RADIO
Chase Brown Earns Praise From his Quarterback
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown was brought up during Joe Burrow's training camp opening press conference on Wednesday, and the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback was effusive in his praise of his fourth-year backfield mate. Burrow told reporters, "He does everything. He's a complete back... He trains as a receiver all offseason, you wouldn't know that he's a running back when he's out there doing it." Burrow went on about Brown's versatility and importance to the offense before making a bold statement about his projected usage for 2026. "Obviously we're going to try to get the ball in [Ja'Marr Chase's] hands as many times as we can, but I think a close second is Chase Brown." The 2023 fifth-round pick made a career-high 69 catches on 86 targets in 2025, and if those numbers see even modest improvement in 2026, Brown could prove to be one of the safest selections in the early rounds of drafts, currently ranked as RotoBaller's RB10.
Source: Noelle Blumel
Source: Noelle Blumel
Luther Burden III Peppered with Targets During Day 1 of Training Camp
On a per-route basis, Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III was one of the league's most efficient players as a rookie in 2025, and reports from Day 1 of training camp indicate he's picked up right where he left off, though now seeing heavy volume. Burden was moved across the formation and reportedly looked crisp in his route running while drawing target after target. In trading away veteran DJ Moore, the Bears created a vacuum most likely to be filled by Burden and third-year receiver Rome Odunze, and although a single, non-padded practice in July will not define Chicago's pass-catching hierarchy for the 2026 season, Burden looks to have earned an early edge. The competition for first-read looks from quarterback Caleb Williams will be one to monitor throughout the summer, but Burden is currently RotoBaller's WR21, a full 12 positional spots ahead of Odunze.
Source: Bradd Biggs
Source: Bradd Biggs
Rome Odunze Looking Healthy and Explosive
While much has been made of the bone calluses that structurally altered the left foot of Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze, early reports have been positive, with the third-year receiver looking healthy and explosive during individual drills of the team's first practice of training camp. Odunze elected to bypass surgery for the stress fracture and plantar fasciitis that caused him to miss five games in 2025, and he drew offseason headlines when describing the "new normal" of the naturally healed foot. On Day 1 of training camp, he was able to run and cut without restriction, and quarterback Caleb Williams commented after practice that "Rome looks like Rome." Unfortunately, that unencumbered movement did not translate to production under game-like conditions, as he was held without a catch in team drills, but seemingly at full health, Odunze will have plenty of opportunities to make plays throughout the summer, and he is RotoBaller's WR33.
Source: Clay Harbor
Source: Clay Harbor
Shemar Stewart Carted Off With Leg Injury on Wednesday
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart (leg) was carted off the field at training camp practice on Wednesday due to a left-leg injury, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Stewart was on crutches with a protective brace on his leg after practice and is awaiting an official prognosis. The 22-year-old suffered ankle and knee injuries in his first NFL season in 2025, which limited him to eight games (five starts) and 11 tackles (five solo) and one sack. The Bengals took him with the 17th overall pick out of Texas A&M, and so far he's been an injury bust. It remains to be seen how serious Stewart's leg injury is, but it didn't look good. A lengthy absence would be really bad news for the Bengals for a player who they were hoping would take a second-year leap in 2026 to help make up for the loss of All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
Vita Vea Dealing With Back Injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (back) and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (hamstring) both suffered injuries during their conditioning tests on Tuesday and did not practice on Wednesday, according to Scott Smith of the team's official website. The news comes a day after Vea officially requested a trade. The 31-year-old veteran has not been happy with the direction of contract talks with the Bucs as he gets ready to head into the final year of a four-year, $71 million extension he signed in 2022. The former 12th overall pick in 2018 out of the University of Washington has made the Pro Bowl twice in his eight years with the organization and has been a stalwart on the interior at stopping the run. He played in all 17 games for Tampa last year and finished with 34 tackles (16 solo), 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 13 QB hits, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. Vea has never been much of an asset in IDP leagues, with his career high in sacks of seven coming in 2024.
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Montez Sweat Activated From Non-Football Illness List
The Chicago Bears announced on Wednesday that they activated defensive lineman Montez Sweat (illness) from the Non-Football Illness list. It didn't take long for Sweat to join the rest of his teammates at training camp practice this week, and he should be all systems go for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. The 29-year-old former 26th overall selection by Washington in 2019 from Mississippi State had just 5.5 sacks in 16 starts in his first season with Chicago in 2024, but he came on strong last year with 10 sacks, 53 tackles (36 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 17 regular-season starts to finish the year as the No. 11 defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues. Sweat should remain a workhorse off the edge in Chicago's defense in 2026 in his third year with the team, giving him a high ceiling for fantasy managers in IDP formats once all the elite edge-rushing names come off the board.
Source: Bears Communications
Source: Bears Communications
Nnamdi Madubuike Removed From the PUP List
The Baltimore Ravens announced on Wednesday that defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) passed his physical and was removed from the Physically Unable to Perform list. It didn't take long for Madubuike to rejoin the rest of the team for training camp practices, although Baltimore will likely ease him in after he suffered a serious neck injury in 2025 that limited him to just two games. Getting the 28-year-old pass-rusher back for the 2026 campaign is huge for the Ravens' defense, as the former third-rounder from Texas A&M was a back-to-back Pro Bowler in 2023 and 2024 with 99 tackles (59 solo), 19.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 50 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 34 starts. If Madubuike can regain his pre-injury form, it would do wonders for the Ravens' defensive line and could put him back on the IDP fantasy map in his seventh year in the NFL.
Source: Baltimore Ravens
Source: Baltimore Ravens
Bryan Bresee Feared to Have Suffered a Torn ACL
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (knee), who is one of the linchpins of the team's defense and a rising star at his position, is feared to have suffered a torn ACL early in training camp, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Bresee is undergoing more tests, but the former first-rounder is likely done for the 2026 season. The 24-year-old Clemson product was selected by New Orleans with the 29th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He only mustered 2.5 sacks in 15 starts for the Saints last year, but Bresee has recorded 14.5 sacks, 86 tackles (44 solo), 19 tackles for loss, 31 QB hits, 12 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 49 games (26 starts) in his three years in the league. It's a major blow to the Saints' interior defensive line before the start of the 2026 regular season. With Bresee likely out all year, John Ridgeway and Vernon Broughton will be asked to step up on defense.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Micah Parsons "Unlikely" to Come Off PUP List During Training Camp
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst isn't officially closing the door on All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee) coming off the Physically Unable to Perform list during training camp, but he said it's "unlikely" that it will happen, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today Sports Network. The Packers are planning to err on the patient side with their investment in Parsons. If the 27-year-old five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro remains on the PUP list when Week 1 of the regular season rolls around, he'd be required to miss at least the first four weeks. Green Bay sent multiple first-rounders to the Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Kenny Clark for Parsons before the start of last season, and he was as advertised through 14 games for the Packers before suffering a season-ending torn ACL late in December against the Denver Broncos. He had 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 27 QB hits, and Parsons has 65 total sacks in his five NFL seasons. Even if the former 12th overall pick by Dallas misses the beginning of the 2026 season, he'll be stash-worthy in all IDP fantasy leagues.
Source: USA Today Sports Network - Ryan Wood
Source: USA Today Sports Network - Ryan Wood
Roman Wilson Seeing Most of the WR3 Reps
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson saw the bulk of the reps as the WR3 during Wednesday's first training camp session. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. will remain on top of the depth chart, but it appears the WR3 is open for grabs. Wilson seems to have the edge to begin training camp. It won't be easy, as second-round pick Germie Bernard should also be making a push for the WR3 to start the season. Wilson put together a 12-catch season in 2025, but the Steelers have faith that he can still be a reliable contributor. He could be worth stashing in deep leagues just in case Metcalf or Pittman miss time.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
Grant Delpit Signs Three-Year Extension with Browns
Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit has signed a new deal with the organization on Wednesday. They've agreed on a three-year, $48 million deal, including $35 million in guaranteed money. Delpit was expected to play out his final year in 2026, but the Browns aren't going to let him hit free agency. This past season, Delpit recorded 89 tackles, four pass breakups, and a career-high 3.0 sacks in 17 games with the Browns. The 27-year-old has been a viable option for this secondary since being drafted by the team in the second-round of the 2020 Draft. The Browns have now locked up both Delpit and Denzel Ward ahead of the 2026 season. The secondary should be solid in Cleveland, but we'll see how the rest of the defense looks without Myles Garrett.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Cade Klubnik Returns from Back Injury
New York Jets quarterback Cade Klubnik (back) was back on the practice field for the first day of training camp practice on Wednesday. Klubnik missed time during OTAs due to a lingering back tightness issue. He has now been cleared and resumed practicing on Wednesday. The fourth-round rookie is expected to compete with Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe for the No. 2 quarterback job behind Geno Smith. There is some developmental upside here with the Jets not being committed to 35-year-old Smith in the long-term. Klubnik is an interesting dynasty stash option for fantasy managers willing to play the waiting game.
Source: Rich Cimini
Source: Rich Cimini
Cyrus Allen Takes First-Team Reps
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Cyrus Allen was taking first-team reps during Wednesday's practice. The fifth-round rookie was out there with Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, and Jalen Royals taking first-team reps during the first practice of training camp. Afterwards, head coach Andy Reid praised Allen for his work during Wednesday's practice. It sounds like Allen made the most of his chances, while Royals struggled with drops. It's only the beginning of camp, but Allen is someone to keep an eye on right now. The 23-year-old could be an interesting dynasty stash if he continues playing well.
Source: A to Z Sports
Source: A to Z Sports
Rashid Shaheed Preparing for Bigger Role
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed is expected to have a larger role in the offense this upcoming season. He joined the team mid-season last year, finishing with 15 receptions during his nine games with the organization. After a full offseason and training camp with the Seahawks, Shaheed is expected to have an expanded role in 2026. He now has plenty of time to get more familiar with quarterback Sam Darnold and new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. The Seahawks don't have many reliable targets outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Fantasy managers can be hopeful that Shaheed steps up and becomes more of a WR2 for this offense next season.
Source: seahawks.com
Source: seahawks.com
James Cook III Could be Looking at Fewer Touches
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III led the NFL in rushing last year with 1,621 yards and 12 touchdowns on 309 carries in 17 regular-season games, with the Bills rushing the ball 52.4% of the time under offensive coordinator Joe Brady. The offense has leaned more heavily on the running game since Brady took over play-calling duties in Week 11 of 2023, but Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com questions whether the Bills will throw more under Brady in 2026. "I don't think you ever go into each game with a mindset of, 'This is how many carries he's going to have.' But it does pile up throughout the season, and I give him a lot of credit," said Brady. "I would love to be able to get Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Frank Gore Jr., those guys involved, and I hope those opportunities come up this year. James was just playing at such a high level last year. And this year again we're looking at everything." Cook is a three-time Pro Bowler who runs behind an elite offensive line, but fantasy managers may want to expect some regression in the rushing department in 2026, especially since the Bills made a concerted effort to upgrade their receiving room in the offseason. Don't forget that Cook had just four rushing touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons, then exploded for 28 rushing TDs in the last two seasons.
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Chris Brown
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Chris Brown
