49ers TE George Kittle (Achilles) looks like he'll play Week 1

Sep 08, 2026

Tight end George Kittle traveled with the 49ers to Australia, which was a sign he would play in Thursday night’s season opener. It sounds like Kittle will play, but how much remains to be seen.

“It’s been pretty cool to see Kittle out there looking like himself, looking fresh,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “How that affects him on game day and what the workload is, that will be determined. But he looks good to me.

Fantasy Impact:

Kittle sounds like he'll come with risks for fantasy owners in Week 1. Game flow could also be a factor in how much he plays. The good news is the story said Kittle is practicing at full speed and getting a ton of reps. Kubiak added, "I feel like we’re in good shape." Kittle tore his right Achilles in a Jan. 11 playoff game against the Eagles. He underwent surgery three days later.

yesterday

Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet on aggressive timetable

Corbin K. Smith on X

yesterday · 8:26 PM EDT

Zach Charbonnet has an "aggressive" timetable that he's currently on target to make coming back from torn ACL, per Mike Macdonald.

Related players: Jadarian Price, Emanuel Wilson, George Holani

Fantasy Impact:

The post said the team wouldn't divulge what that timetable looks like, however. We do know Charbonnet will miss the first four games of the season - at least. But it sounds like part of the plan may be to get him back soon after that. However, Charbonnet had his surgery in late February, so an early October return is still only about 7-8 months of recovery. Mcdonald did say Charbonnet has looking "dang good." For now, the rookie Price is poised to be the team's RB1.

Cardinals optimistic RB Jeremiyah Love plays Week 1

Adam Schefter on X

yesterday · 8:20 PM EDT

Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur said Monday he is optimistic that first-round pick Jeremiyah Love will be able to play Sunday against the Chargers.

Related players: Tyler Allgeier, Zonovan Knight

Fantasy Impact:

We're at about the four-week mark since Love suffered a high ankle sprain and it's been a race against the clock to get him ready. While the Cards would love to have their first round pick in the lineup Week 1, they have a more than capable back in Allgeier. However, this seems like very good news for Love owners that he'll be ready to go Week 1. It will be worth monitoring right up until gametime to see if we can get a clue about a potential workload if Love is active. Even if he's a go, Love could be on a pitch count.

Panthers say TE Darren Waller looks 'big and fast'

Joe Person on X

yesterday · 3:57 PM EDT

Asked how Darren Waller has looked, Dave Canales said: "Big and fast."

Related players: Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders

Fantasy Impact:

Person went on to say the Panthers used a slow ramp up with Waller this summer after his soft-tissue issues with the Dolphins coming off his one-yr retirement. But the veteran TE expects to be active Sunday vs. the Bears, Person added. Waller had some nice games last season getting back into action. He had six TDs in nine games, but those six TDs came in just four different contests. Waller averaged just 2.67 catches a game last year and had three or less catches in seven of his nine games. The Panthers TE situation seems like one to wait-and-see on, especially with a questionable passing game and QB situation. The Panthers have Tremble and Sanders on the roster as well.