Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will have a difficult matchup in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium. These two teams last met in January for the AFC Championship game. In that game, Kelce reeled in 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs took the victory. The Chiefs won that game 17-10 and advanced to the Super Bowl, where they won for the second straight year. Kelce has been an integral part of the Kansas City offense for years and will look to continue that trend. There has been a lot of talk about Kelce's role in the offense, with other capable pass catchers like Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, and Xavier Worthy rounding out their receiving core. However, Kelce will likely still be Patrick Mahomes' most reliable target. Kelce will likely be guarded by Ravens' safety Kyle Hamilton, but he seemed to have no trouble in their last matchup. Kelce is still a top-tier TE1 for fantasy purposes.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. Chark has been dealing with the injury for a couple of weeks and has not practiced at all this week. The Chargers need Chark's big play ability and experience in a relatively inexperienced wide receiving room. In 15 games with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, Chark demonstrated that he can still be a solid contributor. He posted 35 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns. The Chargers would certainly welcome those numbers in 2024. Chark is likely off the fantasy radar. However, should he miss game time, there is more intrigue for wide receivers Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston. Chark's absence would especially open the door for Johnston to prove himself in this offense.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin (abdomen/illness) did not practice on Wednesday. McLaughlin hit on 93.5% of his field goal attempts in 2023 and was rewarded with a three-year contract extension. Tampa Bay has a favorable matchup for kickers in Week 1 so it will be worth monitoring McLaughlin's status leading up to the weekend. Hopefully he is able to bounce-back from his illness quickly and start on Sunday.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is fresh from his second NFL MVP award and the one thing he's talked about this year is continuing to be hungry for a championship. His quest for his first ring starts Thursday with a tough season opener on the road against the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens offense returns almost all of their primary weapons while adding Derrick Henry to their repertoire. The continuity of the same offensive coordinator and the chemistry with his pass-catchers is going to play a big part in Jackson's success. The last time these two teams faced off was in a tightly-contested AFC Championship game where Jackson threw for 272 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and completed 20 of his 37 attempts. He also gathered 54 yards on eight carries. The Chiefs don't have their star defensive back L'Jarius Sneed anymore which benefits the Ravens' passing game. Look for Jackson to be a QB1 heading into the opening game on Thursday.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will look to start the season strong in Week 1 on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite starting the year at Arrowhead Stadium, this matchup will not be a walk in the park for the reigning Super Bowl MVP. In 2023, the Baltimore Ravens defense allowed 16.5 points per game, the fewest points per game to opposing offenses. The Ravens defense lost some important pieces, notably Patrick Queen, but they should still be a formidable opponent this season. The Chiefs defense will also be a force this season, but the offenses should get their chances to shine in this contest as this game has the sixth-highest over/under of Week 1. Mahomes has a 5-1 record in Week 1 games with 20 TDs and a 124.5 passer rating, so look for him to start hot this season. The Chiefs quarterback is an easy fantasy start every week he is available.

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New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. This comes as good news for a Patriots team in need of offensive weapons. Henry will start at tight end and should continue his success in the red zone for the Patriots. In 2023 he recorded 42 receptions for 419 yards and six touchdowns. He has scored 17 touchdowns during his Patriots career. The Patriots do not project to be a high-powered offense. However, Henry should have his usual share of solid weeks as a tight end streamer.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) avoided landing on the first official injury report of the 2024 regular season on Wednesday by putting in a full practice. It doesn't come as much of a surprise despite Kirk missing some time in training camp due to a mild calf injury. The Jags lost Calvin Ridley in the offseason but added Gabe Davis and first-round rookie Brian Thomas Jr. to the receiving corps. The 27-year-old Kirk was quarterback Trevor Lawrence's No. 1 target last year before his season ended prematurely due to a core injury. Don't forget that Kirk had his first 1,000-yard season with a career-high eight scores in his first year in Duvall in 2022, so a bounce-back could easily be in the cards in 2024. He's at least a WR3/flex for fantasy managers in a Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins that could turn into a track meet.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) was listed as a limited practice participant on the team's first official injury report of the 2024 regular season on Wednesday due to a heel injury. Allen missed practice late last week with the same issue. While it's something to watch heading into the regular season this weekend in a Week 1 matchup for Chicago against the Tennessee Titans, the 32-year-old veteran should be able to make his Bears debut on Sunday at Soldier Field. If Allen cannot play or is limited, it would open up targets for both DJ Moore and first-round rookie Rome Odunze. Allen's fantasy stock was down in the offseason after he ended his Chargers tenure on the bench due to injuries in 2023, and his fantasy ceiling is certainly lowered in Chicago where targets will be harder to come by. But when healthy, Allen is still worthy of at least a WR3/flex play.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) was not listed on the first official injury report on Wednesday, signaling he practiced in full and is ready to roll for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday versus the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins kept details sparse on Waddle's injury throughout training camp and the preseason, but the 25-year-old appears to be just fine and needs to be in all starting fantasy lineups as a strong WR2. In addition to Waddle being ready, WR1 Tyreek Hill (thumb) will also be good to go this weekend after dealing with a minor thumb injury toward the end of camp. Waddle has excellent chemistry with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and there isn't any reason the former sixth overall pick can't put up a fourth straight 1,000-yard campaign to begin his career in 2024 if he stays healthy.

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) said he expects to be 100 percent healthy for Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers despite being listed as limited in the team's first official practice of the regular season on Wednesday. Pitts said he missed just a few plays during Wednesday's practice and will be on the field this weekend as the Falcons look to get off to a quick start with a new coaching staff and quarterback in Kirk Cousins. If Pitts isn't blowing smoke, he should return to a full practice by Friday and be cleared from the final injury report altogether. Unless something changes with his status, fantasy managers are going to want to have the 23-year-old locked into their starting lineups as a top-10 TE in Week 1, with Cousins expected to raise his ceiling considerably.

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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) put in a full practice on Wednesday and wasn't included on the team's first official injury report of the 2024 season despite missing most of training camp and all of the preseason with a hamstring injury. Things were already trending this way, but the 22-year-old second-year back will be active in Week 1 on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams, barring a setback with his hamstring later this week at practice. Fantasy managers in redraft formats will want Gibbs locked into their starting lineups this weekend, although it's entirely possible he's eased in by the coaching staff in favor of backfield mate David Montgomery after he missed so much time in training camp. The 12th overall pick in last year's draft scored 11 total touchdowns in 15 regular-season games in his rookie campaign and should be a solid RB1 in Year 2 if he stays healthy.

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Although the Detroit Lions didn't actually hold a practice on Wednesday, tight end Sam LaPorta (hamstring) was not listed on the first official injury report. As expected, it means that the second-year tight end will suit up for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams as he looks for an encore performance this year following an amazing rookie campaign. The 23-year-old missed most of training camp and the preseason due to a hamstring ailment he suffered on Aug. 5, but he returned to practice over a week ago and won't have any limitations this weekend. LaPorta set a rookie record for TEs with 86 receptions in 17 regular-season games in 2023 while going for 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He should once again be heavily targeted by quarterback Jared Goff in Year 2 and is a must-start in fantasy lineups.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (rest) was officially listed as limited on Wednesday in the team's first official practice of the 2024 season. Before Wednesday, the All-Pro wideout had taken part in only two closed practices during the offseason amid negotiations over a long-term contract extension with the team. Chase's return to practice doesn't guarantee anything in regards to his playing status in Week 1 on Sunday against the New England Patriots or beyond, but it's an encouraging step and opens the door for him to play a full season whether he reaches an extension or not. The Bengals staff has plans in place to execute a game plan on Sunday with or without Chase. The 24-year-old is a must-start in redraft leagues if he's active, but a bigger concern is his physical conditioning and the possibility of a soft-tissue injury if he plays.

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Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (right wrist) is listed on the injury report but was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. As anticipated, Burrow showed no limitations during Cincinnati's session, indicating his wrist injury is likely fully healed after an entire offseason of recovery. Burrow has faced various injuries throughout his career, including a torn ACL in his rookie season, which limited him to just ten games, and a calf strain that affected him last season before a wrist ligament tear ended his year early. If Ja'Marr Chase is active for Week 1, fantasy managers can confidently start Burrow in Cincinnati's season opener against the New England Patriots.

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Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (undisclosed) was absent from practice on Wednesday as he continues to deal with an unspecified injury that has affected him for the past few weeks. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel mentioned that Ramsey has been held back for precautionary reasons, stating, "No setbacks... I've never been more proud of a player not practicing." However, McDaniel did not guarantee that the seven-time Pro Bowl selection would be available for the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. Ramsey missed the first seven games of the 2023 season due to a knee injury sustained early in training camp but still managed to record three interceptions and earn a Pro Bowl nod. If Ramsey cannot play, second-year cornerback Ethan Bonner, who didn't see any defensive snaps during his rookie season but played 11 snaps in the Dolphins' wild-card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, would be the likely starter. Ramsey's absence would be a significant advantage for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville receiving corps.

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On the initial Week 1 injury report for the New Orleans Saints, cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hip) was listed as limited due to a lingering hip issue that has persisted since training camp in California. Lattimore's 2023 season was marred by injuries, with an ankle problem restricting him to just ten games and a kidney laceration limiting him to seven games the previous year. These health issues fueled trade speculation during the offseason, but the Saints opted to retain him. He is expected to start on Sunday if he is healthy enough, which would significantly boost the Saints' defense against a Panthers offense projected to struggle. If Lattimore cannot play, it could provide a notable advantage to Bryce Young and the Panthers' receiving corps.

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Carolina Panthers tight ends Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) and Ian Thomas (calf) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Both were listed as starters on the unofficial depth chart released yesterday. Tremble has been struggling with a tight hamstring since the early days of training camp, and the Panthers have now also listed him with a back injury in their first practice report of the season. Thomas has been sidelined since early August with a calf injury, joining Tremble. With both players still unable to practice, rookie fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders, along with Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson, are the only healthy tight ends on the roster. Sanders could see significant action in his NFL debut if Tremble and Thomas remain unavailable. However, until further notice, it's advisable to avoid starting any tight end for the Panthers. The Panthers are set to open their season against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

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Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (finger) was limited in Wednesday's practice. While the injury isn't serious, the team is taking a cautious approach to ensure his full recovery before their season opener against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Sanders was the Panthers' starting running back this time last year, but circumstances have shifted since then. He is expected to serve as a backup to Chuba Hubbard at the start of the season, provided his injury doesn't hinder his performance. However, this situation could change when Jonathon Brooks (knee) returns from the reserve/non-football injury list. If Sanders' participation is restricted, Hubbard will likely see an increased workload, as he is already expected to handle the majority of the running back duties for the Panthers.

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Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (foot) will play against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, according to head coach Antonio Pierce. The rookie first-round pick missed a significant chunk of preseason and training camp while working through his foot issue. That may delay a potential breakout, as he was unable to play any preseason snaps with starting quarterback Gardner Minshew II. Bowers is one of the best tight end prospects to enter the NFL in the last decade. However, due to the pessimistic outlook of the Las Vegas offense, Bowers is at the bottom of the TE1 rankings in Week 1 and for the 2024 season as a whole. Fantasy managers will need to practice patience with the back-to-back John Mackey Award winner.

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) is trending toward suiting up in Week 1, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. The second-year wideout has been dealing with an ankle issue since being carted off the practice field in mid-August. O'Connell says they "feel good" about Addison playing against the New York Giants. The 22-year-old is a clear second fiddle to All-Pro Justin Jefferson in the Minnesota passing offense. Despite a strong rookie season, Addison's value took a tumble when the Vikings switched from Kirk Cousins to Sam Darnold at quarterback. Addison will be a WR4/5 on Sunday if he is active.

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