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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Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. The backup to Josh Allen suffered a knee injury during a preseason game against the Steelers in mid-August. Sean McDermott notes that he's unsure if Trubisky will be healthy enough to play in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. Allen and Trubisky are the only two quarterbacks listed on the active roster. If the latter is unable to suit up, the Bills will likely promote veteran Mike White from the practice squad.

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Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix was named one of the team captains for the upcoming season. He's the first Denver rookie to be selected as a captain since 1967. The 12th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft won the starting quarterback job over Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson in training camp. Receiver Courtland Sutton, guard Quinn Meinerz, cornerback Pat Surtain II, linebacker Alex Singleton, and kicker Wil Lutz will also sport captain patches on their jerseys this fall. Nix is RotoBaller's 27th-ranked quarterback for fantasy football this season and only needs to be rostered as a QB3 in Dynasty and Superflex formats while he adjusts to the NFL game. The Broncos travel to Seattle for a matchup against the Seahawks in Week 1.

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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was named a starter for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. He'll line up alongside Taylor Rapp in the Buffalo secondary. It's the first start for Hamlin since he collapsed on the field in January 2023. His heartbeat was restored on the field by the team's medical staff. The 26-year-old was medically cleared for football activities in August of last year but played sparingly in his five active games. Head coach Sean McDermott pointed to Hamlin's consistency as a reason he won the starting job.

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Baltimore Ravens running back Rasheen Ali (neck) is doubtful to suit up on Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The rookie fifth-round pick suffered a stinger early in the preseason and has been a limited participant in practices leading up to the regular season opener. The team officially lists Ali as doubtful. As expected, Derrick Henry and Justice Hill will handle the touches out of the backfield for the Ravens. Baltimore could call up John Kelly or Chris Collier from the practice squad to serve as depth. Ali is more likely to make his NFL debut when the Ravens host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was spotted in uniform walking into Wednesday's practice as his high-profile contract extension discussions continue. The multi-time Pro Bowler has been at the team facility but not participating in practices while he searches for a new deal. According to reports, Chase was part of the team meeting to prepare for the New England Patriots. These are important steps toward his availability on Sunday, but it's worth monitoring Chase's involvement during practice today and the rest of the week. Chase is a must-start WR1 for fantasy football if he's active on Sunday.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (hand) put in a second straight limited practice session on Wednesday. The Packers didn't actually practice on Wednesday, so Doubs' practice status was an estimation with the team flying to Brazil ahead of Friday night's regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Unless Doubs is unable to practice on Thursday, he should be fine to suit up this week for fantasy managers while working through a minor hand contusion. When healthy, the 24-year-old will be a WR4/flex with upside for fantasy managers in a crowded Green Bay receiving corps that also includes Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. The former fourth-round pick in 2022 out of Nevada showcased his playmaking ability in 2023 in 17 regular-season games by finding the end zone eight times on 59 receptions and 674 yards.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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