Jackson's hamstring kept him out of practice for a second straight day ahead of Baltimore's home game vs. Houston. Ravens defenders Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, Patrick Ricard, Marlon Humphrey, and Chidobe Awuzie were listed as missing practice; Nnamdi Madubuike hit IR. Houston's Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. returned to practice, with Autry and Reed also progressing. Jackson's status and the Ravens' depth will shape Sunday's matchup.

Jaire Alexander is inactive for the Ravens at Cleveland after a limited week of practice and a rough Week 1 showing against Buffalo, where he allowed a big gain and drew a costly DPI. Ravens coach John Harbaugh emphasized practice time as a key factor in his early-season form and said they’ll give him opportunities to bounce back. New starter Chidobe Awuzie filled in as the No. 3 corner last week. Baltimore also ruled out Keaton Mitchell, Patrick Ricard, Isaiah Likely, Carson Vinson and David Ojabo, with Ricard and Likely out again. Cleveland will be without two-time All-Pro right tackle Jack Conklin, a notable matchup edge for Baltimore’s pass rush. For fantasy, Alexander’s inactivity could tilt pass-game volume toward the Browns’ receivers, while the Ravens’ depth pieces may reshape snap shares on defense and special teams.

Meanwhile, Bills veteran Keon Coleman produced a notable late-game gain against Baltimore the prior week, highlighting the volatility of Ravens secondary depth and the impact of practice time on coverage. This game sets up a ball-control, multi-RB approach for Baltimore if Mitchell is healthy but sits again, leaving the backfield in flux. The confluence of these inactives and practice narratives creates a week-to-week puzzle for fantasy managers in lineups and DFS lineups alike.

Buffalo leans into a true team-first passing attack in 2025, spreading targets across Palmer, Moore, Shakir, Kincaid, Knox, Cook and other options after Diggs’ departure. Josh Allen’s efficiency and timing remain the engine, with 2024’s franchise-record scoring powered by broad distribution rather than a single superstar. Baltimore’s revamped secondary—Alexander likely out, with Wiggins, Humphrey, Awuzie and Hamilton delivering playmaking depth—tests Buffalo’s depth but also highlights the Bills’ collective approach as a path to victory in Week 1 at Highmark.

Buffalo’s matchup against Baltimore hinges on whether the new receivers can sustain the spread-minded attack, and whether Allen can exploit the Ravens’ still-improving secondary without a top target carrying the load. The Ravens answered in 2024 by tightening the back end, setting up a contrast between Buffalo’s multi-pronged corps and Baltimore’s strength-on-strength defense, setting the stage for a nuanced, chess-match season opener.