Ben VanSumeren's NFL journey defies the odds. A Michigan State alum who started as a linebacker reinvented himself as a fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles, a position nearly extinct in today’s game. His standout MSU pro day in 2023 helped vault him into the NFL, where he earned a Super Bowl ring and now returns to Philly for another season. The move to fullback has given his career surprising longevity and value on special teams.

For fantasy managers, VanSumeren likely won’t become a weekly core option, but in short-yardage and goal-line packages his presence could yield a few surprise opportunities. Watch for niche chances in deep leagues or dynasty formats where versatility and durable roster depth sometimes pop into regular-season relevance.

Dallas travels to Philadelphia for a Week 1 showdown with the defending champs as Parsons’ status looms. A ramp-up plan suggests fewer snaps early, but Parsons' sheer disruption remains a fantasy spinner’s wildcard. The saga around his contract hangs over any evaluation, yet his impact could still tilt the edge rush matchup in Dallas’ favor in bursts.

Parsons’ extension potential looms as a historic ceiling for non-quarterbacks, framed by recent deals for McLaurin and Hendrickson and the $108M guarantee for Watt. With tensions between Jones and Mulugheta, the market adjusts quickly, while Schottenheimer emphasizes reps and situational usage. Others around the league have settled their own deals, but Parsons remains the focal point for 2025 fantasy value.

Micah Parsons remains the focal point for Dallas as Week 1 looms against Philadelphia, with Brian Schottenheimer insisting Parsons will play if he’s able, even as his workload is expected to ramp up gradually. A clean MRI and a stated ramp-up plan keep fantasy managers hopeful, while contract drama with Parsons’ camp adds off-field tension.

Off the field, the Cowboys’ leverage in contract talks, the franchise-tag path, and Parsons’ trade request color the narrative, but teammate Trevon Diggs outlined the practicalities of his teammate’s health. The opener thus becomes both a football evaluation and a chess match on leverage and leverage-influenced playing time.

Parsons and the Cowboys remain at an impasse nine days from Week 1 at Philadelphia. While an MRI on his back came back clean and Dallas publicly says he is cleared to practice, the hold-in continues to frame every on-field decision around contract leverage. Dallas is clearly pushing for reps and readiness without rushing him into a full workload.

The dynamic shadows the offense as CeeDee Lamb’s extension last year lingers in the back of talks, and the team previews a ramped-up plan for Parsons rather than immediate full-time usage. Fantasy readers should expect a cautious return, with snap-rotation notes and a measured edge presence rather than a back-to-back-full sprint on opening night.

Dallas faces the defending champs on Sept. 4, and the hold-in could ripple through the defense’s sack opportunities and the Cowboys’ week-to-week risk premium. Expect steady communication and a calibrated workload that preserves health and negotiation leverage for fantasy lineups.