NFL Player News

The Seahawks have designated RB Christine Michael, CB Tharold Simon, TE Cooper Helfet, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, WR Kevin Norwood, WR Phil Bates, and DE Greg Scruggs as inactive Week 1 against the Packers.

Michael, Helfet, Pierre-Louis and Simon were all listed as out entering the game, so the fact that they are inactive shouldn't come as a surprise. Norwood is a surprise, since he was considered probable for Week 1. 

Texans coach Bill O'Brien indicated Thursday tight end Garrett Graham might sit out the season opener against the Redskins due to a back injury. O'Brien said it's not a major injury, but Graham will be a game-time decision.

Texans tight end Garrett Graham didn't participate in practice Wednesday due to a back injury, the team announced.

Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and is listed as probable for Thursday's season opener against the Packers.

Wide receiver Kevin Norwood and defensive back Jeremy Lane were also full participants in Wednesday's practice. Both players are listed as probable.

Tight end Cooper Helfet, linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis and cornerback Tharold Simon all remained out of practice, and all three have been ruled out.

Seahawks tight end Cooper Helfet (knee) and guard Lemuel Jeanpierre (neck) won't play Thursday against the Packers, coach Pete Carroll said.

For a player that appeared in just one game as a rookie and had no catches in 2013, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is owned in more Fantasy leagues than players that had a bigger impact last season. Well, that's in large part due to the preseason Kelce put together and the hope that he could be a breakout Fantasy option in 2014.

Kelce led the Chiefs with 11 catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason. He is technically listed as the second-string tight end behind Anthony Fasano on the Chiefs' depth chart, but Kelce is being considered as the impact offensive player at tight end for Kansas City.

The Chiefs' Week 1 opponent will be the Titans, who allowed tight ends to average 8.0 Fantasy points per week in 2013. Tight ends also averaged 57.7 receiving yards and totaled eight touchdowns in 16 games.

With wide receiver Dwayne Bowe sidelined Week 1 due to a suspension, this is an ideal time for Kelce to step up in the passing game and show his preseason numbers aren't a fluke. Still, Kelce is more of a sleeper Fantasy start Week 1.

The Saints travel to Atlanta in Week 1 to take on a Falcons team they know well.

How well? Tight end Jimmy Graham, now four years into his NFL career, has already scored seven touchdowns against them. In only one of the seven games since he became the Saints' primary tight end has he got without one, and it wasn't last year. No, he scored a touchdown in each of the Saints' two games against the Falcons, making four grabs for 45 yards in the first and five for 100 in the second.

Judging by the way the Falcons defended the pass last year, you'd wonder why he didn't score more. They allowed 31 touchdowns through he air, fourth-most in the league, and gave up the ninth-most Fantasy points to tight ends. They did switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme this offseason, but that won't have much say in Graham's production.

Chances are if you drafted him in Fantasy, you'll be starting him every week anyway, but this week is no time to get cute.

The Seahawks announced that the following players weren't able to practice Tuesday: running back Christine Michael (hamstring), tight end Cooper Helfet (knee), center Lemuel Jeanpierre (neck), linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis (hamstring) and cornerback Tharold Simon (knee).

Additionally, the following players were limited participants in practice: wide receiver Kevin Norwood (ankle), linebacker Bruce Irvin (hip) and cornerback Jeremy Lane (groin).

With Michael unable to practice Tuesday, it's become more likely that he'll could sit out the team's Thursday night opener against the Packers.

The Rams reached an injury settlement Tuesday with tight end Justice Cunningham (ankle), according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Dwayne Allen's return from hip surgery means the Colts basically have two starting ends. That's good for Indy and problematic for Fantasy players.

A Colts tight end is a strong bet to catch a touchdown any given week -- good luck trying to predict which one. Until this situation clarifies itself, or until one gets hurt, keep Allen and Coby Fleener reserved in all but the deepest leagues.

If you have to start one Week 1 at Denver, Allen gets the nod as the better all-around talent. Jamey Eisenberg ranks Allen 14th, while Dave Richard pegs him 18th among tight ends.