RADIO
J.J. McCarthy Not Assured of Backup Quarterback Role in Minnesota?
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy entered training camp competing for his team's QB1 role, but the Vikings have already announced that veteran Kyler Murray will be the team's Week 1 starter. While Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that McCarthy would be the team's backup when he named Murray the starter, Minnesota also currently rosters veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz. Alec Lewis of The Athletic speculates that Wentz "could give O'Connell some pause" after his steady performance in the Vikings' first preseason game on Saturday. Wentz threw for 1,216 yards and six touchdowns across five starts for the Vikings last season. He also has 103 games (99 starts) under his belt across 10 NFL seasons, while McCarthy has played in just 10 games since being drafted in the first round in 2024. At this point, McCarthy's dynasty value would likely be best served by a chance in scenery.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Eli Raridon in Line for "Meaningful" Role as a Rookie
New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon is "set for a meaningful role" as the team's No. 2 tight end option behind veteran Hunter Henry, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. A third-round pick out of Notre Dame, Raridon recorded 32 catches for 482 yards across 12 games with the Fighting Irish in 2025. At the time he was drafted, Raridon looked like the third tight end on the Patriots' depth chart. However, a season-ending knee injury for tight end Julian Hill (knee) has pushed Raridon into a more prominent role. While Henry profiles as New England's clear top receiving option at the position, he's entering his age-32 season. Particularly in dynasty formats, Raridon's stock is rising ahead of his rookie year.
Source: The Athletic - Chad Graff
Source: The Athletic - Chad Graff
Saints Host Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds for Workout on Tuesday
The New Orleans Saints worked out veteran wide receivers Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds on Tuesday, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. With rookie Saints wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) expected to be sidelined into mid-October with a hamstring injury, New Orleans appears to be in the market for wide receiver help. Claypool last appeared in the NFL in 2023, recording 77 catches and a touchdown on eight catches across 12 games split between the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. Reynolds played in five games with the New York Jets in 2025, hauling in 11 receptions for 101 yards on 21 targets. Outside of star wideout Chris Olave, New Orleans has very little proven wide receiver depth. Still, both Claypool and Reynolds have a lot to prove before they should be on the radars of fantasy managers.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Remains Part of Giants Plans Despite Recent Moves
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. remains "squarely still in the plans" for the team despite the recent signing of veteran back Najee Harris, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN. Tracy Jr. has been a productive player for the Giants, recording 2,151 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 442 touches across his first two NFL seasons. However, the Giants' backfield is expected to be led by second-year back Cam Skattebo in 2026 now that he is fully recovered from the ankle injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 8. Raanan reports that Harris will "need a couple weeks to get in football shape," so Tracy Jr. could be secure in New York's RB2 role for now. Harris is also recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that caused him to miss most of the 2025 season. Still, Harris recorded four consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards before the lost year in 2025. Following his signing, Tracy Jr.'s fantasy value is in question.
Source: ESPN - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN - Jordan Raanan
Chris Olave Returns to Practice After Trip to Medical Tent
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (undisclosed) briefly exited joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday before returning to the field, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Olave made an impressive contested catch and then walked off the field with athletic trainers to the medical tent. It is unclear what exactly the physical issue was for Olave, but it obviously was not serious enough for the Saints to shut him down for the rest of practice. First-round rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) looks likely to miss the start of the 2026 regular season due to ongoing hamstring issues, so the Saints worked out receivers Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds on Tuesday. Olave is the team's unquestioned WR1 heading into his fifth NFL season after being a first-round pick back in 2022. Even with rookie QB Tyler Shough taking over last year and while missing the regular-season finale with a blood-clot issue, Olave managed career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 16 starts. Olave should be a lock for another 1,000-yard season in 2026 in an up-tempo offense if he is healthy. Consider him a top-15 fantasy wideout.
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Alvin Kamara Dealing With a Knee Injury
New Orleans Saints veteran running back Alvin Kamara (knee) is dealing with a knee issue in training camp, according to Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak. Kamara was pulled before finishing the joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys, but the severity of the injury is unknown at this time. It is a bit worrisome, though, after Kamara ended last year on the sidelines due to a knee injury, on top of the fact that he is 31 years old and heading into his 10th year in the NFL. There were rumors that the former third-rounder might retire in the offseason, but he has returned to the Big Easy for another season in 2026 and is set to have a drastically reduced backfield role after the Saints signed Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency. The five-time Pro Bowler should be considered day-to-day for now. He has fallen all the way to the No. 52 ranking among fantasy RBs at RotoBaller this year, although he could be a sneaky late-round depth addition in PPR leagues. Kamara played in a career-low 11 games last year, finishing with just 471 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground with 33 catches for 186 yards and no touchdowns through the air.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
Christian McCaffrey Could Have Practiced Tuesday
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey remains out with tightness, but head coach Kyle Shanahan gave a positive update Tuesday. Shanahan said McCaffrey is coming along well and would have participated if the 49ers had held a normal practice instead of a joint session with the Los Angeles Chargers. He also pushed back on speculation that McCaffrey's absence has anything to do with his contract, saying that would be wrong. San Francisco has been careful with McCaffrey rather than having him push through the tightness during August. That's understandable after he handled a franchise-record 413 touches last season, rushing for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 102 catches for 924 yards and seven more scores. Tuesday's update is probably the clearest sign yet that McCaffrey is getting close to returning to regular practice work.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Quentin Johnston "Totally Fine" After Injury Scare
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (lower body) is not expected to miss much, if any, practice time in training camp after suffering a lower-body injury on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. According to a source, Johnston is "totally fine." The 24-year-old appears to have avoided a significant injury, but the Chargers could elect to hold him out of Thursday's preseason contest against the San Francisco 49ers as a precaution. The former first-rounder from TCU in 2023 has struggled with drops and inconsistency in his first three years in the league, but he had 51 receptions for a career-high 735 receiving yards and scored eight touchdowns in 2025 for a second straight season in 14 regular-season games played. In a new offensive system run by coordinator Mike McDaniel, Johnston has an opportunity to continue to improve for fantasy managers as an excellent red-zone target due to his 6-foot-2, 208-pound frame. Fantasy managers should target Johnston as a WR3/flex with upside as he enters his fourth year in the NFL. RotoBaller has him ranked at No. 37 at his position.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Nnamdi Madubuike Very Limited in What he Can Do
It was a pleasant surprise to see Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) avoid the Physically Unable to Perform list to start training camp after suffering a scary neck injury last year that limited him to only two games, but The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec writes that Madubuike "remains very limited" in what he's doing in practices this summer. He mostly takes part in the team stretch, does light individual work with a coach or athletic trainer, and then heads to another field for conditioning. Madubuike has not done anything that involves significant contact, including hitting the blocking sled. Head coach Jesse Minter said after Monday's workout that the 28-year-old two-time Pro Bowler could start working into contact drills within the "next couple of weeks." With that timetable, Madubuike's readiness for the start of the 2026 regular season could be firmly in question since he has not taken or delivered any hits since last September. The former third-rounder had 19.5 sacks from 2023 to 2024 with Baltimore and could be a difference-maker for the Ravens' defense in 2026, but it looks like he will continue to be slowly eased back in.
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
JuJu Smith-Schuster Released by Giants
The New York Giants released wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday to clear a roster spot for running back Najee Harris. Smith-Schuster signed with New York on June 2, but his stay lasted less than three months. He had been dealing with knee swelling during camp, and head coach John Harbaugh said last week that the Giants knew they would have to manage the veteran's knee. Smith-Schuster played all 17 games for Kansas City in 2025, starting 12 and finishing with 33 catches for 345 yards and one touchdown. New York had a crowded receiver competition all summer, with Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios and rookie Malachi Fields among the players fighting for work. Smith-Schuster did make some plays in camp, but his time with the Giants is over before cutdown day. He now hits the market again with a few weeks left before the regular season and will look for another opportunity elsewhere.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Brock Purdy has a "Good Chance" to Play on Thursday Night
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he expects "a number of starters" to play in the preseason game on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers and said there is a "good chance" that will include quarterback Brock Purdy, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. If Purdy suits up to play on Thursday night, he likely will not play more than a couple of offensive series. The 26-year-old former seventh-rounder in 2022 from Iowa State is an obvious bounce-back candidate heading into his fifth NFL season after he appeared in just nine games for the Niners last year due to a turf-toe injury. Still, there are question marks with Purdy's receiving corps due to durability concerns, with veterans Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Christian Kirk, and Ricky Pearsall (knee) is already out for the season. Tight end George Kittle is returning from an Achilles tear from the postseason. At the very least, Purdy has running back Christian McCaffrey to dump the ball off to, and he should be considered a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in fantasy football drafts in Shanahan's offense.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Kaelon Black Returns to Practice After Adductor Injury
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black (adductor) returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since the opening week of training camp. The rookie had been sidelined since hurting his adductor during the Aug. 1 practice, wiping out more than two weeks of valuable work. Black was getting a decent amount of run before the injury, including a heavy share of the carries during San Francisco's first padded session. The 49ers used the 90th overall pick on him in April after he rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns on 186 carries at Indiana last season. At 5-foot-9 and 208 pounds, he gives San Francisco another option behind Christian McCaffrey as the team sorts through a banged-up backfield. Black has ground to make up after the long layoff, but getting back into practice now gives him time to push for a role before the regular season. UPDATE: Black looked good in his return to practice, according to Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn.
Source: Matt Barrows
Source: Matt Barrows
Travis Hunter Takes All 11-on-11 Reps at Cornerback
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter spent every 11-on-11 rep at cornerback during Monday's practice, a change from the way Jacksonville had been moving him between offense and defense throughout camp. Hunter still worked at receiver in 7-on-7 drills. Head coach Liam Coen said the Jaguars wanted to keep him on defense longer so he could get more coaching and mental reps there instead of constantly running back to the offense. That lines up with the team's first unofficial depth chart, which has Hunter starting at cornerback and on the second team at wide receiver. Coen still called him a "3A, 3B receiver," so the two-way plan isn't going anywhere. Hunter caught 28 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown in seven games as a rookie before a right knee injury ended his season. For fantasy managers, Monday is another reminder that his receiving volume may be tough to pin down. Jacksonville clearly wants him involved on offense, but cornerback looks like the steadier part of his Week 1 role right now.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: Sports Illustrated
Mike Evans Dealing With Left Foot/Ankle Tightness
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (foot/ankle) had his left foot and ankle wrapped and iced during Tuesday's joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. Evans appeared to be finished for the day after receiving treatment on the sideline, but head coach Kyle Shanahan later said the veteran was only experiencing some tightness and that he does not believe the issue is serious. That's encouraging after Evans only recently returned from a quadriceps strain suffered Aug. 1. He didn't get back into 11-on-11 work until Saturday, making it a quick turnaround between injury concerns. Evans signed a three-year deal with San Francisco in March after spending his first 12 seasons with Tampa Bay. He was limited to eight games last year, catching 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Tuesday's early exit is still worth noting, but Shanahan's update takes some of the concern out of the situation.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Tyler Biadasz Carted Off With Leg Injury
Los Angeles Chargers center Tyler Biadasz (leg) was carted off during Tuesday's joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers after going down in 11-on-11 drills. 49ers defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez fell on Biadasz's left knee, and the veteran center was unable to put weight on the leg before leaving on the cart. Biadasz signed a multi-year deal with Los Angeles in March and has been working as the Chargers' starting center, with rookie second-round pick Jake Slaughter listed behind him on the latest unofficial depth chart. Slaughter has already taken preseason snaps at center, so he would be the obvious in-house option if Biadasz misses time. The way he left the field was concerning, especially for an offensive line that added him to stabilize the middle. How much time Biadasz might miss now becomes the question for Los Angeles.
Source: Daniel Popper
Source: Daniel Popper
