August 31, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Savion Williams has suffered various injuries throughout his first professional training camp and missed all three preseason games. The Green Bay coaching staff had gadget plays in mind for the third-round speedster, but he has been unable to stay on the field. The Packers have a crowded wide receiver room, even with injuries to
Jayden Reed (foot) and
Christian Watson (knee). If Reed, who is questionable, misses Week 1, Williams still has first-round pick
Matthew Golden,
Romeo Doubs,
Dontayvion Wicks, and
Malik Heath to compete with for snaps. Williams may have a play designed for him here and there, but it won't be consistent enough volume for redraft fantasy managers to spend a roster spot on him.
--Andrew Ball - RotoBallerSource: packers.com
August 31, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
Ryan Flournoy secured a spot on the team's practice squad after failing to make the initial 53-man roster. The sixth-round pick in 2024 spent his rookie season with the Cowboys, recording 10 catches for 102 yards on 14 targets. The Cowboys currently only have four wide receivers on the active roster:
CeeDee Lamb,
George Pickens,
Jalen Tolbert, and
KaVontae Turpin. WR5
Jonathan Mingo (knee) will open the season on injured reserve. Unless Dallas adds a free-agent wide receiver, Flournoy has a decent chance at getting a game-day call-up early in the season. He and
Jalen Brooks, who appeared in 14 games for the Cowboys last year, lead Dallas' practice-squad wide receivers.
--Andrew Ball - RotoBallerSource: Todd Archer - ESPN
August 31, 2025
The Chicago Bears have an established lead running back in
D'Andre Swift, but the backup role is seemingly up for grabs. Incumbent
Roschon Johnson (foot) has missed the majority of training camp. Reserves, like veteran
Travis Homer and seventh-round rookie
Kyle Monangai, have also missed practice time in August. The latter has a chance to secure the backup role with Johnson's less-than-impressive résumé thus far. The Bears were one of the teams to keep an eye on to add another running back after cut day, but nearly a week has come and gone without a new face on the practice field. Monangai, who ran for 1,200+ yards in his final two seasons at Rutgers, is an interesting watch candidate and possible bench stash. However, there may not be any clarity about the Chicago backfield until a few games into the regular season.
--Andrew Ball - RotoBallerSource: chicagobears.com
August 31, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers tight end
Oronde Gadsden put together a strong showing during the preseason. The fifth-round rookie hauled in three receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown in the preseason finale. He has intriguing upside, but is unlikely to land high on the depth chart to begin the season. According to the team's website, Gadsden is projected to be the third string to begin the season. That was expected with
Will Dissly and
Tyler Conklin to be the starters. Neither Dissly or Conklin are going to be long term solutions at tight end. That being said, Gadsden should be able to quickly work his way up the depth chart if he continues to play well. The Chargers don't have a ton invested in Dissly or Conklin, so Gadsden could eventually jump them. For now, Gadsden is a dynasty stash, but he's certainly someone to keep an eye on right now.
--Andy WebbSource: chargers.com
August 31, 2025
Carolina Panthers running back
Trevor Etienne did a nice job during the preseason. He showed he has breakaway speed to make a big play at any moment. Despite that, Etienne is unlikely to have a significant role to begin the season.
Chuba Hubbard is going to be the lead back to begin the season. The Panthers brought in
Rico Dowdle as a viable second option, so he'll likely be the second string. That means, Etienne probably isn't going to see much action right away. According to the team's official website, Etienne is penciled in as the third string back. However, the 21-year-old could wrestle away the second string job from Dowdle with more consistent play. For now, Etienne is a dynasty stash and someone that is unlikely to make an impact right away.
--Andy WebbSource: panthers.com
August 31, 2025
New Orleans Saints quarterback
Tyler Shough lost the quarterback battle to
Spencer Rattler heading into Week 1, but the team's uncertain footing could lead to a chance later this season. The rookie had a strong final year at Louisville, and the team making a move due to Rattler struggling is well within the realm of possibility in 2025. The better question for a manager is whether they want to use a fantasy roster spot on any Saints quarterback. With a projected Vegas win total of 4.5, the team is firmly in the mix to secure the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft, which would mean a long year is ahead.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: Sports Illustrated
August 31, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Brashard Smith made the 53-man roster in Kansas City, and could have a pathway to the field during his first season with the team. The rookie cleared the first hurdle by sticking around through training camp, which is no guarantee as a seventh-round pick. But with
Isiah Pacheco less than a year removed from a broken leg, Smith's competition for time is veterans
Kareem Hunt and
Elijah Mitchell. As a former wide receiver, the rookie has a skill set the Chiefs like, having featured similarly skilled
Jerick McKinnon in prior years. Smith has some lottery ticket appeal playing in Andy Reid's offense.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic
August 31, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Terrance Ferguson showed some flashes of receiving ability during the preseason, but his blocking remains a work in progress as Los Angeles approaches Week 1. Though that might not be top-of-mind from a fantasy perspective, it will impact how much the rookie sees the field and ultimately how much he gets targeted.
Tyler Higbee is still L.A.'s top tight end, but the Rams clearly saw the promise in Ferguson by using a second-round pick to acquire him. As something of a project, Ferguson has more value in dynasty formats, but his receiving ability could present deep sleeper appeal in redraft leagues, too.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: Sports Illustrated
August 31, 2025
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Jalen Milroe is expected to see the field, albeit sporadically, as a rookie, with coach Mike Macdonald this week saying the club will have a package of plays designed specifically for him. The rookie, as expected, remained raw throughout the preseason, according to a report from Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. From a fantasy perspective, Milroe's only real value is in dynasty formats, as his usage likely won't be high enough to roster in redraft leagues with Seattle projected to start free agent signee
Sam Darnold.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic
August
30,
2025
New
York
Jets
quarterback
Justin
Fields
agreed
to
a
two-year,
$40
million
contract
during
the
offseason.
The
signal-caller
has
had
his
share
of
ups
and
downs
throughout
his
career
thus
far.
However,
Jets
general
manager
Darren
read more...
August 30, 2025
Rookie wide receiver
Tez Johnson has made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' initial 53-man roster after an impressive preseason. A seventh-round draft pick, Johnson earned his spot over
Trey Palmer, who had flashed in his two seasons with the team but has since landed in New Orleans. With
Jalen McMillan (neck) on Injured Reserve and
Chris Godwin (ankle) expected to miss the first month of the 2025 campaign, Johnson could earn opportunities immediately.
Mike Evans and
Emeka Egbuka should be quarterback
Baker Mayfield's top weapons, but the Buccaneers will need more pass-catchers to step up if they hope to repeat the success they found through the air last season. Johnson's utilization in the early weeks is worth keeping an eye on in all fantasy formats.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: Billy Heyen
August 30, 2025
The Tennessee Titans signed wide receiver
Xavier Restrepo to their practice squad after the rookie failed to make the team's initial 53-man roster. Restrepo, who signed with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent in April, appeared in three preseason contests and logged three receptions for 26 yards on six targets. He could eventually reunite on the field with his college quarterback,
Cameron Ward, but the 23-year-old still needs to prove he's NFL-ready. It's worth noting that the Titans lack established receiving options outside of
Calvin Ridley and
Tyler Lockett, but rookies
Elic Ayomanor and
Chimere Dike did make the roster heading into Week 1. For now, Restrepo should be viewed strictly as a deep dynasty stash.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: Jeremy Brener
August 30, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Efton Chism III (ankle, foot) returned to practice earlier this week after missing some time due to an injury he suffered in the team's second preseason game. The Eastern Washington product told reporters he is "absolutely healthy" on Wednesday, a day after he officially made the Patriots' 53-man roster. Veterans
Stefon Diggs (knee) and
DeMario Douglas are expected to lead New England's receiver corps, while Chism will compete with fellow rookie
Kyle Williams (head/undisclosed),
Kayshon Boutte, and
Mack Hollins for snaps. With
Kendrick Bourne recently released, Chism could see early opportunities, making his usage worth monitoring across all fantasy formats.
--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: Matt Geagan
August 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback
Will Howard (hand) told the Pat McAfee Show that he is taking an important step in his recovery from a broken bone in his right hand. "I'm back to throwing this week," Howard said on Friday. "So it's feeling good, going in the right direction." Howard suffered the injury to his throwing hand on Aug. 5, knocking him out for most of training camp and the entire preseason. The Steelers placed Howard on Injured Reserve on Thursday, meaning the sixth-round pick from Ohio State is guaranteed to miss at least the first four weeks of the season. Even if Howard returns in 2025, it's doubtful that the 23-year-old will see much action as a rookie (if any). The Steelers are entering the season with
Aaron Rodgers as their starter and an experienced backup in
Mason Rudolph, leaving Howard in a developmental role.
--Connor ByrneSource: Nick Farabaugh - PennLive.com
August 30, 2025
The Seattle Seahawks signed rookie running back
Damien Martinez to their practice squad earlier this week. Martinez joined the Seahawks as a seventh-round pick from Miami in this year's draft, but he was unable to earn a spot on their season-opening 53-man roster. The 6-foot, 217-pounder spent his first two seasons in college at Oregon State before transferring last year. He racked up back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and totaled 19 touchdowns from 2023-24. In his first preseason with the Seahawks, Martinez saw a significant amount of action. The 21-year-old carried the ball a team-high 24 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. He also led the Seahawks in receptions (six) and added another 43 yards through the air. While he'll try to work his way up to the roster, the Seahawks will enter the season with
Kenneth Walker III,
Zach Charbonnet, and
George Holani as their top three RBs.
--Connor ByrneSource: Seattle Seahawks
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