RADIO
Christian Kirk to Open Season on Injured Reserve
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) was placed on injured reserve ahead of Sunday's 53-man roster deadline, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Kirk injured his calf in late July and wasn't able to play in any of the 49ers' preseason games. Now, he'll also miss at least four regular-season games before being eligible to return starting in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks. Wide receiver injuries are nothing new for the Niners, who already placed Ricky Pearsall (knee) on season-ending IR. The injuries to Kirk and Pearsall should pave the way for De'Zhaun Stribling (shoulder) to open the year as the No. 2 wide receiver alongside Mike Evans. Kirk will presumably slot into the second or third receiver spot when he's healthy enough to play again.
Source: Matt Maiocco
Source: Matt Maiocco
Seahawks Release Trevon Diggs, Hope to Bring Him Back on Practice Squad
The Seattle Seahawks have released veteran cornerback Trevon Diggs. However, general manager John Schneider told Gregg Bell of The Seattle Times that he hopes to re-sign Diggs to the practice squad. Schneider noted that Diggs continues to acclimate to the Seahawks' defense, and he added that the players and coaching staff "love him." Before he signed his contract less than two weeks ago, Diggs had not worn full pads since January. Across nine games with Dallas and Green Bay last year, he logged 27 tackles, including one tackle for loss. Diggs has declined significantly since the early portion of his career, when he made back-to-back Pro Bowls. In fact, in 2021, he was named a First Team All-Pro with an NFL-leading 11 interceptions. Assuming he does return to the Seahawks as a practice squad player, he'll be a candidate for elevation to the 53-man roster once the regular season gets underway. He might not be a defensive starter for the reigning Super Bowl champions, but he'll at least offer a solid veteran presence.
Source: Gregg Bell
Source: Gregg Bell
Nnamdi Madubuike Avoids Injured Reserve
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) appears on the team's initial 53-man roster, which means that he was not placed on injured reserve. As a result, he'll be eligible to play in the Ravens' first four games this season, although it remains uncertain whether he'll be available for Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. The former Pro Bowler continues to work his way back from a very serious cervical neck injury that he suffered during Baltimore's second game last season. Prior to that, though, he had played every game for three consecutive seasons from 2022 through 2024. Between 2023 and 2024, he amassed 99 tackles, 19.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He ranked as a top-12 defensive tackle in IDP leagues during both of those seasons.
Source: Jamison Hensley
Source: Jamison Hensley
Trevor Etienne to Open Season on Injured Reserve
The Carolina Panthers placed running back Trevor Etienne (ankle) on injured reserve ahead of Sunday's 53-man roster deadline. Etienne will occupy one of the two IR spots for players who are designated to return later in the season. The team can activate him in Week 5 or later, and when they do so, he'll count toward the 53-man roster. Etienne was originally slated to operate as the Panthers' No. 3 running back behind Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks, but those responsibilities will belong to AJ Dillon for now. Etienne had just 107 scrimmage yards, zero touchdowns, and one fumble lost through 17 games as a rookie last year. He can be left on fantasy waivers in most leagues as long as Hubbard and Brooks are both healthy.
Source: Carolina Panthers
Source: Carolina Panthers
Joey Porter Jr. Activated From PUP List
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (back) has been activated from the PUP list and is officially on the team's initial 53-man roster. Porter missed all of training camp, and prior to suffering the injury, he had been seeking a new contract. It's unclear whether those talks will continue into the regular season, but the good news is that it doesn't seem like Porter has any plans to let his contract status impact his availability. He should be on the field for the Steelers' season opener against the Falcons on September 13, lining up alongside fellow projected starting cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Jalen Ramsey.
Source: Pittsburgh Steelers
Source: Pittsburgh Steelers
Darius Slayton Makes the Giants' Initial 53-Man Roster
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton made the team's initial 53-man roster, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. There was a slight risk that he might be cut prior to Sunday's roster deadline, but instead, the Giants parted ways with former third-round pick Jalin Hyatt. Slayton will now round out a wide receiver room that also features Malik Nabers, Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, and Odell Beckham Jr. He had a solid 37 catches for 538 yards and one touchdown last year, but he could have trouble replicating that stat line in 2026 given that he's likely fifth in the wide receiver pecking order. We also can't rule out the possibility of the Giants adding another receiver who was cut loose by another NFL team on Sunday. Slayton has fallen to WR100 in RotoBaller's redraft rankings, so although he did make the team, he's off the radar in most fantasy football leagues.
Source: Paul Schwartz
Source: Paul Schwartz
Anthony Richardson Sr. Sticking with the Colts for Now
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. has made the team's initial 53-man roster. There had been plenty of chatter about Richardson potentially being cut or traded before Sunday's roster deadline, but he ultimately remains with the Colts for the time being. The former No. 4 pick once again projects to occupy a depth role behind starter Daniel Jones, and there's a chance that he could even fall to third on the depth chart behind Riley Leonard. Richardson hasn't seen meaningful playing time since the 2024 season, when he completed just 47.7% of his passes for 1,814 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also had 499 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, and three fumbles lost that year. The 24-year-old has tremendous rushing upside, but injuries, turnovers, and an atrocious completion rate have kept him from living up to his early first-round draft capital. A change of scenery seems likely at some point, but as long as Richardson remains with the Colts, he should be avoided entirely in fantasy football.
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Trey Lance Wins the Chargers' Backup Quarterback Job
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance has made the team's initial 53-man roster, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. He won the backup quarterback job behind Justin Herbert after the Chargers released DJ Uiagalelei on Sunday. Lance has seen occasional playing time as a depth option for the Chargers, Cowboys, and 49ers over the last few years, but he hasn't scored a touchdown since his rookie season with the Niners in 2021. He has appeared in just 16 games since being drafted, flashing impressive mobility but never coming close to meeting the expectations that came with being the No. 3 overall pick. The North Dakota State product remains off the fantasy radar in all leagues, and even if he gets thrust into action due to a Herbert injury, he'd still be tough to trust in weekly fantasy lineups.
Source: Matt Zenitz
Source: Matt Zenitz
Jordyn Tyson Officially Placed on Injured Reserve
The New Orleans Saints have officially placed wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on injured reserve, according to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune. This move was merely procedural, as we already knew that Tyson would miss approximately two weeks due to a hamstring injury he suffered during training camp. It's been an injury-riddled couple of years for Tyson, who has now endured three different hamstring strains since the start of 2025. By landing on IR, the first-round pick will now be sidelined for at least four games. The earliest he could possibly return to action would be the Saints' Week 5 contest against the Minnesota Vikings on October 11, but we wouldn't be surprised if he needs a little more time beyond that date. With Tyson sidelined, Devaughn Vele is expected to step up as the Saints' No. 2 receiver alongside Chris Olave.
Source: Matthew Paras
Source: Matthew Paras
Steelers Keeping Four Quarterbacks on Roster
The Pittsburgh Steelers are keeping four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Head coach Mike McCarthy previously hinted that this was a possibility, and now it's official. Aaron Rodgers will remain the team's starter while Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar round out the depth chart. Entering training camp, it seemed like Allar would be the odd man out, but he earned a roster spot by throwing for 351 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions this preseason. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers make any additional quarterback moves before Week 1, as it seems like it would be difficult to keep four of the 53 roster spots tied up to quarterbacks for a long period of time. On the other hand, it makes sense to keep Rudolph, who has flashed starter potential at the NFL level, as well as both Howard and Allar, who could compete to take the reins from Rodgers after his retirement.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Lions Release Wide Receiver Greg Dortch
The Detroit Lions have released wide receiver Greg Dortch as part of the process to get their active roster down to 53 players, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Dortch had spent the last five seasons in Arizona, peaking as the WR62 in PPR leagues during the 2022 season. His productivity had dipped in recent years, and he finished 2025 with just 29 catches, 206 yards, and three touchdowns across 12 games. He faced an uphill battle to make the Lions' roster and ultimately wasn't able to beat out any of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, or Tay Martin. The fact that Detroit is carrying just four receivers right now could leave the door open for Dortch to re-sign with the team before Week 1, but it seems unlikely after he caught just two passes for 22 yards during the preseason. He may have to settle for a practice squad spot somewhere else.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
J.J. McCarthy Makes the Vikings' 53-Man Roster
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) made the team's initial 53-man roster, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. There had been plenty of speculation that McCarthy could be traded or released, but he ultimately remains with the Vikings for now. With that said, we can't rule out the possibility of him being moved at a later date. Minnesota has four quarterbacks on its roster, which probably isn't sustainable for a long time. Kyler Murray has already been named the Week 1 starter, and the Vikings presumably would have released Carson Wentz or Max Brosmer if they didn't envision them having any sort of role. That leaves McCarthy as the odd man out. It feels a bit bizarre to talk about cutting bait on a first-round pick after just one year of NFL action, but it was a pretty brutal stretch. He missed all of 2024 due to injury, and across 10 games last year, he completed just 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. A fresh start might be the only way for McCarthy to salvage his NFL career, but until that happens, he can be avoided in all fantasy football leagues.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
George Holani Has a Path to an Early-Season Role
Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani should carve out a role early in the season after Zach Charbonnet (knee) was placed on the PUP list. Rookie Jadarian Price projects as the Seahawks' No. 1 running back to open the year, but Holani will likely earn a significant snap share, too. Price never averaged more than 9.4 carries per game at school, so he's presumably not capable of handling an every-down role while Charbonnet is sidelined. Holani, who is heading into his third pro season, spent most of last year as the Seahawks' No. 3 running back behind Kenneth Walker III and Charbonnet. He had 12 touches in Week 3 last season, but his best game actually came in Week 10, when he logged seven carries, 31 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. Holani has just three targets through 16 career games, so we'd expect most of his snaps to come on early downs. He could have some early-season appeal as a low-end RB3/flex in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Saints Place Devin Neal on Season-Ending Injured Reserve
The New Orleans Saints have placed running back Devin Neal (hamstring) on season-ending injured reserve, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. He suffered the injury during Week 2 of the preseason. Neal had an impressive stretch of games from Week 12 through Week 15 during his rookie season in 2025, but there wouldn't have been much of a role for him this year, even if he were healthy. Travis Etienne Jr. was given a large contract to lead this backfield for the next few years, and the Saints have Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and Audric Estime to round out the running back room. Neal's next chance to make an impact will be the 2027 season, which lines up well with the expiration of Alvin Kamara's contract.
Source: Nick Underhill
Source: Nick Underhill
Justin Joly Was a "Little Bit Behind" Before Being Cut
Denver Broncos rookie tight end Justin Joly was "just a little bit behind" throughout the offseason and training camp, general manager George Paton said during an appearance on Orange and Blue Today. "We knew when we drafted him -- we knew he was raw, and we still liked the player," Paton said. "We still like the player. We think he's going to have a nice career. You just gotta make tough decisions to build the best 53 you can make." He added that Joly had been improving lately, and he scored an 88-yard touchdown in Saturday's preseason finale, albeit on a play where the defense broke down. Paton hinted that if the preseason were one or two games longer, the outcome may have been different. Presumably, Denver will look to get Joly back on the practice squad so that he can continue to develop. However, with fifth-round draft capital, we wouldn't be surprised if any of the other 31 teams try to claim him off waivers.
Source: Andrew Mason
Source: Andrew Mason
