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Michael Penix Jr. Hopes to be Cleared Soon
According to Tori McElhaney, senior reporter for the Atlanta Falcons, Falcons 26-year-old 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was asked about his timeline for return and said on July 29 that his doctor wanted to give him four more weeks at that clearance level "before going to the next stage." Throughout this timeframe, Penix has been participating in individual drills, one-on-ones with pass catchers, and seven-on-sevens. Now that we are approaching that four-week mark, Penix is trending towards further conversations with the doctor, in hopes of being cleared soon and competing for the starting role. The Falcons brought in former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million contract in March, and although Penix has missed valuable camp reps, head coach Kevin Stefanski has not officially named a starting quarterback for the regular season. Penix figures to see the field at some point during the season; however, due to missing some time in camp, Tagovailoa appears to be in the driver's seat. Penix is not on the fantasy radar in one-quarterback leagues, but remains someone to keep an eye on in superflex and dynasty formats. Rotoballer ranks him as the QB36 off the board.
Source: Tori McElhaney
Source: Tori McElhaney
Gardner Minshew II Set to Start Against Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback Gardner Minshew II will start Saturday's preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. With starter Jacoby Brissett resting, along with the rest of the starters, and rookie quarterback Carson Beck (ribs) not expected to play, Minshew is set to start. The veteran quarterback has started 47 games in his career, including one start with the Kansas City Chiefs, which he left early due to a knee injury. The former sixth-round pick signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Cardinals this offseason as a backup behind Brissett. While fantasy managers should avoid targeting Minshew in fantasy drafts, he could be worth a look if Brissett misses time and the team decides to be patient with their third-round rookie.
Source: Darren Urban - Cards Chatter
Source: Darren Urban - Cards Chatter
Terrance Ferguson's Route Tree Expanding in 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson is seeing his route tree expand significantly heading into 2026, according to The Athletic's Nate Atkins. With star wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) not practicing, Ferguson is stepping up as a playmaker for reigning MVP Matthew Stafford. During joint practice with the New Orleans Saints, Ferguson caught two touchdowns in the red zone and was used all over the formation, a development that is exciting for the second-year tight end. "Coming in (last year), I never expected to play the positions I'm playing. Being able to play F, Z, Y, and X, all of them together, it's definitely been a big jump." Ranked as the TE21 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Ferguson is a high-upside tight end to target in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.
Source: Nate Atkins - The Athletic
Source: Nate Atkins - The Athletic
Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams' Connection On Point
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford's connection with wide receiver Davante Adams has been on point this offseason. According to The Athletic's Nate Atkins, Stafford and Adams excelled in joint practice with the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, connecting on two touchdowns and on crossers and slants over the middle. After Stafford missed all of training camp last season with a back issue, he and Adams struggled, especially early in the season. Now, with a full offseason and star wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) not practicing, Stafford is finding Adams all across the field in camp. Adams had only 789 yards in 14 games last season but scored a league-high 14 receiving touchdowns. If Nacua's injury or possible suspension lingers into the season, Adams could be an elite option at wide receiver.
Source: Nate Atkins - The Athletic
Source: Nate Atkins - The Athletic
Brock Purdy to Use Mobility More in 2026
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is prepared to use his mobility more this season, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Purdy told Fowler, "I'm never going to be a 4.4 guy, 4.5 guy. The thing I pride myself on is moving quickly, moving the chains when I need 10, 12 yards. I think I can add that for our offense, for sure." Purdy has averaged 12.8 rushing yards per game in his career and has scored 11 touchdowns in 45 starts. The former seventh-round pick dealt with a toe injury that cost him seven games last season, likely hindering his rushing ability in 2025. Currently ranked QB11 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Purdy offers QB1 upside with a high floor in Kyle Shanahan's offense.
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Carson Beck Not Expected to Play Against Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck (ribs) is not expected to play in the second preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. Beck suffered a rib injury during the Hall of Fame game in early August. The injury was deemed not serious, but he will miss his second preseason game this season. Beck showed promise in that game against the Carolina Panthers, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. With Beck unlikely to be available and starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett sitting with most of the starters, veteran Gardner Minshew will start on Saturday. The third-round pick hopes to return next week in their final preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
Source: Darren Urban - Cards Chatter
Source: Darren Urban - Cards Chatter
Quinshon Judkins Dealing with Minor Nagging Injury
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (undisclosed) is dealing with a nagging injury that head coach Todd Monken considers "minor." Judkins did not participate on Wednesday or during the team's joint practice with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, but Monken did not sound too concerned about Judkins sitting out. The second-year back has practiced for most of training camp after suffering a gruesome leg injury late in the 2025 season. As a rookie, Judkins totaled 998 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 256 touches, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry, which was among the lowest in the NFL last season. If this "nagging injury" hampers Judkins early in the season, second-year backs Dylan Sampson and Raheim "Rocket" Sanders will take on a larger workload, though it appears Judkins should be fine for Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Rome Odunze's Foot Hasn't Been an Issue
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has had no issues with his foot during training camp. Odunze suffered a foot stress fracture that caused him to miss five games. He didn't sound 100% confident about the injury during the offseason, saying, "He will have to learn to adapt to the new normal." The third-year receiver put all concerns to rest during camp, participating in all 15 practices so far this summer, and said on Tuesday, "I don't think about it." Over his two seasons with the Bears, Odunze has totaled 1,395 yards and nine touchdowns on 98 receptions. Odunze's fantasy value entering the 2026 season is lower than anticipated, as young playmakers Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland have stolen the limelight. With the foot injury not a factor so far, fantasy managers should feel comfortable taking Odunze in the mid-rounds of drafts.
Source: Dan Wiederer - The Athletic
Source: Dan Wiederer - The Athletic
Garrett Williams Activated by Cardinals on Thursday
The Arizona Cardinals have activated cornerback Garrett Williams (Achilles) from the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. Williams suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 16 of the 2025 season. However, it appears as though he could be tracking toward being ready for the start of 2026. Williams has battled myriad injury issues throughout his career, missing 16 games across three NFL seasons due to both the Achilles and multiple knee ailments. Still, he's been productive when healthy. Across 10 games (10 starts) in 2025, the 25-year-old recorded 25 solo tackles, five passes defensed, and one forced fumble. Once he's fully ready to go, Williams profiles as Arizona's starting nickel cornerback in 2026.
Source: ESPN - Josh Weinfuss
Source: ESPN - Josh Weinfuss
KC Concepcion Earning Praise from His Head Coach
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken praised rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion on Thursday, saying that Concepcion "doesn't blink" and "just wants to play football," per Dan Labbe of clevelanddotcom. The 24th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Concepcion recorded 61 catches for 919 yards and nine touchdowns across 13 games with Texas A&M in 2025. The 21-year-old has reportedly been one of the standout performers so far in Browns training camp. Concepcion's fantasy value is tainted a bit by Cleveland's uncertain quarterback situation. However, the rookie wideout has a legitimate chance to emerge as the WR1 in a Browns wide receiver room that was one of the league's worst in 2025. Entering 2026, Concepcion's redraft profile carries both risk and significant upside for fantasy managers.
Source: clevelanddotcom - Dan Labbe
Source: clevelanddotcom - Dan Labbe
Deebo Samuel Sr. Set for Multi-Purpose Workload in San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. will "have a varied role at receiver, running back, and kick returner" in the upcoming season, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Samuel Sr. spent the first six years of his NFL career with the 49ers before being traded to the Washington Commanders ahead of the 2025 season. Across 81 career games with San Francisco, Samuel Sr. collected 1,143 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns to go along with nearly 4,800 receiving yards and 22 touchdown grabs. While the 30-year-old is no longer the same level of athlete he was earlier in his career, Samuel Sr.'s dual-threat ability provides an added element of value for fantasy managers. He's also expected to play a significant role in the 49ers' offense with San Francisco wideout Ricky Pearsall (knee) set to miss the entire season after undergoing knee surgery.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Rashod Bateman Praises New Coaching Staff, Criticizes Former Regime
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman criticized his former coaching staff while praising his new coaches on Thursday. Per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Bateman said that new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter's staff "harps on the details," which is "not what we've had here." Bateman's first five years in the NFL were all played under former Ravens and current New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh. While Minter is a first-time NFL head coach with significantly less experience than Harbaugh, it appears as though some in Baltimore feel that he is holding the team to a higher standard. Bateman himself had one of the least productive years of his career in 2025, recording 19 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns on 38 targets across 13 games (12 starts). With a fresh start in 2026, Bateman could get closer to his 2024 production, when he recorded 756 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns across 17 games. He currently ranks as the RotoBaller's WR74 heading into 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Andy Dalton Leading Eagles QB2 Battle
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Andy Dalton "still appears to be the leader" in the team's backup quarterback battle, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic. Dalton had a rough showing in the Eagles' first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday, but Berman writes that the veteran "showed improvement" during the team's joint practice session with the New England Patriots on Wednesday. Dalton's competition for the QB2 role behind Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia is Tanner McKee, who has played in six games (two starts) since being picked by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2023 Draft. Dalton obviously has significantly more NFL experience, as he's logged 169 career starts across 15 seasons. As long as Hurts stays healthy, neither Dalton nor McKee will play a fantasy-relevant role. Still, fantasy managers in deeper, two-quarterback formats looking for the handcuff option to Hurts may want to target Dalton.
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Saquon Barkley Standing Out in New-Look Eagles Offense
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley "consistently found running room within (new Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion's) wide zone concepts" during the team's joint practice session with the New England Patriots, per Zach Berman of The Athletic. After collecting 2,283 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns across 16 games in his first season with Philadelphia in 2024, Barkley's numbers regressed across the board in 2025. While still highly productive overall, Barkley's yards per carry dropped from 5.8 to 4.1, and his yards per touch fell from 6.0 to 4.5. The Eagles have a new play-caller for the upcoming year in Sean Mannion. Based on the early returns in camp, it appears as though the new system could be a boon for Barkley's production as he enters his age-29 season. RotoBaller currently ranks Barkley as the RB7 for redraft leagues ahead of 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman
Jared Goff Still Belongs in the QB1 Conversation
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is learning his fourth offense since arriving in Detroit, and camp hasn't given fantasy managers much reason to worry about this one. Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman has raved about Goff's accuracy and ball placement and said he already has a "great grasp" of Drew Petzing's system. That's coming off 4,564 yards, 34 touchdowns and only eight interceptions in 2025. The weapons aren't the concern either. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta are all back. Goff's fantasy problem is the same as ever: he gives you almost nothing on the ground. He ran 19 times for 45 yards and no touchdowns last year, so his big weeks have to come through the air. Fine when Detroit is throwing like this, less helpful when it isn't. But Petzing was the biggest new variable entering camp, and Goff looks comfortable so far. If you're waiting on quarterback in a one-QB draft, he still belongs in that late QB1 mix.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
