Jordy Nelson Could Be Derek Carr's Safety Blanket

ESPN's Paul Gutierrez doesn't expect Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson to put up huge numbers this year with the offense revolving so much around Amari Cooper, but Nelson should help fill the void left by Michael Crabtree as quarterback Derek Carr's "security blanket." Nelson still has plenty of speed to create separation, and his […]

John Ross Still Working To Earn Team's Trust

Cincinnati Bengals second-year wideout John Ross flashed with a 57-yard touchdown in the last preseason game, but he continues to show inconsistency and is working to earn the team's trust, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell. Terrell believes that receiver Tyler Boyd could wind up having more value in point-per-reception leagues since he'll be used more […]

Sammy Watkins Must Earn His Keep

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins has been quiet in training camp and the preseason, and the passing game so far has heavily favored receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce. Watkins signed a three-year, $48 million deal in the offseason and has been learning all three receiver positions while trying to develop […]

Royce Freeman Must Be Able To Pass Protect

Denver Broncos rookie running back Royce Freeman has looked good with the ball in his hands so far this preseason, but in order for him to see more playing time in the regular season he must improve his pass protection. The Broncos are high on Freeman, and general manager John Elway said "we haven't had […]

Rashaad Penny Expected To Be Back For Week 1

Seattle Seahawks rookie first-round pick Rashaad Penny (finger) is expected to be back by Week 1 and should have a sizeable role in the offense, according to head coach Pete Carroll. However, Penny won't be taking the starting role away from Chris Carson anytime soon. Carson has been very impressive throughout offseason workouts and into […]

Jaguars Relying On Donte Moncrief

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be relying on wide receiver Donte Moncrief more than anyone after the season-ending injury to Marqise Lee (knee). Moncrief has the most experience of the team's receivers with 152 catches in 53 career games, and he's also the oldest receiver on the roster at 25 years old. He was inconsistent in […]

Sony Michel Impresses In Practice

New England Patriots rookie running back Sony Michel impressed running backs coach Ivan Fears in practice on Monday. "Just what we expected. He was progressing well. I was really happy when we got the pads on, and got a chance to see him run a bit. It looks like he's going to be what we […]

Tyler Flowers Agrees To Extension

Atlanta Braves catcher Tyler Flowers agreed to a one-year contract extension that includes a team option on Tuesday. Flowers has had a down year in 2018 with a .225/.357/.335 slash line, five home runs and 20 RBI, but he remains a valuable backstop for the Braves in a tandem with Kurt Suzuki. Flowers is only […]

Kolten Wong Placed On DL

The St. Louis Cardinals placed second baseman Kolten Wong (hamstring) on the disabled list on Tuesday with a left hamstring strain. Infielder Patrick Wisdom was recalled from the minors in a corresponding move. Wong just recently served a DL stint. He hasn't been much for fantasy owners to look at with a .244 average, eight […]

Mike Gillislee Still The Odd Man Out

New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee still appears to be the odd man out for the final running back roster spot. Jeremy Hill is projected to beat out Gillislee for the power role. Brandon Bolden could also be cut and then brought back later. As of now, the Patriots are expected to keep Rex […]

Brandon Marshall Not A Lock For Roster

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Brandon Marshall still isn't a lock for the final roster despite looking good in practices and developing chemistry with quarterback Russell Wilson. Marshall is 34 years old and is coming off two surgeries. Keeping him on the roster would mean cutting a younger player with more long-term upside. It's possible the […]

Peyton Barber The Team's Go-To Red-Zone Guy

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber has been the team's "go-to guy in the red zone," according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. Barber also tightened his grip on the lead-back role by taking five carries for 34 yards and a touchdown in the preseason game on Friday. Rookie Ronald Jones II had just six carries […]

O.J. Howard Expected To Make More Splash Plays

Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year tight end O.J. Howard is expected to rise and meet the lofty expectations he had in his rookie year in 2017 as a first-round pick. "I definitely am expecting it. I know he is," tight ends coach Ben Steele said. "We talk about 'the great ones show up every single day.' […]

Latavius Murray Could Be Goal-Line Back

Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray could be used a lot inside the five-yard line this year to alleviate some stress on Dalvin Cook, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Both Murray and Cook are expected to be used as receivers in offensive coordinator John DeFilippo's system, and sometimes they might both be on the field […]

David Wright Moving Rehab To Triple-A

New York Mets third baseman David Wright (shoulder) is moving his rehab assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas. Wright is trying to make an improbable comeback after having not played in an MLB game since May of 2016 due to a variety of ailments. He could join the Mets as soon as this weekend when rosters […]

Phillies Acquire Jose Bautista

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder Jose Bautista from the New York Mets on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations. Joey Bats made a little noise with the Mets, but he's hitting just .196/.339/.364 with 11 home runs and 42 RBI on the season. He'll mainly be a bat off […]

Andrew Luck Will Return To Practice Monday

Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich said that quarterback Andrew Luck (foot) will return to practice on Monday. Reich said Luck is feeling strong and good, and the team doesn't anticipate restricting Luck in regular season practices. After missing all of last year with a shoulder injury, any injury to Luck seems more serious than […]

Josh Rosen Throwing Tuesday

Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Josh Rosen (thumb) did some throwing in practice on Tuesday. Rosen's injury obviously isn't serious at all. He'll open the season as the backup to Sam Bradford, but Rosen should be making starts at some point in 2018. He's not much of a redraft option, but Rosen is a fine pick […]

Stephen Anderson On The Roster Bubble

Houston Texans tight end Stephen Anderson is on the roster bubble and is competing with rookie Jordan Thomas for the final spot. Ryan Griffin will be the starter and will be more involved in the passing game this year. Rookie Jordan Akins is expected to also be a receiving threat, while the team is trying […]

Paxton Lynch Could Soon Be Gone

Denver Broncos quarterback Chad Kelly's play in training camp may force the team's hand to keep him as a developmental prospect on the active roster behind starter Case Keenum. The Broncos have given Paxton Lynch, a former first-rounder, plenty of chances, but he continues to struggle and finds himself third on the depth chart. Signing […]

Rico Gathers Projected To Miss The Cut

Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers isn't expected to make the final 53-man roster. Gathers made some splash plays in training camp, but it doesn't appear to be enough. Geoff Swaim has come on of late and is No. 1 on the depth chart, but Blake Jarwin should be the team's main pass-catching tight end. […]

Justin Jackson Not Expected To Make Team

Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson (hamstring) is looking like the odd man out for the roster crunch after a hamstring injury has limited him most of training camp and the preseason. Detrez Newsome is expected to be the third back behind Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler to open the season.

Melvin Gordon Not Expected To Play Thursday

Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, who was still out on Monday due to a family matter, is not expected to play in the preseason finale on Thursday against the 49ers. Gordon is one of the few true workhorse backs in the NFL and could even catch more passes this year in his second […]

Derwin James Expected To Open Season As Starter

Los Angeles Chargers rookie safety Derwin James appears likely to start the regular season as a starter. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said Monday that the team plans to use James in one of the starting safety spots for Week 1 against the Chiefs. James was the 17th overall pick of the first round this year […]

Khalil Mack Could Miss Regular Season Games

The Oakland Raiders and defensive end Khalil Mack have made zero progress in contract negotiations, and it's now likely to end with Mack missing regular season games, according to sources familiar with the stalemate. As of Monday night, sources said both sides remained in a standoff and in the same spot in negotiations since February. […]

Dez Bryant Says He'll Play This Year

Free-agent wide receiver Dez Bryant says he will play this year, but he might have to wait until later this year. Bryant's market has been weak after he led the NFL in drops last year with the Cowboys. He came close to signing with the Browns before Josh Gordon reported to camp, but he also […]

Breshad Perriman Expected To Be Cut

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman is projected to be cut when rosters are trimmed down this weekend. The 2015 first-round pick has failed to meet expectations and has been outplayed in training camp by the likes of Jordan Lasley and Janarion Grant. Perriman has just 43 catches for 576 yards and three touchdowns in […]

Seth DeValve On The Roster Bubble?

Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve could lose out on the third tight end spot to Devon Cajuste. DeValve has missed plenty of time with an injury, including the last two preseason games. The only thing in DeValve's favor is that head coach Hue Jackson tends to favor players with experience. The 25-year-old has 43 […]

Adam Shaheen Expected To Avoid IR

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy doesn't think tight end Adam Shaheen (foot) will need to be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. That means that Shaheen could return later this year, but it remains to be seen how much he can contribute. Trey Burton is the tight end to target in Chicago.

Kevin White Likely To Earn Roster Spot

Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White looks to have done enough in training camp and the preseason to earn a roster spot behind Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller. White was the eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft but has played in just five total games in three years due to injuries. The […]