In San Francisco, injuries again dominated the chatter as the 49ers head toward Week 1. Mac Jones sprained a knee in the latest preseason game and will sit this week, with Kyle Shanahan stressing it’s not expected to be a long-term issue and Week 1 remains the target. Dominick Puni is nursing a knee sprain and could miss multiple weeks, with a real possibility of missing the opener against Seattle. Depth pieces like Corey Kiner and Mykel Williams surfaced as potential swing players depending on practice recoveries.

The club also weighed season-opening roster decisions as Patrick Taylor Jr. went on IR and Nate Sudfeld was moved to clear a spot. Ben Bartch returned with a brace, Trent Williams and Matt Hennessy offered cautious optimism about blockers, and Renardo Green and Rencarno Stout were mentioned as calf and hamstring timelines linger. The combine of injuries underscores how Week 1 depth and special-teams contributions could swing fantasy value and roster edges forSF.

Geno Smith, James Conner, Ladd McConkey, Tucker Kraft, Sam Cosmi, YaYa Diaby, Jack Campbell and Christian Benford anchor a list of underrated NFL talents for 2025. The piece highlights how Smith’s clean-pocket efficiency could translate into late-round fantasy upside with the Raiders, Conner’s all-around production and efficiency metrics, and McConkey’s route-running and production as a rookie in a run-heavy Charger attack. Kraft’s yardage and targets project him as a potential top-5 TE with room to grow, while Cosmi, despite missing time, has elite run- and pass-blocking marks. Diaby’s leap as an edge, Campbell’s tackling and coverage strides, and Benford’s defensive efficiency round out the cohort, underscoring which players could outpace public perception under a favorable roster context.

For fantasy managers, the piece argues these players offer solid floor and meaningful upside: Smith in a pro-grade system with protection, Conner in a 0-1 punch with high yards after contact, McConkey as a high-volume yak creator, Kraft as a heater for Jordan Love’s target tree, Cosmi as a blocker with pass-protection upside, Diaby as a breakout edge, Campbell as a versatile LB with coverage gains, and Benford as a shutdown corner in a stout Bills defense. The angle blends efficiency metrics with opportunity and health.

Altogether, the roster context, performance trends and injury notes create a blueprint for identifying value in season-long and DFS formats, offering a fresh slate of players who could overperform relative to their draft cost.

The Eagles could be without Landon Dickerson for weeks or months after a torn meniscus, forcing an overhaul at guard. Philadelphia is weighing internal options like Brett Toth, Matt Pryor, Kenyon Green, and Trevor Keegan, plus veteran free agents such as Brandon Scherff, Jedrick Wills Jr., Dalton Risner, and Liam Eichenberg. A robust trade route is also on the table with names like Liam Eichenberg and Tytus Howard entering the discussion. The move mix will shape the line’s chemistry and fantasy upside across the rest of the season.

Depth and versatility matter as the Eagles juggle immediate fill-ins with long-term stability. If a signing or upgrade lands early, it could unlock Joe Flacco’s or Jalen Hurts’ play-action chances and keep Philadelphia’s run game effective. Fantasy managers should monitor not just the starter’s status but the guard rotation and how insertions affect inside-zone schemes and up-front efficiency.

Matt Henningsen faces a season-ending Achilles tear after a one-on-one drill in a Broncos-49ers joint practice, with surgery planned on the tendon when Denver returns home after the preseason clash. The injury closes the book on a 2025 campaign for the former Wisconsin Badger and tests Denver’s DL depth as they push toward roster decisions in advance of a pivotal season.

Henningsen arrived in Denver as a 2022 sixth‑round pick and delivered steady on-field contributions in 2022 and 2023, appearing in all 17 games each year before spending 2024 on the practice squad. His college résumé at Wisconsin—40 games played from 2018–21, 89 tackles, 14 for loss, eight sacks, and a role on a historically stout defense—paints a picture of a versatile lineman whose return in 2026 will be watched closely by fantasy managers tracking Broncos DL depth and upside.

The Washington Commanders had a remarkable 2024 season, highlighted by an NFC Championship Game run, driven by unexpected heroes and revitalized strategies. Head coach Dan Quinn brought charisma and innovative tactics, while rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels earned accolades as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Terry McLaurin emerged as a Pro Bowl receiver, showcasing his elite skills.

The most surprising development was the return of Kliff Kingsbury, once dismissed as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. After a transformative sabbatical in Asia, he re-emerged as a consultant at Southern California, where he refined his game with Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Kingsbury's re-integration into the NFL could signal a shift in offensive strategies for teams looking to adapt to the evolving game.