Tyler Shough Confident in His Ability to Lead
Tyler
Shough
believes
he
has
shown
enough
through
training
camp
practices
and
preseason
games
to
lead
his
team.
The
Saints
are
the
only
team
yet
to
announce
their
Week
1
starter
atread more...
New
Orleans
Saints
rookie
quarterback
Aireontae Ersery Has Tools to Become a Great Lineman
C.J. Stroud struggled in his sophomore season, largely due to the failings of the offensive line in front of him. The Texans now go into 2025 with a new offensive coordinator and an overhauled offensive line, and with Ersery manning his blindside, the hope out of Houston is that Stroud can return to the form that won him Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.Source: Kevin Patra
The Houston Texans spent their second-round pick on Minnesota offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery, and he has since drawn the praise of journalists and teammates alike. Former first-round pick and 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year was asked on Saturday which rookies had impressed him through camp, and he didn't hesitate to name Ersery. He quickly pointed out Ersery's work ethic and noted that he has all the tools to become a great offensive lineman in the league. Texans quarterback TreVeyon Henderson Viewed as Top Offensive Weapon in New England
TreVeyon Henderson has emerged as one of the team's top offensive weapons. Even though he is currently fighting for the starting running back job alongside Rhamondre Stevenson, Henderson has shown immense upside during the preseason and should be in the mix for a significant role early in the season. The team's executive vice president Eliot Wolf said that "I've been maybe most impressed with his ability to run between the tackles." During the preseason, Henderson has looked very strong in both the rushing and receiving game. The former second-round pick has seen his ADP continue to surge in the preseason, and he could be in the mix to overtake the starting job in the near future. Given his upside as a playmaker, he should be viewed as an RB2 in all formats, despite potentially sharing time with Stevenson.Source: Chad Graff
According to Chad Graff of The Athletic, New England Patriots rookie running back Graham Mertz Shines in Preseason Start
Graham Mertz got the start in the team's preseason finale in Detroit on Saturday, and the sixth-round rookie had a very strong showing while leading his team to a 26-7 win over the Lions. With starter C.J. Stroud and primary backup Davis Mills getting the day off, Mertz completed 14 of his 16 pass attempts for an efficient 145 passing yards. He threw a touchdown to Quintez Cephus and led three scoring drives before halftime. He also added 20 rushing yards on two carries. Mertz played ahead of Kedon Slovis, who was on the Texans' practice squad last year, and took over for the second half of Saturday's win. Mertz likely secured the third spot on the quarterback depth chart with his strong showing, while Slovis could be headed back to the practice squad.Source: ESPN.com
Houston Texans quarterback Ollie Gordon II Impresses Head Coach
Ollie
Gordon
II's
performance.
"I
think
Ollie
did
a
very
good
jobread more...
Following
Saturday's
14-6
win
over
the
Jacksonville
Jaguars,
Miami
Dolphins
head
coach
Mike
McDaniel
noted
that
he
was
impressed
with
rookie
running
back
Jacob Cowing Could Miss up to Six Weeks
Jacob
Cowing
(hamstring)
could
miss
up
to
six
weeks
with
a
hamstring
injury
he
suffered
last
week
during
practice.
The
second-year
pro
will
likelyread more...
San
Francisco
49ers
head
coach
Kyle
Shanahan
reports
that
wide
receiver
Keeanu Benton Might Not Be Ready for Week 1
Source: Noah Strackbein
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (upper body) is reportedly dealing with an undisclosed upper-body injury that has put his Week 1 status in doubt, according to Chris Halicke of DK Pittsburgh Sports. This is unfortunate news for Pittsburgh, as rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee) was also recently injured. It doesn't appear that there is any serious concern regarding whatever Benton is battling. Still, with Harmon set to miss at least their opening contest against the hosting New York Jets, it could be rookie Yahya Black, or former New England Patriot Daniel Ekuale getting the start if Benton can't suit up. The 24-year-old played the second-most snaps of all Pittsburgh defensive linemen a season ago, so any time missed by Benton would be unideal.Ricky Pearsall Flashing Chemistry with QB1
Ricky Pearsall and his chemistry with fourth-year quarterback Brock Purdy have been on full display this offseason, in camp, and during their lone preseason drive together. The 24-year-old is one of San Francisco's only healthy wideouts, and he and Purdy have worked hard to develop a connection ahead of the 2025 season. In the lone series the two shared during their victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Pearsall hauled in 3-of-4 targets for 42 yards and totaled more than half the 49ers' yardage. With conflicting reports around the health of teammate Jauan Jennings (calf) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to potentially miss six games of his own, the University of Florida alum is poised to handle a large workload in the early going of the season. He's a fine selection as a high-upside WR3/4 in PPR formats.Source: David Bonilla
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Calvin Austin III Returns to Running Routes in Practice on Sunday
Calvin Austin III (abdomen) was spotted in pads and running routes during the team's practice on Sunday, per Nick Farabaugh of PennLive. Austin III has been dealing with an abdominal injury for the better part of a month, but it appears he's trending towards being ready to go for Week 1. The 26-year-old recorded 36 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games for Pittsburgh in 2024. He's expected to play a key role as the team's lead slot receiver in 2025. If Austin III can quickly develop chemistry with new Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, there's an opportunity for him to emerge as the number two target-earner in Pittsburgh behind DK Metcalf. He may end up being a value in fantasy as a late-round flier.Source: PennLive - Nick Farabaugh
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Tyjae Spears Could Begin the Season on Injured Reserve?
Tyjae Spears (ankle), according to Easton Freeze of A to Z Sports. Spears suffered a high ankle sprain in preseason play and is reportedly still in a walking boot. It's unlikely that he will be ready to go for Week 1, and he could be sidelined for the first four weeks of the season if the team does indeed place him on injured reserve. Julius Chestnut and Kalel Mullings (ankle) would serve as the backups to Tony Pollard in the Titans backfield if Spears is forced to miss time, although Mullings is dealing with a minor ankle issue of his own. Spears profiles as a solid running back depth in fantasy when healthy.Source: A to Z Sports - Easton Freeze
Starting the season on the short-term injured reserve list is "in consideration" for Tennessee Titans running back Efton Chism III Misses Practice on Sunday
Efton Chism III (ankle, foot) did not practice on Sunday as he battles ankle and foot injuries, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. The same ailments kept Chism III from playing in the team's preseason finale against the New York Giants on Thursday. An undrafted free agent signee out of Eastern Washington, Chism III has been a standout in training camp and recorded 12 catches across the two preseason contests he took part in. He's reportedly fighting with second-year wide receiver Javon Baker for one of the last spots on New England's initial 53-man roster. Even if he makes the team, Chism III is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant in 2025, but he could be a name to monitor in dynasty formats.Source: ESPN - Mike Reiss
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Jauan Jennings Could Start the Season on Injured Reserve?
Jauan Jennings' (calf) "lingering calf issue and long contractual stalemate with (the team) could combine to send him to the injured reserve list," according to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard. Jennings has missed the majority of training camp with a calf issue and is also seeking a new contract from the team, which has led to speculation that the calf ailment is disguising a "hold-in." By threatening to place Jennings on injured reserve, which would sideline him for at least four weeks, the team would essentially be attempting to call his bluff. In Kawakami's report, he notes that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently said he expects Jennings to be on the field for Week 1. If that is indeed the case, Jennings profiles as a WR3/flex option in fantasy. However, he obviously comes with significant risk until both his injury and contract situations are resolved.Source: The San Francisco Standard - Tim Kawakami
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Patriots Shopping Kyle Dugger
The New England Patriots are shopping fifth-year safety Kyle Dugger, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. Despite starting in all 45 of his appearances in the previous three seasons and signing a four-year, $58 million extension in April 2024, DuggerAdrian Martinez Waived
Adrian Martinez on Sunday. Martinez, who went undrafted out of Nebraska in 2023, spent last season on the Jets' practice squad and competed for a roster spot this summer. The 25-year-old played in all three of the Jets' preseason games and went 30-for-51 (58.8%) for 352 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Starter Justin Fields and undrafted rookie Brady Cook are now the Jets' only healthy signal-callers. However, No. 2 QB Tyrod Taylor (knee) is on track for Week 1 after recently undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.Source: Eric Allen - NewYorkJets.com
The New York Jets waived quarterback Darian Kinnard Traded to Packers
Source: Adam Schefter
The Green Bay Packers have acquired offensive tackle Darian Kinnard from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2027 sixth-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The Eagles are parting with Kinnard after acquiring offensive tackle Fred Johnson from the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Kinnard entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 and has since appeared in just three regular-season games - one with the Chiefs in his rookie campaign and two with the Eagles last year. Amazingly, Kinnard has been a part of three straight Super Bowl-winning teams since he came into the league. The 25-year-old will go for four in a row as a member of the Packers while providing depth behind starters Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom.