Hunter Long or Will Kacmarek: Toss-Up — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

Hunter Long and Will Kacmarek grade out even this week. Long's best edge is availability (a clean report to Kacmarek's Questionable), Kacmarek's best edge is the projection (2.4 to 0.5) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Hunter Long

TEARIvs LAC

0.30.40.5 Projected Points

Sit

Will Kacmarek

TEMIAvs LV

1.31.92.4 Projected Points

Sit

Why Hunter Long

Sit

Sit — projects TE92 this week: LAC is the 5th-toughest matchup vs TEs, 17.0 implied team total caps the ceiling.

LAC ranks 5 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 17-game sample).
Vegas implies 17.0 team points as 11.5-point underdogs.
Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 47% snap share in 2025.

Latest on Long

Cardinals Add Tight End With Trade For Hunter Long

Veteran played with Mike LaFleur for two seasons in L.A.

azcardinals.com · Aug 30, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Will Kacmarek

Sit

Backup TE in blocking role. In-line contributor with minimal receiving usage.

Sit — projects TE52 this week: LV is the 5th-toughest matchup vs TEs, Questionable on the latest report.

Carries a Questionable tag — usually plays, but monitor the final report.
LV ranks 5 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 17-game sample).
Vegas implies 19.3 team points as 3.0-point underdogs.
Listed TE on the latest depth chart.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Hunter Long	Will Kacmarek
Projected points	0.30.40.5	1.31.92.4
Opponent vs position	LAC · 5 of 3217-game sample	LV · 5 of 3217-game sample
Receptions	3 of 32	3 of 32
Receiving Yards	4 of 32	3 of 32
Receiving TDs	9 of 32	9 of 32
Targets	2 of 32	3 of 32
Anytime TD	9 of 32	9 of 32
Target share	8%(2025)	—
Reception share	9%(2025)	—
Implied total · spread	17.0+11.5	19.3+3.0
Depth chart	TE3	TE2
Snap share	47%(2025)	—
Injury designation	—	Questionable