San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that rookie first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest, shoulder) will take it easy for around a week to avoid working up a sweat but will begin his rehab after that. Pearsall was shot in the chest last Saturday during a robbery attempt but was released from the hospital the following day and has made remarkable progress already. The Niners put him on the Non-Football Injury list, so the 23-year-old will be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of his first year in the NFL. In addition to recovering from a gunshot wound to his chest, Pearsall was also rehabbing a shoulder injury that limited him in training camp and the preseason. It remains to be seen when Pearsall can join San Fran's offense, but right now, he's merely a stash in dynasty/keeper fantasy leagues. Pearsall's injuries have opened the door for a bigger role for Jauan Jennings as the WR3.

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Carolina Panthers tight ends Tommy Tremble (back, hamstring) and Ian Thomas (calf) were both held out of practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. As things stand now, both tight ends are questionable to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Fantasy managers shouldn't really be looking to the Panthers for their starting TE anyway, but Carolina's depth at the position could be tested right away to kick off the 2024 season. Outside of Tremble and Thomas, rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson are their healthy options at the position. Sanders could be thrown into the fire right away in his NFL debut on Sunday if both Tremble and Thomas are ruled out. He is only worth stashing in really deep redraft formats and dynasty/keeper leagues.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle) was listed on the team's first official injury report on Thursday after putting in a limited practice due to an ankle injury. In addition to an ankle injury, an oblique ailment caused Jennings to miss two of the team's preseason games in August. The fact that Jennings is practicing to begin the week suggests that he should be able to suit up in Week 1 on Monday night against the New York Jets, but we'll have a better idea on his status for the season opener by Saturday. The 27-year-old would have been much more intriguing in fantasy had the Niners traded Brandon Aiyuk in the offseason, but as things stand now, he'll likely be the No. 4 pass-catcher, at best, behind Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel Sr. and tight end George Kittle. In standard 12-team fantasy leagues, Jennings should be on the waiver wire to begin the 2024 season.

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San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) was listed as a limited participant in the team's first official practice on Thursday. Despite being on the practice field on Thursday, Hufanga's availability for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night against the New York Jets is up in the air after he wasn't activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list in training camp until Aug. 27. The 24-year-old is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 11 of 2023. Hufanga, who was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro in his second year in the NFL in 2022, is a huge ball-hawking asset for the 49ers secondary when he's healthy, but fantasy managers in IDP leagues should expect him to be eased into the early portion of the 2024 campaign. Even if Hufanga is active on Monday, he's likely to be on a pitch count snap-wise and shouldn't be in IDP starting lineups.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) picked up another DNP and was unable to practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Chark still has one more day to get on the practice field, but as of right now, things aren't looking good for his chances of being active for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday at Sofi Stadium against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. The 27-year-old initially suffered a hip injury on Aug. 19 during training camp. When healthy, Chark is expected to be the field-stretcher for the Bolts as their WR3 in a run-first offense behind Joshua Palmer and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey. Even if Chark is able to practice on Friday and ends up playing on Sunday, fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep him on their benches. If Chark is inactive, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston would step into the WR3 role for LA against the Raiders.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee) was added to the team's Week 1 injury report on Thursday with a knee injury but was able to practice in full. Palmer was not listed at all on the first injury report of the year on Wednesday. It's something worth watching, but Palmer's status shouldn't be in question for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday at Sofi Stadium against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. The 24-year-old enters the 2024 campaign in pole position to lead the Bolts in targets after both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams left in the offseason. Not only does he have excellent chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert, but he's the team's most experienced wideout. Injuries have been an issue for Palmer in the past, though, so that could hold him back from truly breaking out. Fantasy managers should consider him a WR4/flex play with upside in Week 1.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton looks to take a step forward after back-to-back lackluster seasons to begin his career. The 25-year-old finished with 47 receptions for 455 yards with four touchdowns in 17 games with the Bucs last season. The talent is there, but Otton is too far back on the pecking order in Tampa Bay. At this point, Otton might be the fourth or fifth option in the passing game, which doesn't bode well for his fantasy value. Luckily, Otton does have a favorable matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 1. A defensive unit that allowed the most passing yards in the league last season. Despite that, Otton is nothing more than a TE2 for Week 1.

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The Seattle Seahawks defense/special teams will get a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix when the Denver Broncos visit Seattle in Week 1. The Seahawks' defense should be improved in 2024, especially with head coach Mike Macdonald coming over from the Baltimore Ravens. Rookie quarterbacks tend to struggle in the NFL. Nix has more college experience than most rookie quarterbacks. However, his first matchup is in one of the most hostile and difficult stadiums to visit in the NFL. The Seahawks D/ST will be without pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu (knee) but linebacker Jerome Baker (hamstring) seems on track to return from his absence. It is possible that the Seahawks D/ST was not drafted in your fantasy draft. If they hit waivers, they should be an automatic add-and-start for your team.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is better left on your bench in Week 1 when the Seahawks host the Denver Broncos. The Broncos had one of the league's worst rushing defenses in 2023. However, Charbonnet is unlikely to see a large enough rushing share to be effective for fantasy. If history is any indication, Kenneth Walker III has a firm grip on the starting running back position. Charbonnet has high-end insurance value, but he is better left alone in Week 1.

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Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (toe) should not be on fantasy radars in Week 1. The Seahawks will host the Denver Broncos and project to have a solid day on offense. However, Fant has not been much of a fantasy contributor during his three-year tenure as a Seahawk. There is always the chance that new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb decides to use Fant's athleticism more often. However, with the Seahawks boasting an excellent trio of wide receivers, that seems unlikely. Fant has also been limited all week with a toe injury that could hamper him in Week 1. It is best to look at other options and leave Fant on the waiver wire in Week 1.

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith finds himself outside of the starting options at the position in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. This is nothing against Smith who should actually have a bounce-back season with new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. The matchup is also relatively neutral as the Denver Broncos were middle of the pack against quarterbacks in 2023. However, the position is so deep that you should have better options available. If you are in dire need of a quarterback, or you play in a two-quarterback league, then Smith is a fine option. He should be able to amass 15-20 fantasy points in Week 1.

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Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is a solid option in fantasy in Week 1. The Seahawks offense should have plenty of chances to score on Sunday against a middle-of-the-road Broncos defense. Myers was the K6 in 2023 and should be able to pick up where he left off. He is an incredibly accurate kicker and should have a chance for plenty of field goals and PATs. Start Myers with confidence in Week 1. He has a chance for double-digit fantasy points.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has worked his way up the depth chart quickly in camp. The third-round pick is slated to start alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin during the Week 1 season opener against the Washington Commanders. There is a ton of potential here as McMillan should be stashed in all dynasty leagues. However, the 22-year-old isn't a great streaming option heading into Week 1. It's uncertain how many targets will be left over with Evans, Godwin, and probably Rachaad White ahead of McMillan in terms of passing options. There is potential for McMillan to grow and become a reliable contributor in this offense. However, fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming option ahead of Week 1. McMillan should be considered a WR4 for the season opener.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has an excellent opportunity to make a statement in Week 1. With DK Metcalf drawing the attention of cornerback Patrick Surtain II and Tyler Lockett (thigh) coming off a training camp injury, Smith-Njigba could find himself on the field and open often. All reports suggest that Smith-Njigba has had a great camp. He has also made a couple of highlight-reel plays in the preseason. Smith-Njigba also looks much bigger and more confident than he did in 2023. It is easy to forget that Smith-Njigba was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has the talent and pedigree to shine in 2024, which could come as early as Week 1.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has been one of the most consistent wideouts over the last decade. The veteran wideout has finished with at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last 10 seasons. He has shown no signs of slowing down and is the clear No. 1 target on this offense. Evans will get an excellent matchup in Week 1. He'll face a Washington Commanders defense that allowed the most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns to wideouts last season. Fantasy managers can continue sliding Evans into their WR1 spot without worry heading into the season opener.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (thigh) enters Week 1 after being limited in practice for much of training camp. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerging this preseason, the Seahawks have three excellent options at wide receiver. Lockett slowed down in 2023. After four straight 1,000-yard seasons, Lockett only recorded 894 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. There is a lot of excitement around the Seahawks' offense due to the addition of new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. A fresh coordinator could help Lockett have a resurgent season. However, since Lockett missed or was limited throughout most of training camp, he may require a couple of weeks to ramp up to game speed. Additionally, Lockett has been limited in practice thus far this week. He should be an ok flex option in Week 1, but do not expect a ground-breaking game from Lockett.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III draws an excellent matchup against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. The Broncos boasted the third-worst rushing defense in the NFL in 2023. The defense improved as the season progressed, but there is no reason to believe they will be able to hold Walker in check in Week 1. With the news that the Seahawks will be a run-first team in 2024, Walker could be in for a massive workload. Walker should have plenty of lanes to run through and plenty of opportunities for big plays against the Broncos. Additionally, the Seahawks offense should move the ball effectively in Week 1. As such, Walker should have several opportunities to score in the red zone. You can confidently start Walker as a high-end RB2 in Week 1. His ability to break off big plays and potential for touchdown opportunities gives him top-five upside in Week 1.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin has quietly become one of the more reliable wideouts over the last few years. The 28-year-old has finished with 1,000 receiving yards or more in four of the last five seasons. He doesn't normally get as much glory with fellow wideout Mike Evans being the primary deep threat and red zone threat in the passing game. Despite that, Godwin has still been able to put together solid numbers year-after-year. That should continue in 2024 as Godwin kicks off the season with an excellent matchup against the Washington Commanders. A defensive unit that gave up over 3,000 yards and nearly 30 touchdowns to opposing wideouts last season. Godwin is unlikely to put up flashy numbers, but he should on the radar as a WR2 in PPR formats.

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New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (hip) was added to the team's injury report on Thursday after putting in a limited practice session. Mid-week downgrades in status are usually never good, but the Patriots could also be practicing caution with one of their top running backs just before the start of the regular season on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. We'll know more when the Patriots release their final injury report on Friday. Gibson, who is in his first year in New England in the first year without head coach Bill Belichick, is expected to be the primary change-of-pace option to starter Rhamondre Stevenson in an offense that not many people are expecting much from under either veteran QB Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye. Gibson is best left on benches in Week 1, and if he's not active, JaMycal Hasty could be the team's RB2 behind Stevenson.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf has a tall task ahead of him against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. The Broncos have one of the NFL's best young cornerbacks, Patrick Surtain II. Metcalf will probably draw a shadow from Surtain who shadowed on 48.5% of his coverages in 2023. As such, Surtain may curb Metcalf's Week 1 upside. However, Metcalf is an alpha wide receiver who is likely to be force-fed targets in this new Seahawks system. Start Metcalf as a low-end WR2 in Week 1 but expect his outlook to improve as the season progresses.

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