RADIO
Tyrone Tracy Jr. has Uncertain Role Heading into Week 1
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. is expected to split the backup role with Devin Singletary and Najee Harris. After the third-year back fumbled and missed a pass-protection rep that left his starting quarterback, Jaxson Dart, leveled, Tracy appears to have lost ground in the backfield. The Giants' depth chart listed second-year Cam Skattebo as the RB1, with Tracy, Singletary, and Harris all listed as RB2s. In 15 games last season, Tracy had 176 carries for 740 yards and two touchdowns, and added 36 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns. With a new coaching staff in place, Tracy's role appears uncertain for Week 1, and fantasy managers should have low expectations for his outlook against the Dallas Cowboys.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Jones Sr. Could Lose Snaps to Backfield Mate in 2026
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. is expected to split the backfield with Jordan Mason this season. Last season, Jones had 160 touches for 747 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games, while Mason had 173 touches for 809 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. Mason has reportedly had a strong training camp, looks fast and explosive, and has a shot at the starting role in Minnesota. With Kyler Murray under center and a favorable schedule for running backs, both players can produce, but Mason has more workhorse upside. Jones has also missed 11 games over the last three seasons, making him a riskier option. Both will limit each other's fantasy value in a committee, but Mason's strong training camp and career efficiency give him the best chance to eventually take over this backfield.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan James Off Fantasy Radar After Losing RB2 Role
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James was a healthy scratch in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. After battling rookie Kaelon Black in training camp, James appeared to lose the backup role and was inactive for the season opener in Melbourne, Australia. James has played only three games in his NFL career and has yet to record a stat. With him as the clear RB3 and the team's ability to use fullback Kyle Juszczyk and Deebo Samuel Sr. as emergency running backs, James does not appear likely to have a role this season unless both Black and star Christian McCaffrey are injured. Fantasy managers can safely drop the second-year back, with Black the clear backup in San Francisco.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
De'Zhaun Stribling Likely to Miss Time
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) will likely miss time, according to Ian Rapoport. Stribling limped off the field, went to the medical tent, returned, and then went down with a non-contact injury that appeared to be significant. The good news is that head coach Kyle Shanahan deemed it an ankle injury and that his Achilles tendon was intact. The rookie receiver was held without a target against the Los Angeles Rams but led the 49ers wideouts in snaps after three drives, playing more than Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Demarcus Robinson, all of whom scored touchdowns in Week 1. While we won't know the full diagnosis until the team returns to the States, fantasy managers shouldn't drop the young, talented receiver.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Isiah Pacheco Droppable After Landing on Injured Reserve
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee/back) will enter the 2026 season on injured reserve. After a sprained MCL in early August, Pacheco dealt with a back injury that head coach Dan Campbell said was more concerning than the knee. With the former Chiefs' back set to miss at least the first four games of the season, fantasy managers in 10- or 12-team leagues should consider dropping him. He had 118 carries for 462 yards and one touchdown last season, averaging six half-PPR fantasy points per game. Once healthy, Pacheco will compete for a backup role behind star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Even if he suffers an injury, a committee with Sione Vaki or Jacob Saylors, or a free-agency move by the Lions, would be considered as well. There are more high-upside running backs on the waiver wire, and the injuries have set him back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Demarcus Robinson Gets TD Grab In Season Opener
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson had two receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown on Thursday night against the Rams. Even though he saw only three targets, Robinson spent a surprising amount of time on the field, finishing second behind Mike Evans in snap count and routes run. With Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., and De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) thought to be ahead of him on the depth chart, little was expected of Robinson before the season began. Depending on Stribling's injury status, Robinson may continue to see regular work, though his production relative to his snap share in Week 1 suggests he won't be a focal point on the offense. Robinson is capable of the occasional splash play, but it is hard to see him as a consistent source of fantasy points, even with the Dolphins on deck for Week 2.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Deebo Samuel Sr. Catches TD In Reunion With 49ers
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. was productive in his first game back with the team in their season opener against the Rams despite his limited role. Samuel entered the game from the bench and finished with six catches for 48 yards and one touchdown on seven targets. The versatile veteran also handled one carry for 12 rushing yards and two kickoffs for 74 return yards. Samuel ranked third in snap share among the 49ers' wide receivers behind Mike Evans and Demarcus Robinson, and likely would have finished behind De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) had the rookie not exited the game due to an injury in the second quarter. The vague receiver roles and frequent rotations make it hard to predict how and when Samuel will be used, but if Stribling misses time, he should see greater involvement. Samuel might be a flex play in Week 2, when the 49ers face off against the Miami Dolphins.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Mike Evans Scores TD In 49ers Debut
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans made good on the hype surrounding his signing in Thursday night's 27-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Evans brought in six of his seven targets for 49 yards and one touchdown in the season opener. Evans was involved early and often on pivotal plays, converting four third downs in the first half (three on the first drive alone). His lone missed target came on a third-and-three just before halftime. Evans' lone catch in the second half was a two-yard touchdown that helped the 49ers pull away. With his size and abilities as a receiver, it is easy to see Evans becoming a preferred target for quarterback Brock Purdy in the weeks to come. In Week 2, Evans will get a plum matchup against the Miami Dolphins at home.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Christian McCaffrey Has Modest Production In Lopsided Victory
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey led the team in rushing yards on Thursday night, gaining 68 on 10 carries. The versatile back also led the team in targets with eight, converting them into five receptions for 20 yards through the air. McCaffrey's 55% snap share on Thursday paled in comparison to his heavy usage in 2025. The 49ers involved second-stringer Kaelon Black early and often to spell McCaffrey, and the duo ended the game with the same amount of total touches. San Francisco scored 24 unanswered points following the Rams' second-quarter touchdown, providing the team the right script to be conservative with McCaffrey. Even if the 49ers make good on their talk of finding ways to preserve their star running back, McCaffrey's effectiveness when on the field will keep him in contention as one of the best at his position every week. In Week 2, McCaffrey will face the Miami Dolphins in the 49ers' home opener.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Davante Adams Held in Check as Rams Drop Season Opener
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams caught three of his six targets for 26 receiving yards during Thursday's Week 1 loss against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. The Rams' pass-catchers had a really frustrating outing in the season opener, and Adams was no exception. His 5.6 PPR points represent a massive decline from his average of 15.9 PPR points per game last season. Fantasy managers will hope that this game from Adams was an anomaly and can simply be chalked up to the nature of playing a game in Australia after arriving less than 24 hours earlier. Adams and his teammates will have plenty of time to return home and reacclimate to the conditions in the United States before returning to action in 11 days for a Week 2 contest against the New York Giants. He still ranks as a low-end fantasy WR2 for that game, but his floor is admittedly lower than before.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Puka Nacua Delivers Modest Production Despite High Target Share
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua caught five of his nine targets for 74 receiving yards during Thursday's Week 1 loss against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. The final output is nothing to scoff at, but it didn't quite live up to the standards that Nacua set during his elite campaign last year. He tallied 12.4 PPR points on Thursday, as opposed to his average of 23.4 PPR points per game in 2025. Along the way, Nacua finished as the overall WR1 last year, and he'll hope to defend that title in 2026. The good news for Nacua's manager is that Thursday's modest performance wasn't exactly his fault. He made some great plays, including a big 41-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter, and his fantasy output would have been higher if not for the iffy quarterback play of Matthew Stafford (and the offense's performance as a whole). We still view Nacua as a high-end WR1 for the rest of the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyren Williams Salvages Fantasy Performance with a Touchdown in Australia
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams tallied 11 carries, 41 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown during Thursday's Week 1 loss against the San Francisco 49ers. He also caught all three of his targets for an additional 24 receiving yards. Williams was inefficient on the ground, and he was out-rushed by Blake Corum despite having one more rushing attempt than his backfield-mate. Fortunately for Williams' fantasy managers, the 26-year-old salvaged his performance by catching some passes and breaking into the end zone. He won't bail out his fantasy managers with a touchdown every week, and he's unlikely to handle a noticeable increase in volume since Blake Corum will continue to have a big role. Therefore, we'd like to see him bounce back in terms of efficiency. Improving upon Thursday's 3.7 yards per carry will help Williams get back into the RB1 tier this season. For now, he's more of a high-end RB1 for the Rams' Week 2 matchup against the New York Giants.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matthew Stafford Delivers a Season-Opening Letdown in Australia
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 15 of his 25 pass attempts (60% completion rate) for 155 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He didn't take a sack in the contest. That stat line would be subpar for any quarterback, but it's especially frustrating for a veteran passer who won the league MVP award last season while having Puka Nacua and Davante Adams at his disposal. Stafford was unable to keep the Rams in this game for long, and he ended up getting replaced by Stetson Bennett once the score got out of hand. There's no real excuse for this performance, but if it's any consolation, managers should expect him to play a little better once he's not traveling to Australia and turning around to play a football game less than 24 hours later. The Rams will return to the United States soon, giving Stafford 11 days to get back on track before his next game against the New York Giants in Week 2. Largely thanks to his supporting cast, Stafford remains a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback for the time being.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Blake Corum Finishes Week 1 as the Rams' Leading Rusher
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries during Thursday's Week 1 loss against the San Francisco 49ers. He led the team in rushing yards, and his 5.4 yards per carry were nearly 50% greater than Kyren Williams' per-carry average. Williams was less productive on the ground despite having one more carry. However, there were two clear differences between the running backs on Thursday. First, Williams found his way into the end zone, building on last season's total of 13 touchdowns. Additionally, he had three catches for 24 yards, while Corum wasn't targeted in the passing game. For a while, there was some chatter that Corum and Williams could have a relatively equal split in the backfield, and that came to fruition in Week 1. Williams still ranks higher in fantasy football because he should tally more receptions and touchdowns, but Corum's heavy involvement in the rushing attack will keep him in the RB3 tier for Week 2 against the New York Giants.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brock Purdy Shines in Upset Win Over Rams
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy completed 25 of his 34 pass attempts for 205 yards, three passing touchdowns, and one interception during Thursday's Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Rams. He also rushed for 29 yards and didn't get sacked. Outside of the interception, Purdy had a phenomenal performance against the Rams in Australia, headlined by his 74% completion rate and three touchdowns. He was able to produce at such a high level despite wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) and tight end Jake Tonges (knee) exiting early, as well as tight end George Kittle playing on a reduced workload. He wasted no time showing off his new connections with Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr., and he also found success throwing to familiar faces such as Christian McCaffrey and Demarcus Robinson. Purdy remains in the mid-to-low QB1 tier for his next game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
