This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 8 AM ET on Sunday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
Week 1 of what will officially be the longest regular season in NFL history has arrived, and thankfully for Fantasy managers, the injury report is relatively light. Naturally, that won't hold true on many weeks as the season unfolds, but most teams appear to be blessed with fairly good health in terms of non-season-ending injuries as the 2021 campaign begins. There are a couple of notable names that appear to be trending toward gametime decisions, with further clarity to be gleaned as the morning unfolds. Without further ado, let's jump into the season-opening injury landscape:
QUARTERBACKS
The Texans' Deshaun Watson (coach's decision) is expected to be a gameday inactive every week for as long as he remains on Houston's roster. Tyrod Taylor will open the season as the team's starting quarterback with rookie third-round pick Davis Mills serving as his backup.
RUNNING BACKS
The Giants' Saquon Barkley (knee) is questionable for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Broncos after practicing in limited fashion all week. Barkley is coming off a multi-ligament knee tear suffered in Week 2 of last season against the Bears and did not participate in any preseason contests, but as per Saturday reports, he's been medically cleared for Sunday's game and is therefore fully expected to suit up.
The Chargers'
This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 8 AM ET on Sunday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
Week 1 of what will officially be the longest regular season in NFL history has arrived, and thankfully for Fantasy managers, the injury report is relatively light. Naturally, that won't hold true on many weeks as the season unfolds, but most teams appear to be blessed with fairly good health in terms of non-season-ending injuries as the 2021 campaign begins. There are a couple of notable names that appear to be trending toward gametime decisions, with further clarity to be gleaned as the morning unfolds. Without further ado, let's jump into the season-opening injury landscape:
QUARTERBACKS
The Texans' Deshaun Watson (coach's decision) is expected to be a gameday inactive every week for as long as he remains on Houston's roster. Tyrod Taylor will open the season as the team's starting quarterback with rookie third-round pick Davis Mills serving as his backup.
RUNNING BACKS
The Giants' Saquon Barkley (knee) is questionable for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Broncos after practicing in limited fashion all week. Barkley is coming off a multi-ligament knee tear suffered in Week 2 of last season against the Bears and did not participate in any preseason contests, but as per Saturday reports, he's been medically cleared for Sunday's game and is therefore fully expected to suit up.
The Chargers' Austin Ekeler (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's Week 1 clash against the Washington Football Team after only managing a limited practice Friday this past week. However, head coach Brandon Staley expressed optimism following that session that Ekeler would be able to suit up Sunday based on how the star running back looked, and a final decision may come down to how he performs in pregame warmups.
The Ravens' Gus Edwards suffered a torn ACL in Thursday's practice and was placed on season-ending injured reserve Friday. Newly signed Latavius Murray appears poised to join Ty'Son Williams to form Baltimore's top running back duo for Monday night's season-opening battle against the Raiders, although there's also a chance either or both Le'Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman are also summoned from the practice squad as additional reinforcements.
The Jets' La'Mical Perine (foot) is questionable for Sunday's season opener versus the Panthers, but he did manage work back to a full practice Friday. Even if Perine suits up, he slots in as fourth on the depth chart to open the season behind Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson and Michael Carter.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Browns' Odell Beckham (knee) is questionable for Sunday's season-opening showdown against the Chiefs despite practicing in limited fashion all week. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that there won't be an official decision made on Beckham's status until inactives are released 90 minutes ahead of the game's 4:25pm ET kickoff. Although the star receiver is expected to make his return after tearing his ACL last October, the Browns would turn to Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples-Jones as their likely starting wideout duo in the event of what would be a relatively surprising Beckham absence.
The Dolphins' Will Fuller will not play in Sunday's Week 1 clash against the Patriots while he finishes serving the final game of a suspension that traces back to last season. DeVante Parker, rookie Jaylen Waddle and Jakeem Grant are slated to serve as Miami's top three wideouts for the opener.
The Patriots' Nelson Agholor (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's season-opening divisional clash against the Dolphins despite turning in limited practices Wednesday and Friday. If Agholor, who's projected for No. 1 receiver duties, is unable to suit up, Jakobi Meyers and fellow offseason acquisition Kendrick Bourne project as the starting wideouts for rookie quarterback Mac Jones' first NFL game.
The Jets' Jamison Crowder (reserve/COVID-19) will not play in Sunday's season-opening game versus the Panthers. In the veteran's absence and a possible one for fellow wideout Keelan Cole (knee), rookie second-round pick Elijah Moore could be in line for a potential starting role, or No. 3 receiver duties at minimum if Cole is able to suit up.
The Titans' Josh Reynolds (foot) Is listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 1 interconference matchup against the Cardinals but finished the week with a limited practice Friday. If Reynolds were to sit out, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine would likely bump up a notch on the depth chart while Chester Rogers could see some extra targets in his No. 3 role.
The Jets' Keelan Cole (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers, and his availability, or lack thereof, is expected to come down to how he performs in pregame warmups. With Jamison Crowder (reserve/COVID-19) already ruled out, rookie Elijah Moore and the likes of Braxton Berrios and Denzel Mims could all enjoy bumps in opportunity behind No. 1 wideout Corey Davis if Cole is sidelined.
The Bears' Darnell Mooney (back) is questionable for Sunday night's season-opening clash against the Rams but did finish the week with a full practice Friday. If Mooney were to have an unexpected setback, Marquise Goodwin, who hasn't played in an NFL game since 2019 after opting out of last season, would potentially draw the start alongside Allen Robinson.
The Bills' Emmanuel Sanders (foot) is questionable for Sunday's season-opening showdown with his old Steelers squad after practicing in limited fashion all week. If the offseason signing is ultimately held out versus Pittsburgh, speedy Gabriel Davis could move to an outside wideout spot opposite Stefon Diggs while Cole Beasley remains mostly in the slot.
The Saints' Tre'Quan Smith (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Friday, knocking him out for at least the first three games of the season. With Michael Thomas (PUP-ankle) also out for at least the first six games, new starting quarterback Jameis Winston is set to operate with Marquez Calloway and Lil'Jordan Humphrey as his starting outside receivers with the speedy Deonte Harris in the slot.
Washington's Curtis Samuel (groin) was placed on injured reserve Friday, sidelining him for at least the first three games of the season. In his absence, rookie Dyami Brown and holdover Cam Sims should enjoy bigger workloads behind starters Terry McLaurin and Adam Humphries.
The Dolphins' Preston Williams (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Dolphins after practicing in limited fashion all week. Albert Wilson may see a slight bump in workload if Williams misses, but Devante Parker, Jaylen Waddle and Jakeem Grant are expected to serve as the top three wideouts versus the Patriots with Will Fuller serving the final game of a suspension.
TIGHT ENDS
The Giants' Evan Engram (calf) will not play in Sunday's season-opening battle versus the Broncos after missing practice all week. In his absence, offseason veteran addition Kyle Rudolph and holdover Kaden Smith are set to handle tight end duties for New York.
KICKERS
The Titans' Sam Ficken (groin) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, meaning he'll miss at least the first three games of the season. Michael Badgley, who converted only 72.7 percent of his field goals while with the Chargers last season, was signed Saturday to serve as the placekicker for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Cardinals.
The Browns' Chase McLaughlin (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's season-opening battle against the Chiefs but managed to finish the week with a full practice Friday. If McLaughlin were to suffer a setback, undrafted rookie Chris Naggar, who was activated from the practice squad Saturday, would be ready to step in.
The Texans' Ka'imi Fairbairn (leg) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, sidelining him for at least the first three games. Joey Slye was elevated from the practice squad Saturday to serve as Houston's kicker beginning with Sunday's Week 1 matchup versus the Jaguars.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Cornerbacks
The Jaguars' Tre Herndon (knee) will not play in Sunday's season-opening AFC South clash versus the Texans.
The 49ers' Emmanuel Moseley (knee) is doubtful to suit up for Sunday's Week 1 battle against the Lions after missing practice all week.
The Colts' Xavier Rhodes (calf) will not play in Sunday's season-opening interconference battle against the Seahawks.
The Ravens' Jimmy Smith (ankle) is listed as questionable for Monday night's matchup versus the Raiders.
The Ravens' Marcus Peters will be placed on season-ending injured reserve after tearing his ACL in practice Thursday.
Safeties
The Chiefs' Tyrann Mathieu was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday but remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.
The Browns' Grant Delpit (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's Week 1 battle against the Chiefs.
The Bears' Tashaun Gipson (back) is questionable for Sunday night's season-opening showdown versus the Rams.
The Bears' Eddie Jackson (wrist) is questionable for Sunday night's game against the Rams.
The Texans' Lonnie Johnson (thigh) will not play in Sunday's Week 1 divisional battle versus the Jaguars.
The Patriots' Jalen Mills (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's season-opening AFC East battle against the Dolphins.
The Eagles' Rodney McLeod (knee) will not play in Sunday's Week 1 conference matchup against the Falcons.
Defensive Linemen
The Browns' Jadeveon Clowney (illness) is questionable to play in Sunday's season-opening AFC Divisional Round rematch against the Chiefs but finished the week with a limited practice.
Linebackers
The Vikings' Anthony Barr (knee) will not play in Sunday's season-opening matchup against the Bengals.
The Broncos' Bradley Chubb (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's interconference Week 1 battle against the Giants.
The Steelers' Alex Highsmith (groin) is questionable for Sunday's Week 1 game versus the Bills but did finish the week with a full practice Friday.
The Bears' Khalil Mack (groin) is questionable for Sunday night's game versus the Rams but finished the week with a full practice Friday.
The Packers' Za'Darius Smith (back) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Saints and finished the week with a missed practice.
