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Josh Jacobs Pleads No Contest to Charges
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs pleaded no contest on Thursday to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. ESPN's Rob Demovsky reports that Brown County District Attorney David Lasee will not seek jail time for Jacobs, who was arrested in May in a domestic incident. However, Lasee will pursue a conviction on the battery count and will accept a deferred agreement on the criminal damage to property if Jacobs meets five conditions related to his no-contest plea. The Packers placed the 28-year-old RB on the commissioner's exempt list, where he is expected to remain until the legal process plays out. It is unclear if the NFL will then hand down a separate suspension for Jacobs, but he at least will be sidelined for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this Sunday against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Jacobs' off-the-field legal issues have obviously damaged his fantasy football value quite a bit for the start of the season, but he should remain stashed in all leagues while the legal process plays out. Without Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd is expected to get the first crack at backfield duties in Green Bay, but both Kaleb Johnson and Chris Brooks could also be involved.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Jacoby Brissett Could be a Trade Candidate at Midseason
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler thinks that Arizona Cardinals veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett could be a midseason trade candidate if he plays well, but the Cardinals struggle to win. Brissett surprised a lot of people last year when he averaged 280.5 passing yards per start over 12 games when he took over for the injured Kyler Murray, but that was also in old offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's scheme with a completely different coaching staff. If the aforementioned scenario happens and Brissett is traded away at midseason, it would open a path for the Cardinals to see what they have in Carson Beck, a third-rounder back in April. The 33-year-old Brissett threw for a career-high 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 games (12 starts) last year. He has strong receiving options in Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, and Trey McBride, but the overwhelming consensus is that new head coach Mike LaFleur's offense will be more balanced in 2026, making Brissett a regression candidate in terms of his fantasy value in his 11th year in the NFL.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Seth McGowan's Long Road Leads to the Colts' RB2 Job
Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan took a long route to his current spot behind Jonathan Taylor. Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star detailed the difficult road McGowan traveled after his career at Oklahoma ended following a 2021 arrest, with stops at Texas College, Butler Community College, New Mexico State and Kentucky before the Colts drafted him in the seventh round this spring. The football climb continued once he arrived. McGowan impressed Indianapolis with his physical running and receiving ability during camp, and he has now moved ahead of DJ Giddens on the current depth chart after opening the preseason behind him. That makes the rookie considerably more interesting for fantasy. Taylor still dominates this backfield, so there isn't much standalone value to chase right now. McGowan has nevertheless gone from a seventh-round flier to the Colts' No. 2 back, giving him real handcuff value if his role is ever forced to grow.
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Alvin Kamara Expected to Play in Week 1
NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill expects New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) to play in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, barring a setback in practice late this week. Kamara's return would give the Saints' offense more ways to use two backs and create space on offense. The 31-year-old returned to practice on Wednesday in a limited fashion, and he is apparently trending in the right direction to be ready for the 2026 regular-season opener this weekend after being held out for most of training camp in the summer due to an MCL sprain in his knee. Kamara also missed the end of the 2025 campaign with a knee injury, and his role in New Orleans is going to look a lot different this year with Travis Etienne Jr. in town and expected to see most of the backfield work for the Saints. Kamara will still have a role, too, but mostly in obvious pass-catching situations. Kamara's expected return this weekend is not great news for Etienne's fantasy ceiling in Week 1. Even though Kamara should be rostered in PPR leagues this season, he will make for a risky RB3/flex if he is active in Detroit.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Sean Tucker Returns to Practice Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session, according to Rick Stroud. Tucker had also missed practice time earlier in the week while rehabbing the injury, and head coach Todd Bowles had called him a game-time decision for Sunday's opener against Cincinnati. It is not yet clear how much Tucker was able to do Thursday, so his official participation level will be important when Tampa Bay releases its next injury report. Tucker rushed for 320 yards and seven touchdowns on 86 carries last season and enters Week 1 behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell on the depth chart. His return to the field Thursday is at least a positive development after opening the practice week with a DNP.
Source: Rick Stroud
Source: Rick Stroud
Pat Bryant Could Force his Way into Bigger Role in 2026
There was a lot of positive talk coming out of Denver Broncos training camp this summer about second-year wide receiver Pat Bryant, the team's third-round pick in 2025. The Broncos' big offseason move was acquiring speedy receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins, and Courtland Sutton will continue to be a factor. But the praise about Bryant's Year 2 improvements makes ESPN's Dan Graziano wonder if he could "force his way into a bigger role than expected." Graziano does not think that people should be shocked if Bryant is a big part of Denver's new-look passing attack in their Monday night opener on the road in Week 1 against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The 23-year-old from Illinois caught 31 of his 49 targets for 378 yards and only one touchdown in 15 regular-season games in 2025 as a rookie, but he was more involved later in the year while battling multiple injuries. The Broncos' WR room is more crowded than ever, and Bryant will have to compete for targets with Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr., but he is an intriguing upside bench stash in deeper fantasy formats in an ascending Broncos offense. Bryant is currently rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
Blake Grupe Still Competing for Week 1 Kicking Job
New York Jets kicker Blake Grupe still hasn't secured the job for Sunday's opener against Tennessee. Special teams coordinator Chris Banjo said Thursday that Grupe and Jason Sanders remain in competition, according to Zack Rosenblatt. Banjo said he is looking for "confidence and consistency" before making the call. Grupe is currently on the active roster after the Jets claimed him off waivers from Indianapolis on Aug. 31, while Sanders is on the practice squad. Grupe made all 11 of his field-goal attempts over five games with the Colts last season, including a 60-yarder, after going 18-for-26 earlier in the year with New Orleans. Sanders missed all of 2025 with a hip injury but has considerably more NFL experience. For now, fantasy managers looking for a Week 1 kicker should wait for the Jets to actually name one.
Source: Zack Rosenblatt
Source: Zack Rosenblatt
Stefon Diggs May Not Be Slowing Down Yet
Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs may not be slowing down yet. According to Zach Selby, offensive coordinator David Blough said he is excited for Diggs and Jayden Daniels to show the chemistry they have worked on this weekend. That is not the first positive sign. Washington's own camp coverage noted that Diggs and Daniels were connecting often during joint practices, and Diggs is officially listed as a starter alongside Terry McLaurin. He also isn't coming off a down year. Diggs caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns with New England in 2025, finishing as the WR17 in PPR scoring. The target ceiling may be lower with McLaurin still at the top of the pecking order, but Diggs does not need to dominate targets to stay useful. If the chemistry with Daniels carries into games, his value could hold stronger than expected and still have room to rise.
Source: Zach Selby
Source: Zach Selby
Antonio Williams Drawing More Praise in Washington
Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams keeps giving the coaching staff reasons to stay interested. According to Zach Selby, offensive coordinator David Blough said he has seen a lot of growth from Williams and called the rookie a joy to work with. That fits what Washington has been saying for months. Williams was praised for his route running and ability to create separation in the spring, then continued to flash during training camp. He was also held out of the preseason finale along with a large group of regulars. The Week 1 depth chart still has Treylon Burks ahead of him, with Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs occupying the other starting spots, so there is no immediate fantasy role to bank on. Still, Williams was the 71st overall pick for a reason, and the positive reports have not stopped. If that growth starts turning into regular snaps, his fantasy value could move quickly.
Source: Zach Selby
Source: Zach Selby
Tyler Shough Leaves Fantasy Managers Plenty to Believe In
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough made a pretty convincing case for himself before his rookie season ended. Over his final five games, Shough completed 69.9% of his passes for 1,316 yards, five touchdowns and only two interceptions while New Orleans went 4-1. He gave fantasy managers something on the ground too, adding 135 rushing yards and three more scores during that stretch. It was enough to earn him NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors for December and January. Shough now enters Year 2 without a quarterback competition and with Chris Olave coming off the best season of his career. First-round receiver Jordyn Tyson will miss the beginning of the year on injured reserve, so the supporting cast isn't completely intact. Still, Shough's finish is difficult to brush aside as one good game or a short hot streak. If that late-season version sticks around, he could move well beyond being viewed as just another matchup-dependent fantasy quarterback.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Love May Have to Carry More of Green Bay's Offense
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love could have more put on his plate than we've seen the past couple of seasons. Josh Jacobs remains unavailable, leaving Green Bay to sort through an unproven group of running backs as the season begins. Love didn't need huge volume to play well last year, completing a career-high 66.3% of his passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns and only six interceptions on 439 attempts. Fantasy managers have already seen what happens when those attempts climb. Love threw 579 times for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2023, his best fantasy season by far. The receiving group is also in better shape, with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft all off the initial injury report. Love still doesn't give managers much of a rushing floor, and Minnesota isn't an easy opening matchup. This is more about what comes next. If Green Bay can't lean on the running game the way it has recently, Love's fantasy ceiling gets a lot more interesting.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tucker Kraft's Contract Talks Could Reset Tight End Market
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft remains in contract talks with the team, and the next deal at the position could be a big one. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Green Bay hopes to get something done by the end of Week 1, with Kraft in position to become the first tight end to reach $20 million per year. George Kittle currently tops the market at $19.1 million annually, just ahead of Trey McBride at $19 million. Kraft is entering the final year of his rookie contract after catching 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games last season before tearing his ACL against Carolina. He returned from the PUP list on July 31 and worked back into 11-on-11 drills in August. If the two sides can close the gap, Kraft's deal could be the one that finally pushes the tight-end market past $20 million.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Isaiah Likely Could Hit The Ground Running This Season
New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely is creating some real buzz in the fantasy community, mostly because he is no longer blocked from playing time behind Mark Andrews for the Baltimore Ravens. He has been impressive in training camp, and there is a real belief among many who follow the team that he emerges as the No. 2 target behind Malik Nabers on the outside for the Giants. Adam Bernstein of GMENHQ, a Giants blog, wrote this about Likely: "Given the state of New York's receiver room, there's a real chance he functions as Dart's No. 2 receiving option behind Malik Nabers." Likely played in 14 games last year with the Baltimore Ravens and caught 27 passes for 307 yards and a touchdown, playing most of the season behind Andrews on the depth chart. This is an opportunity for a breakout season for Likely in an expanded role.
Source: GMEN HQ blog
Source: GMEN HQ blog
Daniel Jones Could Be Looking At Big Year With Full Health
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is making his way back from a torn Achilles he suffered about nine months ago in Jacksonville. Jones did not play in any preseason games but turned heads within the Colts organization for a positive return from the devastating injury. Jones passed for 3,101 yards and 19 touchdowns last season and has added to he receiver room with Keenan Allen coming in and having Alec Pierce and Josh Downs on the outside with Tyler Warren at tight end. It's a good group of receiving talent, which sets up Jones nicely for a good season, but the main thing is that he appears to have put the injury behind him. He's always brought scrambling to the table a little bit and should continue to do that after rushing for 164 yards in 2025.
Source: WISHTV.com
Source: WISHTV.com
Darren Waller Making Smooth Transition to Panthers
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller is receiving positive buzz from the Carolina coaching staff as he prepares to be ready for Week 1. Head coach Dave Canales had this to say about the veteran tight end, on Panthers Wire, "Big and fast. The offensive stuff, the playbook stuff has been really smooth, really easy for him. And we have totally different terminology then where he was at in Miami before. Intelligent guy, hard worker. So he's been great from a mental standpoint." Waller played in nine games for the Miami Dolphins last year and caught 24 passes on 34 targets for 283 yards and six touchdowns. At age 33, Waller is still in great shape and is a threat in the red zone. He could emerge as a big target for quarterback Bryce Young in the target areas. He could be an under-the-radar tight end option.
Source: Panthers Wire, USA Today
Source: Panthers Wire, USA Today
