NFL News and Fantasy Football Implications: De'Von Achane, Jaylen Warren and More
Looking at recent NFL news and what it means for fantasy football owners.
With week 1 NFL regular season games closing in, let's take a look at some news from around the league to see if there's anything fantasy football owners should be keeping their eyes on.
The heart of our conversation will be injury-related news. Let's dive right in!
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De'Von Achane and Tyreek Hill Likely to Play
Achane has been nursing a calf injury this preseason, but is practicing on Monday and is expected to play in week 1 against the Colts.
Achane is one of the better fantasy backs in the league, so his fantasy owners are happy to get this news. It'll be something to keep in mind as the season progresses though.
He might be a touch limited in week 1, in an effort to keep him healthy all season. That could mean some extra looks for Ollie Gordon II, especially with Jaylen Wright not being likely to suit up because of an injury of his own. He's expected to miss multiple weeks.
Hill is working through an oblique injury, but also is on track to play.
He is coming off an injury-riddled 2024 season in which he regressed a good amount. Hill is a bit overlooked, in my eyes, going into this season. The injury concern isn't helping matters, but Hill could turn right back into an elite fantasy wideout if he and the rest of the team stay healthy this season.
Hill's injury leading into week 1 could mean more work for fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle and tight end Darren Waller. The tight end is ramping up and is expected to play after un-retiring this offseason - he'd be a risky play in week 1, even if Hill were to miss the game.
Jalen Coker Placed on IR
The Panthers' young wideout hit the injured list with a “significant” quad strain.
He's eligible to return in week 4, but he could miss up to six weeks. That's a tough blow for a team that just traded Adam Thielen back to the Vikings.
Rookie Tetairoa McMillan now has a stranglehold on the top wideout spot in Carolina. Xavier Legette is a solid No. 2 option. Hunter Renfrow was signed a couple days back, and could immediately start.
Rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. is another player to watch early in the season.
Steelers' Sign RB to Extension
Pittsburgh signed Jaylen Warren to a two-year extension on Monday. That will keep him in Pittsburgh through 2027.
It's a bit of a surprising move, as the team drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Warren has been a serviceable back over his career, and will likely factor into the Steelers' backfield for at least the next three seasons now.
This is bigger news to dynasty fantasy owners out there. Johnson's dynasty outlook takes a bit of a hit from the re-signing, while Warren's dynasty ceiling is now capped too.
Warren and Johnson should be significant parts of the team's offense in 2025. The team's pass-catching options are a bit weak to start the season, and until things get worked out, riding the RB duo could be the way the Steelers' offense operates.
KC Rookie Wideout Unlikely to Play
Jalen Royals is not expected to play in week 1 against the Chargers. He's dealing with a knee injury.
The Chiefs will be hurting in the wideout room early on, with Rashee Rice suspended and now Royals possibly out with an injury. Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster are the expected starters. Nikko Remigio and Tyquan Thornton are some backup options.
Worthy should lead the way in the wideout room after a good rookie season in 2024. Brown and Smith-Schuster are options in deeper leagues with Rice out of action.
What the Rice suspension and injury to Royals really means is more work for tight end Travis Kelce. Running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt might also take on more touches in the opening week, at least.
Parsons Practicing with Packers
Micah Parsons hit the practice field with the Packers for the first time on Monday. That puts him in line to suit up in week 1 against the Lions.
He might be a touch limited considering he hasn't had a normal preseason, but he should be out there enough to make a difference, even if it's for less plays than usual.
The Packers' D/ST has been on the rise since the news of the Parsons' trade. They have a tough first test against the Lions' offense, but the addition of Parsons is definitely a plus in the D/ST's favor.
