RADIO
Tre Tucker to Operate as WR1 in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker was heavily utilized in the team's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Tucker caught two passes for 21 yards on the team's opening drive and appears poised for a major role in new head coach Klint Kubiak's offense. Tucker played 9/10 snaps with the first-team offense, while Jalen Nailor (8) and Jack Bech (5) each played a role as well. The former third-round pick had a solid 2025 season, hauling in 57 of 92 targets for 696 yards and five touchdowns, despite the Raiders' struggles on offense. If Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza can find a rhythm in Kubiak's new offense, Tucker could have a breakout season as the clear lead wideout. Ranked WR65 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Tucker can easily outperform his ADP in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rashod Bateman Listed as Starter on Ravens Unofficial Depth Chart
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman was listed as a starter on the team's unofficial depth chart. Alongside 2025 leading receiver Zay Flowers, Bateman was ranked ahead of standout rookie Ja'Kobe Lane and Devontez Walker. While Lane has been stealing the headlines at Ravens' training camp, Bateman still has the coaching staff's trust and has been working with the first-team offense. Bateman told the media earlier in camp that offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has been using the former first-round pick in the slot much more than in previous seasons. Bateman is looking to bounce back in 2026 after a down season, totaling just 224 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. Currently ranked WR74 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Bateman could be a solid late-round pick if he stays ahead of Lane in the rotation this season.
Source: Baltimore Ravens
Source: Baltimore Ravens
Elic Ayomanor Seeing Plenty of First-Team Reps
Despite not recording a catch, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor was highly involved in the team's 19-13 preseason victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Of 22 first-team snaps, Ayomanor played 16/22, tying rookie Carnell Tate (16) and trailing only Wan'Dale Robinson (17). The second-year receiver played more snaps than veteran Calvin Ridley (7), who played the first drive, then didn't return, and fellow second-year wideout Chimere Dike (5). Training camp headlines said Ayomanor and Ridley were splitting first-team reps, but Ayomanor was far more of a factor than expected. While he may not be draftable in 2026, the Titans' lead wide receiver from the 2025 season is expected to be a piece of their new offense this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zachariah Branch Buried on Falcons' Depth Chart
Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch is currently in a reserve role and is not expected to carry a heavy workload early in the season. In the Falcons' preseason loss to the Denver Broncos, Branch caught two of four targets for six yards and added three rushing yards on his lone carry. The third-round pick saw just one of eight first-team snaps against the Broncos, with Drake London (2), Jahan Dotson (8), Olamide Zaccheaus (6), and Chris Blair (5) all playing more snaps with Tua Tagovailoa. While Branch has been amid hype this training camp, his role with the first-team offense was very limited in their first game action. His best chance to contribute will be to pass Zaccheaus and handle the slot workload while London and Dotson work the outside. Otherwise, fantasy managers should pivot to better options with higher opportunity than Branch.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alvin Kamara Avoids Major Injury, Expected to Miss a Few Weeks
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) is expected to miss a few weeks, according to Nick Underhill. Kamara left Tuesday's joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys but didn't suffer any tears or major injuries. Kamara suffered an MCL sprain toward the end of the 2025 season, causing him to miss the final six weeks. If it is another MCL sprain, it would be the fourth of his career, and at 31, recovery may take longer and returning to full speed could be slower. With the Saints' first matchup against the Detroit Lions less than four weeks away, Kamara could be a coin toss to play in Week 1. If the veteran misses time during the season, Travis Etienne would likely be asked to take on a bigger role, with both Kendre Miller (back) and Devin Neal (hamstring) banged up as well.
Source: Nick Underhill
Source: Nick Underhill
Nick Bosa Making Progress from Knee Tendinitis
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that edge rusher Nick Bosa (knee tendinitis) is doing better, with his symptoms improving. Bosa missed the past week due to knee tendinitis related to his ACL tear, which he suffered early last season. Shanahan said on Tuesday, "He's making a lot of progress. He's got a lot less irritation, soreness, tendinitis, whatever you want to call it, than he had last week. He's going in the right direction, and I see him similar to Christian [McCaffrey]." The 49ers reportedly struggled during their joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers, getting beat consistently on edge sets and play-action passes. If Bosa can't return before they travel to Melbourne to face the Los Angeles Rams, they'll face a difficult challenge because of the Rams' outside zone runs and their effective use of play-action passes.
Source: David Lombardi - SF Standard
Source: David Lombardi - SF Standard
Davis Allen Expected to Return "Within the Next Week"
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that tight end Davis Allen (quadriceps) is expected to return to practice "within the next week," per Stu Jackson of therams.com. Jackson also reports that Allen is expected to be ready for Week 1. Across 17 games with Los Angeles in 2025, Allen recorded 24 catches for 208 yards and three touchdowns on 33 targets. While he's unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production himself, Allen's presence further complicates the Rams' crowded tight end room for fantasy managers. In addition to Allen, Los Angeles has veterans Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee, 2025 second-round pick Terrance Ferguson, and 2026 second-round pick Max Klare as other tight ends on its roster. While the Rams use multiple tight end personnel groupings at one of the highest rates in the league, their depth at the position makes it hard for fantasy managers to rely on any one tight end in Los Angeles for consistent production.
Source: Los Angeles Rams - Stu Jackson
Source: Los Angeles Rams - Stu Jackson
DJ Giddens on the Roster Bubble in Indianapolis?
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens (hamstring) is on the outside looking in of Colts beat writer James Boyd of The Athletic's latest 53-man roster projection. A fifth-round pick in 2025, Giddens recorded just 26 carries for 96 yards across nine games as a rookie last season. While Indianapolis still does not have an obvious RB2 behind superstar back Jonathan Taylor, Giddens has missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury and may have missed his chance to establish a role in the Colts' offense. Instead of Giddens, Boyd includes seventh-round rookie Seth McGowan and 2025 UDFA Ulysses Bentley IV as the Colts' depth options at running back behind Taylor. Fantasy managers looking for a handcuff option for Taylor may want to turn to McGowan over Giddens.
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
J.J. McCarthy Not Assured of Backup Quarterback Role in Minnesota?
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy entered training camp competing for his team's QB1 role, but the Vikings have already announced that veteran Kyler Murray will be the team's Week 1 starter. While Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that McCarthy would be the team's backup when he named Murray the starter, Minnesota also currently rosters veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz. Alec Lewis of The Athletic speculates that Wentz "could give O'Connell some pause" after his steady performance in the Vikings' first preseason game on Saturday. Wentz threw for 1,216 yards and six touchdowns across five starts for the Vikings last season. He also has 103 games (99 starts) under his belt across 10 NFL seasons, while McCarthy has played in just 10 games since being drafted in the first round in 2024. At this point, McCarthy's dynasty value would likely be best served by a chance in scenery.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Eli Raridon in Line for "Meaningful" Role as a Rookie
New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon is "set for a meaningful role" as the team's No. 2 tight end option behind veteran Hunter Henry, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. A third-round pick out of Notre Dame, Raridon recorded 32 catches for 482 yards across 12 games with the Fighting Irish in 2025. At the time he was drafted, Raridon looked like the third tight end on the Patriots' depth chart. However, a season-ending knee injury for tight end Julian Hill (knee) has pushed Raridon into a more prominent role. While Henry profiles as New England's clear top receiving option at the position, he's entering his age-32 season. Particularly in dynasty formats, Raridon's stock is rising ahead of his rookie year.
Source: The Athletic - Chad Graff
Source: The Athletic - Chad Graff
Saints Host Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds for Workout on Tuesday
The New Orleans Saints worked out veteran wide receivers Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds on Tuesday, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. With rookie Saints wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) expected to be sidelined into mid-October with a hamstring injury, New Orleans appears to be in the market for wide receiver help. Claypool last appeared in the NFL in 2023, recording 77 catches and a touchdown on eight catches across 12 games split between the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. Reynolds played in five games with the New York Jets in 2025, hauling in 11 receptions for 101 yards on 21 targets. Outside of star wideout Chris Olave, New Orleans has very little proven wide receiver depth. Still, both Claypool and Reynolds have a lot to prove before they should be on the radars of fantasy managers.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Remains Part of Giants Plans Despite Recent Moves
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. remains "squarely still in the plans" for the team despite the recent signing of veteran back Najee Harris, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN. Tracy Jr. has been a productive player for the Giants, recording 2,151 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 442 touches across his first two NFL seasons. However, the Giants' backfield is expected to be led by second-year back Cam Skattebo in 2026 now that he is fully recovered from the ankle injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 8. Raanan reports that Harris will "need a couple weeks to get in football shape," so Tracy Jr. could be secure in New York's RB2 role for now. Harris is also recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that caused him to miss most of the 2025 season. Still, Harris recorded four consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards before the lost year in 2025. Following his signing, Tracy Jr.'s fantasy value is in question.
Source: ESPN - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN - Jordan Raanan
Chris Olave Returns to Practice After Trip to Medical Tent
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (undisclosed) briefly exited joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday before returning to the field, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Olave made an impressive contested catch and then walked off the field with athletic trainers to the medical tent. It is unclear what exactly the physical issue was for Olave, but it obviously was not serious enough for the Saints to shut him down for the rest of practice. First-round rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) looks likely to miss the start of the 2026 regular season due to ongoing hamstring issues, so the Saints worked out receivers Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds on Tuesday. Olave is the team's unquestioned WR1 heading into his fifth NFL season after being a first-round pick back in 2022. Even with rookie QB Tyler Shough taking over last year and while missing the regular-season finale with a blood-clot issue, Olave managed career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 16 starts. Olave should be a lock for another 1,000-yard season in 2026 in an up-tempo offense if he is healthy. Consider him a top-15 fantasy wideout.
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Alvin Kamara Dealing With a Knee Injury
New Orleans Saints veteran running back Alvin Kamara (knee) is dealing with a knee issue in training camp, according to Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak. Kamara was pulled before finishing the joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys, but the severity of the injury is unknown at this time. It is a bit worrisome, though, after Kamara ended last year on the sidelines due to a knee injury, on top of the fact that he is 31 years old and heading into his 10th year in the NFL. There were rumors that the former third-rounder might retire in the offseason, but he has returned to the Big Easy for another season in 2026 and is set to have a drastically reduced backfield role after the Saints signed Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency. The five-time Pro Bowler should be considered day-to-day for now. He has fallen all the way to the No. 52 ranking among fantasy RBs at RotoBaller this year, although he could be a sneaky late-round depth addition in PPR leagues. Kamara played in a career-low 11 games last year, finishing with just 471 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground with 33 catches for 186 yards and no touchdowns through the air.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
Christian McCaffrey Could Have Practiced Tuesday
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey remains out with tightness, but head coach Kyle Shanahan gave a positive update Tuesday. Shanahan said McCaffrey is coming along well and would have participated if the 49ers had held a normal practice instead of a joint session with the Los Angeles Chargers. He also pushed back on speculation that McCaffrey's absence has anything to do with his contract, saying that would be wrong. San Francisco has been careful with McCaffrey rather than having him push through the tightness during August. That's understandable after he handled a franchise-record 413 touches last season, rushing for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 102 catches for 924 yards and seven more scores. Tuesday's update is probably the clearest sign yet that McCaffrey is getting close to returning to regular practice work.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
