Fantasy Football News

A.J. Brown • WR • Patriots

A.J. Brown Won't Require Ankle Surgery

New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) is expected to miss the next four to six weeks, but he won't require surgery on his ankle, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Brown suffered the injury during Wednesday's season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, and the current timeline for recovery suggests that he may end up on injured reserve. However, it's encouraging that he won't need surgery. New England only got three catches for 26 yards from its flashy offseason addition before he exited Week 1. Once he returns to action, he'll rank as a low-end WR1 in fantasy football while serving as quarterback Drake Maye's favorite target. In the meantime, Romeo Doubs, Kyle Williams, and DeMario Douglas will take on bigger roles in the passing game.

6 days ago

Darren Waller • TE • Panthers

Darren Waller Active for Week 1 Season Opener

Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller is officially active for his debut with the Panthers in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, according to Darin Gantt of the team's official website. With Waller active, Ja'Tavion Sanders is the odd man out as a healthy inactive to begin the 2026 season. Waller said earlier this week that he was practicing as if he was going to play against the Bears, and that turns out to be the case. However, the 34-year-old veteran will most likely be on a snap count as the Panthers continue to ease him into their offense after signing him in training camp. The Panthers also have Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and Feleipe Franks active to help carry the workload at tight end on Sunday against Chicago. Waller certainly has the most fantasy football appeal of any tight end on Carolina's roster for his red-zone prowess, but durability is a major concern, and he should be left out of starting lineups in Week 1, even in two-TE leagues.

6 days ago

Ja'Tavion Sanders • TE • Panthers

Ja'Tavion Sanders a Healthy Scratch for Week 1

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is a healthy inactive for the team's season opener in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, according to Darin Gantt of the team's official website. Sanders will not play to begin the season and has become the odd man out in the Panthers' TE room after they signed veteran Darren Waller during training camp this summer. In addition to Waller, Carolina has Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and Feleipe Franks on the active roster for Sunday's game. The 23-year-old Sanders, a fourth-rounder in 2024 from the University of Texas, has caught only 62 of his 77 targets for 532 yards and two touchdowns in 29 games (13 starts) in his first two NFL seasons, and barring an injury to one of the team's other TEs, he could be a healthy scratch again in Week 2 when the Panthers take on the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 20.

6 days ago

Skyler Bell • WR • Bills

Skyler Bell Won't Make His NFL Debut in Week 1

Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Week 1 against the Houston Texans. Bell entered this weekend listed fourth on the depth chart, largely thanks to a productive first training camp. He even caught seven passes for 49 yards throughout the preseason. However, his NFL debut will have to wait at least another week. Joshua Palmer should step into the No. 4 role, and Greg Dortch was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday to round out the Bills' depth chart. DJ Moore remains the only Bills receiver who should be started in all 12+ team leagues, but Khalil Shakir may have some low-end appeal in deeper 14+ team formats.

6 days ago

Olamide Zaccheaus • WR • Falcons

Olamide Zaccheaus to Serve as Emergency Third QB, RB

With both quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) ruled out for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus will be the team's emergency third QB behind Cooper Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. And with the Falcons having only two running backs active -- Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson -- Zaccheaus will also be the team's emergency third-string running back. While this does not move the needle at all in fantasy for Zaccheaus, it speaks to his versatility and athleticism on the football field. The 29-year-old former undrafted free agent from Virginia has never had more than 45 receptions, 533 yards, or three touchdowns in a single season in his seven years in the NFL with the Falcons, Eagles, Commanders, and Bears. Zaccheaus caught 39 passes for 313 yards and two scores in 16 regular-season games in 2025 with the Bears, and he opens up the 2026 season as the Falcons' WR3 behind Drake London and Jahan Dotson.

6 days ago

Ty Johnson • RB • Bills

Ty Johnson Won't Play in Season Opener Against Texans

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (hamstring) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Houston Texans. Johnson didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so he was already trending in the wrong direction in the middle of last week. He did log a limited session on Friday and managed to enter the weekend listed as questionable. However, in the end, he won't play in the season opener. Johnson's biggest contributions last year came on passing downs, as nearly two-thirds of his touches were catches. He had more receiving yards than rushing yards, and he scored five touchdowns throughout the season despite playing behind James Cook. His absence on Sunday will put Ray Davis in the backup role behind Cook.

6 days ago

Sean Tucker • RB • Buccaneers

Sean Tucker Officially Inactive Against Bengals

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (hamstring), who was listed as doubtful on Friday, is officially inactive for the Week 1 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to Scott Smith of the team's official website. Tucker was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday after a DNP on Wednesday, but it was not enough to gain clearance to suit up for the season opener. The 24-year-old was close to being cut from the initial 53-man roster this year in a salary-cap-saving move, but he ultimately worked out a new deal with the Bucs to remain as the RB3 behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. The former undrafted free agent from Syracuse has had some moments in his first three NFL seasons and had a career-high seven rushing touchdowns in 2025, but he also averaged just 3.7 yards per carry in 17 games. As long as both Irving and Gainwell are healthy, Tucker will remain on the waiver wire in most fantasy football leagues. With Tucker out on Sunday, Josh Williams will operate as Tampa's RB3.

6 days ago

Nicholas Singleton • RB • Titans

Nicholas Singleton Won't Make His NFL Debut on Sunday

Tennessee Titans running back Nicholas Singleton (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Week 1 against the New York Jets. Despite being a Day 3 pick this year, Singleton drew plenty of buzz after the NFL Draft based on his production at Penn State and his role in the Titans' offense. However, fantasy managers should pump the brakes on the excitement, at least for now. The 22-year-old will watch Week 1 from the sideline while Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, and Julius Chestnut round out the Titans' backfield. Singleton's next chance to play will come next Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.

6 days ago

Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan Officially Out to Begin 2026 Season

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee), who was listed as doubtful on Friday, is officially out for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals, per Scott Smith of the team's official website. McMillan was limited in all three of the team's practices this week, but he could not gain clearance from a knee injury that has been bothering him since early August. With McMillan sitting out this weekend, rookie Ted Hurst III and Tez Johnson will be battling for WR3 duties behind Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. in Tampa's new-look offense without future Hall of Famer Mike Evans. The 24-year-old McMillan had 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games as a rookie in 2024, but he played in only four games last year due to a serious neck injury that he suffered in the preseason. His absence to begin 2026 is bad news, as Hurst drew rave reviews as an up-and-coming pass-catcher for the Bucs. If Hurst continues to shine in the season opener, McMillan might not have a very big role on offense whenever he can return from his knee injury.

6 days ago

LeQuint Allen Jr. • RB • Jaguars

LeQuint Allen Jr. Will Play in Sunday's Season Opener

Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip) is officially active for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Cleveland Browns. Allen missed practice Wednesday, logged a limited session on Thursday and Friday, and was ultimately listed as questionable coming into the weekend. Despite failing to log a full practice, he is suiting up as the Jags' No. 3 running back for the season opener. As a rookie last year, he tallied 94 rushing yards, 10 catches, and 54 receiving yards. He's stuck behind Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. on the depth chart, but having a year of experience under his belt could help Allen carve out a slightly larger role on offense in 2026. With that being said, he remains avoidable in most fantasy leagues.

6 days ago

Cooper Rush • QB • Falcons

Cooper Rush Good to Go Against Steelers in Week 1

Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback Cooper Rush (back) is officially active for Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers after dealing with minor back spasms on Saturday, according to Tori McElhaney of the team's official website. The Falcons had already ruled out both Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) for Week 1, leaving Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand as the only QBs on the roster for the Falcons to begin the 2026 regular season. It is good news that Rush is ready to go, but Rush leading Atlanta's offense in Week 1 is not what fantasy managers of Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts Sr. had in mind when they drafted those players. Against a very capable Steelers defense, the expectation is that Atlanta's offense will struggle to move the football effectively on Sunday, so fantasy managers who have Robinson, London, and Pitts in their lineups in Week 1 should be tempering expectations for their overall production. As far as Rush, he is simply a low-upside streaming option in superflex leagues that fantasy managers should be avoiding, especially since he could suffer a setback with his back mid-game.

6 days ago

DJ Giddens • RB • Colts

DJ Giddens a Healthy Scratch for Season Opener

Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. We already knew that Giddens had fallen to the No. 3 spot on the depth chart after rookie Seth McGowan had an impressive camp, but we weren't necessarily expecting him to be inactive altogether. With that being said, in addition to a mediocre camp performance, Giddens produced just 96 rushing yards on 26 carries as a rookie last year, so he's clearly not a vital part of the offense. Between Jonathan Taylor and McGowan, the Colts will carry just two running backs into Sunday's season opener.

6 days ago

Devontez Walker • WR • Ravens

Devontez Walker Inactive for Week 1 Against Colts

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker (groin) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Indianapolis Colts. He had been listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity throughout the past week. He was an outlier contributor on offense last season, catching just six passes but still managing to produce 136 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Not only is he absent on Sunday, but the Ravens have also made rookie receiver Elijah Sarratt a healthy scratch. Therefore, recently elevated wideout Chris Moore will suit up as the fifth and final receiver on the depth chart.

6 days ago

Alvin Kamara • RB • Saints

Alvin Kamara Not Suiting Up in Week 1

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) is officially inactive for the Week 1 season opener in Detroit against the Lions on Sunday, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. On Friday, Saints beat reporters did not expect Kamara to have a very big role on offense if he suited up for the season opener, but now he will not even be active at all as he continues to nurse an MCL sprain in his knee that caused him to miss most of training camp this summer. Kamara's absence should raise the fantasy ceiling for Travis Etienne Jr. in his debut with the Saints on Sunday, and Kendre Miller will be in line for RB2/change-of-pace duties behind Etienne. The 31-year-old Kamara should be rostered in most fantasy leagues despite his knee injury and the fact that his overall value has taken a huge hit in 2026 after the addition of Etienne to this backfield. When healthy, Kamara should be in play as an RB3/flex option in PPR leagues for his role as the Saints' primary pass-catching back in head coach Kellen Moore's offense. Kamara should have a better shot at making his season debut in the team's Week 2 matchup on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.

6 days ago

Rome Odunze • WR • Bears

Rome Odunze Officially Active for Week 1

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) is officially active for the team's Week 1 season opener on Sunday versus the Carolina Panthers, according to the team. Odunze was limited in practice all week due to a knee injury that surfaced in early September, but he did enough on the field to gain clearance to play in the season opener this weekend. There have not been any reports floating around that the 24-year-old former first-rounder will not have his typical number of offensive snaps for the Bears on Sunday, so fantasy managers should keep him in their starting lineups to kick off the year. Odunze only played in 12 regular-season games a year ago due to a foot injury that is believed to be behind him, but durability issues have been a bit of a concern. He caught 44 of 90 targets last year for 661 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in his second season in the NFL. With DJ Moore now in Buffalo, Odunze and Luther Burden III will operate as Chicago's top two wideouts in 2026. At the very least, Odunze should be a solid WR3/flex option for fantasy managers in Week 1.

6 days ago

Joey Porter Jr. • CB • Steelers

Joey Porter Jr. Officially Inactive for Week 1

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (back) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. Porter had been listed as questionable, but he was trending in the wrong direction ahead of kickoff. The 26-year-old has been the topic of many headlines in recent months due to injury and contract negotiations. Porter should get back onto the field when he's healthy again, but the impasse in extension talks is certainly something to consider. The Steelers won't extend him in-season, so he'll either play out his contract year or be traded somewhere else early in the season. As long as he's sidelined, veteran cornerbacks Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., and Jalen Ramsey will handle more snaps on defense.

6 days ago

Myles Garrett • DE • Rams

Myles Garrett to Have Knee Surgery, Land on Injured Reserve

Los Angeles Rams star pass-rusher Myles Garrett (knee) will have arthroscopic surgery on his ailing knee and is headed to Injured Reserve, sources told Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Garrett has been dealing with lower-leg pain and was not himself in Thursday's season-opening loss in Australia to the division-rival San Francisco 49ers, where he was unable to return a single tackle. The hope is that he is back in four weeks after a minimally invasive knee surgery. The 30-year-old seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro is off to a bad start in his tenure with the Rams after setting the NFL's single-season sack record in 2025 with 23 sacks in his final season with the Cleveland Browns. Garrett's absence over the next four games will put more pressure on the rest of L.A.'s defensive line, but the good news is that the Rams could get All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald back for their Week 2 game against the New York Giants on Monday, Sept. 21. The earliest that Garrett can return will be on Oct. 18 against the Arizona Cardinals. He should be stashed in all IDP fantasy formats in the meantime.

6 days ago

Josh Jacobs • RB • Packers

Josh Jacobs Not Facing More Than Six-Game Suspension?

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (personal) remains on the commissioner's exempt list, but the NFL could count time spent there as time served for any potential suspension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Some league sources expect this to be the case in the end. In the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, there is a six-game minimum for any type of domestic violence, such as Jacobs' situation. Schefter writes that it could be more or less, depending on mitigating factors. The 28-year-old veteran needs to remain stashed in all fantasy leagues, but fantasy managers may need to be patient before being able to use him in starting fantasy lineups in 2026. Jacobs is the Packers' unquestioned lead back when healthy and with the team, but to begin the new season, MarShawn Lloyd is expected to get the first crack at RB1 duties for the Packers on Sunday against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Kaleb Johnson and Chris Brooks also figure to be involved with change-of-pace roles as Green Bay navigates life without Jacobs for potentially the first four to six weeks of the season.

6 days ago

Josh Jacobs • RB • Packers

NFL Attempting To Obtain Video of Josh Jacobs' Incident

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the NFL is trying to legally obtain video of the Josh Jacobs incident. The Green Bay Packers running back is currently on the Commissioner's Exempt List and was in court this weekend. The NFL is looking to get video to help in their ongoing investigation of the Jacobs' incident and would like to see the video before they make a decision on suspending Jacobs. The Green Bay star running back will sit out during the investigation and MarShawn Lloyd takes over as the main running back for the Packers along with Kaleb Johnson and Chris Brooks. The Packers likely want to get this situation figured out and know if they will have Jacobs at all at their disposal this season. It's an unfortunate legal situation that has affected Jacobs status on the field.

6 days ago

Brock Bowers • TE • Raiders

Brock Bowers Has a Realistic Chance to Play in Week 2

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is working his way back from a meniscus trim, and the team believes "there's a realistic chance" that he will be able to return in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Bowers underwent the trim just a few days ago, so it would be impressive to see him return to action within two weeks. Nevertheless, the Raiders believe it's possible, and the team will continue to evaluate how he feels. There's no need to rush Bowers back this early in the season, but if he's indeed capable of playing next week, the Raiders would be thrilled to get him back into the mix. He had 64 catches, 680 yards, and seven touchdowns last season, and he was the TE1 back in 2024 with 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. While Bowers works to get back on the field, Michael Mayer will temporarily step in as the team's top tight end.

6 days ago

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