NFL Week 1 Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Players to Watch Before Kickoff

Four injuries decide most Week 1 lineups. Here is what is known on each, and the players whose value moves with them.

The Ones That Matter

Player Status Fantasy call Who gains
Brock Bowers, TE, LV OUT (knee) Replace him, no decision to make Raiders’ target share opens up around Ashton Jeanty, who is full go
Malik Nabers, WR, NYG Questionable (knee) Have a bench plan; even if active, snaps may be managed Rest of the Giants’ receiver room
Alvin Kamara, RB, NO Questionable (knee) Sit in most formats even if active Travis Etienne leads the backfield; Kendre Miller in change of pace
Rome Odunze, WR, CHI Questionable (calf) Trending to play, but confirm on inactives Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland if he sits or is limited

Quarterback Notes

The Falcons are down their top two quarterbacks, with Tua Tagovailoa out after an oblique injury in Thursday’s practice and Michael Penix Jr. not yet back from last season’s torn ACL. Cooper Rush starts at Pittsburgh, which downgrades the entire Atlanta passing game against a Steelers defense favored at home.

Patrick Mahomes practiced fully Thursday and Friday and is in line to start Monday night against Denver after tearing his ACL last season. Kansas City left tackle Josh Simmons has not practiced, which is worth watching for pressure rate.

Backfield and Line Watch

Jonathon Brooks, RB, CAR is cleared for his first NFL game since December 8, 2024, a real deep-league consideration in a game Carolina is an underdog at home.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, LV practiced fully every day with the ankle and carries no game status. He is a clean start.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, ARI, the third overall pick, is questionable with an ankle injury after being limited all week. Have a contingency.

Packers line: starting left guard Aaron Banks and starting right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele are both questionable, which matters for Green Bay’s run game at Minnesota.

Receivers to Downgrade

Tampa Bay’s Jalen McMillan is doubtful with a knee injury after being limited all week, and running back Sean Tucker is doubtful with a hamstring. For Cincinnati, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins appeared on the report but carry no game designation, so both are clear.

Clean Rooms

The Texans, Dolphins, Vikings and Commanders have no players with a game status, so nothing on those rosters requires a late check.

Related

Full Week 1 injury report · Week 1 inactives · Week 1 start em sit em · Week 1 starting quarterbacks

The Bottom Line

Bowers is out and needs replacing now. Nabers, Kamara and Odunze are game-time calls, and only Odunze looks likely to play a normal role. Set an alternate for each before the inactive lists post 90 minutes ahead of kickoff.