RADIO
Romeo Doubs the Clear WR2 After Monday's Trade
New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs already had the No. 2 job, and Monday's Kayshon Boutte trade clears out another player who could have taken outside snaps and downfield targets. New England agreed to send Boutte to Houston for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick. Doubs is coming off 55 catches for 724 yards and six touchdowns with Green Bay, and his first Patriots camp has picked up after a slower start. He has made several contested and red-zone catches lately, while A.J. Brown, Doubs and DeMario Douglas have been the regular first-team trio around Drake Maye. Boutte was mostly working behind that group, but he still had 551 yards and six touchdowns last season and gave Maye another proven vertical option. That competition is gone now. Brown remains the clear No. 1 and Douglas should get plenty of slot work, so Doubs is not suddenly headed for massive volume. His place in the offense does look even safer, though. RotoBaller has him at WR53 and 122nd overall in PPR, and the trade gives his late-round flex case another small bump.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
C.J. Stroud Gets Another Downfield Weapon
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud got some needed help Monday after a rough week for the receiver room. New England has agreed to send Kayshon Boutte to Houston for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick. The move comes days after Jayden Higgins tore his ACL and was lost for the season. Boutte is not replacing all of that by himself, but he gives Stroud another receiver who can stretch the field. He caught 33 passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns last season, averaging 16.7 yards per catch with 10 receptions of at least 20 yards. Houston had already added Zay Jones and Sterling Shepard, so the Texans have clearly been trying to rebuild the depth behind Nico Collins. Stroud threw for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 14 games last year and currently sits at QB23 in RotoBaller's rankings. Boutte does not suddenly fix everything, but the passing-game outlook looks better than it did after Higgins went down.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chuba Hubbard Expected to be Ready for Season Opener
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) is expected to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 13 against the Chicago Bears, head coach Dave Canales told Steve Reed of The Associated Press. Hubbard has not played in a preseason game after straining his hamstring earlier this month, but he was able to return to training camp practice on Monday, signaling that he should be ready for the season opener. Canales also said on Monday that the Panthers are expected to use an RB committee with Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks to open the 2026 season. Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, but a calf injury limited him to 511 yards and just one rushing TD last year, while Rico Dowdle took over as the team's lead back. Dowdle is now in Pittsburgh, but Brooks could be a thorn in Hubbard's side this year if he manages to stay healthy after already tearing his ACL multiple times. Hubbard said he is feeling "pretty good" with the regular season quickly approaching, but fantasy managers will have their doubts that Hubbard can become anything more than an RB3/flex in a timeshare.
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
Nico Collins' Target Outlook Cools After Monday's Trade
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins got a little more competition Monday, which matters after Jayden Higgins' season-ending ACL tear had opened the door to a huge target load. Houston is reportedly acquiring Kayshon Boutte from New England for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick. Boutte caught 33 passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns last season, and he gives C.J. Stroud another outside target who can win downfield. The Texans had already signed Zay Jones and Sterling Shepard after Higgins went down. None of those moves knocks Collins off the top line. He has topped 1,000 yards three years in a row and finished 2025 with 71 catches for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. It does change the volume math a bit. Collins looked set to absorb a huge share of the passing game once Higgins was lost, and Houston has now spent several days adding veteran help plus Boutte. RotoBaller has Collins 23rd overall in its latest PPR rankings. He's still a WR1, just with a little less room for the monster target spike fantasy managers could have pictured last week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Xavier Legette to Stay in Walking Boot Until Thursday
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that wide receiver Xavier Legette (ankle) will remain in a walking boot until Thursday, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. Legette suffered an ankle injury in last Wednesday's joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars and will most likely sit out the preseason finale this Friday against the Houston Texans. It is bad news as the 25-year-old looks to solidify the WR3 role in Carolina behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, but there is not any reason to believe that he will not be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. The 25-year-old former first-rounder in 2024 from South Carolina has disappointed in his first two years in the NFL, catching 84 of his 148 targets for 860 yards and seven touchdowns in 31 games (25 starts). Legette regressed in 2025 with a 35-363-3 line after the team took McMillan in the first round of last year's draft. He should still have a role in the Panthers' offense in 2026 if he is healthy, but the volume is unlikely to be enough to make him rosterable in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
Kayshon Boutte Gets Fresh Start in Houston
The Houston Texans are giving Kayshon Boutte a new opportunity. The Texans are acquiring the wide receiver from New England in exchange for safety Jaylen Reed and a draft pick, according to Tom Pelissero. Houston had already called about Boutte while looking for help following Jayden Higgins' season-ending knee injury, and now the deal is getting done. Boutte caught 33 passes for 551 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in 14 games last season, averaging 16.7 yards per reception. His path to playing time had gotten murkier in New England after the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, especially with Boutte entering the final year of his rookie contract. There should be opportunity in Houston, but nothing is guaranteed. The Texans also added Zay Jones and Sterling Shepard over the weekend, so Boutte will have to earn his place in the rotation. The trade at least gives him a cleaner shot at regular snaps heading into the season.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Michael Penix Jr. to Take Some First-Team Reps on Monday
Both Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa will take reps with the first-team offense on Monday throughout the entire practice, according to Tori McElhaney of the team's official website. Monday will be the first time this summer that Penix has worked in team drills as a full-go. The Falcons have not officially named a starter in the QB battle during training camp, but Tagovailoa is still the overwhelming favorite to start in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers since he got a head start on Penix during camp. The 26-year-old Penix tore his ACL in Week 11 of last season, and it is unclear if he will be cleared to play in the team's final preseason contest this Friday against the Miami Dolphins. Penix remains off the fantasy radar in single-year, single-QB leagues. In his first two seasons in the NFL, he has completed under 60% of his pass attempts for 2,757 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 14 games played (12 starts). In dynasty/keeper leagues, Penix is a hard sell as a buy-low candidate given his lengthy injury history.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Limited With Undisclosed Injury
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was limited at Monday's practice with an undisclosed injury, according to Ben Standig. Standig saw Croskey-Merritt pull up at the end of a catch-and-run during Thursday's practice, and the second-year back was held out of Saturday's preseason game against Detroit. He is at least back on the field now, though Washington is keeping his workload down. Croskey-Merritt led the Commanders with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries as a rookie, adding nine catches for 68 yards. He is also listed first at running back on Washington's current unofficial depth chart. Monday's participation is a positive after he sat out over the weekend, but his workload over the next few practices will be worth watching with Week 1 getting closer.
Source: Ben Standig
Source: Ben Standig
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Impressing With his Power Running
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been impressive as a power runner in training camp, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. However, fellow RB Bhayshul Tuten "has done nothing to diminish the early offseason hype." Tuten might be more explosive overall as a runner, but Rodriguez is going to have a key role in Jacksonville's backfield this year, and Shipley also thinks C-Rod might be the team's best pass-blocking RB outside of LeQuint Allen Jr. The 25-year-old is a full-go despite having offseason foot surgery, and the Jags have listed Rodriguez and Tuten as co-starters going into the 2026 regular season. Rodriguez is more of a bruiser between the tackles, which could earn him valuable goal-line touches in his first year in Duvall. But while sharing snaps and touches with Tuten and Allen, Rodriguez's fantasy value looks to be as a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex. If Allen misses any time this year due to injury, Rodriguez could become Jacksonville's preferred third-down back as well. RotoBaller has C-Rod as the RB39, with Tuten coming in at No. 26.
Source: SI.com - John Shipley
Source: SI.com - John Shipley
TreVeyon Henderson Dealing With Leg/Ankle Injury
Updating a previous report, New England Patriots second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle, leg) left the team's training camp practice on Monday early with a right-leg/ankle injury, according to Mike Kadlick of Sports Illustrated. It is unclear right now if it is a serious injury for Henderson, but we'll keep close tabs on his progress for the rest of the week and leading up to the team's Week 1 regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks in early September. If Henderson is good to go for the start of the season, he is expected to be involved in a 50-50 timeshare with Rhamondre Stevenson in New England's backfield in Year 2. The 23-year-old former second-rounder from Ohio State impressed as a rookie, running for 911 yards and nine touchdowns on 180 carries while adding 35 catches for 221 yards and another TD through the air. Henderson has not really improved his pass-blocking skills, though, and a timeshare with Stevenson will leave his fantasy upside capped as an RB3/flex target in upcoming drafts. If Henderson's injury keeps him out of Week 1, Lan Larison and rookie Jam Miller will be competing for RB2 duties behind Stevenson over the next couple of weeks.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Mike Kadlick
Source: Sports Illustrated - Mike Kadlick
Puka Nacua Still Not Back at Practice
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) remained out of practice Monday, according to Sarah Barshop. Nacua was working off to the side with a trainer but has yet to rejoin team drills since leaving the Aug. 11 joint practice with Dallas because of psoas soreness. Sean McVay initially expected him back the following week, but Nacua ended up sitting out both joint practices with New Orleans as well. The Rams later pushed that expectation into this week, so Monday's absence is worth noting even with Nacua doing route work on the side. He is coming off a massive 2025 season, leading the NFL with 129 receptions while piling up 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games. There is still time before Week 1, but Nacua has now been away from team practice for nearly two weeks.
Source: Sarah Barshop
Source: Sarah Barshop
Quinshon Judkins Returns to Practice
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, according to Daniel Oyefusi. Judkins missed the final two practices of last week and sat out Saturday's preseason game against Buffalo while dealing with what head coach Todd Monken called "a little something nagging." Monken said it was nothing significant and also made clear that the issue was unrelated to the extra contact Judkins took during Cleveland's Aug. 18 practice. His return Monday backs up that assessment, although his exact participation level wasn't immediately clear. Judkins led the Browns with 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 230 carries as a rookie, adding 26 catches for 171 yards. With the regular season still a few weeks away, getting him back on the field after a brief absence is a positive development for Cleveland's backfield.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Kenyon Sadiq Running Routes During Rehab Work
New York Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq took another step forward Monday while working his way back from a setback following offseason hernia surgery. Zack Rosenblatt reported that Sadiq was running routes on a side field with trainers throwing to him and appeared to be moving well. The rookie practiced three times at the beginning of training camp before the Jets shut him down again in early August, and he has yet to return to team drills. Week 1 has been the Jets' stated expectation for Sadiq, so getting him through more football-specific work is encouraging with the opener getting closer. The 16th overall pick caught 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns during his final season at Oregon. Sadiq has missed most of his first NFL training camp, which could make it tougher to carve out a big role immediately. For now, though, his rehab appears to be moving forward.
Source: Zack Rosenblatt
Source: Zack Rosenblatt
Zay Flowers Sits Out Monday's Practice
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers did not participate in Monday's practice, according to Sam Cohn. Flowers eventually walked onto the field in sneakers and a T-shirt, with Cohn noting that he appeared to be moving around fine. Baltimore has not given a reason for his absence. The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, finishing 2025 with 86 catches for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns while playing all 17 games. For now, there isn't enough here to treat Monday's absence as anything more than something to monitor. Unless the Ravens provide additional information or Flowers continues to miss practice, there is no reason for fantasy managers to change their outlook on him heading toward Week 1.
Source: Sam Cohn
Source: Sam Cohn
Breece Hall Still on Track for Week 1
New York Jets running back Breece Hall continues to make progress from the groin injury he suffered last week. Antwan V. Staley reports that Hall is moving well, and head coach Aaron Glenn still anticipates having him ready for Week 1 against Tennessee. Hall went down during practice on Aug. 17 and was given a two-to-three-week recovery timetable the following day. So far, nothing has changed that expectation. The 25-year-old is coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season, finishing 2025 with 243 carries for a career-high 1,065 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 36 passes for 350 yards and another score. There is still time before the opener, and the Jets don't appear to have any reason to rush him through the final stretch of August. For now, Hall remains on schedule to be available when the games start counting.
Source: Antwan V. Staley
Source: Antwan V. Staley
