RADIO
Carson Beck Won't Play in Thursday's Preseason Game Due to Rib Injury
Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck (rib) will not suit up for Thursday's second preseason contest against the Las Vegas Raiders due to a rib injury that he suffered in last Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The injury is not considered serious, though, and Beck practiced through the soreness all week. The Cardinals have decided to keep him out as a precaution and to allow for more time to heal. It remains to be seen if Beck will be cleared to participate in the third preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 22, against the Dallas Cowboys. The third-rounder went 15-for-19 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown in the first half last week against the Panthers. Even if veteran starter Jacoby Brissett misses time due to an injury in 2026, the 24-year-old Beck might not be the next man up under center in Arizona, with veteran Gardner Minshew also in the QB room.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Elmer Rodriguez's Control Issues Hindering his Stash Status
New York Yankees pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez struggled with command in his latest outing, walking five batters in just four innings of work, which was the fourth time this season he's walked four or more batters in an appearance. This latest step back followed two back-to-back solid showings from the Yankees' third-ranked prospect, whose ERA stands at 2.85 but with a 4.02 FIP, along with a 1.32 WHIP due in part to a high 12.5 percent walk rate. The right-hander will likely find himself back in New York in the coming weeks after having debuted with the club earlier this year, but after posting a 4.76 ERA (5.14 FIP) and not having pitched more than 4 2/3 innings in any of his four starts with the Yankees, optimism from a fantasy perspective should be tempered. The 22-year-old will make another start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, so any interested fantasy managers should monitor for any positive developments.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jayden Daniels' Camp Asks LSU to Return Heisman Trophy Copy
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels' representatives have asked LSU to return its copy of the Heisman Trophy he won in 2023, according to Matt Moscona. The request is the latest development in Daniels' dispute with the school over sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett wearing No. 5. Moscona also reported that Daniels personally contacted LSU leadership before fall camp to voice his displeasure with the decision. ESPN previously obtained a cease-and-desist letter from Daniels' attorney asking LSU to stop using his name, image and likeness. Pickett was promised No. 5 during his recruitment, and former LSU coach Brian Kelly said he would not issue it last season without Daniels' approval. LSU's current policy allows a number tied to a retired jersey to remain in circulation at the head coach's discretion. Moscona reports LSU has no intention of returning its Heisman copy.
Source: Matt Moscona
Source: Matt Moscona
Woody Marks Still Offers Late-Round PPR Value
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks isn't taking David Montgomery's job, but that doesn't make him an afterthought. Marks led Houston with 196 carries for 703 yards as a rookie and added 24 catches for 208 yards and three receiving touchdowns. The Texans brought in Montgomery to handle a major share of the backfield, and the veteran is viewed as capable of playing all three downs. Marks still has a way onto the field. Houston has been expanding his route work, and he has looked quicker this summer, including a 20-yard run with the first-team offense during camp. There is more competition behind them, too, with Jawhar Jordan putting together a strong summer. Marks isn't the safest bet for touchdowns, and his 3.6 yards per carry last year leaves some room for improvement. RotoBaller has him at RB47, though. That's low enough to take a chance on a second-year back who already handled 220 offensive touches and should stay involved as both a runner and receiver. He looks more useful as a late-round PPR target than a simple Montgomery handcuff.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ralphy Velazquez a Top Stash After Two-Home Run Effort
Cleveland Guardians first base/outfield prospect Ralphy Velazquez endured a 0-for-21 six-game stretch in late July, but since then, the Guardians' top-ranked prospect has been on an otherworldly power binge, blasting nine home runs in his last 12 games at Triple-A Columbus, including two home runs in Wednesday's contest, while batting .319 (15-for-47) over that time. The former first-rounder earned a promotion to Triple-A in mid-May and after scuffling a bit, he appears to be settling in just fine against the stiffer competition. The left-handed hitter is now slashing .258/.338/.485 with 13 home runs in 60 games with the Clippers, while striking out at a slightly-better-than-average rate of 21.5 percent and producing an 88th-percentile barrel rate of 12.4 percent that foretells more home runs to come. The 21-year-old could be the next Guardians prospect to debut this season, and should be considered a top stash option for power production in most 12-team leagues and deeper.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
LeQuint Allen Jr. Emerging as Jacksonville's Passing-Down Back
Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. barely touched the ball as a rookie, but his role is starting to look a lot more useful for fantasy. Allen finished 2025 with 23 carries for 94 yards and 10 catches for 54 yards. He was already Jacksonville's best pass-blocking back, and that skill has carried over into a pretty specific job this summer. During the Jaguars' Aug. 7 mock game, Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. handled the early-down work while Allen came in on every third down and caught a touchdown from Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville's first unofficial depth chart now lists Tuten and Rodriguez as co-starters, with Allen next in line. That does not make Allen a threat to lead the backfield in carries, especially with Rodriguez built for short-yardage work and Tuten offering more explosiveness. Allen did catch 64 passes in his final season at Syracuse, though, so the receiving role is not coming out of nowhere. In deeper PPR leagues, he is becoming an interesting late-round stash if Jacksonville keeps trusting him on passing downs.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Another Productive Stretch Push James Tibbs III to MLB Debut?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has been hitting the ball well after a late-July swoon, hitting safely in 12 of his last 14 games, going 20-for-57 (.351) over that stretch with five doubles, a triple, a home run, three steals, and an impressive 12:13 BB:K. The home run broke a 29-game drought without a round-tripper, and the three steals are nearly half of his season total, which now stands at seven. The recent surge has brought his 2026 slash line to .294/.417/.537 with 22 home runs, and his 84 RBI and 88 runs scored are both top-five totals at Triple-A. It has been a very productive season for the Dodgers' seventh-ranked prospect, but there simply has been no room for him on the major league roster to enable a major league debut, and that remains the case today. With other options who are already on the 40-man roster in Oklahoma City that can play outfield (i.e., Ryan Ward, Alek Thomas, Hyeseong Kim), Tibbs' hopes of a 2026 debut have dimmed considerably. Consider him a speculative stash with upside if he found his way to at-bats in Los Angeles.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Twins Reinstate Byron Buxton From Injured List
The Minnesota Twins announced on Thursday that they reinstated outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) from the 10-day injured list. The Twins have not announced their starting lineup for Thursday's game at home against the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Aaron Nola, but we'd think that Buxton would be back in the lineup, potentially as the designated hitter. Buxton is finally back from a right-hip impingement that kept him out since July 28. Now that the 32-year-old three-time All-Star is back in Minnesota, fantasy managers should be ready to reinsert him into their starting lineups. Buxton had a career-high 35 home runs, drove in 83 runs, and stole 24 bags in a resurgent 2025 campaign, and although he hasn't been quite that good in 2026, his power continues to be very valuable for fantasy managers. He is returning to a .263/.320/.544 slash line with an .864 OPS, 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven steals through 82 games played this year. Buxton hit just .207 (6-for-29) with zero home runs in nine games in July before going on the IL, so the Twins are hoping he can get going again as they seek a playoff spot down the stretch.
Source: Minnesota Twins
Source: Minnesota Twins
Saquon Barkley Has Left Foot/Ankle Checked at Practice
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had his left foot/ankle checked by a trainer during Thursday's practice, according to Brooks Kubena. Barkley was sitting on the ground while being examined before getting back to his feet without his cleat on. There was no immediate diagnosis, and nothing in the initial report suggested how much time, if any, he might miss. Barkley is coming off a 2025 season in which he rushed 280 times for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns over 16 games, while adding 37 catches for 273 yards and two more scores. The 29-year-old remains the clear lead back in Philadelphia. If this turns into something that costs Barkley practice time, Will Shipley is listed second on the Eagles' first unofficial depth chart, with Tank Bigsby third. For now, there simply isn't enough information to treat Thursday's trainer visit as anything more than something to monitor.
Source: Brooks Kubena
Source: Brooks Kubena
Kevin Jennings "Ahead of Schedule" in his Return from Injury
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (finger) has been limited in fall practice with a finger injury, but On3 Brett McMurphy reports that he is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery and will begin throwing again next week. This is great news for the Mustangs, as it will give the third-year starter three weeks ahead of the Week 1 matchup against Florida State. The Dallas, Texas, native is entering his fifth year of college football and has thrown for 7,709 yards and 55 touchdowns for his hometown team. Jennings led the program to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, and SMU has the chance to compete for an ACC crown in 2026.
Source: Brett McMurphy - On3
Source: Brett McMurphy - On3
Puka Nacua Not Spotted at Practice on Thursday
ESPN's Sarah Barshop did not spot Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) at training camp practice on Thursday. It doesn't come as much of a surprise after Nacua was pulled from Tuesday's practice as a precaution with a minor groin injury. ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Wednesday that the Rams could keep Nacua out for "a few days," and he almost certainly won't be available to suit up in the preseason opener on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Barring a setback with his groin, Nacua should be all systems go for a Week 1 showdown in Australia against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers in early September. The 25-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2023 from BYU has quickly become one of the best receivers in the NFL through three seasons, making two Pro Bowls and accumulating 4,191 receiving yards, 313 catches, and 19 touchdowns in 44 regular-season games for the Rams. Nacua is the team's undisputed top target for quarterback Matthew Stafford, and he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 2 fantasy WR as he enters his fourth year in the league. UPDATE: Nacua is working on a side field on Thursday with trainers.
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Desmond Reid Not Expected to Return to College Football
Former Pittsburgh running back Desmond Reid is not expected to return to college football after exploring the option, according to Pete Nakos of On3. While a few players around the country were given an extra season of eligibility following Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado granting a class-wide preliminary injunction that requires the NCAA to declare eligible all high school class of 2022 athletes who exhausted four seasons of eligibility this spring, Reid signed an NFL contract with the Buffalo Bills, and would face "multiple road blocks" from the NCAA to return to action. In four seasons with the Panthers, Reid tallied 492 carries for 2,985 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns. Ja'Kyrian Turner is expected to lead the Pitt backfield in 2026.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Bears' "Sole Focus" is on Building New Stadium in Indiana
Chicago Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren said the organization's "sole focus in this point in time" is building a new stadium and development in Hammond, Indiana, according to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic. Sites for the new stadium are still being explored, though, and conversations with the state of Illinois continue. The Bears' new stadium search has now been ongoing for around five years after the announced plans in September of 2021 to purchase the 326-acre Arlington Park property in northwest suburban Arlington Heights, the former site of Arlington International Racecourse. The sale was finalized in 2023, but the following year, Warren and team officials held a press conference announcing a proposal to build a new stadium on the lakefront in Chicago, just south of Soldier Field. Stadium discussions stalled in the city and suburbs, which led to Indiana lawmakers stepping up their efforts to entice the Bears to move over state lines to Northwest Indiana.
Source: The Athletic - Jonathan Jones
Source: The Athletic - Jonathan Jones
Dontayvion Wicks Looking Like Eagles' WR2 in Training Camp
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks keeps making noise in training camp. John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia called Wicks the Eagles' WR2 on Thursday and said he was "outstanding again" before highlighting another connection with Jalen Hurts. Wicks beat cornerback Riq Woolen for a touchdown on the play, talked a little trash afterward and then celebrated with Hurts. This hasn't been a one-day flash, either. Wicks has been making plays throughout camp, including a one-handed grab earlier this month, and Philadelphia has him with the starting group on its first unofficial depth chart. The Eagles acquired him from Green Bay in April after he caught 30 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns last season. He has 108 catches for 1,328 yards and 11 scores through three NFL seasons. With A.J. Brown now in New England, there was always going to be room for another receiver to step forward. So far, Wicks looks like he is doing exactly that.
Source: John Clark
Source: John Clark
Barion Brown Draws Comparison to Former Saints Wideout
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Barion Brown received a pretty notable comparison from Chris Olave on Thursday. According to Erin Summers, Olave said Brown reminds him a lot of former Saints receiver Rashid Shaheed, adding that the two are "basically the same player." Brown came to New Orleans as a sixth-round pick after finishing his college career with 175 catches for 2,060 yards and 12 touchdowns. His return work stands out even more. Brown averaged 29.4 yards on 65 kickoff returns and took six of them for touchdowns, an SEC career record. He has also been making plays as a receiver in camp, with Kellen Moore praising his progress earlier this month and the Saints noting that Brown was on the receiving end of several deep balls early in camp. New Orleans has plenty of competition at receiver, including Chris Olave, first-round pick Jordyn Tyson, Devaughn Vele and fourth-round pick Bryce Lance. Brown may not have an immediate redraft role, but he is giving dynasty managers something to watch.
Source: Erin Summers
Source: Erin Summers
