Fantasy Football News

Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte landed in a much better fantasy spot when Houston traded for him late in August, and the early signs point to a real role. The Texans plan to use him immediately, with Boutte expected to replace injured Jayden Higgins as the No. 2 receiver opposite Nico Collins. That's a big jump from where things were headed in New England. Boutte caught 33 passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns last season, averaging 16.7 yards per reception, but the volume was never really there. It could be now. Tank Dell is also opening the season on injured reserve, and DeMeco Ryans has praised how quickly Boutte has picked up the offense. Boutte has been putting in extra work with C.J. Stroud, too. He still needs to prove he can turn this opportunity into steady targets instead of living on big plays, but the path is there. If this role holds, Boutte's fantasy value could climb fast.

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins (knee) tore his patellar tendon in practice on Monday and will miss the entire 2026 season, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. It is a tough break for Collins just days before the team's season opener in Melbourne, Australia, against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The 24-year-old tallied 17 combined tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 16 games played (one start) in 2025 after he was taken in the second round of the NFL Draft out of Texas. Collins was projected to be a starter for the Niners' defensive line on the interior going into his second NFL season, so this is another key injury for a 49ers team that has been extremely banged up in recent seasons.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling still looks like one of the more interesting rookie breakouts to watch after a strong summer. The shoulder issue that cost him the preseason finale is no longer showing up on the injury report, which removes the biggest short-term concern. Stribling earned the attention in the first place. He caught 11 of 13 targets for 109 yards across two preseason games and kept making plays in camp, including a pair of red-zone touchdowns during joint practices with the Chargers. Kyle Shanahan also praised how consistently he competed and handled coaching. The role is not locked in yet. San Francisco's official depth chart lists Mike Evans ahead of Stribling, with Deebo Samuel Sr. starting at the other receiver spot, but Ricky Pearsall is out for the season and there should be room for Stribling in multi-receiver sets. He does not need to be forced into lineups against the Rams. The bigger story is that his breakout path is still very much alive.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) was participating in individual drills during Wednesday's practice, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. Nabers was first in line and is looking good for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday Night Football against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The Giants could list Nabers as a limited practice participant on their first report of the year on Wednesday, but all signs are pointing towards the former first-rounder from LSU making his 2026 debut this weekend after tearing his ACL and meniscus early in 2025. With that said, Nabers could be much more volatile for fantasy purposes in this year's season opener if the Giants have him on a strict snap count as they ease him back in. Instead of being a surefire WR1 in Week 1, fantasy managers should consider him more of a low-ceiling, low-end WR2 if he is officially active on Sunday night against Dallas. The 23-year-old only played in four games last season, but he was thoroughly impressive as a rookie, catching 109 of his 170 targets for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in his first 15 NFL games for the Giants.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington said that he is the team's punt returner heading into the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the visiting Cleveland Browns, according to Mark Long of The Associated Press. Washington came on strong last year as one of quarterback Trevor Lawrence's most trusted targets in the passing game and finished with career highs across the board in his third NFL season in catches (58), targets (95), receiving yards (847), and touchdowns (five) in 16 regular-season games. The 24-year-old former sixth-rounder from Penn State has continued to rise in training camp and the preseason and has been one of the most-hyped wideouts for fantasy football as he continues to develop chemistry with Lawrence. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder will be exposed to more injuries as the team's punt returner in 2026, but that should not detract from his upside potential in an ascending Jaguars offense. Washington should be locked into all fantasy starting lineups against the Browns in Week 1 as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3/flex option.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters on Wednesday that veteran quarterback Carson Wentz is the backup to starter Kyler Murray and that J.J. McCarthy is the third-stringer to open the 2026 season, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. It will be a week-to-week evaluation. "This gives us the best chance to win," O'Connell said. The writing was on the wall for the 23-year-old former first-rounder from Michigan when the Vikings signed Murray to a one-year deal this offseason in free agency. McCarthy lost out in the training camp QB battle to Murray, and after struggling in the preseason and getting banged up, he will enter his third year in the NFL as the team's QB3. In his first full season as the Vikings' starter in 2025, McCarthy only played in 10 games due to various injuries and struggled with his accuracy, completing 140 of his 243 pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. McCarthy's best path back to fantasy relevance in dynasty/keeper leagues might be a trade out of Minnesota at this point.

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (soreness) was seen in full uniform and pads for Wednesday's practice, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. The Panthers have been playing it safe with Brooks heading into the start of the 2026 regular season after he already tore his ACL twice since being drafted by Carolina. He was practicing off to the side earlier this week, and this report for Kaye suggests that Brooks has a pretty good chance of suiting up for the Week 1 season opener this Sunday, Sept. 13, versus the Chicago Bears. Brooks could have a limited listing on the team's Wednesday practice report, but all signs are pointing to him sharing the Panthers' backfield with Chuba Hubbard this weekend as he looks to stay healthy for the first time since being drafted in the second round out of Texas in 2024. If the 23-year-old is active on Sunday, as expected, fantasy managers should consider him as an RB3/flex option in his first NFL game since the 2024 season.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (hand) said that he will be playing on Sunday in the Week 1 regular-season opener versus the visiting Cleveland Browns, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. The Florida Times-Union's Ryan O'Halloran reported that Meyers was wearing a non-contact jersey during the team's full-padded practice on Wednesday. Meyers could be listed as a limited practice participant on the team's first official practice report of 2026, but it looks like he is fine for the season opener this weekend against the Browns. The 29-year-old was acquired midseason last year from the Las Vegas Raiders and helped unlock head coach Liam Coen's offense. He caught 42 of 61 targets for 483 yards and three touchdowns in his nine games with the Jags in 2025, although Parker Washington's emergence late last year and this summer has caused Meyers' fantasy stock to tumble going into 2026. Meyers will still be a key player in Jacksonville's offense, but he should be treated as more of a WR4/flex in a crowded WR corps that also includes Brian Thomas Jr.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that second-year running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) will practice on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Jeanty's Week 1 status against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday has been somewhat up in the air since he sustained a low-ankle sprain in a preseason game on Aug. 23, but the Raiders have maintained optimism that he will play all along, and his presence at practice (even if limited) is a good sign. If healthy in 2026, the 22-year-old former sixth overall pick from Boise State should be at least a strong RB2 for fantasy managers in a Raiders offense that is expected to be more consistent under Kubiak. In his first NFL campaign in 2025, Jeanty had 1,321 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns (five rushing, five receiving) in 17 starts. Jeanty could be a bit more volatile for fantasy managers in the Week 1 season opener this year if he is at less than 100 percent, especially with rookie backup Mike Washington Jr. gaining some steam after a strong training camp this summer.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Wednesday that he likes the pace that wide receiver Tee Higgins (heel) is on and feels good about him playing in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday, Sept. 13, according to BengalsTalk.com's Jay Morrison. The Bengals announced last week that Higgins has been dealing with a bruised heel, but it is a minor injury and should not impact his availability or snap count in the regular-season opener this weekend. In addition to Higgins, quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to have top receiver Ja'Marr Chase (knee) available against the Bucs after hyperextending his knee a few weeks ago in a training camp practice. Even though he is in the shadow of Chase, the consensus No. 1 overall fantasy WR, Higgins has WR1 upside on any given week in Cincy's explosive passing offense. The Bengals could ease Higgins into practice this week and keep him limited on Wednesday, but that should not concern fantasy managers whatsoever.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he likes the pace that wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (knee) is on and feels good about him playing in Week 1 on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Jay Morrison of BengalsTalk.com. Chase suffered a hyperextended left knee late in a training camp practice, but he has recovered nicely with some rest and is fully expected to suit up and be a full-go in the regular-season opener this weekend against Tampa. Fellow wideout Tee Higgins (heel), who has been dealing with a minor heel injury, should be a full-go as well, so quarterback Joe Burrow's fantasy managers should have nothing to worry about to open the 2026 campaign. Chase was the first receiver off the board in most fantasy football drafts this summer, and he should be locked into all starting lineups for this weekend's game against the Bucs. The Bengals could list Chase as limited in Wednesday's practice, but that should not set off alarm bells for fantasy managers. Until further notice, Chase is expected to play in Week 1.

Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson, who was acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers during training camp to help with RB depth in light of the Josh Jacobs (personal) situation, could be a factor immediately in the Week 1 season opener this Sunday versus the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, according to Weston Hodkiewicz of the team's official website. "Yes. He's done a nice job. It does help there was some carryover not only from when he was at Iowa with Tim Lester but also having Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh," head coach Matt LaFleur said when asked if Johnson could help this weekend. The 23-year-old from Iowa had a forgettable rookie year in the Steel City in 2025, carrying the ball only 28 times for 69 yards in 10 regular-season games. Now in Green Bay, Johnson has some interesting short-term fantasy value in deeper leagues with Jacobs out for Week 1 and potentially facing an early-season suspension. MarShawn Lloyd is expected to see most of the backfield work out of the gate, but he has only played in one NFL game due to injuries. We are not recommending Johnson as a starting fantasy option in Week 1, but he is worth a waiver-wire flier if you have Jacobs rostered and are looking for more RB depth. Johnson is rostered in 10% of Yahoo leagues.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (lower body) was working with a trainer on a side field instead of stretching with the team at the start of Wednesday's practice, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Flowers was running and cutting in position drills during the media-viewing portion of practice. The 25-year-old had missed a couple of weeks of training camp practice due to a lower-body injury before returning last week and participating on Tuesday. His exact level of participation will be known later on Wednesday when the Ravens release their official practice report. Flowers could end up being limited, but the Ravens are most likely just managing the WR1's reps ahead of the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday, Sept. 13, on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. Flowers should be a must-start in all fantasy lineups this weekend as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 who could flourish in 2026 in Baltimore's new offense.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus said on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday that free-agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) has been doing "amazing" in his rehab after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee last year with the Miami Dolphins, but Rosenhaus also said that doctors have recommended that Hill postpone his comeback attempt until sometime in October. Rosenhaus added that he sent a video of Hill running and cutting to some NFL teams, to which they responded with questions about when they could sign him. Hill is playing it "on the safe side" as he recovers from his devastating knee injury, but he is getting back up to speed and should sign with an NFL team this fall. The 32-year-old Cheetah, who is an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro, caught just 21 passes for 265 yards and one touchdown in four games in 2025 in his final season with the Dolphins before his season-ending knee injury. Although Hill is no spring chicken anymore and might be a bit slower after his knee injury, he could still make an impact for an NFL team and for fantasy managers later this season, making him worth a roster stash in deeper leagues if you have room on your bench. Right now, Hill is rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues.

When asked if he hopes that Thursday's initial court appearances in running back Josh Jacobs' case will provide more clarity about his future, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said, "The more clarity, the better, but it's just wait and see." Jacobs is not expected to appear in court on Thursday, but his lawyers will, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Fantasy managers and the Packers are hoping that we will get some clarity on Thursday in terms of a potential suspension for Jacobs, who remains on the commissioner's exempt list. The 28-year-old running back will not be available for the team's Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, and it is unclear how much longer he will be out. The uncertainty about Jacobs' status caused his draft stock to plummet, with MarShawn Lloyd now the favorite for lead-back duties in Green Bay in the short term. Jacobs is still rostered in 82% of Yahoo leagues and will be the Packers' top RB when he returns, but in the meantime, he must remain on benches everywhere.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, whose tenure with the Browns has been defined by suspension and injury-related layoffs, has seen his accuracy downfield decline in recent years, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Watson ranked third among 34 qualifying QBs in completion rate (58.8%) on downfield passes in 2018, according to Next Gen Stats. He led the league in passing yards in 2020. But in 2023, Watson completed only 39.3% of his downfield attempts, which would have ranked as the worst in the league if he qualified. In 2024, he completed a career-low 37.9% of his downfield attempts before tearing his Achilles, sidelining him for the final 10 games. Additionally, Watson has been less aggressive in pushing the ball down the field, which was impacted by a shoulder injury in 2023 that eventually required surgery. Although Watson was fully healthy this summer in training camp, he was inconsistent and continued to struggle to push the ball downfield in the preseason. Still, he won the starting QB job over Shedeur Sanders, and head coach Todd Monken has confidence that Watson will be able to find explosive plays down the field in his offense in 2026. "I'm confident in Deshaun and our ability to push the ball down the field, otherwise we wouldn't be starting him, Monken said.

New York Jets second-year tight end Mason Taylor was listed as the team's No. 1 tight end on their first unofficial depth chart going into the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. It is no surprise that Taylor is considered the Jets' No. 1 tight end entering the 2026 season, as rookie first-rounder Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) missed nearly all of training camp and the entire preseason after having a setback following hernia surgery. Sadiq is eventually expected to be New York's best pass-catching, downfield weapon, but for now, Taylor will have more fantasy upside in the short term. Sadiq is on track to suit up in Week 1, but the Jets will be easing him in, so he will not be a recommended fantasy starter in his NFL debut. The 22-year-old Taylor is a hard sell for starting lineups in Week 1 as well, and fantasy managers are probably better off looking elsewhere for their TE to kick off the season. Taylor is not currently rostered in any Yahoo leagues.

The Denver Broncos released their first unofficial depth chart on Wednesday ahead of their Week 1 season opener on Monday night against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, and running back J.K. Dobbins was listed as the team's RB1, according to Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. Dobbins, who has a lengthy injury history in the NFL and suffered a season-ending foot injury in 2025 in his first year with Denver, is fully healthy entering Week 1 and received positive reviews during training camp this summer. The 27-year-old is set up to be the team's primary early-down option in the backfield in an offense that is rising under head coach Sean Payton and new coordinator Davis Webb. However, second-year back RJ Harvey should be the primary passing-down weapon, and rookie Jonah Coleman will be involved as well as the between-the-tackles backup to Dobbins. In 10 games last year before getting hurt, Dobbins was averaging 5.0 yards per carry for 772 yards and four touchdowns on 153 rushing attempts, and if he can stay healthy in 2026, he should be a solid weekly RB3/flex option for fantasy managers, including in Week 1 versus KC.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team will monitor the playing time for tight end George Kittle (Achilles) in the Week 1 season opener in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. "We got to be smart with that," Shanahan said. Kittle was listed as limited in Tuesday's practice in Australia as he comes back from a torn Achilles tendon in last year's postseason. The 32-year-old veteran traveled with the team and is in line to play on Thursday, but he could be facing limited offensive snaps, which will make him highly volatile in fantasy football to kick things off. It does not mean that Kittle cannot still be valuable for his red-zone prowess, but there will be much more risk. Jake Tonges could be a sneaky deep-league streamer in Week 1 if Kittle's reps are managed against the Rams. Fantasy managers should view Kittle as more of a low-end TE2 option in starting lineups for Week 1.

After missing most of training camp and the preseason as he worked his way back from the ACL injury that ended his collegiate career, Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell has been listed as a Week 1 starter, and head coach Jeff Hafley told the media on Wednesday that he will not be limited by a pitch count. Bell appeared in the Dolphins' final preseason game and was targeted five times in roughly 10 minutes of game time, and along with fellow rookie Caleb Douglas, he has earned a spot in the season-opening lineup when Miami faces the Raiders on Sunday. "We believe those guys deserve to start, and we're gonna start them," Hafley told reporters. A third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, there is a belief Bell would have gone significantly earlier if not for the injury, and in a Dolphins offense in search of playmakers to complement running back De'Von Achane, the 22-year-old wideout has arguably the highest ceiling and should be viewed as the Miami receiver to roster for fantasy.