There’s a lot to keep track of every week. This article is meant to serve as your one-stop shop for every matchup and injury every week. After the injury reports are released on Friday evening, this article will help you get a clearer picture of what it all means.
First, a quick overview of the matchup with team records, spread, moneyline, and expected point total. Since this article will be released on Friday, any games played before then will show updated records and the final score.
Next, each injured player’s practice participation will be noted in one of three ways.
- DNP (Did Not Practice)
- LP (Limited Participation)
- FP (Full Participation)
And finally, every fantasy-relevant player on the weekly injury report will be put into one of six categories.
- Removed from final injury report
- Questionable - Expected to play
- Questionable - Game-time decision
- Questionable - Not expected to play
- Doubtful
- Out
Those designations will be followed up with a quick write-up, giving actionable advice on what to expect for each injured player. Be sure to check out our News page before kickoff, where we constantly update as more news becomes available.
Let’s take a look at Week 1.
Bye Weeks
- None
Wednesday Night Football - Wednesday, 8:20 pm ET
New England Patriots (0-1) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
- Seahawks beat Patriots 13-10
Thursday Night Football - Thursday, 8:20 pm ET - Australia
San Francisco 49ers (1-0) @ Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
- 49ers beat Rams 27-10
Sunday Early Games - Sunday, 1:00 pm ET
Chicago Bears (0-0) @ Carolina Panthers (0-0)
- Spread: Bears -3.5
- Moneyline: Bears -148, Panthers +124
- Total: 45.5 points
Removed from final injury report
- Jonathon Brooks (groin) LP - Panic ensued when Brooks was seen working off the field with trainers last week, but Dave Canales downplayed the severity. Brooks was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but full participation on Friday and removal from the injury report is about the best news we could have hoped for. Brooks was a second-round pick in 2024 and has only played 23 career snaps. He tore his ACL in his final year at Texas, and then re-tore it shortly after making his NFL debut. He's expected to split the backfield in Carolina with Chuba Hubbard this season, but Brooks' upside as a big-play rusher and receiver makes him more desirable in fantasy. Managers who can afford to take a wait-and-see approach with Brooks in Week 1 should. But if he looks healthy in his long-awaited return, a Week 2 matchup against the Falcons could be the time to elevate him into starting lineups.
Questionable - Game-time decision
- Rome Odunze (calf) LP - Despite Ben Johnson's words, Odunze himself said after practice, "I'm feeling ready to go. I doubt I'm questionable." That should inspire some hope that the Year 3 receiver is out there Sunday against the Panthers. It's not uncommon for players and coaches to have different views of their respective health, but Odunze appears ready to play. His 2025 campaign was marred by a foot injury. He was a dominant WR1 before it and a shaky WR4 after. Fantasy managers who invested in Odunze this year are probably anxious to start him, but expectations for Week 1 should be tempered. Luckily, the Bears play early on Sunday. If Odunze is declared out, plenty of options should be available to pivot to. But we'll hope to get clarity before the game's 1 pm ET kickoff. If active, Odunze can be started as a WR3, and we'll hopefully have more clarity on the receiver pecking order coming out of the season's debut.
Questionable - Not expected to play
- Tyson Bagent (back) DNP - Bagent didn’t practice all week while working through a back injury. If he can’t go, Case Keenum would back up Caleb Williams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-0)
- Spread: Bengals -3.5
- Moneyline: Bengals -198, Buccaneers +164
- Total: 51.5 points
Removed from final injury report
- Emeka Egbuka (toe) FP - Egbuka has practiced fully all week after suffering a toe injury a few weeks ago. There's been much speculation about the extent of the injury, with fantasy managers fearing a dreaded turf toe designation. A week of full practice and a vote of confidence from Todd Bowles should quell concerns. With Mike Evans out of Tampa Bay, Egbuka will have a chance to operate as the team's top target. How he and Chris Godwin Jr. operate alongside each other this year is yet to be seen, but Egbuka can be started as a WR2 against the soft Bengals pass defense.
Ja’Marr Chase (knee) FP - We heard early in the week that Chase should both be good to go, and he followed up with a week of full participation in practices. Chase went down with an awkward knee injury a couple of weeks ago, but he’ll slot in as a top-three receiver in Week 1 rankings. - Tee Higgins (foot) FP - Higgins has been working through a bruised heel, but he logged a full week of practices leading up to Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. He’s scored double-digit touchdowns in back-to-back seasons, and can be relied on as a big-play WR2 on Sunday.
Doubtful
- Jalen McMillan (knee) LP - After a promising rookie season, McMillan missed most of Year 2, playing in just four games at the end of the season. An unfortunate knee injury in training camp will likely cause him to miss the start of this season as well. He logged limited practices this week, which may indicate a return to play soon. His absence will allow the passing attack to focus on Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr., while rookie Ted Hurst III will serve as the third option.
- Sean Tucker (hamstring) DNP - Tucker did not practice to start the week but returned in a limited fashion on Thursday, potentially indicating a return next week. He was expected to be in a reserve role in the backfield. With him most likely out, expect the majority of the touches to be split between Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. Week 1 usage will hopefully give us a clearer picture of this murky backfield.
New Orleans Saints (0-0) @ Detroit Lions (0-0)
- Spread: Lions -6.5
- Moneyline: Lions -290, Saints +235
- Total: 48.5 points
All fantasy-relevant Lions players are healthy
Questionable - Expected to play
- Alvin Kamara (knee) LP - Kamara logged a full week of practice, albeit in a limited fashion, after suffering a knee sprain early in training camp. He and newly signed Travis Etienne Jr. were listed as co-starters on the initial depth chart, but Etienne's contract and age imply that he will get the bulk of the touches. If Kamara is active, he can be played as a risky RB4, with more utility in PPR leagues than in standard leagues. However, fantasy managers will probably want to see how the 31-year-old running back is used alongside Etienne before trusting him in their lineups.
Out
- Audric Estime (thigh) DNP - With Travis Etienne Jr. and Kendre Miller fully healthy and Alvin Kamara nearing a return, Estime’s time on the Saints’ roster may be numbered.
- Oscar Delp (hamstring) DNP - Delp hasn’t practiced all week with a hamstring injury, and his NFL debut will be delayed because of it. Juwan Johnson becomes a top-ten tight end in Week 1 rankings.
Buffalo Bills (0-0) @ Houston Texans (0-0)
- Spread: Bills -1.5
- Moneyline: Bills -102, Texans -118
- Total: 45.5 points
All fantasy-relevant Texans players are healthy
Questionable - Game-time decision
- Ty Johnson (hamstring) DNP Wednesday and Thursday, LP Friday - Johnson has been working through a hamstring injury he suffered on August 8th, finally returning to practice on Friday. After an extended absence, he may need another week before he’s able to be active for game day. His time out reportedly allowed both James Cook III and Ray Davis to get extra work as a receiver. James Cook III is a must-start regardless of Johnson’s status. And if Johnson can’t go, Davis has some appeal as a desperation flex play.
Baltimore Ravens (0-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-0)
- Spread: Ravens -3.5
- Moneyline: Ravens -162, Colts +136
- Total: 48.5 points
Removed from final injury report
- Alec Pierce (heel) LP - Pierce, despite his inability to log a full practice, was removed from the Colts' final injury report leading up to Week 1. His recovery from an offseason ankle injury has been closely monitored throughout camp. He opened training camp on PUP and showed up with a noticeable limp and calf atrophy. He eventually returned to practice on August 27th but has not logged a full practice since. Pierce may be limited in Week 1. The good news for desperate fantasy managers is that Pierce could make his week in one play, as his role as a field stretcher leads to frequent big touchdowns. But he's a borderline WR5 in Week 1, and most fantasy managers will probably want to see that he's fully healthy before elevating him into their lineups.
- Zay Flowers (hamstring) LP Wednesday, FP Thursday and Friday - Flowers is expected to be a full go for a Week 1 matchup against the Colts. There has been a lot of talk about a more pass-heavy approach in Baltimore, with a new head coach and offensive coordinator. Flowers was sixth in the league in receiving yards last year and is hoping to take another step forward in Year 4, as he's done every year of his career. He's a back-end WR1 heading into this matchup. Get him in your lineups.
Questionable - Game-time decision
- Devontez Walker (groin) LP - Walker couldn’t log a full practice all week and is trending towards being a game-time decision on Sunday. He’s likely behind Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Ja’Kobi Lane in the pecking order. Even if active, it’s hard to imagine relying on him in fantasy this week.
Cleveland Browns (0-0) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0)
- Spread: Jaguars -8.5
- Moneyline: Jaguars -380, Browns +300
- Total: 39.5 points
All fantasy-relevant Browns players are healthy
Removed from final injury report
- Jakobi Meyers (thumb) LP - Despite his inability to log a full practice this week, Meyers was removed from the final injury report and will play in Week 1. Meyers jammed his thumb in a mid-August joint practice with the Panthers and has been limited in practice since. He’ll likely slot in as the third option behind Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington. But with the Jaguars’ reliance on three-receiver sets and the high-scoring nature of this offense, Meyers has some flex appeal coming into the matchup.
Questionable - Game-time decision
- LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip) DNP Wednesday and Thursday, LP Friday - It’s promising that he returned to practice on Friday, but he’s been out nearly a full month after suffering a hip injury. If he can’t go, Bhayshul Tuten is the biggest beneficiary, likely seeing extended work on passing downs. Allen doesn’t belong in any fantasy lineups, but his absence does clear the way for Tuten and, to a lesser extent, Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0) @ Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
- Spread: Steelers -3.5
- Moneyline: Steelers -185, Falcons +154
- Total: 42.5 points
All fantasy-relevant Steelers players are healthy
Removed from final injury report
- Zachariah Branch (hamstring) LP Wednesday and Thursday, FP Friday - Branch was limited early in the week but logged a full practice on Friday. He’ll make his NFL debut in Week 1, although expectations for the entire team should be tempered as they’ll start the year with Cooper Rush, their QB3. Branch is a player to watch early, as involvement could make him a waiver target. But given the consolidated offense around Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts Sr., it’s hard to see how Branch finds a path to relevance.
Out
- Michael Penix Jr. (knee) FP - Penix is getting closer to a return after practicing all week, although we won’t see it in Week 1. He was cleared for 11-on-11s a couple of weeks ago, and should elevate the entire offense when he’s back. With Penix and Tua Tagovailoa both out, Cooper Rush will get the start.
- Tua Tagovailoa (oblique), LP Thursday, DNP Friday - With Michael Penix Jr. also out this week, the Falcons will have to turn to Cooper Rush, who was signed early in camp after Tagovailoa suffered a minor back injury. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand is expected to serve as the backup. Rush is no slouch, having started some games for the Cowboys in 2021, 2022, and 2024, as well as a couple of games for the Ravens last year. Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. should have better days ahead of them once Penix is cleared to return, but Rush should be capable enough to get the ball to them. London is a back-end WR1 this week, and Pitts a middling TE1. Expect a heavier-than-normal workload for Bijan Robinson, who is a clear top-two option this week alongside Jahmyr Gibbs.
New York Jets (0-0) @ Tennessee Titans (0-0)
- Spread: Titans -1.5
- Moneyline: Titans -125, Jets +105
- Total: 39.5 points
All fantasy-relevant Titans players are healthy.
Removed from final injury report
- Breece Hall (groin) FP - Despite missing some time during training camp with a groin injury, Hall was able to log an entire week of full practices and will be good to go for Week 1 against the Titans. While there's been some talk about a committee approach to the Jets' backfield, the team rewarded him with a $43.5M contract extension this offseason. Expect him to get the bulk of the touches, even if Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis come in for the occasional touch. Fire Hall up as the RB2 you drafted him to be.
- Kenyon Sadiq (groin) FP - Sadiq's situation is a bit complicated. While it's encouraging that he was able to practice in full all week, his extended absence from training camp could put him behind schedule. Sadiq dealt with an offseason hernia and aggravated it during camp. Rookies who miss time in camp tend to get out of the gate slow, especially at a position as demanding as tight end. Sadiq can be stashed in deep leagues as a potential high-ceiling rookie, but it's hard to recommend him as a starter in Week 1 lineups.
- Isaiah Davis (knee) FP - Davis has been working through a knee injury, but it didn’t impact his availability in practice leading up to Week 1. He likely slots in as the RB3 behind Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, but should be stashed in deep leagues. His role as a pass-catcher could give him some injury-away upside if Hall were to miss any time.
Sunday Afternoon Games - Sunday, 4:05 - 4:25 pm ET
Arizona Cardinals (0-0) @ Los Angeles Chargers (0-0)
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