Christian McCaffrey's calf issue landed him on the 49ers' injury report after a camp and preseason that went smoothly. San Francisco plans a cautious, workload-managed approach to protect their star, a reset that mirrors last season's calf/achilles saga and Week 1 absence. Fantasy managers should monitor Friday's update for a clearer Week 1 picture and be prepared for a pragmatic mix of McCaffrey and SF playmakers.

George Kittle's proximity to McCaffrey and SF's pacing plan could shift targets if the backfield workload is capped early. The context hints SF's high-octane offense may lean on pass-catchers like Kittle and others if McCaffrey's snaps are limited, keeping the offense dangerous while safeguarding durability against a long season.

Week 1 fantasy preview kicks off with Cowboys vs Eagles on Thursday and Chiefs vs Chargers in Sao Paulo, pairing top-tier quarterback play with big-play ceilings across WRs and RBs. Josh Allen sits down for a Bills chat ahead of Bills-Ravens, anchoring a slate that also features Steelers-Jets and Lions-Packers as potential week-opening breakout opportunities. The episode leans into matchup-driven angles, red-zone usage, and early-season trends to shape early lineup and DFS decisions.

Expect emphasis on pass-heavy offenses, early snap splits, and risk-reward play in high-profile tilts, plus sleepers who could emerge with increased roles in Week 1. Narrative momentum around New York’s Rodgers era and the Packers’ retooled offense adds another layer for fantasy managers plotting rosters and stacks this opening weekend.

Christian McCaffrey opened 2025 limited by a calf issue after Thursday’s San Francisco practice, a setback that echoes last season’s injury saga. He didn’t have an issue Wednesday, but the calf constraint raises red flags for Week 1 in Philadelphia and for the Niners’ offensive plan if the workload must be scaled back early. San Francisco did not play him in the preseason, and questions linger about wide receiver depth as they pursue another deep playoff run. Fantasy managers should monitor his status closely, expecting some early-season workload management and a potentially leaner game plan if the calf flares.

San Francisco faces a high-stakes start with a phalanx of young, unproven pieces on defense and a WR corps in flux, all while McCaffrey remains the centerpiece for San Francisco’s title hopes. Week 1 in Philadelphia will test how the team adapts when the backfield carries more responsibility. The Jets were noted as Week 1 opponents in 2024, but this preview centers on a fresh start against the Eagles and the need for a flexible attack if McCaffrey’s health becomes a day-to-day storyline.

Jets retool around Garrett Wilson as Aaron Rodgers departs and Justin Fields arrives, with Wilson signing a mega extension amid a reshaped offense. Rodgers praised as a living legend, while Wilson stresses learning from him but says they haven’t spoken since his exit. Week 1 pits Wilson’s Jets against Rodgers in a Steelers uniform, with Fields’ homecoming adding extra intrigue. The opener kicks off a narrative-charged season for fantasy managers eyeing Jets pass-volume and breakout potential.

Fields’ presence could lift the offense in a different way, potentially boosting Wilson’s ceiling if targets stay high and the run game creates play-action opportunities. Week 1 becomes a key litmus test for the Jets’ post-Rodgers era and how the Wilson–Fields pairing translates into fantasy-friendly stats and weekly-betting angles.

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Week 1 features Rodgers vs Fields in Jets-Steelers, Flacco leading the Browns against the Bengals, and Jones steering the Colts against Miami. The promo invites sharp bets and DFS edge, with Sunday Ticket’s multiview letting fantasy managers chase four games at once and track live line moves across a packed opening slate.