Tennessee Titans kicker Nick Folk will start the season in Chicago taking on the Bears in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Folk was the #19 kicker last year but the ranking wasn't emblematic of his effectiveness. It was a career-year for the 39-year old veteran, who finished first in the NFL with a 96.7% conversion rate. The Titans have a completely revamped offense which should score more than 17.9 points per game (26th overall), meaning Folk will have many more opportunities to score fantasy points. However, Chicago has one of the best defenses in the league and is playing on their home turf in Week 1. With the Titans offense still unproven, Folk is probably better left on waivers for opening weekend.

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The Carolina Panthers have ruled out tight ends Tommy Tremble (hamstring, back) and Ian Thomas (calf) for the team's season opener against the New Orleans Saints. Both players did not participate in any practices this week. Rookie fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders is now in line to start in his NFL debut. Converted veteran wide receiver Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson will back up the rookie. Bryce Young and the Carolina offense aren't expected to pick up a lot of yards through the air. Sanders should only be rostered in Dynasty formats.

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Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears takes on the stout Chicago Bears defense in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Spears played second-fiddle to future Hall-of-Famer Derrick Henry last season who bolted for the Ravens in free agency. Even with Henry receiving the lion's share of the work, Spears was able to snag 52 passes, tied for ninth among RBs in 2023. Tony Pollard came over from the Cowboys on a fairly lucrative deal, but Spears should still have a major role in this new-look versatile offense. The Bears in return basically all of their stud defensive line from a unit that ranked #1 in the league in rushing yards allowed per game. It will be very tough to run on this front, but with Spears' passing game chops he should see enough work to warrant deeper league flex value, with a slight upgrade in full-PPR formats.

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Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard heads to Chicago to face the Bears on NFL opening weekend. Pollard came to Nashville by way of Dallas on a 3-year, $21.75M deal this offseason after an underwhelming year as the Cowboys lead back. He now takes over a Titans backfield that is without superstar workhorse Derrick Henry, but retains the shifty Tyjae Spears who flashed quite a bit last season and should get a sizable workload. Titans Offensive Coordinator Nick Holz recently said the backfield will likely be a 50/50 split which brings Pollard's value down some, but he should still be the 1A to Spears' 1B in the backfield at least to begin the year. Week 1 will be anything but easy traveling to the Chicago and their #1 rushing defense from last year, which should be elite once again in 2024. Consider him a low-end flex for Week 1.

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The Tennessee Titans have officially ruled out safety Jamal Adams (hip) for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Week 1. The writing was on the wall for Adams to be out for the season opener when he missed his second straight practice on Thursday. The 28-year-old oft-injured defensive back apparently wasn't able to get back on the field on Friday. Adams missed most of training camp this summer due to soreness in his hip and will need more time to get ready for the 2024 campaign. He's no longer on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues as a backup safety for the Titans this year. With Adams ruled out against Chicago, expect rookie Julius Wood to operate as the team's backup strong safety this weekend behind Amani Hooker.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley heads into a Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The veteran wideout revitalized his career last season in Jacksonville with over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns, helping him secure a large payday from the Titans this spring. With DeAndre Hopkins now 32 and in his last year of his contract, Ridley figures to be the WR1 for this offense captained by sophomore quarterback Will Levis. Week 1 presents one of the toughest matchups all year with the Chicago Bears and their formidable secondary led by lockdown corner Jaylon Johnson, who also just signed a massive extension in the offseason. The good news for Ridley owners is that Hopkins is likely to see more of the All-Pro in coverage, meaning the former Alabama star should have his fair share of chances to exploit this defense. Ridley checks in as a low-mid tier WR2 for Week 1 of the NFL season.

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Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo takes on the Chicago Bears in an NFL opening weekend matchup. The former fourth-round pick was a popular breakout candidate last season, and while that didn't pan out due to the ineffectiveness of Ryan Tannehill at QB, Okonkwo was much more productive when Levis took over as the starting quarterback. There's some post-hype sleeper vibes around Okonkwo heading into year three, but he is still at best the fourth target in this offense behind Ridley, Hopkins, and Pollard/Spears at the moment. With the Bears ranking middle-of-the-pack against tight ends last season and Okonkwo near the bottom of the pass-catching pecking order, he's better left on fantasy benches in Week 1.

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The Tennessee Titans defense will face 2024 #1 pick Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears in Week 1. This unit was at or below average in most statistical categories last season leading to a #26 finish among fantasy defenses. The Titans signed some big names for their secondary including star cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, as well as veterans Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. This should immediately give them a borderline top-10 secondary and help force more turnovers through the air. DT Denico Autry is gone along with his 11.5 sacks, but Jeffrey Simmons and Harold Landry are back in the mix along with 2024 second-round pick T'Vondre Sweat who should be an impact run-stopper. Chicago presents a stiff test with two elite receivers in Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, along with 2024 #9 overall pick Rome Odunze to form one of the best receiving corps in the league. QB1 Caleb Williams hasn't played a regular season snap yet, but he has all the tools to succeed sooner rather than later. Throw in D'Andre Swift and you have countless weapons on offense, which should prompt fantasy managers to leave this unit on waivers for Week 1.

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis travels to Chicago to take on Caleb Williams and the Bears in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. The Kentucky product started eight games last season due to the inept play of Ryan Tannehill and showed major flashes throughout his short stint as the lead signal caller in Nashville, all while dealing with a horrible offensive line. With revamped protection and receiver core that now features Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, Levis has a huge opportunity in front of him to prove that he is "the guy" for this franchise, and it starts with a tough test on the road against Chicago in Week 1. The Bears ranked in the top half of the league last season in total yards allowed, but most of that was bolstered by their #1 rushing defense. Stopping opposing quarterbacks was not their strong suit, but they did add former Titan / All-Pro safety Kevin Byard in the offseason, which should give that unit a major boost. While Chicago gave up considerable yardage total through the air, they actually led the NFL with 22 interceptions last season. Because Levis is still mostly unproven and has a tough road test against a stout defense, he should only be started in deeper superflex formats.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf), who left Thursday's practice after reporting what the team called calf tightness, was seen on the practice field on Friday. There have been conflicting reports on Wilson's status for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Wilson's status is firmly up in the air, mainly because of how cautious the team's medical staff has been with Wilson's injury that he initially suffered in training camp. However, head coach Mike Tomlin said the team has no worries that the 35-year-old won't be available this weekend. The fact that Wilson is on the field on Friday is a good sign that he'll be able to suit up and make his Steelers debut. If Wilson is active, he'll be a midrange QB2 in an offense that lacks receiving talent for him to work with.

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Tennessee Titans veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) is listed as questionable for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, according to head coach Brian Callahan. Hopkins was limited in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday and will now be a game-time decision on Sunday morning. The good news for fantasy managers that are considering using the 32-year-old in their starting lineups as a WR4/flex this weekend is that offensive coordinator Nick Holz said on Thursday that the Titans expect Hopkins to have a big role on offense if he does suit up. Still, Nuk's questionable status makes him more of a shaky WR4/flex option entering Week 1 action. If he doesn't end up getting the green light on Sunday, it will mean more targets for Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo.

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Talks between the Pittsburgh Steelers and tight end Pat Freiermuth on a long-term contract extension are progressing with the Week 1 regular-season opener right around the corner on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, according to sources. The Steelers are trying to get Freiermuth signed before Sunday's kickoff. With offensive coordinator Arthur Smith now in the Steel City, the 25-year-old Freiermuth is expected to become a much bigger part of the offense in 2024 and beyond, even though quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) hasn't traditionally targeted the position all that much. Mainly given the lack of Pittsburgh's receiving depth behind WR1 George Pickens, analysts believe that if he stays healthy, Freiermuth should be the second-most targeted pass-catcher this year. Freiermuth lines up as a high-end TE2 for fantasy managers in Week 1.

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Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen has officially ruled wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) out for the Week 1 regular season contest on Sunday versus the division-rival Houston Texans. Things had been trending this way all week as Downs was unable to practice due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in August. The 23-year-old worked off to the side in practices this week, though, and appears to be getting close to a return, so it's possible he may be able to make his 2024 debut in Week 2 at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. With Downs officially out this weekend, it will make both rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce a bit more attractive as DFS sleepers behind WR1 Michael Pittman Jr. The 21-year-old Mitchell was selected with the 52nd overall pick back in April in the second round. He has the ability to line up inside or outside and should give fantasy managers a bit more upside than Pierce.

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The Dallas Cowboys plan on committing to their running game in 2024. "We will be good running the football and that's because we're going to commit to it," head coach Mike McCarthy said on Friday. Dallas' backfield looks like their biggest weakness on offense heading into the 2024 campaign after Tony Pollard left in free agency. As things stand right now, veteran Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle project as co-starters at the RB position, with second-year back Deuce Vaughn serving as the No. 3. Veteran Dalvin Cook was recently signed for additional depth, but he'll have to work his way to the active roster off the practice squad. McCarthy could play the hot hand between Elliott and Dowdle, but the early belief is that Dowdle is going to lead the Cowboys' backfield in touches when all is said and done. Dowdle lines up as more of an upside play than Zeke, who is likely to be more touchdown-dependent.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been in the headlines often in the lead-up to Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the New England Patriots, mainly because of his high-profile contract stand-off with the team. Chase said that Friday is his deadline for a long-term contract extension to be completed, but he also things a deal is within striking distance. Even if a new deal isn't reached by Friday, the All-Pro pass-catcher said he'd be willing to play in 2024. In terms of whether he'll play this weekend in the season opener, though, Chase has labeled himself a "game-time decision" and said he'd likely be limited if he does suit up. Not only does this make Chase a much more shaky WR1 in fantasy in Week 1, but it puts a dark cloud over the entire Cincy offense with wideout Tee Higgins (hamstring) also looking potentially questionable to play. We may not have a clear picture on Chase's and Higgins' availability until Sunday morning.

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Updating a previous report, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) tweaked his hamstring at practice on Thursday, according to head coach Zac Taylor. The head coach said "we'll see" in terms of Higgins' availability for Week 1 on Sunday against the New England Patriots. Higgins wasn't seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Friday and he's now trending toward a questionable tag on the final injury report. With Ja'Marr Chase (holdout) claiming himself a game-time decision for the season opener, too, it's possible the Bengals could be without both of their top two receivers this weekend. Chase and Higgins should be in fantasy lineups if they are active, but their Week 1 stock is trending down. If one or both of them are inactive against the Pats, it will open the door for much bigger roles for receiver Andrei Iosivas and tight end Mike Gesicki, among others. Stay tuned.

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Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (hernia) was not seen at Friday's practice, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. This is not a great sign for the 30-year-old who has not logged one practice, which puts his status for Week 1 in danger. Gay underwent a sports hernia procedure after the team's final preseason game during the final week of August. If Gay cannot suit up on Sunday, rookie Spencer Shrader will likely serve as the No.1 when the Colts take on the Houston Texans. Gay had one of the worst seasons of his career last fall as he posted a mere 80.5% on field goal attempts, which was a start drop compared to the strong 93.3% he held in 2022. Fantasy managers looking to stream a kicker this weekend should not look to adding Shrader, who could be making his NFL debut on Sunday.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) was seen doing individual work on Friday but did not participate in practice, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. The 23-year-old expressed on Wednesday that he feels "real close to returning." While he has not officially been ruled out for the season opener on Sunday, it is not promising that he did not participate in team practices during the week. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any further updates regarding Downs' status as we approach the weekend. Downs enjoyed a nice rookie season as he caught 68 passes for 771 yards and two scores. If Downs happens to suit up for the season opener, he should be considered a low-end flex play in most leagues as he will compete for targets with Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Adonai Mitchell.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (holdout) told the media on Friday that he considers himself a game-time decision for Sunday and will be "limited" if he does play, according to Charlie Goldsmith of the Enquirer. Chase returned to practice on Wednesday after being held out of practice due to contract negotiations. While it is a promising sign to have seen Chase at practice over the past three days, he still considers himself a game-time call before Sunday's season opener. Fantasy managers should continue paying close attention to updates regarding the 24-year-old's status. Earlier on Friday, the No.2 receiver, Tee Higgins (hamstring), was not seen at practice. If both Chase and Higgins happen to suit up against the New England Patriots over the weekend, fantasy managers could expect both to play in a limited capacity, which may open more targets for Andrei Iosivas. However, no matter his capacity, Chase should be locked into all lineups if he plays.

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Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey signed a massive three-year extension totaling $72.3M which makes him the highest-paid cornerback in the sport, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. This deal was negotiated by David Mulugheta of Athletes First. The 29-year-old now once again sits as the highest-paid cornerback just days after Patrick Surtain of the Denver Broncos received his first NFL extension, which put him in the top spot for only a few days. Ramsey was limited to just ten games of NFL action last season but still made his mark by intercepting three passes and making 22 total tackles. Ramsey is currently battling a hamstring injury and is in danger of missing the season opener. Fantasy managers playing in an IDP league should continue to monitor the 29-year-old's status entering the weekend.

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