Evans’ Week 1 status is starting to look iffy after missing most of the past few weeks with various injuries. Entering his age-33 season, Evans will need to log at least a couple practices next week if he’s going to suit up against the Rams in the season opener. Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said Evans is “ahead of schedule doing good. But we know with Mike and where he is at in his career, we’ll definitely have to treat him differently.” An Evans absence would be a marked boost for De’Zhaun Stribling and perhaps Deebo Samuel. Evans will be a name to watch in the coming days.

Warren is recovering from an apparently minor groin injury. By all accounts he should be a full go for Week 1. Warren last season was top three among tight ends in targets per route run and first-read target rate in the balanced Colts offense. He’ll offer a sturdy weekly floor and could lead the team in targets in 2026 if he stays healthy.

Pierce missed most of training camp while recovering from offseason ankle surgery after signing a huge contract extension with the Colts. Pierce appears on track to suit up for Week 1. Whether Pierce is on some sort of pitch count remains to be seen. Pierce should eventually function as the team’s WR1, operating as more than a strictly downfield threat. He should be seen as a flex play for now.

Jeanty remains sidelined ahead of the Raiders’ Week 1 matchup against the Dolphins after sustaining a potentially high ankle sprain last week. Meanwhile, rookie RB Mike Washington “has changed the staff’s perspective of the running back room,” according to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden with some impressive play during training camp and in the preseason. Head coach Klint Kubiak said he’s “not making any promises on percentages of play time” for Washington or Jeanty ahead of the season opener. Jeanty could be a while before he’s ready to take on a true workhorse role in the Vegas backfield. Washington should be rostered in all fantasy formats for now.

Licht during a Wednesday presser said the Bucs were “on to Cincinnati” with the regular season less than two weeks away. Licht has called Mayfield a franchise quarterback, but has not offered the veteran a long-term deal ahead of the 2026 season. Mayfield could be on his way out of Tampa in 2027 unless the team decides to use the franchise tag on him. Mayfield ranks 11th out of 40 qualifying QBs in adjusted EPA per drop back since the start of the 2024 season, ahead of Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott, among others.

Musgrave is coming back from a neck injury with no clear timeline for a return to action. The Packers last week signed Jonnu Smith, who will play behind Tucker Kraft to start the regular season. Smith could be an interesting waiver add if Kraft — returning from a major knee injury — misses any time in 2026.

“Asked if there’s a scenario in which the Packers release Jacobs, Gutekunst says he wants to let the process play out,” The Athletic’s Matt Schneidmann said. Jacobs on Sunday was placed on the Commissioners Exempt List while his legal situation plays out. Jacobs in May was arrested and booked on five charges, including felony strangulation. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Monday that Jacobs’ time on the exempt list was, for now, indefinite, and hinged entirely on how his legal situation unfolds. If damning video evidence is released, Jacobs could miss most or all of the regular season. MarShawn Lloyd would start the year as Green Bay’s lead back and has a chance to be one of fantasy’s best running back values.

Love is still working his way back from a preseason high ankle sprain, and has been spotted doing some light practice work in recent days. The Cardinals will “have to see how he progresses” before they decided whether to make the rookie back active for Week 1. If Love is out for the season opener, Tyler Allgeier could see a heavy workload, as James Conner (ankle) begins the season on injured reserve. Trey Benson could also see backfield touches if Love is sidelined.

That could mean the team will have to hammer out a new deal with Joey Porter, Jr. before the season kicks off in less than two weeks. The Steelers recently activated Porter from the PUP list after he dealt with a supposed back injury in the offseason. Porter will most likely have to play out his rookie contract or hold out. He would be a big loss for the Pittsburgh defense.

Nabers told reporters Monday that he still needed to clear a few checkpoints before being ready to suit up for the season opener against Dallas. “Will it take some time? Who knows?” he said. “But I know for sure if I’m out there, I’m going to run some routes.” Some routes and movements, he added, feel better than others on surgically-repaired knee. Even so, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan said the “expectation is [Nabers] will be playing barring some sort of setback.” A target hog who’s explosive with the ball in his hands, Nabers profiles as a risky fantasy selection for now. His absence in the season opener would be a blow to Jaxson Dart’s outlook.