Whom should you start? Whom should you sit? To help you set your fantasy football lineups and avoid starting an offensive player who won’t be in the lineup, we’ll post fantasy-relevant updates and analysis here as NFL teams release their official inactives lists.
Official Sunday inactives should begin coming in approximately 90 minutes before the scheduled kickoff times: around 11:30 a.m. ET for the early games and 2:30 p.m. ET for the late-afternoon games.
Refresh often for the latest information.
Don’t forget to check these out: Mike Clay’s Playbook | Week 1 Buzz
Week 1 Rankings | Matchup rankings for Week 1
Biggest concerns heading into Week 1
Players with early starts
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers (toe): Although the sophomore receiver dealt with a toe injury this preseason, he returned to full practice this week and is active for Week 1. Egbuka showed WR1 upside early last season before injuries took their toll on both him and QB Baker Mayfield. Egbuka brings that same upside this week in what could be a high-scoring game against the Bengals.
Rome Odunze, WR, Bears (calf): Odunze is active and good to go after he suffered his injury late last week and being limited in practice all week. While there is still added risk due to the calf, Odunze remains in play as a high-upside WR3/flex option. The Panthers were stingy against receivers last season, but the Bears’ offense should be good enough to overcome the matchup. Some options you can play over Odunze are Jaylen Waddle, Terry McLaurin, DJ Moore and Jameson Williams. However, Odunze should be played over Marvin Harrison Jr, Brian Thomas Jr, Courtland Sutton and Carnell Tate.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals (knee): Chase only learned on Thursday that the Bengals play the Buccaneers at 1 p.m. ET, but the good news is he is active. Chase brings overall WR1 upside in what could be a high-scoring game between two strong offenses.
Players with late starts
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Raiders (ankle): After dealing with this injury for most of the preseason, Jeanty practiced in full this week and will play in Week 1 against the Dolphins. Jeanty is a fantasy RB1 with the potential to be one of top RB scorers for the week. Last season, Miami ranked in the top eight in terms of most rushing and receiving yards allowed to backs. Mike Washington Jr. is a flex option with big-play upside in this matchup.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Cardinals (ankle): Love is another back dealing with a preseason ankle issue. The rookie got in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday. He was also listed as the RB2 on the Cardinals’ depth chart. Love is expected to play and, even if he is on limited touches, he should see enough involvement to be started in fantasy. He is an explosive runner and reliable pass catcher, so he brings RB1 upside even if Arizona plays it a bit safe with him in Week 1. Tyler Allgeier is also in play as a deeper-league flex option. He will likely operate as the team’s goal-line back.
Players going on Sunday night
Malik Nabers, WR, Giants (knee): Nabers is returning from a torn ACL and practiced in full this week. He told reporters it will be his decision whether or not he suits up. That said, the Giants elevated two WRs from the practice squad, and Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that his status is “murky at best.” If he suits up for the Giants, he should start in all fantasy leagues. Although the Cowboys have a new-look defense, they did allow the most yards, touchdowns and fantasy points to receivers last season. Nabers got them for 167 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2 last season.
With this being a Sunday night game, managers need an available pivot option available, either playing in that game or on Monday Night Football. Some options are Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, Pat Bryant, Tyquan Thornton and Marvin Mims Jr. You could also slide Nabers into your flex spot and check to see if Jake Ferguson is available.
Ruled out before Sunday
Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders (knee): Bowers underwent meniscus surgery on Wednesday. He will miss Week 1 but maybe not much more time than that. For those managers looking for a replacement, Juwan Johnson — who will likely be the No. 2 two target for the Saints in a game in which they will have to throw often — is my favorite waiver wire option. If not, Michael Mayer and Dalton Schultz are alternative choices to nab as a “plug and play” for Week 1.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Falcons (oblique): Atlanta’s quarterback has been ruled out after getting added to the injury report due to an injury that he suffered Thursday at practice. Cooper Rush is active as the “next man up” since Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is already out. Rush should not be started in fantasy, even in superflex leagues — especially since he experienced some discomfort in his back on Saturday. However, managers with Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. should still keep those Falcons in their lineups.
Who else we’re monitoring on Sunday
Players with early starts
ACTIVE
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Panthers (groin): Brooks is active for Week 1. He missed time late this preseason but has returned to practice this week in limited fashion. There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Brooks and his massive upside. However, he was limited to just 12 touches in his first two NFL seasons due to injury, and we do not know how the work will be distributed between Brooks and Chuba Hubbard in Week 1 (and beyond).
Hubbard brings the “safer floor” of the Panthers RBs, but Brooks brings more upside. I would take a wait-and-see approach with Brooks if you could pivot to someone like Bhayshul Tuten, Tony Pollard, Jaylen Warren or Kenny Gainwell. Start Brooks over Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and other murky backfields such as those of the Vikings and Broncos.
Alec Pierce, WR, Colts (ankle/heel): The highest-paid free agent receiver in NFL history has started his 2026 limited in practice. He is active for the Colts in Week 1. For fantasy, he is a high-ceiling play due to his field-stretching ability. He does bring some risk, though, given he has been dealing with multiple injuries this preseason.
However, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Sunday morning that he will be limited. While it is hard to put an exact number on things, Garafolo has heard Pierce will play “about 20 to 30 snaps.” That makes it tough to trust Pierce as anything more than a high-risk, high-reward flex option due to his field-stretching abilities. Some receivers you may want to start over him are Wan’Dale Robinson, Chris Godwin Jr., Quentin Johnston and Jalen Coker. This also makes Josh Downs a more attractive WR3/flex option.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Jaguars (thumb): The receiver had been limited at practice but said that he would be playing in Week 1. He is active, so consider him to be a flex option who is more of a “safe floor” than an upside play. Some options to start over Meyers are Jaguars WRs Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr, as well as Christian Watson, Quentin Johnston, Chris Godwin Jr and Wan’Dale Robinson. However, you can start Meyers over Stefon Diggs, Alec Pierce, Tre Tucker and Khalil Shakir.
LeQuint Allen Jr., RB, Jaguars (hip): Allen is active after entering the day as a game-time decision. While he is not himself fantasy-relevant, his presence adds another wrinkle into the Jags backfield. Allen will likely handle third downs and passing down situations. That makes Bhayshul Tuten a little more volatile. However, given the matchup against the Browns — and likely a lot of positive game script — Tuten remains in play as an upside RB2. Play him over backs from the Steelers, Panthers, Commanders, Vikings and Broncos.
INACTIVE
Ty Johnson, RB, Bills (leg): Buffalo’s passing-down back did not practice this week and is inactive. His absence should lead to more passing-down opportunities for James Cook III. Cook is a must-play option despite the tough matchup.
Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints (knee): Kamara was limited in practice this week and is inactive. Travis Etienne Jr. would have been a strong start, regardless, but with Kamara sitting, he brings top-10 RB upside as he will likely handle the bulk of passing-down opportunities.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Buccaneers (knee): The receiver is inactive for Week 1. As stated earlier, Emeka Egbuka is a must-play option — and he might well see an uptick in volume. Chris Godwin Jr. also could see a slight volume boost and is in play as a WR3/flex option.
Sean Tucker, RB, Buccaneers (hamstring): Tampa Bay’s RB3 is inactive for Week 1. Last season, Tucker handled a good chunk of the Buccaneers’ goal-line looks. Without him, those looks should go to either Bucky Irving or Kenny Gainwell. Irving is a strong start, while Gainwell is a flex option in what could be a high-scoring game.
Players with late starts
Chris Bell, WR, Dolphins (knee): Bell had first-round NFL draft hype before tearing an ACL in college. That injury caused him to miss much of the preseason, but the Dolphins announced this week that Bell will start alongside Caleb Douglas. More importantly, he will not be on a snap count. Bell is worth grabbing if he is on your league’s waiver wire.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Commanders (groin): He has been limited in practice this week. While he is on track to suit up, given both the uncertain usage split between him and Rachaad White and a tough matchup, it would be wise to sit him if you can. I would rather play backs such as Tony Pollard, Jordan Mason, J.K. Dobbins or Kenny Gainwell.
Players going on Sunday night
Malik Davis, RB. Cowboys (hip): Dallas’ RB2 was carted off the practice field on Friday. The team has since announced that Davis will have surgery and will be placed on injured reserve. The only other backup RB on their roster headed into the weekend was Emari Demercado, however the team has now elevated Israel Abanikanda from the practice squad. Expect Javonte Williams to handle a lot of work in Week 1. He has RB1 upside against the Giants.
