Jonnu Smith's Contract Restructured

The New England Patriots converted $7.965 million of tight end Jonnu Smith's base salary for this year into a bonus on Friday, creating $5.31 million in 2022 salary cap space, according to a source. Smith was a disappointment in his first year in New England in 2021, catching 28 of his 45 targets for 294 […]

No Timetable For Jameson Williams' Return

The Detroit Lions haven't offered a timetable for the return of rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams (knee), but general manager Brad Holmes said the team will take it slow with Williams' recovery from an ACL injury in January. Williams will open the year on the Non-Football Injury list, meaning he'll miss at least the first […]

X-Rays Negative On Andrew Benintendi

X-rays on the right wrist of New York Yankees outfielder Andrew Benintendi came back negative after he left the game early on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Benintendi will go for an MRI exam on Saturday. The 28-year-old injured his wrist on a swing on Friday. It's good news that X-rays came back negative, […]

Sonny Gray Leaves Start With Hamstring Tightness

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Sonny Gray (hamstring) left his start early on Friday against the Chicago White Sox with right hamstring tightness. Before exiting, Gray allowed two earned runs on five hits while walking one and striking out two in four innings. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to make his next […]

Brandon Belt To Have Season-Ending Knee Surgery

San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (knee) will have season-ending arthroscopic right knee surgery on Saturday with Dr. Ken Akizuki. Belt continues to have problems with his right knee and will have another surgery. The 34-year-old struggled this year, as he hit just .213/.326/.350 with eight home runs, 23 RBI, 25 runs scored and […]

Robert Woods The Unquestioned No. 1 WR For Titans

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Robert Woods has been a joy for the Titans this summer in terms of his presence in the locker room, his recovery from ACL surgery with a full limitation-free training camp and his performance, writes The Athletic's Joe Rexrode. Woods and quarterback Ryan Tannehill have built chemistry quickly, and Woods will […]

Julio Jones Should Be Bucs No. 3 Option In Passing Game

The Athletic's Greg Auman thinks Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran wide receiver Julio Jones (if healthy) should be a strong No. 3 option this year behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Jones can be dangerous in the red zone. Russell Gage has been limited by a hamstring injury but should be in line for a higher […]

Rashaad Penny The Clear Lead Back In Seattle

At the moment, Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny is a better running back than rookie Kenneth Walker III (hernia), according to The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar. Whenever Walker is healthy enough to play, it may take him some time to get into a rhythm after missing time during training camp due to his injury. And […]

Chase Claypool Still Ahead Of George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has impressed this summer, but he still has a ways to go to catch Chase Claypool, even with Claypool being banged up throughout training camp. Claypool has moved inside more than ever this summer, especially in three-receiver sets, which could diminish his yards-per-catch average. Because he'll see more opportunities, […]

Wan'Dale Robinson Has Limited Upside

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson could rack up catches in his first NFL season, but he's not a refined receiver yet and most of his touches will likely come around the line of scrimmage, which limits his fantasy upside. The 21-year-old second-round pick has looked good this summer and should open the […]

Texans Release Chris Conley

The Houston Texans released wide receiver Chris Conley on Friday to make room for newly signed tight end O.J. Howard on the active roster. In his lone season with Houston last year, Conley caught 22 of his 37 targets for 323 yards and only two touchdowns in 16 games (10 starts). The 29-year-old former third-round […]

Van Jefferson "Making Good Progress"

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that wide receiver Van Jefferson (knee) is "making good progress" as he rehabs from knee surgery during training camp. McVay said the team is "taking it a day at a time" with Jefferson and his availability for the Week 1 season opener next Thursday night against the […]

Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson Jr. "Good To Go"

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that running backs Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. are "good to go." Both running backs practiced on Friday after missing time during training camp with soft-tissue injuries. Akers and Henderson returned to full practice to start the week on Monday and should be fine for the […]

Eloy Jimenez Not In The Starting Lineup

Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez (leg) is not in the starting lineup on Friday against the Minnesota Twins. Jimenez was forced to exit the game early against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday with right leg soreness. Although he's likely just day-to-day, fantasy managers will need to remove him from their lineups for the […]

Danny Jansen Retreats To The Bench Friday

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is not in the starting lineup on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It will be the second straight day that Jansen will begin on the bench for Toronto. He hit just .213 (10-for-47) with two home runs, nine RBI, seven runs scored and 11 strikeouts in 15 games in […]

White Sox Put Luis Robert On Paternity List

The Chicago White Sox placed outfielder Luis Robert (wrist) on the paternity list on Friday and selected the contract of outfielder Mark Payton from Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move. The team also moved left-hander Aaron Bummer to the 60-day injured list. Robert left the team on Thursday to be with his pregnant wife, and […]

Spencer Steer To Play Regularly

Cincinnati Reds shortstop prospect Spencer Steer will be in the lineup "as much as possible," according to manager David Bell. Steer, the team's No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, came over from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline in the deal that sent right-hander Tyler Mahle to Minnesota. He's making his major league debut […]

Reese McGuire Begins On Bench Friday

Boston Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire will be out of the starting lineup again on Friday against the Texas Rangers. McGuire will be out of the starting lineup for the third straight game on Friday despite going 20-for-54 (.370) with no homers, five RBI and five runs scored in 18 games since joining the team […]

Owen Miller Not Starting Against Mariners

Cleveland Guardians second baseman Owen Miller is not in the starting lineup on Friday against the Seattle Mariners. Miller has gone 4-for-18 (.222) with six strikeouts in eight games over the last two weeks and has been on the bench in two of the team's last four games. With Miller out of the lineup Friday, […]

Jorge Polanco Missing Another Game Friday

Minnesota Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco (knee) is still out of the starting lineup on Friday against the Chicago White Sox. Polanco remains day-to-day, but this will be his fifth straight game starting on the bench. If he misses the rest of the weekend, there's a good chance he'll be placed on the injured list. […]

Wander Franco Close To Resuming Rehab Assignment

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (wrist, hand) said his hand feels better and that he is very close to resuming a minor league rehab assignment. However, he has no set target date to get back to Triple-A Durham or to rejoin the Rays. Franco will take batting practice on Friday in more of a […]

Zach Plesac, Aaron Civale Placed On Injured List

The Cleveland Guardians placed starting pitchers Zach Plesac (hand) and Aaron Civale (forearm) on the injured list on Friday and added Xzavion Curry and Kirk McCarty to the active roster in corresponding moves. Plesac was scratched from his start on Friday against the Seattle Mariners with a right hand fracture, while Civale is dealing with […]

Chris Olave Should Have The Edge As No. 2 WR

The Athletic's Larry Holder writes that it seems like New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, the team's first-round pick this year, has the edge as the No. 2 receiver behind Michael Thomas and ahead of veteran slot man Jarvis Landry. However, both Olave and Landry are expected to share the field often in three-wide […]

Cardinals Give Jalen Thompson A Contract Extension

The Arizona Cardinals signed safety Jalen Thompson to a contract extension on Friday that will run through the 2025 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Thompson has emerged as one of the best young defenders on the roster while teaming with Pro Bowler Budda Baker. The 24-year-old played in all 17 regular […]

Joshua Palmer Unlikely To See 75-Plus Targets

The Athletic's Daniel Popper doesn't see Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer getting to 75-plus targets this year unless there's an injury ahead of him. Palmer is ready from a developmental standpoint, though, after arriving last year with polished route-running and strong, reliable hands, especially on contested catches. He's looked even better this summer, […]

Darren Waller Could Score More Touchdowns

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller might face a slight drop-off in targets and yards with receiver Davante Adams now in the picture in 2022, but Waller should more than make up for it with an increase in touchdowns. He had only 14 touchdowns in the last three years combined, but he has said […]

Mecole Hardman Should Enter Season As No. 2 WR

The Athletic's Nate Taylor writes that the safest estimate is that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will lead the receiver group, at least early in the season. Next up should be Mecole Hardman because he's the fastest of the group and has been in the system the longest. Marquez Valdes-Scantling should open as […]

Alec Pierce Could Be A Red-Zone Weapon

The Athletic's James Boyd expects Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Alec Pierce to see more red-zone targets this year than Parris Campbell, given Pierce's physical attributes (6-foot-3, 211 pounds) and his ability to win jump balls. The 53rd overall pick in this year's draft looked the part in training camp and is a more versatile […]

DJ Chark Has Shown Chemistry With Jared Goff

Detroit Lions wide receiver DJ Chark and quarterback Jared Goff showed budding chemistry in training camp, particularly on throws down the field. Chark put on a show every day in practice leading up to the team's scrimmage at Ford Field. Some of his production may have come against a suspect secondary, but Chark has been […]

KJ Hamler, Albert Okwuegbunam Battling To Be No. 3 Target

The Athletic's Nick Kosmider doesn't think either wide receiver KJ Hamler or tight end Albert Okwuegbunam will establish himself as the clear No. 3 option for quarterback Russell Wilson behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy from the very start of the season. Hamler just played in his first game in 335 days in the preseason […]