Jul 27, 2026, 3:38 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges was active during the team's first training camp practice Sunday, with 49ers.com reporting that quarterback Brock Purdy connected with him during team periods. The report did not include a target or reception total, so the early involvement should not be treated as evidence of a major role change. Tonges caught 34 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games in 2025 after entering the season without a regular-season NFL reception. Four of those touchdowns came from inside the opponent's 20-yard line, and San Francisco re-signed him to a two-year contract in March. Tonges could receive additional opportunities while George Kittle (Achilles) remains on the Active/PUP list, though Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis, and Tanner McLachlan are also part of the tight end room. Tonges is worth monitoring in deeper formats during Kittle's recovery, but one early camp connection with Purdy is not enough to establish a dependable fantasy role.--Bruno Mulé
Source: 49ers.com

Jul 27, 2026, 3:27 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Christian Kirk did not practice Monday because of a calf issue, according to Nick Wagoner. Matt Maiocco later reported that Kirk sustained a calf strain, but no timetable for his return has been announced. The 29-year-old signed a one-year contract with San Francisco in March after catching 28 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown across 13 games with the Houston Texans in 2025. Kirk is trying to establish a role in a reworked receiving corps that also includes Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and second-round rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, whom the 49ers selected 33rd overall. Any extended absence would cost Kirk valuable time in a new offense and could create additional camp opportunities for the team's other receivers. For now, the lack of a reported timetable makes Kirk's participation worth monitoring, but there is not enough information to determine how much time he will miss.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Nick Wagoner

Jul 27, 2026, 3:18 PM ET

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel pushed back Monday on reports about wide receiver A.J. Brown's knee, saying the team is "very confident" in where Brown stands physically, according to Doug Kyed. Vrabel said Brown has done everything asked of him through the first two training camp practices and has made a strong start while acclimating to his new team. Brown will not participate in every activity, but Vrabel indicated that those decisions will be made by the coaching and medical staffs, as New England has done with other veterans during camp. The Patriots were aware of wear and tear in Brown's right knee before acquiring him from Philadelphia, and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said the team's medical staff approved the trade. Brown also passed his physical before joining the Patriots for offseason practices. The 29-year-old caught 78 of 121 targets for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games last season, extending his streak to four consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. Vrabel's comments are encouraging for Brown's 2026 fantasy outlook, though fantasy managers should expect New England to manage his practice workload when needed.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Doug Kyed

Jul 27, 2026, 3:10 PM ET

There is still no public update on potential contract extension talks between Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and the team with veterans due to report Tuesday, July 28, according to Greg Auman. Auman noted that neither side has provided an update and that it remains unclear whether Mayfield's self-imposed deadline is the reporting date or Wednesday's first practice. The 31-year-old is entering the final season of the three-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2024. Mayfield said in June that the sides were not close and that he would stop discussing a new deal once training camp begins, but he also made clear that he remains committed to helping Tampa Bay in 2026. He completed 343 of 543 passes for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions last season while adding a career-high 382 rushing yards. Because Mayfield has said the contract issue will not change his commitment to the 2026 season, the unresolved talks matter more to his long-term dynasty outlook than his immediate redraft role.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Greg Auman

Jul 27, 2026, 1:43 PM ET

Former Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders (knee) worked out for the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Sanders is currently a free agent but is fully cleared from a knee injury that required surgery and cut his season short last year with the Dallas Cowboys. The 29-year-old former second-rounder in 2019 by the Philadelphia Eagles out of Penn State only appeared in four games in Dallas in 2025 and had 20 carries for 117 yards and one touchdown, adding eight receptions for 30 yards as a receiver. If Sanders were to sign with the Raiders, he'd be competing for a depth role in their backfield behind starter Ashton Jeanty with rookie Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube. Sanders was a first-time Pro Bowler in his final year with the Eagles in 2022 and reached the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career, but he has fallen off drastically since then with 754 yards, four touchdowns, and 3.7 yards per carry in three seasons since with the Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. In his last year in Carolina, Sanders rushed the ball just 55 times for 205 yards (3.7 yards per tote) and two rushing touchdowns.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler

Jul 27, 2026, 1:32 PM ET

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams praised second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III on the Up & Adams Show on Monday, saying that "he makes the first guy miss every time." Williams also said that Burden "catches everything" and is a "friendly receiver." The 22-year-old former second-rounder (39th overall) last year out of the University of Missouri started slow in his rookie campaign but became more involved in head coach Ben Johnson's offense down the stretch, ultimately finishing with 47 receptions on 60 targets for 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (five starts). Burden is one of the most popular Year 2 breakout receivers in fantasy football going into the 2026 season, especially since DJ Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. Johnson has also been praising Burden for his offseason work, saying that he's "buying Burden stock right now" and that he's been "really happy with him." Burden will cost a pretty penny in fantasy drafts because of all the second-year hype, but he might be worth every penny in an ascending Bears offense. RotoBaller has Burden ranked as the No. 21 overall fantasy WR for 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Up & Adams

Jul 27, 2026, 12:13 PM ET

New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams currently looks like the team's WR7, behind A.J. Brown, Kayshon Boutte, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chishm III, according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. Williams was running with the second- and third-team offense during Monday's training camp practice. The 23-year-old former third-rounder in 2025 out of Washington State barely contributed in his first NFL season, catching 10 of 21 targets for 209 yards and three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (zero starts), although he did flash some big-play ability deep down the field and averaged 20.9 yards per catch. It's still early in training camp, but fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues who are stashing Williams heading into his second NFL season can't like what they are hearing. If he's in danger of not making the active 53-man roster near the end of camp, the Patriots could consider trading him to a WR-needy team.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Boston Herald - Andrew Callahan

Jul 27, 2026, 12:07 PM ET

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is still technically a member of the San Francisco 49ers, but he remained absent over the weekend for the start of training camp, and the two sides are eventually expected to part ways. Aiyuk spent much of the summer criticizing general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and the organization on social media. Lynch said back in January that Aiyuk would likely never play for the team again, but the Niners haven't found a trade partner and haven't outright released the former first-rounder. Aiyuk has repeatedly said on social media that he plans to sign with the Washington Commanders, and that he's the "final piece" to unlocking their offense, according to Matt Barrows and Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Before all of Aiyuk's social-media comments, sources said that the Commanders likely would have considered a short-term, highly incentivized contract with him if he was released. But the more Aiyuk has posted on social media, "the more he has seemed to jeopardize his hopes of returning to an active NFL roster." According to sources, Aiyuk's behavior changed after he signed a four-year, $120 million deal in August of 2024, and then he played in seven games that season before tearing multiple ligaments in his knee. In addition to being in limbo heading into the 2026 season, it's unclear what kind of shape Aiyuk is in physically. All we know is that his fantasy value has hit rock bottom.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows and Nicki Jhabvala

Jul 27, 2026, 11:37 AM ET

The wife of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was shot at the couple's home in Virginia, sources told Nate Taylor of ESPN.com. The Chiefs said in a statement that they are "aware of the incident involving Eric Bieniemy's family," but they didn't provide further details. Bieniemy's wife was shot by the couple's son on Sunday night. Mia Bieniemy, 57, is hospitalized and in stable condition. Police confirmed that she was being treated for "serious injuries" from multiple gunshot wounds. Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. She was reportedly shot in the chest and arm. Bieniemy was with the Chiefs on Sunday for their second practice of training camp, but he was not in attendance for Monday's practice. He returned to KC for the 2026 season after previously serving as head coach Andy Reid's OC from 2018 to 2022.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor

Jul 27, 2026, 11:00 AM ET

Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins was a standout during OTAs and minicamp, and with the team slated to return to the field on Saturday for their first practice of training camp, the second-year wideout will look to continue building momentum. As a rookie in 2025, Higgins finished third on the Texans in targets, receptions, and yards, while his six touchdown grabs tied two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins for the team lead. During spring practices, he looked notably bigger while running more precise routes, raising expectations heading into year two. Fourth-year quarterback C.J. Stroud has his detractors, and Houston returns one of the league's premier defensive units, allowing for questions of how high a ceiling Higgins can truly reach, particularly with Collins still in tow. However, going more than seven rounds behind fellow second-year wideouts Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden III, and Emeka Egbuka in 2026 drafts, Higgins is not a cost-prohibitive bet on a year-two breakout, and he is currently RotoBaller's WR55.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 27, 2026, 10:49 AM ET

Seattle Seahawks veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp made a diving, one-handed catch on Sunday that drew a huge reaction from the gathered crowd, and it will take some serious work to unseat as the reigning play of the summer in the early days of training camp. In his first year with the team, Kupp caught only 47 passes for 593 yards and a career-low two touchdowns, but he told reporters during minicamp that he never considered retirement, and Seahawks beat writer Gregg Bell pointed to his most recent display of athleticism as evidence that he made the right decision. At 33 years old, the two-time Super Bowl champion and former Offensive Player of the Year no longer has the consistency to earn every-week consideration in lineup fantasy leagues. However, his catch on Sunday serves as a reminder that RotoBaller's WR71 could still have a place in best ball leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Gregg Bell

Jul 27, 2026, 10:39 AM ET

While entirely too early to be raising any red flags, New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs has failed to stand out through the team's first two practices of training camp, with senior team reporter Evan Lazar pointing out a lack of consistent separation. Doubs is still learning a new playbook, which he has publicly admitted is nothing like the offense he was a part of for four years in Green Bay, and as a more physical receiver, the non-padded practices to begin camp simply may not be the setting for him to showcase all of his abilities. Still, after signing a four-year, $68 million contract in free agency, he has yet to be singled out by the team beat. By contrast, incumbent X-receiver Kayshon Boutte has been praised for making highlight-worthy catches in each of the team's first two practices following an offseason of trade speculation. Still early, the battle for primary reps opposite A.J. Brown in two-receiver sets could become an intriguing storyline of Patriots camp and one that could reshape late-round draft plans, as Doubs is currently RotoBaller's WR53 while Boutte sits at WR77.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Evan Lazar

Jul 27, 2026, 10:27 AM ET

Days before the start of training camp, the Washington Commanders have announced they are parting ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele after he was hired this offseason following three years in the same position with the Cardinals. Steele was reportedly arrested in June on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and faces additional charges for refusing a breathalyzer test and refusing or resisting an officer without force. The Commanders do not have an assistant tight ends coach on staff, and as of now it is unknown who will fill the role under first-time offensive coordinator David Blough. Tight end Chig Okonkwo was one of the team's most notable offensive additions this offseason, and despite the murky situation, he remains a late-round sleeper candidate as RotoBaller's TE19.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Adam Schefter

Jul 27, 2026, 10:14 AM ET

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has not come close to matching his fantasy QB5 finish from 2023, but advanced metrics still point to him as one of the league's most efficient players at the position. His EPA/play trailed only Drake Maye in 2025, and an unfamiliar conglomeration of familiar faces could lead to sustained success in 2026. The Packers return a top pass-catching trio of Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Tucker Kraft, but that grouping did not take a single snap together in 2025, with each missing at least six games due to injury. With Kraft's availability the biggest lingering question for the start of the year as he continues to recover from a season-ending ACL tear, there is still an expectation that Love should have his full complement of pass-catchers early in the season. With running back Josh Jacobs also coming into the year healthy after wearing down late in 2025, the Packers offense could rank among the highest-scoring in 2026, with Love looking like an obvious benefactor. At RotoBaller's QB16, the 27-year-old veteran represents tremendous potential value heading into his fourth season as a starter.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 27, 2026, 10:03 AM ET

For the second straight day, New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte stood out in a newly weaponized receiver room, making an early push to stick around after an offseason of trade rumors. ESPN's Mike Reiss highlighted Boutte's back-shoulder catch in tight coverage as a standout moment and one that caught the attention of new teammate, All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, who later told reporters, "He's a guy that does a very good job tracking the ball down the field." The fourth-year receiver continues to stack plays and was one of the few offensive bright spots on a day in which the defense reportedly dominated. Both of Boutte's highlight catches came while lined up across from A.J. Brown, which is of particular note considering the arrivals of Brown and Romeo Doubs had many speculating about his potential fit after serving as the team's most reliable outside threat in 2025. Boutte is RotoBaller's WR77, and whether he makes a push to stick with the Patriots or eventually winds up on another team, he could prove to be an undervalued fantasy difference-maker in 2026.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Mike Reiss