Fantasy Football Notes Tracker: Week 1

The NFL season is underway, which means fantasy owners will need every advantage they can get throughout the season. Here, we discuss the latest notes around the league regarding injuries, players on the rise, and other important rumors that surface:

Friday, September 11th

Lions Receiving Core Limping?

• Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia downplayed the hamstring injury to WR Kenny Golladay. However, he is currently listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. He missed practice on Thursday, and was limited in practice on Friday.
• Detroit Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (ankle) is reportedly at full health. He claimed he wasn’t fully recovered following ankle surgery, and missed nine days of training camp after being placed on the COVID-19 list.

Analysis: Clearly, Golladay cannot be relied on during Week 1 of the fantasy football season. The team will likely declare him out before Sunday. As for Hockenson, his target share could see an immediate increase if Golladay misses Week 1. The Bears secondary is questionable at best, while the Lions run game cannot be leaned on.

A.J. Green is Back

• After a full practice on Friday, Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green (hamstring) is confident that he is at full health. He previously missed over a week of training camp with a hamstring injury.

Analysis: According to the team, Green will not be limited on snaps during the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Chargers. Having not played in a full season since 2017, the expectations are low for Green. Still, he should be considered a high-end WR3 this week.

Landry to be Limited

• Cleveland Browns WR Jarvis Landry (hip) will likely see limited time during the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. While he isn’t on the injury report, he isn’t expected to be fully recovered from hip surgery.

Analysis: Landry has received praise from the coaching staff during practice, but he won’t receive a full workload. Fantasy owners should look at alternative options, as Odell Beckham Jr has the highest upside among Browns receivers entering Week 1.

Jalen Reagor to Make NFL Debut?

• The Philadelphia Eagles are confident in rookie WR Jalen Reagor (shoulder) making his NFL debut against Washington on Sunday. He was listed as a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday.

Analysis: If truly at full health, then Reagor could be a starter option for fantasy owners in Week 1. The top Eagles receiving options on Sunday will be Zach Ertz, DeSean Jackson, Greg Ward, and Reagor.

Jaguars Name James Robinson as Starter

• On Friday, Jacksonville Jaguars OC Jay Gruden confirmed that RB James Robinson will be the starter in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. “He’s ready. We have every indication that we’ve seen in training camp that he can handle it,” Gruden said.

Analysis: The Jaguars will likely maintain a committee in their backfield throughout the 2020 season, but Robinson has been the most impressive blocker and pass-catcher on the depth chart. However, Chris Thompson is reportedly set for the role as the third-down back. Fantasy owners should only play Robinson if their choices at RB2/FLEX are limited.

Dolphins Appearing Healthy On Friday

• Miami Dolphins WR DeVante Parker (hamstring), Preston Williams (knee), and TE Mike Gesicki (glute) all participated in practice on Friday. All three are expected to suit up on Sunday against the New England Patriots.
• Despite being named the backup, Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (hip) will be available on Sunday.

Analysis: While Williams isn’t a liable fantasy option, this is good news for owners of Parker and Gesicki. Both are considered starts in Week 1 with appropriate projections. As for Tagovailoa, this is a positive sign for dynasty fantasy owners.

Courtland Sutton Considered Day-To-Day

• Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (shoulder) will not practice on Friday, but may try to practice on Saturday. He suffered an AC joint sprain and is questionable for Monday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Analysis: With a Monday night game on the horizon, fantasy owners should be weary of his availability. Whether he practices on Saturday will be a deciding factor in what the Broncos decide to do. Even if he gets the nod, I would feel more comfortable starting someone from my bench for Week 1.

Saturday, September 12th

Amari Cooper at Full Capacity

• It has been reported that Dallas Cowboys WR Amari Cooper (hamstring) has not missed any practices this week. He is fully healthy and will play in Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Analysis: This is a great sign for fantasy owners who have stock in Cooper. However, he will likely be facing CB Jalen Ramsey on Sunday. He is considered a high-end WR2 going into Week 1.

D’Andre Swift Expected to Play Week 1

• After a full practice on Friday, Detroit Lions rookie RB D’Andre Swift (hip) is expected to play in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. He was limited in practices earlier in the week.

Analysis: While it’s a positive sign that Swift will play, he is stuck in a backfield that also consists of Kerryon Johnson and Adrian Peterson. Swift will likely have value as the season progresses, but doesn’t hold much value in Week 1.

Conflicting Reports Regarding Mike Evans

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (hamstring) has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable. He was spotted in practice on Friday prior to being moved to doubtful.

Analysis: There have been multiple reports regarding Evans’ status for Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. On one hand, the team has reportedly been optimistic about his chances of playing. However, if Evans does play, he will likely be limited. If fantasy owners have enough depth at the wide receiver position, they should play it safe and explore their options.