Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is not listed on the team's Week 1 injury report and was a full participant in the first practice of the week on Thursday. Jefferson injured his left hamstring way back on July 24 and didn't return to practice at training camp until Aug. 18. The 26-year-old's injury was minor, though, and Minnesota was just being extra cautious with one of the best wideouts in the NFL. The All-Pro receiver should be locked and loaded into all starting fantasy lineups in Week 1 when he and the Vikings take on the division-rival Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. With Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension to open the year, Jefferson could draw an even larger target share from quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Jefferson is a no-doubt, must-start in fantasy whenever he's active.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Mike Reiss writes that New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte projects to start alongside Stefon Diggs and slot man DeMario Douglas going into Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, with nine-year veteran Mack Hollins next on the depth chart. Rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III will provide additional depth. Boutte may draw the "start" on Sunday in the season opener, but fantasy managers should expect the 23-year-old to split time with Hollins in three-wide sets. The former sixth-rounder is unlikely to be on the field enough or see enough targets to be a starting option in fantasy lineups in an offense that could have a steep learning curve early in the season. Even Diggs, the team's presumed WR1, will be a shaky WR4/flex in fantasy in Week 1 coming off an ACL tear. Boutte is currently rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues.

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Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue is listed as a healthy scratch for the Week 1 season opener on Thursday night against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com. Blue was impressive in training camp and the preseason over the summer before suffering a low-ankle sprain in the preseason finale. The injury cost the 21-year-old some time, but he was a full participant in practice this week, and his absence from the season opener is merely a coach's decision. For now, he's a distant third in Dallas' backfield behind starter Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Blue figures to play a role a some point in 2025, but right now, he's merely a bench stash for RB depth in fantasy leagues. Dallas could have a tough time running the football on Thursday night against a stout Eagles defensive line.

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Rich Eisen said that Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told him in a pre-broadcast meeting that rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton will be the team's starter over Najee Harris in the Week 1 regular-season opener in Brazil on Friday night against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Eisen points out that it will be the first time in Harris' career in his debut with the Bolts that he will not start. Harris missed most of training camp and all of the preseason due to a superficial eye injury suffered in a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July, but he's been fully cleared and will back up Hampton. The 22-year-old rookie impressed this summer, but it's unclear what the workload split will be against KC. With lots of big-play ability, though, in a run-first Chargers offense, Hampton will be in play as an RB2 in fantasy against a tough Chiefs defense.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (foot) is on the Week 1 injury report and was unable to take part in the first practice of the week on Thursday as the club prepares for a divisional clash in the season opener on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Kyle Monangai (hamstring) is also on the injury report, but he was limited in Thursday's practice. It's still early, but Chicago's backfield is banged up going into their season opener. It's something that fantasy managers in deeper leagues should monitor if they're concerned about their RB depth. The 24-year-old Johnson didn't play in the preseason finale two weeks ago and could be in danger of missing Week 1, which could allow Monangai to have a bigger role right away behind D'Andre Swift. Johnson is merely a handcuff for those that have Swift rostered.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) is on the team's Week 1 injury report and was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Thursday. Meanwhile, Roschon Johnson, Chicago's No. 2 RB behind starter D'Andre Swift, did not practice due to a foot injury. Monangai, 23, did not play in the preseason finale two weeks ago due to his hamstring injury, but if he's able to work up to a full practice by Saturday, it's possible that he'll be tasked with serving as the Bears' RB2 on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings if Johnson is ruled out. This is definitely a situation to watch for those in deeper leagues heading into the Week 1 season opener, but fantasy managers in standard 12-team formats can continue to ignore Monangai for now.

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Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) was officially listed as a non-participant for the second straight day at practice on Thursday, according to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. The Dolphins are bringing Waller along slowly after he was in retirement all of last year, but his absence from practice on Thursday is a bit concerning after head coach Mike McDaniel said on Wednesday that he would return the following day. The 32-year-old veteran is also listed with an actual injury for the first time since coming out of retirement to join the team. All summer, the Dolphins were taking it easy on Waller to get his conditioning up to speed. He will have one more chance on Friday to get back on the practice field before Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Colts. Even if Waller is active, he'll likely be on a snap count, so he can't realistically be trusted in starting fantasy lineups.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris (eye) was a full participant in practice again on Thursday and was removed from the final injury report for Week 1, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Harris will be active on Friday in Brazil against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, but rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton will reportedely make the "start." The Chargers have said all along this week that they expected the 27-year-old Harris to make his debut with the team despite missing most of training camp and all of the preseason due to a superficial eye injury suffered in a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July. Harris going to have a role against KC, but how much he's used alongside Hampton is anyone's guess. Harris deserves to be rostered in all fantasy leagues, especially as a handcuff to Hampton, but we'd recommend benching him on Friday.

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Dynasty | Wide receiver Amari Cooper has informed the Raiders of his intention to retire. Dynasty Analysis: Cooper will hang it up just days after re-signing with the Raiders. It's a pretty stunning turn of events but shows Cooper's heart just isn't into this any longer. If this is indeed the end, he'll go down as a very productive receiver but also one prone to crazy performance streaks and having a career that didn't quite reach the Hall of Fame potential many thought he had.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) is dealing with a strained hamstring that is expected to keep him out of the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams and possibly longer, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. One source is estimating it could be a two-week injury for Kirk, but the Texans will be "cautious" with him." It's a bad start for the 28-year-old, who played in only eight games in 2024 in his last year with the Jaguars after breaking his collarbone. With Kirk likely out this weekend, Nico Collins should see even more targets, although rookie Jaylin Noel could be the biggest beneficiary as a natural slot receiver with great hands. Fellow rookie Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson will also have bigger roles, but Noel could be the best sneaky DFS play against the Rams. Noel is rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues currently.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass (hip) did not practice on Thursday after being listed as a limited practice participant on the first injury report of the year on Wednesday. Bass has been managing a hip injury since late July and missed time in training camp, although he did manage to kick in the preseason finale two weeks ago. But his downgrade on the Week 1 injury report, combined with the news of Buffalo signing veteran Matt Prater to the practice squad on Thursday means the veteran kicker's availability for Week 1 on Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens could be in jeopardy. Fantasy managers that drafted Bass as their starting kicker might have to find a replacement sooner than they were expecting if he ends up questionable or out on Friday's final injury report.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills PK Tyler Bass (groin, hip), WR Elijah Moore (non-injury) and CB Tre'Davious White (groin) did not participate in practice Thursday, Sept. 4. WR Keon Coleman (groin) was limited during practice. CB Christian Benford (groin) and WR Khalil Shakir (ankle) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo for their Week 1 matchup. The 22-year-old had a solid rookie season, coming on strong down the stretch, and should be able to build on that success in his sophomore year. Worthy will be a strong beneficiary of Rashee Rice's suspension since his absence clears the runway for Worthy to take off. The young speedster proved to be a reliable option for Patrick Mahomes in the passing game towards the end of the regular season and into the playoffs. If the duo has built on their chemistry this offseason, Worthy could be poised to take a step forward. The Chargers were middle-of-the-pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers in 2024, so the matchup should not be an issue this week. Worthy is ranked WR27 in our RotoBaller rankings this week, putting him in the WR2/3 range for this contest.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco said he is "on a revenge tour" this year, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones said, "Yeah, let's go! (bangs on the table with his right hand). We need him on a revenge tour!" Pacheco's violent running style finally came back to bite him in 2024 when he fractured his fibula in Week 2 and ended up playing in only seven regular-season games in his third year with the Chiefs. The 26-year-old averaged a career-low 3.7 yards per carry on his 83 rushing attempts during the regular season. He's back to 100 percent health in 2025, though, and remains KC's unquestioned lead back going into a Week 1 matchup in Brazil versus the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Friday. There are questions as to whether Pacheco can return to his pre-injury form, but at worst, he should be considered a low-end RB2 fantasy back.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers OT Ikem Ekwonu (illness) and CB Damarri Mathis (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Sept. 4. OG Robert Hunt (foot), OG Damien Lewis (ankle, shoulder) and DE A'Shawn Robinson (groin) were limited during practice.

From TheHuddle

New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) will not practice on Thursday, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Thomas practiced on Wednesday, but Daboll said Thomas sitting out on Thursday is "part of the team's plan as the left tackle ramps up activity ahead of Week 1" against the division-rival Washington Commanders this Sunday. Injury news aside, the Giants freed up roughly $12.2 million in salary cap space by restructuring Thomas' contract on Thursday. The move puts the team around $2.6 million under this year's cap. Thomas was limited in his return to practice on Wednesday, although it's still unclear if he'll suit up on Sunday. If he does play in Week 1, the G-Men could limit the number of snaps he plays as they continue to ramp him up.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will start the season against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday. The Chiefs will have the first international game of the year in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Pacheco should be considered the most valuable back to roster from Kansas City, but he does have some competition. In his absence last year, the Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt, and he performed well in his opportunities. The Chiefs liked his production so much that they decided to bring him back for this season. In their last preseason game, Pacheco and Hunt took drives with the starting offense. Pacheco should see the majority of the work, but it should be noted that Kansas City brought Hunt in for a goal-line carry and targeted him in the endzone during the preseason. If Pacheco can lock down the goal line role while handling the majority of carries, he will easily be a locked-in starter for fantasy. The usage in Week 1 will be interesting and could determine how we view Pacheco as a fantasy asset this season. The Chargers were a good defensive unit against the run in 2024, but it remains to be seen how they will perform this year. The Chiefs running back is ranked RB25 in our RotoBaller rankings this week, putting him on the borderline of the RB2 range.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers DE Cameron Heyward (non-injury) and DT Derrick Harmon (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Sept. 4. LB Nick Herbig (hamstring) was limited during practice.

From TheHuddle

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will face the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday in Week 1. Kelce had a down year in 2024, finishing as the TE5 in total points and TE7 in points-per-game in PPR. The 35-year-old was still able to produce TE1 numbers, but he did not provide the positional advantage that he had in years past. The Chiefs tight end now enters 2025 in better shape, perhaps in preparation for his upcoming wedding, and looks to bounce back from a statistical standpoint. Kelce was drafted as the TE5 in most leagues this draft season, but he could beat that position if the Kansas City offense returns to its high-octane play style. The Chiefs will also be without star wideout Rashee Rice, which should set Kelce up for even more production to begin the season. The Chargers were decent against opposing tight ends last season, but Kelce is not your average tight end, and Kansas City knows how to scheme him open. Kelce should be considered a strong TE1 in their first game of the season.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) remains out of practice on Thursday, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Gonzalez's continued absenc puts his status for the season opener on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders in more doubt. If Gonzalez does not play in Week 1, which is becoming more and more likely, Alex Austin, Marcus Jones and D.J. James are the candidates to start across from Carlton Davis III in New England's secondary. Gonzalez is the team's top cornerback, so not having him available to kick off the season wouldn't be ideal for the Pats as they look to slow down the Raiders' new look offense, which will be led by veteran quarterback Geno Smith.

From RotoBaller