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Cardinals Top Prospect Quinn Mathews to Make MLB Debut on Saturday
St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews will be called up from Triple-A Memphis to make his major-league debut and start on Saturday in Toronto against the Blue Jays, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The 25-year-old 6-foot-5, 188-pounder should immediately be in play as a waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers in all league formats as the Cardinals' No. 7 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The former fourth-round pick in 2023 from Stanford University is getting the call to the Show after going 5-3 with a 3.13 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 111:52 K:BB in 92 innings across 19 starts at Memphis this year. Mathews has been particularly effective since June, posting a sharp 1.55 ERA in his 52 1/3 innings. He features a fastball, sinker, slider, and a changeup, and he'll occasionally mix in a curveball for good measure. Mathews has plenty of strikeout upside with an 11.5 K/9 in his three minor-league seasons, but mechanical issues have hurt his command/control at times. He could have a strong MLB debut this weekend against a Blue Jays offense with the second-worst OPS (.684) in all of baseball in 2026.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Exits With Apparent Leg Injury on Thursday
New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (leg) was forced to leave Thursday's loss to the Chicago White Sox early with an apparent leg injury, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Chisholm was pulled from the game in the 11th inning after coming up lame while running a groundout in the ninth inning, and he was replaced at the keystone by Jose Caballero. The left-handed slugger went 1-for-3 at the plate with two walks and a strikeout before leaving late. The severity and specific nature of the 28-year-old's injury are unknown, but it could be a minor injury due to the fact that he wasn't pulled from the game right away. The two-time All-Star came into Thursday's tilt with a .223/.298/.408 slash line with a .705 OPS, 16 home runs, 45 RBI, a league-high 30 stolen bases, and 53 runs scored in 101 games across 400 plate appearances. Chisholm is of little help for your average and on-base percentage thanks to a 30% strikeout rate, and his power is down in 2026, but fantasy managers cannot complain about his stolen-base contributions for a player who is eligible at second base. Check back on Friday to see if Chisholm is active for Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs.
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Tyler Bass Fully Healthy and Ready to Go
Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass (pelvis) told reporters that he's fully healthy and ready to go after rehabbing a pelvic injury that cost him all of last season, according to Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com. "It was hard to get out of bed for a couple weeks," Bass said. "When I started kicking, we started with baby steps- 20-yarders, 10-yarders, and then working from there. It wasn't until midway through OTAs that I started feeling like myself again." The 29-year-old kicker finished as a top-10 player at his position in fantasy in 2024, when he made 24 of his 29 field-goal attempts (4-for-4 from 50-plus yards) and 59 of his 64 extra-point tries in 17 regular-season games. The former sixth-round pick in 2020 from Georgia Southern is an 84.5% field-goal kicker (16-for-23 from 50-plus yards) in his five years in the NFL, and he could be a nice fantasy sleeper at the kicking position in Buffalo's high-scoring offense if he can manage to stay healthy in his return in 2026.
Source: Syracuse.com - Matt Parrino
Source: Syracuse.com - Matt Parrino
Erick All Medically Cleared for Start of Training Camp
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Erick All (knee) was medically cleared for the start of training camp over the weekend after multiple knee surgeries, according to Dan Hoard of Bengals.com. "I had to leave the training room," All said. "I got teary-eyed for a bit. That was a big moment for me. (The tears) kind of caught me by surprise. I was chomping at the bit, and once you hear those words, it kind of got me a little bit." All, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft from the University of Iowa, played in nine games in his rookie season, catching 20 passes for 158 yards and zero touchdowns, before suffering a torn ACL that caused him to miss the entire 2025 campaign. The Bengals will ease him back into action this summer and in the preseason, but now that he's fully healthy, he'll have a chance to compete for TE2 duties behind Mike Gesicki. All's primary competition will come from Tanner Hudson and Drew Sample, but if he stays healthy, he could have a good shot to win the TE2 role. It's good news for Cincy's TE depth, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues can continue to ignore All.
Source: Bengals.com - Dan Hoard
Source: Bengals.com - Dan Hoard
Justin Fields Looking Impressive Early in Training Camp
Kansas City Chiefs new backup quarterback Justin Fields made some impressive throws in training camp practice on Thursday, including a perfectly placed pass outside the numbers to receiver Andrew Armstrong during 7-on-7 drills, according to Chiefs.com's Matt McMullen. Fields added another excellent throw to hit tight end Mason Pline deep down the sideline. The 27-year-old former 11th overall pick by the Chicago Bears from Ohio State was a massive free-agent bust with the New York Jets in 2025, only playing in nine games and eventually being benched in favor of veteran Tyrod Taylor. Fields, who has always possessed elite rushing ability at the QB position, just has yet to put it all together as a passer to make him a viable long-term starter. He threw for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception in his nine starts for the Jets, and now he finds himself as QB insurance in KC for Patrick Mahomes (knee), who is recovering from a torn ACL and LCL late last season. Mahomes appears to be on track for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, but if anything were to happen to Mahomes again, Fields would become an interesting dual-threat weapon in head coach Andy Reid's offense.
Source: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
Source: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
Brandon Aiyuk Could See Large Target Share if he Stays With 49ers
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said in January that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) would never play for the organization again, but has the team's stance changed following a potential season-ending knee injury to Ricky Pearsall? The Niners signed the 28-year-old Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract in August of 2024, and then the former first-rounder from Arizona State played in only seven games that year before suffering a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. Aiyuk was looking like an ascending young wideout before getting a big new deal, recording back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 15 total touchdowns in 2022 and 2023. His knee injury kept him sidelined for all of last year, at which point the off-the-field issues between Aiyuk and the 49ers started, causing the team to void the remaining guarantees in his contract. San Fran was hoping to trade Aiyuk this offseason, but they found no takers. He is on the left-squad list for the start of training camp, and the 49ers have been expected to cut him eventually. But with Pearsall likely done for the entire 2026 season, Aiyuk could be the team's locked-in WR2 behind Mike Evans if the two sides can put the past behind them. This scenario feels like a long shot, but we've seen crazier things happen.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Zack Baun to be the QB of the Eagles Defense in 2026
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio confirmed on Thursday that linebacker Zack Baun will wear the green dot on his helmet as the quarterback of the defense this year in place of Nakobe Dean, who was the Eagles' primary defensive play-caller last year. The 29-year-old Baun had 88 tackles (60 solo), two sacks, an interception, and two pass breakups in his first four years in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints after they took him in the third round in 2020 out of Wisconsin. It wasn't until Baun joined the Eagles in 2024, though, that he truly broke out. He has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last two seasons while recording a total of 274 tackles (157 solo), seven sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, three interceptions, 11 pass breakups, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 32 starts. Baun's impressive last two seasons with the Eagles in a primary starting role have made him a top-15 fantasy linebacker in IDP formats going into 2026.
Source: PHLY Sports - EJ Smith
Source: PHLY Sports - EJ Smith
Jahan Dotson Running With Falcons' Starters in Training Camp
As expected, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson is running with the starters in the early days of training camp, according to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com. McFadden added that Dotson made an early play in Thursday's full-team period that "showed why he could be an excellent complement for the other weapons in this offense." Dotson ran a crosser route and quietly created separation to catch the ball over the middle with plenty of room to gain yards after the catch. The middle of the field is an area that the Falcons have been looking to attack more consistently, and Dotson "could be a player who shines in that role." The 26-year-old could become the team's WR2 behind starter Drake London in new head coach Kevin Stefanski's offense, making him a late-round sleeper target. Dotson has found the end zone just once in the last two years with the Philadelphia Eagles, but is a former first-rounder who produced 1,041 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his first two years with the Washington Commanders.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Chris Olave Lands Four-Year Extension With Saints
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has agreed to a four-year extension worth up to $132 million, including $90 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter. His agents, Drew and Jason Rosenhaus, provided the terms to ESPN. The deal follows a career year in which Olave caught 100 of 156 targets for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns over 16 starts, earning second-team All-Pro honors. It was his third 1,000-yard season in four years, with an injury-shortened 2024 as the only exception. New Orleans had already exercised Olave's fifth-year option for 2026, but the extension now keeps him under team control well beyond the end of his rookie contract. The contract does not alter his immediate role, but it gives dynasty managers long-term stability around a receiver who remains the focal point of the Saints' passing game.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Shemar Stewart to Miss Several Weeks With Hyperextended Knee
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart (knee) will miss several weeks after hyperextending his left knee during Wednesday's practice, according to Charlie Goldsmith. Head coach Zac Taylor said Stewart avoided a major injury, welcome news after the 2025 first-round pick was carted off and initially unable to put weight on the leg. Injuries already cost Stewart a large part of his rookie season. He played eight games with five starts, spent five games on injured reserve with a knee injury, and missed four earlier contests because of an ankle issue. Stewart finished with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass deflection. Cincinnati will now be without him for another chunk of valuable development time, although the diagnosis is far better than it first appeared. For fantasy purposes, Stewart remains a wait-and-see option in deeper IDP leagues.
Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Treylon Burks Misses Practice With Foot Soreness
Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks (foot) did not practice Thursday because of foot soreness, according to Ben Standig. There was no further update on the severity of the issue. Burks is trying to build on a productive offseason while competing for work behind Terry McLaurin in a receiver room without a settled No. 2. Washington re-signed the former first-round pick in March after he caught 10 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown in eight games last season. Health remains central to his case. Burks has played 35 games through four NFL seasons, with 11 being his career high in any one year. The missed practice is worth tracking, but there is not enough information yet to suggest a longer absence. For now, fantasy managers only need to monitor how quickly he returns and whether he can regain the momentum he built during offseason work.
Source: Ben Standig
Source: Ben Standig
Kalif Raymond Getting Plenty of Early Camp Looks
Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond has been getting the ball often early in training camp. Brad Biggs noted that Raymond has been heavily involved and that it is already easy to see head coach Ben Johnson has plans for him as the team's third receiver. That should not come as much of a surprise. Raymond spent four seasons with Johnson in Detroit, and Johnson said in June that the veteran is more than a gadget player and could have a major role in the offense. Raymond caught 24 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown in 15 games for the Lions last season, but Chicago appears interested in using him more creatively. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III are still the top two options in the receiver room, which limits Raymond's path to dependable weekly volume. Even so, his early camp usage is worth following. He is more of a deep-league watch-list player than a standard redraft pick right now.
Source: Brad Biggs
Source: Brad Biggs
Ryan Flournoy's Offseason Work Draws More Praise
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy added muscle this offseason, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has taken notice. Asked by Nicole Hutchison whether that change came from a conversation about helping Flournoy take the next step, Schottenheimer praised his "incredible" work ethic and called him another offseason award winner. The comments fit Flournoy's rise over the past year. After being waived at the end of training camp and returning on the practice squad, he earned his way back onto the active roster before Week 2. Flournoy went on to catch 40 of 56 targets for 475 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games, highlighted by 114 yards against the Jets and 115 against the Lions. He now enters 2026 as Dallas' third receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. That is a difficult setup for steady weekly volume, but Flournoy has already shown he can produce when called upon. He is best viewed as a deep-league watch-list option rather than a standard redraft target.
Source: Nicole Hutchison
Source: Nicole Hutchison
Mac Jones Healthy for Training Camp
San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones (undisclosed) is healthy for the start of training camp after dealing with an undisclosed issue during the offseason, according to Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Jones started slow in Wednesday's practice before improving throughout the session and finishing 11-for-15 passing. The 27-year-old signal-caller kept the Niners' offense afloat last year with Brock Purdy missing extended time with a turf-toe injury, throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions on 289 pass attempts in 11 games (eight starts) in his first year in the Bay Area. While Jones was not a standout by any means for fantasy football purposes as more of a game manager, he was a real-life savior for head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, leading to the 49ers rebuffing trade inquiries on Jones in the offseason. That stance could change this summer if a QB-needy team makes the Niners an offer they can't refuse, but for now, Jones is an extremely valuable insurance policy for Purdy under center.
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows
Jaydon Blue Named Standout After First Camp Practice
Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue was one of the players who stood out during Wednesday's first training camp practice, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said, according to Jon Machota. Blue also mixed in with the first-team offense and broke a 45-yard run that would have resulted in a touchdown during the non-padded session. The 22-year-old appeared in five games as a rookie, finishing with 38 carries for 129 yards and one touchdown while catching one pass for five yards. Javonte Williams remains firmly established as Dallas' lead back after rushing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025. The competition behind him remains unsettled, with Phil Mafah receiving the initial No. 2 reps Wednesday and Malik Davis returning after recording 250 rushing yards last season. Blue's 4.38 speed gives him an explosive trait that separates him from the other reserve options, but one strong practice does not secure the backup job. He remains a worthwhile late-round watch while competing for a meaningful complementary role.
Source: Jon Machota
Source: Jon Machota
Nick Lodolo to Face Live Hitters on Friday
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) will test out his new breaking-ball grip when he faces live hitters on Friday, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. It will be Lodolo's first time facing hitters since going on the 15-day injured list on July 12 with another blister on his finger. The 28-year-old southpaw teased high-end strikeout upside when he entered the league in 2022 as a former first-round pick out of TCU, but he has failed to live up to expectations and hasn't been able to stay healthy enough to make 30 starts in a single season. In just 12 starts (62 2/3 innings) this year, Lodolo has gone 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA (5.10 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 27 walks. He's had a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate and career-high 9.7% walk rate, which is not what you want to see. Still, he's rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues with hopes that he can at least be a viable matchup-based streamer to close out the year. The Reds will likely have Lodolo make at least one minor-league rehab start if his simulated game goes off without a hitch on Friday.
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Jayden Reed Opens Camp Healthy After Injury-Plagued 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed is healthy for the start of training camp after a foot fracture and broken collarbone limited him to seven games in 2025, according to USA Today's Packers Wire. Reed caught 19 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown last season after leading Green Bay in receiving yards in each of his first two campaigns. The Packers signed the 26-year-old to a reported three-year, $50.25 million extension in April, reinforcing his place alongside Christian Watson and Matthew Golden at the top of the receiver room. Green Bay traded Dontayvion Wicks to Philadelphia and allowed Romeo Doubs to leave in free agency, creating a more streamlined depth chart. Reed's healthy start gives him an opportunity to rebuild his timing with Jordan Love after an injury-disrupted season. His previous production creates a credible rebound case, although Watson and Golden could keep targets distributed across Green Bay's passing attack.
Source: Packers Wire
Source: Packers Wire
"No Target Dates" for Malik Nabers' Return From Torn ACL, Meniscus
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) has "no target dates" for his return following a torn ACL and meniscus suffered last year, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. The plan is for Nabers to continue stacking positive days and see where it goes from there. He is feeling good in training camp, but it remains a mystery as to whether he will be ready to roll for the team's Week 1 Sunday night showdown against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The good news is that the 23-year-old former first-rounder from LSU managed to sidestep the Physically Unable to Perform list to start camp. However, Nabers will remain limited until further notice. The former sixth overall pick thoroughly impressed as a rookie in 2024, catching 109 of a whopping 170 targets for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games played. However, with a more run-focused offense expected under new head coach John Harbaugh while he comes off major knee surgery, Nabers has plenty of risk in his 2026 fantasy profile, making him more of a low-end WR2 target than a surefire WR1.
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Travis Kelce Looks Sharp in First Full-Squad Practice
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce looked sharp during Wednesday's first full-squad training camp practice, making a fingertip catch from Patrick Mahomes between two linebackers during seven-on-seven work, according to The Athletic. Head coach Andy Reid said Kelce looked good physically, remained in shape, and continued setting an example through his willingness to take practice repetitions. The 36-year-old is entering his 14th NFL season after catching 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games in 2025. Although his reception total declined from 97 in 2024, his average increased from 8.5 to 11.2 yards per catch. Kelce has not announced whether he plans to play beyond the 2026 season, but he remains a central part of Kansas City's passing game and an important leader for the roster. One seven-on-seven highlight does not resolve the age-related concerns surrounding his fantasy outlook, though his full participation and early movement are encouraging signs.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
Jordan Whittington's Versatility Giving Him Leg Up for WR3 Role
Cameron DaSilva of the Rams Wire writes that Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington is the leader of the WR3 competition early in training camp because of how experienced and versatile he is. Whittington is competing with Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield, and rookie CJ Daniels, with DaSilva also noting that Daniels has made some noise in practice and is drawing attention from fans and coaches. The No. 3 WR spot in head coach Sean McVay's offense will be an important one, but it also isn't expected to come with a lot of weekly volume as long as the top two receivers, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, are healthy. The 25-year-old Whittington took a slight step back in 2025 in his sophomore season, catching only 18 of 25 targets for 171 yards and zero touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. The former sixth-rounder in 2024 from the University of Texas has yet to find the end zone in 32 regular-season games (nine starts) and will remain off the fantasy radar in the majority of redraft leagues going into the start of the upcoming campaign.
Source: Rams Wire - Cameron DaSilva
Source: Rams Wire - Cameron DaSilva
Rhamondre Stevenson Active in Low Red-Zone Work
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson had a positive low-red-zone rep during Thursday's training camp practice, bouncing a run outside and appearing to turn the corner, according to Evan Lazar. TreVeyon Henderson also scored on an inside run through a large opening during the same period. Stevenson played 14 games in 2025, rushing 130 times for 603 yards and seven touchdowns while catching 32 passes for 345 yards and two more scores. Henderson led New England with 215 touches, 1,132 scrimmage yards, and 10 total touchdowns as a rookie. The Patriots enter 2026 with Stevenson and Henderson established as their top two backs, and Thursday's work shows that both are receiving opportunities in scoring territory. However, one practice period does not establish how the regular-season workload or goal-line carries will be divided. Stevenson remains firmly involved near the end zone, but Henderson's production and explosiveness make this a backfield fantasy managers should continue evaluating throughout camp.
Source: Evan Lazar
Source: Evan Lazar
Kayshon Boutte Wants to Stay in New England
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason after the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, but he wants to stay with the Patriots, according to Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. For what it's worth, head coach Mike Vrabel said Boutte's approach has been "exactly the same as last year," when the 24-year-old wideout caught 33 passes for 551 yards and a career-high six touchdowns while starting 10 games. Vrabel had nothing but positive things to say about the former sixth-rounder from LSU, but the head coach also acknowledged that the team is open to trading a receiver while they pare down the roster. Early in training camp, the WR position is one of New England's deepest positions, as they have Brown, Doubs, Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism all on the 90-man roster. The Patriots have also been expanding Douglas' route tree early on, potentially signaling that Boutte is the odd-man out going into 2026. As long as Boutte remains with the Pats, he'll have a difficult path to fantasy relevance in his fourth year in the league.
Source: Boston Herald - Zack Cox
Source: Boston Herald - Zack Cox
DeMeco Ryans Sees Year 2 Jump From Woody Marks
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks is showing second-year growth during training camp, head coach DeMeco Ryans said, according to DJ Bien-Aime. Marks played 16 games with eight starts as a rookie, leading Houston with 196 carries for 703 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also caught 24 of 36 targets for 208 yards and three scores, giving him five total touchdowns despite averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Houston added David Montgomery during the offseason after struggling to run the ball consistently in 2025, and the coaching staff has described the veteran as a three-down back. Marks has also been learning a broader route tree as the Texans explore ways to feature his receiving ability. Ryans' assessment is an encouraging sign that Marks is progressing after handling significant responsibility as a rookie. Montgomery's arrival limits his path to another lead-back workload, but continued development in the passing game could help Marks retain a meaningful complementary role in Houston's backfield.
Source: DJ Bien-Aime
Source: DJ Bien-Aime
Calvin Ridley Returns From Illness on Thursday
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (illness) practiced in full on Thursday after he was held out on Wednesday due to a stomach bug, according to Ben Arthur of FOX Sports. Ridley's fantasy value is in full decline after he played in just seven games due to a broken fibula in 2025 in his second year in Tennessee. In those seven games, the 31-year-old veteran caught only 17 of his 36 targets for 303 yards and zero touchdowns. The Titans are expecting the former first-rounder in 2018 from the University of Alabama to be involved in new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's scheme in 2026, but he's going to be more of a secondary option instead of the primary one after the team drafted Carnell Tate in the first round and added target hog Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency. Ridley could also be battling for targets with second-year receivers Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike after they both had standout moments as rookies in 2025. First and foremost, he'll try to prove himself to Daboll in training camp and the preseason, but most likely, Ridley is going to struggle for consistent targets in his eighth year in the league. RotoBaller has dropped him all the way down to No. 62 at the WR position.
Source: FOX Sports - Ben Arthur
Source: FOX Sports - Ben Arthur
A.J. Brown Shows More Chemistry With New QB on Thursday
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown and quarterback Drake Maye struggled to get their connection going in the early days of training camp, with Maye going 4-for-9 with an interception when targeting Brown. However, in a padded practice on Thursday, the two started to turn things around, with Maye matching that production and hitting Brown four of five times, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. One of Brown's catches came against star cornerback Christian Gonzalez, with another one coming against Charles Woods for a touchdown. Thursday's practice could be a sign of things to come for Brown and Maye as they begin to build their chemistry for the 2026 regular season. The Patriots suddenly have a pretty crowded WR room with Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism, but after the Pats sent the Philadelphia Eagles a first-rounder, Brown should be the unquestioned alpha WR1 in New England. Brown showed signs of decline in 2025 in Philly's stagnant offense, averaging a career-low 12.9 yards per catch, but he also had his sixth 1,000-yard campaign. In what should be a more explosive Patriots' passing game, Brown should be considered a low-end WR1, at worst.
Source: MassLive.com - Mark Daniels
Source: MassLive.com - Mark Daniels
Puka Nacua Stands Out Early at Rams Camp
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been the offense's standout through four training camp practices, leading the team in catches and explosive plays, according to The Athletic. He highlighted Wednesday's session by separating from cornerback Jaylen Watson down the left sideline for a deep touchdown from Matthew Stafford and has looked quicker in his vertical routes. Nacua already led the NFL with 129 receptions in 2025, totaling 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games, with 27 catches of at least 20 yards. He also added 105 rushing yards and a score. The 25-year-old is entering the final season of his rookie contract and has continued practicing fully while seeking a long-term extension. The early work has come before full pads, so the camp results should not be overvalued, but Nacua's combination of established volume and improved downfield movement is encouraging. He remains the centerpiece of Los Angeles' passing game and one of fantasy football's elite wide receivers.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
Jahmyr Gibbs Dealing With a Back Issue
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he's "not even sweating it" when discussing running back Jahmyr Gibbs' hold-in as he seeks a contract extension early in training camp, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. Gibbs completed a conditioning test on Wednesday, in which Campbell said he "had a little bit of a back" issue, so it's unclear if the star RB will start practicing with the team right away once he inks a new deal. The 24-year-old's back injury might not be all that serious, but it's definitely something that we will keep a close eye on as camp rolls on. Fantasy managers probably have nothing to worry about right now with Gibbs' back injury and his hold-in, but the longer it lasts, the more concerning it will become for a player who is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 1 overall fantasy RB. He has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three NFL seasons after Detroit took him 12th overall from the University of Alabama in 2023. Gibbs' production speaks for itself, as he's racked up an incredible 3,580 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns while adding 181 receptions for 1,449 yards and another 10 scores as a receiver in 49 regular-season games. He's in his prime in an up-tempo, high-scoring offense as the best dual-threat back in the league.
Source: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
Source: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
Merrill Kelly's July Turnaround Makes Him a 12-Team Add
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly has rebuilt his mixed-league value with five strong July starts. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts across 27 2/3 innings this month. He capped that stretch Monday by holding the Pittsburgh Pirates to one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings. Kelly still carries a 4.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 109 1/3 innings, and his 71 strikeouts leave little margin for error when the ratios slip. That makes him more matchup-dependent than the typical must-start arm. Still, Kelly was rostered in only 38% of Yahoo leagues when RotoBaller's Week 18 rankings were published. He ranks 55th overall with an add recommendation for leagues of 12 teams or deeper and has pitched well enough to earn a roster spot at that depth.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian McCaffrey Could See Even Larger Target Share
With the news that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is facing season-ending surgery for a PCL injury, it means that San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey could see an even larger target share in the passing game in 2026. McCaffrey, who has a lengthy injury history of his own, was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2025 after he played in just four games due to injury in 2024. The four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro was the top fantasy RB after running for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns on 311 carries while adding a whopping 102 receptions for 924 yards and another seven TDs on 129 targets across 17 starts. At this point in CMC's career as he heads into his 10th NFL season, it seems likely that the Niners would be looking for ways to reduce his workload, especially when considering his injury history and coming off a career-high 413 touches last year. But the 49ers might not have that luxury, with their players already dropping like flies due to injury early in training camp. As long as he's healthy, McCaffrey should continue to be the engine of head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, cementing him as a no-doubt top-five fantasy RB.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
JJ Bleday Belongs on More 12-Team Rosters
Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday is batting .231/.339/.470 with 18 home runs, 45 RBI, 40 runs, and six stolen bases through 331 plate appearances. The average is still a weakness, but a .260 expected mark suggests he has deserved better. More importantly, Bleday's 10.8% barrel rate, 42.1% hard-hit rate, and .468 expected slugging percentage support the power that has kept him in the heart of Cincinnati's lineup. Bleday has started regularly in the corner outfield and offers enough walks and occasional speed to contribute beyond home runs. Yahoo managers have left him unclaimed in 74% of leagues, even though he ranks 49th in RotoBaller's Week 18 waiver rankings with an add recommendation for 12-team formats. He is not a batting-average asset, but managers seeking power and run production should not leave him available at that league depth.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
