RADIO
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
Alvin Kamara Questionable for Week 1
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that veteran running back Alvin Kamara (knee) is questionable to play in Week 1 on Sunday versus the Detroit Lions on the road, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Kamara missed most of training camp this summer due to a sprained MCL in his knee, and he also missed the end of the 2025 season with a knee injury. The 31-year-old veteran saw his fantasy football value plummet this offseason after the Saints brought in Travis Etienne Jr. to be their RB1. Kamara briefly considered retirement, but he chose to return for a 10th NFL season in the Big Easy, where he figures to primarily operate on passing downs in Moore's offense when he is active. The five-time Pro Bowler will merely be a shaky RB3/flex option for fantasy managers if he gets the green light to suit up in the season opener in Motown. If Kamara is held out against Detroit, Kendre Miller is the most likely option to serve in a change-of-pace role behind Etienne, with Audric Estime also banged up.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Darren Waller Ready to Go But Still Up in the Air for Sunday
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that tight end Darren Waller is ready to go, but he stopped short of saying whether he will be active on Sunday for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. Waller is not on the injury report in Week 1, but the 33-year-old continues to ramp up his conditioning after joining the Panthers in the middle of training camp. He said earlier this week that he was preparing to play this Sunday against the Bears, but even if he is active, Waller will be a tough sell for starting fantasy lineups in single-TE leagues. After retiring in 2024, the former sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 from Georgia Tech made a return last year to play for the Miami Dolphins, where he played in only nine games and caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns. Waller is still an intriguing red-zone tight end because of his size when he's active, but with a likely short leash if he plays this weekend, we would caution against throwing Waller out there right away if he plays against Chicago.
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
Cardinals Expect Jeremiyah Love to be a Game-Time Decision on Sunday
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur expects rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) to be a game-time decision this Sunday for the Week 1 season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reported earlier on Friday that Love is expected to play, but the Cardinals are going to play a little gamesmanship and pretend that he might not be available. The 21-year-old Notre Dame product was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday after he suffered an ankle injury in the first week of the preseason and was then held out for the rest of the summer. The Cardinals have already lost Trey Benson (knee) for the season, and James Conner (foot) is starting on Injured Reserve, but Love might still be the RB2 in Arizona out of the gate if he is active on Sunday. Veteran Tyler Allgeier is expected to see the majority of backfield work against the Bolts, even if Love plays, which will make Love a volatile low-end RB2 choice for fantasy managers in Week 1. Making things more difficult this weekend is that Love and the Cardinals do not play until the late window on Sunday.
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Michael Penix Jr. Had No "Real Chance" to Start in Week 1
When asked if there was any chance that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) could start on Sunday in the Week 1 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said, "No." Stefanski said that Penix will be ready when he is ready. It remains to be seen if Penix will be ready for the team's Week 2 contest next Sunday, Sept. 20, versus the division-rival Carolina Panthers, as the Falcons are now in a bit of a bind at the QB position following Tua Tagovailoa's oblique injury in practice on Thursday that will sideline him this weekend. With Penix already ruled out, the Falcons are forced to turn to veteran backup Cooper Rush in the season opener against Pittsburgh, with undrafted rookie Jack Strand backing him up. It might be just one week of Rush, though, since Penix has been listed as a full participant in practices this week. With Tagovailoa now potentially being cut after another injury, Penix's path to a full-time starting role has cleared up, making him much more attractive for the 2026 season in two-QB superflex leagues after he partially tore his ACL last year.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Jonathon Brooks Will Have "No Limitations" on Sunday
After fully participating in Friday's practice, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) has been cleared for Sunday's season opener against the Bears, and head coach Dave Canales says he will face "no limitations" in terms of rep count. Brooks missed the entirety of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL for the second time in December of 2024, but it was a groin issue that limited him to begin the week. With both injuries seemingly behind him, he will suit up for his first regular-season game in over 21 months, and he projects to split time with veteran Chuba Hubbard. The first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks has carried the ball only nine times in his professional career, but with neither he nor Hubbard carrying an injury designation into Sunday, Canales told reporters, "This is a tandem we've been thinking about for a very long time, and I'm excited to see those guys get out there and help our team." Still facing a difficult-to-predict Week 1 workload, Brooks is RotoBaller's RB32 for the week.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
Sean Tucker to Be Listed as Doubtful for Sunday
After returning to practice as a limited participant on Thursday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Friday that running back Sean Tucker (hamstring) will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's season opener against the Bengals. Tucker recently agreed to a reworked deal to stick with the Buccaneers for his fourth season, but a hamstring injury that occurred late in training camp now threatens his Week 1 availability. After leading the team with seven rushing touchdowns in 2025, Tucker was in play for a goal-line role despite a return to health from Bucky Irving and the free-agent acquisition of veteran Kenny Gainwell. With Tucker unlikely to suit up on Sunday, Irving should see a usage bump and now ranks as RotoBaller's RB20 for Week 1.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Tua Tagovailoa Ruled Out for Sunday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) has been ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers after popping up on Thursday's injury report with an oblique injury, as reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Tagovailoa signed a one-year, veteran minimum deal with the Falcons after being released by the Dolphins. Following a rocky training camp and preseason that began with back spasms, he was recently named the Week 1 starter, as 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. (knee) continues to work his way back from the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season. Penix, who is still listed as the fourth quarterback on the team's unofficial depth chart, has been a full practice participant to begin the week, so there is a chance he could now step into the Week 1 starting role. If not, the Falcons will begin the year with either Cooper Rush or undrafted rookie Jack Strand under center. A report from The Palm Beach Post's Joe Schad (citing Pro Football Talk) suggests that there is a "strong possibility" that Tagovailoa is released if/when he is replaced as the starting QB. Now that more injury issues have popped up for the former first-rounder, he might not even end up taking a single snap in a regular-season game for Atlanta.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Chris Bell Looks Good Heading into His First Career Start
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell fell to the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft and missed most of his first training camp while rehabbing from the ACL tear that ended his collegiate career, but since his return, he has made headlines with his instant acclimation to the Dolphins offense. Bell has already been named a starter for Miami's season-opening matchup with the Raiders, and on Friday, beat reporter Joe Schad shared that he stood out during the media accessible portion of practice, catching passes in the end zone from quarterback Malik Willis. Bell saw action in only one preseason game, but he was targeted five times in roughly 10 minutes of game action, as the team wasted no time getting him up to speed. As RotoBaller's WR74 for Week 1, he's a difficult play given the unknowns and the low expectations surrounding Miami's offense. Still, for fantasy managers already coming into Sunday as heavy underdogs, he represents a big swing who could be featured heavily in his first career game against a less-than-formidable opponent.
Source: Joe Schad
Source: Joe Schad
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Cleared to Play Sunday
After dealing with a groin injury that limited him in both Wednesday and Thursday's practices, Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) has been cleared to play in Sunday's season-opener against the Eagles, according to head coach Dan Quinn. As a seventh-round rookie in 2025, Croskey-Merritt ran for 805 yards and eight touchdowns, ranking as one of the league's most efficient backs on plays run from under center. With new offensive coordinator David Blough expected to call more such plays, and the second-year runner entering the year with a clean bill of health, Croskey-Merritt has Week 1 flex appeal despite a tough opening matchup. While free-agent acquisition Rachaad White is expected to see much of the Commanders' passing-down work, Croskey-Merritt still profiles as the team's early-down back and should stay involved as long as the game remains close, making him RotoBaller's RB35 for Week 1.
Source: Zach Selby
Source: Zach Selby
Jalen McMillan Considered Doubtful for Season Opener
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) is listed as doubtful for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. In addition to McMillan, third-string running back Sean Tucker (hamstring) is doubtful to play. The 24-year-old McMillan had been a limited practice participant this week, but the Bucs apparently did not see enough progress to clear him for the regular-season opener this weekend. He missed extensive time in training camp and all of the preseason, potentially opening the door for impressive rookie wideout Ted Hurst III to take over the WR3 role from McMillan early on this year. With McMillan unlikely to play against Cincy, Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. will have higher fantasy ceilings, and Hurst will get his chance to make his mark early. McMillan, a third-rounder in 2024, found the end zone eight times as a rookie, but he played in only four games a year ago due to a serious neck injury he suffered in the preseason. Staying healthy has been an issue. He is rostered in only 14% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Jonathon Brooks Set to Play in Week 1
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) does not have an injury designation on Friday and will play in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Things were trending this way with Brooks practicing all week, but now it is official. The 23-year-old former second-round pick in 2024 from Texas will be playing in just his fourth NFL game after tearing his ACL twice since entering the NFL. Carolina's backfield hierarchy is a bit unclear going into the season opener, but both Brooks and Chuba Hubbard should have sizeable roles in 2026. The Panthers talked Brooks up during training camp and the preseason, causing him to rise on fantasy draft boards, and as long as he stays healthy, he should be a weekly RB3/flex option with upside if he can finally stay healthy in the NFL. Both Brooks and Hubbard should be viewed as RB3/flexes for a difficult Week 1 matchup against the Bears' defense.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Patriots Placing A.J. Brown on Injured Reserve
The New England Patriots are placing wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Friday due to the high-ankle sprain that he suffered in Wednesday's season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks, which will sideline him for a minimum of four games, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that Brown is expected to miss at least four weeks because of his ankle injury, so it makes sense that the Pats would put him on IR to open up a roster spot while he recovers. It is an ominous sign for the start of the 29-year-old's tenure in New England after the Pats sent a first-rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles for him in the offseason. The former second-rounder caught three of his four targets for 26 yards on Wednesday in Seattle before spraining his ankle. Fantasy managers must stash Brown in an IR spot for now and hope that he can hit the ground running and renew his connection with quarterback Drake Maye when he returns. In the meantime, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams will all be asked to step up in the passing game, as well as tight ends Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Emeka Egbuka Cleared to Play in Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (toe) is a full-go for Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Egbuka was considered up in the air for the season opener after spraining his toe in training camp in August, but he has been practicing in full with the team all week and is ready to go. It is worth noting that Jalen McMillan (knee) is considered doubtful, which should open up more targets for Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and rookie Ted Hurst III. Egbuka had been trending down in fantasy with Week 1 approaching because of his toe injury, but now that he is fully cleared and McMillan is expected to sit out, he is trending back up as a strong WR2 in a game that is expected to feature plenty of points. Make sure that Egbuka is in your starting lineup for Week 1 this weekend against Cincy.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
