Fantasy Football News

Mike Evans • WR • 49ers

Mike Evans Not in Uniform for Preseason Opener

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (quadriceps) is not in uniform for the team's preseason opener on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Evans returned to practice earlier this week, but it's no surprise that he's not playing in the preseason opener after recently missing time due to a minor quad strain that he suffered early in training camp. In addition to Evans, receivers Christian Kirk and Demarcus Robinson aren't in uniform, and star running back Christian McCaffrey is out as well. It's unclear if the veteran Evans will play in any preseason games as he heads into his first year in the Bay Area with the Niners. The 32-year-old future Hall of Famer broke his string of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons in 2025 in his final year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a broken collarbone that limited him to eight starts. A bounce-back should be coming in 2026 if he stays healthy, but that's a big question mark for an aging receiver who is closer to the end of his career than the beginning of it. For fantasy purposes, Evans should be considered a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 who will be a go-to target for QB Brock Purdy in the red zone.

4 hours ago

Terrion Arnold • CB • Seahawks

Terrion Arnold Plans to Sign With Seahawks

Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold plans to sign with the Seattle Seahawks, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Arnold has also visited with the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, and New York Giants. The NFL must next decide whether to put Arnold on the commissioner's exempt list after he was arrested on felony charges in connection with a robbery and kidnapping in February, which is why the Lions released him earlier this year. The 23-year-old was originally taken with the 24th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft from the University of Alabama, and he recorded 91 tackles (70 solo), an interception, 18 pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 24 games (22 starts) in his first two years in the league with the Lions. Arnold only played in eight games for Detroit last season. If he's allowed to play in 2026, Arnold will give the defending Super Bowl-champion Seahawks more depth in their defensive backfield.

5 hours ago

Michael Pittman Jr. • WR • Steelers

Michael Pittman Jr. to Sit Out of Preseason Opener on Thursday

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (leg) is in street clothes and will not play in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, according to Brian Batko of Steelers.com. Pittman has missed some practice time this week in training camp with what appears to be a minor leg injury. Both he and DK Metcalf (undisclosed) are being held out of the first preseason game, although they could be back for next week's preseason tilt against the New York Jets on Friday, Aug. 21. The 28-year-old former second-rounder by the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 from USC had only 784 receiving yards on 80 receptions in 2025, but he did manage to find the end zone a career-high seven times in 17 games played in his final year in Indy. Although Pittman has a limited fantasy ceiling, he could rebound with his move to Pittsburgh if he's peppered with short targets from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Target him as a WR4/flex at a value in PPR fantasy drafts.

6 hours ago

Micah Parsons • DE • Packers

Micah Parsons Hopes to Return in Week 6 Against Dallas

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Green Bay Packers All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee) is targeting Week 6 against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, for his 2026 debut after suffering a torn ACL and meniscus last December. The Packers have a very strict nine-month rule for players returning from ACL injuries, and it's not realistic for Parsons to return until around Week 5 or 6, especially since he's also recovering from a torn meniscus in his knee. The 27-year-old five-time Pro Bowler will open the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which will require him to miss at least the first four games of the year. When healthy, Parsons is a game-wrecker against opposing offenses. After Green Bay acquired him from the Cowboys before the start of the 2025 season, he went on to record 41 tackles (19 solo), 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 14 games before his season-ending knee injury. Even with the possibility of missing the first five games in 2026, Parsons will have plenty of stash appeal in IDP fantasy leagues.

6 hours ago

Tucker Kraft • TE • Packers

Tucker Kraft Tracking to be Ready for Week 1

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) is tracking to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener. The biggest question now before the start of the regular season is whether the Packers will give Kraft a contract extension that will make him the highest-paid tight end in the league. It remains to be seen if Kraft will play in the preseason at all, but even if he doesn't, it looks like fantasy managers will have him available to begin the 2026 campaign. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 from South Dakota State was in the midst of a breakout year before tearing his ACL, as he caught 32 of 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns in just eight starts. There isn't going to be any real discount on Kraft in fantasy football drafts because of his serious knee issue from a year ago, with many pundits predicting his breakout to come in 2026 if he can stay healthy all year. RotoBaller currently has Kraft ranked as the No. 5 fantasy TE, behind Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Colston Loveland, and Tyler Warren.

6 hours ago

DK Metcalf • WR • Steelers

DK Metcalf Not Playing in Preseason Opener

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers DK Metcalf (undisclosed) and Michael Pittman Jr. (leg) are both in street clothes on Thursday night and will not play in the team's preseason opener versus the Green Bay Packers, according to Brian Batko of Steelers.com. Starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers will also be inactive. The Steelers are playing it safe with Metcalf and Pittman, their top two receivers while they deal with minor injuries early in the preseason. Both players should be fine for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September, and they could be cleared to play in the team's second preseason game on Aug. 21 against the New York Jets. The 28-year-old Metcalf is still a physical freak, but he failed to return to the 1,000-yard mark for a second straight season and his first in Pittsburgh in 2025, and he could fall short of that mark again in 2026 after the addition of Pittman with Rodgers leading the offense for one more season. Metcalf has a safe touchdown floor -- he's never scored fewer than five touchdowns in his seven NFL seasons -- but fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting a return to Metcalf's glory days from his time in Seattle.

6 hours ago

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Aaron Rodgers in Street Clothes for Thursday's Preseason Opener

Pittsburgh Steelers veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is in street clothes and will not play in Thursday night's preseason opener against his former team, the Green Bay Packers, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. With Rodgers sitting out, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and rookie Drew Allar will get the work under center for the Steelers. The Steelers have indicated that they want to get Rodgers some preseason action, but it's unclear if it will come in their next exhibition game on Friday, Aug. 21, against another one of his former teams, the New York Jets. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer has returned to the Steel City for a second season in what he says will be the final year of his storied NFL career. Rodgers could have more opportunities to throw the football in new head coach Mike McCarthy's offense, although reports out of training camp suggest the Steelers' offense could stick with a pretty heavy ground approach again in 2026. Even with additional receiver help in Michael Pittman Jr., Rodgers will be an unintriguing low-end QB2 option in two-QB superflex leagues.

6 hours ago

C.J. Stroud • QB • Texans

C.J. Stroud, Other Texans Starters Won't Play on Thursday

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and other key offensive starters like running backs David Montgomery and Woody Marks and wide receiver Nico Collins will not play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, league sources told Aaron Wilson of Sports Talk 790 AM. With Stroud sitting, Davis Mills and Graham Mertz will take the snaps under center. The Texans will be short-handed at the RB position with Jawhar Jordan (hip) and British Brooks (hand) also out with injuries, meaning Noah Whittington, Josh Pitsenberger, and Owen Wright should handle the backfield duties against the Bolts. The 24-year-old Stroud took another step back in 2025 in his third year in the NFL after an impressive rookie season. The former second overall pick from Ohio State completed a career-high 64.5% of his pass attempts last year, but he threw for a career-low 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 regular-season starts. Stroud will certainly be motivated to deliver if he wants the Texans to seriously consider giving him a long-term extension in the future. Fantasy managers should treat him as a low-end QB2 with bounce-back potential.

6 hours ago

Terrance Ferguson • TE • Rams

Terrance Ferguson Consistently Showing Up in All Phases

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Thursday that second-year tight end Terrance Ferguson has consistently shown up in all phases -- in pass protection, in the running game, and as a receiver. McVay also said that Ferguson can play all over the formation and that he has become more comfortable in the offense going into his second year in the league. The 23-year-old former second-rounder from the University of Oregon stood out during a joint practice early this week against the Dallas Cowboys, connecting on several big pass plays with quarterback Matthew Stafford. McVay said that Ferguson "has been awesome" and that he has loved what he's done so far. L.A.'s tight end room is crowded with Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, and rookie Max Klare, but Ferguson might have the most pure pass-catching upside of the group as he heads into Year 2. Most of the pass-game targets in L.A. will continue to go through receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, but in this explosive offense, Ferguson has intrigue as a low-end TE2 target with upside after averaging a hefty 21 yards per catch on 11 receptions as a rookie in 2025.

7 hours ago

Malik Nabers • WR • Giants

"Everything Points" to Malik Nabers Being Ready for Start of the Season

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) took part in team drills in training camp on Thursday while wearing a red, non-contact jersey, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. It was just a walkthrough/install period, but Nabers was out there against the defense and caught a couple of passes. Hughes adds that "everything points towards him being back for the start of the season." Although most of Nabers' work so far this summer has come during individual drills as he returns from a torn ACL and meniscus in his knee in Week 4 of 2025, the 23-year-old has missed just one practice. Nabers should continue to slowly be ramped up by the Giants, and as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, the former first-rounder from LSU looks to be on track to play on Sunday Night Football in Week 1 versus the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. There's still risk involved in taking a high-end WR coming off an ACL tear, but at least now fantasy managers should feel a little more comfortable targeting Nabers as a low-end WR1 in the early rounds of drafts.

8 hours ago

Chris Rodriguez Jr. • RB • Jaguars

Chris Rodriguez Jr. Getting Plenty of First-Team Work

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is getting plenty of work with the first-team offense. John Oehser noted Thursday that Rodriguez was seeing a lot of reps with the starters and described him as a hard, physical runner. That's another encouraging sign in a backfield that still looks unsettled. Jacksonville's first unofficial depth chart lists Rodriguez and Bhayshul Tuten as co-starters, and the two have been sharing first-team work throughout camp. Rodriguez rushed for 500 yards and six touchdowns on 112 carries for Washington last season, with all six scores coming in the red zone. He's also worked his way back from offseason left foot surgery, making his current workload worth noting. Tuten isn't going away, and LeQuint Allen Jr. remains part of the mix, particularly on passing downs. Still, Rodriguez keeps getting meaningful reps with Trevor Lawrence and the starters. At this point, he's looking like more than just a short-yardage specialist.

8 hours ago

Puka Nacua • WR • Rams

Puka Nacua Expected Back at Practice Next Week

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) is expected back on the practice field next week. Head coach Sean McVay said Nacua left Tuesday's practice because of soreness in his psoas, according to Sarah Barshop. Nacua did some work off to the side Thursday, and McVay expects him to be "ready to go" when he returns next week. That's good news after the 25-year-old left Tuesday with the training staff and was initially reported to be dealing with groin soreness. Nacua is coming off a monster 2025 season, catching a league-high 129 passes for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games. He finished second in the NFL in receiving yards and led all players in receptions. The Rams have no reason to push him through an August practice, and McVay's timetable makes this look like a short absence for now. Barring a setback, there isn't much here to change Nacua's fantasy outlook.

9 hours ago

Treylon Burks • WR • Commanders

Treylon Burks Keeping Himself on the Redraft Radar

Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks is making a better case for himself than he was a few weeks ago, even if the fantasy ceiling is still pretty low. Burks caught just 10 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown in eight games last season, but he has been one of Washington's more noticeable receivers throughout camp. Dan Quinn said Burks came in leaner and has routinely been one of the team's fastest players in practice, especially on deep and in-breaking routes. He backed that up again during Wednesday's joint practice with Miami, making a tough over-the-shoulder catch from Jayden Daniels with tight coverage. The problem is that Washington added Stefon Diggs on Aug. 7, and the first unofficial depth chart now has Burks behind him. Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey are also listed as starters, with several other receivers still fighting for work. RotoBaller has Burks at WR108, which feels right for now. His camp has helped his chances of sticking in the rotation, but he is still more of a deep-league flier than someone to chase in standard redraft leagues.

9 hours ago

Kalif Raymond • WR • Bears

Kalif Raymond Is Becoming More Interesting in Deep Leagues

Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond has probably earned a bigger offensive role than most expected when he signed in March. Ben Johnson has praised him throughout the offseason, and Raymond has backed that up in camp, including a 54-yard touchdown from Caleb Williams during an 11-on-11 period. Chicago still lists him behind Rome Odunze on the depth chart, with Luther Burden III starting at the other receiver spot, so the path to steady targets is not especially clean. Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet will be involved too. Raymond also sits atop both return jobs, which guarantees he will have a weekly role even if the offensive touches come and go. He caught 24 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown with Detroit last season, so there is not much recent fantasy production to lean on. RotoBaller has him at WR94, which feels about right for normal redraft leagues. He is more interesting than he was a month ago, but that mostly matters in deep formats or leagues that reward return production.

9 hours ago

Jayden Daniels • QB • Commanders

Jayden Daniels Issues Personal Statement Regarding LSU Controversy

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels addressed his dispute with LSU on Thursday and made clear he wants the matter handled away from football. In a statement shared on Instagram and reposted by Adam Schefter, Daniels said training camp has been his "number one focus" and that his "sole personal focus is on Commanders' football." He also said he remains grateful for his time at LSU and hopes the issues between his team and the school can be resolved privately. The statement comes after Daniels' representatives sent LSU a cease-and-desist asking the school to stop using his name, image and likeness, then requested that LSU return its copy of the Heisman Trophy he won in 2023. Washington's own camp coverage has described Daniels as sharp and increasingly comfortable in the offense, including a strong showing in Wednesday's joint practice with Miami. For fantasy managers, this remains an off-field story.

9 hours ago

Brock Purdy • QB • 49ers

Brock Purdy Won't Play in Preseason Opener on Thursday

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday against the Tennessee Titans, according to Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows of The Athletic. It doesn't make much sense for Mac Jones to play either, although Jones has not been very sharp during training camp. Kurtis Rourke, who could be the backup in 2027 if Jones isn't around, figures to see most of the playing time on Thursday night. Adrian Martinez also figures to see extensive work against Tennessee, especially if Jones is held out. Even though the 26-year-old Purdy has already lost receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) for the entire 2026 season, the former seventh-rounder from Iowa State should be primed for a bounce-back campaign in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense after suiting up for only nine games in 2025 due to a turf-toe injury. Purdy will have more QB1 upside in his fifth NFL season if rookie second-round receiver De'Zhaun Stribling can step up as a big-play wideout across from veteran Mike Evans. Fantasy managers should be targeting Purdy as a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in 2026.

9 hours ago

Kenneth Walker • RB • Chiefs

Kenneth Walker Could See His Biggest Workload Yet

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker could finally get the kind of workload he never quite had in Seattle. Jesse Newell of The Athletic reports that Walker is primed to be the Chiefs' clear workhorse after spending last season sharing carries with Zach Charbonnet. Walker still topped 1,000 yards, rushing 221 times for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns, but he was on the field for only 46.8% of Seattle's offensive snaps. Charbonnet had 184 carries of his own and saw 50 red-zone rushes to Walker's 31. Kansas City has been showing off another part of Walker's game in camp, too, getting him loose on screens more than once. Patrick Mahomes has been openly excited about what Walker can add, and the Chiefs currently list him first on the depth chart ahead of Emari Demercado and rookie Emmett Johnson. More work near the goal line and in the passing game would make Walker even more interesting after an already efficient 2025 season.

10 hours ago

Jaydon Blue • RB • Cowboys

Jaydon Blue to "Get a Ton of Work" in the Preseason

Dallas Cowboys running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah will both "get a ton of work" in preseason games, head coach Brian Schottenheimer told Patrik Walker of the team's official website. Schottenheimer also made it known that Blue and Mafah are "in a heated battle" for the backup RB spot behind starter Javonte Williams. It appears that both Blue and Mafah have overtaken Malik Davis for potential RB2 duties entering the 2026 campaign. The 22-year-old Blue, a fifth-rounder from the University of Texas last year, only saw action in five games as a rookie, carrying the ball 38 times for 129 yards and one touchdown and catching one pass for a five-yard gain. Who wins the RB2 job between Blue and Mafah could very well come down to how they perform in the preseason, with Blue being the more intriguing upside stash in dynasty/keeper leagues because of his blend of pass-catching ability and speed. He's also the best handcuff play for fantasy managers who draft Williams. There have been nothing but glowing reports on Blue's development going into his sophomore season in Dallas.

10 hours ago

Jordan Love • QB • Packers

Jordan Love Says Biggest Difference in Offense is "Ability to Finish"

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love said the biggest difference between this year's offense and the 2025 version is "our ability to finish," according to Kevin Clark of ESPN. Love explained that the offense's inability to finish late in games and late in the season is why they ultimately fell short last year, and it has been their goal and mindset to finish stronger in 2026, regardless of the situation. Love continued to focus on having a better mindset and focus late in games for every player on the team to do their job better in crunch time. The 27-year-old Love threw for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only six interceptions in 15 regular-season starts in 2025 in his fifth year in the league, good enough for a QB16 finish in fantasy. Head coach Matt LaFleur staying aggressive over the course of entire games could give Love the passing volume he needs to finish in the QB1 territory in 2026, but fantasy managers should be drafting him as a strong QB2 with a solid floor.

10 hours ago

Ryan Flournoy • WR • Cowboys

Ryan Flournoy Is Getting Harder to Ignore in Redraft Leagues

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy has moved a long way from the practice-squad spot he held at the start of last season. He finished 2025 with 40 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns on 56 targets, and Dallas now lists him as a starting receiver alongside CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. That matters, even if the target ceiling is still pretty obvious. Flournoy's two 100-yard games last year both came when the Cowboys needed more from him, including a 9-115-1 line against Detroit after Lamb left with a concussion. He has kept building on that this summer. Dallas has talked openly about his improved route running and consistency, and Brian Schottenheimer has praised the work he put in during the offseason. KaVontae Turpin is still getting first-team reps, while Jake Ferguson gives Dak Prescott another established option in the middle of the field. Flournoy is RotoBaller's WR63, so nobody is asking him to become a weekly starter right away. For deeper leagues, though, the WR3 role and the flashes he showed last season make him a reasonable late-round swing.

10 hours ago

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