately drafted second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who traded up to select him. He was just as dominant on the defensive side of the ball at school, totaling 36 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 passes defended during his final collegiate season. He won the Heisman Trophy and was also named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. There is still some uncertainty about whether Hunter can stay healthy for a full season while playing on both sides of the ball, but if he can, the sky is the limit. He's a solid low-end WR3 option heading into the 2025 fantasy season.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jacksonville Jaguars
September 2, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
George Pickens is set to make his first appearance with his new team this Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Pickens arrived in Dallas after an offseason trade, and he's expected to have a sizable role in an offense that should lean heavily on the passing attack this year. The 24-year-old has eclipsed 800 yards in each of his three pro seasons, and he could soar even higher this year if opposing defenses commit most of their attention to covering
CeeDee Lamb. Plus, we expect Dallas to be playing from behind in a potential shootout against the Philadelphia Eagles, which means that Lamb, Pickens, and other Cowboys pass catchers could be peppered with targets. All in all, managers should trust Pickens as a low-end WR3/FLEX option in 12-team leagues this week.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 2, 2025
Dallas Cowboys kicker
Brandon Aubrey should be inserted into fantasy managers' starting lineups despite a difficult matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. Kicking on the road isn't easy, especially when the venue doesn't have a roof. However, Aubrey has repeatedly shown that he can nail long kicks in difficult conditions. Although he went 0-for-1 on field goals in Philadelphia last year, that came during a rough period of time when
Dak Prescott was sidelined. He looked better when the Cowboys hosted the Eagles, going 2-for-2 on field goals with a successful 46-yarder. The biggest reason why you should start Aubrey, though, is his track record. He has been either K1 or K2 in each of his two NFL seasons, and Aubrey in an unfavorable venue is still better than many kickers in the serenity of a dome. Philadelphia's defense may limit Dallas' red-zone opportunities, but the Cowboys' kicker should still have several opportunities to add points via field goals. Start him with confidence in Week 1.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 2, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys kick off the post-Micah Parsons era on Thursday, and they'll do it against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. This divisional showdown will test the Cowboys defense's ability to contain a mobile quarterback, break through an elite offensive line, and slow down one of the decade's most dominant running backs. Fantasy defenses scored the eighth-fewest fantasy points against the Eagles last year, so managers should be concerned about the Cowboys D/ST this week. They could certainly make some stops in garbage time, but it's hard to envision this unit steamrolling the Eagles on the road. Turnovers will be hard to come by, and Philadelphia could easily run up the score. Fantasy managers should stay away from the Cowboys defense, which will likely end up in the bottom third of the D/ST fantasy leaderboard this week.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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