September 13, 2026
Kamara Out Week 1, Mayer $45M Extension & Lamar Contract Limbo
🔥 TRENDING TOPICS
Cooper Rush experienced back spasms Saturday morning but the Falcons confirmed he will start Week 1 against Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Green Bay TE Tucker Kraft agreed to a four-year extension worth $75 million with up to $92 million including a $26.5 million signing bonus.
📰 TOP STORIES
Jim Harbaugh enters Week 1 with a perfect 6-0 record in season openers, looking to go 7-0 with his Chargers — an enthusiasm unknown to mankind indeed.
Lamar Jackson plays his first game under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle with no contract extension in place and no substantive talks reported.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara is not expected to play in New Orleans' Week 1 opener, leaving a major hole in the Saints backfield from day one.
NFC North rivals Green Bay and Minnesota kick off Week 1 on CBS, with oddsmakers, picks, and predictions all in focus for the divisional showdown.
Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. is unlikely to play today against the Falcons due to a back injury, and a trade is reportedly possible.
Bears WR Rome Odunze (calf) is expected to play vs. the Panthers in Week 1 despite a questionable tag, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Rookie Jeremiyah Love remains questionable with an ankle injury but is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday at the Chargers, per Ian Rapoport.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day reveals the Buckeyes considered letting Texas score late in a 23-17 game but ultimately chose to play defense and hold on.
PFF data backs the Jets over the Titans in Week 1, citing Geno Smith's favorable matchup against a Tennessee defense that struggled to create disruption.
Raiders TE Michael Mayer landed a 3-year, $45M extension as he steps in for injured Brock Bowers to start the regular season for Las Vegas.
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🔍 DEEP DIVE
The biggest fantasy storyline heading into Week 1 kickoff is Alvin Kamara's absence. The Saints running back is not expected to play on Sunday, leaving New Orleans without one of the most electric backs in the league to open the 2026 season. If you rostered Kamara expecting an immediate return on investment, it's time to scramble — whoever steps into that backfield becomes an instant must-add. Meanwhile in Las Vegas, Brock Bowers is also sidelined to start the year, which triggered the Raiders to lock up tight end Michael Mayer on a 3-year, $45 million extension. Mayer inherits TE1 duties for the Raiders in what should be a prominent role while Bowers recovers — making him a sneaky streaming option.
The other major thread is quarterback uncertainty at the highest level. Lamar Jackson takes the field today under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle without a contract extension — and per reports, the Ravens and Jackson haven't even had substantive talks. For fantasy managers, Jackson's elite dual-threat upside remains fully intact, but the off-field noise is worth monitoring as the season progresses. Elsewhere under center, Cooper Rush is confirmed to start for the Falcons in Week 1 after battling back spasms Saturday morning, and Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out with an oblique injury — making Rush the starter in that situation too.
The pattern here is clear: Week 1 is already breaking rosters. Between Kamara out, Bowers sidelined, Tua ruled out, and Joey Porter Jr. (questionable, back) unlikely to suit up with a trade even possible, the injury and availability chaos is front-loaded. The good news for managers is that Rome Odunze and Jeremiyah Love are both expected to play despite questionable tags, giving some relief on the upside. Tucker Kraft's massive 4-year, $75M extension also signals the Packers' long-term offensive vision heading into their NFC North clash with Minnesota today.
Tomorrow, watch for official injury designations and snap count reports from today's early games. Kamara's exact timeline, Porter Jr.'s trade situation, and whether Mayer can translate his new role into immediate fantasy production will be the stories to track as Week 1 results roll in.