8:54AM ET
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Eric Moody ESPN
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- Former manager of a Fortune 100 financial services company, now living my dream of creating fantasy and sports betting content on the NFL, NBA and WNBA for ESPN.
Read ESPN’s Fantasy Football Daily Notes Stay up to date with the news you need to know every weekday and get a sneak peek at fantasy football content coming out today and tomorrow on ESPN.com and the ESPN Fantasy App.
news: 
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) prepares to face the Chargers on Sunday.
What does this mean in fantasy : Injuries limited Waller in the preseason, but shouldn’t limit him in Week 1. Fantasy managers don’t have to worry about Waller either Le’s contract (signed in 2019 and ranked 17th among all tight ends in the league with two years remaining) would be a distraction.
NEWS: Chris Godwin It has not been confirmed if he will play against the Cowboys in Week 1.
Meaning in fantasy: On a recent episode of the “In the Moment” podcast with David Green, Godwin was asked about playing in the first week, but declined to give a percentage chance. At the end of last season, Godwin went through a practice session without knee pads to protect his torn ACL, and he appeared to be taking a big step toward his return on Sunday night, but that may not be the case. Since he’s been practicing, Wednesday’s injury report may not offer much insight. There will be a better indication of the injury designation on Friday.
deeper: Godwin and quarterback Tom Brady are averaging 75 yards per game.
Message: Kenneth · Walker III’s status against the Broncos in Week 1 remains uncertain.
Meaning in fantasy: Pete Carroll said Walker could be back in time for the first week after her back hernia surgery in mid-August, but that looks unlikely. Rashaad Penny could join the fantasy lineup as a low-end RB2, but will eventually compete with Walker for a possible carry on the backcourt committee.
news: Dameon Pierce is listed as the Texans’ starter on their updated depth chart.
Meaning in fantasy: Pierce was third on the Texans’ depth chart not long ago, but his starting spot was officially announced on Tuesday. Rex Burkhead and Marlon Mack were ahead of him at the start of training camp. Burkhead was Pierce’s backup as Mack was cut from the Texans’ active and practice roster. During the preseason, Pierce rushed for 86 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was on the flex radar in Week 1 against the Colts for the Texans looking to improve their running game.
news: 
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that Sterling Shepard will play against the Titans in Week 1.
Meaning in fantasy: Shepard was activated from the PUP roster in late August following a torn Achilles tendon in December. Despite the impressive turnaround, he will have a hard time believing the fantastic lineup in Week 1. Kenny Goradi and Kadarius Toney both ended their respective injury-riddled seasons. According to Raanan, Golladay apparently ran the line “with the stiffness of the mannequin,” while Darius Slayton didn’t practice without an excuse Tuesday, instead running with a bench for most of the camp. All of this points to actively hiding rookie Vendell Robinson. The Giants are expecting him to play a Deebo Samuel-esque role this season after a great training camp and preseason.
1:26
Eric Eric Moody breaks down the New York Giants’ receiving room and why he thinks Wandell Robinson is an interesting fantasy option.
goes deeper: In his six years of Sheppard has only played two full seasons in his career, and has played no more than 12 games per season since 2018. Because of his resilience and organizational skills at Kentucky. His career totals include 141 rushing attempts for 691 yards and 185 catches for 2,248 yards.
news: Van Jefferson is unlikely to play in the season opener against the Bills.
Meaning in fantasy: Jefferson is still recovering from his second knee surgery of the offseason. Ben Skowronek and Tutu Atwell will fill the void. Skowronek was a problem in his rookie season, and Atwell didn’t play a single offense offensively. You shouldn’t trust your lineup unless you’re playing in a very deep league.
deeper: Jefferson averaged 16.0 yards per catch on the Rams’ high-intensity offense last season for a total of 373.2 yards per game (Game 7 ).
news: During Tuesday’s press conference, coach Sean McDermott didn’t appear to be concerned about Isaiah McKenzie playing against the Rams on Thursday availability in the season opener.
Meaning in fantasy: A groin injury recently kept McKenzie out of practice, but he returned to practice Monday. He is expected to fill the void left by Cole Beasley, who averaged 7.0 goals per game in three seasons with the Bills.
deeper: In the past, Josh Allen was the second-best quarterback for two seasons. Beasley averaged 12 points in three seasons with the Bills.
information: Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told reporters that Ty Montgomery could play against the Dolphins in Week 1.
Meaning in fantasy: Montgomery injured his ankle in the team’s final game of the preseason, but he will travel to Miami with the rest of his teammates. If Montgomery plays, Rhamondre Stevenson’s role as a backcourt wide receiver will suffer. Either way, Stevenson is firmly on the nimble radar.
today on ESPN.com /Fantasy and ESPN Fantasy apps
Matt Bowen’s film research helps determine his promotion and relegation in Week 1
Eric Karabell Week 1 Superflex Rankings for your 2QB and tough flex lineup decision
Seth Walder uses NFL Next Gen Stats to identify mismatches you can take advantage of in Week 1
Fantasy Focus Podcast: Who’s Healthy and Who’s Not in Week 1 ? Listen | Watch
Thursday:
Field Yates Week 1 Fantastic Field Pass
Tristan H. Cockcroft’s Best and Worst Team Showdown at Each Position
Mike Clay’s TNF script: Breaking Bill @ Rams
Al Zeidenfeld’s DFS Best Buy
•: Fantasy Focus Football Podcast: Thursday Night Football Preview + CSS DFS
in case you missed it:
Mike Clay’s shadow report looks at the Week 1 wide receiver matchup vs. the coverage secondary they’ll see from each other
Tristan H. Cockcroft’s Consistent Ranking Update: 2020-2022 highlights weekly players who can be trusted versus players who are more boom or bust.
This Week’s DFS Proposal and Ranking 1 DraftKings and FanDuel Contest
Fantasy Focus Podcast: Post-Draft strategic program. You have your team… now what? LISTEN | WATCH
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