RADIO
Josh Downs Back at Practice
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (groin) is in attendance for Tuesday's joint practice session with the New England Patriots. Downs missed three consecutive practices while dealing with a groin issue, but after a travel day on Monday, he will take the field in Foxboro. With starters unlikely to see much, if any, action in the team's preseason opener on Thursday, Tuesday's work against an unfamiliar opponent will serve to prepare the team for the regular season, and Downs' presence is a major boon. At RotoBaller's WR40, Downs is a 2026 breakout candidate who could be in line for his second career 100-target season following the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. in an offseason trade to the Steelers.
Source: James Boyd
Source: James Boyd
Alec Pierce Did Not Receive a Second PRP Injection
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) did not receive a second platelet-rich plasma injection this offseason after having surgery on his left ankle in late March, a league source told Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star. Monday night's source told the Indy Star that it had misspoken. Pierce remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list in training camp, and there is no timetable for him to return to practice with the rest of the team. The 26-year-old still has time to get back on the field and get ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener, but the longer he's away from the team, the harder it will be to get behind him as a solid fantasy contributor in 2026. When healthy, the former second-rounder from the University of Cincinnati has been a strong deep threat for the Colts' offense, leading the league the last two seasons in yards per reception 21.8 while scoring 13 touchdowns. Pierce is expected to take on a much bigger role in Indy's passing attack in 2026 with Michael Pittman Jr. out of town, but he might need to be eased in to start his fifth NFL campaign. Fantasy managers should consider Pierce more of a boom/bust WR3/flex commodity as he continues to rehab from ankle surgery.
Source: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
Source: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
DeVonta Smith Will Not Practice on Tuesday
Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and rookie first-rounder Makai Lemon (hamstring) will miss another day of training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal. Smith is missing a fifth straight day of practice due to a hamstring injury, but he was seen doing some running before practice, and the Eagles are not concerned that his injury will keep him from suiting up in the 2026 regular-season opener in Week 1. Philly is being extra cautious with Smith, who is their new No. 1 receiver now that Pro Bowler A.J. Brown is in New England. The 27-year-old former 10th overall pick out of the University of Alabama had the third 1,000-yard season of his career in 2025 and added four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. With more targets coming his way and a higher floor for fantasy managers, Smith is now being viewed as a low-end WR1 as the Eagles' new No. 1 receiver, even though he's missing time in training camp with an injury. The fact that Smith was doing some running before practice on Tuesday means he could be back sooner rather than later.
Source: Delaware News Journal - Martin Frank
Source: Delaware News Journal - Martin Frank
Cardinals Want to Keep Michael Wilson Around Long-Term
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson broke out in 2025 to the tune of 1,006 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on his way to a WR2 fantasy finish over the final eight games of the season. Now entering the final year of his rookie contract, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort reiterated that the team wants to keep Wilson in their long-term plans while carefully tempering expectations. Asked on Monday if he expects a deal to get done, Ossenfort told the assembled media, "He's a guy we want around here a long time," but stopped short of over-committing. "Expect? That's a tough word. Our interest is in keeping him here." Wilson is RotoBaller's dynasty WR32, and should he reach free agency in 2027 at the age of 27, he should find a receptive market, particularly if he's able to follow up on his late-season success in 2026.
Source: Theo Mackie
Source: Theo Mackie
James Cook III to be Used More in the Passing Game?
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael has hinted that the Buffalo Bills will look to use running back James Cook III more in the passing game this year, per Alex Brasky of Sports Illustrated. "Anytime you can get the ball in his hands, you have an opportunity for a big play. I think that he can bring value, not only in the run game and the pass game as well," Carmichael said. Cook led the NFL with 1,621 rushing yards and also scored 12 touchdowns on a career-high 309 carries in 17 regular-season games last year, adding 33 receptions for 291 yards and another two scores as a pass-catcher. It was a big year for the 26-year-old, but new head coach Joe Brady has hinted at the possibility of Buffalo lightening Cook's rushing load going into his fifth season in the league. One way to have Cook take less of a beating would be to cut back on his carries and give him more work in the passing game. Even if Cook's overall rushing workload drops, he could easily finish as a top-five RB in fantasy if he adds more targets in the passing game in Buffalo. The three-time Pro Bowler has had a nose for the end zone the last two years, scoring 28 rushing touchdowns after finding paydirt just four times as a rusher in his first two years in the league.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex Brasky
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex Brasky
Jalen Hurts "Looks Faster" in Camp
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke with reporters on Tuesday, and in discussing what he's seen from the other side of the ball, he said that quarterback Jalen Hurts "looks faster" in camp this year. While Fangio enters his third season with the Eagles, Sean Mannion is Philadelphia's fifth offensive coordinator in as many years, and with the team seeing a number of significant offensive changes ahead of the 2026 season, there could be an emphasis on more frequently utilizing Hurts' legs after his 421 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in 2025 both represented five-year lows. Hurts is RotoBaller's QB6 and can usually be drafted at the end of a tier of quarterbacks with legitimate week-winning upside.
Source: Olivia Reiner
Source: Olivia Reiner
AJ Barner an "Ascending" Tight End
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is an "ascending" TE who "should come into his own in Year 3." Barner is finally healthy after multiple offseason surgeries, and new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury's scheme "should accelerate his progress." Fowler adds that Barner "can do a little bit of everything." The Seahawks will have two tight ends on the field "very, very often," according to Barner. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2024 from the University of Michigan took a step forward last year in his second season, catching 52 of 68 targets for 519 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games after posting a 30-245-4 line as a rookie. However, with second-year player Elijah Arroyo expected to be a much bigger part of Seattle's passing attack, Barner's fantasy value will likely come with a low ceiling as more of a touchdown-dependent TE2 streamer as long as Arroyo stays healthy. RotoBaller currently has Barner ranked as the No. 29 fantasy TE for the 2026 season, right behind Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Tony Romo Not Attending CBS NFL Media Day as Future Remains Unclear
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will not be in attendance for CBS' NFL Media Day hosted in New York on Tuesday. Romo was put on indefinite leave by the network following his arrest in late July for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. CBS has announced that former All-Pro defender J.J. Watt would be elevated to the top broadcast team alongside Jim Nantz following a strong debut season in the booth with Ian Eagle. Watt, Nantz, and CBS Sports President David Berson are all slated to speak with the media on Tuesday, with an expectation that Romo could dominate much of the conversation.
Source: Andrew Marchand
Source: Andrew Marchand
Giants "Begging" Jaxson Dart to Slide
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart ended a third-down run during Monday's practice with a slide along the sideline, drawing an unexpected reaction from the defense, who actually applauded his effort to avoid contact. Defensive captain Brian Burns spoke with reporters after practice and explained the unusual moment. "We've been begging him to do that for a while," he shared. "So, I'm glad that he's starting to practice it." After taking over as starter in Week 4 of his rookie season, Dart was the fantasy QB8 on a per-game basis, but he missed two games with a concussion. His elite rushing upside makes him an attractive mid-round quarterback in 2026, but an at-times-reckless play style dating back to his time in college will always put him at risk of missing time, so the self-preservation shown on Monday was a welcome sight for Giants fans, players, and fantasy managers alike.
Source: Jordan Raanan
Source: Jordan Raanan
Jadarian Price Will Be Hard to Keep Off the Field
Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (lower body) could be pressing for a bigger role in the team's backfield rotation right away. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Price will be hard to keep off the field, and that coach Mike Macdonald has been impressed with his attention to detail and coachability. Unfortunately, Price has been dealing with a lower body injury that has kept him out of practice the last few days without a clear timeframe for his return. When he is back, he will likely mix in with veterans George Holani and Emanuel Wilson while Zach Charbonnet recovers from his torn ACL. With the defending champs looking to replace the production of both Charbonnet and free agent Kenneth Walker in the backfield, Price has a very high ceiling if he can make some noise in the preseason. He's currently the No. 23 RB in RotoBaller's rankings, which indicates just how high his upside is in Seattle.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Dontayvion Wicks to Be a "Big Factor" in Eagles' Passing Game
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is lined up to be a major contributor in his expanded opportunity with his new team, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Wicks is entering his fourth year in the NFL, and after being traded from Green Bay to Philadelphia, the fifth-round pick from Virginia signed a one-year extension to stay with the Eagles for at least this season and next season. He only had 30 catches for 332 yards and two touchdowns last season in Green Bay's deep receiver room, but he could be the early favorite to land the Eagles' WR2 spot and has been taking advantage of more work with DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Makai Lemon (hamstring) sidelined. Wicks is currently the No. 82 WR in RotoBaller's rankings, and with his ADP of 192 on Yahoo fantasy football, he will be a great depth and sleeper pick if he is ready to step in as a major contributor in the Eagles' passing game.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Adonai Mitchell Building Good Chemistry with New QB
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell is expected to make a sizable jump this season, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Mitchell was the Colts' second-round pick in 2024 but has only had 464 receiving yards in 25 games with the team before coming to the Jets as part of the return in the Sauce Gardner trade. Mitchell has been very strong in training camp, earning praise from coach Aaron Glenn, who said that the combination of Smith and Mitchell "is really starting to impress me." Mitchell is in a contract year as well, which could motivate him to post a big year. He is currently the No. 69 WR in RotoBaller's rankings with a Yahoo fantasy football ADP of 153. He has the potential to be a regular contributor and a nice sleeper play if he locks down the WR2 spot in New York and continues to build a strong connection with Smith.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Ashton Jeanty to Have a Bigger Role in the Passing Game
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty had a solid rookie season, totaling over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving while scoring 10 total touchdowns. According to reports out of training camp by ESPN's Dan Graziano, the team is looking to get him even more involved as a receiver out of the backfield. Last year, he hauled in 55 catches on 73 targets for 346 yards and five receiving scores, but his elusiveness in space and big-play ability on the edges could lead to even more production in his second season for the No. 6 overall pick from Boise State. Jeanty has a lofty Yahoo fantasy ADP of 13.6, but he has league-winning upside if his role expands, and the Raiders' offense takes a step forward under new coach Klint Kubiak with improved quarterback play this season. He won't come cheap in most drafts, but with more work in the passing game, he has an extremely high ceiling.
Source: Dan Graziano
Source: Dan Graziano
Pat Bryant Poised for More Work in 2026
Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant looks ready to make a big impact in his team's upgraded passing game this season. The second-year receiver has been a standout in training camp, and coach Sean Payton said that the team will not keep him off the field this season. Payton went on to say, "He's got really, really good hands. He's extremely smart; he knows all the positions. There's a lot of confidence in his catch radius. He's big." Last year, the third-round rookie caught 31 passes for 378 yards and one touchdown in 15 games, but he is emerging as the team's third receiver behind Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton. He'll have standard-sized league value if he beats out Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. for that role, and he's worth a late-round flier at his current Yahoo Fantasy ADP of 248.
Source: Zack Kelberman
Source: Zack Kelberman
Tyler Shough Showing More Command and Comfort in Saints' Offense
The NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe noted on Monday that New Orleans Saints second-year quarterback Tyler Shough was "so accurate" in training camp practice, and the "ball barely hit the ground." Wolfe added that Shough showed much more command and comfort with the offense while also connecting well with No. 1 receiver Chris Olave. Shough appeared in 11 games (nine starts) for the Saints as a rookie in 2025 and impressed, completing 67.6% of his 327 pass attempts for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions while also running for 186 yards and three touchdowns. In another season in head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense, the 26-year-old former second-rounder from the University of Louisville could be primed to take a step forward in his first full year as an NFL starter in 2026. The Saints added running back Travis Etienne Jr. and rookie first-round wideout Jordyn Tyson, too, to give Shough even more weapons. Shough is nowhere near QB1 territory in fantasy football, but he's certainly becoming an interesting QB2 target in superflex formats as he heads into his sophomore campaign in the Big Easy.
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
