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It’s here.
The NFL season is off to a running start with two games in the books and the majority of NFL teams set to play their first game of the season on Sunday, which means fantasy managers need to be on top of player news before setting their lineups.
The first week includes quite a few big names on injury reports, including San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, and Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, to name a few. This is the latest as of Saturday, Sept. 7.
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Christian McCaffrey Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) should be “fine” to play when San Francisco plays host to the New York Jets on Monday night, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Seeing “McCaffrey” and “Achilles” in the same sentence before a game had been played likely caused some acute heartburn for fantasy managers, but the 49ers don’t appear overly concerned about their No. 1 back.
When he’s on the field, McCaffrey is a dynamic presence who accumulated more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns last season, making him a no-doubt starter on any roster.
From @GMFB: With games looming on Sunday, updates on the statuses of #Steelers QB Russell Wilson, #Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase, and #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey. pic.twitter.com/kS62r5B2g5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2024
Ja’Marr Chase Injury Update
Though not hurt, Ja’Marr Chase (non-injury related/rest) appeared on Cincinnati’s injury report as questionable as the two sides continued to negotiate an 11th-hour contract extension before Week 1.
Chase told reporters on Friday that he likely would be limited even if he does play in the Bengals’ first game, a home date against New England. With No. 2 receiver Tee Higgins doubtful, Chase is likely to draw a heavy target share if he plays, but the “if” portion is the literal million-dollar question.
Starting Chase on Sunday likely comes down to whether he and the Bengals have a new deal in place first.
Chase: I’ll probably limited if I do play. Game time decision.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) September 6, 2024
Kyle Pitts Injury Update
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is “good to go” for Week 1’s game against Pittsburgh, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Pitts will play his first game with new Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, whose history suggests good things ahead for the former first-round tight end, now in his fourth season. T.J. Hockenson logged 10 top-10 finishes in 18 regular-season games with Cousins in Minnesota, a welcome upgrade for Pitts after years of substandard quarterback play.
#Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring) fully participated in practice for a second straight day and is good to go for Sunday vs. Pittsburgh.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 6, 2024
Tee Higgins Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) was downgraded to doubtful for Week 1, according to the team’s official injury report. Higgins was limited for the Bengals’ Thursday practice but did not practice at all on Friday.
Higgins’ apparent downturn is poorly timed for Cincinnati, which does not yet know if Chase will play amid contract extension discussions. If neither Higgins nor Chase plays, Andrei Iosivas would become the Bengals’ top receiver by default.
.@KetteringHealth Injury Report for #NEvsCIN pic.twitter.com/D125xfafwU
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 6, 2024
DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said Friday that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) is questionable for the Titans’ first game at Chicago.
Hopkins played all 17 games a year ago but has missed significant time during training camp with a knee injury in the lead-up to this season. If Hopkins is eventually ruled out, new Titans signing Calvin Ridley figures to earn the lion’s share of targets with Treylon Burks and Tyler Boyd seeing added snaps as well.
.@Titans WR @DeAndreHopkins QUESTIONABLE for Sunday, per HC Brian Callahan
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 6, 2024
Tyler Lockett Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (thigh) is listed as questionable for Week 1’s game against Denver, but Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that he expects Lockett to play.
Though Lockett has dealt with the injury dating back to August, he was a full participant in Seahawks practice on Friday. The steady receiver has accumulated 100+ targets in five straight seasons, so any absence could lead to an uptick in targets for receivers DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba or tight end Noah Fant.
The Seahawks ruled out OLB Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and TE Pharaoh Brown (foot) for Sunday’s opener vs. Denver. WR Tyler Lockett (thigh) is questionable.
C Connor Williams and everyone else are good to go.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) September 6, 2024
Russell Wilson Injury Update
The Pittsburgh Steelers listed projected starting quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) as questionable for the team’s season opener at Atlanta.
Wilson, playing on his third team in four years, won the job over Justin Fields despite missing time during training camp. Wilson’s status could come down to how he fares in warmups on Sunday, with Fields waiting in the wings should Wilson be unable to go.
Russell Wilson says he’s taking it day by day, and he wants to play Sunday if he’s able. Nothing concrete, but Russ expressed optimism. Said he felt funny yesterday in practice, additionally imaging showed them “good news” — the aggravation wasn’t more severe than feared
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 6, 2024
Justin Herbert Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (plantar fascia) did not appear on the team’s official injury report, a signal that he is on track to play against Las Vegas in Week 1.
Herbert has cleared 4,000 passing yards in three of his four years as a pro, but figures to play in a revamped offense under head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman in 2024.
#Chargers QB Justin Herbert (plantar fascia) is off the injury report -- for real this time -- and good to go for Sunday's opener vs. the #Raiders.
WR DJ Chark (hip) is out.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 6, 2024
Antonio Gibson Injury Update
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (hip) told reporters that he is optimistic that he will be able to play in the season opener at Cincinnati, but is listed as questionable on the official injury report.
Gibson figures to be the next player in line for carries behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson, albeit on a New England offense widely expected to struggle in 2024. If Gibson is ruled out in Week 1, JaMycal Hasty likely would see an increased role.
Patriots have ruled Sidy Sow out for Sunday's game, and Vederian Lowe, Antonio Gibson and Josh Uche are questionable. For the Bengals, Tee Higgins is questionable with a hamstring, Ja'Marr Chase b/c of his contract status, and both Adarius Mims and Kris Jenkins are out.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) September 6, 2024
Keenan Allen Injury Update
Veteran receiver Keenan Allen (heel) is listed as questionable by the Chicago Bears’ official injury report ahead of their season opener against Tennessee.
Allen did practice in full on Friday, with Bears coach Matt Eberflus saying that he expects Allen to play. The longtime Charger is part of a revamped Bears offense that signed running back D'Andre Swift and drafted quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze ahead of this season.
The #Bears listed WR Keenan Allen (heel) and DL Montez Sweat (toe) as questionable for Sunday vs. the #Titans.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 6, 2024
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