RADIO
Bryce Young Will Not Play in Hall of Fame Game
With the first action of the 2026 preseason slated for Thursday, August 6, when the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals meet for the Hall of Fame Game, participation and usage of teams' starters and depth players will soon become a major storyline, and the Panthers have already announced that quarterback Bryce Young will not see any action in the preseason opener. With head coach Dave Canales telling reporters that most of the team's starters will sit, veteran Kenny Pickett will draw the start. Young enters his fourth season with no long-term extension in place, making 2026 a critical proving year after three up-and-down seasons, and at RotoBaller's QB26, he is viewed as little more than an occasional streaming option in single-quarterback leagues.
Source: Steve Reed - AP News
Source: Steve Reed - AP News
Brian Thomas Jr. Described as "Unreal" by Head Coach
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was one of fantasy's biggest disappointments in 2025, but reports coming out of training camp would suggest he's primed for a bounce-back in Year 3. Head coach Liam Coen touched upon the connection he's seen between Thomas and quarterback Trevor Lawrence since the spring, telling reporters, "I've just sensed a different dude in terms of confidence, the way he carries himself, his communication... I am confident in him right now, and I know Trevor is, too." Coen also referred to his route-running as "unreal" and anticipates a major downfield role for him in 2026. It is worth noting that much of Thomas' rookie season success came when the team was drawing up plays for him closer to the line of scrimmage, so caution is still warranted with a deep receiver room capable of making him more of a boom or bust play than a sure thing, but with his current ADP pushed all the way down to WR34, he represents a high-upside swing in the middle rounds of drafts.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Greg Dulcich "Day-to-Day" with Undisclosed Injury
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich has missed consecutive practices with an undisclosed injury, but head coach Jeff Hafley is considering him day-to-day, telling reporters he could be back next week, with the Dolphins scheduled for joint practice sessions with the Commanders ahead of their preseason opener. After a strong close to the 2025 season, Dulcich could be in line for the largest workload of his career, with the Dolphins lacking premier pass-catching options outside of running back De'Von Achane, but a history of hamstring injuries has cost him more than 20 games across his first four seasons. His status will need to be monitored when he does return, but at RotoBaller's TE27, he has clear sleeper potential as a necessary piece of the Dolphins' passing attack.
Source: C. Isaiah Smalls II
Source: C. Isaiah Smalls II
Bijan Robinson Agrees to Historical Extension
Running back Bijan Robinson has agreed to a three-year extension with the Atlanta Falcons worth up to $75 million. The deal includes $51 million in guaranteed money, which is the highest ever paid to a running back, and the new average annual value of $25 million exceeds that of Saquon Barkley by $4.4 million. Robinson has topped 1,400 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons while adding 140 receptions and an additional 1,251 receiving yards over that span. With Kevin Stefanski taking over as head coach and Robinson's long-time running mate Tyler Allgeier departing in free agency, expectations have only gotten higher for the fourth-year player, and he is RotoBaller's RB2 for 2026, behind only Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs, who is likely now in line for a substantial payday of his own.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Davis Allen Will be Given "Some Time" to Heal From Quad Injury
Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen (quadriceps) is dealing with a quad injury at training camp, and head coach Sean McVay said that the team will give Allen "some time" before he returns to practice because it's a soft-tissue injury, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. "You don't want to rush him back," McVay said. "Davis is going to be a big part of what we do this year." The 25-year-old is coming off the best year of his career in 2025 in his third year, but he only caught 24 of his 33 targets for 208 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (five starts) for L.A. McVay says that Allen will be a big part of the offense, but it's likely to come more in the form of blocking than as a fantasy-relevant pass-catcher. Allen will also have a hard time standing out in the box score with Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, and Terrance Ferguson all capable of pitching in on offense, too. Not to mention receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams drawing the vast majority of passing-game targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford. Allen won't be a factor in single-TE fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Michael Mayer Suffers Nose Injury on Monday
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (nose) left training camp practice early on Monday due to a busted nose, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Head coach Klint Kubiak said Mayer should be fine. Mayer will most likely miss a day or two before returning to the practice field this summer. The 25-year-old's fantasy ceiling is limited as long as Brock Bowers stays healthy in 2026. Bowers dealt with injuries in his second year in 2025, but Mayer only had 35 receptions for 328 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets in 13 games played (12 starts). The Raiders could use more two-tight-end sets under Kubiak this year, and they should be in better hands at the QB position with veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza, but that alone won't make the former second-rounder from Notre Dame viable in single-TE fantasy leagues. Right now, Mayer is ranked at RotoBaller as the No. 35 overall fantasy TE as he heads into his third year in the league.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Rookie Receiver Caleb Douglas Striving for More Consistency
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas has shown some flashes so far in training camp, but he still has plenty of things to improve on while striving for more consistency, according to C. Isaiah Smalls II of The Miami Herald. The Texas Tech standout also had a rough minicamp last month, but regardless, he will have plenty of opportunity in his first year in the NFL in a new offense after the team traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos and released injured wideout Tyreek Hill (knee). "I've been impressed," head coach Jeff Hafley said. "I think he's still got work to do and within the scheme, but we've moved him around. He's made some contested catches, which I think is very impressive with guys right there." The 6-foot-4 wideout has been somewhat of a safety blanket for new QB Malik Willis. Quarterback Quinn Ewers said Douglas' "size" makes him a valuable target. The 22-year-old third-rounder is competing with Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell as Willis' top target in 2026. It's not the ideal situation to be in, but the opportunity alone will make Douglas an intriguing late-round flier in deeper fantasy leagues in his first NFL season.
Source: The Miami Herald - C. Isaiah Smalls II
Source: The Miami Herald - C. Isaiah Smalls II
Tony Pollard to Handle Between 12-16 Carries a Game?
During a Q&A on Titans Camp Live, reporter Paul Kuharsky said Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is expected to get at least 12 carries per game this season, ideally up to 16 if the team is in the lead. Kuharsky also said fifth-round rookie Nicholas Singleton would compete for Pollard's workload, while Tyjae Spears would handle receiving and third-down work. Pollard is one of two backs to have four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, alongside Ravens running back Derrick Henry. With Spears and now Singleton competing for carries, Pollard will hope the Titans' offense takes a leap in production under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Christian Kirk Still Sitting Out on Monday
San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) was observed running on a side field during Monday's training camp practice, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Kirk wasn't running full speed, but the fact that he was doing anything at all suggests that he could be back at practice with the rest of the team sooner rather than later. The 49ers are all kinds of banged up in camp at the receiver position, with Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season already and veteran Mike Evans (quadriceps) and rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) sidelined with minor injuries. The 29-year-old Kirk could have a bigger role in San Fran's passing attack in his first year with the team in 2026 with Pearsall out, but the Niners' recent signing of veteran Deebo Samuel Sr. probably makes Kirk a non-factor for fantasy managers in 12-team leagues to begin the season. At best, Kirk will be a late-round flier as RotoBaller's No. 85-ranked fantasy WR. The former second-rounder by the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 from Texas A&M has played in only 21 games due to injuries the last two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, and he had a 28-239-1 line in 13 regular-season games with Houston in 2025.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Sam Darnold Adjusting to New Offensive Coordinator
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is entering his second season with the team and his first under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. After winning the Super Bowl in 2025 under now-Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, Darnold and the Seahawks offense will need to adjust to a new playcaller. Darnold described his new coordinator as "stoic, even-keeled, and consistent," a style similar to his previous offensive playcaller in Kubiak. Both were with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, when Darnold was the backup quarterback, and Fleury was the tight ends coach. While a "Super Bowl Regression" is possible in Seattle, Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and the rest of the Seahawks offense will hope to go back-to-back this season.
Source: Brady Henderson - ESPN
Source: Brady Henderson - ESPN
Broncos in "No Hurry Right Now" to Bring in Taysom Hill
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on Monday that "there's no hurry right now" to bring in free-agent tight end Taysom Hill, according to Luca Evans of The Denver Post. Payton added that he's set to see Hill in five days at quarterback Drew Brees' Hall of Fame induction. The head coach also said later that he needs to see where Hill is mentally and whether he even wants to play another season in the NFL. The 35-year-old Swiss Army Knife for the New Orleans Saints for the last nine years has parted ways with the organization and will play for another team if he returns for a 10th season in 2026. In 13 games with the Saints last year, Hill carried the ball 52 times for 114 yards (career-low 2.2 yards per carry) and just one touchdown, adding 11 catches for 91 yards on 16 targets as a receiver. The Broncos already have a pretty crowded receiver and running backs room, as well as veteran TE Evan Engram, so Hill could be an odd fit if he were to join Denver. Payton would surely find a way to use Hill to his advantage, but he would most likely operate in more of a gadget role that wouldn't lend itself to much fantasy football value.
Source: The Denver Post - Luca Evans
Source: The Denver Post - Luca Evans
Mason Taylor "Excited" to Play Alongside Rookie TE
Despite the team's decision to draft a tight end in the first round, New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor is excited to play alongside Oregon rookie Kenyon Sadiq. On Sadiq's selection, Taylor said, "I was excited. It's great for our team, makes the room better, the competition better. He's a great kid. He's come in here and learned fast. He's asked questions. It's exciting. It opens the door for all of us. I think that's the best part of it. We're just all excited about it." Taylor also added that offensive coordinator Frank Reich is going to have lots of fun creating an offense that includes both Sadiq and himself. As a rookie, Taylor hauled in 44 of 65 passes for 369 yards and one touchdown in 13 games. With Sadiq expected to take a ton of work from Taylor, the second-year tight end is not fantasy-relevant entering the 2026 season.
Source: Colin Martin - SNY
Source: Colin Martin - SNY
KC Concepcion's Shoulder Injury Not Believed to be Serious
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion (shoulder) is expected to be okay after suffering a shoulder injury in practice on Monday. Concepcion took a hard fall on a short pass over the middle from Deshaun Watson, prompting attention from the Browns' medical staff. While there is no specific timeline for when the 2026 first-round pick will return to practice, it's good to know the injury is not significant. According to multiple reports, Concepcion has had a fantastic camp, operating in the first-team offense in the slot. The rookie receiver is currently ranked WR48 in RotoBaller's rankings and, assuming he's healthy and ready to go for Week 1, should have a chance to be the lead receiver for Cleveland in 2026.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Trey Benson Experiencing Discomfort in his Knee
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) experienced discomfort and flaring in his left knee, head coach Mike LaFleur told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. LaFleur said Benson was feeling better on Monday, though, which is "good news," and the head coach doesn't expect it to be a multi-week issue. The Cardinals are being cautious with Benson on a daily basis after he required season-ending arthroscopic surgery on the same knee last season. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2024 from Florida State only played in four games in 2025 in his sophomore campaign with the Cardinals, and then the organization went out and drafted Jeremiyah Love in the first round and signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency. As things currently stand, Benson is the Cardinals' RB4 in training camp behind Allgeier, Love, and James Conner. The good news is that Benson could end up playing in Thursday's Hall of Fame preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, and he should be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. However, Benson's value may have dropped more than any fantasy RB since the start of last year due to injuries and added competition in the backfield. Fantasy managers should be ignoring him in redraft leagues in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Bhayshul Tuten Sets Lofty Goals for 2026 Season
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten has his sights set on a career season in 2026 as he enters his first season as the starting running back. According to Senior NFL Analyst Tony Pauline, Tuten is chasing 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2026, which would be elite numbers for the 2025 fourth-round pick. With Travis Etienne now in New Orleans, Tuten is set to be the starter, with former Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. in line for a share of the backfield as well. Tuten has been "consistently terrific" in training camp so far, and head coach Liam Coen said he wants Tuten to "go be special, that's who you are. And we're definitely expecting Tuten to have a big year for us." The second-year back is ranked RB24 in RotoBaller's rankings and is listed as a 2026 breakout candidate.
Source: Tony Pauline -Essentially Sports
Source: Tony Pauline -Essentially Sports
