Fantasy Football News

Although Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) said that he's "feeling really good," he said that doctors told him a week ago that he probably had another four weeks in his rehab from a torn left ACL suffered last year, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That timetable would track to Aug. 25 being the ninth month removed from knee surgery. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that Penix wouldn't take part in 11-on-11 drills at the start of training camp, and with Tua Tagovailoa also dealing with a tight back, the Falcons' QB battle is off to a bad start. With both QBs injured, the Falcons signed veteran Cooper Rush as insurance on Wednesday. The Falcons are optimistic that Penix will be ready in time for preseason games, but the more time he misses, the likelihood of him winning the starting job going into Week 1 diminishes. Penix's fantasy stock in both redraft and dynasty/keeper leagues continues to fall by the day, even though he technically still isn't being ruled out for the QB1 job.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on Wednesday that the team will continue to rotate at QB2 with veteran Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee like they did during the spring, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports. The Eagles acquired Dalton in a trade from the Carolina Panthers back in March. The 38-year-old veteran will bring plenty of experience to the QB room behind starter Jalen Hurts as the Eagles look to rebound from a particularly frustrating offensive year in 2025. The former second-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011 from TCU has 15 years of experience in the NFL, but he's only started seven games in the last three years with the Panthers. In four appearances (one start) in 2025, Dalton threw for 293 yards, one touchdown and an interception. If Dalton ends up winning the QB2 job outright in Philly during camp and the preseason, the Eagles could look to trade McKee to a QB-needy team right before the start of the 2026 regular season.

The Detroit Lions have opened their 2026 training camp, but three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs is not taking part in practice, as reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. A similar situation is playing out in Atlanta with Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, and Schefter notes that the two had offseason conversations about potential long-term contracts. As first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, both Gibbs and Robinson had their fifth-year options exercised this offseason, giving the Lions and Falcons team control through the 2027 season with the potential of using the franchise tag after that. Gibbs is RotoBaller's RB1 and the top overall player for the 2026 season, making any potential hold-in a situation capable of causing ripples throughout 2026 drafts.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) is a full-go for the team's Wednesday training camp practice, with head coach Todd Bowles telling reporters that he looks good. Buccaneers senior writer Scott Smith reports that Irving is not being eased into anything after sitting out the team's mandatory minicamp practices while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Irving missed seven games in 2025 while dealing with a shoulder subluxation and foot sprain and was visibly impacted by the injuries when he did take the field, averaging 3.4 yards per carry while finding the end zone only once on the ground. The lack of limitation to begin camp is positive news for drafters, but fantasy managers will still need to pay attention to his reported usage throughout the summer, as the Buccaneers added pass-catching specialist Kenny Gainwell this offseason, potentially lowering Irving's fantasy floor and ceiling. The third-year back is RotoBaller's RB25 for 2026.

With training camps opening for the Atlanta Falcons, running back Bijan Robinson is not practicing, as reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. He was a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and with Robinson's fifth-year option picked up to give the Falcons salary control through the 2027 season, Schefter reports that Robinson had been in conversation this offseason about a potential long-term contract. Robinson is RotoBaller's No. 2 overall player for 2026. While there is still more than a month before the start of the 2026 season, drafters would be advised to monitor this emerging situation, as any prolonged hold-in could have serious fantasy ramifications.

After last playing on an NFL field in Week 16 of the 2024 season, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) avoided the PUP list to begin training camp, but Texans beat writer Aaron Wilson reports that he will be kept out of full-team work to open camp. Dell has been medically cleared for all football activity, but the team will take it slow as he continues to work back from a gruesome injury that consisted of multiple torn ligaments, meniscus damage, and a dislocated kneecap. Through his first two seasons in the league, Dell had established an obvious chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud, totaling 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and ten touchdowns across 25 games and regularly earning the praise of the signal-caller with whom he came into the league as part of the Texans' 2023 draft class. Dell still has a long way to go before he can again be trusted as a reliable fantasy contributor, but at RotoBaller's WR75, he's a player to consider in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts and one whose progress should be monitored closely throughout training camp.

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams is one of only four backs to rush for 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons, and while he takes pride in the accomplishment, to hear him tell it, it now seems more like an expectation than a yearly goal. In a recent appearance on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, he shared how his mindset has changed since entering the league with the simple goal of a 1,000-yard season. "As a running back, if you know what you're doing running the ball, 1,000 yards should be fairly kind of easy. But that also comes with the great linemen that we have and the great offensive-minded coach that we have, as well, that allows me to be able to do those types of things." He added, "That's something I strive for. That's something I hold true to myself that I've got to continue to get those positive yards, those efficient yards. When I look back at the season, I expect to see 1,000 yards." Williams ran for 1,252 yards on his way to an RB9 finish in 2025, and while his own expectations have not changed, he's recently been faded by the draft community, falling to RB14 by current ADP as teammate Blake Corum continues to pick up steam, making him a potential steal with RB1 upside at an RB2 price.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard spoke with reporters on Tuesday, and in discussing the regular-season availability of his new $114 million wide receiver, Alec Pierce, he remained noncommittal but did not explicitly rule out the possibility that Pierce could miss time, as reported by the Indianapolis Star's Nathan Brown. Ballard told the assembled media, "He's not active right now. He's on PUP, and that's kinda a day-by-day thing... I'm not a doctor so we'll just play it by ear and see how it goes." Pierce opted for offseason surgery after a platelet-rich plasma injection did not relieve the pain of a nagging ankle issue he has been dealing with since 2024. While he has yet to practice since signing his new deal or going under the knife, Ballard did not seem overly concerned about his recovery timeline, telling reporters that he was "a week or two away," and later, "Of course, we'd like to have him right now, but Pierce is working his butt off, and he'll be ready to go when he's completely cleared," Pierce is RotoBaller's WR39 and could prove to be one of the best values in 2026 drafts if he's able to start the season without restriction.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have taken to the field for their first practice of training camp, and second-year two-way player Travis Hunter started the day wearing a teal offensive jersey, warming up alongside the other non-special-teams wide receivers before breaking off with the defensive backs for individual drills. Hunter's year two usage, and how he fits into an already crowded receiver room, have been some of the biggest storylines of the Jaguars offseason, and the message sent by the team to open camp offers little clarification. While operating primarily on the offensive side of the ball as a rookie, Hunter caught only 28 passes for 298 yards before an LCL injury ended his season after seven games. Still, he appeared to be on the verge of a breakout, recording his first 100-yard game and catching the first touchdown of his career in the Week 7 contest he left injured. Hunter's upside is undeniable, and with him falling as far in drafts as he has, any usage-related risk is all but removed, making him a player to target in the late rounds as RotoBaller's WR72.

The pads have come on at Arizona Cardinals training camp, and Arizona Sports' Tyler Drake believes that third-year running back Trey Benson could be falling perilously behind in the competition for meaningful work in 2026. The Cardinals bolstered their running back room this offseason through the free agent acquisition of Tyler Allgeier and the drafting of Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the moves look to be paying early dividends. Allgeier has almost exclusively been the first back through positional drills, and Drake reports that Love has looked like the real deal in the early days of camp, standing out with his shiftiness and playmaking abilities. Even Bam Knight has surprised with some early highlights, while neither Benson nor veteran James Conner has taken part in full team drills, as they each work through the final stages of recovery from the injuries that ended their respective 2025 campaigns. Conner is a proven leader, and his place on the final roster would appear to be more secure after recently being singled out by offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, but for Benson, every day that he falls behind makes his future with the team that much murkier.

With quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa (back) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) both dealing with injuries to begin training camp, the Atlanta Falcons have signed veteran Cooper Rush, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Penix did not practice throughout OTAs or minicamp as he continues to recover from a 2025 season-ending knee injury, and Tagovailoa is reported to be experiencing back tightness ahead of training camp, forcing the Falcons to add Rush two days before their first practice of the summer. The 32-year-old career backup started two games in 2025 in his lone season with the Ravens, throwing for 303 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions before being supplanted by Tyler Huntley and eventually released. Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Wednesday that Tagovailoa "will be out there sooner rather than later," but in the meantime, Rush could find himself briefly working with the first-team offense.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back) is reportedly dealing with back tightness to begin training camp, but head coach Kevin Stefanski does not appear to be overly concerned about his availability moving forward, telling reporters, "He will be out there sooner rather than later." Atlanta signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, veteran minimum contract following his release from the Dolphins, and with the Falcons having one of the league's few unsettled quarterback situations, there was an expectation that he could gain an early edge in his competition with Penix, as the 2024 first-round pick continues to recover from the knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Unfortunately, the 28-year-old Tagovailoa is experiencing back tightness, causing the team to sign veteran Cooper Rush on Wednesday, two days before the first practice of the summer. Tagovailoa's ailment adds one more wrinkle to a battle that already carried considerable fantasy ramifications, and drafters will need to monitor his status throughout camp. The 2023 Pro Bowler currently ranks as RotoBaller's QB30.

Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh said that quarterback Will Levis will get "every opportunity" to compete with veteran signal-caller Mitchell Trubisky for the team's QB2 role behind starting quarterback Cam Ward, per Turron Davenport of ESPN. A second-round pick by the Titans in 2023, Levis threw for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions across 21 starts over his first two NFL seasons. After the Titans used the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Ward, Levis underwent shoulder surgery last July that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2025 campaign. While there has been some speculation that Levis could be on the Titans roster bubble heading into 2026, it appears as though the 27-year-old will at least get an opportunity to compete for a job. Still, Levis should be off the radar of fantasy managers in both redraft and dynasty leagues at this point in his career.

Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan (knee) is fully healthy entering training camp, per Jared Koch of Sports Illustrated. After suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 2 of the 2024 season, Jordan missed the entirety of 2025 due to a knee/lower leg injury that he suffered during a preseason practice. The 26-year-old flashed some upside in his last healthy season in 2023, recording 17 catches for 219 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 21 targets across 14 games (six starts). If he's able to stay healthy throughout camp and make the Texans roster, Jordan would be another mouth to feed in Houston's crowded tight end room. Veteran Dalton Schultz currently projects as the team's TE1, but Houston also has tight ends Foster Moreau, Cade Stover, and 2026 second-round pick Marlin Klein on its roster. Jordan should remain off the radar of fantasy managers for now, but he could be a name to monitor if he can put together a strong preseason.

Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (illness) was placed on the Active/Non-Football Illness list on Tuesday. It does not appear that Sweat is battling a major illness, but he is expected to be away from the team for a few days. Across 17 games in 2025, the 29-year-old recorded 36 solo tackles, 13 TFLs, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He's been highly durable in his NFL career, missing just one game over the past four seasons. Still, Sweat is a key piece of the Bears' defense against both the pass and the run, so it would make sense for the team to be extra cautious with him at this point in the summer. It seems unlikely that Sweat is in danger of missing any time, but fantasy managers should still monitor his status until he is fully cleared for training camp action.

The Minnesota Vikings signed offensive tackle Brian O'Neill to a four-year, $96 million contract extension on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. O'Neill is now under contract with the Vikings for the next five years. The 30-year-old veteran and two-time Pro Bowler has been a starter for the Vikes at right tackle since entering the league in 2018 as a second-round pick (62nd overall) from the University of Pittsburgh. O'Neill has been one of the team's most reliable offensive linemen and now gets rewarded for it. He will continue to anchor the Vikings' O-line in 2026 as their starting right tackle as they look to bounce back in 2026. O'Neill has started all but four of his 124 games played for Minnesota in the regular season in his eight years in the league.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said that veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph will work with the second-team offense at the start of training camp, while rookie quarterback Drew Allar and 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard will work with "other groups," per Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. A third-round pick out of Penn State, Allar is not expected to see much of the field in his rookie season as long as veteran Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy. However, it appears that Allar will also be behind Rudolph on the Steelers quarterback depth chart, at least at the start of camp. In redraft leagues, Allar is unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production in 2026. Still, he remains a worthy dynasty stash through his rookie season, given the Steelers' obvious long-term need at quarterback once Rodgers retires.

The Green Bay Packers waived kicker Lucas Havrisik on Tuesday, a source told Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In a corresponding move, the Packers added kicker Lenny Krieg to their 90-man roster. It was believed that the 26-year-old Havrisik might keep the placekicker seat warm until rookie sixth-rounder Trey Smack was ready to take over. Kreig will now compete with Smack in training camp and the preseason. Havrisik made all four of his field-goal attempts and seven of his nine extra-point tries in just three regular-season games with the Packers last year in his second NFL season. In his rookie season with the Los Angeles Rams, he went 15-for-20 on field goals (2-for-3 from 50-plus yards) and 19-for-22 on extra points in nine games played. Fantasy managers will want to avoid Green Bay's kicking situation to begin the 2026 season.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said star edge rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) is "ready to go" and will get all the first-team reps when the team's training camp begins on Wednesday, per Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Crosby underwent knee surgery in January, and concerns around the recovery timeline for the surgery caused a proposed trade of Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens to fall through. However, it appears as though the 28-year-old is on track for full participation in training camp and remains a part of the Raiders' plans, at least for the time being. Across 15 games in 2025, Crosby recorded 28 TFLs, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles. As long as he's on the field, he remains one of the most disruptive defenders in the NFL and profiles as a high-end option for fantasy managers in IDP leagues.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (leg) suffered a leg injury in training camp practice on Monday and was a spectator on Tuesday, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. It's unclear how serious the 27-year-old's injury is, but with it being early in camp, the Seahawks are likely being extra cautious with the fourth-year pass-catcher. Bobo caught just two passes for 20 yards in 11 regular-season games (zero starts) in 2025 after combining for 32 receptions, 303 yards, and three touchdowns in 34 games (three starts) in his first two years in the NFL. The former undrafted free agent from UCLA will be competing with second-year wideout Tory Horton and rookie Emmanuel Henderson for the WR4 role in Seattle during camp and the preseason, behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and veteran Cooper Kupp. Most likely, Bobo will make more of an impact on special teams again in 2026 if he remains on the team's 53-man active roster. Bobo can be ignored in the vast majority of fantasy football leagues.