The NFL season has barely started, and fantasy football owners have already been thrown some major curveballs. It started before Thursday night's season opener when Travis Kelce (knee) was declared inactive, and it continued throughout the game with Patrick Mahomes, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Isiah Pacheco (among others) disappointing. What does the Week 1 Sunday slate have in store?
We already know Christian Watson (hamstring), Cooper Kupp (hamstring), DJ Chark (hamstring), and Zack Moss (arm) are OUT, and it was reported late Saturday night that Mark Andrews (quad) will also be watching Week 1 from the sidelines. Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) also seems unlikely to play after Denver elevated two WRs from its practice squad on Saturday afternoon.
Other key "questionables" include Rhamondre Stevenson (illness), Marquise Brown (hamstring), George Kittle (groin), Darren Waller (hamstring), Breece Hall (knee), Adam Thielen (hamstring), and Romeo Doubs (hamstring). We currently expect all to play, but as we saw with Andrews yesterday, things can change in a hurry.
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We'll be here all morning, reacting to injury news, watching the weather (there's rain in the forecast!), and providing start 'em, sit 'em recommendations based on the latest developments.
Fantasy football live news for NFL Week 1
Live updates will begin at 9 a.m. ET.
Injury updates for NFL Week 1
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported early Sunday morning that George Kittle (groin) is expected to play against the Steelers. Keep him in your lineups as usual, as even an 80-percent Kittle is better than most TEs.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported early Sunday morning that Romeo Doubs (hamstring) is expected to play against Chicago. With Christian Watson (hamstring) out, Doubs will likely lead the Packers in targets, making him a viable WR3 in 12-team leagues. Rookie Jayden Reed also makes for an intriguing deep-league sleeper/free-agent add.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported early Sunday morning that Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) is NOT expected to play against the Raiders. Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. figure to see extra targets, making Sutton a borderline "must-start" and Mims a nice sleeper in 12-team leagues.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported early Sunday morning that Marquise Brown (hamstring) is expected to play against Washington. Brown is still in play in PPR leagues given all the targets he figures to see, but with Josh Dobbs at QB, his ceiling is limited.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported early Sunday morning that Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) is expected to play against Philadelphia. Start him as usual, though don't be surprised if Ezekiel Elliott sees a few extra carries.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday morning that Adam Thielen (hamstring) is "good to go" against Atlanta. With DJ Chark (hamstring) out, Thielen has some appeal as a WR3 in PPR leagues, but it's tough to know what to expect from him in his first game with a rookie QB. Rookie Jonathan Mingo has some deep-league sleeper appeal and is worth a speculative free-agent add if you have an open roster spot.
Official Early Actives/Inactives NFL Week 1
NOTABLE ACTIVES: George Kittle, Marquise Brown, Adam Thielen, Zach Ertz
NOTABLE INACTIVES: Mark Andrews, Cordarrelle Patterson, Zack Moss, Kendre Miller, DJ Chark
WEEK 1 INJURY UPDATES:
Stevenson | WRs | TEs | Waller | Hall
Playing time updates for NFL Week 1
With Mark Andrews (quad) out, Isaiah Likely will start and should see ample targets. It's tough to call him a "must-start," but given his talent, he profiles as a top-10 TE this week.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday morning that Dalvin Cook is expected to see the "bulk" of the Jets' carries "during the early part of the season." While he didn't give an estimated touch share between Cook and Breece Hall, clearly this is bad news for Hall (knee). We expected a split in touches, but if Cook truly is set to receive the majority of carries, he bumps up to a safe starter this week, while Hall is reduced to little more than a flex in deep leagues.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Sunday morning that Miami's De'Von Achane is expected to be inactive against the Chargers, opening the door for Salvon Ahmed to see appreciable carries behind Raheem Mostert. Mostert remains the only Dolphins' back worth starting right now, but Ahmed is a worthwhile pickup given Mostert's injury history.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday morning that Jaylen Warren is expected to get a "little more first- and second-down reps than usual." This wouldn't cause us to sit Najee Harris or start Warren, but it's something to watch in Week 1.
San Francisco's Nick Bosa and Carolina's Brian Burns are both expected to suit up for their respective teams today. They might not play a full complement of snaps after their respective holdout/hold-in, but their presences should boost the outlooks of the 49ers' and Panthers' D/STs.
The early inactives give us a glimpse into some handcuff situations. Chase Brown being inactive indicates that Trayveon Williams is the handcuff to own in Cincinnati. Joe Mixon owners should take note. Kendre Miller (hamstring) is out this week in New Orleans, pushing Kirk Merritt to the primary backup role behind Jamaal Williams.
Eagles' beat reporter Olivia Reiner reported Sunday afternoon that Rashaad Penny is expected to be a healthy scratch against New England, leaving Kenneth Gainwell as the primary backup to D'Andre Swift.
Weather updates for NFL Week 1
For a full breakdown of all of the Week 1 weather worries, click here.
There will likely be off-and-on rain showers during games out East and in Denver, but the biggest worry is in New England for the Eagles-Patriots, where "heavy rain" might occur. Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert remain must-starts, but be careful with both kickers and anyone from the Patriots' passing games.
Who should I start in fantasy football today?
Advice based on 12-team, half-point PPR leagues
The recommendations below are from Vinnie Iyer's Week 1 start 'em, sit 'em column.
Must-starts
QB: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. DET, Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. HOU), Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at NE), Josh Allen, Bills (at NYJ), Justin Fields, Bears (vs. GB), Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. MIA), Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at IND), Joe Burrow, Bengals (at CLE), Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at LAC), Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at NYG)
RB: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at PIT), Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. CAR), Nick Chubb, Browns (vs. CIN), Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. MIA), Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at DEN), Derrick Henry, Titans (at NO), Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at NYG), Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. DAL), Aaron Jones, Packers (at CHI), Joe Mixon, Bengals (at CLE), Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. PHI), Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (at IND), Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at KC), JK Dobbins, Ravens (vs. HOU), Najee Harris, Steelers (vs. SF), Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (vs. LAR), Cam Akers, Rams (at SEA), Miles Sanders, Panthers (at ATL), James Conner, Cardinals (at WAS), Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at MIN), Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. DET), Dameon Pierce, Texans (at BAL), David Montgomery, Lions (at KC), James Cook, Bills (at NYJ), Alexander Mattison, Vikings (vs. TB)
WR: Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. TB), Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at CLE), Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at LAC), Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at KC), A.J. Brown, Eagles (at NE), CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at NYG), Stefon Diggs, Bills (at NYJ), Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. BUF), DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at NE), Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (at IND), Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at LAC), Chris Olave, Saints (vs. TEN), Davante Adams, Raiders (at DEN), Amari Cooper, Browns (vs. CIN), DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. LAR), Mike Williams, Chargers (vs. MIA), Tee Higgins, Bengals (at CLE), DJ Moore, Bears (vs. GB), Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. MIA), Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at PIT), Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. ARI), Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. LAR)
TE: Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at NE), T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. TB), Darren Waller, Giants (vs. DAL), George Kittle, 49ers (at PIT), Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. CAR)
DST: Ravens (vs. HOU), Cowboys (at NYG), 49ers (at PIT), Broncos (vs. LV), Commanders (vs. ARI), Jets (vs. BUF), Bills (vs. NYJ), Steelers (vs. SF)
Smart sits
QB: Deshaun Watson (vs. CIN), Daniel Jones (vs. DAL), Aaron Rodgers (vs. BUF)
RB: Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook (vs. BUF), Damien Harris (at NYJ), D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny (at NE), Jamaal Williams (vs. TEN), Raheem Mostert (at LAC)
WR: Drake London (vs. CAR), Brandon Aiyuk (at PIT), Marquise Brown (at WAS), Diontae Johnson (vs. SF), Michael Pittman Jr. (vs. JAX), Jordan Addison (vs. TB), JuJu Smith-Schuster (vs. PHI), Gabriel Davis (@ NYJ)
TE: Evan Engram (at IND), Chig Okonkwo (at NO), Pat Freiermuth (vs. SF), Dalton Schultz (at BAL), Greg Dulcich (vs. LV)
DST: Patriots (vs. PHI), Browns (vs. CIN), Vikings (vs. TB), Dolphins (at LAC)
Read more coverage from Sporting News' team of fantasy football experts, including Week 1 rankings for PPR and standard formats, sleepers, busts, DFS picks, and other projections below.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts
WEEK 1 DFS: DK lineup | FD lineup | Best stacks | Best values
WEEK 1 TOOLS: RotoBaller "Who To Start?" | Draft Sharks' projections
Fantasy football rankings Week 1
Below are Sporting News' updated fantasy football rankings for Week 1. Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring.
Quarterback
Rank Player
1 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Lions
2 Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ Patriots
3 Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. Texans
4 Josh Allen, Bills @ Jets
5 Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. Dolphins
6 Joe Burrow, Bengals @ Browns
7 Justin Fields, Bears vs. Packers
8 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars @ Colts
9 Dak Prescott, Cowboys @ Giants
10 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins @ Chargers
Running back
Rank Player
1 Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Dolphins
2 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers @ Steelers
3 Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. Panthers
4 Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Cowboys
5 Tony Pollard, Cowboys @ Giants
6 Nick Chubb, Browns vs. Bengals
7 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Broncos
8 Derrick Henry, Titans @ Saints
9 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Eagles
10 Najee Harris, Steelers vs. 49ers
11 Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions @ Chiefs
12 Travis Etienne, Jaguars @ Colts
13 Joe Mixon, Bengals @ Browns
14 Aaron Jones, Packers @ Bears
15 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Lions
16 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks vs. Rams
17 Breece Hall, Jets vs. Bills
18 James Conner, Cardinals @ Commanders
19 Miles Sanders, Panthers @ Falcons
20 JK Dobbins, Ravens vs. Texans
Wide receiver
Rank Player
1 Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. Buccaneers
2 Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals @ Browns
3 Tyreek Hill, Dolphins @ Chargers
4 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ Chiefs
5 Davante Adams, Raiders @ Broncos
6 CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ Giants
7 A.J. Brown, Eagles @ Patriots
8 Stefon Diggs, Bills @ Jets
9 Garrett Wilson, Jets vs. Bills
10 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins @ Chargers
11 Chris Olave, Saints vs. Titans
12 Amari Cooper, Browns vs. Bengals
13 DeVonta Smith, Eagles @ Patriots
14 Tee Higgins, Bengals @ Browns
15 Keenan Allen, Chargers vs. Dolphins
16 Deebo Samuel, 49ers @ Steelers
17 DK Metcalf, Seahawks vs. Rams
18 DeAndre Hopkins, Titans @ Saints
19 Calvin Ridley, Jaguars @ Colts
20 Chris Godwin, Buccaneers @ Vikings
21 DJ Moore, Bears vs. Packers
22 Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Cardinals
23 Drake London, Falcons vs. Panthers
24 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers @ Steelers
25 Mike Williams, Chargers vs. Dolphins
Tight end
Rank Player
1 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Buccaneers
2 Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Patriots
3 Darren Waller, Giants vs. Cowboys
4 George Kittle, 49ers @ Steelers
5 Evan Engram, Jaguars @ Colts
6 Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Seahawks
7 Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs. 49ers
8 Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Panthers
9 Isaiah Likely, Ravens vs. Texans
10 Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans @ Saints
Defense/Special teams
Rank Player
1 Philadelphia Eagles @ Patriots
2 Baltimore Ravens vs. Texans
3 San Francisco 49ers @ Steelers
4 Dallas Cowboys @ Giants
5 Buffalo Bills @ Jets
6 Washington Commanders vs. Cardinals
7 Denver Broncos vs. Raiders
8 New York Jets vs. Bills
9 New Orleans Saints vs. Titans
10 New England Patriots vs. Eagles
WEEK 1 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
