August 27, 2025
Zac Jackson of The Athletic expects Cleveland Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. to "play a lot, immediately" in 2025. Jackson also writes that Fannin Jr. and veteran tight end
David Njoku will be both deployed together and moved around in different offensive formations. A third-round pick out of Bowling Green, Fannin Jr. recorded 117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns across 13 games in his final collegiate season. He may not be ready to overtake Njoku as Cleveland's TE1 right away, but it appears that the Browns are searching for ways to utilize Fannin Jr.'s obvious talent as a receiver. The 21-year-old is definitely a name to know in dynasty leagues, and he could become a priority waiver-wire target in redraft formats if Njoku were to get injured.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
August 27, 2025
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back
DJ Giddens could be in a prime position to open the season as the team's RB2 after Indianapolis released veteran back
Khalil Herbert on Tuesday. With Herbert off the roster, Giddens and
Tyler Goodson (elbow) are the Colts' running backs behind
Jonathan Taylor. Goodson may miss the start of the regular season as he recovers from an elbow injury he suffered during preseason play, leaving Giddens as the likely passing-downs back early in the year. For fantasy managers looking for a handcuff option for Taylor late in drafts, Giddens appears to be the clear choice.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
August 27, 2025
Veteran running back
Khalil Herbert has been released by the Indianapolis Colts, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Herbert signed with Indianapolis in free agency this past March, but is now likely headed elsewhere. In 14 games split between the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals last season, Herbert logged 36 carries for 130 yards and one touchdown. With Herbert out of the picture in Indianapolis,
Tyler Goodson (elbow) and rookie
DJ Giddens now make up the depth behind star running back
Jonathan Taylor. Goodson is currently dealing with an elbow injury, but is expected to return early in the season.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
August 27, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Amari Cooper told Kevin Patra of NFL.com that he still has "some juice left" and that signing with the Raiders will allow him to show it. Cooper signed a one-year deal with Las Vegas on Tuesday. The 31-year-old recorded 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns across 14 games split between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills in 2024. However, before 2025, Cooper had reached 1,000 receiving yards in five of the six previous seasons. He should slot in as the WR2 in Las Vegas next to
Jakobi Meyers, although Cooper may eventually be surpassed by rookies
Dont'e Thornton Jr. and
Jack Bech. As a late-round flier, Cooper could end up being a solid depth piece for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com - Kevin Patra
August 27, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars have acquired veteran wide receiver
Tim Patrick from the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 31-year-old recorded 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games with Detroit last year. The Lions' decision to move on from Patrick signals an internal belief in third-round rookie
Isaac TeSlaa, who was a standout performer in the preseason. In Jacksonville, Patrick will likely step into the team's WR3 role next to
Brian Thomas Jr. and
Travis Hunter. He should remain off the radar of fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
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Tim
Patrick
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rookie
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Isaac
TeSlaa
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August 27, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) passed his physical and has been activated from the PUP list, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Wirfs missed all of training camp while recovering from surgery on his right knee. His activation indicates that he will return to practice soon, but it doesn't guarantee that he'll be ready for Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. If Wirfs ends up missing the first few games of the 2025 season, Charlie Heck and Luke Goedeke would earn additional opportunities on the offensive line.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
August 27, 2025
Atlanta Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary (leg) has been placed on season-ending Injured Reserve, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The team did not designate McGary to return, which means he will miss the entire 2025 season. This is a major loss for the Falcons, who had benefited from McGary's dependable protection at the end of the offensive line. He has started 47 of 51 possible games over the last three seasons, including 16 in 2024. He was rewarded with a two-year, $30 million extension earlier this month. Elijah Wilkinson should step up as the Falcons' primary right tackle with McGary out for the season. Jack Nelson could also earn additional opportunities in the trenches.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mike Garafolo
August 27, 2025
Free agent defensive end Za'Darius Smith has generated interest from several NFL teams, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Smith, a free agent, is reportedly "training and waiting on the right situation." The 32-year-old has spent 10 seasons with the NFL, splitting 2024 between the Browns and Lions. Over 17 games last year, he amassed 35 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, and nine sacks. He remains an impact defender who could provide a spark to a team with playoff aspirations. Although Week 1 is fast approaching, it's possible that Smith waits until midseason to sign. By holding off on signing somewhere for now, Smith could wait for the right opportunity to present itself, such as filling the void left by an in-season injury.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeremy Fowler
August 27, 2025
Free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (neck) will undergo a CT scan in October to ensure his spinal fusion was successful, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Samuel underwent neck surgery back in April, which scared off several teams and complicated his free agency. Rather than signing now and trying to pass a physical, Samuel will wait until October to get his CT scan and meet with medical professionals, who can confirm to teams that he's healthy. The 25-year-old just wrapped up a four-year stint with the Los Angeles Chargers in which he totaled 176 tackles, 37 passes defended, and three interceptions through 50 games.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeremy Fowler
August 26, 2025
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (leg) will open the season on the team's 53-man roster, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Johnson missed all of training camp and the preseason after injuring himself while training away from the team. There's been plenty of mystery surrounding his status, including his timetable to return to the field. Biggs notes that the cornerback is targeting a Week 1 return, but he hasn't been able to practice yet. At the very least, the Bears' decision to leave Johnson on their initial 53-man roster indicates that he should return for one of the first few games, if not the season opener.
--Andersen PickardSource: Brad Biggs
August 26, 2025
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told the media that he expects linebacker Micah Parsons (back, personal) to play in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Schottenheimer noted that the star defender will likely be on limited reps for the first game because he hasn't practiced in a while and has also been dealing with back tightness. This remains consistent with what Schottenheimer has previously said about his expectations for Parsons. However, it's unclear if the 26-year-old linebacker is on the same page. He requested a trade on August 1 while proclaiming that he didn't want to play for the Cowboys anymore, and it seems as though his stance hasn't changed since then.
--Andersen PickardSource: Clarence Hill
August 26, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Robert Tonyan was released on Tuesday, the team announced. The move leaves
Travis Kelce,
Noah Gray, and
Jared Wiley as the Chiefs' three rostered tight ends. Tonyan has spent seven seasons in the NFL, and he made waves with 52 catches, 586 yards, and 11 touchdowns as a Green Bay Packer in 2020. Outside of that campaign, he has been unexceptional, as his reception count dwindled to 11 in 2023 and zero in 2024. It remains to be seen whether Tonyan will land on another 53-man roster or if he'll have to settle for a practice squad spot.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kansas City Chiefs
August 26, 2025
Denver Broncos quarterback
Sam Ehlinger was released on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The move comes as Denver trims down its roster to 53 players, and it leaves the team with just
Bo Nix and
Jarrett Stidham in its quarterback room. Ehlinger appeared in all three preseason games, completing 42 of 57 pass attempts for 415 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also took four sacks. The former sixth-round pick hasn't appeared in a regular season game since the 2022 campaign with the Colts. He's a candidate to join the practice squad in Denver or elsewhere, but his path to playing time includes numerous obstacles. He should be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
August 26, 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Easton Stick was released on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The move helped the Falcons trim their roster down to 53 players, and it leaves Atlanta with only
Michael Penix Jr. and
Kirk Cousins in its quarterback room. Stick appeared in all three preseason games, completing 54 of 78 pass attempts for 520 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also took five sacks. The former fifth-round pick spent his first six NFL seasons with the Chargers before inking a deal with Atlanta in April. Now, he'll look for a new landing spot as Week 1 approaches. NewOrleans.Football's Mike Triplett reported that the Saints looked into signing Stick before he wound up with Atlanta, so perhaps they'll continue to show interest now that he's a free agent again. Regardless of where the veteran quarterback ends up, he should be avoided in all fantasy leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
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