The NFL season is a long and painful one, and it's more than a little concerning when a player's entire body hurts before he's seen a single regular season snap.
Say hello to Calvin Ridley
Tennessee's WR1 enters Week 1 with a nerve-wracking injury designation of "general soreness." Ridley missed practice time and the Titans' preseason finale, raising concerns about his availability for the Titans' opener in Denver.
The news has fantasy owners (and drafters) wondering if or when Ridley will be fully ready to step into his role as the team's top receiving option.
Will Calvin Ridley Start Week 1?
All signs point to Ridley suiting up as the Titans' WR1 when they visit Denver. He logged 11 offensive snaps in the preseason, catching all 3 of his targets for 50 yards, giving the impression he's healthy and prepared for regular-season action.
Ridley is expected to command the majority of the WR targets from rookie QB Cam Ward, who will be making his NFL debut in the Mile High City. As the rookie gets acclimated to the speed of the NFL, Tennessee's offense will likely lean on its veteran playmakers — Ridley, WR Tyler Lockett, RB Tony Pollard, and TE Chig Okonkwo — to ease Ward's transition into the league.
The fact that speedy RB Tyjae Spears will miss time might give Ridley a few more targets.
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Calvin Ridley Week 1 Fantasy Football Projections
Ridley faces a tough assignment in Week 1, facing Denver All-Pro Patrick Surtain II, one of the NFL's premier shutdown cornerbacks. Heavy shadow coverage is what's in store for Ridley, which could limit his ceiling. Still, given his vital role in the offense, he should have a solid fantasy floor.
Calvin Ridley Projections for Week 1
- 54.5 Receiving Yards
- 3.5 Receptions
- 11.5 Fantasy Score
Calvin Ridley’s Week 1 fantasy football projections courtesy of PrizePicks NFL board
Calvin Ridley Fantasy Football Outlook
Last year, Ridley saw 120 targets, catching 64 passes for 1,017 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also led the NFL in air yards (1,883), though just 59% of his targets were deemed catchable. With Ward's arm strength and HC Brian Callahan's offensive play calling, expectations are high for the former Falcon to surpass those numbers in 2025.
That said, Ridley may not yet be the same receiver he was prior to his one-year suspension, yet he remains among the league's most skilled route runners. Now paired with Ward — one of college football's most prolific deep-ball passers in 2024 — Ridley could be in line for a top-10 fantasy finish this season.
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