August 18, 2025
New England Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf says that the team would be willing to trade away a first- or second-round pick if the right deal emerges, per Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston. Perry notes that several big-name players are searching for new contracts at this point in the offseason, and that the Patriots are at the top of the NFL in available cap space. Speculatively, current Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin could be a fit in New England if McLaurin and Washington remain at a financial impasse. There's no indication that a McLaurin deal or any other deal is close, but the Patriots are a team to monitor on the trade market given Wolf's willingness to speak publicly about upgrades.
--Will BradySource: NBC Sports Boston - Phil Perry
August 18, 2025
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Monday that he expects the Cleveland Browns to carry four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. Cleveland named veteran
Joe Flacco its Week 1 starter on Monday, and Schefter indicated that rookies
Dillon Gabriel and
Shedeur Sanders are not in danger of being released.
Kenny Pickett (hamstring) could be the team's primary backup once he fully recovers from the hamstring injury that has plagued him throughout training camp. It's unusual for a team to roster four quarterbacks, but the Browns are in a unique spot after spending mid-round picks on both Gabriel and Sanders in this year's draft.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
August 18, 2025
Carolina Panthers quarterback
Andy Dalton (elbow) is dealing with "more of a muscle strain" in his elbow and is considered day-to-day with soreness, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Dalton left early from the team's preseason game on Saturday against the Houston Texans, but was able to throw during the individual portions of practice on Monday. The 37-year-old is one of the better backup quarterback options in the league and a reliable presence behind
Bryce Young in Carolina. If Dalton were to miss time,
Jack Plummer is the next quarterback up on the Panthers' depth chart. Neither Dalton nor Plummer would be a player to target in fantasy if pressed into action, but Dalton would likely do a better job of keeping Carolina's offense afloat.
--Will BradySource: Panthers.com - Darin Gantt
August 18, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jalen Nailor (hand) is "week-to-week" after jamming his hand in practice last Thursday, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Minnesota got good news with
Justin Jefferson (hamstring) returning to practice on Monday. However, the team's wide receiver room behind him is having a rough offseason. In addition to Nailor's injury,
Jordan Addison will miss the first three games of the season due to suspension, and
Rondale Moore (knee) went down with a season-ending knee injury. If Nailor can return in time for Week 1, he could be a decent flex play in fantasy while Addison is sidelined. If Nailor misses time, third-round rookie
Tai Felton could see an early-season bump in targets.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
August 18, 2025
Baltimore Ravens running back
Keaton Mitchell (hamstring) returned to practice on Monday, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said recently that Mitchell has a chance to return in time for the team's final preseason game on Saturday. The third-year running back rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown in Baltimore's preseason opener, but was held out of their second game due to a hamstring injury. Mitchell is competing with
Justice Hill and
Rasheen Ali for RB2 snaps in Baltimore behind
Derrick Henry. If Henry were to go down with an injury, Mitchell might have the highest upside of the remaining Ravens running backs.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
August 18, 2025
Dallas Cowboys rookie running back
Jaydon Blue (ankle, heel) is "trending positively," according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, and the team is hopeful and optimistic that he can play in Friday's preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Blue suffered a bone bruise in his heel on Aug. 7 and has not played since, although it looks like he should at least return to practice this week, which would put him in line to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4. The 21-year-old was gaining steam and impressing the coaching staff at training camp before his heel injury while getting work with the first-team offense. His injury killed some of his momentum, although Blue could still have a key role in Dallas' backfield early on in 2025 alongside
Javonte Williams and
Miles Sanders. He's worth a late-round flier in deep PPR fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dallas Morning News - Joseph Hoyt
August 18, 2025
Los Angeles Rams rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson (groin) returned to training camp practice and was in full pads on Monday after missing the last two-plus weeks with a groin injury, according to Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire. Head coach Sean McVay said Ferguson was "a little bit limited." Ferguson hasn't played in the first two preseason games, and it's unknown if he'll suit up in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns. The Rams are unlikely to take any chances with their top rookie before the regular-season opener, so the 22-year-old probably won't play this weekend. For fantasy purposes, Ferguson can be ignored in redraft leagues in 2025 with the Rams being deep at the TE position with
Tyler Higbee,
Colby Parkinson an
Davis Allen in the mix alongside the rookie. The Rams have the luxury to be able to take it slow with Ferguson.
--Keith HernandezSource: Rams Wire - Cameron DaSilva
August 18, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson told ESPN that he and the team have agreed on the years and total dollar amount on a potential long-term contract extension, but not on guaranteed money. Additionally, there has been no progress on a trade after reports over the weekend that the Bengals were actively discussing trades involving Hendrickson with other teams. The 30-year-old has been asking for a new deal for more than a year now and really would prefer to return to Cincinnati as their best pass-rusher. As long as his contract holdout doesn't leak into the 2025 regular season, the former third-rounder (103rd overall) in 2017 out of Florida Atlantic will be a must-start defensive end in IDP fantasy leagues. Hendrickson has 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons and 70.5 sacks since the start of 2020.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Laura Rutledge
August 18, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
Jonathan Mingo (knee) was diagnosed with a sprained PCL on Monday and is expected to miss four to six weeks. The 24-year-old will likely be sidelined until October, halting his push for a larger role behind
CeeDee Lamb,
George Pickens, and
Jalen Tolbert. Mingo caught 17 passes for 167 yards across 17 games with the Panthers and Cowboys last season. This injury sets him back significantly, and he holds no fantasy value in redraft formats. Mingo should remain off draft boards heading into 2025.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Calvin Watkins
August 18, 2025
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said the team is targeting this week for the practice debut of tight end
Darren Waller, though nothing is finalized. The 32-year-old hasn't played since 2023 with the Giants, when he caught 52 passes for 552 yards and one touchdown. Waller enters a wide-open tight end room in Miami and could push for immediate starting duties. If healthy, he adds another dynamic weapon to an already explosive offense featuring
Tyreek Hill,
Jaylen Waddle, and De'Von Achane, making him a late-round fantasy sleeper.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Marcel Louis-Jacques
August 18, 2025
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday after missing time with a minor injury. The veteran is battling rookie
TreVeyon Henderson for the starting role, though Henderson's presence has dented Stevenson's fantasy outlook. Stevenson is expected to handle change-of-pace and possible goal-line duties behind the rookie, limiting his weekly ceiling. Last season, Stevenson logged 240 touches for 969 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. For 2025 drafts, he's best viewed as a later-round stash with flex potential if Henderson struggles or misses time.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Andrew Callahan
August 18, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Najee Harris (eye) returned to practice in a limited capacity Monday, working on the side while remaining on the NFL's Non-Football Injury list. The veteran signed with the Chargers this offseason after topping 1,000 rushing yards in each of his four seasons with the Steelers. However, Harris' role is now in question with rookie
Omarion Hampton emerging as the likely lead back. Until Harris is fully cleared, fantasy managers should treat him as Hampton's handcuff rather than a standalone option.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Kris Rhim
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
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