RADIO
Chris Bell Could Play in Preseason
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley suggested that rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) could play in the preseason. When asked about Bell's current status, Hafley said, "He's progressing nicely. He's accelerating, decelerating; he's able to cut. It would be a huge benefit if we can get him some work in the preseason." Bell is currently on the PUP list as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in November 2025. While it seemed likely the rookie receiver would miss time in the regular season, Hafley appeared optimistic that he's improving, and fantasy managers could take advantage of a great value if Bell is healthy enough to start the season.
Source: Dave Furones - Sun Sentinel
Source: Dave Furones - Sun Sentinel
John Metchie III a Candidate for WR3 Job in Carolina
Carolina Panthers wide receiver John Metchie III, who is with his fourth different NFL team in 2026 in a little more than 11 months, had a 19-yard rush and a 36-yard kick return in Thursday's Hall of Fame preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. With rookie wideout Chris Brazzell II (knee) already ruled out for the 2026 season, The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye suggests that Metchie has a real shot to compete for the WR3 role this year in Carolina behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. The 26-year-old's primary competition will be Xavier Legette, a former first-rounder who has disappointed in his first two years in the NFL. If Metchie makes more noise in training camp and the preseason, he could have a role in the slot with the Panthers, although it wouldn't generate enough volume for the former second-rounder from Alabama to be much more than a bench stash in deeper redraft formats. In 16 games with the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans in 2025, Metchie had career highs with 33 catches, 274 yards, and two touchdowns on 48 targets.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Chiefs "Leaning Against" Playing Patrick Mahomes in Preseason Opener
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the team is "leaning against" playing quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) in next week's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star. Reid also said he doesn't know if Mahomes will play in the second or third preseason games, either. Mahomes prefers to see some preseason action, but it's a special scenario going into the 2026 season after he tore his ACL and LCL late last season. The good news for the Chiefs and fantasy managers is that the 30-year-old two-time MVP and six-time Pro Bowler is on track to be ready for the team's Week 1 season opener on Monday night against the division-rival Denver Broncos in early September. Mahomes has made great progress from his knee injury and has been participating in 11-on-11 team drills in training camp without limitations. His improving health will improve his fantasy football stock going into his 10th year in the league, but still, managers should be hesitant not to overvalue Mahomes based on his past exploits, with his mobility potentially not being the same as it once was. Treat him as more of a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in fantasy in 2026.
Source: The Kansas City Star - Sam McDowell
Source: The Kansas City Star - Sam McDowell
Texans Actively Looking to Involve Jaylin Noel on Offense
Now that Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel (finger) has come off the Non-Football Injury list at training camp, head coach DeMeco Ryans said the Texans are actively looking for ways to "get him the ball on offense multiple times a game," according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. The 23-year-old former third-rounder from Iowa State wasn't as productive as teammate Jayden Higgins as a rookie, as he caught just 26 passes on 35 targets for 292 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (three starts). However, Noel should have a bigger role in Year 2 in 2026 as he competes with Tank Dell (knee) and Xavier Hutchinson for the WR3 role behind Higgins and Nico Collins. Losing the first two weeks of training camp didn't help Noel's cause, but he has plenty of time to get more involved going into Week 1 of the regular season. How big Noel's role is in his sophomore season will probably depend on how much Dell can do after suffering a devastating knee injury in 2024 and missing all of last year. Right now, Noel is merely a late-round dart throw in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
KC Concepcion is Fine After Suffering AC Joint Sprain in his Shoulder
Cleveland Browns rookie first-round wide receiver KC Concepcion (shoulder) said he suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder from falling on it in training camp practice earlier this week, but he's fine and made an acrobatic touchdown catch on a pass from quarterback Shedeur Sanders on Thursday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The 21-year-old from Texas A&M has been impressive in training camp as he heads into his first year in the NFL, and as things currently stand, he should be a lock to open the 2026 regular season in a top-three role for the Browns alongside fellow rookie Denzel Boston and veteran Jerry Jeudy. And with Jeudy continuing to fall after a disappointing 2025 campaign, it could be Concepcion and Boston leading Cleveland's pass-catching corps as rookies. The Browns' less-than-ideal QB situation will keep Concepcion's fantasy price low, but he's absolutely worth a late-round flier in 12-team leagues with plenty of speed and big-play ability in a Browns offense looking for new contributors. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 49 fantasy WR for 2026.
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Bucky Irving Making a Big Impression on New Offensive Coordinator
The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud writes that Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is making a big impression on new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson in training camp. "His feet are always in the ground," Robinson said. "So he's always able to change direction and, obviously, that keeps him so balanced to be able to break tackles." Irving missed all of the team's organized team activities in May and June while rehabbing a shoulder injury, but he is back now and is looking quick and decisive since pads went on this past week. "Bucky is a stud," Robinson said. Irving had a great rookie year in former OC Liam Coen's outside-zone running scheme, and Robinson's and Coen's offensive styles are similar. The 23-year-old had a 1,000-yard rushing season with eight touchdowns as a rookie, but injuries slowed him down in 2025, and he finished with 588 rushing yards and only one TD in 10 games. A bounce-back in 2026 should be coming for Irving if he stays healthy, but injury risk and the addition of pass-catching back Kenny Gainwell figure to limit Irving's overall ceiling as more of an RB2 in his third NFL campaign. Stroud also mentions Gainwell's seamless transition to Tampa's RB room.
Source: The Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Source: The Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
J.J. McCarthy Seeing More Time With No. 2 Offense
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray split snaps with the first-team offense evenly through the first seven practices of training camp during their competition. However, McCarthy has now spent a "significant portion" of camp working with the No. 2 offense against the No. 1 defense, and beneath the surface, there have been "plenty of indications that Murray remains the heavy favorite to win the job," according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. Both signal-callers have had their up-and-down moments, but the Vikings have given Murray around two-thirds of the snaps with the first-team offense in 11-on-11 drills. Unless the usage reverses in the coming week, Seifert thinks it's hard to imagine McCarthy winning the job while mostly working with the second team. McCarthy's passes have mostly been in the short and intermediate range, with less frequent deep attempts than Murray. The Vikings still want to develop McCarthy after his rough go as the starter in 2025, but now that Murray is in town, they don't have to rush it. Nothing is official yet, but it would be a surprise for McCarthy to be named Minnesota's Week 1 starter under center at this point.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Calvin Austin III the Giants' Top Slot Option at Wideout
The Athletic's Dan Duggan writes that although New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin III's strong spring hasn't carried over to the start of training camp this summer, he's "still the team's top slot option." With that said, the slot role in New York isn't expected to be featured as much in new head coach John Harbaugh's offense as it was when Wan'Dale Robinson was racking up targets at will the last two seasons. Austin is going to have a role, sponging up the short targets in the passing game that Robinson once received. The 27-year-old, who stands at just 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds, failed to take advantage of extra opportunities with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, with just 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games played in his third year in the NFL. Austin could have more of a role early on with the Giants this year if Malik Nabers (knee) isn't all the way back from his torn ACL, but every week, Austin's role in the offense is unlikely to yield enough targets to make him a worthy target in fantasy drafts in 12-team leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Xavier Worthy Still Sidelined on Friday
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) remains sidelined in Friday's training camp practice, according to Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride. Worthy injured his shoulder last weekend and has been sitting out ever since, but the good news is he's just dealing with a minor shoulder sprain and is considered day-to-day, so there's a good chance we'll see him back on the field this weekend. Fantasy managers had to have been a bit worried initially, as Worthy's 2025 season was derailed by a separated shoulder that he suffered in the Week 1 season opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. The 23-year-old speedy pass-catcher came into camp this summer at full health with obvious bounce-back potential for fantasy managers at a reduced cost. The former first-rounder in 2024 from the University of Texas figures to be KC's WR2 behind Rashee Rice (knee) if he's back to full health in 2026 in his third year in the NFL. Durability remains a concern, but at a reduced cost this year, Worthy is absolutely worth pulling the trigger on in the middle rounds of drafts.
Source: Arrowhead Pride - Pete Sweeney
Source: Arrowhead Pride - Pete Sweeney
Malachi Fields Making a Claim for Giants' WR2 Role
Behind Pro Bowler Malik Nabers (knee), the New York Giants have one of the league's more wide-open competitions for meaningful receiver work, and The Athletic's Dan Duggan believes that rookie Malachi Fields has made an early claim to the No. 2 role. Duggan highlights Fields' size and physicality, which have allowed him to work through underneath traffic while still making downfield plays in contested catch situations. Duggan sees his 2026 role as that of a vertical field stretcher, and with the Giants expected to see an uptick in 12 personnel usage, the rookie could become a staple of two-receiver sets. Fields is RotoBaller's WR89, making him a potential bargain if he's able to earn regular usage in what could be an ascending offense.
Source: Dan Duggan
Source: Dan Duggan
Makai Lemon Misses Another Practice
After a closed walkthrough session on Thursday, Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon is absent from his third straight public practice as he deals with a hamstring injury that has kept him out since Tuesday. With DeVonta Smith also missing time, the offense has reportedly faced some stumbles in recent practices. While Smith's role atop the depth chart is not in question, Lemon's absence has opened the door for offseason acquisition Dontayvion Wicks to stake a claim to the Eagles' WR2 spot, as seen by several reporters on the beat. Used primarily as a slot receiver on his way to earning the Biletnikoff Award at USC, Lemon should still see an important role in Philadelphia's offense as Wicks profiles more as a boundary replacement for A.J. Brown. Lemon is RotoBaller's WR46, and if he can return without missing extended time, an expectation to see the second most targets on the team is still not out of the question.
Source: Dave Zangaro
Source: Dave Zangaro
DeVonta Smith Absent Again on Friday
Dealing with a hamstring injury, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) is missing another practice on Friday, as reported by Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Smith has been absent from practice since Tuesday, with the offense working through a pair of up-and-down practices without him before a closed walkthrough session on Thursday. With Sean Mannion serving as the team's fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons, the Eagles are looking to establish some consistency following the departure of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. With Smith and 2026 first-round pick Makai Lemon both dealing with hamstring injuries in recent days, much of that responsibility has fallen to offseason addition Dontayvion Wicks, though Smith still profiles as a fantasy difference-maker who ranks as RotoBaller's WR12 in his first season in a primary role.
Source: Dave Zangaro
Source: Dave Zangaro
Cyrus Allen Returning to Practice
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen (shin) is in pads on Friday and expected to see his first full-contact work of training camp after exiting Saturday's practice on a cart and missing almost a week with a shin injury. At 5'11" and 180 pounds, Allen had earned praise as one of the Chiefs' early camp standouts after being selected in the fifth round of the 2026 draft, and he will look to keep that momentum going in a more physical setting. While he remains outside of RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026, he has become a popular dynasty pickup in recent weeks and could prove to be a valuable stash if he's able to carve out a role in an Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes offense looking to rebound from a pair of down seasons.
Source: Jesse Newell
Source: Jesse Newell
Romeo Doubs Returns to Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs returned to practice on Friday, with team reporter Karen Guregian noting that his absence from the last two practices was personal in nature and not injury-related. After signing a four-year, $68 million contract this offseason, Doubs had gotten off to a slow start in his first training camp with the Patriots but was picking up momentum in more recent, and more physical, padded practices. The fifth-year receiver has acknowledged that Josh McDaniels' offense is unlike any he was a part of in Green Bay, but having made obvious strides before his absence, he'll look to pick things back up where he left them. At RotoBaller's WR53, Doubs could provide excellent late-round value as the WR2 in an offense that scored the third most touchdowns in 2025 and appears to have only gotten better in year two under McDaniels and quarterback Drake Maye.
Source: Karen Guregian
Source: Karen Guregian
Kenny Gainwell Not Practicing Friday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell is not practicing on Friday, as indicated by Pewter Report. Gainwell has drawn praise from the local beat as a training camp standout, with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson recently telling reporters, "He is super versatile, and he is great with the ball in his hands," adding, "we will continue to find out where we can put him in the best spots." Gainwell's 73 receptions were the fourth most by a running back in 2025, and assuming his absence is not a prolonged one, he could step seamlessly into Rachaad White's vacated pass-catching role that has allowed for at least 50 receptions in three of the last four seasons. How much additional work he sees on the ground remains to be seen, but at RotoBaller's RB36, Gainwell is a potential late-round sleeper who could thrive in Robinson's wide zone offense.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
