RADIO
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
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Remains Limited in Practice
Washington Commanders second-year running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) was limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day as the team continues to prepare for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. Croskey-Merritt could end up questionable for the season opener due to a groin injury he picked up in practice on Aug. 22 if he does not upgrade to a full practice on Friday. If JCM is limited or out, it would be a big upgrade for Rachaad White as the Commanders' lead back in his debut with the team this weekend. The 25-year-old Croskey-Merritt was a seventh-round pick out of Arizona last year, but he impressed by leading Washington with 805 carries and eight rushing touchdowns on 175 rushing attempts, adding nine catches for 68 yards through the air in 17 games. The Commanders like him as their primary early-down back, but White will steal plenty of pass-game work, leaving JCM as primarily an RB3/flex option with upside for fantasy managers in Year 2. Check back for his official Week 1 status on Friday.
Source: Washington Commanders
Source: Washington Commanders
Keaton Mitchell Stays Limited on Thursday
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (hamstring) remained limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday due to a hamstring injury, according to the team. Mitchell may have to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to be cleared to suit up in the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. If Mitchell is cleared to suit up, he will be part of a committee backfield in L.A. that includes Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal, and he could have limited snaps coming off his hamstring injury. It all amounts to Mitchell lining up as a hard-to-trust RB4/flex in much deeper leagues. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent out of East Carolina has some explosiveness and big-play ability to his game, but he has played in only 26 games (two starts) in his first three years in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens due to injury issues. Mitchell is a viable handcuff for Hampton managers and is currently rostered in 41% of Yahoo leagues, but he is a tough sell as a Week 1 starter if he plays. Check back on Friday to find out Mitchell's final Week 1 injury status.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Malik Nabers' Week 1 Workload Comes Down to his Decision
When asked about the possibility of playing on a pitch count on Sunday night in the Week 1 season opener against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) said, "It's my career, and it's my body. If a pitch count is in the conversation, then I would lead that conversation. That decision would be on me," per SNY Giants. The 23-year-old former sixth overall pick from LSU suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in Week 4 of last year, but he avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin training camp and has put in two full practices so far this week, leading us to believe that he will be active on Sunday night without any real playing-time restrictions. Fantasy managers playing it safe may want to consider Nabers more of a low-end WR2 than an upside WR1 candidate to begin the year, but if you drafted him, you should be starting him this weekend in a marquee matchup in primetime. The Louisiana native showed his high-end WR1 upside as a rookie, catching 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven scores in 15 games.
Source: SNY Giants
Source: SNY Giants
Rashee Rice in the Clear Going into Week 1
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) was listed as a full participant for the team's first official practice on Thursday as they get set to take on the division-rival Denver Broncos on Monday night in Week 1, according to the team's official website. Rice had minor surgery on his right knee over the summer, but he quickly recovered and actually logged some snaps in the preseason finale. The 26-year-old has teased a lot of fantasy upside in his first three years in the league, but he has only played in 12 games over the last two seasons due to injuries and suspension. The former second-rounder in 2023 from SMU had 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 regular-season games as a rookie and has established himself as the Chiefs' clear WR1 when he has been healthy. With the Chiefs' offense looking to bounce back in 2026, quarterback Patrick Mahomes should lean heavily on Rice, who has clear WR2 upside over a full season. Rice and the Chiefs do not have an ideal Week 1 matchup against a stout Broncos defense, but Rice should still be locked into fantasy lineups as a WR2.
Source: Chiefs.com
Source: Chiefs.com
LeQuint Allen Jr. Upgrades to Limited Practice
Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip) upgraded to a limited practice on Thursday after he was held out in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to the team. It is a positive for Jacksonville's RB depth heading into the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, but Allen is still not guaranteed to be active this weekend, and he might need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to be cleared to play. In a new-look Jags backfield in 2026, Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. figure to split most of the work, although when healthy, Allen should have a bigger pass-catching role than he did as a rookie in 2025. The 22-year-old former seventh-rounder from Syracuse only had 23 rushing attempts last year for 94 yards while catching 10 of his 11 targets for 54 yards as a receiver in 17 regular-season games. Even if Allen is active on Sunday against Cleveland, he should be on the bench in deep PPR leagues. He is currently not rostered at all in Yahoo leagues.
Source: Jacksonville Jaguars
Source: Jacksonville Jaguars
Packers to Lean on Three Starting Wide Receivers
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur plans to lean heavily on his three starting wide receivers -- Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Matthew Golden -- this year, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. "We need them out there for as many plays as humanly possible," LaFleur said. It is a different tone for the Packers' offense than in years past, and it makes sense, with both Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks now gone. Behind Watson, Reed, and Golden, Green Bay's receiving corps takes a steep drop to Bo Melton, Skyy Moore, and undrafted free agent Michael J. Sturdivant. Watson has the most fantasy upside of the group because of his big-play ability, but past injury concerns make him more of a boom/bust WR2 for fantasy managers. Reed has shown a nose for the end zone, but he, too, has missed valuable time due to injuries early in his career. Golden could be the X factor for both the Packers and fantasy managers. The former first-rounder did not really get going as a rookie until later in the year, but he has the skills and opportunity for a Year 2 breakout.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Patrick Mahomes Practicing in Full Ahead of Season Opener
The Kansas City Chiefs listed quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) as a full participant in their first official practice of the week on Thursday, paving the way for him to start on Monday night in the Week 1 season opener at home against the division-rival Denver Broncos. Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL on Dec. 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, but he recovered quickly in the offseason and was essentially a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of July, although KC held him out of all three preseason games. The 30-year-old two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP is not expected to be limited at all from a playbook perspective as the Chiefs look to bounce back after missing the playoffs entirely in 2025. However, head coach Andy Reid could be mindful of any designed running plays for the QB, and for fantasy purposes, he will be a low-end QB2 option in the season opener against the Broncos defense, which led the league in sacks in 2025. Mahomes will also have his blind side protected by an undrafted rookie offensive tackle who will be making his NFL debut.
Source: Chiefs.com
Source: Chiefs.com
Cooper Rush a Sneaky Superflex Stash Candidate Amid QB Injuries
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush has mostly operated as a backup throughout his career to this point, appearing in 42 games and logging 16 starts across eight NFL seasons. However, with Falcons QB1 Tua Tagovailoa's (oblique) status for Week 1 up in the air, Rush could be in line to make the start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The 32-year-old's last extended stretch as a starter was in 2024, when he completed 60.7% of his pass attempts for 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 12 games (eight starts) with the Dallas Cowboys. Rush has averaged just 6.3 yards per pass attempt for his career, so he's unlikely to provide high-end fantasy production if he's forced into action for the Falcons. Still, he could be worth rostering in two-QB formats just in case Tagovailoa misses time to begin the year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cam Ward a Year 2 Breakout Candidate Entering 2026?
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward put together an up-and-down season as a rookie in 2025, completing 59.8% of his pass attempts for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 17 games. If Ward's production does not take a step forward in 2026, he should remain off the radar of fantasy managers in the majority of league formats. However, Ward should have a much better offensive ecosystem around him in his second NFL season. The Titans used the fourth overall pick this past April on wide receiver Carnell Tate, signed veteran slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency, and brought in former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as their new offensive coordinator. In deeper league formats, Ward could be worth stashing off the waiver wire in case he emerges as a breakout quarterback in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ashton Jeanty Feels "Really Good" Ahead of Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders second-year running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) said he feels "really good" and is "super excited" to play in the Week 1 season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Jeanty injured his ankle in an Aug. 23 training camp practice, but he returned to a full practice on Wednesday and practiced again on Thursday, putting him on track to play against the Dolphins this weekend to kick off the 2026 season. "I knew it wasn't anything too bad, even though I couldn't put pressure on my foot," Jeanty said Thursday -- his first time speaking to reporters since the injury. "I figured it wouldn't be anything that's too long-term." Jeanty will be the Raiders' RB1 again this year in what is expected to be an improved offense under new head coach Klint Kubiak, but impressive rookie Mike Washington Jr. will also be involved, and he could have a bigger role than usual in Week 1 if the Raiders choose to ease Jeanty in following his ankle injury. As long as Jeanty is active for Sunday's game in Vegas, he should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups in the season opener.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Alec Pierce Limited Again on Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) was limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday as the team prepares for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, according to the team. Pierce started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list after having cleanup surgery on his ankle, but it is a heel injury that has him up in the air to play this weekend versus Baltimore. If Pierce can upgrade to a full practice on Friday, he should be cleared from the final injury report for Week 1. When healthy, Pierce will be a major part of Indy's passing game in 2026 after they signed him to a four-year, $114 million contract extension in March. His role should grow with Michael Pittman Jr. out of the picture, and he has already proven over the last two years that he can be a productive big-play wideout for fantasy managers. The 26-year-old has led the NFL in each of the last two years in yards per catch, and he had 1,003 receiving yards with six touchdowns in 15 games in 2025. Pierce is shaping up as a boom/bust WR4/flex in fantasy going into Week 1 if he is active against Baltimore.
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Gunnar Helm a Deep-League Sleeper to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 16 games (10 starts) as a rookie in 2025, Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm recorded 44 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns on 55 targets. While Helm flashed higher levels of production upside throughout the year, his opportunity was limited by the presence of veteran tight end Chig Okonkwo. Entering 2026, Okonkwo is now a member of the Washington Commanders, and Helm profiles as the clear TE1 in Tennessee. The Titans have more talent at wide receiver in 2026 than they did a year ago after adding Carnell Tate in the draft and Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency. Still, Helm should benefit from his increased playing time and the expected growth of Titans quarterback Cam Ward in his second NFL season. In deeper league formats, Helm could be a sleeper tight end option to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Another Day of Full Practice for Malik Nabers
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) practiced fully again on Thursday, head coach John Harbaugh told Connor Hughes of SNY. Although Nabers has put in two full practices this week, Harbaugh was non-committal on Wednesday when asked if the former first-rounder would be active for the Sunday night showdown against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. All signs are pointing to Nabers playing in the season opener on Sunday Night Football, but he will still be a risky starting option in fantasy lineups with the potential for the Giants to put him on a snap count in his first game back after suffering a torn ACL and meniscus in Week 4 of last season. Nabers showed in his rookie season that he has high-end WR1 upside when he is fully healthy, but with the potential for limited involvement on Sunday night, fantasy managers should be treating him as more of a low-end WR2 than a WR1 in his first game of the 2026 season. The 23-year-old from LSU had a 109-1,204-7 line on 170 targets in 2024 with the Giants before playing in just four games in 2025.
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
Is James Conner Worth Stashing in Deeper Leagues?
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) enters the 2026 season on Injured Reserve, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the year. The 31-year-old is still working his way back from the devastating foot injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 3. The running back room in Arizona looks much different now than it did when Conner was last healthy, as the team added veteran Tyler Allgeier and rookie phenom Jeremiyah Love (ankle) over the offseason. Even once Conner gets healthy, there's no guarantee that he will see fantasy-relevant playing time. However, the veteran running back remained a productive player in his last full season, recording over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns across 16 games in 2024. In deeper league formats, Conner could be worth stashing in a bench or IR spot in case he steps into a regular role upon his return.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
