Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Rasheen Ali (neck) finds himself on the team's first official injury report of the season ahead of Thursday night's regular-season opener against the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs on Monday. Ali was listed as limited with a neck injury. The 23-year-old fifth-rounder suffered a stinger in the preseason opener and is still recovering from it. If Ali is active on Thursday night in his first regular-season NFL contest, he'll serve as Baltimore's No. 3 back behind starter Derrick Henry and backup Justice Hill, which means he won't be worth starting in the vast majority of fantasy lineups. He was limited by injuries at times in college and didn't exactly impress during training camp when given opportunities. Right now, Ali is merely a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper formats.

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is looking forward to the Week 1 Thursday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. "I'm excited," said Henry while speaking to the media on Sunday. "It's gonna be fun, so I'm looking forward to it." The 30-year-old has spent his entire career with the Titans, running for 9,502 yards and 90 touchdowns off 2,030 carries, adding 155 grabs for 1,458 yards and three touchdowns. While most assume Henry will have a tough time remaining an elite fantasy option in a Baltimore offense loaded with talent, a change of scenery could give the veteran enough motivation to become the NFL's top rusher once again. Regarding his fantasy potential versus the defending champs, Henry has amassed 447 yards and six touchdowns off 78 carries in four games versus the Chiefs throughout his career.

Sports Illustrated's Tim Weaver suggests that the Carolina Panthers could consider signing new wide receiver Diontae Johnson to a long-term contract extension to create more salary cap space heading into Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. The Panthers already gave up cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round draft pick to acquire Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. If they don't sign Johnson to an extension, they could see him walk next March in free agency. If Carolina decides to extend Johnson, they could save up to $7.1 million against this year's cap. The 28-year-old missed some time in training camp this summer with minor injuries but played in the preseason finale and caught one of two targets for 17 yards. Johnson is expected to be the top pass-catcher in Carolina this year for what should be an improved offense. Fantasy managers should target him as a WR3/flex.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (undisclosed) returned to practice on Friday, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. This is the first time the 28-year-old has returned to the practice field since being involved in a car accident on August 14. Andrews, fortunately, did not suffer any injuries during the accident, and it is a great sign to see him back on the field, as it looks like his prolonged absence was just precautionary. Last season, the tight end appeared in only ten games as he suffered a lower-leg injury in Week 11, which ended his regular season. He caught 45 passes for 544 yards and six scores. Andrews remains one of the top tight ends in fantasy and should serve as Lamar Jackson's primary target once again in 2024.

There is hope that Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) will return sometime in November. Mitchell is on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the season and will miss at least the first four games of the year after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in December of last year. This could lead Baltimore to add a RB who was cut from another team, but for the time being, veteran receiving back Justice Hill is all set to handle the change-of-pace role behind workhorse starter Derrick Henry in the early stages of 2024. Fantasy managers can stash the 22-year-old Mitchell if they have the space, considering he racked up 8.4 yards per carry across 47 attempts in his rookie season last year, but he's unlikely to be an option until the second half of the campaign.