RADIO
Breece Hall Cleared to Play in Week 1
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (groin) is "good to go" for his team's season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hall was battling a groin injury towards the end of the preseason, but he logged full practices from Wednesday through Friday this week and appears to be a full-go in Week 1. Across 16 games in 2025, Hall recorded 1,415 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 279 touches. The 25-year-old figures to once again be one of the focal points of the Jets offense in 2026 and should see plenty of work as both a rusher and a receiver on Sunday against Tennessee. Now that he's been officially cleared to play, Hall should be viewed as a solid RB2 option by fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Rome Odunze Feeling "Ready to Go" Ahead of Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) said he is "feeling like I'm ready to go" for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, per Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. Odunze was limited in practice throughout this week due to a calf injury and is officially listed as questionable to play on Sunday. However, it appears as though Odunze is trending toward being active against Carolina. Across 12 games in 2025, the 24-year-old recorded 44 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns on 90 targets. Odunze missed time down the stretch of the season due to a foot injury, and his production trailed off in the second half before he was sidelined by the injury. When fully healthy, the former first-round pick remains a high-upside pass-catcher. However, Chicago may be cautious with Odunze early in the year as he deals with his current calf issue. All in all, fantasy managers should view Odunze as a risky WR3/flex option in Week 1.
Source: The Athletic - Kevin Fishbain
Source: The Athletic - Kevin Fishbain
Kyle Shanahan Signs Contract Extension With 49ers
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan quietly signed a contract extension during the offseason, according to Tom Pelissero. Shanahan had previously been believed to be under contract through 2027, but the new deal keeps him in San Francisco for several more years. The exact length has not been reported. Shanahan is now in his 10th season with the 49ers and owns an 83-67 regular-season record after San Francisco opened 2026 with a win over the Rams. His offense also finished 10th in the NFL in scoring last season at 25.7 points per game. There is no immediate change for fantasy managers here, but the extension does lock in some important continuity. Shanahan will remain in charge of an offense that has regularly produced useful fantasy options, so there is no longer any reason to wonder whether a coaching change could be coming when his previous deal was believed to expire.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Duane Thomas Jr. Game-Time Decision for Week 2
UCF wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. is listed as a game-time decision for Saturday's game against Pitt. Thomas did not play last week in the season opener, but was a key player in the Knights' offense a season ago. Thomas caught 53 passes for 528 yards in 2025, leading the team in both metrics. If he does play, he should be involved in a massive Week 2 clash.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Fernando Mendoza Confirmed as Raiders' QB2
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza will officially back up Kirk Cousins in Sunday's opener against Miami, head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed Friday, according to Sam Gordon. The Raiders' depth chart had already pointed in that direction, listing Mendoza second and Aidan O'Connell third, but Kubiak had stopped short of confirming the order earlier this week. Now there is no question who gets the call if Cousins has to leave the game. Mendoza had an uneven preseason, completing 25 of 45 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions across three appearances. That was enough for the No. 1 overall pick to secure the backup spot while Las Vegas continues bringing him along behind its veteran starter. Nothing changes for Mendoza in standard redraft leagues, where he belongs on the waiver wire for now. He is much more interesting in dynasty and deeper Superflex formats, particularly with a clear path to the field if Cousins struggles or misses time.
Source: Sam Gordon
Source: Sam Gordon
Hank Brown to Start Against Iowa State
While Iowa's quarterback situation remains in flux, Hank Brown has received the nod to start on Saturday night against Iowa State. That being said, the competition remains unsettled and Jeremy Hecklinski is expected to see early playing time in the game. Brown completed 60% of his passes for 129 yards and a touchdown last week, while Hecklinski completed 43% of his passes for 76 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Source: 247Sports
Source: 247Sports
D'Andre Swift Lands Three-Year Extension
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift is sticking around for a while. Swift and the Bears have agreed to a three-year, $33.75 million extension with $27.5 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter. He was entering the final season of the three-year deal he signed with Chicago in 2024, so there had been some uncertainty about what came next. Not anymore. Swift is coming off his best rushing season, finishing 2025 with 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns on 223 carries while adding 34 catches for 299 yards and another score. Kyle Monangai earned plenty of work himself as a rookie, and that part of the backfield isn't suddenly going away because of this deal. Still, giving Swift this much guaranteed money is a pretty clear sign that Chicago wants him around beyond 2026. His immediate redraft outlook remains in the RB2 range, but the extension gives dynasty managers considerably more security than they had entering the week.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Alec Pierce Set to Play in Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) will play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, according to Stephen Holder. The question now is how much Indianapolis wants to put on his plate right away. Pierce spent all of training camp on the PUP list after undergoing ankle surgery in March and only returned to practice on Aug. 27. He was limited Wednesday and Thursday this week, and Holder noted that a snap count is still possible. Pierce is coming off his first 1,000-yard season after catching 47 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. His 21.3 yards per catch led the NFL for the second straight year. Indianapolis also lists him as a starting receiver alongside Josh Downs and Keenan Allen, so the role is still there once he is fully ramped up. For Week 1, though, the possible snap restriction keeps Pierce in the boom-or-bust WR4/flex range rather than making him an automatic start.
Source: Stephen Holder
Source: Stephen Holder
Lamar Jackson to Show Off New Look in Week 1
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson heads to Indianapolis to take on the Colts Sunday afternoon and will debut a revamped Ravens' offense. According to Baltimore Ravens staff writer Clifton Brown, offense coordinator Declan Doyle and the Ravens' coaching staff have changed how Jackson will operate from the pocket, and Jackson will take more snaps under center to use play-action elements. This is a marked departure from Jackson's over 80% drop-back pass rate from pistol or shotgun formations last season, and Jackson will also be taking snaps from a new center, Jovaughn Gwyn, making his first NFL start. Sunday will also be the first time that fantasy managers will see Jackson play for a head coach not named John Harbaugh since the veteran quarterback sat out each of the three preseason games led by new head coach Jesse Minter. Each of these factors adds uncertainty about how Lamar and the broader offense will operate; however, players, coaches, and fans alike remain optimistic the changes will lead to a more dynamic and efficient offense. Despite disappointing fantasy managers last year, Jackson managed to generate +50 rushing yards over expectation (RYOE) across 67 total carries in 2025, including +20 RYOE gained across a career-low 24 designed runs. Last season, the Colts defense faced a season-low three designed QB runs and never faced more than one designed QB run in any game, which should give Lamar managers more confidence in trusting the multiple-time NFL MVP this Sunday to earn points with his legs. Fantasy managers almost certainly invested high draft capital in Lamar, and he is a must-start QB1 option in every fantasy football format in Week 1.
Source: Baltimore Ravens - Clifton Brown
Source: Baltimore Ravens - Clifton Brown
Raiders Won't Commit to Brock Bowers' Return Timeline
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) still does not have a return date from the team after undergoing a meniscus trim Tuesday. Head coach Klint Kubiak told Ryan McFadden that the situation developed quickly and said the Raiders "got it cleaned up," but he declined to say whether Bowers is expected to miss one or two games. That is worth noting after outside reports suggested he could be sidelined for the first two weeks. Bowers is already out for Sunday's opener against Miami, and Las Vegas visits the Chargers in Week 2. He caught 64 passes for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games last season, so there is no replacing his role outright. Michael Mayer should get the first crack at more work after posting 35 catches for 328 yards and one score in 2025, with Ian Thomas also available. Fantasy managers should continue to plan without Bowers for Week 1 and treat Week 2 as uncertain until the Raiders give a clearer indication of his progress.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Mike Matthews Holds Upside in Week 2
Tennessee junior wide receiver Mike Matthews led the team in receiving last week against Furman, catching four passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. He appears to have slotted into the Chris Brazzell II role fairly easily, which is generally a high-ceiling position in Josh Heupel's offense. Matthews and the Volunteers travel to Georgia Tech this week and will face much stiffer competition. Given that this will be Faizon Brandon's first away game of his career, Matthews admittedly does not have a safe floor this week. However, his upside remains juicy given that he looks like an explosive playmaker and the top receiver in Tennessee's offense.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Derrick Henry Primed to Reprise Bellcow Role in Week 1
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is the NFL's active leader in rushing yards (13,018), and he looks to expand his lead in the Ravens' season opener against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday afternoon. Interestingly, the Week 1 matchup featuring Henry (1,595 rushing yards in 2025) and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (1,585) marks just the fourth game in NFL history to open the season with opposing rushers who each surpassed 1,500 yards the prior season, according to Next Gen stats. Admittedly, Henry does not see much action in the receiving game, tallying just 15 receptions for 150 yards last year. However, the veteran running back averaged over 20 rushing attempts per game with a 5.2 yards-per-carry average in 2025. Last season, Henry had eight games with over 100 yards, scored a touchdown in nine games, and reached the end zone multiple times in four games while enjoying ample goal-line and red-zone opportunities throughout the season. Even with the Ravens' offense going through significant off-season changes, Henry remains integral, and his running game is key to unlocking a new play-action style from quarterback Lamar Jackson. Derrick Henry is the unquestioned bell cow for the Ravens and is a locked-in RB1 starter for fantasy managers in every format this weekend.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Koby Howard Has Limitless Ceiling in Week 2
Penn State sophomore wide receiver Koby Howard exploded in his season debut last weekend, catching six passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Howard looked the part and was quarterback Rocco Becht's favorite target on the day. After a quiet freshman season, it appears that Howard is due for a breakout. He and the Nittany Lions will travel to Temple this week, where he should remain the top target for Becht. The Owls only let up 14 points a week ago, but were playing against Rhode Island. Matt Campbell's team should be set for another explosive offensive day, and Howard should benefit once again.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rome Odunze Questionable for Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) is officially questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Carolina Panthers, according to Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune. Odunze was listed as limited Wednesday and Thursday after spending Monday and Tuesday rehabbing the injury, so this looks like one fantasy managers will have to carry into the weekend. The good news is that Chicago has been optimistic. Head coach Ben Johnson called Odunze day-to-day earlier this week and said the calf issue is not related to the foot injury that bothered him last season. Odunze still managed 44 catches for 661 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in 12 regular-season games in 2025. If he suits up, the calf adds some risk to what already looked like more of a WR3/flex spot for Week 1. If he cannot go, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland would be the biggest names to watch for extra targets, while Kalif Raymond could pick up more work on the outside.
Source: Sean Hammond
Source: Sean Hammond
Bengals Defense With A Tough Matchup In Week 1
The Cincinnati Bengals defense has a tough matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. The Bengals defense was among the worst defenses in the NFL in 2025, allowing the third-most points just behind the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. While the Jets and Cowboys defensive units are expected to be much improved this season, the same optimism is not surrounding the Cincinnati unit. The Bengals defense is also facing injuries with Shemar Stewart listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest. Even if this defensive unit were at full strength, they would still have a hard time slowing down the Buccaneers offense. The Bengals defense is ranked 29th in our RotoBaller Week 1 rankings, making them a unit to avoid this week and probably most weeks moving forward.
Source: Cincinnati Bengals - Twitter
Source: Cincinnati Bengals - Twitter
