RADIO
Caleb Williams Drops 10-15 Pounds to Increase his Mobility
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said he dropped 10-15 pounds in the offseason and expects to move around better in 2026, according to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune. Williams is listed at 226 pounds, which is the same figure the Bears used last year after listing him at 215 pounds as a rookie in 2024. The 24-year-old former first overall pick from USC took a step forward in Year 2 in his first year with new head coach Ben Johnson, with 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 17 regular-season starts. Williams made a lot of wild plays outside of the pocket deep down the field, and he had a penchant for leading the Bears to insane fourth-quarter comebacks. Johnson is now hoping to get Williams to operate more within the framework of his offense in his third year in the league. Even though receiver DJ Moore is no longer in town, Williams has the skill players around him to take another leap given his arm strength and dual-threat abilities. Fantasy managers should be targeting him as a midrange QB1 this year with a high ceiling as he continues to evolve in a strong Chicago offense.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Alvin Kamara, Travis Etienne Jr. Splitting First-Team Reps
New Orleans Saints running backs Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Jr. are splitting first-team reps early in training camp, according to Sean Fazende of FOX 8 Nola. The expectation coming into camp was that Etienne would be the team's clear lead back after the Saints signed him to a four-year, $52 million contract in free agency back in March. But after the Saints reworked Kamara's contract to keep him around for another year in the Big Easy, the two RBs will share the Saints' backfield to start the 2026 season. Etienne, who ran for 1,107 yards on 260 rushing attempts in 17 regular-season games in 2025 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, should still have a significant role in his first year in New Orleans, but Kamara's dual-threat presence could keep the former from being a true RB1 in fantasy football. RotoBaller has Etienne currently ranked as the No. 16 fantasy RB, making him an ideal low-end RB1/high-end RB2 target in head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense. Kamara has the history and hometown presence, but his fantasy value is expected to take a massive hit as the 1B to Etienne in a best-case scenario. RotoBaller has Kamara ranked as the RB52 for 2026.
Source: FOX 8 Nola - Sean Fazende
Source: FOX 8 Nola - Sean Fazende
Chris Brazzell II Carted Off on Wednesday With Leg Injury
Carolina Panthers rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (leg) was carted to the locker room after suffering a left-leg injury during training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brazzell was not putting any weight on his leg, which obviously is not a good sign for the University of Tennessee product. The 22-year-old was returned to practice on Wednesday after sitting out for a couple of days due to knee soreness, but it's unclear if that is related to the injury suffered on Wednesday. The severity of Brazzell's injury is unknown right now, but if it's relatively minor, he'll have plenty of time still before the start of the 2026 regular season begins. If it's a significant injury that causes Brazzell to miss the start of his rookie campaign, it will be good news for Xavier Legette, who would essentially be locked in as the team's WR3 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Brazzell came into training camp expected to challenge Legette for the WR3 immediately.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Patrick Mahomes Taking Part in 11-on-11 Drills
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is doing 11-on-11 drills at the start of training camp this week, according to Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com. Mahomes is a full-go for the start of camp despite tearing his ACL and LCL late last season. The 30-year-old has made excellent strides in his rehab during the offseason, and there's no reason to believe at this point that he won't be ready for the Week 1 showdown on Monday night against the division-rival Denver Broncos, barring a setback this summer. It will be interesting to see whether the Chiefs give Mahomes the clearance to play in any preseason games, but for now, this is a pretty significant development and a positive sign for Mahomes early in camp. The two-time MVP and six-time Pro Bowler will be looking to lead his team back to the postseason in 2026 after the offense has grown a bit stagnant in recent years. With receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy both healthy, though, Mahomes could be ready for a bounce-back after throwing for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 picks in 14 starts in 2025. Mahomes is quickly becoming a more attractive low-end QB1 target in redraft leagues.
Source: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
Source: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
Michael Penix Jr. Might Not be Close to a Return
Although Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) said that he's "feeling really good," he said that doctors told him a week ago that he probably had another four weeks in his rehab from a torn left ACL suffered last year, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That timetable would track to Aug. 25 being the ninth month removed from knee surgery. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that Penix wouldn't take part in 11-on-11 drills at the start of training camp, and with Tua Tagovailoa also dealing with a tight back, the Falcons' QB battle is off to a bad start. With both QBs injured, the Falcons signed veteran Cooper Rush as insurance on Wednesday. The Falcons are optimistic that Penix will be ready in time for preseason games, but the more time he misses, the likelihood of him winning the starting job going into Week 1 diminishes. Penix's fantasy stock in both redraft and dynasty/keeper leagues continues to fall by the day, even though he technically still isn't being ruled out for the QB1 job.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee Will Continue to Rotate at QB2
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on Wednesday that the team will continue to rotate at QB2 with veteran Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee like they did during the spring, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports. The Eagles acquired Dalton in a trade from the Carolina Panthers back in March. The 38-year-old veteran will bring plenty of experience to the QB room behind starter Jalen Hurts as the Eagles look to rebound from a particularly frustrating offensive year in 2025. The former second-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011 from TCU has 15 years of experience in the NFL, but he's only started seven games in the last three years with the Panthers. In four appearances (one start) in 2025, Dalton threw for 293 yards, one touchdown and an interception. If Dalton ends up winning the QB2 job outright in Philly during camp and the preseason, the Eagles could look to trade McKee to a QB-needy team right before the start of the 2026 regular season.
Source: NBC Sports - Dave Zangaro
Source: NBC Sports - Dave Zangaro
Jahmyr Gibbs Considering a Hold-In?
The Detroit Lions have opened their 2026 training camp, but three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs is not taking part in practice, as reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. A similar situation is playing out in Atlanta with Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, and Schefter notes that the two had offseason conversations about potential long-term contracts. As first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, both Gibbs and Robinson had their fifth-year options exercised this offseason, giving the Lions and Falcons team control through the 2027 season with the potential of using the franchise tag after that. Gibbs is RotoBaller's RB1 and the top overall player for the 2026 season, making any potential hold-in a situation capable of causing ripples throughout 2026 drafts.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Bucky Irving a Full-Go to Open Training Camp
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) is a full-go for the team's Wednesday training camp practice, with head coach Todd Bowles telling reporters that he looks good. Buccaneers senior writer Scott Smith reports that Irving is not being eased into anything after sitting out the team's mandatory minicamp practices while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Irving missed seven games in 2025 while dealing with a shoulder subluxation and foot sprain and was visibly impacted by the injuries when he did take the field, averaging 3.4 yards per carry while finding the end zone only once on the ground. The lack of limitation to begin camp is positive news for drafters, but fantasy managers will still need to pay attention to his reported usage throughout the summer, as the Buccaneers added pass-catching specialist Kenny Gainwell this offseason, potentially lowering Irving's fantasy floor and ceiling. The third-year back is RotoBaller's RB25 for 2026.
Source: Scott Smith
Source: Scott Smith
Bijan Robinson Holding in at Training Camp?
With training camps opening for the Atlanta Falcons, running back Bijan Robinson is not practicing, as reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. He was a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and with Robinson's fifth-year option picked up to give the Falcons salary control through the 2027 season, Schefter reports that Robinson had been in conversation this offseason about a potential long-term contract. Robinson is RotoBaller's No. 2 overall player for 2026. While there is still more than a month before the start of the 2026 season, drafters would be advised to monitor this emerging situation, as any prolonged hold-in could have serious fantasy ramifications.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Tank Dell Will be Limited to Open Training Camp
After last playing on an NFL field in Week 16 of the 2024 season, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) avoided the PUP list to begin training camp, but Texans beat writer Aaron Wilson reports that he will be kept out of full-team work to open camp. Dell has been medically cleared for all football activity, but the team will take it slow as he continues to work back from a gruesome injury that consisted of multiple torn ligaments, meniscus damage, and a dislocated kneecap. Through his first two seasons in the league, Dell had established an obvious chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud, totaling 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and ten touchdowns across 25 games and regularly earning the praise of the signal-caller with whom he came into the league as part of the Texans' 2023 draft class. Dell still has a long way to go before he can again be trusted as a reliable fantasy contributor, but at RotoBaller's WR75, he's a player to consider in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts and one whose progress should be monitored closely throughout training camp.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Kyren Williams Believes Reaching 1,000 Yards is "Kind of Easy" in Rams Offense
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams is one of only four backs to rush for 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons, and while he takes pride in the accomplishment, to hear him tell it, it now seems more like an expectation than a yearly goal. In a recent appearance on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, he shared how his mindset has changed since entering the league with the simple goal of a 1,000-yard season. "As a running back, if you know what you're doing running the ball, 1,000 yards should be fairly kind of easy. But that also comes with the great linemen that we have and the great offensive-minded coach that we have, as well, that allows me to be able to do those types of things." He added, "That's something I strive for. That's something I hold true to myself that I've got to continue to get those positive yards, those efficient yards. When I look back at the season, I expect to see 1,000 yards." Williams ran for 1,252 yards on his way to an RB9 finish in 2025, and while his own expectations have not changed, he's recently been faded by the draft community, falling to RB14 by current ADP as teammate Blake Corum continues to pick up steam, making him a potential steal with RB1 upside at an RB2 price.
Source: Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams
Source: Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams
Some Uncertainty for Alec Pierce's Week 1 Availability
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard spoke with reporters on Tuesday, and in discussing the regular-season availability of his new $114 million wide receiver, Alec Pierce, he remained noncommittal but did not explicitly rule out the possibility that Pierce could miss time, as reported by the Indianapolis Star's Nathan Brown. Ballard told the assembled media, "He's not active right now. He's on PUP, and that's kinda a day-by-day thing... I'm not a doctor so we'll just play it by ear and see how it goes." Pierce opted for offseason surgery after a platelet-rich plasma injection did not relieve the pain of a nagging ankle issue he has been dealing with since 2024. While he has yet to practice since signing his new deal or going under the knife, Ballard did not seem overly concerned about his recovery timeline, telling reporters that he was "a week or two away," and later, "Of course, we'd like to have him right now, but Pierce is working his butt off, and he'll be ready to go when he's completely cleared," Pierce is RotoBaller's WR39 and could prove to be one of the best values in 2026 drafts if he's able to start the season without restriction.
Source: Nathan Brown - The Indianapolis Star
Source: Nathan Brown - The Indianapolis Star
Travis Hunter Opens Camp by Warming Up with the Offense
The Jacksonville Jaguars have taken to the field for their first practice of training camp, and second-year two-way player Travis Hunter started the day wearing a teal offensive jersey, warming up alongside the other non-special-teams wide receivers before breaking off with the defensive backs for individual drills. Hunter's year two usage, and how he fits into an already crowded receiver room, have been some of the biggest storylines of the Jaguars offseason, and the message sent by the team to open camp offers little clarification. While operating primarily on the offensive side of the ball as a rookie, Hunter caught only 28 passes for 298 yards before an LCL injury ended his season after seven games. Still, he appeared to be on the verge of a breakout, recording his first 100-yard game and catching the first touchdown of his career in the Week 7 contest he left injured. Hunter's upside is undeniable, and with him falling as far in drafts as he has, any usage-related risk is all but removed, making him a player to target in the late rounds as RotoBaller's WR72.
Source: John Shipley
Source: John Shipley
Door Could Be Closing on Trey Benson
The pads have come on at Arizona Cardinals training camp, and Arizona Sports' Tyler Drake believes that third-year running back Trey Benson could be falling perilously behind in the competition for meaningful work in 2026. The Cardinals bolstered their running back room this offseason through the free agent acquisition of Tyler Allgeier and the drafting of Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the moves look to be paying early dividends. Allgeier has almost exclusively been the first back through positional drills, and Drake reports that Love has looked like the real deal in the early days of camp, standing out with his shiftiness and playmaking abilities. Even Bam Knight has surprised with some early highlights, while neither Benson nor veteran James Conner has taken part in full team drills, as they each work through the final stages of recovery from the injuries that ended their respective 2025 campaigns. Conner is a proven leader, and his place on the final roster would appear to be more secure after recently being singled out by offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, but for Benson, every day that he falls behind makes his future with the team that much murkier.
Source: Tyler Drake - Arizona Sports
Source: Tyler Drake - Arizona Sports
Falcons Sign Quarterback Cooper Rush
With quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa (back) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) both dealing with injuries to begin training camp, the Atlanta Falcons have signed veteran Cooper Rush, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Penix did not practice throughout OTAs or minicamp as he continues to recover from a 2025 season-ending knee injury, and Tagovailoa is reported to be experiencing back tightness ahead of training camp, forcing the Falcons to add Rush two days before their first practice of the summer. The 32-year-old career backup started two games in 2025 in his lone season with the Ravens, throwing for 303 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions before being supplanted by Tyler Huntley and eventually released. Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Wednesday that Tagovailoa "will be out there sooner rather than later," but in the meantime, Rush could find himself briefly working with the first-team offense.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
