RADIO
DK Metcalf Expected to be Ready for Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (undisclosed) is going to be eased in, but he is expected to be ready to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Metcalf missed a good chunk of time in training camp this summer with an undisclosed ailment, but he was able to return to practice last week and should be active to kick off the regular season. Fantasy managers setting lineups for Week 1 do not exactly want to hear that the 28-year-old is being eased in, though, which means he could be on a snap count, along with Michael Pittman Jr. (hamstring). Not only will Metcalf be working with an aging quarterback in the final year of his career in 2026, but he will have added competition for targets from Pittman, so fantasy managers should not just assume he will bounce back from a 59-850-6 line in 15 regular-season games in 2025 in his first year in the Steel City. With a minor injury concern heading into his eighth year in the NFL, Metcalf is more of a WR3/flex with touchdown upside in 2026 fantasy drafts.
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Tee Higgins Looks Ready to Pick Up Where He Left Off
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has quietly had the kind of August fantasy managers wanted to see. He caught 59 passes for 846 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns last season, even with Joe Burrow limited to eight games, and that scoring connection has carried into camp. Burrow ended an Aug. 9 practice with a touchdown to Higgins, who boxed out DJ Ivey in the end zone. Eleven days later, Higgins caught all five passes thrown his way during a joint practice with Chicago, including another red-zone score. There is still no getting around Ja'Marr Chase, who commanded 185 targets last season, and durability remains the obvious concern after Higgins has completed only one 17-game season in his career. Still, the role has looked exactly as advertised this summer. RotoBaller has Higgins at WR16 after a WR15 finish in 2025, and he enters Week 1 looking like one of the stronger high-end WR2 bets on the board.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
CeeDee Lamb's WR1 Ceiling Looks Less Certain
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is healthy again, but his path back to the very top of the fantasy position looks a little less clean than it did earlier this summer. Lamb still topped 1,000 yards last season despite missing three full games with a high ankle sprain, finishing with 75 catches for 1,077 yards and three touchdowns. The bigger issue now is George Pickens. Pickens led Dallas with 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, and the buzz around him only grew during camp. DallasCowboys.com writer Nick Eatman recently suggested Pickens may have elevated into the receiver defenses worry about most, while RotoBaller noted Monday that there has been plenty of chatter about Pickens having the better camp. Lamb remains an elite option and has looked sharp with Dak Prescott, including several deep connections in August. He is also healthy entering Week 1. Still, RotoBaller currently has Lamb at WR5 in half-PPR. With Pickens pushing for an even bigger role, Lamb's ceiling looks a little less automatic than it once did.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cade Klubnik Wins Jets' Backup QB Job
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said on Monday that rookie fourth-round quarterback Cade Klubnik will be the team's backup signal-caller to begin the 2026 regular season, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Klubnik got the nod after the Jets cut both Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe on roster cutdown day on Sunday. The 22-year-old from Clemson went 21-for-34 passing for 197 yards with one interception in three preseason games. If anything happens to veteran starter Geno Smith this year, Klubnik will be thrown into the fire as the Jets' starter under center. The 35-year-old Smith is under contract for only one season, too, so if the Jets move on after one year, Klubnik could be the favorite to start for Gang Green going into Week 1 of the 2027 season. The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder had his best collegiate season in 2024 as a junior at Clemson, throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 14 games played. Klubnik is only stash-worthy as a QB prospect in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Dillon Gabriel's Back Injury Not Considered Serious
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken does not think that quarterback Dillon Gabriel's (back) injury is a major injury, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Monken thinks Gabriel first injured his back on a third-down run in the preseason finale last Thursday against the New England Patriots. With Gabriel opening the 2026 regular season on Injured Reserve (he will be required to miss at least the first four weeks), rookie Taylen Green and Shedeur Sanders will split scout-team reps in the next two weeks. As long as Gabriel does not suffer a setback with his back in the next couple of weeks, he should be ready to rejoin the 53-man roster for Week 5. For now, the second-year QB's injury allows the Browns to keep Green on their active roster as the QB3 behind Sanders and starter Deshaun Watson. The 25-year-old former third-rounder from Oregon failed to do much outside of short-area throws as a rookie, throwing for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions in 10 games (six starts) before an injury opened up the starting gig for Sanders the rest of the season in 2025.
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
TreVeyon Henderson's Lead-Back Case Takes a Hit
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) entered camp with a chance to push for more of the backfield duties. That never really happened. Henderson was explosive as a rookie, finishing with 911 rushing yards, 221 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns, but New England leaned heavily on Rhamondre Stevenson during the playoffs. That carried into August. Patriots.com called Stevenson the team's most consistent between-the-tackles runner, pass protector and route-runner and said he remains the lead back, while Henderson was described more as a change-of-pace option. Henderson also hurt his right ankle when he slipped during practice on Aug. 24. He avoided a serious injury and is expected to be ready for Week 1, so the ankle itself isn't the biggest concern. The bigger issue is that the expected Year 2 role growth never showed up. Henderson still has enough speed to create fantasy points on limited touches, but his path to taking over this backfield looks weaker than it did entering camp.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emari Demercado Joins Cowboys' Backfield Via Waiver Claim
The Dallas Cowboys claimed running back Emari Demercado off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. In a surprising move on roster cutdown day on Sunday, the Cowboys waived both running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, leaving them with just Javonte Williams and Malik Davis in their backfield entering Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. Demercado, who was with the Chiefs during training camp, will now head to Dallas, where he will serve as the RB3 to open the regular season. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of TCU spent his first three NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, averaging a notable 6.5 yards per carry for 819 yards and three rushing scores in 40 games (two starts) while adding 50 receptions on 70 targets for 324 yards and one touchdown as a receiver. Demercado has been efficient when he has gotten opportunities so far, but he will open 2026 as the clear third option out of Dallas' backfield, and he could also face competition from fullback Hunter Luepke.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Blake Grupe Claimed by Jets
Kicker Blake Grupe has been claimed off waivers by the New York Jets, according to Tom Pelissero. Indianapolis waived Grupe on Sunday after Spencer Shrader won its preseason kicking competition, but Grupe won't have to wait long for another opportunity. The Jets had previously given their job to Jason Sanders over Cade York, only for Sanders to miss an extra point and come up well short on a 54-yard field goal in Friday's preseason finale against the Giants. Grupe made 29 of 37 field-goal attempts between New Orleans and Indianapolis last season, including a perfect 11-for-11 run over five games after joining the Colts. He also connected from a franchise-record 60 yards. New York hasn't officially named Grupe its Week 1 kicker or announced a move involving Sanders yet, but claiming him immediately after Sanders' rough finish to the preseason puts the veteran's job in serious jeopardy.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Brady Cook Claimed by Dolphins
Quarterback Brady Cook has been claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins, according to Tom Pelissero. Cook joins a quarterback room that changed quickly over the weekend. Miami traded Quinn Ewers to Jacksonville on Saturday, then acquired Kyle McCord from Green Bay on Sunday to back up starter Malik Willis. Cook brings some actual NFL starting experience after appearing in five games and making four starts for the Jets last season. He completed 88 of 153 passes for 739 yards, two touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 49 rushing yards. New York kept only Geno Smith and rookie Cade Klubnik on its initial 53-man roster, leaving Cook on waivers. Miami now adds the 24-year-old behind Willis and McCord. There is no immediate fantasy value here, but Cook gives the Dolphins another quarterback with regular-season experience after a busy few days reshaping the position.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Justin Joly Claimed by Dolphins
Tight end Justin Joly has been claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins from the Denver Broncos, according to Mike Klis. Denver traded up to select Joly 152nd overall in April, but the fifth-round rookie was waived Sunday during final cuts. He did leave the Broncos with one big preseason highlight, catching an 88-yard touchdown against Minnesota in the finale. Joly finished August with five receptions for 105 yards and one score. The 22-year-old caught 49 passes for 489 yards and seven touchdowns at NC State last season and was viewed coming out of college as a movable receiving tight end who could work from several alignments. Miami initially kept Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek, Ben Sims and Seydou Traore at the position, so Joly joins another crowded group. Dulcich remains the most established receiving option, leaving Joly without an obvious immediate fantasy role, but Miami gives the rookie another developmental opportunity after his brief stay in Denver.
Source: Mike Klis
Source: Mike Klis
Carson Wentz Locked In as Vikings' No. 2 Quarterback
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz is locked into the No. 2 role for now with J.J. McCarthy expected to miss multiple weeks because of an ankle injury. Kyler Murray was already named Minnesota's starter, leaving Wentz and Max Brosmer as the healthy quarterbacks behind him while McCarthy recovers. Wentz was making a strong case for the backup job even before the injury. He started Friday's preseason finale against Denver and completed three of four passes for 15 yards over two series. The 33-year-old also has recent experience stepping in for Minnesota, starting five games last season and throwing for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions before a left shoulder injury ended his year. The Vikings haven't formally announced a new depth chart, but there isn't much uncertainty about who would enter first if Murray were forced out of a game. Wentz is back in the primary backup role for the opening weeks.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Jeremy McNichols Opens Season on Injured Reserve
The Washington Commanders placed running back Jeremy McNichols (quadriceps) on Injured Reserve on Sunday on roster cutdown day, according to Zach Selby of the team's official website. The move leaves the Commanders with three RBs on their initial 53-man roster -- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, and rookie Kaytron Allen. The 30-year-old McNichols was designated to return in 2026, but he will not be eligible to make his season debut until Week 5 after injuring his quad earlier in August. The former fifth-rounder by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2017 NFL draft from Boise State is entering his third year in D.C. after combining for 99 carries, 482 rushing yards, and five touchdowns in 34 games (two starts) with Washington in the last two years. McNichols has added 34 receptions for 223 yards on 43 targets as a receiver. Once McNichols returns from IR, he will most likely factor in on special teams for the Commanders, leaving him off the fantasy football radar in all leagues.
Source: Commanders.com - Zach Selby
Source: Commanders.com - Zach Selby
J.J. McCarthy Facing Multi-Week Absence With Ankle Injury
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is expected to miss multiple weeks, according to Adam Schefter. McCarthy suffered the injury during Minnesota's Aug. 22 preseason game against Baltimore and was unable to recover in time for Friday's finale against Denver. The Vikings had hoped to give him the entire first half in that game, but Carson Wentz started instead. Minnesota initially considered McCarthy day-to-day, making Schefter's new timetable a notable change. The 2024 first-round pick still made the Vikings' initial 53-man roster alongside Kyler Murray, Wentz and Max Brosmer. Murray was already named the starter earlier this month, so McCarthy's absence does not change Minnesota's QB1 situation. McCarthy started 10 games last season, throwing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while adding 181 rushing yards and four scores. His injury does leave Wentz and Brosmer as Minnesota's healthy options behind Murray for the opening weeks.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Marvin Harrison Jr. Building Momentum for Redraft Rebound
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. finally had a normal summer after injuries wrecked most of his second season. Harrison managed 41 catches for 608 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games last year while dealing with a concussion, an appendectomy, a heel injury and a separate foot issue that eventually landed him on injured reserve. This August has looked much better. He made plays throughout camp, including a 50-plus-yard catch from Jacoby Brissett on Aug. 4, then caught a seven-yard touchdown in his first preseason action against Las Vegas. Mike LaFleur has also been clear about the role, calling Harrison Arizona's X receiver while planning to move him around through formations and motion. Trey McBride and Michael Wilson are coming off huge seasons, so the targets won't simply funnel his way. Harrison still has to earn them. RotoBaller has him at WR32 in half-PPR, though, and that's a much easier price to stomach after a healthy summer. He heads into Week 1 with a much cleaner redraft case than he had a month ago.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyren Williams Facing More Workload Risk
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams isn't losing his starting job, but his workload ceiling looks a little shakier heading into Week 1. Williams was still excellent last season, rushing 259 times for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 36 catches for 281 yards and three more scores. The issue is how much work Los Angeles now has reason to give away. Blake Corum finished 2025 with 145 carries for 746 yards and six touchdowns, then spent August drawing praise for looking quicker and more explosive. He was one of the standouts in the Rams' final open practice, and the team kept only Williams, Corum and Ronnie Rivers on the initial 53-man roster. Williams remained productive even after the split tightened late last year, so this isn't a major fade. RotoBaller still has him at RB13. The concern is simply that another season near 300 touches is getting harder to project with a capable second back pushing for more work.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
