Khalil Mack exited early with an elbow injury against the Raiders but returned in the third quarter with a wrap and sling, finishing with a sack and a tackle. The Chargers rode to a 20-9 win, and Mack’s 12.5 career sacks against Las Vegas since 2021 remain the most by any player versus a single opponent in that span. Fantasy managers should monitor Mack’s status ahead of the next game and prepare contingency plans if his workload is limited.

Denzel Perryman suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 against Kansas City and was ruled questionable to return, thinning the Chargers middle as the defense tried to hold an early lead. Troy Dye stepped in and earned valuable reps with Perryman out, testing the depth behind the linebacker group.

Del Shawan Phillips and Marlowe Wax sit ready as depth options if Perryman misses time, with Dye continuing to push for more snaps. The matchup versus Kansas City in Brazil underscored the need for frontline depth and smart rotation in run and pass coverage.

Fantasy players should monitor Perryman status and the ensuing depth chart moves. If Perryman sits, Dye and Phillips could present late round or DFS streaming value, while Wax and other depth pieces become speculative adds in deeper leagues.

Week 1 NFL preseason offered a clear window into roster battles and breakout moments, with several Oregon Ducks alumni turning heads in NFL action. Traeshon Holden thrived for Dallas with a team-high 42 receiving yards on two targets, signaling a climb up the depth chart for a UDFA en route to potential late-season value. Noah Sewell flashed on defense for Chicago, piling up six tackles and a goal-line tackle that hinted at a key fit in Dennis Allen’s 4-3 scheme. Josh Conerly Jr. showed steady progress in his Chiefs-like test against New England’s defense at right tackle, posting a favorable pass-blocking and run-blocking grade. Troy Dye’s tackle against the Saints underscored his likely specialization and roster security in Los Angeles. Jamaree Caldwell delivered a Hall of Fame game day for Los Angeles, collecting a sack and four tackles, cementing a potential 53-man roster case. Denver’s Troy Franklin joined the party of Ducks edging toward meaningful NFL snaps with Denver, highlighting the depth of Ducks talent in the pros. As clubs sort through squadrons and special-teams roles, these veterans and rookies map the path to fantasy relevance and late-round upside for fantasy managers and bettors alike.

Overall, Week 1 showcased how immediate NFL opportunities can emerge from preseason performances. The Ducks-connected group illustrated a spectrum: Holden and Sewell offering tangible Week 1 momentum; Conerly Jr. and Caldwells’ and Dye’s micro-showings suggesting depth chart fights that could pay off in deeper fantasy rosters; and Franklin adding to a crowded Broncos WR corps. For fantasy managers, monitoring snap counts, depth-chart shifts, and special-teams duties from these players will be crucial as teams trim rosters toward the regular season. The weekend reminded everyone that preseason results often seed valuable late-season stories, especially for UDFA and mid-round rookies eager to prove they belong.

The Los Angeles Chargers have secured linebacker Troy Dye on a two-year contract valued at $5.5 million, with the potential to earn $8 million based on performance. After a solid season marked by a personal best of 57 tackles, Dye returns to the team following an initial stint with the Minnesota Vikings. His versatility has been vital, particularly as he filled the gap left by the injured Denzel Perryman, who is also a free agent this offseason. The Chargers recently lost special teams standout Nick Niemann to the Houston Texans, making Dye's re-signing an important move for the team.