Baker Mayfield stitched a dramatic comeback for Tampa Bay, guiding a game-winning drive in the final minute after escaping Texans pressure on a crucial fourth down. A 15-yard cutback on Gardner-Johnson sealed the moment, cementing Mayfield’s late-game clutch in a 20-19 win at NRG Stadium. The night featured a competitive back-and-forth between Mayfield and Gardner-Johnson, with strategic pressure and improv highlights shaping the outcome.

Houston’s defense buzzed in the two-minute drill, but Mayfield’s poise and mobility kept the Buccaneers alive. Earlier exchanges and trash-talk framed a combustible rivalry, yet Mayfield’s finishing kick underscored his ability to manufacture a winning sequence when it matters most. Fantasy managers should note the Buccaneers’ tendency to lean on improvisation in tight games.

Kendrick Bourne's return to San Francisco after Jauan Jennings' shoulder injury reshapes the 49ers' WR pecking order. Bourne, familiar with Kyle Shanahan's system, could contribute immediately if Jennings misses time, especially with Brandon Aiyuk out (PUP) and Cowing and Watkins banged up. In the short term, Pearsall, Valdes-Scantling, and Gage figure to pick up the rest of the workload, while Bourne stabilizes the group with veteran steadiness and route-running savvy.

Jennings' injury creates a window for Bourne and the supporting cast to prove value in a run-first, pass-efficient offense. Bourne's season-ready presence could elevate SF's floor in fantasy, but the exact roles will hinge on Aiyuk's status and Jennings' recovery, making Week 1 a vivid test of SF's depth at wide receiver.

Jake Tonges stepped into the spotlight in Seattle after George Kittle left with a hamstring issue, snagging three catches for 15 yards and the game-winning TD with 1:44 left in a 17-13 SF win over the Seahawks. It marked Tonges’ first regular-season catch and first career game-winner, signaling a potential short-term breakout for SF’s depth at tight end.

With Kittle sidelined 2-3 weeks, Purdy’s timing and SF’s short-area attack get a boost from Tonges, while Russell Gage’s presence helps stretch the field. Tonges could become a viable fantasy streaming option or DFS value as SF navigates a Kittle-less stretch and defends a tight schedule.

SF opens Week 1 with McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr. expected as Week 1 starters, while Sincere McCormick remains on the practice squad. Gage and Curtis Robinson move from practice squad to active, adding veteran depth behind Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. Jordan James is listed doubtful with a finger injury. McCaffrey emphasized being ready to play, drawing on spring/summer health and a calmer training camp approach compared to last year. Lenoir-Lucas dynamic helped solidify the 49ers’ secondary and locker-room cohesion.

Meanwhile, Nick Bosa’s pursuit of elite form continues with a focus on mental clarity and a streamlined skillset. The piece also highlights the evolving locker-room chemistry, including how Deebo Samuel’s presence and the Lucas addition shape the WR/CB dynamics ahead of Seattle. Week 1 carries high fantasy intrigue around SF’s backfield usage, WR targets, and defensive pressure on the Seahawks.

SF opened Week 1 versus Seattle with two practice-squad promotions at WR/linebacker—Russell Gage and Curtis Robinson—while not promoting a running back. Marques Valdes-Scantling joined the active roster earlier, and Ricky Pearsall plus Jauan Jennings figure into a crowded receiver mix alongside Sky Moore as Seattle looms. With Christian McCaffrey likely suiting up, SF relies on a lean backfield (McCaffrey, Brian Robinson Jr., Isaac Guerendo) and a special-teams boost from Robinson.

Fantasy takeaway: expect role-sharing among SF receivers, with Gage and Pearsall offering floor upside if targets swing in their direction. McCaffrey anchors the offense, while the reserve RBs are situational—limit expectations for immediate backfield volume unless injuries surface early.