August 18, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Calvin Austin III (abdomen) worked on the side during Monday's practice, but his availability for Week 1 remains uncertain. Austin told reporters he is following the medical staff's plan, though he was non-committal about a timeline. The 26-year-old wideout took on a bigger role last year, recording 36 receptions for 548 yards and four touchdowns. With
DK Metcalf and
Robert Woods locked into outside roles, Austin should lead in slot snaps if healthy. He's a late-round fantasy sleeper with upside catching passes from
Aaron Rodgers.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Ray Fittipaldo
August 18, 2025
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
DeAndre Hopkins (knee) missed Monday's practice, though early reports suggest the injury isn't serious. Hopkins is considered likely to play Week 1, but the team appears to be exercising caution with the veteran. The 33-year-old managed 610 yards and five touchdowns across 16 games with the Titans and Chiefs last season, signaling some decline in production. Still, Hopkins should see steady snaps alongside
Rashod Bateman and
Zay Flowers in Baltimore's offense. In fantasy, Hopkins profiles as a late-round flier with touchdown upside, though his weekly floor could be shaky in a run-heavy scheme.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Baltimore Ravens
August 18, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin is not at the stadium for Monday night's preseason contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Scott Abraham. McLaurin was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Saturday, suggesting he was making progress in contract-extension talks with the team. The 29-year-old will not play in the second preseason game, but the good news is that he's back at practice with the rest of the team with just two weeks until the start of the regular season. He's looking for an extension after posting his fifth straight 1,000-yard receiving season and a career-high 13 touchdowns on 82 receptions in 2024 while working with rookie quarterback
Jayden Daniels. McLaurin is undoubtedly the team's WR1 when he's around, but his lack of activity this summer has to have fantasy managers somewhat worried if they target him as their WR2.
--Keith HernandezSource: 7 News DC - Scott Abraham
August 18, 2025
Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Dak Prescott will not play in the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. The Cowboys want to see more from backup
Joe Milton III. Prescott will end up sitting for the entire preseason after playing in only eight games a year ago due to a torn hamstring. The 32-year-old veteran is fully healthy now after having surgery, but the Cowboys want to keep him on ice until the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 4 against the division-rival and reigning Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles. Prescott enters the 2025 campaign as one of the better picks at the position for a bounce-back season if he can stay healthy after the Cowboys gave him another aerial weapon in receiver
George Pickens. He is on the QB1/2 borderline for fantasy purposes.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jon Machota
August 18, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that he expects quarterback
Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the starters to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Chicago Bears. The Chiefs typically haven't played their starters in the preseason finale under Reid, but they'll change it up and give Mahomes and the starting offense a few series later this week. The 29-year-old two-time MVP played only three snaps in the preseason opener but still managed to throw a touchdown. Mahomes is no longer a high-end fantasy QB1 after the Chiefs offense took a step back last year, with the six-time Pro Bowler throwing for under 4,000 yards for the first time as a full-time starter. KC's offense just lacked any kind of downfield threat due to injuries to their receiving corps. A bounce-back is possible, though, and the Chiefs want to get back to being explosive downfield as an offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nate Taylor
August 18, 2025
The Athletic's Matt Barrows writes that it makes sense for the San Francisco 49ers to lean on running back
Christian McCaffrey and tight end
George Kittle in the passing game early this season. Barrows also added that if McCaffrey is "not back to his 2023 form, he's pretty close to it." McCaffrey helped many fantasy managers win championships in 2023, when he ran for a career-high and league-high 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns on 272 carries while also catching 67 passes for 564 yards and another seven scores in 16 regular-season starts. Unfortunately, CMC got a late start to his 2024 season due to Achilles tendinitis and also injured his knee late in the year. He ultimately played only four games and didn't look like his All-Pro self. McCaffrey is no longer in play for No. 1 overall in fantasy drafts, and although he's ranked fifth among RBs at RotoBaller, he's the biggest risk/reward RB.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
August 18, 2025
The Miami Dolphins and free-agent outside linebacker Matthew Judon agreed to a one-year deal worth a maximum value of $6 million on Monday, a source told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Judon visited with the club earlier in the day and will now join pass-rushers Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson in Miami in what could be a much-improved Dolphins defense in 2025. Judon is a four-time Pro Bowler and will bring 72 career sacks to the table in South Beach in his nine NFL seasons. The 33-year-old veteran spent the 2024 campaign with the Atlanta Falcons and recorded 41 tackles (25 solo), 5.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, nine QB hits, his first career interception and five pass breakups in 17 games (15 starts). both of Judon's double-digit sack seasons came with the New England Patriots in back-to-back years in 2021 and 2022.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
August 18, 2025
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans likes what he is seeing from the running back room with
Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) still on the Non-Footbal Injury list during training camp. Ryans specifically praised veteran
Nick Chubb and rookie
Woody Marks on Saturday in the second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Marks had seven carries for a team-high 40 rushing yards on Saturday in the 20-3 win, and his fantasy stock is rising now that it's looking like Mixon could miss the first four games of the regular season. However, even if Mixon misses time, the 24-year-old rookie will be part of a committee backfield approach most likely, having to share touches with Chubb and
Dameon Pierce. The most likely scenario is that Marks makes his mark in a passing-down role, which could make him worth a late-round flier for RB depth in PPR formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: SportsRadio 610
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August 18, 2025
Miami Dolphins running back
De'Von Achane (calf) is not expected to practice this week as he recovers from a minor calf issue. Head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized the move is precautionary, given Achane's speed and explosiveness. The 22-year-old breakout star is coming off a strong 2024 campaign, racking up 1,499 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns on 281 touches. While the Dolphins' offense struggled last season, ranking 18th in total yards, Achane remains a key piece with elite upside when healthy. Fantasy managers should monitor his status, but for now, he's fully expected to be ready for Week 1.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Marcel Louis-Jacques
August 18, 2025
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Monday that star wide receiver
Justin Jefferson (hamstring) will return to practice and gradually ramp up ahead of Week 1. Jefferson missed time this summer, sparking concern about his readiness, but his return solidifies his status as one of fantasy football's elite first-round picks. The 26-year-old posted 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 and remains the focal point of Minnesota's offense. With Jefferson back on track, fantasy managers can confidently draft him among the top overall selections, expecting WR1 production in the Vikings' high-powered passing attack.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Alec Lewis
August 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs (knee) is making steady progress in his recovery from July MCL surgery. While Wirfs won't be ready for Week 1, the team is optimistic he could return as early as Week 3, avoiding a stint on the PUP list. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Wirfs anchors Tampa Bay's offensive line, and his return would be a major boost for
Baker Mayfield's protection. Fantasy managers invested in Mayfield,
Mike Evans, and running back
Bucky Irving should be encouraged that Wirfs could be back stabilizing the line sooner rather than later.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Scott Reynolds
August 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin (ankle) is still not close to a return from the injury that ended his 2024 season in Week 7. The veteran required another offseason procedure, and the team now expects him to miss at least the first month of the season on the PUP list. That's a major blow for Godwin and
Baker Mayfield investors, but it does open opportunities. Rookie
Emeka Egbuka and veteran
Jalen McMillan should see an expanded target share early in the year, making both intriguing fantasy fliers while Godwin remains sidelined.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Scott Reynolds
August 18, 2025
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) did not practice Monday while resting a "minor" injury, according to team officials. The first-round pick is expected to play a major role right away in Carolina's offense and has already developed a strong connection with quarterback
Bryce Young during camp. McMillan's combination of size and athleticism gives him immediate fantasy appeal as one of the top rookie wideouts in 2025 drafts. While the team doesn't appear overly concerned, fantasy managers should keep an eye on his health status leading into Week 1.
UPDATE: McMillan might not play in the preseason finale on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.--Shaun AlbinSource: David Newton
August 18, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Brian Robinson Jr. will not play in Monday night's preseason game against the Bengals. The decision was reportedly mutual between Robinson and the team as trade discussions heat up ahead of 53-man roster cuts. Robinson has been Washington's lead back, but uncertainty surrounding his future clouds his fantasy outlook. If he remains with the Commanders, Robinson should retain the bulk of the carries, making him a potential RB2. However, the risk of a trade or role change makes him a volatile option in drafts, likely pushing him down draft boards until his situation stabilizes.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Mike Garafolo
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