RADIO
Tucker Kraft Expected to be Full-Go for Week 1
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee), who will not play in the team's preseason finale this week, is expected to be full-go for the Week 1 regular-season opener despite tearing his ACL last year, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Kraft took part in the team's joint practice against the Arizona Cardinals and took a couple of hard hits, but he did not seem to be bothered at all. "I needed some contact like that to wake up the nervous system and get ready for Week 1," said Kraft. The 25-year-old continues to practice despite not having come to an agreement with the team on a contract extension, but Kraft has made it sound like something could get done sooner rather than later. There have been reports that the Packers could put Kraft on a snap count early in the 2026 season as he continues to recover from a season-ending torn ACL, but if Wednesday is any indication, that could be out the window by the time Sept. 13 comes. After catching 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in just eight games last year, Kraft has clear breakout potential and top-five upside at the TE position for fantasy managers in his fourth year in the NFL.
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Matt Jeffrey Buzz is Real at Notre Dame Fall Camp
Notre Dame wide receiver Matt Jeffrey has generated buzz throughout fall camp and is now in the conversation to be a true contributor for the Fighting Irish this season. Jeffrey played lacrosse at Notre Dame and earned ACC Freshman of the Year, All-ACC, and All-American honors in 2026. Because lacrosse runs only in the spring, Jeffrey has spent the fall with the football team and has reportedly put on a show. Notre Dame's offensive coordinator said, "Matt has been incredible in fall camp and really has stepped into the discussion with all of the other four top WRs." With Jordan Faison, Quincy Porter, and Mylan Graham as the team's top receiver options, Jeffrey will likely struggle to find playing time in 2026. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on this wide receiver, as quarterback C.J. Carr is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the nation this season.
Source: Jack Soble
Source: Jack Soble
Chris Olave Returns to Practice on Wednesday
After an injury scare on Tuesday, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (upper body) returned to training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Olave got the wind knocked out of him when he landed hard on his back during practice on Tuesday, and he sat out the rest of practice. It was a brief scare for the team's best pass-catcher, but the 26-year-old is now completely fine and will be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough will continue to lean on Olave, with rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) set to miss the beginning of the season. Olave, a former 11th overall pick from Ohio State, was rewarded with a four-year, $132 million contract extension last month after setting career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 2025 in his fourth year in the league. With enough volume in head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense, Olave should continue to have a high floor in 2026, making him at least worthy of low-end WR1 status in fantasy football drafts. He is ranked as RotoBaller's WR10 in half-PPR scoring.
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Legend Glasker Drawing Praise
BYU freshman wide receiver Legend Glasker has drawn a ton of praise across the organization. On BYU Sports Nation, Glasker was hyped as an "All-Big 12 receiver." "He has absolutely ripped through camp. Not only was I told he could be one of the best freshmen in the Big 12, but he's going to be one of the best wide receivers in the Big 12." Listed at 6'1, 175 lbs, Glasker was a three-star recruit in high school but has reportedly been the buzz of camp at BYU. While Kyler Kasper, Jojo Phillips, and Tiger Bachmeier are the three receivers listed ahead of Glasker, the freshman's hype should have fantasy managers monitoring him throughout the season.
Source: BYU Sports Nation
Source: BYU Sports Nation
Mike Evans Plans to Play in Week 1 Despite Being Banged Up in Camp
San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (groin) plans to play in Week 1 in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams despite dealing with injuries in training camp this summer, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Evans' latest injury, a groin ailment, is considered to be minor, barring a setback. The future Hall of Fame wideout has also been held out of practices with quadriceps and calf injuries, although the Niners have mostly been cautious with their WR1. The 49ers have every reason to be extra cautious when considering their bad injury luck in recent seasons, let alone with an aging 33-year-old receiver who is no stranger to nagging lower-body injuries. The six-time Pro Bowler broke a string of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons in 2025 in his final campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing in only eight games due to injuries while catching 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns on 62 targets. A bounce-back could be coming in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense in 2026, but durability concerns alone make Evans a pretty big risk. His ideal value now comes as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3/flex in fantasy football drafts.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Lamar Jackson Says Injuries Led to Fewer Runs Last Year
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson started and finished just 11 of 17 games last season due to hamstring, knee, ankle, back, and toe injuries, which is why he says he attempted the fewest rushing attempts of his career, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "I believe you know ... a lot of people know [that] I was hurt last year, so I really could not do anything like I wanted to," Jackson said. Before last year, Jackson averaged 144 carries per season, but he only ran the ball 67 times in 2025. His bad injury luck began in Week 4, when he injured his right hamstring and missed the next three games. Despite the disappointing season, Jackson holds the NFL record for all-time rushing yards by a QB with 6,522. He is also 38 rushing attempts shy of breaking Cam Newton's record for most career carries by a signal-caller. When asked if he will run the ball more with better health in 2026, Jackson said, "Whatever it takes to win." With better health this year, Jackson should bounce back for fantasy managers as a high-end QB1 because of his elite rushing ability.
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Players Leaving for NCAA Can't Return to NFL in 2026 Season
The NFL informed its clubs on Wednesday that any player who returns to the college ranks will be prohibited from signing with an NFL team this season, according to ESPN. The league also reminded teams of the rule that any player signed to an NFL contract who is subsequently cut is a free agent. Those players can sign with another NFL team, join the CFL, or return to college. Any player cut by an NFL team who returns to the college ranks in 2026 will still be considered a free agent and therefore not subject to a future draft. Two NFL players, Cleveland's Dae'Quan Wright and New Orleans' Zxavian Harris, were cut by their respective teams to join the roster at LSU. A court order has recently granted players like Wright and Harris an unexpected extra year of eligibility. Players can regain their college eligibility if they terminate their NFL contracts and repay any pro earnings. After the recent court order, the SEC and Big Ten approved new rules on Tuesday that prevent players from leaving the NFL to join college teams.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Malik Davis Could Still Earn RB2 Job in Dallas
Nick Eatman of the Dallas Cowboys' official website writes that the running back hierarchy below starter Javonte Williams "is a question mark." They are not even sure anyone besides Williams has a solid spot on the roster, but "one would assume" that Malik Davis "has done enough to remain the backup." Second-year back Jaydon Blue played well in the preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals last week, though, as did Phil Mafah, who turned his only carry into a trip to paydirt. Blue is younger and has more all-around upside, but the 27-year-old Davis is not going away and could at least open the 2026 season as Williams' primary backup until further notice. Mafah and Israel Abanikanda are probably more on the 53-man roster bubble. In the long run in 2026, Blue figures to have the best chance to unseat Davis as Dallas' RB2 if everyone remains healthy. Davis had 52 rushing attempts last year for a career-high 250 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in 10 games played, and his efficiency carries some weight. He has some handcuff appeal in deeper fantasy leagues, but if you are looking for pure upside in that role, Blue is probably the better bet.
Source: DallasCowboys.com - Nick Eatman
Source: DallasCowboys.com - Nick Eatman
Mason Taylor Could Offer TE2 Upside
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor showed flashes of potential during his rookie campaign last year. Despite playing fairly well, the Jets went and drafted Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) in the first-round during this year's draft. Sadiq has been slow out of the gate while he recovers from injury, which has given Taylor time to take advantage of the extra playing time. Taylor has reportedly been a standout player early during training camp. It'll be interesting to see how the Jets operate once both tight ends are healthy again. Fantasy managers shouldn't count out Taylor as an option just because Sadiq is there now. The 22-year-old has TE2 upside in an offense that could favor tight end usage this upcoming season.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tez Johnson Could Get Lost in the Shuffle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson was dealing with a minor injury, but appears to be healthy and back at practice now. The second-year wideout has some work to do if he wants to earn a bigger role in the offense this upcoming season. The 24-year-old is currently behind Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Chris Godwin Jr. on the depth chart heading into the season. Johnson is currently battling for the fourth wideout spot with rookie Ted Hurst. Last season, Johnson opened some eyes with his big-play potential, but he still has more work to do. Johnson is a smaller receiver who is fast, but his size will probably limit him to situational usage. He could be worth holding in deeper dynasty leagues, but Johnson probably won't have a consistent role while everyone is healthy.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Brian Robinson Likely has RB2 Job Secured
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson joined the team this past offseason to help offer some support in the backfield after the departure of Tyler Allgeier. Robinson started in the preseason opener, but didn't see any action during their second preseason contest. The expectation is that Robinson will take over as the RB2 in Atlanta with Allgeier moving on to Arizona. The former third-round pick posted multiple quality years with the San Francisco 49ers. Robinson didn't see a ton of action last year with the Washington Commanders, but his YPC was solid at 4.35 this past season. The Falcons don't have a ton of reliable depth behind starter Bijan Robinson, so the overall competition is limited. The 27-year-old figures to serve as the primary backup, but Bijan Robinson is a workhorse back, so his overall value is likely capped.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kyle Pitts Sr. Continues to Gain Steam
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. is coming off the best season of his professional career. Finally, Pitts posted great numbers last season after a few average years in Atlanta. The Falcons changed quarterbacks this offseason, but that might actually help Pitts this upcoming season. Pitts has been a favorite target for new quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the preseason. The two are quickly building chemistry together, which is encouraging for fantasy managers. Pitts registered 88 receptions, 928 receiving yards, and five touchdowns this past season. He'll look to beat those numbers in 2026 as likely the No. 2 option behind Drake London in the passing attack.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
NFL Pro Bowl to be Eliminated
The NFL Pro Bowl will no longer have a standalone game or games, be it tackle or flag football, according to The Athletic. Eighty-eight players will receive the Pro Bowl honor with no alternates, which will corral a key aspect of the All-Star event that had "gotten out of whack in recent years." In place of the games, Pro Bowlers will be invited to visit Los Angeles for an in-person celebration in February. The process of selecting Pro Bowlers will stay the same. Ballots cast by fans, players, and coaches are weighted equally to determine the selections of the 88 players on offense, defense, and special teams across both conferences. "You start doing it over and over again, and now what we've compromised on becomes the standard," NFL vice president of football operations Troy Vincent Sr. told The Athletic. "And that is not the product the fans deserve nor the way the players want to be celebrated." The biggest issue for the Pro Bowl recently has been the lack of competitiveness in the game.
Source: The Athletic - Jonathan Jones
Source: The Athletic - Jonathan Jones
Jeremiah Beaman To Miss 2026 Season
On Tuesday, it was reported that Alabama defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman (knee) was injured in Sunday's practice. On Wednesday, it was revealed that Beaman suffered a season-ending ACL tear. Beaman started the season opener against Florida State in 2025 but didn't record any stats. He tore his ACL in practice the following week and missed the rest of the 2025 season. His ACL tear suffered on Sunday was in the same (left) knee. He was expected to play a significant part on Alabama's defensive line this season after his work in camp was held in high praise by coaches. Beaman recorded two tackles as a freshman in 2024. Transfers Kedrick Bingley-Jones (Mississippi State), Terrance Green (Oregon), Desmond Umeozulu (South Carolina), and Devan Thompkins (USC) are expected to fill the hole left by Beaman's injury.
Source: Nick Kelly on X
Source: Nick Kelly on X
Malik Nabers Leaves Practice Early, Not Injury-Related
The Athletic's Dan Duggan reported on Wednesday that New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers walked off with a trainer with 20 minutes left in training camp practice after having a full workload. Head coach John Harbaugh was unaware when first asked about Nabers leaving early and said that it "wasn't part of the plan," before later stating that "there's no injury." The 23-year-old former sixth overall pick from LSU tore his right ACL and meniscus and was limited to only four games in his sophomore season in 2025, and Nabers was just recently cleared to shed his non-contact jersey in training camp practices. Nabers is nearing the final stages of his recovery from his season-ending knee injury last year, and barring a setback before now and the Sept. 13 regular-season opener, he should be ready to face the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. Nabers could be eased in early in the 2026 season, but his continued improvement in his rehab has made him a more palatable low-end WR1 selection in fantasy football drafts.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
