Luther Burden III to Play in Preseason Opener
Luther
Burden
III
is
expected
to
play
in
the
preseason
opener
against
the
Miami
Dolphins
on
Sunday,
and
he
"should
figure
intoread more...
Brad
Biggs
of
the
Chicago
Tribune
reports
that
Chicago
Bears
rookie
wide
receiver
Roman Wilson Involved In Preseason Opener
Roman Wilson finished with two receptions for 24 yards on two targets in a 31-25 preseason win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Wilson took the field with Pittsburgh's first-team offense on Saturday and commanded looks from quarterback Mason Rudolph. The second-year pro is in line for a big opportunity in 2025 after missing nearly all of his rookie season due to ankle and hamstring injuries. While newly-acquired wideout D.K. Metcalf is clearly entrenched as the team's primary pass-catcher, Wilson could certainly carve out a role for himself in an otherwise thin wide receiver room that includes Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and Scotty Miller. He'll hope to further showcase his abilities in next week's exhibition bout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Source: ESPN
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Tua Tagovailoa Dressed to Start in Preseason Opener
Tua Tagovailoa was dressed in full uniform as the team came out for pre-game warmups on Sunday before their preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Starting receivers Tyreek Hill (oblique) and Jaylen Waddle will not play, but Tagovailoa will at least see the field for several offensive series this weekend. Backups Zach Wilson and rookie Quinn Ewers will likely see most of the action in the preseason opener. The 27-year-old Tagovailoa suffered another scary injury in 2024 and played in just 11 games, throwing for 2,867 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions a year after leading the NFL in passing yards. Miami's offense could bounce back this year, but Tua's injury history alone makes him a scary proposition, even as a QB2 in fantasy.Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle Not Dressed for Preseason Opener
Tyreek Hill (oblique) and Jaylen Waddle were not dressed for pre-game warmups and are not expected to play in the team's preseason opener on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Hill dealt with a wrist injury pretty much all of last season and has been tending to an oblique injury during training camp. The injury isn't believed to be very serious, but it's worth watching for the 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher after he put up an 81-959-6 line in 2024, which was disappointing by his standards. With Miami's top two receivers sitting this one out, Malik Washington, Erik Ezukanma, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Dee Eskridge and others will see more opportunities in the preseason opener.Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Darnell Washington Scores In Win Over Jaguars
Darnell Washington made the most of his only target, scoring on a 19-yard pass from quarterback Mason Rudolph in a 31-25 preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The third-year pro operated as the team's starting tight end on Saturday with Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith both inactive. His touchdown capped off the Steelers' opening drive and sparked what would become a strong offensive showcase for the rest of the contest. Although it's unclear exactly how Washington will be deployed this season, the 23-year-old has reportedly had an excellent camp and has been praised by starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He'll look to build on this performance next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Source: ESPN
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Tyjae Spears to Miss a Couple of Weeks
Tyjae Spears (ankle) will miss a couple of weeks at least after he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Saturday's preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had to be carted off the field. This means that Spears should be considered questionable to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 7 against the Denver Broncos. The 24-year-old was set to take on a bigger role in the Titans' backfield to take some of the burden off of Tony Pollard, but that might have to wait for now. With Spears out of action for at least a couple of weeks, it will create more change-of-pace opportunities for both Julius Chestnut and rookie Kalel Mullings behind Pollard. With the injury, Spears is now ranked as the RB46 in fantasy at RotoBaller.Source: PaulKuharsky.com
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that running back Kaleb Johnson Bottled Up In Preseason Debut
Kaleb Johnson turned eight carries into 20 rushing yards and hauled in one of two targets for six receiving yards in a 31-25 preseason win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The rookie handled RB1 duties for Pittsburgh in the first half before he was eventually replaced by Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, and Lew Nichols. Although Johnson could not find much room to operate on Saturday, he notably ran through the arms of a diving Travis Hunter for a seven-yard gain early in the second quarter. The fact that veteran Jaylen Warren was inactive confirms his standing as the Steelers' featured back, meaning Johnson will need to earn playing time early in the regular season. His next opportunity to showcase his talents will come against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week.Source: ESPN
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Mason Rudolph Tosses Touchdown In Preseason Win
Mason Rudolph completed nine of 10 pass attempts for 94 yards and a touchdown in a 31-25 preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rudolph got the start on Saturday and took the field for Pittsburgh's first two series. He performed well, especially on the team's opening drive, connecting with seven different receivers and delivering a 19-yard strike to tight end Darnell Washington for a score. Rudolph is unlikely to play much in the regular season so long as Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, but it was encouraging to see the 30-year-old find success in OC Arthur Smith's offense nonetheless. He should get more exhibition action in next week's matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Source: ESPN
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kalel Mullings Leads Titans in Rushing on Saturday
Kalel
Mullings
finished
with
a
team-high
33
rushing
yards
on
seven
carries
in
Saturday's
preseason-opening
29-7
loss
to
the
Tampa
Bay
Buccaneers.
With
starter
Tony
Pollardread more...
Tennessee
Titans
rookie
running
back
Calvin Ridley Shows Early Chemistry With Cam Ward
Calvin Ridley got off to a promising start with his new quarterback, rookie No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, in a 29-7 preseason-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. Ridley hauled in all three of his targets from Ward for 50 yards, including a game-high 27-yarder. The 30-year-old is heading into his second season with the Titans and looking for a third straight 1,000-yard campaign. Ridley racked up 1,017 yards and four touchdowns on 64 catches (120 targets) last season despite having to work with the less-than-stellar quarterback duo of Will Levis and Mason Rudolph. Ward should provide an upgrade over those two (albeit with some growing pains), and with the Titans lacking other high-end pass-catching options, Ridley will draw plenty of looks from the team's new signal-caller. RotoBaller has Ridley ranked as WR26 going into the season.Source: ESPN
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rhamondre Stevenson Not Practicing on Sunday
Rhamondre Stevenson (undisclosed) was absent from practice on Sunday, Evan Lazar of Patriots.com reports. It's unclear if Stevenson is dealing with an injury or getting a veteran rest day. The fifth-year man rushed seven times for 36 yards in the Patriots' preseason-opening 48-18 win over the Washington Commanders on Friday. Stevenson put up 801 rushing yards and a personal-best seven touchdowns on 207 attempts last season. However, after Stevenson averaged just 3.9 yards per carry and fumbled a career-worst six times, the Patriots used a second-round pick on fellow RB TreVeyon Henderson. The former Ohio State Buckeye wowed in his preseason debut with a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown to open the game. He also picked up 18 yards on his lone carry and caught three passes for 12 yards. With Henderson in the fold and looking like an intriguing weapon, Stevenson's fantasy value has dropped.Source: Evan Lazar
New England Patriots running back Cam Ward Turns in Solid Preseason Debut
Cam Ward looked good during his NFL preseason debut in a 29-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. Ward, the No. 1 overall pick from Miami, played the Titans' first two possessions and went 5-for-8 for 67 yards on 14 snaps. Ward missed on his first two passes before getting into a rhythm, and he formed a nice combination with No. 1 wide receiver Calvin Ridley. The pair connected three times for 50 yards. Ward also led a 65-yard touchdown drive before exiting. Head coach Brian Callahan was encouraged by Ward's performance, saying, "Cam played well in his two series that he got." Ward and the Titans will take on the Atlanta Falcons in their second preseason game on Friday.Source: NFL.com
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Rondale Moore Expected to Miss Season
Rondale Moore (knee) is expected to miss the 2025 campaign after suffering an injury to his left knee in Saturday's preseason opener against the Houston Texans, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell called it "a pretty significant" injury and added that it's "heartbreaking" for Moore. While with the Atlanta Falcons last year, Moore suffered an injury to his right knee in early August and sat out the entire 2024 season as a result. Moore, who signed with the Vikings in free agency, incurred his latest injury on his first play back on a punt return. He had been in line to serve as the Vikings' No. 4 receiver and return man, but now Moore will have to go through the arduous process of rehabbing another devastating injury.Source: Adam Schefter
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk Won't Practice During Upcoming Week
Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) won't practice during the upcoming week, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports. Polk left the Patriots' 48-18 preseason-opening win over the Washington Commanders on Friday after landing awkwardly on his right shoulder on an end-around. It's a particularly alarming injury for Polk, who underwent surgery on the same shoulder in the offseason. Even though he was the 37th overall pick in last year's draft, Polk already finds himself fighting for a roster spot after pulling in a meager 12 catches on 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. The 23-year-old missed some time in training camp with muscle tightness, and this latest injury won't do him any favors as he looks to get up to speed with a new coaching staff. The Patriots are scheduled to play their second preseason game on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings, but Polk may not be available.Source: Doug Kyed - Boston Herald
Injured New England Patriots wide receiver Courtland Sutton Catches One Pass Versus Niners
Courtland Sutton and the rest of the team's first-team offense was quiet in the 30-9 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday in the preseason opener. Quarterback Bo Nix spread the ball around but looked rusty overall during the first quarter of play. Sutton connected with Nix on one of his three targets for a gain of only two yards. The 29-year-old had his second 1,000-yard campaign in 2024 in Nix's first season, leading to the Broncos signing him to a four-year extension last month. Sutton was Nix's clear top target in the passing game last year in head coach Sean Payton's offense, and that should continue to be the case in 2025, even after the team added tight end Evan Engram in free agency. Consider him a low-end WR2 in fantasy this fall. Sutton and the rest of the first-team offense will look to bounce back next weekend against Arizona.Source: NFL.com
Denver Broncos wide receiver