Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams carried the ball 15 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns during Thursday's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also caught two of three targets for an additional seven yards through the air. Williams' final rushing line amounted to just 3.6 yards per carry, but he bailed out fantasy managers with a pair of goal-line touchdowns. Unfortunately, we can't expect him to continue scoring twice (or even once) per game, and the yardage inefficiency paints a much clearer picture than his touchdowns. Fantasy managers should continue to view Williams as a mid-range RB3/FLEX, especially with Miles Sanders continuing to rotate in.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown converted his lone target into an eight-yard reception during Thursday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. It was an uncharacteristically quiet day for the veteran receiver, as he wasn't targeted until the Eagles' final offensive drive of the game. There's no question that he is still the alpha receiver in Philadelphia, so this seems to be a mere blip from which he should be able to bounce back. He'll have a chance to get redemption during Week 2 in a potential shootout against the reigning AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.

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Although Denver Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey was drafted in the second round in April and impressed during training camp, he was listed as the RB2 behind J.K. Dobbins on the team's initial 2025 depth chart. Dobbins is expected to "start" the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Titans, but fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into that and should still consider the 24-year-old Harvey worth starting as an RB3/flex in his first NFL regular-season game. Denver is currently eight-point favorites at home against Tenneessee, a team that allowed 133.9 rushing yards per game (seventh-most) and 22.1 half-PPR points to RBs (10th-most) in 2024. Dobbins' presence surely lowers Harvey's fantasy ceiling, but the Central Florida product is younger, healthier, and has more home run potential. By season's end, Harvey is expected to take over the "starting" role from Dobbins.

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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix played well above expectations in his rookie season in 2024, throwing for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the franchise to the postseason for the first time since 2016. He also had 430 rushing yards and four touchdowns. There is plenty of room for growth in his sophomore campaign, especially after Denver boosted the RB and TE positions through the draft and free agency. With a better running game behind him and a much better pass-catching TE in Evan Engram at his disposal, Nix should have every opportunity to improve in 2025 in head coach Sean Payton's system. In this year's season opener, Nix and the Broncos are currently eight-point favorites at home against the visiting Titans. Tennessee allowed the second-fewest passing yards per game a year ago, but that shouldn't stop fantasy managers from using the Oregon alum as a low-end QB1.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (undisclosed) converted 13 targets into seven receptions for 110 yards during Thursday's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he also had four drops, including three on Dallas' final drive of the game. After a brief trip to the medical tent, Lamb emerged and appeared to take responsibility for his late-game miscues. Perhaps the drops can simply be blamed on early-season jitters, as Lamb has a track record of being a top receiver in the NFL. After all, he still managed to post 18 fantasy points in PPR leagues. Managers should remain confident that he'll be a dependable fantasy WR1 going forward.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley (ribs) exited during the third quarter of Thursday night's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. He is officially listed as questionable. Shipley left the field with his teammates when Thursday's game entered a weather delay, but he did not return to the field when the game resumed. It's a tough loss for Philadelphia, as Shipley was highly efficient when he was on the field, totaling 26 rushing yards on just three carries. In his absence, A.J. Dillon will operate as the direct backup to superstar Saquon Barkley.

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Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (illness) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor TeSlaa's status during Friday's session, as he was also limited during Wednesday's practice. During the preseason, the Arkansas product flashed upside and was able to make a strong case to open the regular season in a starting role. In addition, the Lions also traded veteran wideout Tim Patrick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, which opened a spot on the depth chart for TeSlaa to operate as the team's No. 3 wideout. If TeSlaa can turn the corner during Friday's session, he could be worth a look as a high-risk WR3 in deeper formats. However, he is best off leaving on the bench in shallower leagues as he will be competing for targets alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (hip) was held out of practice on Thursday due to a hip injury. This is worth closely monitoring as the superstar defensive end was not limited during Wednesday's initial practice session. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status on Friday, as he may carry a questionable tag into their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The former first overall pick enjoyed another dominant season in Cleveland in 2024. Garrett totaled 14.0 sacks with 47 total tackles. This was his fourth-straight campaign tallying at least 14.0 sacks. In 2021 and 2022, Garrett posted back-to-back 16.0-sack campaigns. If Garrett were to be limited or unable to play on Sunday, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka should have a larger role on the defensive line.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (groin) was not listed on the team's initial injury report on Wednesday. This is an excellent sign for the fourth-year wideout as he was diagnosed with a groin injury in August. In addition, Pierce was also a full participant during Thursday's practice, further suggesting he will be a full-go for Sunday's contest against the Miami Dolphins. Last season, Piece went on to have a career year, totaling 824 yards and seven touchdowns on just 37 catches. Despite playing in a crowded wide receiver room, Pierce was able to emerge as Indianapolis's primary deep threat. He tallied over 100 yards in three games and caught seven passes longer than 40 yards. However, given his role as the team's No. 3 WR, he is best left as a sneaky budget play in DFS.

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Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Micah Parsons (back) is expected to play in Week 1 when the Packers face the Detroit Lions. Parsons has been dealing with a back injury throughout the week but is expected to play through the injury. The star defenseman was a limited participant during Thursday's session, but is on track to suit up. Earlier in August, the Green Bay Packers acquired Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys in a blockbuster trade. Parsons then signed a massive four-year contract worth $188 million. In 2024, Parsons posted his fourth-straight campaign tallying at least 10 sacks. He enjoyed his best season in 2023 when he racked up 14 sacks. Given his elite talent, Parsons will provide a significant boost to the Green Bay defense. However, the Packers' defense is best left on fantasy benches this week, facing the high-powered Detroit offense.

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Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected from Thursday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. The former first-round pick was ejected from the contest before logging a snap as he was seen spitting on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. The 24-year-old is slated to have a significant role on the Eagles defensive line this season. In 2024, the former Georgia standout totaled 4.5 sacks with a career-high 42 tackles. In his rookie season in 2023, Carter tallied 6.0 sacks and 33 total tackles. Fantasy managers should expect Gabe Hall to see an increase in snaps during the remainder of their season opener.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) was listed as limited at Thursday's practice with a calf issue, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. This is exactly what fantasy managers feared when they took McCaffrey at a discount in the first round of drafts this year. It doesn't mean he won't suit up in the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. However, as Inman points out, we dealt with something similar in 2024 before CMC missed two months with Achilles tendinitis in both of his legs. The 29-year-old can be a league-winner when healthy, but his long injury history is what made him an extreme risk/reward fantasy selection. His injury will obviously be closely monitored heading into Sunday's game, but if CMC owners don't already have Brian Robinson Jr. or Isaac Guerendo handcuffed, they should do it immediatly if they are available.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (groin) was listed as a full practice participant on Thursday, which was an upgrade over Wednesday, when he was limited, according to Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com. Otton is battling a groin injury and also missed time in training camp this summer with a hamstring injury, but he appears to be fully healthy now and is trending toward playing in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday versus the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. The 26-year-old could have an elevated role early on in the passing game with both receivers Chris Godwin (ankle) and Jalen McMillan (neck) out, he's pegged as merely a low-end TE2 option for fantasy lineups to begin the year. He's worth a look as a TE2 sleeper if he's active after going for 12 catches, 125 yards and two touchdowns in two games in 2024 against Atlanta.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) remained absent from practice for the second straight day on Thursday heading into the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Although Godwin avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list to open the regular season, he will inevitably be ruled out for Week 1 on Friday and may not be able to make his 2025 debut until Week 5 or later after disclocating his ankle in Week 7 of last year. The 29-year-old figures to be a big part of Tampa's passing attack whenever he makes his way back, which makes him worth stashing in an IR spot in all fantasy formats, but it's probably going to be a while before we see Godwin back on the field. In the meantime, rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka should be an every-week starter in fantasy as the WR2 behind Mike Evans.

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is not listed on the team's Week 1 injury report and was a full participant in the first practice of the week on Thursday. Jefferson injured his left hamstring way back on July 24 and didn't return to practice at training camp until Aug. 18. The 26-year-old's injury was minor, though, and Minnesota was just being extra cautious with one of the best wideouts in the NFL. The All-Pro receiver should be locked and loaded into all starting fantasy lineups in Week 1 when he and the Vikings take on the division-rival Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. With Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension to open the year, Jefferson could draw an even larger target share from quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Jefferson is a no-doubt, must-start in fantasy whenever he's active.

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ESPN's Mike Reiss writes that New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte projects to start alongside Stefon Diggs and slot man DeMario Douglas going into Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, with nine-year veteran Mack Hollins next on the depth chart. Rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III will provide additional depth. Boutte may draw the "start" on Sunday in the season opener, but fantasy managers should expect the 23-year-old to split time with Hollins in three-wide sets. The former sixth-rounder is unlikely to be on the field enough or see enough targets to be a starting option in fantasy lineups in an offense that could have a steep learning curve early in the season. Even Diggs, the team's presumed WR1, will be a shaky WR4/flex in fantasy in Week 1 coming off an ACL tear. Boutte is currently rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues.

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Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue is listed as a healthy scratch for the Week 1 season opener on Thursday night against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com. Blue was impressive in training camp and the preseason over the summer before suffering a low-ankle sprain in the preseason finale. The injury cost the 21-year-old some time, but he was a full participant in practice this week, and his absence from the season opener is merely a coach's decision. For now, he's a distant third in Dallas' backfield behind starter Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Blue figures to play a role a some point in 2025, but right now, he's merely a bench stash for RB depth in fantasy leagues. Dallas could have a tough time running the football on Thursday night against a stout Eagles defensive line.

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Rich Eisen said that Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told him in a pre-broadcast meeting that rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton will be the team's starter over Najee Harris in the Week 1 regular-season opener in Brazil on Friday night against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Eisen points out that it will be the first time in Harris' career in his debut with the Bolts that he will not start. Harris missed most of training camp and all of the preseason due to a superficial eye injury suffered in a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July, but he's been fully cleared and will back up Hampton. The 22-year-old rookie impressed this summer, but it's unclear what the workload split will be against KC. With lots of big-play ability, though, in a run-first Chargers offense, Hampton will be in play as an RB2 in fantasy against a tough Chiefs defense.

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Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (foot) is on the Week 1 injury report and was unable to take part in the first practice of the week on Thursday as the club prepares for a divisional clash in the season opener on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Kyle Monangai (hamstring) is also on the injury report, but he was limited in Thursday's practice. It's still early, but Chicago's backfield is banged up going into their season opener. It's something that fantasy managers in deeper leagues should monitor if they're concerned about their RB depth. The 24-year-old Johnson didn't play in the preseason finale two weeks ago and could be in danger of missing Week 1, which could allow Monangai to have a bigger role right away behind D'Andre Swift. Johnson is merely a handcuff for those that have Swift rostered.

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Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) is on the team's Week 1 injury report and was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Thursday. Meanwhile, Roschon Johnson, Chicago's No. 2 RB behind starter D'Andre Swift, did not practice due to a foot injury. Monangai, 23, did not play in the preseason finale two weeks ago due to his hamstring injury, but if he's able to work up to a full practice by Saturday, it's possible that he'll be tasked with serving as the Bears' RB2 on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings if Johnson is ruled out. This is definitely a situation to watch for those in deeper leagues heading into the Week 1 season opener, but fantasy managers in standard 12-team formats can continue to ignore Monangai for now.

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