RADIO
Israel Abanikanda Exceeding Expectations in Cowboys Camp
Dallas Cowboys running back Israel Abanikanda has exceeded expectations in training camp so far, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Abanikanda has not appeared in an NFL game since his rookie season in 2023, when he recorded 113 scrimmage yards on 29 touches across six games with the New York Jets. He spent the final portion of the 2025 season on the Cowboys' practice squad and is now competing for a spot on the team's 53-man roster this summer. Dallas has a clear leader in the backfield in running back Javonte Williams. However, the team's RB2 job appears to be an open competition between Jaydon Blue (shoulder), Malik Davis, and Phil Mafah. With all three of those players largely unproven as NFL contributors, Abanikanda may have a chance to work his way into the mix for the Cowboys. In deeper league formats, Abanikanda may be a name for fantasy managers to keep an eye on throughout the remainder of the preseason.
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Ollie Gordon II Has Earned Another Look in Deeper Drafts
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II has at least made the backup race worth watching again. Gordon was rough as a rookie, finishing with 199 yards and three touchdowns on 70 carries, but his first preseason showing was much better. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound back ran seven times for 39 yards against Washington while splitting reserve work with Jaylen Wright. Miami still lists Wright second behind De'Von Achane and Gordon third, so one good night hasn't changed the depth chart. The roles are different, too. Miami used Gordon more in short-yardage situations last season, while Wright was the back asked to fill in for Achane. That probably keeps Gordon from being a clean handcuff even if he keeps running well. RotoBaller has him 309th overall in its Aug. 19 PPR rankings, which is deep-draft territory. Gordon isn't a standard-league target yet, but after a better start to this preseason, he's at least earned another look in deeper formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quincy Porter Remains Injured, Unlikely to Play Week 1
Notre Dame wide receiver Quincy Porter remains "a couple of weeks out" as he recovers from a January surgery on his left patellar tendon. Porter reportedly had a minor procedure today with the hope of getting him back sooner, but a return for Week 1 seems unlikely at this point. In his place, Micah Gilbert looks to be running with the starting unit. Porter was a five-star recruit, but only caught four passes for 59 yards at Ohio State last season before transferring to Notre Dame.
Source: South Bend Tribune
Source: South Bend Tribune
Garrett Oakley Making Noise for Kansas State
Veteran tight end Garrett Oakley has been making noise this fall for Kansas State as the Wildcats transition to a new era under Colin Klein. Offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson said that Oakley is a player who always plays "extremely hard and [is] always looking to block someone down the field." Oakley has 71 receptions for 779 yards and 13 touchdowns in his three year career, and very well could emerge as the top target for Avery Johnson this fall after the departure of Jayce Brown to LSU.
Source: On3
Source: On3
DeAndre Hopkins Reunion With Texans Not Expected
A return to Houston apparently isn't in the cards for free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Texans are looking around for receiver help after losing Jayden Higgins for the season, but Aaron Wilson reports that they aren't expected to pursue a reunion with Hopkins. The 34-year-old spent his first seven NFL seasons in Houston, though things look much different now. Hopkins joined Georgia Tech's staff as an assistant wide receivers coach earlier this month after catching 22 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns with Baltimore last season. He hasn't officially retired and made a point of saying so after taking the coaching job. That leaves open the possibility of playing again somewhere, just apparently not with the team that drafted him. There isn't much reason for fantasy managers to count on any 2026 production.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Rashod Bateman Emerges in Houston's Receiver Search
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has come up in Houston's search for outside help after Jayden Higgins' season-ending injury. Aaron Wilson reports that the Texans have made exploratory trade calls about Bateman, but there is no indication that Baltimore is shopping him. Bateman is under contract through 2029 after signing a three-year, $36.75 million extension last offseason, and the Ravens are finding different ways to use him in their new offense. The 26-year-old said earlier this month that he's moving around more under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle after feeling like a one-dimensional receiver in the past. Bateman is trying to rebound from a rough 2025 season in which he caught 19 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He had 756 yards and nine scores the year before. Houston's interest is still in the exploratory stage, but Bateman would be a much more established addition than a typical depth signing if talks ever went anywhere.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Trent Hendrick Likely Headed to UCLA
Former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick was one of the players who was granted a fifth year in a recent Louisiana court ruling. Hendrick was the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year last year, playing a key role in JMU's run to the College Football Playoff. He recorded 85 tackles, six sacks, and three forced fumbles a year ago. Hendrick is reportedly leaning towards teaming up with former head coach Bob Chesney at UCLA, instantly filling a similar role to the one he held last season.
Source: On3
Source: On3
TJ Harden Receiving Interest from 4+ Schools
Former Seattle Seahawks, UCLA, and SMU running back TJ Harden was one of the players who was granted a fifth year of eligibility from a recent Louisiana court ruling. After playing in Seattle's preseason game last weekend, Harden was cut from the Seahawks and begin to seek a fifth year of college. He ran for 787 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and is a very capable college-level back. Harden is reportedly receiving interest from Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, and Syracuse. He would be an instant contributor at all four programs.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Thomas Castellanos Granted Fifth-Year of Eligibility, Expected to Land at Texas Tech
Former Boston College and Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos has been granted a temporary restraining order, giving him a fifth year of eligibility. Castellanos now has the option to enter the transfer portal, and Stewart Mandel of The Athletic believes he will land at Texas Tech. Castellanos has tons of experience at the collegiate level, throwing for 6,449 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions in his career. He started the bulk of games for Florida State last season, finishing 5-7 after an impressive win over Alabama in Week 1. Should he land at Texas Tech, he would likely open the season behind Will Hammond, who is recovering from a torn ACL. The Red Raiders have a hole at quarterback after the fallout from the Brendan Sorsby situation, and Castellanos would step in as an experienced veteran.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
Kayshon Boutte On Texans' Trade Radar
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is one of the players Houston has checked on as it searches for help at receiver. Aaron Wilson reports that the Texans have made exploratory trade calls about Boutte following Jayden Higgins' season-ending injury. There is no indication that a deal is close, and Boutte doesn't completely match Houston's reported preference for a bigger receiver at 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds. He does bring some downfield production. Boutte caught 33 passes for 551 yards and a career-high six touchdowns last season, averaging 16.7 yards per reception. He's also entering the final year of his rookie contract, while New England added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs during the offseason. Boutte has already acknowledged the trade rumors surrounding him this summer. Houston is now one team actually making calls, and a move would give Boutte a chance to find a clearer place in a receiver rotation.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Jordan Whittington Has More Real-Life Value Than Fantasy Appeal
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington has a role Sean McVay clearly values, but it still isn't much of a fantasy role. Whittington played all 17 games last season and started six, yet finished with only 18 catches for 171 yards on 25 targets and never found the end zone. He remains directly behind Puka Nacua on the Rams' unofficial depth chart and is also their top kick returner. McVay has called him steady and consistent, and Whittington was one of the receivers who stepped in when Nacua left the Aug. 11 joint practice. Nacua was still out Thursday with psoas soreness, so Whittington has gotten another look. The problem hasn't changed. Nacua and Davante Adams sit at the top of the passing game, and Los Angeles leaned heavily on three-tight-end personnel last season. RotoBaller has Whittington 347th overall and WR128 in its Aug. 19 PPR rankings. He's useful depth for the Rams, but standard redraft managers don't need to force him onto a roster.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Tonges Has a Short-Term Window for Fantasy Value
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges has a chance to matter early, but the window may be shorter than it looked a few weeks ago. George Kittle is still on Active/PUP after tearing his Achilles in January, which has left Tonges atop the current unofficial depth chart. Tonges earned some trust last year when Kittle missed time, catching 34 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games. He also had seven catches for 60 yards and a score against Chicago in Week 17, so there is at least some proof he can handle more than a blocking-only role. The 49ers brought him back on a two-year deal in March, and he's stayed involved with Brock Purdy during camp. The catch is Kittle's recovery. He said this week that Week 1 remains the goal, and the latest signs have been encouraging. Luke Farrell is getting work too. If Kittle isn't ready right away, Tonges could have some early streaming value. If Kittle is back on schedule, there isn't much season-long redraft appeal here.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Davis Refuses to Go Away in Dallas' Backfield
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis looked like the forgotten man in this backfield earlier in camp. He's making that harder to justify now. Davis led Dallas with 39 yards on seven carries in the preseason opener, and Brian Schottenheimer praised his vision and feel for the blocking scheme afterward. He was also the first back on the field after Javonte Williams during team work earlier this week. Davis has handled a bigger load before. When Williams went down in Week 17 last season, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound back ran 20 times for 103 yards. He finished the year with 250 yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries. Dallas' unofficial depth chart still has Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah ahead of him, so Davis hasn't won the backup job. Blue's shoulder issue and Mafah's recent injury have given him another opening, though, and he's taking advantage of it. RotoBaller has Davis at RB92 in PPR. He's outside normal redraft range, but this backup race is a lot less settled than it looked earlier in camp.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jayden Higgins Placed on Season-Ending IR
Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins was officially placed on season-ending injured reserve Friday, according to Adam Schefter. Higgins tore his ACL during Tuesday's joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders, ending his second NFL season before it could begin. The 23-year-old was coming off a promising rookie year in which he caught 41 passes for 525 yards and six touchdowns while starting 10 of 17 games. His role had grown as the season went along, making this a tough loss for a Houston passing game that was expecting more from him in Year 2. The Texans will now have to replace those snaps and targets behind Nico Collins. Higgins can be dropped in all redraft leagues, while dynasty managers will have to stash him through what will be a lengthy recovery.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Cam Ward Putting Together a Strong Training Camp
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward hasn't been perfect this summer, but Robert Saleh has liked a lot more than he hasn't. Saleh told Terry McCormick that Ward has had practices where he's been "elite," along with a few days he'd probably like back. More often than not, though, Saleh said Ward is "doing a hell of a job" and making good decisions. The swings have shown up over the past week. Ward completed 21 of 25 passes with five touchdowns during arguably his best practice of camp, then went just 5-for-12 for 57 yards in Tennessee's preseason opener, despite leading a 95-yard touchdown drive to start the game. Ward threw for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a rookie, with another 159 yards and two scores on the ground. There is still plenty of room for him to grow, but Saleh clearly likes the progress Ward is making heading into his second season.
Source: Terry McCormick
Source: Terry McCormick
