RADIO
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Dealing with a Lower-Body Injury
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was limited in practice on Monday with an undisclosed injury, but head coach Dan Quinn clarified on Tuesday that the running back is dealing with a lower-body injury. According to Ben Standig, it is a groin injury but is not considered significant. Croskey-Merritt was spotted catching passes and jogging lightly on Tuesday, and he could be on his way to another limited practice. The second-year back led the Commanders with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries last year and added nine catches for 68 yards. He could return to full practice later this week and still be good for a regular workload in Week 1 against the Eagles, but his progress will definitely be important to monitor. Rachaad White (hamstring) is also working through an injury that isn't considered to be serious, leaving rookies Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry, along with veteran Craig Reynolds, as the Commanders' healthy running backs right now. Croskey-Merritt is the RB37 in RotoBaller's rankings, with White not far behind him at RB40. Watch carefully to see who is ready for Week 1, since both have good upside but also significant risk factors with their current injuries.
Source: Ben Standig
Source: Ben Standig
Kenny Gainwell Could Lead Tampa Bay in Receptions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell had an excellent training camp and is set up for a big role in the team's offense. Gainwell could even lead the team in receptions, according to Greg Auman, since he has been working so well as a receiving back out of the backfield this preseason. Gainwell will be working in a timeshare with Bucky Irving, with both backs as effective options as pass-catchers in space. Gainwell had 73 catches for 486 yards and three scores in 2025 with the Steelers, but he could be even more involved in Tampa, depending on how the timeshare shakes out. Right now, Gainwell is the RB38 in RotoBaller's rankings, but he could be a great RB3 or flex option if he gets more work in the offense, especially near the goal line. Gainwell and Irving are both volatile options with lots of upside to consider in fantasy drafts, since their roles are unclear despite obvious upside from each side of the timeshare.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Sean Tucker on the Roster Bubble?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker has had some fantasy football bursts in the past when given an opportunity, but now he may not be assured of a roster spot. The fourth-year running back out of Syracuse is battling with Josh Williams for the third spot on the running back depth chart behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. Williams made a strong impression with eight carries for 27 yards and a touchdown in the first preseason game against the Jets, and he played ahead of Tucker in the second preseason game. Tucker did make an impact with 23 yards on five carries and the game-winning touchdown once he entered, but both running backs continued to look strong. Williams is a much cheaper option, which could give him the advantage if the Bucs only keep three running backs on the roster. Tucker and Williams have both shown enough to get a chance somewhere this season, and the Bucs could possibly still keep both on the roster. If not, where they land would dictate their potential fantasy value. The Bucs' backfield will remain one of the top roster battles to watch through the rest of the preseason.
Source: Matt Matera
Source: Matt Matera
Ashton Jeanty Not Believed to Have a Serious Injury, Uncertain for Week 1
Las Vegas running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) suffered what many feared was a serious injury on Sunday in practice, but the team received positive news over the last few days about his status. According to the latest updates from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jeanty's ankle injury is more of a low sprain than a high ankle sprain and is not considered to be a major injury. Despite the positive overall news, there is still a real chance Jeanty will not play in Week 1 against the Dolphins. The fact that he has any chance to play in Week 1 is a great sign for his fantasy managers, and even if he misses that game, he isn't expected to be out long-term or miss the entire season, as was initially feared. If Jeanty is sidelined for that contest, Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube would likely split the workload, with Washington bringing significant sleeper potential after his promising preseason. This is definitely a situation to watch closely leading up to the season opener, but for now, Jeanty remains one of the highest-upside running backs available in fantasy drafts. In PPR leagues, he's the RB17 in RotoBaller's rankings, but for standard-sized leagues, he's a strong RB2 with RB1 upside if this injury proves to be just a preseason scare.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
DJ Moore Emerging as a Top Sleeper in 2026 Fantasy Drafts
Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore has emerged as a potential sleeper now that 2026 fantasy football drafts are in full swing. Moore certainly struggled in his final season with the Bears last year, catching just 50 passes for 682 yards and six touchdowns as he ranked as the overall WR35 in PPR leagues. Still, prior to last year, he had been a top-24 fantasy receiver for six years in a row, so managers should have some optimism that he'll be able to get back on track in 2026, especially now that he has Josh Allen throwing to him. Allen hasn't supported a top-24 fantasy receiver since 2023, when he had Stefon Diggs at his disposal, but if there's anyone who will restart that streak, it's Moore. He's a clear upgrade over last year's top Bills receiver, Khalil Shakir, and he gives Buffalo the alpha receiver it has been craving ever since Diggs was traded away. We wouldn't bet on Moore replicating his overall WR6 finish from 2023 or anything like that, but his top-15 upside makes him a very underrated draft target at his current ADP of 54.8 (WR25).
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Allgeier a Flex Option to Open the Regular Season
Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier's fantasy outlook was murky after the team drafted Jeremiyah Love (ankle) third overall, but it appears that he could now have some short-term fantasy relevance as a flex option early in the season. Love's ankle injury could sideline him for Week 1 of the regular season, and even if he plays in the season opener, his absence for the remainder of the preseason will impact his ability to handle a sizable role in his NFL debut. As the Cardinals phase the rookie back into action, they'll likely lean on Allgeier to lead their backfield for at least one game. The BYU product didn't have many opportunities to start at running back in Atlanta, since Bijan Robinson has never missed a game, but he still managed to carve out flex-caliber production from time to time. He's been a top-44 running back in PPR leagues in each of his four NFL seasons, and he rushed for a career-high eight touchdowns in 2025 despite seeing his yards per carry drop to a career-low mark of 3.59. It's incredibly obvious that the Cardinals' backfield belongs to Love long-term, but the rookie's ongoing recovery could open the door for Allgeier to be an undervalued fantasy weapon for the first chunk of the 2026 regular season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jayden Reed Looking to Overcome Emergence of Young Teammates
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed opened his career with back-to-back top-30 fantasy finishes at his position, but injuries essentially ruined his 2025 season. Now, he's looking to get back on track and carve out fantasy relevance in the Packers' receiver room. The good news for Reed is that Romeo Doubs has departed for New England, creating 85 vacated targets that are up for grabs. The bad news is that a large portion of that volume could end up going to Matthew Golden and Christian Watson, two young pass-catchers who are trending up and, unlike Reed, were healthy enough for most of last season to form a solid rapport with quarterback Jordan Love. Meanwhile, tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) is working his way back from an ACL tear; he's arguably the most talented pass-catcher in Green Bay, so his return to action could also have a negative effect on Reed's outlook. With that being said, Reed is holding his own as the WR34 in RotoBaller's latest half-PPR rankings for 2026. That puts him five spots behind Watson and 11 spots ahead of Golden in redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trevor Lawrence Looking to Replicate Rushing Success from 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was the overall QB4 in fantasy football leagues last year. He achieved this personal-best mark thanks to increased productivity on the ground, including a career-high nine rushing touchdowns. It's not a lock that Lawrence will be as successful running the football in 2026, but it's worth noting that the departure of Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency may improve his chances of earning carries around the goal line. Regardless of Lawrence's exact rushing role, we expect him to remain a highly productive passer thanks to the weapons at his disposal. Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington both had breakout campaigns last year, Brian Thomas Jr. is enjoying a great camp and looks like he could return to his rookie form, and Travis Hunter should offer a spark whenever he earns offensive snaps. With these receivers (as well as tight end Brenton Strange) available to him, Lawrence has no excuse not to push for 30 passing touchdowns like he did last year. Perhaps the key this year is cleaning up the turnovers, as Lawrence did have 12 interceptions and three lost fumbles last year. Nevertheless, he remains in the mix as a top-eight quarterback for fantasy football purposes in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Coker Still a Fantasy Riser Despite Quiet Preseason
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker has been relatively quiet this preseason, but he's still a very intriguing player to target in 2026 fantasy football drafts. Coker solidified himself as the Panthers' No. 2 receiver and one of Bryce Young's favorite targets late last season, catching six passes for 47 yards and one touchdown in Week 18 before adding another nine catches, 134 yards, and one touchdown in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. The 24-year-old is officially ahead of Xavier Legette and behind Tetairoa McMillan in the pecking order, and as the Panthers' No. 2 receiver, he's a solid draft target in most fantasy leagues. Depending on how the Panthers' offense looks this year, he could even warrant weekly consideration for a flex spot in deeper leagues. There's certainly a lot to like about a Panthers receiver room that features Coker opposite McMillan.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Germie Bernard Requires Patience in Redraft Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard may not have an immediate impact, requiring fantasy managers to be patient in redraft leagues. Bernard was held to zero catches on one target during Week 2 of the preseason, despite the fact that he could have handled an increased role with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. sidelined. Nevertheless, the rookie took a backseat, leaving the door open for Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek to produce instead. The 22-year-old out of Alabama continues to possess upside in dynasty fantasy leagues, but his value in redraft formats is severely limited as long as he's fourth or fifth on the wide receiver depth chart.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian Watson Ready for Full Season and Full-Time Role
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson continued his path to being the team's de facto WR1 as he caught passes from starting quarterback Jordan Love at Monday's practice, according to SI's Bill Huber. The 27-year-old impressed late in his 2025 campaign when he returned from a torn ACL injury and caught 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns. The Packers' receiving corps will look a little different this season with Romeo Doubs departing for the New England Patriots over the summer, further opening the door for Watson to shoulder a heavier workload. Even with his injury history, the increased usage should make this fifth-year wideout a more efficient fantasy asset. A healthy Christian Watson is a high-end WR3 who can flash WR2 upside in 2026.
Source: Bill Huber, SI.com
Source: Bill Huber, SI.com
Can Davante Adams Replicate His WR1 Finish?
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams finished the 2025 season as a WR1 in fantasy football, and he remains an appealing fantasy option for 2026. Specifically, Adams was the overall WR9 in PPR leagues last year, catching 60 passes for 789 yards and 14 touchdowns. This was his worst yardage total since 2015, but he still put together a highly productive season with the second-highest touchdown total of his career. Although Adams does have to share targets with Puka Nacua, he benefits from having such a prominent role in an offense led by prolific passer Matthew Stafford. Last year's MVP showed that he is capable of supporting two top-12 fantasy receivers in one season, so even though Adams is already 33 years old, he's a viable low-end WR1 for fantasy managers who choose to target other positions early in their 2026 drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ravens Don't Have "Definitive Answer" on Nnamdi Madubuike's Status
The Baltimore Ravens don't have a "definitive answer" regarding defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike's (neck) availability for Week 1, head coach Jesse Minter told Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. The team isn't sure whether there will be enough time for him to get ready over the next couple of weeks, and at the moment, they're just focusing on the defender's day-to-day improvement. A serious neck injury limited Madubuike to just two games last year, but he has been productive in years past, such as when he recorded 99 tackles, 19.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles between 2023 and 2024. Madubuike, a 2020 third-round pick out of Texas A&M, is expected to be a key piece of the Ravens' defense this year, but as it stands, there's a real chance he misses the team's season opener Sept. 13 against the Colts.
Source: Jeff Zrebiec
Source: Jeff Zrebiec
Steelers at Contract "Impasse" with Joey Porter Jr.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (back) have reached an "impasse" in contract negotiations, head coach Mike McCarthy told Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. Porter is currently on the PUP list, and while his back injury isn't expected to linger into the regular season, the contract issue could have an impact on his workload for Week 1. The 26-year-old defender is coming off a solid season in which he tallied 52 tackles, one sack, and one interception across 14 games. McCarthy said that he hopes to have the opportunity to coach Porter soon, and teammate Jalen Ramsey also delivered public comments in which he said the Steelers "[have] got to pay" the Penn State product. We'll see if that comes to fruition within the next couple of weeks, though. If not, there's no guarantee that Porter suits up for the Steelers' season opener Sept. 13 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Source: Brooke Pryor
Source: Brooke Pryor
Pat Freiermuth Gearing Up for Bounce-Back 2026 Season
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is earning his starting spot on the depth chart with a heavy practice load to round out the preseason. According to Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot, Freiermuth ranked third on the team in targets (13) and tied for second-most receptions (11) through seven preseason practices. The sixth-year veteran is coming off a disappointing 2025 season when his pass-catching abilities were tempered by former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and he logged just 41 receptions for 486 yards and four touchdowns. Fellow tight end Darnell Washington has caught more targets during preseason play, but the heavy practice load suggests Freiermuth will be Aaron Rodgers' preferred third-down target. Freiermuth should be viewed as a late-round or streaming TE with upside.
Source: Steelers Depot
Source: Steelers Depot
