RADIO
Jake Tonges Ruled Out For the Remainder of the Game Thursday
Matt Lively of CBS reported Thursday evening that tight end for the 49ers, Jake Tonges (knee), has officially been ruled out of Thursday's contest against the Rams. Tonges had to be helped off the field in the second quarter and was ruled out shortly afterward. Prior to exiting, Tonges did not see any targets in the passing game. Luke Farrell is the likeliest candidate to step up into the two tight end sets for the 49ers, behind superstar George Kittle. Fantasy Managers rostering Tonges as a handcuff option will want to monitor his situation over the next few days.
Source: Matt Lively
Source: Matt Lively
De'Zhaun Stribling Ruled Out For the Remainder of the Game Thursday
ESPN NFL reporter Nick Wagoner reported Thursday evening that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) has been ruled out with an ankle injury after he was taken to the locker room on a cart. Stribling suffered a non-contact injury in the second quarter and immediately fell to the ground and needed help getting off the field. It is currently being ruled an ankle injury; however, fantasy managers will want to keep paying attention to any additional updates as the evening goes on. Prior to exiting, Stribling did not see any targets in his few quarters of action. Demarcus Robinson will likely be next in line for additional targets as Stribling misses time.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
David Njoku Generating Positive Camp Buzz For Chemistry and Athleticism
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku, who was brought over in the off-season from the Cleveland Browns, has generated positive buzz throughout training camp for his athleticism and chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert. Njoku joins a crowded tight end room with Charlie Kolar and Oronde Gadsden. Njoku has dealt with injuries over the past few seasons, playing in only 11 and 12 games over the past seasons after he finished as the TE6 overall in 2023. In 2024, he finished as the TE4 in fantasy points per game, while 2025 was a lost season, as he only had 293 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 33 receptions. While the 30 year old is getting up there in age, with a new offensive scheme with Mike McDaniels, an improved offensive ecosystem, he profiles as a tight end worth monitoring. He is currently RotoBallers 37th ranked tight end, meaning he likely wasn't drafted in many drafts throughout the summer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Tonges Questionable to Return in Week 1 with Knee Injury
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (knee) is questionable to return to his team's Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams due to a knee injury, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Tonges did not record a catch or target before exiting the game. The 27-year-old had the most productive season of his career in 2025, recording 34 catches for 293 yards and five touchdowns on 46 targets across 17 games. However, much of Tonges' production came in games where star 49ers tight end George Kittle was sidelined by injury. As long as Kittle remains healthy in 2026, Tonges is unlikely to play a significant role in the San Francisco passing game.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
De'Zhaun Stribling Carted Off With Non-Contact Lower-Leg Injury
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (lower leg) was forced to exit his team's Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams after suffering a non-contact injury to his lower leg, per James Palmer of Bleacher Report. While the team has not yet ruled Stribling out, he was carted off the field and reportedly could not put any weight on his left leg. Stribling did not record a catch or a target before leaving the game. It's a disappointing development for the 23-year-old, who drew rave reviews for his work in training camp and was expected to play a significant role in the 49ers' offense. If he missed time, 49ers wideout Demarcus Robinson could step into a larger role alongside veteran San Francisco wide receivers Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr.
Source: Bleacher Report - James Palmer
Source: Bleacher Report - James Palmer
Geno Smith a Deep-League Bounce-Back Candidate Entering 2026
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith enters 2026 in search of a bounce-back season after a disastrous 2025 campaign. Across 15 games with the Las Vegas Raiders last year, Smith completed 67.4% of his pass attempts for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. As he enters his age-36 season, Smith may simply be past his prime. However, he was saddled with one of the worst offensive lines in football and a subpar group of healthy pass-catchers last season in Las Vegas. While the Jets enter 2026 with question marks on offense, Smith will have an exciting group of weapons to work with on offense in wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, tight ends Mason Taylor and Kenyon Sadiq (groin), and running back Breece Hall (groin). In deeper leagues and two-quarterback formats, Smith could be worth targeting ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brevyn Spann-Ford Agrees to Three-Year Extension with Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford agreed to terms on a three-year extension on Thursday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Since catching on with Dallas as an undrafted free agent ahead of 2024, Spann-Ford has seen minimal usage as a pass-catcher through the first two years of his career. Across 17 games (five starts) in 2025, the 26-year-old recorded nine catches for 90 yards and one touchdown on 13 targets. Entering 2026, Spann-Ford is once again expected to be the blocking complement to Cowboys receiving tight ends Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker. Dallas' financial commitment to Spann-Ford proves that the team values his contributions, but he should remain off fantasy radars in 2026.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Chris Bell Still Working to Regain His Conditioning
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell said he's "about 80-85 percent back as far as conditioning," per Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. A third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Bell suffered a torn ACL last November that ended his final collegiate season prematurely. The 22-year-old was able to return to game action in the preseason and is expected to play in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, it appears Bell may not be all the way back to 100% in all facets of the game right away. With the Dolphins lacking established high-end pass-catchers, Bell has a chance to play a high-volume role in Miami's passing game as a rookie. Fantasy managers may want to temper their expectations for Bell as he gets his legs underneath him, but he's a worthy stash candidate for his season-long upside.
Source: Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Source: Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Tucker Kraft Unlikely to Receive Extension Before Week 1
The Green Bay Packers and tight end Tucker Kraft are unlikely to agree to terms on an extension before the start of the season, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Kraft is reportedly seeking a top-of-market deal as he enters the final year of his rookie contract with Green Bay. The 25-year-old had his 2025 season cut short after he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 9. However, Kraft was in the midst of a breakout campaign before suffering the injury, recording 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns on 44 targets across eight games. As long as he can stay healthy, Kraft profiles as a high-end TE1 option for fantasy managers entering 2026.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
A.J. Brown to Miss at Least Four Weeks
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain in Wednesday night's season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks and is expected to miss at least four weeks, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. High-ankle sprains typically keep players out anywhere from four to six weeks, so fantasy managers will need to be patient with the 29-year-old wideout after he caught just three of his four targets for 26 yards in Week 1 before leaving with his ankle sprain in his Patriots debut. It is not how Brown or his fantasy managers wanted him to get started back in the AFC this year, but he should be stashed in all leagues while he heals up. In the meantime, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams will all be asked to step up to help quarterback Drake Maye out after his frustrating three-interception season opener on Wednesday night. Doubs, who is already rostered in 56% of Yahoo leagues, probably has the most fantasy upside of the bunch, even though he failed to haul in any of his three targets on Wednesday in his team debut.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Sam Darnold has Unusual Strain, Timetable Remains TBD
Tests showed that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (hip) has an unusual muscle strain in his hip area that he suffered on the first offensive drive of Wednesday's season-opening win over the New England Patriots, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. There is no consideration at this point of putting Darnold on Injured Reserve, but his timetable for a return remains to be determined. Reports earlier suggested that the Seahawks "dodged a bullet" with Darnold's right-hip injury, but he might not be out of the woods yet. The 29-year-old signal-caller is expected to miss the Week 2 contest against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals, but if he recovers nicely, he could be in play for Week 3 against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 27. Still, the consensus is that Darnold avoided a long-term injury. Until he can return, backup Drew Lock will be thrust into starting duties for the Seahawks. In Week 2 versus the Cardinals, he should only be a fantasy streaming option in deep two-QB superflex formats.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Marvin Mims Jr. Looks Ready for Week 1 Against Chiefs
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (foot) was the only player listed on the team's practice report on Thursday, but he was a full participant, according to Aric DiLalla of the team's official website. Mims looks ready to go after suffering a foot contusion in the team's preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 28. He was listed as one of Denver's starting wideouts on their first unofficial depth chart going into Week 1, but that does not mean he will have a big role out of the gate after the Broncos added Jaylen Waddle in an offseason trade. Mims will be competing for the WR3 role this year with Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin behind Waddle and Courtland Sutton. The 24-year-old former second-rounder from Oklahoma has intriguing big-play ability, but he regressed in 2025 in his third year in the league with 37 catches, 322 yards, and only one touchdown in 15 regular-season games after he had a 39-503-6 line in 2024. Mims should be on the waiver wire in 12-team leagues to begin the 2026 campaign and will probably be a boom/bust WR4/flex option, at best, in his fourth year in the league.
Source: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
Source: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
Jeremiyah Love Limited Again on Thursday
Arizona Cardinals rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) was listed as limited in the team's practice on Thursday for the second straight day with a high-ankle sprain that he suffered early in the preseason, according to Bo Brack of PHNX Sports. Love, the third overall pick in April's draft out of Notre Dame, has been making progress, but he might need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to avoid a questionable tag going into the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. If Love is cleared to take on the Bolts in what will be his NFL debut, he could take a back seat in Arizona's backfield to Tyler Allgeier, which will make him a volatile play for fantasy managers. For now, you should consider Love as a low-end RB2 option this weekend if he is cleared to play. He has clear three-down upside and the potential to be one of the best all-around RBs in the NFL, but it might take a bit to get there. The Cardinals are not going to force volume on him early on after adding Allgeier in free agency.
Source: PHNX Sports - Bo Brack
Source: PHNX Sports - Bo Brack
Sean Tucker Bumps Up to Limited Practice on Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (hamstring) returned to practice on Thursday and was listed as limited, per the team's official website. Tucker, who was close to being cut from the 53-man roster to begin the 2026 regular season, has been hampered by a hamstring injury of late and could be questionable to play in Week 1 on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. He may need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to be cleared from the final injury report. However, even if Tucker is active for the season opener this weekend, fantasy managers in deeper formats are going to want to stay away from him as the RB3 behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. The former undrafted free agent out of Syracuse has shown flashes of his upside in his three NFL seasons, but ultimately he has not been able to get out of a depth role. Tucker averaged 5.1 yards per carry on his 86 rushing attempts last year while scoring a career-high seven rushing touchdowns in 17 games, but he has averaged just 3.4 yards per tote in his 45 games (zero starts). He is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Buccaneers.com
Source: Buccaneers.com
Tua Tagovailoa Day-to-Day With Oblique Strain
Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique), who was listed as limited in Thursday's practice, suffered an oblique strain that is considered day-to-day, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Tagovailoa's status for Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers is to be determined. The former Miami Dolphins signal-caller went to the ground during individual drills on Thursday and was grabbing at his lower back. He did not return and was replaced by Cooper Rush with the first-team offense. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has already been ruled out as he continues to recover from a partially torn ACL in his knee from late last year. If Tua is ruled out on Friday, Rush will be the one starting under center for the Falcons on Sunday, with undrafted rookie Jack Strand backing him up. Fantasy managers in deep two-QB superflex leagues who were planning on starting Tagovailoa this weekend against Pittsburgh need to go in another direction. We would be surprised if Tagovailoa is cleared to start in just a few days.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
