Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (back) was added to the Week 1 injury report on Wednesday after he put in a limited practice. Kraft has apparently recovered from a torn pectoral muscle that he was rehabbing in the offseason, but now a back injury has cropped up right before the team's Week 1 regular-season opener in Brazil on Friday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. It doesn't mean the 23-year-old won't suit up on Friday, but it's something to watch for with Green Bay's tight end depth in the season opener. Luke Musgrave should operate as the team's top pass-catching TE, but if Kraft's back injury keeps him out or limits his snaps, it could create more playing time for third-stringer Ben Sims. Fantasy managers can ignore Kraft in starting lineups in Week 1 in most formats.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers running backs MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) and Emanuel Wilson (hip) were both listed as limited at practice on Wednesday. The Packers held Lloyd out as part of their plan in the first practice of the week on Tuesday, and the fact he's back in the fold on a limited basis on Wednesday means he's on track to suit up for his first regular-season NFL game in Brazil on Friday night versus the Philadelphia Eagles. The 23-year-old missed valuable development time in training camp and the preseason due to his hamstring injury, but with AJ Dillon (neck) done for the year, he should take over RB2 duties from Wilson sooner than later behind starter Josh Jacobs. Lloyd is the better bench stash in Green Bay's backfield than Wilson, although he shouldn't be trusted in starting fantasy lineups in Week 1 against Philly.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday, and his status for Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans is up in the air. Downs is trending in the wrong direction to be ready for the start of the regular season after suffering a high-ankle sprain on Aug. 7, but that could change if he's able to get back on the practice field on either Thursday or Friday. As of right now, though, fantasy managers should be planning to be without the 23-year-old in Week 1. If Downs is inactive on Sunday, it will mean that rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will start next to Michael Pittman Jr. in three-wide sets on Sunday against Houston. Downs should be set in a bench spot for now as Week 1 approaches.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (hernia) said he underwent surgery for a sports hernia, which is why he's not taking part in the team's first official practice on Wednesday. Gay had something flare up after the team's preseason contest against the Cincinnati Bengals and could be trending toward missing Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday versus the division-rival Houston Texans. Fantasy managers that were banking on using Gay as their starting kicker to open the year may already have to pivot and go in another direction. If he cannot kick this Sunday, rookie Spencer Shrader would be added to the active roster to make his NFL debut. It's best to just avoid Indy's kicking situation altogether in fantasy if Gay ends up being inactive against the Texans, which is the way this appears to be trending.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert will travel to Brazil to take on the Green Bay Packers in the regular season opener on Friday night. The 29-year-old suffered an oblique injury a few weeks ago, but returned to the practice field Tuesday and is slated to suit up on Friday. Goedert had a down year in 2023, finishing with his lowest fantasy point total since 2020 when he played in just 11 games. Goedert is no stranger to target competition and has been able to deliver for fantasy managers at times, but he has been an inconsistent option. After the acquisition of former Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson a few weeks ago and the addition of running back Saquon Barkley this past offseason, Goedert is in the most crowded receiver room of his career. The veteran is a threat to score a touchdown every week as apart of the Eagles offense, but he is going to be tough to trust on a weekly basis. Fantasy managers should consider him a fringe TE1 in Week 1 against the Packers.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott will travel to Brazil to take on the Green Bay Packers in the team's regular season opener on Friday night. The 29-year-old signed a four-year, $24 million extension this past offseason, making him tied for the highest paid kicker annually with Baltimore's Justin Tucker. Elliott deserved every bit of the extension, hitting 30 of his 32 field goal attempts and converting 45 of 46 extra points. After attempting only 23 field goals in 2022 (the second-lowest amount of his career) the veteran proved to be one of the most valuable fantasy assets at the position last season and heads into Week 1 as a top five option.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that wide receiver Curtis Samuel (toe) will be a full participant in the team's first official practice on Wednesday. Samuel should be ready to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals as long as he doesn't have a setback with his turf-toe issue later this week. The 28-year-old has an opportunity to step up as a trusted weapon for quarterback Josh Allen in 2024 with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis no longer around, but he'll also be competing for targets among a group of wideouts that include Khalil Shakir, rookie Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Samuel has gone over 800 receiving yards just once in his seven years in the NFL and is coming off a 62-613-4 line in 16 games with the Commanders. To begin the year, consider Samuel a WR5/flex best left on benches until we see how involved he'll be in Buffalo.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) should be at the team's first official practice on Wednesday, but it remains to be seen how much he'll do. It sounds like Hopkins will most likely be listed as limited on the first injury report of 2024 as the team prepares for their Week 1 matchup in Chicago against the Bears this Sunday. The 32-year-old veteran suffered a strained knee early in training camp but was always expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season this week. Still, there's a chance he could be limited if he's active this weekend, which would mean more targets for Calvin Ridley as he makes his Titans debut. Hopkins should be active on Sunday to kick off the year, but he figures to be a little more risky for fantasy managers as more of a WR4/flex play in lineups.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Boston Scott (undisclosed) was placed on the practice squad injured list on Wednesday, Sept. 4. In addition, the team signed free-agent RB Aaron Shampklin to the practice squad.

From TheHuddle

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will face off against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 in the first international game of the season, being held in Brazil. The 26-year-old did not see a single snap in the preseason but has plenty of hope surrounding him after last year's late season collapse in Philadelphia. New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore should help solve some of the issues the offense had with being bland and mundane, and the addition of Saquon Barkley at running back makes the offense nearly impossible to gameplan against. The Packers defense ranked top 10 in passing defense by the end of last season but struggled against the run and defending rushing quarterbacks. In what should be a tightly contested game between two playoff hopefuls, Hurts should be considered a top three option during the opening week of the regular season.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley will head to Brazil in Week 1 to take on the Green Bay Packers on Friday night. The former New York Giants back did not play a single snap in the preseason and should be a full strength after missing some practice time a few weeks ago due to a back injury. The Eagles offensive line is the best Barkley has ever had in his career by a wide margin and his first matchup against the Packers is on he can make a strong statement in to open the regular season. Green Bay gave up the fifth-most rushing yards in 2023 and did much better at defending the pass. Philadelphia is ready to unleash their highly paid free agent acquisition and fantasy managers should consider him a solid RB1 heading into Friday night.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown will face off against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil on Friday for the team's regular season opener. The 27-year-old signed a three-year contract worth $96 million this past offseason and heads into the regular season as a fringe top five fantasy WR. While Brown shares the field with standout WR2 DeVonta Smith and now has even more competition with the acquisition of former Washington wide receiver Jahan Dotson, there is no doubt that the dominant top receiver for Philadelphia is a fantasy force and will have plenty of big games in 2024. He should see a heavy dose of Jaire Alexander in Week 1, but fantasy managers should still consider Brown a WR1 even with a tough matchup Friday night.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury and will be limited at practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Raheem Morris. It's not what fantasy managers that drafted Pitts want to see, but it would still be somewhat of a surprise if he's unable to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 23-year-old has an opportunity to break out in 2024 as a high-end TE1 this year in fantasy with quarterback Kirk Cousins now leading the offense, but he's going to need to stay healthy to do so. If for some reason Pitts is limited in Week 1, it's unlikely that either Charlie Woerner or Ross Dwelley would be worth a look as a streaming option to kick off the season. Check back on Pitts' status later this week, but unless something changes, he should be in starting lineups in fantasy in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith will head to Brazil in Week 1 to face off against the Green Bay Packers on Friday night. The 25-year-old signed a three-year, $75 million extension this past offseason and had rave reviews coming out of training camp. While he did not touch the field in the preseason, none of the Eagles starters did either, and Smith is entering his prime. The addition of Jahan Dotson in a trade from the division rival Commanders may add another mouth to feed but makes Smith that much tougher to cover with the like of A.J. Brown on the other side of the field and running back Saquon Barkley needing to be accounted for. The Eagles No. 2 receiver should be considered a high-end WR2 most weeks including the regular season opener against the Packers.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jahan Dotson will face off against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil to open the regular season on Friday. The former Washington Commander was traded to the Eagles two weeks ago as the team was making its final roster transactions before the regular season, giving Philadelphia one of the strongest receiver trios in the league. With that said, Dotson does not hold a ton of fantasy value in redraft leagues heading into Week 1. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has never supported three fantasy relevant wide receivers in the past and while the addition of Dotson makes the offense even tougher to stop, the target share and overall involvement for the 24-year-old is not expected to make him a fantasy asset on a weekly basis. If anything were to happen to A.J. Brown of DeVonta Smith, Dotson will be a hot waiver addition, but until then he is little more than an emergency bench stash or can be left on the waiver wire. He is not a recommended fantasy option in Week 1 against the Packers.

From RotoBaller

Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk (calf) is expected to be a full go for Week 1, head coach Doug Pederson said on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Fantasy Spin: Kirk missed the final five games of last season due to injury. After ranking as WR28 overall in the 12 games he did appear in during the 2023 season, Kirk should be considered a flex option in Week 1.

From TheHuddle

Detroit Lions DT D.J. Reader (quadriceps) has a chance to play in Week 1, head coach Dan Campbell revealed on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

From TheHuddle

The New York Jets agreed to terms on a three-year $30.75 million contract extension with defensive back Michael Carter II on Tuesday, making him the highest-paid slot corner in the NFL. The deal is worth up to $33 million with slightly more than $19 million in total guarantees. Carter is the Jets' nickelback and has been an important member of the defense over the last three seasons. Carter did not record an interception in 2023, but he did manage 50 total tackles and nine passes defensed. Carter's extension keeps an excellent Jets defensive core intact. The Jets' team defense should be a hot commodity in fantasy football in 2024.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension on Tuesday. Heyward is one of the Steelers' best defensive players. Keeping Heyward happy is extremely important to their success. He will help to anchor the Steelers D/ST in fantasy football in 2024. Additionally, Heyward and the rest of the Steelers' defense will help take pressure off the offense and allow an easier path to success for wide receiver George Pickens and running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris in fantasy.

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is set to call offensive plays in 2024. Daboll had relinquished the job to offensive coordinator Mike Kafka when he was hired as head coach in 2022. This could be good news for Malik Nabers managers. Daboll cut his teeth calling plays as the offensive coordinator for quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Daboll was the author of high-powered offenses in Buffalo. Those offenses featured fantasy excellence from Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The Giants do not have much in the way of offensive weapons. Expect Daboll to call Nabers' number early and often.