TL;DR

Flacco starts for Browns; Justin Jefferson, Stafford, Love return; Guerrero Jr. exits, MRI pending.

Highlights

• Browns name 40-year-old Joe Flacco as Week 1 starting QB; Deshaun Watson out for season 1.
• Vikings WR Justin Jefferson returns to practice after hamstring strain; Addison (suspension) and Nailor (hand) uncertain for Week 1 2.
• Rams QB Matthew Stafford and Packers QB Jordan Love both return to practice after injury absences 6.
• Colts sign CB Xavien Howard (ex-Dolphins); Dolphins add pass-rusher Matthew Judon; both expected to debut Week 1 4.
• Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exits with hamstring tightness, MRI pending; Red Sox’s Wilyer Abreu (calf) out for short term 3.
• Blue Jays to debut Shane Bieber on Friday vs. Marlins, adding rotation depth for playoff push 8.
• Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku out 2–3 months (thigh tear); club seeks loan for Man United’s MANCHESTER UNITED PLC Rasmus Højlund 5.
• Ohio State names redshirt freshman Julian Sayin starting QB for opener vs. No. 1 Texas; Cal to start true freshman Sagapolutele 7.
• WWE’s Naomi vacates Women’s World Title due to pregnancy; replacement process not yet announced 10.
• Kalshi expands football prop markets (TD scorer, point margin, totals) amid mounting state legal challenges 12.
• Brewers blank Cubs 7–0 for 15th win in 16 games; nightcap postponed to Tuesday doubleheader 17.
• Leeds United beat Everton 1–0 on late penalty in Premier League return; Jack Grealish debuts for Everton 20.

Commentary

NFL quarterback and injury news continues to drive early-season fantasy and betting decisions. Joe Flacco’s appointment as Browns starter, with Watson sidelined, aligns with recent betting market moves and suggests a conservative offensive approach 1. The returns of Justin Jefferson, Matthew Stafford, and Jordan Love to practice improve Week 1 projections for their respective teams and should stabilize fantasy and prop outlooks, though Minnesota’s receiving corps remains thin with Addison and Nailor uncertain 26.

On the transactional front, the Colts’ addition of Xavien Howard and the Dolphins’ response with Matthew Judon are notable for defensive matchup analysis ahead of their Week 1 meeting. Both signings could impact early-season totals and player props, especially with Miami’s pass rush rotation now deeper 4.

In MLB, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s hamstring issue and pending MRI create risk for Toronto’s offense and fantasy lineups, while Shane Bieber’s imminent debut offers a boost to the Blue Jays’ rotation and playoff odds 38. The Brewers’ continued hot streak and Cubs’ pitching adjustments ahead of a doubleheader provide short-term DFS and betting angles. Wilyer Abreu’s calf injury similarly affects Boston’s lineup depth 317.

Soccer and college football see significant personnel shifts: Napoli’s Lukaku injury and pursuit of Højlund may affect Serie A futures, while Ohio State’s choice of Julian Sayin as starting QB for a high-profile opener versus Texas will draw attention from CFB bettors 57. Leeds’ win and Everton’s struggles may influence early EPL relegation markets 20.

For fantasy managers and bettors, the immediate focus should be on monitoring late injury updates, depth chart moves, and new prop market offerings as rosters and rotations take shape across leagues.