Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is a one-man wrecking crew, but he'll face a stiff test in Sunday's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. While the reigning MVP tormented his share of opponents in 2024, he didn't post gaudy numbers In two meetings with the Ravens - a Week 4 loss and a divisional-round win. Allen combined to go a modest 32-for-51 (63%) for 307 yards and no touchdown passes or interceptions in those contests. With 41 yards on 15 carries, the dual-threat superstar averaged under 3.0 YPC, though he did find the end zone twice in the Bills' postseason triumph. Baltimore allowed the second-most passing yards in the league last season, but its defense improved dramatically when All-Pro Kyle Hamilton shifted to a deep safety role in Week 11. The Ravens have since remade their secondary with the additions of first-round safety Malaki Starks, who will start alongside Hamilton, as well as cornerbacks Jaire Alexander (knee) and Chidobe Awuzie in free agency. With corners Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins returning, the Ravens' defensive backfield is stacked on paper. That's not ideal for Allen, yet he has made plenty of talented defenses look bad in the past. Fantasy managers will have to hope he does it again in Week 1.

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Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is coming off a 2024 campaign in which he unexpectedly tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns after tallying just two in the previous season. He also surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground for the second year in a row, but fantasy managers may have to temper expectations in Week 1. Cook is set to battle the Baltimore Ravens, who boasted the league's top-ranked run defense last season, when the teams kick off Sunday. The Ravens held opposing rushers to a paltry 3.6 yards per carry - a far cry from Cook's 4.9 YPC. Cook faced the Ravens twice in 2024 and combined for 106 yards on 26 carries, four catches for another 24 yards, and zero scores. The explosive 25-year-old enters 2025 as a high-end RB2 in fantasy, but with the Ravens standing in his way, Cook may not storm out of the gates in the opener.

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After the departure of Stefon Diggs, Khalil Shakir took over as the Buffalo Bills' No. 1 wide receiver in 2024. The slot standout led the team in catches (76), targets (100), and yards (821) while finishing with four touchdowns over 15 games last year. Shakir is the favorite to serve as quarterback Josh Allen's top target again this season, which begins Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. The 6-foot, 190-pounder took on Baltimore twice last year and combined for 10 grabs on 13 targets, 129 yards, and no TDs, though an ankle injury cut his first meeting with the Ravens short. More recently, Shakir dealt with a high-ankle sprain throughout August, but he has been a full go in practice since Wednesday and should play a prominent role on Sunday. Baltimore has a strong secondary on paper, and both a lack of TDs (seven in three years) and a lack of usage in two-WR sets could continue to limit Shakir's upside. Nevertheless, Shakir is a sure-handed pass catcher who totaled six-plus receptions 10 times last season (including all three playoff games), and Allen figures to look in his direction often on Sunday.

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Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that running back Tyler Goodson (elbow) is questionable for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. Goodson was able to put in limited practices this week, so he has a pretty good shot of suiting up this weekend for the season opener. However, even if he's deemed healthy enough to play, the 24-year-old might be the RB3 for Indy behind starter Jonathan Taylor and rookie DJ Giddens. Goodson can likely be ignored in most fantasy leagues unless Taylor misses time with an injury in 2025. The Iowa alum had 32 carries in his second NFL season in 2024 and ran for 153 yards and one touchdown in 16 games (no starts), adding 11 catches for 61 yards and one touchdown through the air.

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Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said he expects wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot) to practice again on Friday, although he could be limited for the second straight day, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Reed is battling through a Jones fracture and did not take part in the first practice of the week, but he was upgraded to limited on Thursday, giving him a shot to play in Week 1 against the division-rival Detroit Lions. It sounds as though Jones might not be able to be a full-go on Friday, though, suggesting he could draw a questionable tag for the regular-season opener this Sunday. Still, the 25-year-old has a shot to be active this weekend. If Reed does suit up, his reps could be limited, making him an even bigger boom/bust risk as a WR4/flex in fantasy lineups. If he's out, Romeo Doubs would become a more attractive flex.

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Per the team, Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass (hip, groin) will not practice on Friday. Bass will miss his second consecutive practice after logging a limited session to start the week. The 28-year-old has been dealing with a lingering hip injury this offseason that he has been unable to shake. While Bass hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's meeting with the Baltimore Ravens, it'd undoubtedly be a surprise to see him suit up at this point -- particularly with Buffalo's signing of veteran kicker Matt Prater to the practice squad on Thursday. Fantasy managers can't yet rule him out, but with a Sunday night kickoff on tap, a contingency plan at the position is a sound strategy. Bass is ranked as a top ten option at his position per RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has officially ruled out wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) for Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday versus the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. The Bucs also ruled out offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee). Both Godwin and Wirfs are expected to miss at least the first couple of weeks of the season, with Godwin potentially not making it back until Week 5 or later after suffering a gruesome dislocated ankle in Week 7 of last year. The 29-year-old should be stashed in most fantasy leagues, but it's going to be some time until we see him make his 2025 debut since he has not practiced at all since having surgery on his ankle. In the meantime, rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka figures to see a steady stream of targets behind Mike Evans with Jalen McMillan (neck) on Injured Reserve.

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New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said he expects cornerback Sauce Gardner (leg) to suit up for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Gardner was limited in the team's first official practice of the year on Wednesday before upgrading to a full practice session on Thursday. It's possible that the Jets ease the 25-year-old defensive back into his starting role to kick off the season this weekend, but he should be out there. It's good news for a Jets defense/special teams unit that should be considered a top-10 fantasy play in Week 1 against aging quarterback Aaron Rodgers. When fully healthy, Gardner is considered one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in the NFL.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (oblique) is "absolutely" on track to play in the Week 1 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, per head coach Mike McDaniel. It's what fantasy managers want to hear after drafting the Cheetah at a discounted price after a disappointing 2024 campaign (by his standards). The 31-year-old speedster missed a good chunk of training camp while working through an oblique injury, but he was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and could be cleared entirely from the Week 1 injury report on Friday if he's able to upgrade to a full practice session. The Dolphins should also have running back De'Von Achane (calf) available as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the rest of the offense look to bounce back. Treat Hill as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 in fantasy lineups in Week 1.

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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that tight end Darren Waller (hip) suffered a setback before Thursday's practice and is now doubtful to play in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. The Dolphins have been easing Waller in all training camp after he came out of retirement to join the team in the offseason. The 32-year-old was working on his conditioning during camp, but now he's dealing with a hip injury and isn't expected to play in the season opener. Fantasy managers that took a flier on Waller late in drafts in deeper leagues are going to need to be patient if they are going to hang onto him, but it's starting to look like it might be a while before he contributes in the passing game. Julian Hill and Tanner Conner are next up at the position, but fantasy managers should look elsewhere.

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Despite not picking up any playing time during the preseason, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is all geared up for the team's Week 1 meeting with the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "I know when game day comes up, the whole game plan will be in. I'll be ready," said Penix Jr. The University of Washington alum will head into his first season as the team's starter, but will do so having only worked with the first-team offense in practice situations thus far. It's fair to expect that there may be some ramp-up time as the offense attempts to find its groove, but the team is all-in on the second-year signal-caller as their leader. Penix Jr. doesn't hold much value in single-QB leagues for now, but he's an intriguing QB2 option in superflex formats and a hold in dynasty leagues. He's RotoBaller's QB19 in the Week 1 rankings.

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Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (calf) is "absolutely" on track to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday versus the Indianapolis Colts, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. Achane was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and previously said he feels 100 percent going into the first game of the year. There was speculation around the time he suffered his calf injury at the end of training camp that it might keep him out for multiple weeks to begin the regular season, but Achane has since returned to practice and put those concerns to bed. Fantasy managers would love for him to be cleared entirely on Friday's final injury report going into Sunday's tilt. But the bottom line is that if the 23-year-old speedster is active on Sunday, he should be a must-start in all fantasy lineups as Miami's clear RB1.

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According to New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, wide receiver Malik Nabers (back) will have his reps limited at Friday's practice. Daboll notes that the 22-year-old's back is a "little tight," but he'll be good to go for Sunday's road meeting with the Washington Commanders. Nabers was able to steer clear of the team's Week 1 injury report, but he isn't entirely over the back issue that's bothered him for a bit. Daboll's sentiment regarding his star wide receiver is encouraging, but with their season opener so close, fantasy managers must closely monitor the situation. As of now, the LSU product is on track to play, although it's unclear if New York will put a cap on his snaps for the first game of the campaign. If they do, teammate Jalin Hyatt would benefit the most in terms of playing time, picking up more snaps alongside Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton.

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Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic predicts that Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (groin) will lead the team's wide receivers in snaps, targets, and yards this season and writes that the Bills have "loved what they've seen from Coleman this summer and are optimistic a breakout could occur." Coleman was limited earlier this week in practice with a groin injury, but it's not expected to delay his start to the season. Assuming he's full-go right away, the 22-year-old could immediately take over as the favorite target of Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Coleman has a tough matchup in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, but he could emerge as a consistent WR3/flex option over the course of the season.

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson "will likely lead the team in carries" in the opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. In the same article, Graff predicts that it's "only a matter of time" before rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson takes over the team's RB1 role, so Stevenson's lead-rusher role could be short-lived. However, fantasy managers should be aware of the likely early-season split between the two backs. Henderson profiles as a low-end RB2/high-end flex option for Week 1, while Stevenson projects as a low-end RB3/flex.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin was able to get involved in both the running and passing game on Thursday. Turpin hauled in both his targets for 27 yards in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He also rushed the ball twice for nine yards on the ground in the 24-20 defeat. The 29-year-old is unlikely to have a large role in Dallas given his spot on the depth chart. He remains behind CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jalen Tolbert, so his volume isn't going to be very high on a weekly basis. His speed makes him an intriguing option for trick plays or certain packages, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect Turpin to touch the ball more than a few times a week.

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Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins is the starter on the team's first depth chart ahead of rookie second-rounder RJ Harvey heading into Sunday's Week 1 regular-season opener against the Tennessee Titans. While many expect Harvey to eventually take over lead-back duties in 2025, head coach Sean Payton has a soft spot for veterans, and Dobbins will play a key role in Denver's backfield. Dobbins played in only nine games from 2021-23 with Baltimore due to injuries, but he had a career-best 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns with the Chargers last year. Facing a Titans team that was very vulnerable on the ground a year ago, Dobbins will have RB3/flex value in Week 1 for fantasy managers, although the presence of Harvey definitely will lower his ceiling. With Harvey struggling in pass protection in camp, Dobbins should be Denver's go-to back on third downs as well.

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott gave some clarification on the "spitting incident" that happened during Thursday's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both Prescott and Jalen Carter got into an altercation due to one of them spitting on the other. After the dust settled, Carter was ejected from the game in the first quarter. After the game, Prescott said he didn't intend to bait Carter or spit in his direction. It sounds like a misunderstanding, but one that certainly hurt the Eagles defense. It's unclear at the moment if Carter will face any other displicine from the league.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) recently landed on the injury report this week. McCaffrey seemed fine throughout training camp and the preseason, but now is dealing with a calf injury just days before the season opener. It's worth noting that McCaffrey missed a portion of last season due to a lingering calf issue. According to Tom Pelissero, McCaffrey's absence shouldn't be ringing any alarm bells. Obviously, the 49ers are going to be cautious with McCaffrey if he's feeling any discomfort at all. At the moment, there is no word on the significance of the injury, so it could be very minor. There is no reason to believe that McCaffrey won't be out there for the season opener. If he does miss time, Brian Robinson Jr. and Isaac Guerendo would function as the primary options in the backfield.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley carried the ball 18 times for 60 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown during Thursday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. He also caught four of his five targets for an additional 24 receiving yards. The superstar running back wasn't as efficient as expected, especially against a defense that just lost run-stopper Micah Parsons. However, Barkley's volume remained appealing as he amassed 23 touches with a healthy blend of carries and catches. Plus, he added a touchdown, showcasing an ability to score that we've become quite familiar with. The veteran remains a mid-range RB1 option heading into a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.

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