RADIO
Kenyon Sadiq Has Integrated Himself into the Offense
New York Jets rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq (groin) was an early training camp standout before complications related to offseason hernia surgery caused him to miss significant time, but he was a full participant during Wednesday's practice, and offensive coordinator Frank Reich told reporters on Thursday that he has integrated himself well into the offense. Sadiq was the 16th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after turning in a historic Combine performance, and he finds himself in a Jets offense well-equipped to take advantage of his dynamic skill set. Reich's offenses have historically featured the tight end position, and the Jets are in need of a secondary pass-catching option behind Garrett Wilson, who led the team with 395 receiving yards in 2025 despite missing 10 games. With Sadiq's injury causing him to go undrafted in many redraft leagues, he profiles as a potential waiver add before Sunday's season opener against the Titans.
Source: Nick Faria
Source: Nick Faria
49ers D/ST Faces Serious Challenge In Week 1
The San Francisco 49ers' defense is tasked with a tough job in their season opener. On Thursday night, San Francisco faces the Los Angeles Rams, whose offense led the league in points per game (30.0) and yards per game (397.0) last season. In 2025, San Francisco had one of the worst pass rushes in the NFL and recorded the fewest sacks in the league (20). Turnovers were also hard to come by, with San Francisco being near the bottom of the league with just six interceptions and not getting their first until Week 8. The 49ers lost defensive lineman Alfred Collins (knee) for the season after the second-year player tore his patellar tendon in practice earlier this week. Potential fill-in James Thompson Jr. (hamstring) is listed as questionable. San Francisco did not do much to improve their defense in the offseason and is one of the lowest-ranked units in RotoBaller's Week 1 projections. They should not be rostered at this point.
Source: 49ers.com
Source: 49ers.com
Eddy Pineiro A Top-12 Kicking Option For Week 1
San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro is ready for his second season with the team. Last year, Pineiro took over the position from Jake Moody after the latter missed three kicks (including two extra points) in last year's season opener. Pineiro went on to be one of the most effective kickers in fantasy football based on fantasy points per game. Not previously known for having a powerful leg, Pineiro went 6-for-7 from beyond 50 yards and was 10-for-10 on field goals between 40 and 49 yards long in 2025. In Week 1, San Francisco opens the season against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne. The Rams have one of the league's top-rated defenses, but even if they slow down the 49ers, Kyle Shanahan's dynamic offense should still be able to move the ball into field goal range and set Pineiro up for some scores. Pineiro is twelfth overall at his position in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings and can be safely started.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
George Kittle Cleared, Still A Risky Play For Week 1
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) beat the usual recovery timeline for the Achilles tear he suffered in January and will be active for the team's season opener on Thursday night. Despite being limited in practices this week, he carries no injury designation heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Rams in Melbourne. In Kittle's only game against Los Angeles in 2025, he caught nine passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Fantasy managers should not expect the same production for Week 1, as the tight end can be expected to be on a pitch count, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. With the additions to the 49ers' receiving room in Mike Evans, De'Zhaun Stribling, and Deebo Samuel Sr., Brock Purdy has plenty of options to throw to. Kittle ranks as RotoBaller's TE8 this week, but his usual ceiling will be hard to reach in light of the circumstances around him.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Malik Nabers "On Track" to Play Sunday Night
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice, and NFL Insider Adam Schefter told Pat McAfee on Thursday that he is on track to play Sunday night when the Giants open the season at home against the Dallas Cowboys. The sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nabers broke the franchise record with 109 receptions as a rookie before tearing his ACL in only the fourth game of his sophomore season, the first career start of 2025 first-round pick Jaxson Dart. Following a lengthy rehab that had his early-season availability in question for much of the summer, Nabers appears to be trending in the right direction and could begin the year on the right foot in what projects as one of the highest-scoring contests of Week 1.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
De'Zhaun Stribling WR3 On Depth Chart Ahead Of Week 1
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling was selected at the top of the second round in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite his outstanding preseason, he will begin the regular season behind veterans Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. on the 49ers' depth chart. Stribling can be expected to work into games as the 49ers' primary slot receiver, according to beat writer Matt Barrows of The Athletic. San Francisco opens the season against the Rams, who added cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson in the offseason. With that pair likely assigned to keep Evans and Samuel in check, and tight end George Kittle (Achilles) on a pitch count, it is possible that Stribling takes advantage and sees a handful of targets in his regular-season debut. The uncertainty of his role and workload this early in the season calls for fantasy managers to exercise caution, however, and keep the rookie on the bench. Stribling ranks as a WR5 in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings.
Source: San Francisco 49ers
Source: San Francisco 49ers
Jeremiyah Love Expected to Play Sunday
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, but NFL Insider Adam Schefter suggested that he's expected to play in Sunday's season opener against the Chargers. Love injured his ankle in a preseason game against the Raiders in which he was given 14 opportunities, but he has since made steady progress, and his presence on Wednesday is an encouraging sign for his Week 1 availability. The third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Love has the highest Offensive Rookie of the Year odds and is expected to quickly become a focal point of the Cardinals' new-look offense under head coach Mike LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Fantasy managers will need to continue monitoring his progress throughout the week, and while the potential of a limited snap count still exists to begin the year, Love is trending in the right direction.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Deebo Samuel Sr. Draws Tough Matchup In First Game Back With 49ers
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is back with his former team after spending 2025 with the Washington Commanders. Samuel played with the 49ers from 2019 to 2024, during which time he averaged 55.7 receptions and 798.7 receiving yards per season. The team lists the 30-year-old receiver as starting opposite Mike Evans on their depth chart to start the season. Samuel will be competing not only with Evans for targets, but also rookie De'Zhaun Stribling and safety valve Christian McCaffrey. Tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is expected to be on a pitch count in Week 1, which might afford Samuel some extra looks. In Week 1, Samuel will likely face off against cornerback Trent McDuffie, who has held the receiver in check in their past meetings. Samuel ranks as a borderline WR4/5 in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings. Given the matchup and competition for targets, Samuel is a risky play in the first week of the season.
Source: San Francisco 49ers
Source: San Francisco 49ers
Mike Evans Could Emerge As 49ers' Top Target In Week 1
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans will make his team debut on Thursday in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Evans is listed as the team's WR1, working opposite Deebo Samuel Sr. and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling. Tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is expected to be on a pitch count for Week 1, which will likely keep Evans more involved. Evans' 6-foot-5, 231-pound frame might make him an attractive target for Brock Purdy against Rams' cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Evans was limited throughout the preseason while managing quad and groin injuries, but downplayed the severity in a press conference this week and said that they would not have cost him game time. Evans projects as a borderline WR2/3 in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings. He is a safe start in most leagues and should definitely be in the lineup in leagues that start three wide receivers.
Source: Dylan Grausz - NBC Sports Bay Area
Source: Dylan Grausz - NBC Sports Bay Area
Ashton Jeanty Will Play on Sunday
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice, and NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed on Thursday that he would play in the season opener against the Dolphins. Jeanty injured his ankle in late August, drawing headlines with a dramatic exit, but he has since returned to the practice field and is not expected to be limited in Week 1. In his absence, fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr. positioned himself for a significant change-of-pace role through three dominant preseason outings, and it remains to be seen how new head coach Klint Kubiak will split carries in his first game with the Raiders. After handling a bell cow role as a rookie, expectations are high for Jeanty if the offense as a whole can take a step forward, and he is RotoBaller's RB15 for Week 1.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Kyler Murray Well-Positioned for a Significant Bounce-Back
Since finishing as the fantasy QB3 in 2020, veteran quarterback Kyler Murray has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, playing in at least 14 games only twice while finishing as the QB19 or lower in three of the past five seasons. Following his release from the Arizona Cardinals, he signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings and now finds himself in a prime environment for a bounce-back season. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has long been respected for the work he has done with his quarterbacks, while four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been regarded as one of the top players at the position since entering the league in 2020. After winning the starting job in training camp, Murray finds himself at the helm of what was a top-six passing offense as recently as 2024 before facing significant quarterback concerns a season ago. With the mobility to provide a healthy fantasy floor and the surrounding playmakers to elevate his ceiling, the former first overall pick is a candidate to greatly outperform expectations as he enters the year as RotoBaller's QB19.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian McCaffrey Healthy, Projected As Top-Three RB Option For Week 1
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) spent much of the preseason limited with what was described in numerous reports as general tightness. McCaffrey later explained that his extended absence from team drills was part of the team's plan to keep him fresh in 2026 after racking up 414 touches in 2025. McCaffrey was not listed on injury reports this week and carries no designation ahead of the 49ers' season opener against the Rams. Injuries to the 49ers' offense in 2025 paved the way for McCaffrey to be the team's leading receiver. San Francisco fleshed out its wide receiver room in the offseason, reuniting with Deebo Samuel Sr., signing free agent Mike Evans, and drafting rookie De'Zhaun Stribling. With the new additions, there may be fewer opportunities for McCaffrey as a pass catcher. Still, he will remain the focal point of Kyle Shanahan's dynamic offense and, when healthy, has the potential to be the top running back in fantasy football week-to-week. McCaffrey projects as a top-3 option at his position in Week 1.
Source: Jennifer Lee Chan
Source: Jennifer Lee Chan
Jadarian Price Quiet but Efficient in Week 1
Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price rushed for 52 yards on 10 carries against the New England Patriots on Wednesday night. He also added two receptions for six yards. Price started the game and ran ahead of fellow running back George Holani. The two finished with similar carry counts (10 to eight) and snap shares (48% to 46%). However, Price was the more effective back, with Holani only gaining 29 yards on his carries. The Seahawks' offense was out of sorts for much of this game, but Price still had a couple of explosive runs that were eye-popping. He is clearly the most talented healthy running back on the roster, and Seattle figures to use him more and more as the season progresses. While his overall fantasy output was pedestrian at best, Price was still the clear lead back. With quarterback Sam Darnold (hip) potentially a candidate to miss some time, Seattle may lean on the run even more moving forward. Expect the offense to right the ship sooner rather than later, giving Price plenty of chances to score fantasy points. He draws a juicy matchup with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sam Darnold to be Ready by Week 3?
Updating a previous report, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (hip) is expected to miss the Week 2 contest against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals, but he should be back sooner rather than later and could be out just a few weeks, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. With 17 days until the Seahawks' Week 3 game against the Washington Commanders, it is possible that Darnold could be ready by then. The 29-year-old only attempted two passes before injuring his hip in Wednesday night's 13-10 victory over the visiting New England Patriots and was forced to leave. Although Darnold will not play next weekend, the Seahawks dodged a bullet with Darnold avoiding a long-term injury. Backup Drew Lock did enough to lead Seattle to a come-from-behind win to kick off the season, going 16-for-22 passing with 187 yards and one touchdown. Lock will be a short-term streaming option in Week 2 in Arizona in superflex leagues with Darnold missing at least one game. Fantasy managers who have Darnold rostered in two-QB leagues should hang tight and hold him while he recovers.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Breece Hall Not Expected to be on a Pitch Count
New York Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich said on Thursday that there will be no anticipated pitch count for running back Breece Hall (groin) in the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Reich said he likes to rotate RBs anyway, but "unless AG and the training staff give us a rep count, we just go play ball." Hall should be good for his normal rep count in the season opener despite being held out of practices late in training camp due to a minor groin issue. He has practiced so far this week and should be locked into starting fantasy lineups as at least a strong RB2 option for managers to kick off the season in a new-look offense led by veteran quarterback Geno Smith. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis will continue to be sprinkled in, but Hall is the Jets' clear workhorse back when he is healthy, and he should continue to see plenty of volume. The 25-year-old is coming off his first career 1,000-yard season with four rushing touchdowns on 243 carries in 2025, adding 36 receptions for 350 yards and another TD through the air in 16 starts.
Source: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini
Source: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini
