Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter is expected to be an every-down wideout and situational corner for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. Finally, fantasy managers get some clarification on how the Jags plan to handle Hunter's workload. The assumption is that his workload on defense will increase as he continues to learn and develop. The Jags are limited in terms of offensive weapons with Brian Thomas Jr. being their primary weapon last season. The fact that Hunter will be an every-down wideout is intriguing for fantasy managers heading into the season opener. The upside is too high here to keep Hunter on the bench for a plus-matchup in Week 1.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders made the active roster to open the regular season. Despite that, Sanders is reportedly unlikely to see the field this season. Joe Flacco will begin the season as the starter with rookie Dillon Gabriel serving as the backup. Sanders will be on the roster, but it appears he's only going to be used as the emergency quarterback. Browns' general manager Andrew Berry believes there is a place for Sanders on the roster. It sounds like things would have to go very sideways for the Browns to bring Sanders onto the field. The 23-year-old is worth stashing in dynasty leagues, but isn't likely to play right away.

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New York Jets wide receiver Tyler Johnson was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday. Johnson failed to make the 53-man roster and was added to the practice squad. Now, Johnson will be elevated to the active roster ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last season, Johnson hauled in 26 receptions for 291 receiving yards and one touchdown across 15 games with the Los Angeles Rams. He'll provide depth to the wide receiver room, but is unlikely to make a significant impact during Sunday's game. Johnson can be avoided in fantasy formats for the moment.

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New Orleans Saints tight end Jack Stoll was elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Stoll was brought back to the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster. Now, Stoll will head to the active roster as depth behind Juwan Johnson and Moliki Matavao. The 27-year-old has been barely involved on the field over the last two seasons. Stoll has a total of seven receptions over the last two years. He'll serve as depth for Sunday's contest, but won't offer any fantasy value.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener was cut by the organization on Saturday. Haener was waived by the team last week after falling behind Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough on the depth chart. Haener was brought back on the practice squad, but released again in order to sign defensive end Fadil Diggs. It's unclear if the Saints plan to bring back Haener again. He completed 18-of-39 passing attempts for 226 yards with one touchdown and one interception during the 2024 campaign. The 26-year-old might return to the Saints again if he clears waivers, but isn't worth rostering in fantasy formats.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. is expected to suit up Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Acquired in a late-August trade from Washington, Robinson was brought in to solidify the RB2 role behind Christian McCaffrey. With McCaffrey dealing with a calf issue, Robinson could see an expanded workload, even though he hasn't had many first-team practice reps. The Seahawks' run defense was middle-of-the-pack last season, creating a decent opportunity if Robinson gets touches. Still, his fantasy outlook is tied directly to McCaffrey's status; Robinson will likely be relegated to a depth role. For now, he's best left on the bench, particularly as a handcuff option for McCaffrey managers.

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Dynasty | Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston had five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers opening night win against the Chiefs. Dynasty Analysis: Johnston hasn't had near the start to his career many had hoped for after being a first round pick for the Chargers but this was a great game to debut 2025 with. While we have a long way to go before declaring a third year breakout, Johnston may just build on his 55/711/8 season from a year ago. At the very least, it seems the rumors of him being on the roster bubble this off-season were clearly false.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (foot) is expected to suit up Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, despite missing two practices earlier in the week. While he may be on a limited snap count, Vea's presence is a huge boost for a Buccaneers defense that has consistently ranked among the league's best against the run since drafting him in 2018. In 2024, Tampa Bay allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards to running backs, and Vea contributed beyond just run defense, posting career highs in sacks and quarterback hits on his way to his second Pro Bowl. His availability will be critical in Week 1 as the Bucs look to slow down Atlanta's dynamic backfield duo of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

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Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) has been removed from the injury report and is set to make his NFL debut Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. The rookie seventh-round pick is expected to mix in for touches, especially with Roschon Johnson (foot) questionable, but D'Andre Swift should handle the clear majority of the workload. The matchup isn't favorable for Monangai, as the Vikings allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024. Given his limited practice time and uncertain role, Monangai doesn't offer startable fantasy value in Week 1. For now, he's best left on the waiver wire, though his early usage will be worth monitoring.

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The Buffalo Bills elevated veteran kicker Matt Prater from the practice squad, and he's expected to handle kicking duties in Week 1 with Tyler Bass on injured reserve. Entering his 19th NFL season, Prater brings plenty of experience, including spending the last four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. This is a strong fantasy spot for the 40-year-old kicker, as the Bills remain one of the league's top offenses and face the Baltimore Ravens in a matchup with the highest projected point total of Week 1. While Prater is a temporary fill-in, he still profiles as a solid streaming option and could provide low-end starting fantasy value this week.

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The San Francisco 49ers have elevated veteran wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. from the practice squad, meaning he will see his first game action since 2022. Gage missed the past two seasons after suffering a torn patellar tendon, but was previously a reliable WR3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Tom Brady. The 49ers' receiver room is in shambles, with Brandon Aiyuk, Jacob Cowing, and Demarcus Robinson all sidelined. Gage has a chance to see the field in Week 1 as he's expected to serve as the team's WR5 and play limited snaps if needed. While fantasy production isn't likely, simply seeing Gage back on the field after such a long recovery is a great story and an encouraging sign for San Francisco's depth moving forward.

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Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos will open his 12th NFL season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Santos has been a steady presence in Chicago, connecting on over 90% of his field goals in three of the last five seasons. This year brings optimism for the Bears' offense with head coach Ben Johnson and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams at the helm. However, Johnson's track record in Detroit suggests he could favor fourth-down aggressiveness over settling for field goals, which would impact Santos' opportunities. Week 1 presents a tough draw against a Vikings defense that allowed the fifth-fewest points in 2024. Given the matchup and the uncertainty around how the new-look Bears offense will operate, Santos is best left out of fantasy lineups this week.

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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams kicks off his sophomore season on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. As a rookie, the 2024 first-overall pick averaged 15.3 fantasy points per game, finishing as the QB16 on the year. Now, he enters Week 1 with a fresh start under new head coach Ben Johnson, the offensive mind behind Detroit's high-powered attack from 2022-2024. This matchup is no cakewalk, as Minnesota's defense allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks last season, while leading the league in interceptions forced. Still, Williams should benefit from an upgraded offensive line and a quarterback-friendly scheme designed to maximize his playmaking ability. For fantasy purposes, Williams has long-term upside, but given the tough Week 1 opponent, he's best viewed as a low-end QB2 in his 2025 opener.

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Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (foot) is listed as questionable for Monday Night's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson has not practiced fully since August 5 and only returned in a limited capacity on Saturday, casting doubt on his Week 1 readiness. Even if active, Johnson projects to handle a secondary role, behind starter D'Andre Swift, especially with his practice time missed leading up to this week. The matchup doesn't do him any favors either, as Minnesota's defense allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024. Given the injury concerns and difficult matchup, Johnson should remain on fantasy benches in Week 1.

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Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift enters his sixth NFL season, and his second in Chicago. Swift is looking to build on a solid 2024 campaign, where he averaged 11.4 half-PPR fantasy points per game and finished as the RB19. The Bears brought in former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who previously worked with Swift in Detroit in 2022. Swift is positioned for a ton of volume in Week 1, with backup running back Roschon Johnson (foot) questionable. Swift's role should keep him in fantasy lineups, but Week 1 presents a difficult test against a Vikings defense that surrendered the eighth-fewest half-PPR points to running backs last year. Swift's volume and scheme familiarity make him a steady option, though the matchup caps his ceiling. He should be viewed as a low-end RB2 for Week 1.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, according to Ian Rapoport. After sitting out Friday's practice with a calf injury, McCaffrey expressed confidence in his media availability on Friday. Rapoport reported that barring any setbacks, McCaffrey is likely to suit up. The Five-Time Pro Bowl running back missed significant time last season due to a calf strain, making this update a welcome relief for fantasy managers. He faces a Seahawks defense that was middle-of-the-pack against running backs in 2024, but McCaffrey has historically dominated Seattle, averaging 158 yards per game in six career matchups. While the risk of reinjury is always present with McCaffrey, he remains a must-start fantasy option this week given his workload and track record against the Seahawks.

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With the Minnesota Vikings going through changes at wide receiver, tight end T.J. Hockenson is a starting-caliber option as his team prepares to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The veteran tight end figures to be a key part of Minnesota's passing game with wide receiver Jordan Addison (suspension) set to miss the first three games, and could very well be the team's second option behind superstar receiver Justin Jefferson. Hockenson started only nine times last season while recovering from an ACL injury the year prior, and figures to see a natural boost nearly two years post-surgery. He caught 95 passes in 2023 despite the Vikings playing half the season with backup quarterbacks, which bodes well for managers who drafted him as Minnesota breaks in first-time starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2025.

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor should be left out of lineups when the club plays against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Coming off a hand injury, the fourth-year pro has been given the all-clear to play, but the bigger issue from a fantasy perspective is his role within the offense. It looked for a time that Nailor could be the team's WR2 next to Justin Jefferson with Jordan Addison (suspension) set to miss the first three weeks, but the Vikings traded for Adam Thielen and quickly squashed that idea. The Vikings like Nailor, a willing run blocker who caught six touchdowns a year ago, but with tight end T.J. Hockenson fully back in the fold, Nailor is the team's fourth option and unlikely to see regular volume in the passing game.

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Wide receiver Adam Thielen is a risky fantasy proposition in his return to the Minnesota Vikings, who will take on the Chicago Bears in this season's first Monday Night Football game. The Vikings traded for the veteran due to instability elsewhere in their receiver room, as Jordan Addison (suspension) will miss the first three games and Rondale Moore (knee) suffered a season-ending injury. The 35-year-old figures to play quite a bit right away, but the reality is that he was a late addition who is still behind receiver Justin Jefferson and likely tight end T.J. Hockenson in the pecking order, and he's attached to a quarterback in J.J. McCarthy who has never thrown a pass in the NFL before. Thielen certainly has something left in the tank and a history of making big catches, but an uncertain target share makes him tough to rely upon in Week 1.

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is a must-start option, as usual, when the Vikings open the season against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The sixth-year receiver dealt with a hamstring injury during training camp, but was not listed on Minnesota's final injury report and should continue to be the team's runaway top option for passing targets. Especially with fellow wide receiver Jordan Addison (suspension) out for the first three games, the All-Pro should receive plenty of volume from new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Jefferson should be in starting lineups in every format.

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