Sep 13, 2026, 9:32 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST already finds itself in must-start territory most weeks, but the importance of getting them into lineups has heightened ahead of Week 1. Their opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, recently ruled out Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique), leaving third-string quarterback Cooper Rush (back spasms) in line to start on Sunday afternoon. Rush has been dealing with back spasms, but he reportedly feels well enough to play in the seas opener. As the Falcons continued to deal with bad quarterback news recently, the Steelers' fantasy ranking skyrocketed. Fueled by star pass rusher T.J. Watt, this unit now ranks as the #2 D/ST in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 1.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 13, 2026, 9:29 AM ET

The Atlanta Falcons have been targeting Week 2 or Week 3 for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) to return, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Penix won't be ready in time for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the door remains open for him to play within the next two weeks. He's working his way back from an ACL tear that ended his 2025 season in Week 11. Through nine games last year, he racked up 1,982 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also showed off his mobility with 70 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Normally, Penix's absence would lead to a start for Tua Tagovailoa (oblique), but he has also been ruled out. As a result, the Falcons will start veteran third-string quarterback Cooper Rush (back spasms) against the Steelers and star pass rusher T.J. Watt.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ian Rapoport

Sep 13, 2026, 9:24 AM ET

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (back) is still expected to be active for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Rush had been dealing with back spasms, but he reportedly "is feeling better" and will be able to play in the season opener. It's a rare positive headline about a Falcons quarterback, as Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) were both ruled out ahead of time. Rush is technically the Falcons' third-string quarterback, but he'll now be tasked with staying upright and leading the offensive charge against the Steelers and star pass rusher T.J. Watt. For what it's worth, Rush ranks as a clear QB3 in fantasy football this week.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Adam Schefter

Sep 13, 2026, 8:59 AM ET

Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby was nearly traded to the Baltimore Ravens this past offseason, but the deal fell through due to medical concerns with Crosby's knee. After that deal fell apart, Crosby "let it be known to anyone interested that he did not want to be traded," according to Ian Rapoport of ESPN.com. "Specifically, the 29-year-old's request to stay in Vegas shut down trade talks that had been heating up with the Los Angeles Rams. If he had been open to a trade, the Rams were pushing very heavily to get a deal finalized, which would have presumably taken them out of the sweepstakes for Myles Garrett. Instead, they missed out on Crosby and swung a deal to get Garrett from the Cleveland Browns for defensive end Jared Verse and multiple picks. As a result, Crosby stays in Vegas, where he'll be tasked with containing Miami Dolphins mobile quarterback Malik Willis on Sunday.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ian Rapoport

Sep 13, 2026, 8:54 AM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (back) is expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Porter had been listed as questionable, but his status appears to be trending in the wrong direction with kickoff just four hours away. Beyond the injury, there's also a potential trade factor to consider here. Porter previously requested a trade due to unresolved extension negotiations, and given that the Steelers don't sign extensions in-season, Porter could be dealt within the next few weeks. In fact, Rapoport and Schefter report an "early-season trade is very possible," while noting that the Steelers have yet to receive a trade offer they feel comfortable accepting. In the short-term, his absence should lead to a bigger defensive role for veterans Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, and Asante Samuel Jr. They'll be going up against a Falcons offense led by third-string quarterback Cooper Rush.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter

Sep 13, 2026, 8:46 AM ET

Atlanta Falcons pass rusher Za'Darius Smith (shoulder) is expected to play in Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had been listed as questionable, but it sounds like he should be able to suit up, barring a setback. Smith appeared in five games for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, amassing 10 tackles, three quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks. He missed a portion of 2026 training camp due to a personal situation, but he's now ready to get back on the field and make his presence felt. This week, he'll be tasked with creating chaos in the offensive backfield for Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That could be easier said than done, especially if the Falcons' defense can't stay off the field with the team entering as a 6.5-point underdog.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ian Rapoport

Sep 13, 2026, 8:14 AM ET

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) is expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Detroit Lions, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Kamara suffered an MCL sprain four weeks ago, and it sounds like he wasn't quite able to fully recover in time for today's season opener. His absence leaves Travis Etienne Jr. in the starter's role with perhaps a slightly larger workload than initially anticipated. Meanwhile, Kendre Miller will step up as the team's backup running back behind Etienne. Kamara, of course, should be benched in all fantasy leagues. His next chance to play will come next Sunday, when the Saints travel to take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ian Rapoport

Sep 13, 2026, 8:10 AM ET

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is expected to be active for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Love had been listed as questionable, but there was a growing sense in recent days that he would be able to play. The No. 3 pick will be making his NFL debut, so between his lingering injury and his lack of NFL experience, we wouldn't be surprised to see him operate as the No. 2 running back behind Tyler Allgeier. Once he shows that he's healthy and can handle a starter's workload, then he'll climb to the top spot on the depth chart. For Week 1, he ranks as RotoBaller's RB26 in PPR leagues.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 13, 2026, 8:05 AM ET

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) is expected to play in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Odunze had been listed as questionable, but it sounds like he will suit up for the season opener, barring a setback. Fantasy managers should feel relieved to hear that Odunze is healthy, since injuries impacted him significantly in 2025. Last year, he missed five games, which dropped him to a WR41 finish in PPR leagues. Odunze now has top-36 upside in the Bears offense. He'll likely remain behind Luther Burden III in the pecking order, but an uptick in volume remains likely after the team traded away DJ Moore. As it stands, Odunze ranks as RotoBaller's WR38 in PPR leagues for Week 1.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Ian Rapoport

Sep 13, 2026, 1:34 AM ET

Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant is worth rostering in deeper fantasy football leagues, but he belongs on the bench for Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. First and foremost, we don't know what role Bryant will occupy this year. He'll certainly be behind Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton, and he'll likely compete with Troy Franklin for volume behind them. That leaves Bryant in line for the No. 3 or 4 role, but regardless of which spot he occupies, it's tough to say what his volume will look like after the Broncos added Waddle to the offense. Maybe this offense can support three fantasy-relevant receivers, but until we see it happen, Bryant belongs on the bench. Additionally, this isn't the greatest matchup to start a Broncos receiver not named Waddle or Sutton. The Chiefs' defense has come to play in recent years, and they'll be at their best for this Week 1 divisional showdown. This cornerback unit, led by former Pro Bowler L'Jarius Sneed, allowed the fifth-fewest touchdowns and the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025. RotoBaller's experts have ranked Bryant as the overall WR74 in PPR leagues for Week 1 against the Chiefs. Even in leagues where he's rostered, he belongs on the bench.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 13, 2026, 1:30 AM ET

Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman was viewed as one of the most intriguing Day 3 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, but fantasy managers should pump the brakes on starting him against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. The Washington product is still No. 3 on the Broncos' depth chart behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. It's extremely rare for three running backs on the same team to carve out fantasy relevance in the same game, especially against a defense like the Chiefs. Given that Dobbins and Harvey are both RB3/flex options for Week 1, Coleman is the odd man out from a fantasy perspective. In fact, Harvey was in a similar situation last year as a Day 3 pick with tremendous upside, and even he didn't start to produce consistent fantasy outputs until Week 8. Coleman is a very trendy name in dynasty leagues, and he's even a solid redraft stash for managers in leagues with 12+ teams. However, those same managers will have to be patient, because he faces an uphill battle to earn significant playing time right away. The RotoBaller experts agree, ranking Coleman as the overall RB62 in PPR leagues for Week 1.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 13, 2026, 1:25 AM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle ranks as a high-end RB3/flex option for Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Dowdle was signed to replace Kenny Gainwell during the offseason, and he'll join forces with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh's backfield. The exact volume split in this Steelers backfield is unclear, as both Dowdle and Warren are versatile backs with the ability to run the ball or catch passes. The Steelers have a new coaching staff, so we can't assume much will remain the same from last year. However, we also wouldn't be surprised to see the Steelers let Warren and Dowdle alternate drives. This is similar to what they did with Warren and Gainwell last year, and interestingly enough, it's also similar to what the Panthers did with Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard when both were healthy. With a sizable role headed his way, Dowdle remains a high-end RB3/flex, especially in this highly favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are starting third-string quarterback Cooper Rush, leaving Pittsburgh as the heavy favorite. That bodes well for touchdown upside and rushing volume in general. Typically, managers are advised to "start their studs" in Week 1. Dowdle isn't a stud, per se, but he's still a very appealing RB3/flex with a high floor against Atlanta.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 13, 2026, 12:44 AM ET

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton continues to be a worthwhile WR3/flex option in most fantasy leagues, despite the offseason acquisition of Jaylen Waddle. The Broncos' trade for Waddle dropped Sutton to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but he still projects to play a large role as the physical complement to a more shifty and athletic receiver in Waddle. As a result, we envision Sutton continuing to play a key role around the end zone and in contested situations. This week, Sutton will be tasked with facing off against a Chiefs secondary led by L'Jarius Sneed. Having Waddle on the field should take some of the defensive pressure off Sutton. With that being said, we wouldn't be surprised to see Sneed cover Sutton for at least part of the game, because he's the Chiefs cornerback who is best equipped to defend a physical receiver. If Sneed rotates between the two receivers, Sutton will benefit from running the rest of his routes against Delane, who is a rookie, and Williams, who is a first-time starter. The 30-year-old finds himself in the high-end WR3/flex range for this week, with additional upside.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 13, 2026, 12:27 AM ET

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle kicks off the next chapter of his career on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. After five years with the Miami Dolphins, Waddle was traded to the Broncos this offseason. He'll immediately step in as the team's top receiver, and he should benefit from a quarterback upgrade, as he will now get to catch passes from Bo Nix instead of Tua Tagovailoa. Playing with Nix should boost Waddle's ceiling and floor in fantasy football. He was a top-13 fantasy receiver in each of his first two seasons, but he dropped to WR24 or lower in each of the last three years. Part of that was due to poor quarterback play, but Waddle's own injury issues can also be to blame. He'll now get a fresh start as he kicks off the 2026 season in an immediate statement matchup against the Chiefs. L'Jarius Sneed is the top cornerback in Kansas City's secondary, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll cover Waddle all game. The Broncos also have a very physical receiver in Courtland Sutton, who Sneed may be better equipped to cover. We wouldn't be surprised to see the Chiefs rotate between Sneed, Mansoor Delane, and Nohl Williams covering Waddle. Delane is a rookie and Williams is a first-time starter, so there's an opportunity for Waddle to feast if he's indeed not going up against Sneed all game long. We're confident in Waddle as a WR2, especially in a game that is projected to be close, which means that both teams will be throwing the ball often.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller