RADIO
KJ Jackson Beats out AJ Hill in Arkansas QB Competition
Arkansas has named KJ Jackson its starting quarterback to open the 2026 season, according to Daniel Fair of HawgBeat. Jackson has been competing with Memphis transfer AJ Hill for QB1 duties in Fayetteville and has emerged victorious. Despite Hill following head coach Ryan Silverfield from Memphis and having familiarity with the system, Jackson outperformed him in camp. Jackson appeared in five games (one start) for the Razorbacks last season and completed 33 of his 54 passing attempts for 441 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He added 52 yards and two scores on the ground. Jackson will have his work cut out for him in 2026, as the Razorbacks have arguably the toughest schedule in the country. After opening the year against North Alabama, Arkansas will face No. 21 Utah, No. 3 Georgia, No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 20 Tennessee, No. 25 Missouri, No. 5 Texas, and No. 11 LSU in seven of its final 11 games.
Source: Daniel Fair - HawgBeat
Source: Daniel Fair - HawgBeat
Malik Davis Emerging as the RB2 Favorite in Dallas
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis "seems to be the player with whom the Cowboys are most comfortable" in the RB2 role behind starting back Javonte Williams, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. Davis played in 10 games for Dallas in 2025, recording 250 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries. The 27-year-old has been competing for the Cowboys' RB2 role in training camp with 2025 draftees Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. While Machota acknowledges that Blue specifically has the higher upside, he predicts that Davis will open the year as Dallas' primary backup. As long as Williams remains healthy, neither Davis nor Blue is likely to see a fantasy-relevant workload. Still, fantasy managers searching for a handcuff option for Williams may want to target Davis with a late-round draft pick.
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Carson Steele Making an Impression in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Eagles running back Carson Steele was one of the standout performers from his team's second preseason game against the New England Patriots on Saturday, recording 117 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 18 touches. Philadelphia has three running backs who currently appear to be ahead of Steele on the depth chart in Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and Will Shipley. However, The Athletic's Brooks Kubena reports that Steele's stock is trending up and the Eagles could be looking for a way to sneak him onto the 53-man roster. Steele recorded 56 carries for 183 yards across 17 games (three starts) with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, but did not appear in an NFL game in 2025. In the case of an injury in the Eagles' backfield, Steele could be a name to monitor in deeper league formats.
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Mike Washington Jr. Emerging as a Priority Stash
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. could be in for a much larger role in his team's offense than initially expected. Star Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (knee) had to be helped off the practice field on Sunday after suffering a potentially serious knee injury. While the exact nature of Jeanty's injury is currently unclear, any missed time for Jeanty would open a window for Washington Jr. to take over as the Raiders RB1. A fourth-round pick out of Arkansas, Washington Jr. recorded 1,296 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 195 touches across 12 games for the Razorbacks last season. The 23-year-old has been impressive in preseason action so far, recording 119 rushing yards on 15 carries across two games. Las Vegas also has little in the way of proven competition for Washington Jr. in the backfield, although the team could look to bring in a veteran or two if Jeanty is indeed facing an extended absence. Still, Washington Jr.'s fantasy value is rising and could be set to explode.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ja'Mori Maclin Making a Case to Stick in Buffalo
Buffalo Bills undrafted rookie wide receiver Ja'Mori Maclin has been a standout performer this summer and "has a chance to stick with the Bills past this summer," per Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. The 24-year-old also flashed in Buffalo's second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, recording two catches for 108 yards and a touchdown on three targets. Maclin was not particularly productive as a college player, recording 13 catches for 189 yards and zero touchdowns across 10 games at the University of Kentucky in 2025. However, he appears to have done enough this summer to have a chance to make Buffalo's 53-man roster. The Bills are also currently managing injuries to wide receivers Khalil Shakir (ankle), Keon Coleman (foot/toe), and Skyler Bell (groin). It's too early for fantasy managers to prioritize Maclin, but he could be a name to monitor in deeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Lan Larison Solidifying Case for a Roster Spot?
New England Patriots running back Lan Larison tallied nine carries, 33 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown during Saturday's preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He also caught three of his four targets for an additional 41 receiving yards. A 2025 undrafted free agent out of UC Davis, Larison now has 113 scrimmage yards and one touchdown through two preseason games. Numbers like that will help the 24-year-old in his pursuit of a roster spot, and the fact that he spent last season with the team (albeit on injured reserve) could also work in his favor. Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson have a firm grasp on the top two spots in the backfield, but the No. 3 running back role is up for grabs, with Larison and Jam Miller looking like the strongest candidates. Larison possesses the dual-threat skill set that head coach Mike Vrabel values in a running back, so he could carve out a role if he makes the 53-man roster. It's too early to pursue him in redraft leagues, but he's absolutely worth stashing in deeper dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dae'Quan Wright Waived by Browns, Eyeing Return to College
The Cleveland Browns are waiving tight end Dae'Quan Wright, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that if Wright clears waivers, he has an agreement in place to play the 2026 season at LSU, which would make him the first player to play for an NFL team before returning to college. An undrafted free agent signee of the Browns, Wright recorded 39 catches for 635 yards and one touchdown across 15 games at Ole Miss in 2025. He had been competing for a back-end roster spot in Cleveland, but it appears Wright's focus is now on returning to the SEC. The Browns have a clear TE1 in Harold Fannin Jr., leaving rookies Joe Royer and Carsen Ryan to compete with veteran Blake Whiteheart for the team's TE2 role.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Ashton Jeanty Suffers Potentially Serious Knee Injury in Practice
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (knee) left practice early on Sunday after suffering an apparent knee injury, per Ryan McFadden of ESPN. McFadden reports that Jeanty landed awkwardly while attempting to make a diving catch and "couldn't put any pressure on his right leg" while being helped off the field by trainers. While the exact nature of the injury is not entirely clear, a serious knee injury for Jeanty would obviously be a massive blow for both the Raiders and fantasy managers. The sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jeanty recorded 1,321 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 321 touches across 17 games as a rookie. Before the injury, the 22-year-old appeared to be in line to shoulder a high-volume, three-down workload for Las Vegas. If he misses time, Raiders backs Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube would likely be in line for significantly increased roles in the team's offense.
Source: ESPN - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN - Ryan McFadden
South Carolina Hopeful Jacarrius Peak Can Return in Week 3
South Carolina offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak (knee) suffered a significant knee injury in February, but Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports that he is progressing well, and there is hope that he can return for the team's SEC opener against Mississippi State on September 19. Peak transferred to South Carolina this offseason after four years at NC State. He earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors last season. The Gamecocks' offensive line is a big question mark heading into 2026 after quarterback LaNorris Sellers was constantly under pressure and suffered 42 sacks a season ago. Peak was brought in to help alleviate the team's offensive line woes, so hopefully, he can return to form and to the field sooner rather than later.
Source: Matt Zenitz - CBS
Source: Matt Zenitz - CBS
USC's Jahkeem Stewart Expected to Miss Three Games
USC defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart (foot) is expected to miss the team's first three games against San Jose State, Fresno State, and Louisiana due to a foot injury, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. He is expected to return for the Big Ten opener against Rutgers, the Trojans' fourth game of the year. Stewart is a former four-star recruit in the Class of 2025 and tallied 18 tackles (11 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in 11 games as a freshman. He's in line to take a Year 2 leap, but his absence could slow down his development. That said, USC will be heavy favorites in its first three games of the year, so the focus will be solely on getting Stewart back ahead of conference play.
Source: Matt Zenitz - CBS
Source: Matt Zenitz - CBS
Dae'Quan Wright Set to Join LSU Program After Being Waived by Browns
Former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright is being waived by the Cleveland Browns, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that he has an agreement in place to join Lane Kiffin at LSU if he clears waivers. According to Schefter, Wright could become the first player to play for an NFL team and then return to college. After two seasons at Virginia Tech, Wright joined the Rebels under Kiffin and caught 66 passes for 1,029 yards and nine touchdowns in 28 games across two seasons. If he joins the Tigers, he'll step into a tight end room headlined by Trey'Dez Green, who was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2025 and is viewed as a potential breakout star in 2026. Wright dressed for two preseason games over the last two weeks for Cleveland, but he did not record a reception.
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Jordan James' Fantasy Value Rising Following Return from Injury
A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James played in just three games and did not earn a single carry as a rookie. The 22-year-old also suffered a setback early in training camp this season when he suffered multiple fractured ribs while absorbing a hit from star 49ers linebacker Fred Warner. However, James was able to return to the practice field on Saturday, putting him back in the mix for a role in the San Francisco backfield. As long as superstar 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey remains healthy, James is unlikely to see fantasy-relevant playing time. Still, McCaffrey is entering his age-30 season and recorded an NFL-high 413 touches in 2025. If James can beat out rookie Kaelon Black and veteran Zamir White for the 49ers RB2 role, he would immediately be one of the more valuable handcuff running back options for fantasy managers. Now that James is back at practice, his stock is on the rise.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gio Richardson, Chris Hunter Viewed as Arizona's Top Wideouts
Arizona wide receivers Gio Richardson and Chris Hunter have been the team's top wideouts during fall camp, according to Justin Spears of Tucson.com. The team's two leading receivers from last season, Kris Hutson and Javin Whatley, leave behind 101 receptions for 1,254 yards and nine touchdowns, so there is room for someone to grow into the No. 1 role. Tre Spivey is the team's leading returning receiver, but he has looked like the WR3 thus far this preseason. With talented veteran quarterback Noah Fifita under center again in 2026, Arizona's wideouts should have plenty of opportunities to produce in the Big 12 this season. Consider Richardson and Hunter names to watch when the Wildcats kick off the year in a Week 1 matchup against Northern Arizona on September 5.
Source: Justin Spears - Tucson.com.
Source: Justin Spears - Tucson.com.
Shohei Ohtani Could Pitch One Inning Next Sunday
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) could be back on the mound as early as next Sunday, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The Dodgers are considering having Ohtani return to the mound and throw one inning versus the Detroit Tigers next Sunday. Ohtani threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session on Saturday. He hasn't pitched in a big league game since July 3 due to a lingering knee issue. The Dodgers don't have a starter announced for next Sunday, so it sounds like Ohtani could be the opener for that game. The team will likely continue to build him up throughout the final month of the season ahead of the playoffs. Fantasy managers might not get a ton out of Ohtani as a pitcher during September, but his return to the mound is positive.
Source: Fabian Ardaya
Source: Fabian Ardaya
Travis Kelce's Fantasy Stock Improved By Healthy QB Situation
Across 17 games in 2025, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recorded 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns on 108 targets. Now entering his age-37 campaign and his 14th NFL season, Kelce is no longer the same player he once was at his superstar peak. The Chiefs could also look to be more conservative with his snap counts in order to preserve his legs throughout the regular season. Still, Kelce has logged over 100 targets in 11 consecutive seasons. It also looks like he will get a full season playing alongside Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee), with whom he clearly has a high level of established chemistry. While Kansas City could get more out of top wide receiver Rashee Rice this season, Rice's history of both injury and off-field issues is always liable to force him off the field. Kelce's ceiling is limited, but he still has value as a low-end TE1 option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
