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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Running back Jordan Mason will make his Minnesota Vikings debut on Monday against the Chicago Bears, against whom he should be viewed as a viable flex option. The Vikings have been dreadful in short yardage in recent seasons, but completely revamped their interior line and traded for the 26-year-old running back, who rushed for a career-best 789 yards in relief of Christian McCaffrey with San Francisco last season. Minnesota also brought back Aaron Jones Sr., so uncertainty surrounding the Vikings' backfield relegated both backs to the middle rounds of fantasy drafts. Ultimately, there is a reason Minnesota traded for Mason, who is likely to see regular short-yardage carries, including those near the goal line. Jones is the better receiving back, but Mason figures to still get enough touches to be fantasy relevant.

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Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. should be viewed as a flex/RB2 candidate as his team takes on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. A polarizing mid-round draft pick, the veteran back is one of the bigger wild cards in fantasy this season. Jones is a strong receiver who caught 50 passes in addition to surpassing 1,000 rushing yards last year and plays on a capable offense that rebuilt its interior line, but is now 30 years old, playing alongside a first-time starting quarterback, and most importantly, now sharing touches with Jordan Mason, whom the Vikings acquired this offseason. Though a rotation is likely, Jones is still the team's best pass-catching back and should continue to get a steady volume of receiving targets, which will be especially valuable in PPR formats.

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Green Bay Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons (back) is expected to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions, but his snaps will be limited. The three-time All-Pro has been managing a back injury that restricted his practice reps during his first week with Green Bay. Parsons was traded from the Dallas Cowboys just a week before the season opener, so a restricted workload is expected as he acclimates to the Packers' defense. He joins a pass rush that struggled in 2024, with Rashan Gary being the only player to record more than five sacks last season. Expect Parsons to be deployed primarily in obvious passing-down situations, where he can maximize his impact and do what he does best: pressure and sack the quarterback. His presence should immediately improve the Packers' pass-rushing effectiveness, even in limited snaps.

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It has been a long wait, but quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a playable option in Superflex leagues with his Minnesota Vikings set to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The second-year quarterback missed his entire rookie season after sustaining a meniscus injury, but it's now his show in Minnesota after the Vikings parted ways with Sam Darnold in the offseason. He'll start with a road game against a strong Bears pass defense that allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL and ranked seventh in pressure percentage in 2024. With a rebuilt interior offensive line, capable veterans at all skill positions -- including All-Pro Justin Jefferson at receiver -- and a quarterback-friendly coach, McCarthy is still worthy of holding a QB2 spot in Week 1.

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Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday Night's matchup against the Chicago Bears. Darrisaw tore his ACL and MCL in Week 8 of the 2024 season and has spent the offseason recovering from the major injury. He practiced at full capacity on Friday and continued drills on Saturday, though head coach Kevin O'Connell cautioned, "It's going to depend on how (Darrisaw) feels on Sunday." If Darrisaw plays, he's set to face off against Bears edge rusher Montez Sweat, who tallied 5.5 sacks last season. With the Vikings relying on J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, having their starting left tackle healthy is crucial for both pass protection and offensive consistency. Fantasy managers and game planners should monitor Darrisaw's status closely, as his availability will have a direct impact on McCarthy's performance and the Vikings' rushing attack.

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Rookie wide receiver Tai Felton of the Minnesota Vikings appears to have only a minor role as his team takes on the Chicago Bears on Monday, keeping him off the fantasy radar. The rookie from Maryland looked to have a pathway to playing time with Jordan Addison suspended, Rondale Moore (knee) out for the season, and Jalen Nailor (hand) in jeopardy of missing the opening week, but Minnesota opted for veteran help instead by reacquiring Adam Thielen in a trade with Carolina. With Nailor carrying no injury designation, Felton is realistically the team's sixth option behind its top three receivers, tight end T.J. Hockenson, and pass-friendly running back Aaron Jones. Felton is a worthwhile taxi-squad stash in dynasty formats, but he can be left on the waiver wire in redraft leagues.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze begins his sophomore season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. The 2024 ninth-overall pick had a quiet rookie year, averaging 6.9 half-PPR fantasy points per game and finishing as the WR49, while playing behind two veteran receivers. Now in 2025, Odunze has a prime opportunity to step forward in new head coach Ben Johnson's offense. With Keenan Allen gone, the Bears vacate over eight targets per game, opening the door for Odunze and others to take on a much larger role. The matchup is ideal, as Minnesota's defense allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024. Still, Odunze's production will hinge on how quickly Caleb Williams can take a step forward in year two. Given the favorable matchup, Odunze is a high-risk, high-reward WR3 in Week 1.

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Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard should be viewed as a low-end starting option during his team's Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The second-year kicker had an excellent start to his first season -- he made every kick in his first seven games -- but saw his year go sideways with a quadriceps injury that required an IR stint and affected his performance during the season half. Now healthy, he's still attached to a talented Vikings offense that rebuilt its offensive line, added running back Jordan Mason, and traded for receiver Adam Thielen. Chicago can be a treacherous place to kick, but Minnesota will make the journey early in the season with pleasant weather in the forecast.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore opens his eighth NFL season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Moore is coming off a down 2024 campaign, averaging 11.1 half-PPR fantasy points per game, ranking 32nd on the year. His efficiency dipped notably, with his yards per target falling from 10.0 to 6.9 and touchdowns dropping from eight to six, as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams went through growing pains. The outlook for 2025 is more promising. With Keenan Allen no longer in Chicago, over 120 vacated targets create an opportunity for Moore to re-establish himself as the clear WR1 in Ben Johnson's new offense. He also draws a dream Week 1 matchup against a Vikings secondary that surrendered the most fantasy points to wide receivers last season. The favorable matchup boosts Moore's floor, but his ceiling still depends on Williams taking a second-year leap. Moore enters Week 1 as a low-end WR2 with upside.

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Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (illness) is doubtful for Monday Night's matchup against the Chicago Bears. The six-time Pro Bowler has missed most of Vikings training camp but participated in his first limited practice on Friday. Head coach Kevin O'Connell noted, "It's more of a physical ramp up as we move forward." With Smith unlikely to play, veteran Josh Metellus will step in at strong safety. This is a positive development for the Bears' offense, as Smith has long been a cornerstone of Minnesota's defense and a key player in defensive coordinator Brian Flores' scheme. Smith's next expected opportunity to play is Week 2 on Sunday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, assuming a continued health ramp-up.

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