August 24, 2025
Minnesota Vikings rookie wide receiver
Tai Felton (arm) was held out of Friday's preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans due to arm soreness. The Maryland product was lifted from practice earlier in the week but was unable to progress enough to suit up. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as this injury could linger during the opening weeks of the regular season. The Vikings selected Felton in the third round of this year's draft with the 102nd overall pick. During the first two weeks of the preseason, Felton was relatively quiet, as he saw just two targets in each game. He combined for 46 total receiving yards. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status early in the season as he could eventually carve out a role with
Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension during the first three weeks of the campaign.
--Andy SmithSource: Emily Leiker
August 24, 2025
Carolina Panthers rookie running back
Trevor Etienne showed some improvement during Carolina's preseason finale on Thursday evening. Facing the Steelers, Etienne ran the ball just three times, but racked up 26 yards. His longest run of the evening went for 28 yards. This was also his longest run of the preseason. During their second game, Etienne ran the ball for only 18 yards on seven attempts. In his debut, he did not fare much better, totaling just three rushing yards on two attempts. The Panthers selected Etienne in the fourth round of April's draft out of Georgia. Given his lack of consistent success during the preseason, fantasy managers should not expect the rookie running back to have a significant role in his debut campaign.
Chuba Hubbard will likely serve as the clear workhorse with
Rico Dowdle filling in as a strong No. 2 option.
--Andy SmithSource: ESPN.com
August 24, 2025
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are waiving rookie safety Shilo Sanders. The buccaneers signed Sanders, who is the brother of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders, an undrafted free agent following April's NFL Draft. Sanders attended Colorado alongside his brother. Sanders spent his last two collegiate seasons in Colorado and logged 44 solo tackles with 67 combined tackles in his final season. Sanders was ejected from their preseason contest against the Buffalo Bills this past Saturday when he threw a punch. Given his lack of attention during the draft process, fantasy managers should not expect Sanders to be heavily sought after on the free agent market leading up to the regular season.
--Andy SmithSource: Dianna Russini
August 24, 2025
Baltimore Ravens beat writer Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic lists Ravens tight end
Isaiah Likely's (foot) status on the initial 53-man roster as one of his toughest calls in his latest roster projection. Likely underwent foot surgery in early August. Zrebiec includes Likely in his roster projection and writes that the team is projecting confidence that the tight end will be able to play in Week 1 or "shortly thereafter." If that's the case, Likely can avoid a placement on injured reserve, which would sideline him at least four weeks. Likely's presence on the field has a big impact on the fantasy outlook for fellow tight end
Mark Andrews. In the lone game that Likely missed in 2024, Andrews matched his season-highs in single-game targets (seven), catches (six), and receiving yards (68).
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
August 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Dylan Sampson was the first running back on the field in his team's final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Sampson got the first handoff of the game from starting quarterback
Joe Flacco and finished his day with two carries for three yards and one reception for 14 yards. Veteran running back
Jerome Ford split reps with Sampson during the team's second offensive series. With running back
Quinshon Judkins still unsigned following his offseason arrest, Sampson and Ford should be expected to share the Browns' backfield workload early in the season. If Sampson can emerge as the clear RB1 in Cleveland with a strong start to his rookie campaign, he could be a steal in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com
August 24, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back
Ashton Jeanty wrapped up his first NFL preseason by playing one series on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. Jeanty logged two carries for five rushing yards and will finish the preseason with 12 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. He did not see much preseason work in the passing game, recording just one catch for two yards. Jeanty should be expected to shoulder a heavy workload as a rookie in a Raiders' offense that's light on playmakers outside of tight end
Brock Bowers and wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers. Jeanty profiles as a solid fantasy RB1 with upside, particularly if the Raiders offense outperforms expectations.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com
August 24, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver
Dont'e Thornton Jr. recorded two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in his team's final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. The fourth-rounder out of Tennessee finishes the preseason with three catches on eight targets for 43 yards and a score. Thornton Jr.'s touchdown grab against Arizona came from starting quarterback
Geno Smith on the team's first offensive possession. Thornton Jr. is listed as a starter on the team's depth chart, and he has a chance to emerge as the team's WR2 behind veteran
Jakobi Meyers. He could be a solid value as a late-round dart-throw for fantasy managers, particularly in deeper leagues.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com
August 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers tight end
Oronde Gadsden II caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in the team's preseason finale against San Fransisco. The fifth-round rookie from Syracuse has had an excellent training camp and appears to be carving out a spot on the Chargers. The club signed
Tyler Conklin and still rosters
Will Dissly at tight end, but Gadsden has shown flashes of ability during the preseason. The rookie should be of interest in deeper or dynasty formats.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
Running back
Raheim Sanders ran 13 times for 48 yards to lead the Los Angeles Chargers in rushing on Saturday against San Francisco. The undrafted rookie had a decent showing in the preseason finale, but still has an uphill climb to make the Chargers' final roster. The Chargers traded for
Najee Harris and drafted
Omarion Hampton to add to a roster that already features
Kimani Vidal and
Hassan Haskins. Sanders is likely still on the outside looking in when cutdown day arrives.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
DJ Uiagalelei completed 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards to go with two touchdowns and an interception Saturday against San Francisco. The rookie got the majority of snaps and played fairly well, also rushing for 13 yards on one attempt. The Chargers are clearly set at quarterback with
Justin Herbert, but will have decisions to make with backup candidates
Trey Lance,
Taylor Heinicke, and Uiagalelei on cutdown day.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Jaydon Blue (ankle) suffered a low-ankle sprain on Friday, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The rookie running back told reporters after the game that he was not overly concerned and hopeful to be ready for Week 1. Blue is one of the more intriguing rookie running back candidates given the situation in Dallas, where his primary competition for carries are two veterans on one-year deals in
Javonte Williams and
Miles Sanders.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
Veteran quarterback
Carson Wentz is headed to Minnesota, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Vikings acted quickly to reorganize their quarterback ranks on Sunday, also sending
Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles in a separate transaction. The Vikings weren't satisfied with their backup options throughout training camp and opted for Wentz instead, who figures to be
J.J. McCarthy's primary backup. Most recently, Wentz served as the backup in Kansas City behind
Patrick Mahomes.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings are sending backup quarterback
Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune. As part of the deal, Minnesota will send Howell and a sixth-round pick in 2026 to Philly for a fifth-rounder in 2026 and a seventh-rounder in 2027. With
Tanner McKee (finger) uncertain for the start of the season, the Eagles have another backup option behind
Jalen Hurts. Minnesota, meanwhile, moved quickly on Howell, flipping him to Philly and signing veteran
Carson Wentz to serve as
J.J. McCarthy's backup.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: Minnesota Star Tribune
August 24, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Tez Johnson made a big impact on the field during Saturday's preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. Johnson was busy as he hauled in all eight of his targets for 58 yards and a touchdown. The score came on a one-yard catch with less than a minute remaining in the half. The seventh-round rookie has hauled in 12 receptions for 82 receiving yards and a touchdown over his last two preseason games. Johnson figures to have a role in the offense with
Chris Godwin (ankle) and
Jalen McMillan (neck) banged up to start the season. He could be worth a stash in deep leagues with the Bucs down a few wideouts.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback
Kyle Trask started under center for the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
Teddy Bridgewater (illness) was unavailable for this game, so Trask played the entire first half. The 27-year-old completed 13-of-17 passing attempts for 93 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. His lone score came on a one-yard pass to
Tez Johnson with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Despite a quality outing, it's unclear if Trask will win the backup job. The Bucs may elect to go with the more experienced quarterback in Bridgewater to backup
Baker Mayfield.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN.com
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