RADIO
Trevor Etienne Being Evaluated for an Ankle Injury
Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne (ankle) is undergoing further evaluation after he suffered an ankle injury during Friday's preseason contest against the Houston Texans, head coach Dave Canales told Sheena Quick of FOX Sports Radio1340. Etienne had just one carry for two rushing yards prior to his departure. The Georgia product was relatively uninvolved on offense as a rookie last year, and he's still pretty much locked into the No. 3 running back role for the upcoming season. If the ankle injury ends up being serious and forces him to miss time, the Panthers would likely slot AJ Dillon into the third-string running back role behind Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks.
Source: Sheena Quick
Source: Sheena Quick
Ravens Open to Adding Competition for Tyler Loop
Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop could face competition for a roster spot between now and the start of the regular season, according to Kyle Goon of The Baltimore Banner. When asked about Loop's camp on Friday, head coach Jesse Minter did not rule out the possibility of the Ravens adding another kicker in the near future. Minter noted that the 25-year-old had a good camp, but he cares more about how the kicker performs in high-pressure situations, such as the waning minutes of close games. Notably, Loop missed two field goals in the Ravens' preseason finale, which is why there was any conversation about his roster spot in the first place. He ranked as the K12 in fantasy football as a rookie last year, going 44-for-46 on extra points and 30-for-34 on field goals. If the Ravens look for a veteran kicker to compete with Loop, some free-agent possibilities include Graham Gano, Brandon McManus, and Matt Prater.
Source: Kyle Goon
Source: Kyle Goon
Deebo Samuel Sr. a Potential Steal with 12th-Round Price Tag
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. has returned to the Bay Area for his age-30 season, and he should play a key role in his first year back on the West Coast. Samuel spent six seasons with the Niners before landing with the Commanders last year. It wasn't a very flashy season for Samuel in the DMV, but he still managed to finish as the WR25 in PPR leagues with 72 catches, 727 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns. He should get a quarterback upgrade now that he's back in San Francisco, as Brock Purdy offers more reliable quarterback play than last year's combo of Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. He will face a little more competition for volume, though. Not only will Mike Evans be ahead of him in the receiver room, but George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey should also fetch a ton of targets. With that being said, Evans, Kittle, and McCaffrey have all dealt with several injury issues in years past, so there's a path to Samuel taking on a bigger role if some of his teammates get hurt. All in all, we're not sure Samuel will replicate last year's WR25 finish, but he's still a strong top-36 receiver with weekly value as a WR3/flex. With that in mind, he's somewhat of a steal at his current ADP of 136.0, which makes him the 55th receiver off the board in fantasy drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Clears Concussion Protocol, Still Won't Return Friday
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (neck) cleared concussion protocol and has returned to the sideline for the remainder of Friday's preseason game against the New York Jets. According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, Tracy won't return to the contest, but he's expected to be fine going forward. It sounds like the Giants are just keeping Tracy on the sideline because it's a meaningless preseason game and most of the team's starters have been pulled from the game anyway. Tracy had four carries for 37 rushing yards and a touchdown before his exit. Meanwhile, recently signed running back Najee Harris had 39 rushing yards on 11 carries. It will be interesting to see how this backfield shakes out once the regular season arrives. Presumably, Cam Skattebo will be the lead back, but it would be a waste of talent for the Giants not to give meaningful snaps to Tracy, Harris, and even Devin Singletary. We wouldn't be shocked to see Tracy have weekly standalone value as a low-end RB3/flex, even if he operates as the No. 2 ball-carrier behind Skattebo. He's a decent, proven option at his current ADP of 146.3.
Source: Paul Schwartz
Source: Paul Schwartz
Saquon Barkley Has Another Big Year Ahead of Him
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley cooled off a little last season relative to the year prior, but he's still worth drafting as a top-12 running back in 2026 fantasy drafts. Barkley had 1,413 scrimmage yards and a modest nine touchdowns last season, ranking as the RB14 in PPR leagues. He has been a top-14 fantasy running back in each of the last four seasons, including a finish as the overall RB2 in 2024. The 29-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down, and he's actually trending back upward in a new-look Eagles offense. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion has introduced wide zone concepts that should benefit Barkley by increasing his yards per carry and perhaps leading to more touchdown opportunities. You certainly won't be able to get Barkley at a discount, as he comes with an ADP of 14.6. However, he's still a very reasonable target in the early second round of fantasy drafts, especially for fantasy managers who spent their first pick on a wide receiver.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Marvin Mims Jr. Leaves Early on Friday With Foot Injury
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (foot) suffered a foot injury in the team's preseason finale on Friday night against the Minnesota Vikings and is questionable to return, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Mims, who did not have a catch on Friday before getting hurt, almost certainly will not return to this contest, even if his foot injury is deemed minor. The 24-year-old fell down the WR depth chart in Denver when the Broncos sent multiple draft picks to the Miami Dolphins in the offseason for star wideout Jaylen Waddle, who could immediately become the team's WR1 in 2026. The former second-rounder from Oklahoma should be a roster lock, but when healthy, he might be the Broncos' WR5 behind Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, and Troy Franklin. Mims had a career-best 503 yards and six touchdowns on 39 receptions in 2024, but he fell to a 37-322-1 line in 15 regular-season games in 2025, and he should be avoided in 12-team fantasy leagues this fall, especially if his foot injury keeps him out of the Week 1 showdown on Monday night against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Stay tuned for an injury update on Mims later Friday or on Saturday.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Jared Goff a Dependable Mid-Round Quarterback for Fantasy Managers
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is a very appealing draft target for fantasy managers looking to address the position with a mid-round pick. Goff currently has a 10th-round ADP and is typically the 16th quarterback off the board in fantasy drafts. He's the QB15 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings, and he has been a top-10 fantasy quarterback in each of the past four seasons. There's a very real chance he remains a top-10 option, especially with a star-studded group around him, including Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams. While Goff doesn't have the rushing upside that many top fantasy quarterbacks possess, he's a reliable, polished passer with high touchdown and low turnover totals. Just last year, he had 34 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions, and he also took a career-low 1.12 sacks per game. For those managers who don't want to spend a premium pick on one of the top quarterbacks, Goff is a very reasonable mid-round option who can be just as productive as some of those early-round guys.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaiah Likely a Potential Steal at Current ADP
New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely's stock continues to rise this offseason, but his ADP has remained quite reasonable as fantasy football drafts are in full swing. Entering this summer, there was uncertainty about how Likely and Theo Johnson would split reps in this Giants offense. As the preseason has progressed, it has become evident that not only is Likely the No. 1 tight end here, but he has also emerged as one of quarterback Jaxson Dart's favorite targets. There are plenty of vacated targets available following the departure of wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, who was targeted 280 times over the last two seasons. While a lot of those targets should go to Malik Nabers, who is coming back from an ACL tear, Likely should also see significant volume. Presumably, his floor is what we saw from Johnson last year: 45 catches, 528 yards, five touchdowns, and a TE18 finish. Meanwhile, his ceiling is a top-five fantasy tight end. There's a lot working in his favor, including the fact that he's athletic, sits atop the depth chart, has the trust of his quarterback and head coach, and plays in an offense that is trending upward. Likely currently has a 10th-round ADP in most leagues, which is a very reasonable price tag for a tight end who figures to get in your starting lineup every week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Samaje Perine a Fine Handcuff with Receiving Upside
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine isn't expected to have a very consistent role out of the backfield behind Chase Brown. However, we should see him get involved on some passing downs, and he's also a decent handcuff option for managers who are already planning to draft Brown. Last year in Cincy, the veteran running back tallied 382 rushing yards, 87 receiving yards, and three touchdowns across 15 games, ranking as the RB57 in PPR leagues. It was an interesting year for the 30-year-old, who posted his second-highest rushing yard total since 2017 but his lowest receiving yard total since 2020. Last year seemed like an outlier season for Perine, who is well established as a pass-catching option out of the backfield. He should see his receptions and receiving yards increase this year, but whether he'll have any standalone value remains uncertain. The Bengals gave Brown 17.7 touches per game last year, and that includes games where the offense was struggling with Joe Burrow sidelined. This is clearly Brown's backfield, so anyone looking to draft Perine in fantasy football should wait until the last couple of rounds.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joe Burrow Has a Hefty Price Tag with Some Injury Risk
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is one of the best fantasy football weapons when healthy, but injuries have consistently plagued him over the last three years. As a result, fantasy managers might be hesitant to spend a premium pick on the quarterback if he's not a lock to play more than half the season. Burrow has missed at least seven games in two of the last three years. Last season, he missed nine games and ended up finishing as the overall QB29 in fantasy football. When he's healthy, he puts up top-tier numbers with star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal, but managers who were burned by him last year may want to avoid the risk of drafting him again this year. The injury risk isn't really baked into his price tag, either. He's being drafted at an ADP of 60.3, which makes him the fourth quarterback off the board. Meanwhile, he's the QB5 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings. Managers should consider waiting a couple of rounds to take a more dependable option like Caleb Williams or Trevor Lawrence. At the very least, managers who draft Burrow should have a solid backup quarterback option in case he misses significant time again.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Injures his Neck in Preseason Finale on Friday
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (neck) left Friday night's preseason finale against the New York Jets after a big collision, and it looked like trainers/doctors were checking his neck, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Tracy left the field and walked directly into the locker room with trainers. Before his injury, Tracy had four carries for 37 yards and a touchdown in the game. We do not know the severity of the 26-year-old's injury yet, but this is a significant development in New York's backfield as the Week 1 regular-season opener approaches on Sunday Night Football against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The former fifth-rounder in 2024 from Purdue lost some of his late-round handcuff appeal in fantasy football leagues when the Giants signed veteran RB Najee Harris earlier this week, and his injury on Friday night does not help, either. In addition to Harris, the Giants have second-year back Cam Skattebo, who is expected to be the team's primary early-down workhorse in 2026. RotoBaller has Tracy ranked as the No. 67 fantasy RB with just two weeks until the season opener. Check back later for any pertinent injury updates on Tracy.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Malik Nabers Not Suiting Up for Preseason Finale
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) is not suiting up for the team's preseason finale against the New York Jets on Friday night, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. It is no surprise that Nabers is not on the field for the final preseason game, even though he finally ditched his non-contact jersey in training camp practice on Monday. The 23-year-old former first-rounder from LSU avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list for the start of camp at the end of July, but the Giants have been extremely cautious in his recovery from a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee early on in 2025. Nabers has slowly been ramping up, but all signs point to him being active in the Week 1 regular-season showdown against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. While Nabers could be on a snap count out of the gates, he has some of the most upside of any young receiver in the NFL after catching 109 of 170 targets for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie campaign in 2024. Treat him as a risk/reward low-end WR1 in 2026.
Source: New York Daily News - Pat Leonard
Source: New York Daily News - Pat Leonard
Dohnte Meyers a "Roster Lock," Becoming a Receiver to Watch
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers might be "the best story in any NFL training camp" this summer, according to The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. When top wideout Ja'Marr Chase went down earlier this week in practice with a knee scare, Meyers was running with the first team. Dehner adds that Meyers has been "undeniable" in his bid for a roster spot because of the consistency of his playmaking at every turn, when at first it felt like his only path to make the team was as a kick returner on special teams. The 26-year-old stuck around after practice to work with quarterback Joe Burrow on Wednesday and is now "a roster lock" with an offensive role in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "Physically, he's quick, he's fast, he's got another gear," receivers coach Troy Walters said. Meyers has worked his tail off and is versatile, so he could put a lot of pressure on Andrei Iosivas for the WR3 role sooner rather than later behind Chase and Tee Higgins. It will not be easy, though, as rookie fourth-rounder Colbie Young has also looked good in camp with plenty of highlight catches. For now, Meyers is an interesting bench stash in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Chase Brown Could See More Under-Center Rushing Opportunities
The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. writes that it is "easy to anticipate a far more under-center ground game coming" for Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown in 2026. Brown at one point called the Bengals a "top-five, top-10" defense during training camp. "They've been causing us problems all camp," Brown said. "Offensively, we started to find a groove there even though they presented us some pretty big challenges at the start." The 26-year-old former fifth-rounder from Illinois had his first 1,000-yard rushing season on 232 carries in 2025 and added six rushing scores and a career-best 69 receptions for 437 yards and five more TDs to finish as a top-10 fantasy RB. Based on everything we have heard this summer, the Bengals have designed their offense even more around Brown out of the backfield in 2026, making him a strong midrange RB1 target as he heads into his fourth year in the NFL. Not only has Brown become one of the best all-around players at his position in the league, but he really should not be threatened at all by Samaje Perine. In a prolific offense like Cincy's, if quarterback Joe Burrow stays healthy, Brown could even improve on his strong 2025 showing.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
J.J. McCarthy Not Playing in Preseason Finale Against Denver
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) will not play in the team's preseason finale on Friday night against the hosting Denver Broncos, multiple sources told Alec Lewis of The Athletic. The Vikings had hoped that McCarthy's ankle would be healed ahead of the game, but he ultimately was not comfortable enough to suit up. The good news is that his injury is considered minor, and he is day-to-day. McCarthy picked up the ankle injury in last weekend's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, in which he struggled in the face of pressure. The Vikings already named Kyler Murray as their Week 1 starter, with McCarthy now battling veteran Carson Wentz for QB2 duties to open his third year in the NFL. If the 23-year-old cannot beat out Wentz, he could be a trade candidate before the regular-season opener. The former 10th overall pick in 2024 from Michigan missed all of his rookie year after having knee surgery, and he completed just 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in just 10 games last year due to injuries. Early in his career, McCarthy has not looked like a viable NFL starter, cratering his fantasy value in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
