RADIO
Makai Lemon Not Practicing with Hamstring Injury
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon is not practicing on Tuesday, listed with a hamstring issue by The Athletic's Zach Berman. Joining Lemon on the DNP list is DeVonta Smith, who deals with a hamstring concern of his own, but while the veteran has years of chemistry banked with quarterback Jalen Hurts, as evidenced by their two red zone touchdown connections on Monday, Lemon is still looking to establish a role in Sean Mannion's offense. The 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Lemon did not participate in team drills on Monday, and his status will need to be monitored, as he factors as a critical piece in replacing the production of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. With the WR2 spot up for grabs across from Smith, Lemon is RotoBaller's WR45, but any lingering concerns could cause his ADP to drop.
Source: Zach Berman
Source: Zach Berman
DeVonta Smith Sidelined With Hamstring Injury
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) will not practice on Tuesday as he deals with a hamstring issue. After a quiet start to training camp, quarterback Jalen Hurts turned in his best practice of the summer on Monday, throwing his first three touchdowns of competitive sessions, with two of them going to Smith during red zone work. Now with Smith sidelined, along with first-round pick Makai Lemon, who is dealing with a hamstring ailment of his own, Hurts will look to build further chemistry with a new-look receiver room in year one with Sean Mannion calling plays. With an offseason of offensive change, Smith represented one of the few pieces of stability, so his status will need to be monitored in the coming days, but he's expected to be a major piece of the Eagles' passing attack and is RotoBaller's WR12.
Source: Zach Berman
Source: Zach Berman
Rams General Manager Declines to Speak on Puka Nacua's Contract Negotiations
While recently speaking with reporters, Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead declined to answer a question about wide receiver Puka Nacua's ongoing contract negotiations, saying, "We'll keep that between us." He did offer up that the first-team All-Pro is "in a great spot," following an offseason in which he drew headlines for some of his off-field antics. Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions on his way to a WR1 finish in 2025, and when he's healthy and involved, he is one of fantasy's biggest difference-makers. The former fifth-round pick has seen his value grow year over year, and as RotoBaller's WR1, he belongs in the conversation for the first overall pick in 2026 drafts.
Source: Dan Graziano
Source: Dan Graziano
Bryce Young Will Not Play in Hall of Fame Game
With the first action of the 2026 preseason slated for Thursday, August 6, when the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals meet for the Hall of Fame Game, participation and usage of teams' starters and depth players will soon become a major storyline, and the Panthers have already announced that quarterback Bryce Young will not see any action in the preseason opener. With head coach Dave Canales telling reporters that most of the team's starters will sit, veteran Kenny Pickett will draw the start. Young enters his fourth season with no long-term extension in place, making 2026 a critical proving year after three up-and-down seasons, and at RotoBaller's QB26, he is viewed as little more than an occasional streaming option in single-quarterback leagues.
Source: Steve Reed - AP News
Source: Steve Reed - AP News
Brian Thomas Jr. Described as "Unreal" by Head Coach
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was one of fantasy's biggest disappointments in 2025, but reports coming out of training camp would suggest he's primed for a bounce-back in Year 3. Head coach Liam Coen touched upon the connection he's seen between Thomas and quarterback Trevor Lawrence since the spring, telling reporters, "I've just sensed a different dude in terms of confidence, the way he carries himself, his communication... I am confident in him right now, and I know Trevor is, too." Coen also referred to his route-running as "unreal" and anticipates a major downfield role for him in 2026. It is worth noting that much of Thomas' rookie season success came when the team was drawing up plays for him closer to the line of scrimmage, so caution is still warranted with a deep receiver room capable of making him more of a boom or bust play than a sure thing, but with his current ADP pushed all the way down to WR34, he represents a high-upside swing in the middle rounds of drafts.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Greg Dulcich "Day-to-Day" with Undisclosed Injury
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich has missed consecutive practices with an undisclosed injury, but head coach Jeff Hafley is considering him day-to-day, telling reporters he could be back next week, with the Dolphins scheduled for joint practice sessions with the Commanders ahead of their preseason opener. After a strong close to the 2025 season, Dulcich could be in line for the largest workload of his career, with the Dolphins lacking premier pass-catching options outside of running back De'Von Achane, but a history of hamstring injuries has cost him more than 20 games across his first four seasons. His status will need to be monitored when he does return, but at RotoBaller's TE27, he has clear sleeper potential as a necessary piece of the Dolphins' passing attack.
Source: C. Isaiah Smalls II
Source: C. Isaiah Smalls II
Bijan Robinson Agrees to Historical Extension
Running back Bijan Robinson has agreed to a three-year extension with the Atlanta Falcons worth up to $75 million. The deal includes $51 million in guaranteed money, which is the highest ever paid to a running back, and the new average annual value of $25 million exceeds that of Saquon Barkley by $4.4 million. Robinson has topped 1,400 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons while adding 140 receptions and an additional 1,251 receiving yards over that span. With Kevin Stefanski taking over as head coach and Robinson's long-time running mate Tyler Allgeier departing in free agency, expectations have only gotten higher for the fourth-year player, and he is RotoBaller's RB2 for 2026, behind only Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs, who is likely now in line for a substantial payday of his own.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Davis Allen Will be Given "Some Time" to Heal From Quad Injury
Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen (quadriceps) is dealing with a quad injury at training camp, and head coach Sean McVay said that the team will give Allen "some time" before he returns to practice because it's a soft-tissue injury, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. "You don't want to rush him back," McVay said. "Davis is going to be a big part of what we do this year." The 25-year-old is coming off the best year of his career in 2025 in his third year, but he only caught 24 of his 33 targets for 208 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (five starts) for L.A. McVay says that Allen will be a big part of the offense, but it's likely to come more in the form of blocking than as a fantasy-relevant pass-catcher. Allen will also have a hard time standing out in the box score with Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, and Terrance Ferguson all capable of pitching in on offense, too. Not to mention receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams drawing the vast majority of passing-game targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford. Allen won't be a factor in single-TE fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Michael Mayer Suffers Nose Injury on Monday
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (nose) left training camp practice early on Monday due to a busted nose, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Head coach Klint Kubiak said Mayer should be fine. Mayer will most likely miss a day or two before returning to the practice field this summer. The 25-year-old's fantasy ceiling is limited as long as Brock Bowers stays healthy in 2026. Bowers dealt with injuries in his second year in 2025, but Mayer only had 35 receptions for 328 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets in 13 games played (12 starts). The Raiders could use more two-tight-end sets under Kubiak this year, and they should be in better hands at the QB position with veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza, but that alone won't make the former second-rounder from Notre Dame viable in single-TE fantasy leagues. Right now, Mayer is ranked at RotoBaller as the No. 35 overall fantasy TE as he heads into his third year in the league.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Rookie Receiver Caleb Douglas Striving for More Consistency
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas has shown some flashes so far in training camp, but he still has plenty of things to improve on while striving for more consistency, according to C. Isaiah Smalls II of The Miami Herald. The Texas Tech standout also had a rough minicamp last month, but regardless, he will have plenty of opportunity in his first year in the NFL in a new offense after the team traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos and released injured wideout Tyreek Hill (knee). "I've been impressed," head coach Jeff Hafley said. "I think he's still got work to do and within the scheme, but we've moved him around. He's made some contested catches, which I think is very impressive with guys right there." The 6-foot-4 wideout has been somewhat of a safety blanket for new QB Malik Willis. Quarterback Quinn Ewers said Douglas' "size" makes him a valuable target. The 22-year-old third-rounder is competing with Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell as Willis' top target in 2026. It's not the ideal situation to be in, but the opportunity alone will make Douglas an intriguing late-round flier in deeper fantasy leagues in his first NFL season.
Source: The Miami Herald - C. Isaiah Smalls II
Source: The Miami Herald - C. Isaiah Smalls II
Tony Pollard to Handle Between 12-16 Carries a Game?
During a Q&A on Titans Camp Live, reporter Paul Kuharsky said Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is expected to get at least 12 carries per game this season, ideally up to 16 if the team is in the lead. Kuharsky also said fifth-round rookie Nicholas Singleton would compete for Pollard's workload, while Tyjae Spears would handle receiving and third-down work. Pollard is one of two backs to have four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, alongside Ravens running back Derrick Henry. With Spears and now Singleton competing for carries, Pollard will hope the Titans' offense takes a leap in production under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Source: Paul Kuharsky
Christian Kirk Still Sitting Out on Monday
San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) was observed running on a side field during Monday's training camp practice, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Kirk wasn't running full speed, but the fact that he was doing anything at all suggests that he could be back at practice with the rest of the team sooner rather than later. The 49ers are all kinds of banged up in camp at the receiver position, with Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season already and veteran Mike Evans (quadriceps) and rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) sidelined with minor injuries. The 29-year-old Kirk could have a bigger role in San Fran's passing attack in his first year with the team in 2026 with Pearsall out, but the Niners' recent signing of veteran Deebo Samuel Sr. probably makes Kirk a non-factor for fantasy managers in 12-team leagues to begin the season. At best, Kirk will be a late-round flier as RotoBaller's No. 85-ranked fantasy WR. The former second-rounder by the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 from Texas A&M has played in only 21 games due to injuries the last two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, and he had a 28-239-1 line in 13 regular-season games with Houston in 2025.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Sam Darnold Adjusting to New Offensive Coordinator
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is entering his second season with the team and his first under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. After winning the Super Bowl in 2025 under now-Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, Darnold and the Seahawks offense will need to adjust to a new playcaller. Darnold described his new coordinator as "stoic, even-keeled, and consistent," a style similar to his previous offensive playcaller in Kubiak. Both were with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, when Darnold was the backup quarterback, and Fleury was the tight ends coach. While a "Super Bowl Regression" is possible in Seattle, Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and the rest of the Seahawks offense will hope to go back-to-back this season.
Source: Brady Henderson - ESPN
Source: Brady Henderson - ESPN
Broncos in "No Hurry Right Now" to Bring in Taysom Hill
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on Monday that "there's no hurry right now" to bring in free-agent tight end Taysom Hill, according to Luca Evans of The Denver Post. Payton added that he's set to see Hill in five days at quarterback Drew Brees' Hall of Fame induction. The head coach also said later that he needs to see where Hill is mentally and whether he even wants to play another season in the NFL. The 35-year-old Swiss Army Knife for the New Orleans Saints for the last nine years has parted ways with the organization and will play for another team if he returns for a 10th season in 2026. In 13 games with the Saints last year, Hill carried the ball 52 times for 114 yards (career-low 2.2 yards per carry) and just one touchdown, adding 11 catches for 91 yards on 16 targets as a receiver. The Broncos already have a pretty crowded receiver and running backs room, as well as veteran TE Evan Engram, so Hill could be an odd fit if he were to join Denver. Payton would surely find a way to use Hill to his advantage, but he would most likely operate in more of a gadget role that wouldn't lend itself to much fantasy football value.
Source: The Denver Post - Luca Evans
Source: The Denver Post - Luca Evans
Mason Taylor "Excited" to Play Alongside Rookie TE
Despite the team's decision to draft a tight end in the first round, New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor is excited to play alongside Oregon rookie Kenyon Sadiq. On Sadiq's selection, Taylor said, "I was excited. It's great for our team, makes the room better, the competition better. He's a great kid. He's come in here and learned fast. He's asked questions. It's exciting. It opens the door for all of us. I think that's the best part of it. We're just all excited about it." Taylor also added that offensive coordinator Frank Reich is going to have lots of fun creating an offense that includes both Sadiq and himself. As a rookie, Taylor hauled in 44 of 65 passes for 369 yards and one touchdown in 13 games. With Sadiq expected to take a ton of work from Taylor, the second-year tight end is not fantasy-relevant entering the 2026 season.
Source: Colin Martin - SNY
Source: Colin Martin - SNY
