Fantasy Football News

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is trending up once again. After knee injuries limited him to just five games through his first two seasons, he's now fully healthy and ready to occupy a big role on offense. There may be a little re-acclimation period as he gets used to his first NFL action since 2024, but there's also a glaring opportunity for him to step into a 1B role alongside Chuba Hubbard. Furthermore, we can't rule out the possibility of him completely taking over the backfield and leaving Hubbard in a backup role. This wouldn't be new territory for Hubbard, who sort of lost his job to Rico Dowdle last year. Brooks is incredibly talented, and if he can stay healthy, he could return to the high-end RB2 upside that he possessed prior to his rookie season. This is a low-risk move for managers, as Brooks still has a relatively modest ADP of 83.6.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin possesses the talent needed to be a top-10 receiver in fantasy football, and he's looking to shake off an ugly 2025 season marred by injuries. McLaurin caught 38 passes for 582 yards and three touchdowns across 10 games last year. He missed seven contests and quarterback Jayden Daniels missed 10 contests; they were on the field together for just three games. If both can stay healthy for most of the 2026 season, McLaurin should have no trouble re-establishing himself as a top-18 fantasy receiver, and perhaps even getting back to the WR1 range. Washington did sign Stefon Diggs in free agency, but McLaurin is clearly the No. 1 receiver here. In fact, Diggs' presence may actually help McLaurin by luring away cornerbacks, or at least reducing the rate at which McLaurin sees double coverage. We're very excited about the upside of McLaurin, who is somewhat of a steal at his current ADP of 53.0.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is set to enjoy an enormous quarterback upgrade following his offseason trade from the Dolphins to the Broncos. Waddle held his own in Miami despite abysmal quarterback play, ranking as the overall WR24 with Tua Tagovailoa and Quinn Ewers throwing to him last year. Now, he'll be catching Bo Nix, and he arguably finds himself in the best situation of his six-year career. Will he finish higher than WR8 and post the best fantasy finish of his career? Not necessarily. However, the pieces are in place for Waddle, who has shown that he can handle the No. 1 receiver role, to thrive. Staying on the field will also be key for the 27-year-old, who has finished as WR24 or higher in each of the three years he played 16+ games, but WR34 or lower in each of the two years he missed at least two games. Waddle is certainly trending up, and he now ranks as the overall WR19 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings for 2026.

The Tennessee Titans have waived wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, according to an announcement from the team. It's been an unconventional 24 hours for the second-year receiver, who made the initial 53-man roster on Sunday night, only to get cut loose on Monday. His roster spot will go to one of the five players the Titans signed or claimed after rosters were trimmed to 53 players. Restrepo had quickly emerged as a fan favorite in Tennessee. Not only did he have a strong rapport with quarterback Cam Ward from their time together at Miami, but he also overcame his status as an undrafted free agent to catch three passes for 41 yards across two games last year. The move leaves the Titans with just five receivers on their roster, so we can't rule out the possibility of Tennessee bringing him back closer to the season. With that being said, his future is no longer in the Titans' control, as any of the other 31 teams can add him to their roster simply by claiming him off waivers on Tuesday.

Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said that he expects Tyler Loop to be the team's kicker entering Week 1, according to Giana Han of The Baltimore Banner. However, Minter also said that the team is "trying to have all situations covered." It's unclear exactly what Minter means by this, but it's not the first time he's been a little iffy about Loop's job security. In recent days, he left the door open for the Ravens to bring in some competition at the kicker position. With that being said, it sounds like Loop will handle kicking duties for Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, barring any major surprises. Playing on a good team should bode well for his outlook as a fringe top-12 fantasy kicker, and he also comes with a decent track record after going 30-for-34 on field goals and 44-for-46 on extra points last year.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (ribs) was back on the practice field on Monday, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Beck suffered a rib injury during the Hall of Fame game earlier in August. The third-round pick sat out of all three preseason contests, but is back on the field now. Beck is expected to be the third-string quarterback behind Gardner Minshew II and starter Jacoby Brissett to begin the season. There is a good chance that Beck does get into action during his rookie season, but he won't be a fantasy option right away.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson (soreness) was seen working off to the side with the trainer during Monday's practice. According to Benjamin Royer, the Rams are taking the cautious approach with Ferguson right now. There are still 10 days before the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. It doesn't sound like the Rams are going to push anything and give Ferguson a lighter workload for a few days. Fantasy managers don't need to be too concerned at the moment. Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Max Klare would see larger roles if Ferguson is to miss any time.

According to Adam Schefter, the Buffalo Bills have added wide receiver Greg Dortch to their practice squad on Monday. Dortch was unable to secure a depth role on the Detroit Lions and was cut over the weekend. He'll now head to Buffalo, but he doesn't exactly have a better shot at playing for the Bills. The 28-year-old figures to serve as depth in case the Bills get a handful of injuries at wideout. Dortch has played a minor role on the Arizona Cardinals over the last five seasons. The move to Buffalo probably isn't going to change his fantasy value very much.

According to Jordan Schultz, New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt has signed with the team's practice squad on Monday. Hyatt was cut from the 53-man roster over the weekend. However, the 24-year-old is back with the Giants after passing through waivers unclaimed. Hyatt is a former third-round pick of the Giants from 2023. He hasn't reached 10 receptions in a single season since his rookie campaign. He'll serve as depth on the practice squad, but there's really no reason to roster Hyatt in any fantasy formats.

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett (knee) was not seen on the field during Monday's practice, according to Nate Atkins. "He's making good progress. Really good progress. The goal all along has been Australia," head coach Sean McVay said. Garrett continues to be held out of practice while he deals with knee swelling. The Rams are downplaying the issue and expect Garrett to be ready for the season opener versus the San Francisco 49ers. It sounds like it's an issue that can be dealt with by continued maintenance. With that being said, it could be something that Garrett deals with throughout the season, but it's not expected to keep him out of action. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates on his status as the week goes on.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) was seen working off to the side during team drills at Monday's practice, according to Nate Atkins of The Athletic. Nacua returned to practice on Sunday after being sidelined for multiple weeks. It appears the Rams are going to slowly ramp up Nacua with still 10 days to go before the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. Nacua has missed a good part of training camp, but that shouldn't concern fantasy managers too much. Nacua is one of the best players in the league and is expected to continue being an elite fantasy option. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the Rams continue to slowly bring along Nacua.

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue, who was surprisingly released on Sunday, is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad on Monday, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 22-year-old fifth-rounder last year from Texas disappointed in his first NFL season, carrying the ball only 38 times for 129 yards and a touchdown in five appearances for the Cowboys, but he had been impressive during training camp and the preseason before being cut on Sunday. The Eagles did not waste any time swooping up Blue as extra RB depth behind Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and Will Shipley. Blue will stay in the NFC East division, but his path to a backfield role will not get any easier with the move to Philadelphia. He is still young and has intriguing speed and pass-catching ability out of the backfield, which makes him stash-worthy in deep dynasty/keeper leagues.

The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Monday that they placed wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (undisclosed) on Injured Reserve with an undisclosed injury. Thornton will miss at least the first four weeks of the 2026 campaign. His injury means that Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, and Jack Bech are locked into the top three receiver spots in Vegas this year, with rookie Malik Benson and Dareke Young rounding out the WR room. The 23-year-old fourth-rounder from Tennessee last year saw limited production in his first NFL season in a bad Raiders offense last year, catching just 10 of his 30 targets for 135 yards and zero touchdowns in 15 games played (eight starts). Thornton missed all of the preseason and most of training camp this summer, which puts him behind the eight ball with the Raiders' new coaching staff in his sophomore campaign. He should only be stashed in deep dynasty/keeper formats, but after Benson's strong summer, Thornton figures to be the team's WR5, at best, when he makes his 2026 debut.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch confirmed on Monday that nothing has changed with the situation regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), who remains on the left-squad list after roster cutdown day on Sunday, according to Matt Lively of CBS Sports. The 28-year-old former first-rounder has been off the team's roster since the start of training camp at the end of July. A season-ending knee injury in 2024 and off-the-field issues have forced the Niners to move on from Aiyuk, who went on a social-media rant against the organization this offseason, in turn scaring away potential suitors if/when the 49ers ever outright release him. The 49ers signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract in August of 2024 before he proceeded to catch just 25 passes for 374 yards and zero touchdowns before tearing his ACL and MCL in his right knee in Week 7. Aiyuk did not play at all in 2025, and the chances of him re-emerging as a fantasy football asset in 2026 are drying up with each passing day. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should not be drafting Aiyuk.

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (shoulder) was wearing a red, non-contact jersey at the team's practice on Monday, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. Johnson is still not a full-go this week after injuring his shoulder in practice last Monday. The fact that the 25-year-old was even out there on Monday suggests that he should be fine for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday night, Sept. 13, against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The former fourth-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft from Penn State improved in his second season in 2025, catching 45 of his 74 targets for 528 yards and five touchdowns in 15 starts after posting a 29-331-1 line in 12 games as a rookie. Johnson could have a decent role in his third NFL campaign in a Giants offense that figures to utilize plenty of two-tight-end sets, but unless Isaiah Likely misses time with an injury, his fantasy football ceiling will be low in an offense that wants to ground and pound. At RotoBaller, Johnson is ranked as the No. 42 fantasy TE, so he should only be drafted for depth in two-TE leagues.

The Philadelphia Eagles placed tight end Grant Calcaterra (back) on Injured Reserve on roster cutdown day on Sunday, according to the team's official website. Calcaterra will be forced to miss at least the first four games of the 2026 season after he missed the final two weeks of the preseason. The 27-year-old's injury leaves the Eagles a little light on depth at the position behind starter Dallas Goedert going into Week 1 against the division-rival Washington Commanders, with Johnny Mundt, rookie Eli Stowers, and E.J. Jenkins comprising the team's TE room to open the season. It is why the Eagles are considering a reunion with veteran Zach Ertz (knee), who is wrapping up his rehab from a torn ACL last year. The 27-year-old Calcaterra had a career-best 298 receiving yards and a touchdown on 24 receptions in 2024, but he fell to just nine catches, 76 yards, and one touchdown in 15 regular-season games last year in his fourth year in the NFL. The former sixth-rounder in 2022 from SMU is off the fantasy football radar in all leagues for the start of 2026.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) missed a fourth straight practice on Monday with an undisclosed injury, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Mitchell was seen working off to the side with a trainer. It does not sound like a serious injury, and the 24-year-old will have all of next week to return to practice before the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 13. Still, it is something to keep an eye on for the Chargers' backfield, as both Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal could be in line for bigger roles if Mitchell is limited or out to begin the season. For what it is worth, general manager Joe Hortiz said that he thinks Mitchell will be active next weekend against the Cardinals. Hampton, who is entering his second season, is the Bolts' clear lead back, but new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could ride the hot hand with Hampton, Mitchell, and Vidal on a week-to-week basis. Mitchell has explosive abilities out of the backfield, but volume will be a concern, and he has played in just 26 games (two starts) in his first three NFL seasons due to injuries. Fantasy managers should consider Mitchell an interesting late-round handcuff or depth piece for RB depth. RotoBaller has him ranked as the RB46 for 2026.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) was non-committal about any specific game return date, be it Week 1 or otherwise, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. Nabers is feeling great, but he still has some checkpoints to know that he is completely ready for game action. He is focused on a regular-season return and being better than he was before, whenever that will be. "I'm gonna be making sure that I'm ready to go out there and I'm healthy enough to play all four quarters," Nabers said. The 23-year-old has been eased in during training camp this summer after tearing his ACL and meniscus early on last season, but he shed his non-contact jersey last week and continues to make strides towards being ready for a Week 1 showdown on Sunday night against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13. The former first-rounder from LSU has high-end WR1 upside after his 109-1,204-7 line in 15 games played as a rookie in 2024, but his return from a season-ending knee injury in 2025 has put him as more of a risk/reward, low-end WR1 in fantasy football drafts this fall. If Nabers is active in Week 1, it would not be surprising if he was on a strict snap count.

Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) was not participating in Monday's practice, but it sounds like he should return to the field next week, according to John Keim of ESPN. Croskey-Merritt is believed to be dealing with a minor groin injury that caused him to sit out of the team's final two preseason games. But as long as JCM is back on the practice field next week, he should be in line to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 13. Heading into his second year in the NFL, Croskey-Merritt is positioned to lead Washington on early downs, but his fantasy upside will be capped by the presence of newcomer and pass-game specialist Rachaad White (hamstring), who is expected to see most of the targets out of the backfield as a receiver. Both backs are a little banged up, though, so it is possible that rookie Kaytron Allen sees a bigger role out of the gates in Week 1. In season-long redraft leagues, Croskey-Merritt should be drafted as an RB3/flex with upside in his sophomore campaign. The former seventh-rounder from Arizona impressed with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries in his first NFL season, adding only nine receptions for 68 yards through the air in 17 games.

Kicker Blake Grupe is now the favorite to become the New York Jets' starting placekicker after they released veteran Jason Sanders on Monday, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Grupe was claimed by the Jets off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts after he lost out to Spencer Shrader for the kicking job in Indianapolis this summer. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent from Notre Dame has only three years of experience kicking in the NFL, making 81.9% of his 105 field-goal attempts (19-for-27 from 50-plus yards out) while converting on 98% of his 98 extra-point tries. In 16 games in 2025 with the Colts and New Orleans Saints, Grupe went 29-for-37 (78.4%) on his field-goal attempts, including going 7-for-10 from 50-plus yards. He also made all 25 of his extra-point opportunities. Although the Jets' offense could be better in 2026 with veteran quarterback Geno Smith running the show, not much is expected, and fantasy managers should be able to find more stable kicking options in 12- and 14-team leagues.