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Keelon Russell, Austin Mack "Still Even" in Alabama QB Competition
Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said the quarterback competition between senior Austin Mack and sophomore Keelon Russell is "still even" when asked if either player has separated themselves so far in fall camp. Mack spent the 2023 season behind Michael Penix Jr. at Washington under head coach Kalen DeBoer before following him to Tuscaloosa, while Russell spent his freshman year backing up Mack and Ty Simpson last season. Russell played in two games last year, completing 11 of his 15 passing attempts for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Mack appeared in four games, compiling 228 passing yards and two touchdowns. Both are former highly-rated recruits, but Russell was the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class. The competition for the QB1 job will continue deep into fall camp, but whoever wins the starting position should be expected to be productive in Grubb's high-flying passing offense. Alabama opens the season playing host to East Carolina, so both quarterbacks will likely see live reps in Week 1.
Source: Charlie Potter
Source: Charlie Potter
Michael Penix Jr. Still Not Cleared for 11-on-11 Work
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is still not cleared for 11-on-11 team work in training camp, and he will not play in Friday's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Even though Penix has yet to really compete with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting QB job this summer, head coach Kevin Stefanski has refused to name a starter for the beginning of the 2026 regular season. Tagovailoa will start on Friday against Denver, although he's likely to play only one offensive series. The 26-year-old Penix has been limited to 7-on-7 drills at camp so far, and it's unclear if he'll be able to play in any preseason games. Although Stefanski has yet to name a starting QB, the overwhelming expectation is that Tagovailoa will get the nod to begin the year. He'll likely be on a short leash if he doesn't perform, but as things currently stand, Penix is undraftable in single-year fantasy leagues, even in two-QB superflex formats.
Source: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
Source: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
Ladd McConkey's Bounce-Back Case Is Getting Stronger
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey had a weird second season. After 82 catches, 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie, he slipped to 66-789-6 in 2025 and never caught more than four passes in any of his final eight games. There is a pretty good reason to buy back in now. McConkey is full go after dealing with a hamstring strain during the offseason, and Mike McDaniel's offense looks like a much cleaner fit for him. The Chargers have been stressing quicker throws, motion and getting the ball into space, which should give McConkey chances to do what he does best. Justin Herbert has kept connecting with him in camp, including a long completion during Tuesday's one-on-one work. The room is not empty. Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris are both involved, and Los Angeles also has a deep tight end group with Oronde Gadsden, David Njoku and Charlie Kolar. That makes a huge target jump tough to assume. But McConkey is healthy, the scheme suits him, and RotoBaller has him at WR17 in half-PPR. After last year's letdown, there is a pretty believable path back to WR2 production.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tua Tagovailoa to Start Preseason Opener on Friday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will start the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Denver Broncos, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said he isn't naming a starting QB for the regular season just yet, according to Tori McElhaney of AtlantaFalcons.com. Stefanski said the starters will play around 10 plays/one series but will vary based on the player. The 28-year-old Tagovailoa is widely expected to be named the Falcons' starting QB going into Week 1 of the regular season, with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) still recovering from a torn ACL and having not yet been cleared to take part in team drills in training camp this summer. The former fifth overall pick from the University of Alabama led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in 2023 and had a league-high 72.9% completion percentage in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, but he has a dangerous history of concussions and threw for under 3,000 yards in each of his final two seasons in Miami. Tagovailoa has the weapons to bounce back in Atlanta in Stefanski's offense in 2026, but given his injury history, lack of arm strength, and likely short leash if he's named the starter, fantasy managers shouldn't be targeting him as much more than a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Mark Bowman Projected to Start for USC as True Freshman
USC true freshman tight end Mark Bowman is listed as a starter on Chris Trevino of On3's mid-fall depth chart projection, meaning he could make a significant impact in Year 1 of Lincoln Riley's passing offense led by quarterback Jayden Maiava. "I feel great about Mark Bowman being a starter on offense," Trevino wrote. "I, and many others, don't care if he's a true freshman. He's the most talented tight end in the room." Bowman was a five-star recruit in Rivals' Industry rankings out of Santa Ana, California, and there is plenty of receiving production up for grabs after the departure of Makai Lemon (NFL), Ja'Kobi Lane (NFL), Luke McRee (NFL), and Walker Lyons (Transferred). Four of the team's top-five leading receivers from last year are gone. Wideout Tanook Hines is expected to lead the pass-catching room, but Bowman could be one of the nation's top freshmen in 2026.
Source: Chris Trevino - On3
Source: Chris Trevino - On3
Hunter Henry's Role Still Makes Him a Late-Round Target
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry keeps giving fantasy managers reasons not to forget about him. He caught 60 passes for a career-high 768 yards and seven touchdowns last season, finishing as the TE7 in half-PPR, and New England just gave him a two-year extension worth a reported $16 million. That matters, but so does what has happened on the field. Henry was the standout player in the Patriots' Aug. 3 practice, and he still sits at the top of a tight end room that includes third-round rookie Eli Raridon. Raridon has flashed in camp and should have a role, especially with New England using plenty of multi-tight end looks, but the Patriots have treated him more like Henry's eventual successor than an immediate replacement. There is more competition for targets after the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, so another TE7 finish is hardly a lock. Still, Henry has already shown he can produce with Drake Maye and remains RotoBaller's TE16. For managers who wait at tight end, he is one of the better late-round options still sitting outside the position's top tier.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ethan Davis Missing Fifth Consecutive Tennessee Practice
Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis (undisclosed) is once again absent from practice on Wednesday after suffering an injury last week. This marks the fifth straight practice the four-year veteran has missed, according to RockyTopInsider. It's unclear what his situation is, but hopefully, there will be an update soon. Davis is entering the season as Tennessee's TE1 after primarily working behind Miles Kitselman over the last two years. In 24 career games, the Georgia native has tallied 36 receptions for 390 yards and four touchdowns, but his play at the end of last year's campaign suggests he could be headed for a breakout season in Year 4. In the Volunteers' final three SEC games against Oklahoma, Florida, and Vanderbilt, Davis caught 17 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown.
Source: RockyTopInsider.com
Source: RockyTopInsider.com
Kenneth Walker Called an "Absolute Superstar"
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker continues to make a strong impression on his new teammates. According to Charles Goldman, Travis Kelce said Walker is "going to be a hell of a ball player for us," praised his all-around traits, and called him an "absolute superstar" on and off the field. Walker signed with Kansas City in March after rushing for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns on 221 carries for Seattle last season. He added 31 catches for 282 yards, then closed out the year by running for 135 yards and earning MVP honors in Super Bowl LX. The Chiefs have Walker listed first on their unofficial depth chart, and his receiving ability has been noticeable throughout camp, including a touchdown catch from Patrick Mahomes on a wheel route Monday. Kelce's comments are still teammate praise, but they fit everything Kansas City has seen from Walker since he arrived. He looks set for a significant role in the Chiefs' offense this season.
Source: Charles Goldman
Source: Charles Goldman
DK Metcalf Has Less Margin for Error in 2026 Drafts
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is still going 65.4 overall in drafts after catching 59 passes for a career-low 850 yards and six touchdowns last season. He wasn't completely ineffective. Metcalf averaged 14.4 yards per catch, remained Pittsburgh's most-targeted receiver with 99 looks and has made his share of plays with Aaron Rodgers again in camp. Repeating that target total may be the tricky part. The Steelers traded for Michael Pittman Jr. and then moved up to take Germie Bernard 47th overall, giving an already low-volume passing game more options at receiver. Metcalf remains a starter and the biggest downfield threat of the group, so another productive season is hardly out of the question. His price just doesn't leave much room for another step backward. RotoBaller has him WR35 and 77th overall in half-PPR, nearly a round behind his current ADP. Metcalf can beat that ranking, but fantasy managers taking him in the sixth round are paying for some of the rebound before it happens.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ben Johnson Wants Bears to Have the Highest-Scoring Offense
Not only does Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson want to bring a Lombardi Trophy to the Windy City, but he has higher aspirations for his offense in his second year with the team, according to Dan Pompei of The Athletic. "I want more than that. I want to have the highest-scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos. I know how many points per game they scored (37.9), and I want to surpass them. I want shutouts. I want blowouts," Johnson said. "The moon is the Super Bowl, but we're shooting beyond that, for the stars. And I want these players to feel that each and every single day they come in." It's definitely what fantasy managers want to hear who have anyone in Chicago's offense rostered, including quarterback Caleb Williams, running back D'Andre Swift, receivers Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze, and tight end Colston Loveland. The Bears ranked ninth in points per game (25.9) in 2025 in Johnson's first season, and although it could be a high bar to move up to No. 1 in 2026, the good news for fantasy purposes is that Johnson will continue to be one of the most aggressive offensive play-callers in the league.
Source: The Atheltic - Dan Pompei
Source: The Atheltic - Dan Pompei
Quentin Johnston Has Room to Grow Beyond the Big Plays
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston has scored eight touchdowns in each of the last two seasons, but offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel may give him more ways to produce in 2026. Johnston caught 51 of 84 targets for 735 yards in 14 games last year, and Los Angeles picked up his fifth-year option this spring. He has spent much of his NFL career doing damage downfield and around the end zone. McDaniel's offense could bring back another part of his game. Johnston has talked about getting more chances to create after the catch, something he did extremely well at TCU, and the early work with Justin Herbert has been encouraging. Ladd McConkey remains the safest bet to lead this receiving corps, while Tre' Harris and a deeper tight end room will keep Johnston from simply inheriting a huge target total. His 96.3 ADP reflects that uncertainty, with RotoBaller ranking him WR44 in half-PPR. Johnston doesn't need another eight touchdowns to pay off if McDaniel can get the ball into his hands in a few more ways.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shane McClanahan Looks Good in Tuesday's Rehab Start
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (back) looked good in his minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, throwing three shutout innings with no hits allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts. The 29-year-old southpaw hit 95.7 mph on the radar gun and threw a total of 30 pitches in the outing. If the Rays feel comfortable returning McClanahan to their starting rotation after just one rehab start, he will most likely be on a short leash his next time on the mound, limiting his fantasy upside. After missing each of the last two years due to complications from Tommy John surgery, McClanahan is 9-6 in 2026 with a 3.09 ERA (3.34 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 35 walks in 99 innings pitched across 20 starts. The two-time All-Star allowed six runs (five earned) on July 19 against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, but he allowed one or fewer runs in his other four starts in the month of July. McClanahan can definitely help fantasy managers in all leagues down the stretch and is rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Steelers' Offense Could Continue to be a Run-First Unit
Everyone has expected the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense to be more pass-happy under new head coach Mike McCarthy, but ESPN's Ben Solak writes that it's "pretty clear out of camp that the Steelers aren't going to sprint back to the heyday" of McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers on offense. Based on conversations that Solak had while at Pittsburgh's training camp, he says he's confident that the identity of this year's Steelers offense will be similar to their identity in 2025 -- "running the ball out of heavy sets." Solak "can't get a lean" on the Jaylen Warren/Rico Dowdle backfield situation, but he's "confident both will be used enough to be playable on any given week." He thinks that Dowdle will "bite into Warren's catches more than most people realize." On the flip side, Solak believes that Warren will "bite into Dowdle's carries more than most people realize." It's good news for both Warren and Dowdle if the Steelers stay ground-based, but with a potential near-even workload split, both RBs might not have ceilings higher than RB3/flex backs in fantasy.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Willson Contreras Playing Through Sore Hamstring
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) hasn't looked right lately and was seen grabbing at his hamstring after flying out in his first plate appearance on Tuesday against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, although he stayed in the game, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Contreras has been one of the team's most consistent hitters all season long, but he has just one home run in an 18-game stretch, dating back to July 20, after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout on Tuesday night. Fantasy managers will want to check in on Contreras to see if he's active for Wednesday's contest in Toronto against right-hander Jose Soriano. The 34-year-old Venezuelan veteran and former catcher has a .280/.389/.523 slash line and a career-best .912 OPS with 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 58 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 109 games and 447 plate appearances in his first year in Beantown. Since July 25, Contreras has gone 7-for-40 (.175) with a homer, four RBI, six runs scored, 10 walks, and 17 strikeouts in 14 games. It's possible that his offensive production has suffered of late while playing at less than 100%.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Jose Altuve to Get More Imaging on his Foot on Wednesday
Houston Astros second baseman/outfielder Jose Altuve (foot) had imaging on his foot, which came back negative, manager Joe Espada told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Altuve will go for more imaging on Wednesday after being removed from the game following a hit-by-pitch on his left foot against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. The 36-year-old veteran, former MVP, and nine-time All-Star was diagnosed with just a contusion, which gives fantasy managers hope that he won't need a stint on the injured list. Check back soon to see if he's available to play in Wednesday's series finale in the Bay Area against the Giants and right-hander Adrian Houser. Altuve is no longer in his prime in his 16th year in the majors, but he's still rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues and has a .240/.304/.391 slash line with a .695 OPS, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 54 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 96 games and 409 plate appearances. He's off to a good start in 10 games in August, going 11-for-34 (.324) with a homer, a double, five RBI, and five runs scored.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
