RADIO
Bo Nix to Sit Out of Preseason Opener on Friday
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on Wednesday that quarterback Bo Nix's recovery from multiple surgeries on his right ankle continues to go well this summer, but he will not play in the team's preseason opener on Friday versus the Atlanta Falcons, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN. Payton said that Nix will play in the team's final two preseason games against the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, which will both be in Denver. Although Payton didn't specifically mention the artificial turf playing surface in Atlanta, it could be a reason as to why the Broncos will hold out their QB on Friday. Nix fractured his right ankle in the closing moments of the AFC Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills in January, with his initial surgery coming days after, before needing a follow-up procedure in April to treat bone spurs in the same ankle. The 26-year-old missed most of the on-field work during the offseason program, but he's been a full-go since the start of training camp in late July and should be 100% healthy for a Week 1 Monday night showdown against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Nix said he has felt "completely normal" during camp, and his ankle surgeries won't make him hesitant to run in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
Aaron Rodgers Needs an Invite to Return to Lambeau Field
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has said that the 2026 season will be his last in the NFL. If he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which is expected, his name would go up on the Lambeau Field facade in five years with the other former Packers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rodgers' No. 12 would likely be retired, and he could be inducted into the Packers' Hall of Fame after four seasons of retirement. "Well, there first has to be an invite back," Rodgers told ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "We'll see about that, but yeah, I'm always going to have such a strong tie to Green Bay and the organization. If that comes to fruition, that could be a cool deal." Rodgers spent 18 years with the Packers before he was traded to the New York Jets in 2023. The Jets didn't play the Packers in either of his two seasons with the Jets, and the Steelers faced the Packers at Acrisure Stadium in 2025. The 42-year-old was hoping that the Steelers' preseason game this year was in Green Bay, but it, too, will be held in Pittsburgh. "When I heard it was possible to play both my former teams, I was really hoping this one was going to be in Green Bay," Rodgers said. If 2026 is indeed Rodgers' final NFL season, he will end his career without playing at Lambeau Field as a visitor.
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Puka Nacua Could be Out a "Few Days" With Groin Injury
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) left Tuesday's training camp practice early with a minor groin injury and could miss a "few days," according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Rams have yet to even play their first preseason game this summer, so it's still very early in camp, and Nacua should be just fine for the start of the 2026 regular season in Week 1 in an international affair in Australia against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. The Rams are going to be extra cautious with the best wide receiver in the game, as they should. The 25-year-old will not suit up for the Rams' preseason opener this Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs, unsurprisingly. In a Rams offense largely unchanged with reigning MVP QB Matthew Stafford running the show, Nacua is the consensus No. 2 fantasy WR in 2026, behind only the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase. Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions and 107.2 yards per game while recording a career-high 1,715 receiving yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns in 16 regular-season games.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
J.K. Dobbins Practices Again on Wednesday
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (undisclosed) was seen taking part in training camp practice again on Wednesday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. There was some concern surrounding Dobbins when he left Monday's practice session with an undisclosed soft-tissue injury, but he was able to return to individual drills a day later on Tuesday. The 27-year-old's presence on the field for a second straight day likely means he's avoided any kind of serious injury, but he still might not play in the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Atlanta Falcons. Dobbins was on his way to a career year in 2025 in his first year in Denver, producing 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries while adding 11 receptions for 37 yards through the air in 10 games before suffering a season-ending foot injury. The former second-rounder in 2020 from Ohio State has a 5.2-yard-per-carry average in his five NFL seasons, but he's never played a full year due to injuries. Dobbins enters 2026 as a key piece of the Broncos' backfield, but it's shaping up as a committee approach that also involves second-year back RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman. The entire situation gives Dobbins a limited ceiling as an RB3/flex target with durability concerns.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Malik Nabers Could Join Team Drills as Early as Next Week
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh said on Wednesday that wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) could join team periods in training camp as soon as next week, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. Nabers didn't do much in Wednesday's practice, but he has looked good when doing individual drills and running routes. The Giants will continue to monitor the former first-rounder from LSU after he tore his ACL and meniscus early in Week 4 of his second year in the NFL. Nabers has missed just one practice in camp to this point, and the Giants remain optimistic that he'll be ready to play in Week 1 in September on Sunday night against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The 23-year-old proved as a rookie that he has high-end WR1 upside in fantasy by catching 109 of 170 targets for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games played. Harbaugh's offense in 2026 might not afford Nabers as much volume, but he's the clear WR1 in New York and has obvious WR1 upside when he's at full health. RotoBaller currently has Nabers ranked as the No. 12 fantasy WR.
Source: New York Daily News - Pat Leonard
Source: New York Daily News - Pat Leonard
ACL Issues Behind Michael Penix Jr.?
Per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was told by a doctor that he has "an amazing ACL" and that he shouldn't "have any more knee problems for the rest of your career." It seems like a pretty optimistic statement for a player who has already torn his right ACL twice (in college) and who suffered a partial tear of his left ACL last year while playing for the Falcons. Penix has not been cleared for 11-on-11 team drills in training camp this summer, but after this glowing report on his left knee, that could change sooner rather than later. Still, the former first-rounder from the University of Washington has lost valuable time in the QB competition with Tua Tagovailoa. Head coach Kevin Stefanski refuses to name a starter for the start of the 2026 regular season, but it would be a big surprise if Tua wasn't the guy. Penix could get another opportunity under center as the starter in Atlanta in 2026, but it might take an injury or poor performance from Tagovailoa for it to happen.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Harold Fannin Jr. Keeps Making a Strong TE1 Case
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. already showed he could handle plenty as a rookie. He caught 72 passes for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets last season, finishing as the TE5 in half-PPR. David Njoku is with the Chargers now, and Fannin sits alone at the top of Cleveland's tight end depth chart. The groin injury that cost him Week 18 required offseason surgery, but he was cleared before camp and has looked active since. Fannin caught four passes in the Browns' first padded practice, then grabbed two red-zone touchdowns from Shedeur Sanders on Aug. 10. Cleveland did add more competition by drafting KC Concepcion 24th overall and Denzel Boston 39th, so another 107 targets can't just be penciled in. The quarterback job is still unsettled, too. Even with all of that, Fannin already produced in a bad passing environment and now has the tight end job to himself. RotoBaller has him at TE8. That isn't a bargain-basement ranking, but there is still room for Fannin to beat it if Cleveland's offense takes even a small step forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eli Stowers Listed as TE3 on Eagles' First Unofficial Depth Chart
Philadelphia Eagles rookie tight end Eli Stowers is listed as the TE3 on the team's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason. Dallas Goedert sits at the top, with veteran Johnny Mundt second and Stowers third. The order is notable after Philadelphia used the 54th overall pick on Stowers in April, but it should not be treated as a final call on his role. The Eagles state that the depth chart is compiled by their communications department, and there is still plenty of preseason left for things to move around. Stowers caught 62 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns at Vanderbilt last season and won the Mackey Award. He has also had a relatively quiet start to his first NFL camp, while Mundt has drawn praise for his blocking and familiarity with the offense. Stowers remains an intriguing long-term receiving talent, but he has some ground to make up before Week 1.
Source: Dave Zangaro
Source: Dave Zangaro
Caleb Williams Looks Ready to Build on QB6 Finish
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams already made a pretty big jump last season, and there is still plenty he can clean up. He threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions, added 388 yards and three scores as a runner, and finished as the QB6. Williams also took only 24 sacks after being dropped 68 times as a rookie. The funny part is that he did all of that while completing just 58.1% of his passes. Another year in Ben Johnson's offense should help there, especially with Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet all back. Williams has had some sharp stretches in camp, too, including a 9-for-10 red-zone period with five touchdowns and a perfect 6-for-6 two-minute drive the following day. RotoBaller has him at QB8 entering 2026, so he is already being drafted as an every-week starter. There is still room above that, though. If the accuracy ticks up or Williams gives fantasy managers a little more with his legs, another top-six season is hardly asking for a huge leap.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emeka Egbuka Dealing With Minor Toe Injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (toe) appears to have avoided a significant injury after leaving Wednesday's practice early. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Egbuka is dealing with a toe issue that is considered minor. The second-year receiver limped off with athletic trainers and spent time being examined on the sideline before failing to return to practice. No timetable for his return has been reported yet. Egbuka is coming off an excellent rookie season, catching 63 passes for a team-high 938 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games. Tampa Bay has him settling into the Z receiver role this year after the departure of Mike Evans, so even a minor issue is worth tracking this close to the season. For now, the encouraging part is the early description of the injury. His practice participation over the next few days should tell us more about how much time, if any, he will miss.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Source: Mike Garafolo
TreVeyon Henderson Still Has Work to Do in Patriots Backfield
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson still has some details to clean up as he enters his second season. Boston Sports Journal believes Rhamondre Stevenson has been the more dependable option between the tackles and on passing downs this summer, specifically pointing to Henderson's blitz pickup, vision and patience. Head coach Mike Vrabel offered a more encouraging assessment, saying some of those reads are starting to slow down for Henderson as he gets better at understanding what a run could look like a few strides after the snap. Henderson was explosive as a rookie, rushing for 911 yards and nine touchdowns on 180 carries while adding 35 catches for 221 yards and another score. His role did shrink during New England's playoff run, when Stevenson handled considerably more of the offensive snaps. Henderson's speed and big-play ability aren't the issue. If the processing and protection continue to improve, there should be more ways for the Patriots to keep him on the field in 2026.
Source: Boston Sports Journal
Source: Boston Sports Journal
Marvin Mims Jr. Listed as Starter on First Unofficial Depth Chart
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. is listed as one of the three starting receivers, along with Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton, on the team's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason, according to Mike Klis of 9 News. Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Lil'Jordan Humphrey are listed with the No. 2 offense. Additionally, Mims is listed as the team's top kick and punt returner on special teams. Fantasy managers always must take unofficial preseason depth charts with a grain of salt, and this one is no different. The 24-year-old Mims is trending down going into the 2026 campaign after a disappointing 2025 season in Denver, and because of the addition of Waddle. Bryant, not Mims, appears to be the current favorite for WR3 duties in Denver this year while having a strong training camp, while Mims has missed time recently with an undisclosed minor injury. The former second-rounder from the University of Oklahoma had 503 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2024 in Year 2, but dropped to a 37-322-1 line in 15 regular-season games in his third season. Most likely, Mims will factor in more for the Broncos on special teams than as a regular contributor on offense.
Source: 9 News - Mike Klis
Source: 9 News - Mike Klis
Jets Looking for "Sizable Jump" From Adonai Mitchell
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that wide receiver Adonai Mitchell "should not be overlooked," and that the New York Jets are looking for him to make "a sizable jump" in 2026. Garrett Wilson is the clear-cut No. 1 receiver in New York, but Mitchell "seems to be moving past whatever was holding him back in 1 1/2 seasons" with the Indianapolis Colts to begin his NFL career. The 23-year-old former second-rounder in 2024 from the University of Texas is going to probably have to prove it to be taken more seriously in 12-team fantasy leagues during the regular season, but it's no secret that he's been gaining chemistry with veteran quarterback Geno Smith in training camp this summer, and he's also in a contract year. In eight games with the Colts last year before he was traded to the Jets, Mitchell caught nine passes for 152 yards and zero touchdowns, before catching 24 of 58 targets for 301 yards and two touchdowns in eight contests with the Jets. He's viewed as New York's clear WR2 right now, which makes him a sleeper late in upcoming drafts.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Rashee Rice Not Expected to Face Additional Suspension
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is not expected to be suspended again over the probation violation that resulted in him serving jail time earlier this offseason. According to Charles Goldman, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport does not expect the league to hand Rice another suspension after he served 30 days in a Texas jail. Rice tested positive for THC in May, violating the terms of the probation he received after the 2024 Dallas crash. The jail time was already part of his 2025 sentence, but the violation required him to serve it immediately. Rice had already served a six-game NFL suspension last season for his role in the crash, then caught 53 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. The NFL has not formally announced a decision on the probation violation, so Rapoport's report is not an official clearance. If it holds, Rice should not lose any more games over this particular matter and remains RotoBaller's WR16.
Source: Charles Goldman
Source: Charles Goldman
Marvin Harrison Jr. Is Easier to Buy Into at WR32
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn't come close to the fantasy expectations that followed him into the league, but WR32 is a much easier place to take another swing. He went 62-885-8 as a rookie, then managed 41 catches for 608 yards and four scores in 12 games last season. That second year was a mess physically. Harrison dealt with a concussion, emergency appendicitis surgery, a heel injury and another foot issue that eventually landed him on injured reserve. Arizona changed coaches after the season, and Mike LaFleur has been pretty clear about how he sees Harrison. He'll be the X receiver in a role LaFleur has compared to Davante Adams, with Michael Wilson working more like Puka Nacua. The competition is real. Wilson broke out for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns, while Trey McBride caught 126 passes for 1,239 yards and 11 scores. Jacoby Brissett is also the current QB1. Harrison doesn't need to dominate that group to help fantasy teams, though. RotoBaller has him at WR32 in half-PPR, and that's a much more reasonable bet on talent and a clearer role than fantasy managers were making the last two summers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
