Fantasy Football News

Maxwell Hairston • DB • Bills

Maxwell Hairston Leaves Practice with Knee Injury

Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston (knee) limped off the field with a trainer after suffering an apparent injury to his right knee during the team's practice on Tuesday. Buffalo selected Hairston in the first round of the 2025 draft out of Kentucky, and the rookie had been projected to step into a starting role on the outside opposite Buffalo's top corner, Christian Benford. In 32 career games across three seasons at Kentucky, Hairston recorded 71 solo tackles, six interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns. The severity of this current knee injury is unclear, but any amount of missed time could be trouble for a rookie in need of all the preseason preparation he can get. If Hairston were to miss regular-season games, veterans Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson would be the most likely candidates to see increased playing time.

45 minutes ago

Christian Gonzalez • CB • Patriots

Christian Gonzalez Sidelined by Hamstring Injury

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) has suffered a hamstring injury that will sideline him for "a bit," but it "will not impact his Week 1 availability," according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. Gonzalez left the team's Monday practice early due to the injury. New England seems to have avoided the worst for their All-Pro corner, who had his rookie season in 2023 cut short after four games due to a torn ACL. In 16 games last year, Gonzalez recorded 50 solo tackles, two interceptions, and 11 passes defensed. He's the top coverage player for New England, so any missed time for him would significantly impact the Patriots' secondary.

1 hour ago

Austin Hooper • TE • Patriots

Austin Hooper Returns to Practice on Tuesday

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (undisclosed) returned to practice on Tuesday, according to Evan Lazar of Patriots.com. Hooper had started camp on the active/physically unable to perform list, but he appears to be back in action. The 30-year-old recorded 45 catches for 476 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games with New England in 2024. He's behind Hunter Henry on the Patriots' tight end depth chart, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the team use plenty of two tight-end sets now that Josh McDaniels is back in town as the play-caller. Even still, Hooper would need an injury to Henry to crack the radar of fantasy managers.

1 hour ago

Luke McCaffrey • WR • Commanders

Year 2 Jump Coming for Luke McCaffrey?

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said he's seen "the Year 1 to the Year 2 jump" and is "encouraged" by the work wide receiver Luke McCaffrey has put in over the offseason. Washington drafted McCaffrey in the third round out of Rice in 2024, and he did not contribute much on offense as a rookie. In 17 games, McCaffrey recorded 18 catches for 168 yards and zero touchdowns. Heading into 2025, the 24-year-old appears to be battling veteran Noah Brown for the WR3 role in Washington behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. However, McLaurin (ankle) is currently on the active/PUP list with an ankle injury and is engaged in a very public contract dispute with the team, so there's some added uncertainty at the position. A strong showing in the preseason could go a long way toward solidifying McCaffrey's role within the offense.

1 hour ago

Cade Otton • TE • Buccaneers

Cade Otton Misses Practice on Tuesday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (hamstring) remained sidelined for his team's Tuesday practice, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Otton has now missed three straight days of practice with what Bucs head coach Todd Bowles has described as a mild hamstring strain. The fourth-year tight end played 14 games in 2024, hauling in 59 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns. However, Otton did much of his work when Tampa Bay's receiving corps got hit with a rash of injuries mid-season, so he could see his numbers come down a bit in 2025. That being said, he's clearly the team's top receiving threat at the tight end position, as backups Payne Durham and Ko Kieft profile more as blockers. It doesn't sound as though the team expects any significant missed time for Otton, but his situation is worth monitoring until he returns to the practice field.

1 hour ago

RJ Harvey • RB • Broncos

RJ Harvey, JK Dobbins Splitting First-Team Reps

Denver Broncos running backs RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins have been "routinely shuffling in with the first-team offense" in camp, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. Denver drafted Harvey in the second round of the 2025 draft out of UCF, while Dobbins was a late free-agent addition after spending 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers. Kosmider notes that Harvey has had impressive moments and showcased his explosiveness in camp, but has also had some struggles in pass protection. Last year at UCF, Harvey rushed for 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns, with 23.3% of his carries going for 10 or more yards. Dobbins has battled injuries throughout his career, but he managed 905 yards and nine touchdowns on 195 carries in 13 games as a Charger in 2024. The two backs are sure to share touches to some degree this season, but the exact nature of their workload split is one to monitor throughout the preseason.

1 hour ago

Miles Sanders • RB • Cowboys

Miles Sanders Performing Well in Camp

Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders "has consistently stood out the most" in both the running and passing game in training camp, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. After back-to-back subpar seasons with the Carolina Panthers, the Cowboys took a low-risk flier on Sanders in free agency, adding him on a one-year deal. The team also signed former Denver Bronco Javonte Williams to a one-year contract and used a fifth-round pick on Jaydon Blue. Sanders looks like the leading candidate to receive the most carries, though, and he's only a couple of years removed from a 1,200-yard, 11-touchdown showing in 2022 with the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles.

1 hour ago

Trey Lance • QB • Chargers

Trey Lance to Start for Chargers on Thursday

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance will start the preseason-opening Hall of Fame Game against the Detroit Lions on Thursday, head coach Jim Harbaugh announced. The plan is for Lance to play at least one half before undrafted rookie DJ Uiagalelei takes over. Starter Justin Herbert will sit out, and veteran Taylor Heinicke will serve as the Chargers' emergency third quarterback. Lance joined the Chargers in free agency after unsuccessful runs with the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. Since entering the league as the third overall pick from North Dakota State in 2021, the 25-year-old has appeared in just 12 games and completed 56.6% of his passes with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

1 hour ago

DeMario Douglas • WR • Patriots

DeMario Douglas Standing Out in Camp

DeMario Douglas has been the New England Patriots' "most consistent" wide receiver in training camp, according to Paul Perillo of Patriots.com. After hauling in 66 passes on 87 targets for 621 yards and three touchdowns in 2024, the 24-year-old Douglas has continued to develop a rapport with quarterback Drake Maye this summer. With Maye likely to take a leap forward this season under new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Douglas should be among the beneficiaries. Slot receivers have been known to thrive under McDaniels, who got the best out of Julian Edelman, Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, and Jakobi Meyers in the past, which bodes well for Douglas.

2 hours ago

Justin Fields • QB • Jets

Justin Fields Practicing With Toe Shield

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (toe) plans to practice with a plastic shield on his cleats for the next couple of weeks, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports. Fields is taking precautions after he suffered a dislocated toe on his right foot last Thursday. The 26-year-old, who returned to team drills Monday, said that the injury is "working its way back to 100%" That's a relief for both the Jets and fantasy managers, as so much of Fields' value depends on his elite mobility. The former Chicago Bear and Pittsburgh Steeler hasn't fared great as a passer since entering the league in 2021, but he has been a force on the ground.

2 hours ago

Travis Hunter • WR • Jaguars

Travis Hunter Holding his Own at Receiver

Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter caught his first touchdown of training camp, a five-yarder from quarterback Trevor Lawrence, as part of a successful practice at wide receiver on Tuesday. He took 24 snaps, his most in a single practice on offense so far, and "showed his considerable skills" as a receiver, according to Garry Smits of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union. Hunter, who won the Heisman Trophy at Colorado last season, entered the NFL as the second overall pick in this year's draft and will attempt to play both receiver and cornerback with the Jags. The 22-year-old hasn't manned both positions in one practice yet, but head coach Liam Coen has indicated that should change soon. At receiver, Hunter has the talent to serve as an excellent complement to Jaguars No. 1 Brian Thomas Jr. The question is how much playing time he'll get at the position during games. So far in camp, Hunter has tallied 79 snaps on offense and 47 on defense.

2 hours ago

Rome Odunze • WR • Bears

Rome Odunze Responible for Big Plays, Giving Bears Offense Flexibility

Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze has been the recipient of some of the offense's best plays so far in training camp, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic writes, and his skill set will give new head coach Ben Johnson flexibility because of the way Odunze can win one-on-one matchups. "To me, he fits that prototypical 'X' receiver where you can line him up outside the numbers and, provided he gets a one-on-one with a corner, he's going to win most of his matchups, slant routes, stop routes, go routes, the whole route tree outside the numbers," Johnson said. The new head coach continues to praise the 23-year-old, which is why the Bears coaching staff is expecting a big Year 2 leap from Odunze. There will be stiff target competition in Chicago's offense, but with Keenan Allen now gone, Odunze should definitely have lots more upside as a WR3/flex in 2025.

2 hours ago

DJ Moore • WR • Bears

Bears Getting Creative With DJ Moore's Usage

The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain writes that the Chicago Bears are getting creative with DJ Moore under new head coach Ben Johnson in training camp as they look to get his hands on the ball as much as possible. "We're exploring some things," Johnson said. "What I've seen on tape and what I've come to learn about DJ is he's a physical, he's a run-after-catch, just-get-me-the-ball type of guy. Whether that's in the backfield, whether that's screens, I think he had a nice 'go' route the other day, there's a number of things we're looking to do and explore." Moore has 57 career carries (14 in 2024) and has been seen taking some handoffs out of the backfield this summer. There will be competition for targets in an offense with plenty of weapons, but Moore is the clear WR1 in Chicago with Keenan Allen gone and should be targeted as a low-end WR2 with upside in fantasy.

3 hours ago

Colston Loveland • TE • Bears

Colston Loveland has Looked the Part

The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain writes that rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland is doing it all in training camp practices and "has already looked the part." Head coach Ben Johnson said that Colston's instincts showed up right away, and he's also proved that his surgically-repaired shoulder is just fine. The 21-year-old was eased into training camp after having offseason surgery, but it appears he's made up for lost time and is impressing as both a pass-catcher and blocker early on. Fishbain writes that he also expects Loveland to gain more chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams the more they work together. The Bears drafted Loveland 10th overall for a reason, and he has the kind of upside that we saw with Brock Bowers in Vegas a year ago. However, there are plenty of mouths to feed in Chicago and he'll battle for targets next to Cole Kmet. Loveland should be considered a midrange TE2 with upside.

3 hours ago

Najee Harris • RB • Chargers

Still No Timetable for Najee Harris' Return

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said at training camp on Tuesday that there's still no timeline for running back Najee Harris (eye) to return to practice. The Chargers will play their first preseason game on Thursday against the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame game, and Harris hasn't been on the practice field at all with his new team after injuring his eye during a fireworks accident back on the Fourth of July. The Chargers are optimistic that Harris will be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season in early September, but with him missing all this crucial practice time, the odds of rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton seizing lead-back work increases each day Harris is absent. The former Steelers RB has been consistent so far in his NFL career, but he lacks big-play ability and could be working behind Hampton all year.

3 hours ago

Trey Hendrickson • DE • Bengals

Trey Hendrickson to End Holdout and Report on Wednesday

Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson is planning to end his contract holdout and report to training camp on Wednesday, sources tell NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Hendrickson doesn't have the new deal that he wants yet, and it seems unlikely that he'll practice until he does, so he'll effectively be going from a holdout to a hold-in. Now that Hendrickson is back with the team, it's possible the two sides can hammer out a new deal before the 2025 regular season. The 30-year-old pass-rusher has recorded 35 sacks over the last two seasons, so as long as he's going to suit up once the regular season begins, he's going to be a highly sought after defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues this fall. Hendrickson has been a Pro Bowler each of the last four seasons and led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024.

3 hours ago

Jahmyr Gibbs • RB • Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs Often the First Back on the Field With Starters

The Athletic's Colton Pouncy points out that "one thing that's been clear as these practices have unfolded is that Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is usually the first back on the field with the starters." In past years, David Montgomery would often get the bulk of the first carries of the game before we'd see Gibbs. Pouncy cautions that it could be nothing to read into, but there was a clear pecking order that often translated to games. With Montgomery injured last year, Gibbs couldn't be stopped, totaling 487 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns in the final three games of the regular season. It's now Year 3 for Gibbs, and the Lions have been open about using more two-back sets with both Gibbs and Monty. In addition to being used out of the backfield, Gibbs has also lined up at receiver with Montgomery on the field. It looks like the Lions want Gibbs on the field as much as possible in 2025.

4 hours ago

Martin Emerson Jr. • CB • Browns

Martin Emerson Jr. Suffers Achilles Injury on Tuesday

The Cleveland Browns said that cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (Achilles) suffered a left-Achilles injury during training camp practice on Tuesday and will undergo an MRI exam on Wednesday to determine the extent of the injury, per The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot. The expectation right now is that this is a serious Achilles injury. If an MRI exam shows that it's torn, the 24-year-old defensive back will most likely miss the entire 2025 season. The former third-rounder (68th overall) in 2022 out of Mississippi State had his best season yet in his third year in 2024, recording a career-best 80 tackles (62 solo), five pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 games (15 starts). Despite his increased production in tackles, Emerson was a liability in coverage and allowed a team-high six touchdowns.

4 hours ago

Emeka Egbuka • WR • Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka Exceeding Expectations in Camp

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said that rookie first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has exceeded expectations in terms of communication, picking up the playbook and running crisp routes so far in training camp. A report surfaced on Monday from Bucs beat writer Brianna Dix that the 22-year-old has looked like a polished veteran so far this summer and impressed the coaching staff with his perfectionist mentality. This is all worth keeping an eye on as training camp progresses, especially with Chris Godwin (ankle) still on the Physically Unable to Perform list. When Tampa's receivers are all healthy and on the field, Egbuka could struggle for consistent targets behind Mike Evans and Godwin, but if Godwin's ankle injury has him at less than 100% early on, there could be a path to immediate fantasy relevance for the Ohio State product.

4 hours ago

Tre Harris • WR • Chargers |

Omarion Hampton • RB • Chargers

Omarion Hampton, Tre Harris to Play in Preseason Game on Thursday

Los Angeles Chargers rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton and second-round wide receiver Tre Harris are both in line to play in Thursday's Hall of Fame preseason game against the Detroit Lions, reports Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Rookie receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith will also see action in his first official NFL game. Both Hampton and Harris could be key parts of L.A.'s offense in their first year in the NFL. For Hampton, his fantasy stock is especially rising during training camp with Najee Harris (eye) on the Non-Football Injury list with no timetable for a return. In a run-first offense, the 22-year-old from Ohio State could start the year as the primary backfield option for the Bolts, and if he plays well, it could remain that way all year. Harris, meanwhile could easily be quarterback Justin Herbert's primary deep threat in 2025 now that Mike Williams has retired.

4 hours ago

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