RADIO
Jakobi Meyers In the Clear to Play in Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (thumb) did not have an injury designation on Friday and has been cleared to play in the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the visiting Cleveland Browns. Meyers was limited in practice all week, but he will play this weekend and should be considered a WR4/flex option in fantasy football lineups. The 29-year-old saw his fantasy stock fall this summer with both Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. getting all the buzz in training camp practices. The 29-year-old was a midseason acquisition in 2025 and came over from the Las Vegas Raiders to help take head coach Liam Coen's offense to the next level. The former undrafted free agent from North Carolina State caught 42 of 61 targets for 483 yards and three touchdowns in his nine regular-season games with the Jags and had a 75-835-3 line overall. Meyers is still an important part of Jacksonville's offense, but he is flying under the radar right now as he enters his first full year in Duvall.
Source: Mia O'Brien
Source: Mia O'Brien
Kenny Gainwell Sneaks into Flex Conversation
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell is set to make his team debut against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Gainwell will get a plus matchup to start against a Bengals defense that ranked in the bottom 10 this past season. The expectation is that Gainwell will play a similar role to what Rachaad White has done in Tampa Bay in the past. He'll likely be the favorite back in passing situations, but unlike White, Gainwell can be a trusted runner as well. Gainwell saw a career-high 114 rushing attempts this past season and averaged 4.71 YPC. He'll operate as the primary backup to Bucky Irving, but Gainwell should be one of the more trusted backups around the league. For fantasy managers in PPR leagues, Gainwell can be a legit flex option for the season opener against the Bengals.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving Holds Viable RB2 Value for Season Opener
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is expected to bounce back after battling some injuries last season. Irving only played 10 games last season, but he rushed for nearly 600 yards in that span. During his rookie campaign, Irving finished as the RB13, so the Bucs are hopeful to get similar results to that in 2026. It remains to be seen how much the addition of Kenny Gainwell will impact Irving's value in the backfield. The expectation is that Gainwell will play a similar role to what Rachaad White did in years past. Irving might see a reduction in carries, but he remains a solid RB2 against a shaky Cincinnati Bengals defense in Week 1. Fantasy managers should get a better idea of how the Bucs plan to use this backfield as the season goes on.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Zay Flowers Officially Cleared to Play in Week 1
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) has no injury designation on Friday and is good to go for the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun. Flowers was initially limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, but he was upgraded to full on Thursday, clearing the way for the 26-year-old to be ready this weekend to kick off the new season. The former first-rounder from Boston College is the team's unquestioned top target for quarterback Lamar Jackson, and in Declan Doyle's new offense, the 5-foot-9 shifty wideout could thrive. Flowers had 1,211 receiving yards in a season in which Jackson struggled to stay healthy, so he has clear WR1 potential if Jackson and the Ravens' offense can turn it around. Flowers should be locked and loaded as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 in Week 1 against the Colts on Sunday.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Brian Wacker
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Brian Wacker
Baker Mayfield Offers QB1 Value in Favorable Matchup
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield opens up the season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fresh off an extension, Mayfield is ready to make some noise to start the season. The 31-year-old finished as the QB12 last season, but finished as a top-10 QB each of the last two seasons before that. The Bucs are without long-time wide receiver Mike Evans, who departed in free agency. The Bucs believe that Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. can carry the load in the passing game. Mayfield will get a favorable matchup to start against the Bengals' defense, which ranked in the bottom-10 this past season. The 31-year-old might not be as great a fantasy option as years past, but he carries QB1 value into Week 1.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
T.J. Hockenson A Middling Option Against Green Bay
Tight end T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings should be considered a mid-range TE2 when his team opens the season by playing host to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The veteran has had quite the roller coaster since being traded to the Vikings, posting top-five fantasy seasons in 2022 and 2023 before a major knee injury changed his outlook. Hockenson played only 10 games in 2024, and the Vikings' quarterback limitations held Hockenson to just 438 receiving yards and a career-worst 8.6 yards per catch in 15 contests last year. Now healthy and still just 29 years old, Hockenson could be one of the beneficiaries of Minnesota signing quarterback Kyler Murray. The Packers ranked 21st against PPR tight ends last year, but Hockenson's volume is unpredictable with receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and now Jauan Jennings all candidates to draw key targets. Rated RotoBaller's No. 20 tight end for Week 1, Hockenson is a depth piece in standard formats for now, but he could become a significant riser if the Vikings' offense takes off behind Murray.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jeremiyah Love Officially Listed as Questionable to Play in Week 1
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is officially listed as questionable to play in his team's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, per Darren Urban of azcardinals.com. The third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Love is battling an ankle injury that he suffered during Arizona's second preseason game and is expected to be a game-time decision in Week 1. The 21-year-old is widely regarded as an elite running back prospect after recording over 3,000 scrimmage yards and 40 touchdowns across his final two collegiate seasons at Notre Dame. Given his high-end talent, Love's season-long upside for fantasy managers is considerable. However, even if he's active in Week 1, it seems likely that Arizona will manage Love's workload by giving plenty of touches to veteran running back Tyler Allgeier. Assuming he's able to play on Sunday, fantasy managers should view Love as a high-end flex option against the Chargers.
Source: azcardinals.com - Darren Urban
Source: azcardinals.com - Darren Urban
Difficult Matchup Facing Vikings D/ST In First Game
One of the top options in fantasy football during the tenure of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Minnesota Vikings D/ST is merely a mid-tier choice in Week 1 when the Green Bay Packers visit U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota finished tied for fourth in sacks in the NFL last season and will return 10 of its top 11 tacklers now that legendary safety Harrison Smith is back for another year. The rival Packers, however, have been an efficient opponent that concluded last season with the third-fewest turnovers and converted third downs at the NFL's second-best percentage. The Vikings should have plenty of fantasy appeal this season, but as RotoBaller's 14th-ranked option in Week 1, managers in most leagues should be able to find a stronger play to start the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Starting Potential For Will Reichard In Week 1
Coming off a season in which he was named a first-team All-Pro selection, kicker Will Reichard is a starting candidate when the Minnesota Vikings open the season against Green Bay in Week 1. The Alabama product was outstanding in 2025, when he made all 31 of his extra points and 33 of 35 field goal attempts, including all 22 attempts from inside 50 yards. Even better for managers, the Vikings' offense should be more competent in 2026 with the addition of quarterback Kyler Murray. The third-year kicker will also play 11 of his 17 games this season indoors, starting with Sunday's contest at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Reichard is RotoBaller's 12th-ranked kicker in Week 1, but if he continues his form from last year, he'll certainly be in the mix to be a plug-and-play starter this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty Off the Injury Report, Good to Go for Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is officially off the injury report and will play in his team's season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jeanty suffered an ankle injury in training camp that has limited his practice availability leading up to the regular season, but it appears he will be on the field for Week 1. Across 17 games as a rookie in 2025, Jeanty recorded 1,321 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 321 touches. While the 22-year-old averaged just 3.7 yards per carry last season, he should have a significantly improved offensive line in front of him in 2026. The Raiders may take a touch or two off of Jeanty's plate in Week 1, but he still profiles as a three-down workhorse who should see plenty of volume against Miami. Now that he's officially cleared to play, Jeanty profiles as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 option for fantasy managers against Miami.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Keaton Mitchell Off the Injury Report, Cleared for Week 1
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (hamstring) is off the injury report and will play in his team's season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, per Kris Rhim of ESPN. Mitchell was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a hamstring injury, but he practiced in full on Friday and appears to be good to go for Week 1. The 24-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Chargers in free agency after recording 404 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 68 touches across 13 games with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. Entering 2026, Mitchell is expected to be the RB2 in Los Angeles behind second-year back Omarion Hampton. While Mitchell has been a highly efficient rusher when given the opportunity to this point in his career, he is unlikely to see a fantasy-relevant workload in the Chargers offense as long as Hampton remains healthy.
Source: ESPN - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN - Kris Rhim
Malik Nabers Officially Listed as Questionable for Week 1
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) is officially listed as questionable for his team's Week 1 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Nabers is still working his way back to full strength from the devastating knee injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 4. The 23-year-old has practiced in full this week and deflected questions about a possible workload restriction on Thursday, but it appears his status for the season opener is still up in the air. When healthy, Nabers profiles as the clear number one option in the Giants' passing game. Across 15 games as a rookie in 2024, the 23-year-old recorded 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns on 170 targets. If he's active on Sunday, Nabers profiles as a high-risk, high-reward WR2 option for fantasy managers. If Nabers is out, Giants wide receivers Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, and Odell Beckham Jr. could all be in line for increased workloads.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Ravens Defense is a Solid Start for Week 1 and Beyond
Baltimore Ravens defense will unveil its new scheme under head coach Jesse Minter Sunday afternoon in the season opener against the Colts in Indianapolis. Last season, Jesse Minter's Chargers defense finished in the top five in yards allowed per game with a 285-yard average and within the top 10 for points allowed per game at 20. This is good news, especially for managers in leagues that penalize for yards and points allowed. However, sensational defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) was ruled out Friday afternoon, which is likely to dampen the Ravens' pass rush and limit some DST upside with sacks. However, the Ravens acquired four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Trey Hendrickson during the off-season, who led the NFL in sacks in 2024 and ranks fourth among NFL defenders in quarterback pressures. Hendrickson and the rest of the Ravens' defense should be able to generate sufficient pressure on Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles), who may not be as mobile as he was pre-injury, which may offset the loss of Madubuike. Moreover, the Ravens' star-studded secondary, led by safety Kyle Hamilton, will look to take advantage of a Colts wide receiving corps on the mend from training camp and off-season injuries to generate fantasy points from interceptions. The Ravens DST profiles as a top-ten play in Week 1. They are also a potential hold candidate for fantasy managers streaming defenses, as they play the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, should have Madubuike back by then, and have a generally favorable season-long schedule.
Source: Baltimore Ravens - Ryan Mink
Source: Baltimore Ravens - Ryan Mink
Tyler Loop is a Top-Tier Kicking Option for Week 1
Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop is looking to start fresh in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts after his devastating missed 44-yard field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, which ended the Ravens' playoff hopes and 2025 season. He ended his rookie year connecting on 30-of-34 field goal attempts (88.2%) and 44-of-46 (95.7%) point-after tries, but only made one of four field goals beyond 50 yards. During the preseason, Loop made five of his eight field goal attempts and drilled all nine of his extra points, but again struggled beyond 50 yards, going just one for three. Therefore, Loop is far from automatic or a set-it-and-forget-it starter. Still, he will be kicking in a controlled environment at Lucas Oil Stadium, which gives him a slight edge over other kickers subject to winds and weather this weekend. Most importantly, Loop is kicking for a high-powered offense, which gives him enough opportunities through extra points and mid-range field goals to have sufficient upside to make fantasy starting lineups in Week 1.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kenyon Sadiq "Good to Go" in Week 1
New York Jets rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq (groin) is "good to go" for his team's season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Sadiq missed significant time throughout the summer due to complications from an offseason hernia surgery. However, he was reportedly heavily involved in the Jets' offense when healthy during training camp, and he was able to log full practices throughout this week leading into Week 1. The 16th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Sadiq recorded 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns across 14 games with the University of Oregon in 2025. The 21-year-old graded out at the Draft Combine as an elite athlete for the tight end position, which should allow the Jets to get him the ball in a variety of ways this season. Given his injury issues this summer, Sadiq may not hit the ground running immediately as a rookie. Still, he's a worthy stash candidate in deeper fantasy leagues for his season-long upside.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
