August 22, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie first-round defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), who injured his knee in the preseason finale on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers, was diagnosed with an MCL sprain, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Harmon is expected to miss around a month, which makes him a candidate to open the regular season on Injured Reserve. He would miss at least the first four games of his rookie season. It's a tough start to the 22-year-old's NFL career, but at least it's not a season-ending injury. The Steelers hope that Harmon will eventually bolster their pass rush this year when he's healthy and add depth behind veteran pass-rushers Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt. Harmon was the 21st overall pick in April's draft after recording 45 tackles (27 solo), five sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2024 at Oregon.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
August 22, 2025
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports the Dallas Cowboys have received multiple trade inquiries on disgruntled pass-rusher Micah Parsons, but the Cowboys are not entertaining those trade inquiries right now and don't plan to trade him. Fowler goes on to say that it would take "some sort of Herculean-sized offer" for Dallas to even seriously consider trading him. The Cowboys and Parsons have the next 10 to 12 days before the start of the regular season to try and hash out a contract extension, and people in the organization that Fowler has spoken to remain optimistic that something can get done. If Dallas changes their tune on a potential trade, teams like the Packers, Cardinals, and Ravens could get involved. Parsons has 52.5 sacks in his four years in the NFL and has been aPro Bowler each season, but his IDP fantasy value is a bit unsettled with a potential holdout seeping into the start of the regular season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
August 22, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown (hamstring) looked "pretty good" while catching passes from quarterback
Jalen Hurts during a pre-game workout on Friday before the team's preseason finale at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets, according to John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia. The Eagles are being cautious with some of their players to make sure they are ready to start practicing this coming week as they begin preparations for the Week 1 season opener on Sept. 4 against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. While Brown has not practiced with the team since suffering a hamstring injury early in August, the team has been optimistic all along that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season, and Clark's report on Friday backs that up. Brown is one of those veterans that will miss plenty of practice time but still play on Sundays. He remains a top-10 fantasy receiver.
--Keith HernandezSource: NBC Sports Philadelphia - John Clark
August 22, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Nico Collins was targeted by quarterback
C.J. Stroud "all day" during the team's joint practice with the Detroit Lions on Thursday, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. In the four games before he injured his hamstring in Week 5 of 2024, Collins was averaging nearly 11 targets per contest. It appears the 26-year-old could be in line for a massive target share once again in 2025. Injuries have been an issue for Collins throughout his career so far, as he's missed 17 games across four NFL seasons. If he can stay on the field, Collins has a legitimate shot at being the overall WR1 in fantasy.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
August 22, 2025
Denver Broncos running back
Audric Estime "may not even make the roster" out of training camp, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. A fifth-round pick in 2024, Estime rushed for 310 yards and two touchdowns on 76 carries as a rookie. Denver overhauled their running back room heading into 2025, using a second-round pick on
RJ Harvey and signing
J.K. Dobbins in free agency. Those additions could leave Estime on the outside looking in. If the 21-year-old were in fact released, he would surely get an opportunity with another team. The best outcome for Estime's fantasy profile in the short and long term might be for him to find a home outside of Denver.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
August 22, 2025
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver
Jaylin Noel was a standout performer in the team's joint practice with the Detroit Lions on Thursday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Alexander writes that Noel will "find some time on the field this season and should make an impact." Houston drafted Noel in the third round out of Iowa State this past April. The 22-year-old projects as veteran
Christian Kirk's backup in the slot to start the season, but Noel could easily work his way into a larger role over the course of the year. He would likely need an injury to one of the wide receivers ahead of him to be fantasy-relevant in 2025. Still, Noel is a player to target in dynasty leagues and a name to monitor in redraft formats.
--Will BradySource: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
August 22, 2025
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that fullback
Patrick Ricard (soft tissue) is dealing with a "soft tissue thing" but should be able to return to practice before Week 1. Ricard has played in all 17 games for Baltimore in each of the last three regular seasons. While he's not a fantasy-relevant player himself, Ricard is a five-time Pro Bowler who plays an important role as a blocker in Baltimore's jumbo packages. If Ricard were to miss any time, it could negatively impact the rushing efficiency for Ravens running back
Derrick Henry and quarterback
Lamar Jackson.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
August 22, 2025
The Athletic's Joseph Person suggests that Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver
Hunter Renfrow could be in danger of not making the 53-man roster heading into the regular season. General manager Dan Morgan might have tipped his hand when
Brycen Tremayne was inactive for the team's preseason finale on Thursday night, while Renfrow and
David Moore played. Moore has more special-teams value than Renfrow, and head coach Dave Canales has a lot of trust in Moore. However, others in the organization are higher on Renfrow. The 29-year-old former Raiders wideout caught two of his three targets for only five yards in Thursday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even if Renfrow makes the Panthers' active roster, he won't have a big enough role to warrant fantasy consideration in most leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joseph Person
August 22, 2025
Running back
Christian McCaffrey is the San Francisco 49ers' unquestioned No. 1 RB when he's healthy, but Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group thinks that
Isaac Guerendo is still the projected RB2 behind CMC despite Friday's trade acquisition of Brian Robinson Jr, presuming that B-Rob isn't fast-tracked over the next two weeks. Guerendo resumed practicing this week after two weeks off from a shoulder dislocation, so he should be ready for Week 1 of the regular season against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 7. Although the 25-year-old Guerendo figures to be the RB2 to open the year, it's entirely possible that Robinson leaps him on the RB depth chart eventually. The trade for B-Rob definitely is a hit to Guerendo's potential upside if CMC gets hurt again, too. Early on, Robinson will most likely be more of a short-yardage/goal-line power back in his new home.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
August 22, 2025
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back
DJ Giddens is making waves in camp, solidifying himself as the No. 2 option behind
Jonathan Taylor. The Kansas State product brings a strong mix of power and elusiveness that has quickly carried over to the NFL level. Impressively, Giddens has also flashed as a dependable pass-catcher, an area where Taylor has often struggled. With three-down ability and a clear role, Giddens is a strong late-round stash in redraft leagues and an appealing dynasty investment. He profiles as one of the higher-upside handcuffs in fantasy, especially if Taylor were to miss time.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Stephen Holder
August 22, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie
Kyle Monangai is carving out a meaningful role in the backfield behind starter
D'Andre Swift. The seventh-round pick out of Rutgers has impressed with his compact 5'8", 207-pound frame, showcasing the physicality to grind out tough yards between the tackles. His hard-nosed running style complements Swift's shiftiness and should help ease pressure on quarterback
Caleb Williams. Monangai's power makes him a candidate for short-yardage and goal-line work, boosting his fantasy value as a late-round handcuff. He's a name to monitor in deeper formats with the potential to see red-zone touches early in his career.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Courtney Cronin
August 22, 2025
The Washington Commanders traded running back
Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers on Friday. With
Austin Ekeler and
Jacory Croskey-Merritt emerging as Washington's top options, Robinson became expendable and now lands as
Christian McCaffrey's backup. While McCaffrey is fully healthy and drawing rave reviews in camp, his injury history makes Robinson a valuable insurance policy for San Francisco. For fantasy managers, Robinson's value takes a major hit unless McCaffrey misses time, leaving him as more of a handcuff than standalone option. Still, the move secures the 49ers much-needed depth after a rash of preseason RB injuries.
UPDATE: The 49ers sent the Commanders a future sixth-round pick in return.--Shaun AlbinSource: Adam Schefter
August 22, 2025
New York Jets rookie tight end
Mason Taylor has impressed coaches throughout preseason, positioning himself for a major role in the passing game. At 6'5" and 251 pounds, Taylor brings the physicality to hold up as a blocker while flashing reliable hands as a receiver. His ability to contribute in both phases makes him an ideal safety valve for quarterback
Justin Fields, who will lean on quick reads in a new-look offense. Taylor carries late-round sleeper appeal in fantasy drafts, with the upside to emerge as a consistent starter if his preseason momentum translates into regular-season production.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Rich Cimini
August 22, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Dylan Sampson is pushing for touches after a strong preseason. The fourth-round pick has capitalized on
Quinshon Judkins' missed time and carved out a role behind
Jerome Ford. Ford paced the team in rushing last season but managed just 790 yards from scrimmage, leaving room for competition. Sampson's burst and elusiveness at the point of contact make him a change-of-pace threat who could quickly gain traction in the rotation. Fantasy managers should keep Sampson in mind as a deep sleeper with upside, especially if Ford struggles or injuries shake up the Browns' backfield.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Daniel Oyefusi
August 22, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars feature one of the NFL's deepest running back rooms, and
Tank Bigsby has emerged as more than just a change-of-pace option. Bigsby outcarried
Travis Etienne 168 to 150 in 2024, showcasing the coaching staff's trust in him as a steady early-down runner. Etienne, however, remains a dynamic weapon with pass-catching and big-play ability. Rookie
Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen also provide depth, but fantasy managers should expect another close split between Bigsby and Etienne. Both backs are draftable, with Etienne carrying more upside, while Bigsby offers consistent flex appeal.
--Shaun AlbinSource: John Shipley
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