UPDATE: 9:38 a.m. Saturday
Lots has occurred since our early posting this week. The largest harm information is the meniscus tear suffered by the No. 1 tight finish, the Raiders’ Brock Bowers. He’ll miss Week 1, and at the very least a few weeks after that.
The season-opening recreation proved painful for New England star receiver A.J. Brown. He’s now on injured reserve.with a high-ankle sprain that may sideline him at the very least a month.
A number of questionable gamers usually tend to play this week. Arizona rookie RB Jeremiyah Love and Las Vegas sophomore Ashton Jeanty are actually anticipated to begin, as is Chicago wideout Rome Odunze. And whereas Giants WR Malik Nabers is taking part in it coy, he must be on the sphere tomorrow night time in opposition to Dallas.
Cooper Rush will now quarterback Atlanta because of accidents to Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa. That may transform excellent news for high Falcons performers Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts.
ORIGINAL POST: 6:00 a.m. Wednesday
Yearly, like clockwork, some gamers come out of nowhere to develop into Week 1 headliners. And nowhere is principally the place MarShawn Lloyd spent his first two seasons within the NFL.
The Inexperienced Bay operating again, restricted to at least one recreation and 6 carries over two injury-plagued years, is being counted on closely with Josh Jacobs touchdown on the exempt listing.
It’s removed from sure how lengthy Lloyd is the Packers’ No. 1, so he’d higher produce instantly, beginning Sunday in Minnesota. Our guess is that he may have an enormous coming-out get together in opposition to the Vikings.
Listed below are another under-the-radar names that would have Week 1 breakouts:
Tony Pollard (Titans RB) — The previous Cowboy completed 2025 robust, and he opens at residence in opposition to the lowly New York Jets.
Travis Etienne (Saints RB) — Ex-Jacksonville standout makes his New Orleans debut in opposition to what’s left of Detroit’s protection.
Michael Wilson (Cardinals WR) — Arizona will doubtless be chasing factors in opposition to the Chargers, and Wilson has develop into a favourite of QB Jacoby Brissett.
Emeka Egbuka (Buccaneers WR) — Cincinnati’s sieve of a protection is again, which is nice information for Tampa’s new No. 1 receiver, regardless of his sore toe.
Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers QB) — Similar goes for the man throwing to Egbuka.
Contents
Sitting stars
Arizona rookie Jeremiah.Love might have a troublesome time in his debut in opposition to the Chargers. … Neither Carolina RB (Chuba Hubbard and Jonathan Brooks) shall be value beginning in opposition to Chicago. … Two standout receivers of the summer time will cool off: San Francisco’s De’Zhaun Stribling vs. the Rams, and Cleveland’s Ok.C. Concepcion vs. the Jaguars. … Benchable tight ends embrace the Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson vs. the Packers and the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce in opposition to Denver. … And New England QB Drake Maye shall be beneath a lot duress in his Tremendous Bowl rematch in Seattle.
Matchup recreation
Assure: Baltimore RB Derrick Henry will get at the very least one TD in opposition to Indianapolis. … Likewise for Vikings WR Justin Jefferson vs. the Packers and Chargers RB Omarion Hampton in opposition to Arizona. … Rebounding wideouts beginning quick will embrace the Giants’ Malik Nabers vs. Dallas and the Chargers’ Ladd McConkey vs. Arizona. … Tennessee rookie WR Carnell Tate will take off in opposition to the Jets. … As will now-healthy Raiders tight finish Brock Bowers in opposition to the lowly Dolphins.
Damage watch
Ashton Jeanty leads the listing of the preseason injured who might return for the opener, so regulate Las Vegas’ sophomore RB. Others to observe are New England operating again TreVeyon Henderson, Baltimore WR Zay Flowers, Tennessee wideout Wan’Dale Robinson, Inexperienced Bay tight finish Tucker Kraft and Niners veteran George Kittle.
The deepest sleepers
There aren’t many groups as defensively poor as Miami and Las Vegas. So, though you’ve gotten higher quarterbacks in your roster than the Raiders’ Kirk Cousins and the Dolphins’ Malik Willis, this could possibly be per week for padding their stats. Decide them up in case your high QB has a troublesome opening matchup.
The early picks
Patriots at Seahawks (-3½):
Decide: Seahawks by 11
49ers vs. Rams (-2½):
Decide: Rams by 6
Breaking information
We’ll be updating our column, based mostly on the newest accidents and innuendo, proper up till Sunday’s kickoff. Go to p.
You’ll be able to hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Present” podcast on iTunes. You’ll be able to observe Kevin on X — @theloopnow. He might be reached at m.
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