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Bengals Release Veteran Quarterback Josh Johnson
The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran quarterback Josh Johnson on Sunday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The end of the line could be coming for the 40-year-old journeyman QB who has spent time with the Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Cleveland Browns over the course of his 10 NFL seasons since being drafted in the fifth round by Tampa back in 2008 from the University of San Diego. If Johnson does latch on with another squad before the start of the 2026 campaign, he will merely be veteran QB depth with a path to a starting role very unlikely. He played in five games (two starts) with the Commanders last year and threw for 372 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 54 passing attempts. Johnson has a 58.7% career completion percentage with 2,669 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions in 50 games (11 starts).
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Cardinals Acquire Tight End Hunter Long From the Jaguars
The Arizona Cardinals acquired tight end Hunter Long from the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. It is unclear what the Cardinals sent to the Jaguars in return. With the move, Long will join a tight end room in Arizona that includes starter Trey McBride, one of the best pass-catching TEs in the NFL, Elijah Higgins, and Teagan Quitoriano. The 28-year-old former third-rounder by the Miami Dolphins in 2021 from Boston College has primarily been a blocking-first tight end in his five years in the NFL, accumulating just 20 catches on 29 targets for 153 yards and two touchdowns in 46 games played (eight starts) with the Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, and Jaguars. Long had his best season last year with Jacksonville, catching 12 of 17 targets for 85 yards and two touchdowns in nine regular-season games. He will have a better shot at playing time in Arizona, but Long is still a big long shot for fantasy relevance in 2026.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Bucky Irving Could Lose Goal-Line Touches
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving could be in danger of losing touches with the news on Sunday. The Bucs have decided to cut Josh Williams and keep Sean Tucker on their 53-man roster. Tucker figures to serve as the third back behind Kenneth Gainwell, with Irving being the starter. Normally, Tucker's presence doesn't mean much outside of his one monster game per season. However, the Bucs tend to trust Tucker the most out of their backs in goal-line situations. His work in the red zone could be why the Bucs decided to keep him around. His presence will likely be a thorn in the side of Irving, but the 24-year-old should still offer RB2 value as the lead back in Tampa Bay.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Sean Tucker Makes 53-Man Roster
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker has made the 53-man roster, according to Jenna Laine. Tucker was on the roster bubble, but the Bucs decided to keep him and his $3.5 million salary for the upcoming season. Instead, the Bucs have cut running back Josh Williams, which leaves Tucker as the third back in Tampa Bay. The 24-year-old is unlikely to have a huge role behind Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell. It seems that Tucker is good for one epic game per season to get fantasy managers hyped, but then he fails to capitalize on it. He remains a stash in dynasty formats, as he could be one injury away from getting consistent touches in the backfield. UPDATE: Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Tucker agreed to a new one-year deal with the Bucs on Sunday that includes $2.5 million guaranteed.
Source: Jenna Laine
Source: Jenna Laine
George Kittle Expected to Practice This Week
According to Adam Schefter, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is expected to practice this week. Despite recent reports suggesting that he might have had a setback in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, he has not had any setbacks and has a legitimate chance to play in Week 1. Kittle is still working his way back from an Achilles tendon injury that happened on January 11. The veteran tight end has been working hard and is pushing to be available for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. He was activated from the active/PUP list last Sunday and is trending towards getting on the practice field this week. His status for Week 1 is still cloudy, but it sounds like Kittle won't miss much time to begin the season. Fantasy managers should continue to check for updates throughout the week on Kittle's status.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Jake Browning Gets Released by Buccaneers
According to Adam Schefter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jake Browning was released by the team on Sunday. Browning signed with the Bucs in March with the expectation that he'll be the backup to Baker Mayfield. The 30-year-old had a quiet preseason, completing 10-of-15 passing attempts for 86 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. He was outperformed by rookie Jalon Daniels, who snags the No. 2 job behind Mayfield. Browning made a handful of appearances during his time in Cincinnati whenever Joe Burrow was injured. It wouldn't be shocking to see Browning land elsewhere as a backup, but Daniels is the biggest winner here. There's some stash value for Daniels in deeper dynasty leagues.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Bhayshul Tuten Offers Intriguing Upside
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten will get a chance to be the full-time lead back this upcoming season. The 23-year-old will get an opportunity to show that he can be the cornerstone option in the backfield. Recent reports have been saying that Tuten is being more active as a pass-catcher lately. A legit dual-threat back is a rarity in football, and fantasy managers shouldn't pass up an opportunity to possibly land one. The Jags have Chris Rodriguez Jr. and LeQuint Allen Jr. as backup options, but neither player has shown the same upside as Tuten. He's ranked as the No. 25 running back in Rotoballer's rankings and has a great chance to rise quickly.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
DJ Moore Could Offer Top-15 Upside
Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore could emerge as one of the best sleepers at this position. The 29-year-old struggled during his final season with the Chicago Bears last season. He finished with 50 receptions, 682 receiving yards, and six touchdowns in 17 games. Certainly a down year for Moore, who is often a 1,000-yard receiver. The Bears had a crowded receiver room, so a move elsewhere was best for Moore's value. He landed in Buffalo that might end up being the best thing for his career. Moore can be the WR1 wideout in Buffalo with Stefon Diggs departing elsewhere. The veteran wideout is underrated with his current ADP of 54.8. If everything goes right for Moore, he could finish with a top-15 season with his new team.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Trevor Lawrence Offers League-Winning Upside at a Low-QB1 Cost
For four and a half seasons, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was viewed as a fantasy disappointment after coming into the league with monumental expectations as the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but halfway through the 2025 season, something clicked for him in Liam Coen's play-action and motion-heavy offense. Over the final 10 weeks of the season, Lawrence was the QB1, scoring 6.7 fantasy points per game with his legs alone while garnering MVP consideration. The team's mid-season trade for Jakobi Meyers helped to retool the wide receiver room following Travis Hunter's season-ending LCL tear, and a connection with Parker Washington turned the third-year veteran into the latest receiver to star out of the slot in Coen's offense. Even with Brian Thomas Jr. facing second-year struggles, the Jaguars' offense proved to be one of the league's most dynamic down the stretch, and with nearly his full complement of pass-catchers returning for 2026, Lawrence is well set up for another big year and could prove to be a league-winner for the second consecutive season, as he's currently being drafted as the QB10.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zavion Thomas Sets the Tone by Going 97 Yards on His First NFL Play
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas did not participate in the team's first two preseason outings as he dealt with minor knee soreness earlier in camp, but he wasted no time making his presence felt on Saturday night. Thomas got behind the defense with a double move on the first play of his NFL career and outraced everyone for a 97-yard touchdown to set the tone in a 24-15 win over the Titans. He would finish the night with five catches on five targets and a team-leading 140 yards to go with his game-opening score, showcasing his value as a potential third or fourth receiver in what projects to be a high-powered Chicago offense. The Bears have no lack of playmakers atop the depth chart with second-year pass-catchers Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland and former ninth overall pick Rome Odunze. Still, Thomas' unique skill set could lead to manufactured touches in a gadget role and a path to fantasy relevance. Landing outside of RotoBaller's top 300 players, he is not a player who needs to be targeted in 2026 drafts, but his early-season involvement should be monitored, with fantasy managers ready to make a waiver claim.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Nicholas Singleton Ends Preseason Without Any Signature Moments
Tennessee Titans rookie running back Nicholas Singleton ran the ball seven times for 26 yards in Saturday's 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears, adding two receptions for 18 yards and putting a cap on a solid but unspectacular first preseason. Both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears have looked sharp in their limited action, each averaging more than 5.6 yards per carry on 12 combined totes, but with neither suited up for the final game of the 2026 preseason, Singleton got the start and earned a target on an opening drive that went three-and-out. Singleton was selected in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but with many believing he would have gone earlier if not for a broken foot sustained during Senior Bowl practice, he was a popular sleeper pick to start the summer. After running firmly behind Pollard and Spears for most of camp, the veterans appear to have a lock on any fantasy viability to be found out of the Titans' running backs room, and at RotoBaller's RB75, Singleton is not a player who needs to be considered in 2026 drafts.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jalon Daniels Wins Buccaneers Backup Job
Following an impressive training camp and appearances in all three of the team's preseason games, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will name undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels as the backup quarterback behind Baker Mayfield, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. A true dual threat across his extended time at Kansas, Daniels ended his six-year collegiate career with 9,273 passing yards, 1,916 rushing yards, and 90 combined touchdowns. He began training camp as the fourth quarterback behind veteran Jake Browning and 2025 practice squader Connor Bazelak, but he has made plays throughout the summer and will begin his rookie season in the number two role.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Gervon Dexter Traded to Falcons for Clark Phillips III and a Pick
The Chicago Bears have sent defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons in a trade for cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. A second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Dexter has appeared in 49 games for the Bears, starting all 17 contests in 2025 while recording a career-high six sacks. Phillips, who went in the fourth round of the same draft class, has appeared in 28 games for the Falcons, making only seven career starts and missing all but one game of the 2025 season with a triceps injury, and he will add depth to a thin Bears cornerback room. In Atlanta, Dexter will battle for a rotational role on the interior of the Falcons' 3-4 base defense, but neither player is expected to make an impact in IDP fantasy leagues.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Lions Comfortable with Jacob Saylors as the No. 2 Running Back
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors has carried the ball only twice since coming into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023, but he could open the season as the team's primary backup behind three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs. After trading away veteran David Montgomery, the Lions signed Isiah Pacheco (back, knee) to a one-year free agent deal, but with the former Chief dealing with back and knee injuries and his Week 1 availability up in the air, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Saturday that he'd be comfortable playing Saylors in that role if necessary, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "I'm comfortable with those guys. And I just like the thought of having a guy in our system, think that's important. Knows our terminology, knows our guys, knows the protections. Just kind of knows it all, man. Understands our quarterback and how he thinks. I just think that's important." Saylors, who has seen the Lions' heaviest running back rush share in each of the past two preseasons, ran for 100 yards on 17 carries in Saturday's 25-16 win over the Colts, and he is now a player to pay attention to as a potentially critical handcuff to begin the 2026 season.
Source: Dave Birkett
Source: Dave Birkett
Has George Kittle "Taken a Step Back"?
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently met with the media, and a passing comment about tight end George Kittle (Achilles) could be interpreted to mean that the All-Pro tight end has had a setback in his recovery from the Achilles injury that ended his 2025 season. While discussing the potential Week 1 availability of a handful of injured players, Shanahan mentioned his star tight end, saying, "Guys like Kittle, who's taken a step back." He was not asked for further clarification, but with Kittle having been activated from the active/physically unable to perform list on August 23rd, it's possible Shanahan meant a step toward playing. Following a string of positive recovery news, Kittle had risen to RotoBaller's TE9, but as posited by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Shanahan will likely have some further explaining to do when he next meets with the media.
Source: Mike Florio
Source: Mike Florio
