Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) is dealing with a strained hamstring that is expected to keep him out of the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams and possibly longer, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. One source is estimating it could be a two-week injury for Kirk, but the Texans will be "cautious" with him." It's a bad start for the 28-year-old, who played in only eight games in 2024 in his last year with the Jaguars after breaking his collarbone. With Kirk likely out this weekend, Nico Collins should see even more targets, although rookie Jaylin Noel could be the biggest beneficiary as a natural slot receiver with great hands. Fellow rookie Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson will also have bigger roles, but Noel could be the best sneaky DFS play against the Rams. Noel is rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues currently.

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Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass (hip) did not practice on Thursday after being listed as a limited practice participant on the first injury report of the year on Wednesday. Bass has been managing a hip injury since late July and missed time in training camp, although he did manage to kick in the preseason finale two weeks ago. But his downgrade on the Week 1 injury report, combined with the news of Buffalo signing veteran Matt Prater to the practice squad on Thursday means the veteran kicker's availability for Week 1 on Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens could be in jeopardy. Fantasy managers that drafted Bass as their starting kicker might have to find a replacement sooner than they were expecting if he ends up questionable or out on Friday's final injury report.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills PK Tyler Bass (groin, hip), WR Elijah Moore (non-injury) and CB Tre'Davious White (groin) did not participate in practice Thursday, Sept. 4. WR Keon Coleman (groin) was limited during practice. CB Christian Benford (groin) and WR Khalil Shakir (ankle) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo for their Week 1 matchup. The 22-year-old had a solid rookie season, coming on strong down the stretch, and should be able to build on that success in his sophomore year. Worthy will be a strong beneficiary of Rashee Rice's suspension since his absence clears the runway for Worthy to take off. The young speedster proved to be a reliable option for Patrick Mahomes in the passing game towards the end of the regular season and into the playoffs. If the duo has built on their chemistry this offseason, Worthy could be poised to take a step forward. The Chargers were middle-of-the-pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers in 2024, so the matchup should not be an issue this week. Worthy is ranked WR27 in our RotoBaller rankings this week, putting him in the WR2/3 range for this contest.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco said he is "on a revenge tour" this year, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones said, "Yeah, let's go! (bangs on the table with his right hand). We need him on a revenge tour!" Pacheco's violent running style finally came back to bite him in 2024 when he fractured his fibula in Week 2 and ended up playing in only seven regular-season games in his third year with the Chiefs. The 26-year-old averaged a career-low 3.7 yards per carry on his 83 rushing attempts during the regular season. He's back to 100 percent health in 2025, though, and remains KC's unquestioned lead back going into a Week 1 matchup in Brazil versus the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Friday. There are questions as to whether Pacheco can return to his pre-injury form, but at worst, he should be considered a low-end RB2 fantasy back.

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Carolina Panthers OT Ikem Ekwonu (illness) and CB Damarri Mathis (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Sept. 4. OG Robert Hunt (foot), OG Damien Lewis (ankle, shoulder) and DE A'Shawn Robinson (groin) were limited during practice.

From TheHuddle

New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) will not practice on Thursday, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Thomas practiced on Wednesday, but Daboll said Thomas sitting out on Thursday is "part of the team's plan as the left tackle ramps up activity ahead of Week 1" against the division-rival Washington Commanders this Sunday. Injury news aside, the Giants freed up roughly $12.2 million in salary cap space by restructuring Thomas' contract on Thursday. The move puts the team around $2.6 million under this year's cap. Thomas was limited in his return to practice on Wednesday, although it's still unclear if he'll suit up on Sunday. If he does play in Week 1, the G-Men could limit the number of snaps he plays as they continue to ramp him up.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will start the season against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday. The Chiefs will have the first international game of the year in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Pacheco should be considered the most valuable back to roster from Kansas City, but he does have some competition. In his absence last year, the Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt, and he performed well in his opportunities. The Chiefs liked his production so much that they decided to bring him back for this season. In their last preseason game, Pacheco and Hunt took drives with the starting offense. Pacheco should see the majority of the work, but it should be noted that Kansas City brought Hunt in for a goal-line carry and targeted him in the endzone during the preseason. If Pacheco can lock down the goal line role while handling the majority of carries, he will easily be a locked-in starter for fantasy. The usage in Week 1 will be interesting and could determine how we view Pacheco as a fantasy asset this season. The Chargers were a good defensive unit against the run in 2024, but it remains to be seen how they will perform this year. The Chiefs running back is ranked RB25 in our RotoBaller rankings this week, putting him on the borderline of the RB2 range.

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Pittsburgh Steelers DE Cameron Heyward (non-injury) and DT Derrick Harmon (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Sept. 4. LB Nick Herbig (hamstring) was limited during practice.

From TheHuddle

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will face the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday in Week 1. Kelce had a down year in 2024, finishing as the TE5 in total points and TE7 in points-per-game in PPR. The 35-year-old was still able to produce TE1 numbers, but he did not provide the positional advantage that he had in years past. The Chiefs tight end now enters 2025 in better shape, perhaps in preparation for his upcoming wedding, and looks to bounce back from a statistical standpoint. Kelce was drafted as the TE5 in most leagues this draft season, but he could beat that position if the Kansas City offense returns to its high-octane play style. The Chiefs will also be without star wideout Rashee Rice, which should set Kelce up for even more production to begin the season. The Chargers were decent against opposing tight ends last season, but Kelce is not your average tight end, and Kansas City knows how to scheme him open. Kelce should be considered a strong TE1 in their first game of the season.

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New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) remains out of practice on Thursday, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Gonzalez's continued absenc puts his status for the season opener on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders in more doubt. If Gonzalez does not play in Week 1, which is becoming more and more likely, Alex Austin, Marcus Jones and D.J. James are the candidates to start across from Carlton Davis III in New England's secondary. Gonzalez is the team's top cornerback, so not having him available to kick off the season wouldn't be ideal for the Pats as they look to slow down the Raiders' new look offense, which will be led by veteran quarterback Geno Smith.

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Houston Texans WR Christian Kirk (hamstring) is not participating in practice Thursday, Sept. 4.

Fantasy Spin: There is a chance that Kirk is a game-time decision this week, so fantasy players will need to check on his status over the next few days. He is in line for a solid role in the passing game this season but is a risky option this week after two missed practices.

From TheHuddle

League sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Philadelphia Eagles "made a strong push" to trade for All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons, who was eventually traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers. Understandably, the Cowboys had no interest in trading the two-time All-Pro within their division, especially to the rival Eagles. After trading two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas for Parsons, the Packers locked him up with a record-breaking four-year, $188 million deal, which includes $120 million fully guaranteed and $136 million in total guarantees. The Eagles adding Parsons would have made an already stout defense that led the league in total defense in 2024 that much stronger. With the addition of Parsons, the Packers quickly have become a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is set to take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1 of the 2025 season. The Chiefs will face off against the Chargers on Friday in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the first international game of the year. Mahomes is coming off a disappointing season from a statistical standpoint, but Kansas City still made it to the Super Bowl last year, so it wasn't all bad. That said, fantasy managers are anticipating a return to MVP form for Mahomes since he was drafted as the consensus QB6 across multiple platforms this offseason, despite finishing as the QB12 in 2024. There are reasons for optimism since the Kansas City offense looked in top form during their preseason game, and Mahomes looks to have a rejuvenated Travis Kelce to throw to. If the offense takes a step forward from last season, Mahomes could be a draft-day value.

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Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) missed practice again on Thursday, putting his Week 1 availability in serious doubt. The 25-year-old has not practiced since undergoing foot surgery on August 1, and it appears unlikely he will be ready for the opener. Likely carved out a meaningful role in 2024, appearing in 16 games (nine starts) and recording 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. The expectation entering this season was that Likely would continue to complement star tight end Mark Andrews, but his absence to start the year should consolidate targets for Andrews in Baltimore's passing game. Fantasy managers should confidently deploy Andrews as a TE1, while Likely profiles more as a stash option who could regain relevance once healthy and gradually work back into a secondary role in the Ravens' offense.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (ankle) practiced in full on Thursday and has been officially removed from the team's injury report. Brown, who managed only two games in 2024 due to injury, will look to bounce back after posting just nine receptions for 91 yards a year ago. Now healthy, the Chiefs expect Brown to pair with rookie Xavier Worthy as their top outside threats in Patrick Mahomes' offense. While the seventh-year veteran has flashed upside in the past, he owns only one career 1,000-yard season and has struggled to stay consistent. Fantasy managers should view Brown as a late-round flier with speculative upside in deeper formats, especially if he can stay healthy and carve out a steady role as Kansas City's vertical weapon.

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Las Vegas Raiders WR Amari Cooper announced his retirement on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Fantasy Spin: Cooper had signed at the end of camp in a hopeful reunion with the team that drafted him. That leaves the team with just four wide receivers on the roster: Jakobi Meyers, Dont'e Thornton, Tre Tucker and Jack Bech.

From TheHuddle

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper has informed the team that he intends to retire ahead of Week 1, citing a lack of desire to continue playing. Cooper, who joined the Raiders this offseason in hopes of competing for a starting role, was listed behind rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr. on the initial depth chart. The five-time Pro Bowler spent last season with the Browns and Bills, starting 10 of 14 games while recording 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper leaves the NFL after a decorated career, finishing with over 10,000 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns across stops with the Raiders, Cowboys, Browns, and Bills. His departure opens additional opportunities for Thornton and fellow rookie Jack Bech to carve out meaningful roles in the Raiders' passing game this season.

From RotoBaller

Receiver Amari Cooper has informed the Raiders that he no longer has any desire to play football and plans to retire, according to Ian Rapoport.

With Houston Texans wide receivers Christian Kirk (hamstring) and Braxton Berrios (hamstring) currently sidelined with injuries, KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson suggests that rookie Jaylin Noel "figures heavily into the replacement plan" heading into Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. Wilson goes on to write that Noel is a "classic slot receiver with 4.39 speed and good hands." The third-rounder, not fellow rookie Jayden Higgins, could be the better DFS sleeper on Sunday against the Rams if Kirk is ruled out. The Iowa State product is coming off a 1,000-yard season in college and could be thrown into the fire right away, although Nico Collins, Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson could all see bigger roles on Sunday, as well, if Kirk is unable to suit up. Kirk is going to get the first shot at WR2 duties behind Collins, but he needs to be healthy in order to do so.

From RotoBaller