RADIO
James Pearce Jr. Suspended Eight Games
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 regular season for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. The NFL announced Friday that the suspension will begin Aug. 30, and Pearce will be eligible for reinstatement Nov. 2. The discipline follows his February arrest in Florida after a domestic dispute involving his former girlfriend, Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson. Pearce later entered a pretrial intervention program that could result in the charges being dismissed if he completes its conditions. Atlanta is already without Jalon Walker, who tore his ACL earlier this month, so the Falcons will open the year missing both of their 2025 first-round edge rushers. Pearce was a huge part of the pass rush as a rookie, leading Atlanta with 10.5 sacks and adding 16 quarterback hits. RotoBaller had him 90th overall in its latest IDP rankings, but an eight-game absence makes him difficult to carry in standard IDP redraft leagues.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Brenen Thompson Garners Six Targets in NFL Debut
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Brenen Thompson had two catches for 30 yards on six targets in Thursday's preseason 27-7 victory over the Houston Texans. Thompson was tied for the most targets last night (6) with wideout Keandre Lambert-Smith. The 23-year-old rookie immediately showed his ability to be a deep threat in the Chargers' offense with his average of 15 yards per catch. Thompson has had a strong training camp up to this point, and he could find his way into a consistent rotational role for the regular season if he continues to stand out. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel made a heavy push for the team to draft him, so it will be worth managers keeping notes on him as the preseason goes on.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Troy Franklin May Struggle to Repeat Last Year's Volume
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin took a big step forward last season, but getting back to 104 targets could be a challenge. Franklin caught 65 passes for 709 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, finishing second to Courtland Sutton in all three categories. Denver then paid a hefty price to bring in Jaylen Waddle, and the Broncos' first unofficial depth chart has Marvin Mims Jr. ahead of Franklin at the third receiver spot. Franklin hasn't disappeared this summer. Bo Nix has continued finding him during first-team work, and Sean Payton recently praised how much more comfortable he looks with Denver's formations and different alignments. There are just more players fighting for touches now. Sutton and Waddle should command plenty of work, Mims is ahead of Franklin for the moment, and Pat Bryant and Evan Engram are part of the passing game as well. RotoBaller has Franklin at WR84 in half-PPR. He still makes sense as a late flier, but another 100-target season is getting difficult to project.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Gets Limited Action in Preseason Opener
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had two catches for 21 yards on three targets in Thursday's 27-7 victory over the Houston Texans in their preseason opener. Gadsden's lone drop came in the end zone when officials ruled him out of bounds before he completed the catch. The 23-year-old played three offensive drives during the game, but more importantly, he was the only tight end in the potential rotation to play. David Njoku and Charlie Kolar were both held out of the game as the Chargers opted to rest most of their key starters and veterans. This could be the first sign of how the team values the tight end group and how they plan to utilize each of them this season. It will be worth keeping tabs on how much each tight end in that three-man rotation plays during the preseason.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordyn Tyson's Hamstring Injury Could Linger Into Regular Season
Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that rookie first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is dealing with a right-hamstring issue and will miss time, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell. Moore isn't giving a timetable for Tyson's return, but he did say "it could" potentially linger into Week 1 of the regular season. "We've just got to let these experts evaluate this, and then we'll put together a plan," Moore said. "Not going to jump to conclusions. I don't have a doctor in front of my name, so I'm not going to jump to put together a timeline on it." The former Arizona State wideout injured his hamstring during a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday after landing awkwardly following a catch. He was slow to get up to test his leg before jogging off the field and not returning. Moore said the injury isn't a result of his previous hamstring issues in college in 2025. Tyson's hamstring injury and the fact he's missing valuable time learning the offense certainly won't make him more attractive as a WR3/flex target in fantasy football drafts. If he's forced to miss time early in the season, the biggest beneficiary in the Saints' WR room will likely be Devaughn Vele.
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Tyler Higbee Still Hard to Trust in Redraft Leagues
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee is healthy and still part of the first-team rotation, but that does not make him much easier to draft. Higbee played 10 games last season, catching 25 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns while missing time with hip and ankle injuries. He caught a red-zone touchdown on the first day of camp and is listed with Davis Allen atop one tight end spot on the Rams' unofficial depth chart. The problem is how crowded the room has become. Colby Parkinson had 43 catches for 408 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, Terrance Ferguson flashed as a rookie, and Los Angeles spent the 61st overall pick on Max Klare. The Rams love using multiple tight ends, which should keep Higbee on the field, but that is not the same thing as giving him steady targets. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams remain the first options in the passing game, too. Higbee can still find the end zone here and there, but standard redraft managers have better places to look for weekly tight end production.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Amon-Ra St. Brown Remains One Safest WR1s in Redraft Leagues
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has been about as steady as it gets for fantasy managers, and nothing this summer has changed that. He caught 117 passes for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns on 172 targets last season, giving him a fourth straight year with at least 100 receptions. Detroit has a new play caller in Drew Petzing, but the offense has settled in well during camp, and St. Brown has looked like himself. On Aug. 6, he beat Rock Ya-Sin deep for a touchdown in one-on-ones and scored again during red-zone work. There are plenty of mouths to feed with Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs and Isaac TeSlaa all involved, so another 172 targets would be a lot to ask for. That hasn't stopped St. Brown from commanding elite volume before. RotoBaller's Aug. 14 outlook still views him as one of the safest first-round wide receivers after three straight WR3 finishes in both PPR and half-PPR. He's not a riser because there isn't much higher to go, but there is no real reason to fade him either.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kimani Vidal Starts Chargers' Preseason Opener
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal started Thursday's preseason opener against the Houston Texans, but his night was brief. Vidal carried five times for eight yards and did not catch his only target before the Chargers moved on to the rest of the backfield. Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell did not play. That difference is worth noting after Los Angeles spent much of camp talking up all three backs. The Chargers' current depth chart now has Mitchell second behind Hampton, with Vidal listed on the third line alongside Amar Johnson. Vidal proved last season that he can handle a bigger workload when needed, rushing for 643 yards and three touchdowns on 155 carries while making 10 starts. Mike McDaniel has also said he plans to use Hampton, Mitchell and Vidal during the regular season. Vidal should still have a role, but Thursday's usage was another sign that he may be entering the year behind Mitchell in the pecking order.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Keaton Mitchell's Preseason Absence Hints at Prominent Role?
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell did not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Houston Texans, joining Omarion Hampton, Justin Herbert and several other established starters on the sideline. That could be another clue that Mitchell has a real role waiting for him in Mike McDaniel's offense. The Chargers' current depth chart lists the 24-year-old second behind Hampton, and McDaniel has already said he plans to use all three of his top backs during the regular season. Mitchell gives the group something different with his speed. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry on 59 attempts for Baltimore last season and has averaged 6.3 yards per rush for his career. Nothing about sitting out one preseason game guarantees a major workload, but the Chargers apparently didn't need to see Mitchell in game action while evaluating the rest of the backfield. For a player who has never topped 59 carries in a season, that's an encouraging sign that his workload could grow in Los Angeles.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Emanuel Wilson Still Fighting for Early-Season Touches
Seattle Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson had a real chance to climb the depth chart this summer, especially with Zach Charbonnet still rehabbing a torn ACL. So far, it hasn't happened. Seattle's first unofficial depth chart lists George Holani first, first-round rookie Jadarian Price second and Wilson third. Price recently missed time with lower-body soreness, but Mike Macdonald called it minor and said he should be back within days. Wilson at least has proof he can handle a bigger workload. He ran 125 times for 496 yards and three touchdowns for Green Bay last season, and when Josh Jacobs sat against Minnesota, Wilson turned 28 carries into 107 yards and two scores. At 5-foot-10, 226 pounds, he has the build for early-down work. The issue is getting enough of it. Seattle spent the 32nd pick on Price, Holani has stayed ahead of Wilson throughout the offseason, and Charbonnet will eventually return. Wilson is still worth watching if injuries hit, but standard redraft managers can look elsewhere for now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tony Pollard Makes an Impact in Preseason Opener Against Niners
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard worked with the starting unit in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night in the 19-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers and made an impact on the ground, carrying the ball four times for 22 yards and the team's lone rushing score. The 29-year-old was not targeted in the passing game. Pollard had a 12-yard run on the team's first play from scrimmage, and his touchdown run came from five yards out. There have been reports this offseason that pass-catching back Tyjae Spears could have a bigger role in the backfield in new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's scheme, but Pollard put his best foot forward in the preseason opener toward securing the RB1 role in Tennessee's backfield. Pollard quietly had his fourth straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 in his second year with the Titans, adding five touchdown runs and 33 receptions for 206 yards through the air in 17 starts. He's been flex-worthy for fantasy managers the last two years in a bad Titans offense, so if Tennessee can improve in 2026 under Daboll, Pollard could bring more RB3/flex value at the RB position.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Tahj Brooks Drops Two Passes in Preseason Opener
Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks had a rough showing as a receiver in Thursday's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic noted that Brooks dropped two passes from Joe Flacco, including one that hit him between the numbers on a slant with room to run. That's worth noting for a player trying to hold onto the No. 3 job in a Bengals offense that asks its backs to contribute in the passing game. Brooks played only 47 offensive snaps as a rookie, finishing with 16 carries for 45 yards and one catch for nine yards. He had been showing progress as a receiver in camp, even catching a touchdown from Flacco earlier this week after spending the offseason working on that part of his game. Chase Brown and Samaje Perine remain ahead of him on the depth chart, so Brooks doesn't have much margin for mistakes. Two drops won't decide the competition, but Thursday wasn't the start he wanted.
Source: Paul Dehner Jr. - The Athletic
Source: Paul Dehner Jr. - The Athletic
All Three Raiders QBs "Deserve First-Team Reps"
When asked if rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in April's NFL draft, has earned more first-team reps after a strong performance in Thursday's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said, "All three of those guys deserve first-team reps." Kubiak was referring to Mendoza and QBs Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell. Mendoza went 10-for-16 passing for 97 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in the 27-14 loss to Arizona, adding two rushing attempts for six yards in his NFL debut on Thursday. The Indiana product looked more comfortable as the night went on and led the Raiders on a 10-play, 79-yard drive that concluded with a six-yard touchdown pass to second-year receiver Jack Bech. Mendoza had a solid night for sure and could be pushing Cousins for the Week 1 starting job, but Kubiak did say after the game that it's still Cousins' "job to lose." If Mendoza continues to look good in the preseason and in training camp practices, we could see the 22-year-old leading the Raiders' offense in the 2026 regular season sooner rather than later.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Will Shipley Slipping Off the Redraft Radar
Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley has a tough path to fantasy relevance entering his third season. He barely touched the ball in 2025, finishing with 14 carries for 49 yards and nine catches for 56 yards, while most of his work came as a kick returner. That part of his job is still safe. Philadelphia lists Shipley first at kick returner, but the offensive depth chart is another story. Saquon Barkley is first, Tank Bigsby is second, and Shipley is in the third group. Bigsby averaged 5.9 yards per carry after joining the Eagles last season, and he has continued getting meaningful work in camp. During Tuesday's run-out-the-clock period, Barkley and Bigsby were the backs getting carries. Barkley did have his left foot and ankle checked by a trainer Thursday, but there is no diagnosis yet and nothing to suggest Shipley suddenly moves up. His receiving ability gives Philadelphia another option if injuries pile up, but right now he looks more useful to the Eagles than to fantasy managers. In standard redraft leagues, Shipley is hard to justify as anything more than a very deep stash.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian Kirk Rested During Preseason Opener
San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) did not play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Veteran Mike Evans (quadriceps) was also held out as a precaution. Both Kirk and Evans have missed practice recently in training camp with what are considered minor injuries, but they may both be cleared to play in the second preseason tilt next Thursday, Aug. 20, against the Los Angeles Chargers on the road. The 29-year-old was brought in this offseason to bolster San Fran's receiving corps out of the slot. Ricky Pearsall (knee) has already been knocked out for the entire 2026 campaign, but the team's recent addition of Deebo Samuel Sr. has been bad news for Kirk's potential upside in his first year in the Bay Area. Kirk had only 28 catches on 52 targets for 239 yards and one touchdown in 13 regular-season games for the Houston Texans a year ago, and he continues to be hampered by injuries. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues will be ignoring Kirk on draft day.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
