August 8, 2025
In the Detroit Lions' second preseason game on Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons, starting quarterback
Jared Goff will not suit up, giving third-year signal-caller
Hendon Hooker the start.
Kyle Allen made the start in the first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers and played the entire first half. Allen and Hooker, who went 3-for-6 for 18 yards, combined to throw three interceptions in the opener, so head coach Dan Campbell is looking for better communication, execution and ball movement on Friday. Allen and Hooker are in a close competition to be Goff's backup entering the 2025 season, according to Lions beat writer Tim Twentyman. If Hooker can get off to a good start against Atlanta and keep the offense moving, he could separate himself from Allen a bit in the backup competition this summer.
--Keith HernandezSource: DetroitLions.com - Tim Twentyman
August 8, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders kicker
Daniel Carlson went 3-for-5 on field goals in Thursday's 23-23 tie with the Seahawks. The veteran connected from 27, 51, and 56 yards, but missed a 55-yarder before halftime and had another from the same distance blocked on the game's final play. Despite the inconsistency, Carlson's powerful leg remains a key asset. With the Raiders' offense expected to improve under new leadership, his scoring opportunities should increase. Fantasy managers should remain confident, Carlson is still a strong candidate to finish as a top-10 kicker in 2025.
--Shaun AlbinSource: NFL.com
August 8, 2025
Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Anthony Richardson Sr. (finger) dislocated his right pinkie finger in the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night and was removed from the game, but ESPN's Stephen Holder reports that he could return to practice as early as Saturday, according to multiple sources. Members of the Colts' medical staff quickly popped Richardson's finger back into place, and Richardson tested his ability to grip a football before eventually being shut down. X-rays came back negative on A-Rich's finger, and if he can throw the ball effectively, he'll likely return to practice on Saturday. The former first-rounder only went 2-for-3 passing before his injury, while
Daniel Jones went 10-for-21 for 144 yards. Richardson continues to be injury-prone, but his latest injury isn't a big issue, and he's still very much in the thick of the QB competition this preseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
August 8, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie running back
Kyle Monangai is getting work with the first-team offense during 11-on-11 drills at training camp practice on Friday, according to Zack Pearson of 247 Sports. Monangai was seen working mostly with the second-string unit in practices earlier this week, but the 23-year-old seventh-round pick is getting a shot with the starters at the end of the week. It probably has something to do with
Roschon Johnson (foot), who is the favorite for goal-line work this year, dealing with a foot injury at camp right now. In addition to Johnson,
D'Andre Swift is also ahead of Monangai on Chicago's RB depth chart heading into his first NFL season. A lot can change in this Bears backfield as the season progresses, but as things currently stand, Monangai will be the RB3, at best, in a change-of-pace role that won't yield a ton of weekly opportunities.
--Keith HernandezSource: 247 Sports - Zack Pearson
August 8, 2025
Houston Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (knee) had to be carted off the field at Thursday's training camp practice, but his ACL is intact and he thankfully avoided a season-ending knee injury, a league source told The Athletic's Dianna Russini. The Texans acquired Gardner-Johnson from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason in the deal that sent guard Kenyon Green and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Philly. The 27-year-old defensive back is expected to be a major contributor for Houston's secondary this year after he helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX over the Kansas City Chiefs back in February. If healthy, Gardner-Johnson will join forces with top cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, Jalen Pitre and Calen Bullock in what could be a vastly improved secondary for the Texans. It's unclear when Gardner-Johnson might be able to get back on the field again.
UPDATE: Gardner-Johnson could be back as soon as the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
August 8, 2025
Dallas Cowboys tight end
Jake Ferguson (back) is dealing with a back contusion that he suffered when he took a hard hit during Thursday's training camp practice, a source told ESPN's Todd Archer. Ferguson's injury isn't considered serious, though, so the Cowboys appear to have avoided an injury scare with the No. 1 tight end. The Cowboys are definitely exhaling after signing the 26-year-old to a four-year, $52 million extension just a few weeks ago. He probably won't practice on Friday or suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, but Ferguson should be fine for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4. Injuries to himself and quarterback
Dak Prescott derailed his 2024 campaign, but Ferguson is looking to bounce back as a low-end TE1 in fantasy in 2025 after he was a Pro Bowler in 2023.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
August 8, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Tyreek Hill (oblique) was present but not suited up at Friday's practice as he manages an oblique injury, per head coach Mike McDaniel. The team is exercising caution with the star wideout, and Hill is expected to return soon as he ramps up for Week 1. In his absence,
Malik Washington,
Erik Ezukanma, and
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine should see increased reps with the first team. Hill is looking to bounce back from a relatively down 2024 season, where he totaled 81 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns, well below his typical production.
--Shaun AlbinSource: David Furones
August 8, 2025
Chicago Bears second-year quarterback
Caleb Williams will not play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins. First-year head coach Ben Johnson is taking a cautious approach as Williams continues to learn the offensive system and build chemistry with his teammates. The Bears are expected to start
Tyson Bagent with the first-team offense, while
Case Keenum and
Austin Reed should also see playing time. Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, is expected to be the full-time starter once the regular season begins, but he will watch from the sidelines this weekend.
--Shaun AlbinSource: CHGO Bears
August 8, 2025
Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Anthony Richardson Sr. (finger) exited Thursday night's 24-16 preseason loss to the Ravens after being sacked by David Ojabo, but X-rays came back clean after he dislocated his pinkie finger. The team expects Richardson to return to practice in the coming days. The second-year signal-caller completed two of three passes for 21 yards and led an 18-yard drive that ended in a 53-yard field goal. Meanwhile,
Daniel Jones failed to seize momentum in extended action, completing just 10 of 21 passes for 144 yards, keeping the quarterback competition wide open.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Jordan Schultz
August 8, 2025
Second-year running back
Chris Collier took the spotlight in the Las Vegas Raiders' 23-23 tie with the Seahawks, handling the bulk of the second-half carries. Collier played a key role in the team's most productive drives, including a 16-yard run that helped set up
Cam Miller's touchdown pass. While the 25-year-old remains a longshot to make the roster behind
Ashton Jeanty,
Raheem Mostert, and
Zamir White, he's making the most of his preseason opportunities.
--Shaun AlbinSource: nfl.com
August 8, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders sixth-round rookie quarterback
Cam Miller made the most of his limited opportunity in Thursday night's 23-23 tie with the Seahawks. Entering in the fourth quarter, Miller quickly led a 65-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 41-yard strike to
Shedrick Jackson down the right sideline. He followed that with a game-tying field goal drive and nearly orchestrated a game-winner, if not for a blocked field goal on the final possession. While
Geno Smith remains locked in as the starter, Miller is making a strong case to overtake Aidan O'Connell for the backup quarterback job.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Dom Izzo
August 8, 2025
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Devontez Walker couldn't get in on the action during the team's preseason debut against the Indianapolis Colts. The second-year wideout wasn't fully to blame for his zero receptions on two targets in this contest. While the offensive line struggled, so did
Devin Leary, who overthrew Walker when he was open in the end zone. On another play, Walker fought off a defensive pass interference and caught a ball while falling backwards, but it didn't show up on the stat sheet. Walker was drafted in 2024 to eventually become a deep threat, but with
LaJohntay Wester having a big debut, he may start to feel some real pressure.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 8, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Tahj Brooks ran for 26 yards off 10 attempts in Thursday's preseason loss to the Eagles. He added one catch (two targets) for three yards.
Chase Brown began the contest with the rest of the starters. While Brooks handled the bulk of the touches, he only averaged 2.6 yards per carry. Despite the subpar showing on Thursday night, the 2025 No. 193 overall pick has looked good throughout training camp and appears to have earned the trust of the coaching staff. However, with Brown expected to get the majority of the snaps out of the backfield in 2025, there could be little room for Brooks to remain consistently involved, even if the rookie manages to secure the No. 2 spot on the depth chart over
Samaje Perine. With the Bengals dropping their first game of the preseason, the team will look to get on track versus the Commanders on August 18.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
August 8, 2025
Baltimore Ravens running back
Keaton Mitchell posted the most efficient game out of the backfield in the 24-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts. The third-year back finished with nine carries for 68 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and one touchdown. During his 22-yard score in the first quarter, Mitchell showed great patience and bursts of speed to hit every part of the open field that his blockers gave him. As of right now, the competition is for the third running back spot, so Mitchell has to separate himself from
Rasheen Ali and
D'Ernest Johnson. While Ali scored as well, Mitchell seems to be in the driver's seat so far.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 8, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Noah Gray has looked very strong in training camp and is receiving strong buzz from reports. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted that the tight end looks like a "high-end" starter. Throughout his four-year career in Kansas City, Gray has typically taken the backseat to future Hall of Famer
Travis Kelce. However, after catching just 28 passes in both 2022 and 2023, Gray was able to enjoy a mini-breakout season in 2024. Last fall, Gray caught a career-best 40 passes for 437 yards and five touchdowns. He enjoyed productive stretch from Weeks 10 through 15 when he averaged a solid 10.2 PPR points per game. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his progression early in the season as he could continue to carve out a role behind Kelce. However, for now, Kelce remains the clear TE1 in Kansas City. Gray is best viewed as a high-upside TE3 in deeper formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Albert Breer
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