The Las Vegas Raiders have listed wide receiver Amari Cooper as a backup on their official depth chart, slotting him behind Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, and rookie Dont'e Thornton. Cooper, who signed a one-year deal worth up to $6 million in late August, is entering his 11th NFL season and returning to the team that originally drafted him. At 31 years old, Cooper's role in the offense appears limited, and his ranking of WR94 in RotoBaller's rankings reflects that. His depth chart placement reinforces that he's off the fantasy radar for now. Fantasy managers should avoid Cooper in Week 1, as the Raiders open the season on the road against the New England Patriots.

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The Carolina Panthers don't plan to "run Chuba Hubbard dry" early in the season, per ESPN's David Newton. This shouldn't come as a surprise, as Hubbard set career highs in carries and receptions last year, averaging nearly 20 attempts per game before missing the final two contests with a calf injury. Carolina added depth to the backfield this offseason, signing 2024 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle and drafting Trevor Etienne in the fourth round, signaling more of a committee approach in 2025. Still, Hubbard enters the season as the clear lead back on what could be a breakout offense under Bryce Young. While his volume may dip slightly, his role as the top option keeps him firmly in the fantasy RB2 mix.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was not included on the team's initial injury report on Wednesday. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the former first-round pick missed time in camp due to an injury. However, seeing him not on the team's first injury report suggests he is not in any danger of missing their Week 1 match against the Indianapolis Colts. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his stats in case he has a setback. Last season, Waddle had a down year as he fell under the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. However, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa healthy entering the season, Waddle is in a prime spot to bounce back. He should be viewed as a high-end WR3 in all leagues in Week 1.

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) logged a full practice on Wednesday and is cleared to suit up in Week 1 when the Raiders face the New England Patriots. Pickett began the offseason with the Cleveland Browns but was traded to the Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick. The former first-round pick has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but appears to have moved past it. Fantasy managers should expect Pickett to operate as the backup option to Geno Smith. Currently, Aidan O'Connell (wrist) is on the injured reserve, which means Pickett will likely be given all of those opportunities under center if Smith were to miss time. Last season, Pickett spent time as Jalen Hurts' backup in Philadelphia but was deployed as a starter across his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. He is only worth a look in deeper superflex leagues if he were to take over the starting job.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III (knee) was listed as a full participant on the team's official injury report following practice on Wednesday. The undrafted rookie injured himself during Week 2 of the preseason, but it appears as though he'll be healthy enough to suit up in the Patriots' season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders this weekend. While Chism flashed pure talent during the preseason, he'll still need to earn opportunities throughout the regular season. For now, he's a lower-volume option near the bottom of the depth chart. He can be avoided in redraft leagues and stashed in deeper dynasty formats.

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The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Jauan Jennings have agreed to a restructured deal that adds $3 million worth of incentives to his contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He can now earn up to $10.5 million in 2025. San Francisco reportedly offered a multi-year extension that would have bought out at least one year of free agency, but he chose to bet on himself with the restructured contract. He will reach free agency next offseason, as scheduled. The former seventh-round pick enjoyed a huge breakout campaign in 2024, catching 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns. Although George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall will command plenty of targets this offseason, there should be more than enough volume to go around. Jennings remains an appealing WR3 option for fantasy football.

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers said that he is unsure whether he will sign an extension with the team, according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic. Meyers, who had his trade request denied by the Raiders earlier this summer, said that he decided not to hold out because he wanted to stay loyal to his teammates. The veteran receiver is heading into a contract year and could end up playing for the third team of his career next season. He's coming off a terrific 2024 campaign in which he scored four touchdowns while amassing a career-high 87 catches and 1,027 yards. With Meyers confirming that he won't hold out, fantasy managers should view him as a high-end WR3 in fantasy football this season.

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Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. The 22-year-old opened the practice week on an unfortunate note as the Dolphins continue to prepare for Sunday's season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. With that said, there are still two more days of practice for Wright's status to improve. Ideally, he logs at least one limited or full session if he's going to have a chance to play Sunday. Otherwise, there will be some shakeup within the Miami backfield, especially since starter De'Von Achane (calf) is also banged up. In the event that neither Wright nor Achane could play, rookie Ollie Gordon II would likely operate as the team's primary running back.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) was not listed on the team's official injury report Wednesday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The veteran signal caller missed most of camp, but he evidently had enough recovery time to be ready for the Rams' upcoming season opener against the Houston Texans. Stafford is less than two years removed from a Pro Bowl campaign in which he threw for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua at his disposal. His productivity dipped slightly last year, but he was still healthy for 16 games and led the Rams to a 10-win season. Heading into 2025, Stafford still has a strong group of weapons at his disposal, including Nacua and Davante Adams. Although he lacks rushing upside, his role in a strong passing offense gives him fantasy relevance as a mid-to-low QB2.

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Free-agent QB Nathan Peterman (Falcons) worked out for the Detroit Lions Wednesday, Sept. 3.

From TheHuddle

Los Angeles Chargers RB Najee Harris (eye) is expected to start against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh. 'He says he's ready, and he looks ready to go,' Harbaugh said.

Fantasy Spin: Harris missed training camp after suffering an eye injury during a fireworks accident, but it sounds like he will still draw the start in the opener. That being said, don't be surprised if rookie Omarion Hampton ends up handling more of the backfield touches overall in Week 1, leaving Harris as more of a flex option.

From TheHuddle

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (back) is not listed on the initial Week 1 injury report.

Fantasy Spin: Despite being limited througout the offeason, Stafford was expected to play in the opener, and his absence from the injury report is a strong indication that he will be under center. Assuming he can stay healthy all year, Stafford should be a quality QB2 who will deliver some QB1 performances.

From TheHuddle

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant for the team's first official practice of the year on Wednesday. It's unclear if Kirk's absence to begin the week was more maintenance related or if his hamstring injury will put him in jeopardy of suiting up for Week 1 on Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams. We should have a better idea on his availability for the season opener later this week, but this certainly isn't what fantasy managers want to see heading into Week 1 after the 28-year-old played in only eight games in 2024 in his final season in Jacksonville due to a broken collarbone. If Kirk's injury is nothing serious and he's active on Sunday, he should be considered more of a WR4/flex play in fantasy out of the slot against a dangerous Rams defense. If he's unable to play, rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel could immediately become interesting.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans WR Christian Kirk (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players will need to check later in the week to see if Kirk will be available for the Week 1 game. He was a consistent target during training camp and will see a few targets if he plays in the game. He is a risky option because of the injury but could be a possible flex option in some deeper leagues.

From TheHuddle

Houston Texans WR Braxton Berrios (hamstring), WR Christian Kirk (hamstring) and OT Cam Robinson (illness) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Sept. 3. OT Blake Fisher (ankle) was limited during practice.

From TheHuddle

Free-agent QB C.J. Beathard (Jaguars) is expected to be signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

From TheHuddle

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee), who is coming off a torn ACL suffered last year with the Houston Texans, is not listed on the team's initial injury report on Wednesday, confirming that he's on track to play in Week 1 on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Head coach Mike Vrabel also said on Tuesday that Diggs will "be out there" this weekend. It's great news for the Patriots offense and quarterback Drake Maye, who is heading into his first year as the full-time starter. Not only could the 31-year-old Diggs not be the same player coming off a torn ACL, but the Patriots' offense could have early-season growing pains with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels returning. The good news is he should operate as the WR1, but fantasy managers may want to temper expectations and treat him as a WR3/flex in Week 1.

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Jacksonville Jaguars rookie first-round wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (upper body), who has missed time in recent weeks with an upper-body injury, is not on the initial Week 1 injury report and is on track to make his regular-season NFL debut on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The Jags held the Heisman Trophy winner out of the preseason finale as a precaution, and his upper-body injury was never considered serious. While the 22-year-old will be active this weekend, the uncertainty about how many snaps he'll be on the field for on offense remains to be determined, making it hard to gauge his fantasy value early on. What isn't in question is Hunter's athleticism as a two-way star, and he has a clear path to WR2 duties behind Brian Thomas Jr., which makes him worth the risk as a WR3/flex in Week1.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (thigh) was listed as a full participant in the team's first official injury report on Wednesday ahead of their Week 1 contest on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, according to Aric DiLalla of DenverBroncos.com. Mims left practice early last Thursday but was able to return to the field on Monday. Barring a setback, the 23-year-old should be just fine for the season opener in Denver this weekend. The former second-rounder became a much bigger part of the Broncos' offense in the second half of last year and finished with 39 receptions on 52 targets for 503 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (two starts). Mims is lined up to open the year as the WR2 behind Courtland Sutton, but tight end Evan Engram, rookie receiver Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin will all be vying for targets. Mims is a boom/bust WR5/flex in deeper fantasy leagues.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (groin) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday, according to Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com. Otton suffered a groin injury last week, which could make him questionable to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. The 26-year-old also missed time early in training camp with a hamstring injury, so it hasn't exactly been a great summer for him. When fully healthy, Otton has TE2 appeal in fantasy leagues in a pass-happy Buccaneers offense. He might need to upgrade to a full practice on Thursday or Friday to avoid a questionable tag heading into Sunday. If Otton is out or limited at all this weekend, Tampa is expected to roll with a committee approach at the TE position that would involve Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and Devin Culp.

From RotoBaller