On the initial Week 1 injury report for the New Orleans Saints, cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hip) was listed as limited due to a persistent hip issue. However, he was upgraded to a full participant in Thursday's practice. Lattimore's 2023 season was plagued by injuries, including an ankle problem that kept him to just ten games and a kidney laceration that limited him to seven games the year before. These health issues sparked trade rumors during the offseason, but the Saints decided to keep him. Lattimore is set to start on Sunday, providing a significant boost to the Saints' defense against a Carolina Panthers offense that is expected to have difficulties. His presence will be a considerable challenge for Bryce Young and the Panthers' receiving corps.

The Miami Dolphins will square up against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. It will be the home opener for the Fins and the first under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. After their defense was decimated by injuries in 2023, Miami prioritized bulking up that side of the ball in the offseason. Their key acquisitions are strong veteran presences in cornerback Kendall Fuller, linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Shaquil Barrett, and safety Jordan Poyer. In addition to returning studs Jalen Ramsey, Jevon Holland, and Calais Campbell, Miami now presents a strong core of talented veteran players. It's hard to know what to expect from Trevor Lawrence and the Jags' offense to open the year, but if the Dolphins' offense can get out to an early lead, it would bode well for the defense's outlook. They're currently RotoBaller's DEF22 heading into Week 1, with much more season-long upside if this unit gels quickly.

Updating a previous report, Baltimore Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy (eye) is questionable to return to the Week 1 game against the Kansas City Chiefs after exiting with an eye injury.

From TheHuddle

Baltimore Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy (undisclosed) walked off the field with trainers after suffering an undisclosed injury against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Sept. 5.

From TheHuddle

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Trey Palmer (concussion) has practiced in full two days in a row and is primed to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. Palmer remains in the league's concussion protocol but appears to be well on his way to clearing it in order to suit up this weekend. The 23-year-old was selected in the sixth round last year out of Nebraska and caught 39 of his 68 targets for 385 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games in his first year in the NFL. To open is his second year in the NFL, Palmer is expected to operate as the WR4 in Tampa behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and rookie Jalen McMillan, which puts him off the fantasy radar entirely in most single-year formats. Palmer didn't have more than four catches in any of his games last year while operating as the No. 3 wideout once Russell Gage went down for the season due to injury.

From RotoBaller

The Baltimore Ravens on Thursday placed rookie running back Rasheen Ali (neck) on Injured Reserve and signed linebacker Josh Ross to the active 53-man roster in a corresponding move. The Ravens also activated defensive back Ka'dar Hollman and running back John Kelly from the practice squad for Thursday night's season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. Ali, who was looking overmatched in training camp and the preseason, will now be forced to miss at least the first four games of his rookie campaign in the NFL. Kelly will provide depth for the Baltimore backfield in the season opener behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. the 23-year-old speedy Ali might be in for more of a developmental redshirt year with the Ravens in his first season after getting off to a tough start both performance-wise and due to his injury.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (finger) was a full-go in practice on Thursday after he was limited on Wednesday. After being limited in the first official practice of the regular season, Sanders now looks ready to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Even with rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) missing the first four games of the season while on the Physically Unable to Perform list, Sanders belongs on benches to open the year as the clear backup behind starter Chuba Hubbard in Carolina's backfield. The 27-year-old didn't have much of a chance in the Panthers' atrocious offense in 2023 and averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry. He is, at best, an early-season handcuff for Hubbard in deeper fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that rookie first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest, shoulder) will take it easy for around a week to avoid working up a sweat but will begin his rehab after that. Pearsall was shot in the chest last Saturday during a robbery attempt but was released from the hospital the following day and has made remarkable progress already. The Niners put him on the Non-Football Injury list, so the 23-year-old will be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of his first year in the NFL. In addition to recovering from a gunshot wound to his chest, Pearsall was also rehabbing a shoulder injury that limited him in training camp and the preseason. It remains to be seen when Pearsall can join San Fran's offense, but right now, he's merely a stash in dynasty/keeper fantasy leagues. Pearsall's injuries have opened the door for a bigger role for Jauan Jennings as the WR3.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers tight ends Tommy Tremble (back, hamstring) and Ian Thomas (calf) were both held out of practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. As things stand now, both tight ends are questionable to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Fantasy managers shouldn't really be looking to the Panthers for their starting TE anyway, but Carolina's depth at the position could be tested right away to kick off the 2024 season. Outside of Tremble and Thomas, rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson are their healthy options at the position. Sanders could be thrown into the fire right away in his NFL debut on Sunday if both Tremble and Thomas are ruled out. He is only worth stashing in really deep redraft formats and dynasty/keeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle) was listed on the team's first official injury report on Thursday after putting in a limited practice due to an ankle injury. In addition to an ankle injury, an oblique ailment caused Jennings to miss two of the team's preseason games in August. The fact that Jennings is practicing to begin the week suggests that he should be able to suit up in Week 1 on Monday night against the New York Jets, but we'll have a better idea on his status for the season opener by Saturday. The 27-year-old would have been much more intriguing in fantasy had the Niners traded Brandon Aiyuk in the offseason, but as things stand now, he'll likely be the No. 4 pass-catcher, at best, behind Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel Sr. and tight end George Kittle. In standard 12-team fantasy leagues, Jennings should be on the waiver wire to begin the 2024 season.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) was listed as a limited participant in the team's first official practice on Thursday. Despite being on the practice field on Thursday, Hufanga's availability for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night against the New York Jets is up in the air after he wasn't activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list in training camp until Aug. 27. The 24-year-old is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 11 of 2023. Hufanga, who was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro in his second year in the NFL in 2022, is a huge ball-hawking asset for the 49ers secondary when he's healthy, but fantasy managers in IDP leagues should expect him to be eased into the early portion of the 2024 campaign. Even if Hufanga is active on Monday, he's likely to be on a pitch count snap-wise and shouldn't be in IDP starting lineups.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) picked up another DNP and was unable to practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Chark still has one more day to get on the practice field, but as of right now, things aren't looking good for his chances of being active for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday at Sofi Stadium against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. The 27-year-old initially suffered a hip injury on Aug. 19 during training camp. When healthy, Chark is expected to be the field-stretcher for the Bolts as their WR3 in a run-first offense behind Joshua Palmer and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey. Even if Chark is able to practice on Friday and ends up playing on Sunday, fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep him on their benches. If Chark is inactive, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston would step into the WR3 role for LA against the Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee) was added to the team's Week 1 injury report on Thursday with a knee injury but was able to practice in full. Palmer was not listed at all on the first injury report of the year on Wednesday. It's something worth watching, but Palmer's status shouldn't be in question for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday at Sofi Stadium against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. The 24-year-old enters the 2024 campaign in pole position to lead the Bolts in targets after both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams left in the offseason. Not only does he have excellent chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert, but he's the team's most experienced wideout. Injuries have been an issue for Palmer in the past, though, so that could hold him back from truly breaking out. Fantasy managers should consider him a WR4/flex play with upside in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon was brought in because the team believes he will be a 'major factor' in the red zone, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com.

Fantasy Spin: Mixon finds himself as the lead back in a talented Houston offense, and touchdown opportunities should be plentiful. Volume and opportunity alone should push him into the top of the RB2 tier.

From TheHuddle

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton looks to take a step forward after back-to-back lackluster seasons to begin his career. The 25-year-old finished with 47 receptions for 455 yards with four touchdowns in 17 games with the Bucs last season. The talent is there, but Otton is too far back on the pecking order in Tampa Bay. At this point, Otton might be the fourth or fifth option in the passing game, which doesn't bode well for his fantasy value. Luckily, Otton does have a favorable matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 1. A defensive unit that allowed the most passing yards in the league last season. Despite that, Otton is nothing more than a TE2 for Week 1.

From RotoBaller

The Seattle Seahawks defense/special teams will get a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix when the Denver Broncos visit Seattle in Week 1. The Seahawks' defense should be improved in 2024, especially with head coach Mike Macdonald coming over from the Baltimore Ravens. Rookie quarterbacks tend to struggle in the NFL. Nix has more college experience than most rookie quarterbacks. However, his first matchup is in one of the most hostile and difficult stadiums to visit in the NFL. The Seahawks D/ST will be without pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu (knee) but linebacker Jerome Baker (hamstring) seems on track to return from his absence. It is possible that the Seahawks D/ST was not drafted in your fantasy draft. If they hit waivers, they should be an automatic add-and-start for your team.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is better left on your bench in Week 1 when the Seahawks host the Denver Broncos. The Broncos had one of the league's worst rushing defenses in 2023. However, Charbonnet is unlikely to see a large enough rushing share to be effective for fantasy. If history is any indication, Kenneth Walker III has a firm grip on the starting running back position. Charbonnet has high-end insurance value, but he is better left alone in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (toe) should not be on fantasy radars in Week 1. The Seahawks will host the Denver Broncos and project to have a solid day on offense. However, Fant has not been much of a fantasy contributor during his three-year tenure as a Seahawk. There is always the chance that new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb decides to use Fant's athleticism more often. However, with the Seahawks boasting an excellent trio of wide receivers, that seems unlikely. Fant has also been limited all week with a toe injury that could hamper him in Week 1. It is best to look at other options and leave Fant on the waiver wire in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith finds himself outside of the starting options at the position in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. This is nothing against Smith who should actually have a bounce-back season with new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. The matchup is also relatively neutral as the Denver Broncos were middle of the pack against quarterbacks in 2023. However, the position is so deep that you should have better options available. If you are in dire need of a quarterback, or you play in a two-quarterback league, then Smith is a fine option. He should be able to amass 15-20 fantasy points in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is a solid option in fantasy in Week 1. The Seahawks offense should have plenty of chances to score on Sunday against a middle-of-the-road Broncos defense. Myers was the K6 in 2023 and should be able to pick up where he left off. He is an incredibly accurate kicker and should have a chance for plenty of field goals and PATs. Start Myers with confidence in Week 1. He has a chance for double-digit fantasy points.

From RotoBaller