RADIO
Falcons Plan to Eventually Start Michael Penix Jr.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is expected to eventually take over as the starter under center, according to Cameron Wolfe. Penix is still working his way back from a partially torn left ACL from last year. He was cleared to begin doing team drills as of last weekend. Wolfe mentions that he believes it's too soon for Penix to start in Week 1, but it doesn't sound like it'll take him too long before he's ready to go. The expectation is that Tua Tagovailoa will begin the season as the starter while Penix gets fully healthy. The 26-year-old is likely still viewed as the future in Atlanta, but they need to make sure he's healthy first.
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Buccaneers GM Speaks Highly of Chris Godwin Jr.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht praised wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. for his consistency and leadership, Brianna Dix reports. On Monday, Licht talked about how consistent Godwin has been for Tampa Bay and even called him Mr. Clutch. Before his fibula injury, Godwin was a top-20 player at his position. He recorded three straight 1,000-yard campaigns before suffering his injury during the 2024 season. Now, Godwin is fully healthy heading into the 2026 season and should serve as a top target in the Bucs' passing attack. Both Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillian (knee) are banged up right now, so Godwin could be leaned on heavily early in the season.
Source: buccaneers.com
Source: buccaneers.com
Jaguars Feel Bhayshul Tuten Can be a Complete No. 1 Running Back
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten is being viewed as a complete running back, according to Mike Garafolo. It sounds like the Jaguars have a lot of faith in Tuten to step up and be the lead back this upcoming season. Tuten showed some flashes this past season, but will now get a real chance to show what he can do with Travis Etienne Jr. departing this offseason. Tuten has been working hard to improve as a pass-catching back during training camp. It sounds like Tuten could become a legit dual-threat back for the Jags this upcoming season. The expectation is that Chris Rodriguez Jr. will remain in the mix, but Tuten will be leaned on more than this past season.
Source: NFL Network
Source: NFL Network
Saquon Barkley is Unharmed After Attempted Burglary of His Home
According to Adam Schefter, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is unharmed after an attempted burglary of his home on Saturday. Barkley's home was broken into after 5:00 AM EST on Saturday, according to the Tredyffrin Township Police Department. Barkley and his family were home at the time of the break-in, but thankfully, no one was hurt. A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including attempted break-in of two other homes. This investigation isn't expected to impact Barkley's status for this upcoming season.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Panthers' Top Wideout Praises Ja'seem Reed
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ja'Seem Reed did not make the team's initial 53-man roster heading into their Week 1 clash against the Chicago Bears, but the Panthers re-signed him to their practice squad after he had a strong training camp this summer. The Panthers' WR1, Tetairoa McMillan, singled Reed out as the offensive player that he has seen make the most strides over the last year, according to Gabe McDonald. "That kid's got a lot of talent," McMillan said. The 23-year-old former undrafted free agent spent all of the 2025 campaign on the Panthers' practice squad and never appeared in a game. To begin 2026, he has McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, John Metchie III, Brycen Tremayne, and Jimmy Horn Jr. ahead of him in the WR room, but Reed could be a name to keep an eye on in dynasty/keeper leagues as a bench stash for his potential long-term upside in Carolina.
Source: Gabe McDonald
Source: Gabe McDonald
Tee Higgins Misses Practice on Wednesday
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (heel) did not practice with the team on Wednesday, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Higgins also missed practice on Tuesday with a bruised heel, but head coach Zac Taylor said it was a minor issue. Barring a setback, Higgins should be ready to rock for the Week 1 regular-season opener next Sunday, Sept. 13, versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Top wideout Ja'Marr Chase (knee) is also out this week with a knee injury that he suffered last week, but he, too, is expected to be fine for Week 1. Higgins' minor heel injury should not make fantasy managers hesitant to use an early-round pick on him as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2. The 27-year-old former second-rounder from Clemson would be the WR1 on many teams around the league. Even in Chase's shadow, Higgins has managed to put up high-end production while battling through injuries. As a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025, Higgins had 59 receptions for 846 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns in 15 games. Higgins has 21 touchdown catches in the last two seasons and has averaged a healthy 14 yards per catch in his six NFL seasons.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
Ja'Marr Chase Not in Uniform on Wednesday
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (knee) was not in uniform and did not practice on Wednesday, according to Gabi Sorrentino of FOX 19 Cincinnati. Chase hyperextended his left knee while trying to catch a pass last week in training camp practice and has not seen the field since. Head coach Zac Taylor said on Tuesday that Chase would be limited this week and that he "feels good about" where the 26-year-old is with the regular-season opener coming on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The five-time Pro Bowler might also be limited in some practices next week, but it does not sound like he is in danger of missing the start of the 2026 season. The former fifth overall pick from LSU in 2021 has five straight 1,000-yard campaigns to begin his career, including a whopping 520 receptions and 54 touchdown catches in 78 games played. With quarterback Joe Burrow healthy and throwing him passes, Chase is still the consensus top overall receiver for fantasy football managers in 2026.
Source: FOX 19 Cincinnati - Gabi Sorrentino
Source: FOX 19 Cincinnati - Gabi Sorrentino
Roman Wilson Receives More Praise From his QB
Pittsburgh Steelers veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that wide receiver Roman Wilson "is a great kid" and that he "has had a fantastic camp," according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Rodgers went on to say that he has the "utmost confidence" in Wilson, who is "going to have to play a big role" in the offense in 2026. The future Hall of Fame QB has been clicking with Wilson in training camp and the preseason and appears to have developed a strong chemistry. The two did not click in 2025, as Wilson caught only 12 of 21 targets for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 13 regular-season games in Wilson's second year in the league. The 25-year-old former third-rounder from Michigan should be much more involved in new head coach Mike McCarthy's offense, but with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. both ahead of him on the WR depth chart, Wilson is unlikely to see enough weekly volume to be a realistic starting option in most fantasy leagues. He is currently outside of RotoBaller's top-137 receiver rankings for 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Ravens "Optimistic" About Reaching Extension With Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said on Wednesday that he is "optimistic" about reaching a contract extension with quarterback Lamar Jackson, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. "We would love to get a deal done as soon as possible," DeCosta said. The 29-year-old signed a five-year, $260 million extension with Baltimore in April of 2023, but with an $84.3 million salary-cap number for 2027, the Ravens want to get an extension done with the star QB so that they can spread that cap hit out over multiple seasons. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time MVP battled nagging injuries for much of last year, which led to a disappointing 2025 campaign in which he threw for only 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in a career-low 13 starts. Jackson also ran the ball a career-low 67 times for 349 yards and two touchdowns. With better health, Jackson should rebound as an elite, high-end QB1 for fantasy purposes because of his dual-threat abilities at the position.
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Nick Bosa Confident He Will Play in Season Opener
San Francisco 49ers All-Pro pass-rusher Nick Bosa (knee), who practiced with the team on Wednesday, said he is confident he will play in the Week 1 season opener next Thursday in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to Josh Dubow of The Associated Press. The 28-year-old oft-injured defensive end suffered a torn ACL early last year and was still feeling some soreness in his knee last month. It is good news that Bosa is practicing this week as he prepares for the season opener, but we have a sneaking suspicion that he will have his snaps limited next Thursday if he is active in Australia. That will obviously make him a big risk as a starter in IDP fantasy formats, and he will be a high-risk/high-reward defensive lineman in those same formats in 2026 as he comes off a season-ending knee injury. The five-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year had a league-high 18.5 sacks in 2022, but his sack numbers have declined in each year since then, culminating with just two sacks in three games played in 2025. When healthy, the former second overall pick from Ohio State has the skills to be one of the most disruptive pass-rushers in the league.
Source: The Associated Press - Josh Dubow
Source: The Associated Press - Josh Dubow
Cowboys Re-Sign Quarterback Joe Milton III
The Dallas Cowboys are re-signing quarterback Joe Milton III to their practice squad on Wednesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Cowboys waived Milton after he lost out on the backup competition to Sam Howell, but he cleared waivers on Tuesday and is now back with the Cowboys organization as QB insurance. The 26-year-old went 29-for-43 passing for 378 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in three preseason games, but it was not enough to unseat Howell as the backup behind starter Dak Prescott. The former sixth-round pick by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL draft from Tennessee has appeared in just five NFL games (zero starts) in his two seasons, throwing for 424 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Four of his games came last year with Dallas. Milton has less stash appeal in deep dynasty/keeper leagues as the QB3 for the Cowboys.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Ravens Unclear When NFL Will End Its Investigation of Rashod Bateman
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said on Wednesday that he does not know when the NFL will finalize its investigation into wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who was arrested on family-violence charges in June, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. Bateman's fantasy football value was already down going into the 2026 season, and a potential suspension to begin the year makes him undraftable in 12-team single-year leagues. The 26-year-old is the WR2 on Baltimore's depth chart behind Zay Flowers, but even without a potential suspension, the possibility of impressive rookie Ja'Kobi Lane passing him on the depth chart sooner rather than later seems high. The former 27th overall pick in 2021 from Minnesota broke out for 756 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, both career highs, but he regressed to a 19-224-2 line in 13 games in 2025 with quarterback Lamar Jackson dealing with injuries mostly all year. Outside of what looks like his 2024 outlier, Bateman has not had more than 46 catches, 515 yards, or two touchdowns in his other four NFL seasons.
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
MarShawn Lloyd Sharing First-Team Reps at Practice
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd and newcomer Kaleb Johnson were both working with quarterback Jordan Love in individual drills during Wednesday's practice, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today. Lloyd went from being the team's RB2 to being thrust into a potential lead-back role for Week 1 when the Packers placed Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list over the weekend. The 25-year-old has appeared in just one NFL game since the Packers took him in the third round in 2024 out of USC due to injuries, but he is primed for a significant role in the backfield with Jacobs sidelined. It is unclear exactly how Green Bay's touches will be distributed behind Love, but if Wednesday's practice is any indication, it could be a 50/50 split between Lloyd and Johnson, a third-rounder out of Iowa by the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. Lloyd's speed and athleticism have suddenly made him a mid-round target at the RB position, despite his lack of NFL experience. He is currently ranked as the No. 28 RB at RotoBaller, right behind Jaylen Warren of the Steelers.
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
Optimism Surrounding Khalil Shakir's Week 1 Availability
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (undisclosed) has missed practice time recently with an undisclosed injury, but there is optimism that he will be available for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Houston Texans, sources told Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. The Bills are being cautious with him. The 26-year-old former fifth-rounder from Boise State has yet to practice with the rest of the team this week, but if his injury is not serious, he should return to the field next week and be ready to go against Houston next Sunday. Going into his fifth year in the NFL, Shakir shouldn't be treated as much more than a WR4/flex with limited upside in Buffalo's offense after the Bills added DJ Moore in an offseason trade with the Chicago Bears. Shakir had career highs across the board in 2024 with 76 catches, 821 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in 15 games, but he fell back down to 72 catches, 719 yards, and four TDs in 16 games in 2025. The addition of Moore makes it unlikely that Shakir will improve on his career numbers from 2024.
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
Kyle Monangai Does Some Running on Wednesday
Updating a previous report, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift said that Kyle Monangai (knee) did some running at practice on Wednesday and looked good, according to Adam Hoge of CHGO Bears. Monangai did not practice with the rest of the team, though, and is considered week-to-week after hyperextending his right knee in training camp practice on Aug. 16. It is a positive sign that Monangai is doing some running, but it sounds like he still has some hurdles to clear before being cleared to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener next Sunday. If Monangai does not suit up for the season opener, Roschon Johnson would be in line for RB2 change-of-pace duties behind Swift against the Carolina Panthers. Monangai, a seventh-rounder last year out of Rutgers, carried the ball 169 times for 783 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2025 as a rookie, but he caught only 18 passes for 164 yards. The 24-year-old will continue to be involved in head coach Ben Johnson's offense behind Swift, but his lack of pass-catching abilities limits his fantasy upside, especially in PPR formats. RotoBaller has Monangai ranked as the RB42 for 2026.
Source: CHGO Bears - Adam Hoge
Source: CHGO Bears - Adam Hoge
