RADIO
Rico Dowdle Splits First-Team Work in Preseason Debut
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle turned five carries into 18 rushing yards and caught his lone target for two yards in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. While teammate Jaylen Warren took the field first with the starters, Dowdle ultimately played 10 snaps to Warren's nine and finished with one additional touch. The seventh-year pro handled the entirety of Pittsburgh's second drive before splitting work with Warren on the third possession. Dowdle is unlikely to command a workhorse role as long as Warren stays healthy, but he should still see plenty of opportunities both on the ground and through the air as a reliable pass-catching option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He profiles as a fantasy RB3 with upside if the Steelers' offense takes a step forward under new head coach Mike McCarthy.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jaylen Warren Makes Preseason Debut as Steelers' Starter
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled five carries for 17 yards in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. Warren, who rested alongside backfield mate Rico Dowdle in last week's preseason opener, drew the start Friday night and played nine total snaps. He and Dowdle alternated drives over Pittsburgh's first two possessions before splitting the work on the third. Neither player was particularly efficient in the contest as the Steelers struggled to run the ball all night, but it was nonetheless encouraging to see Warren get some action as the team's lead back. Fantasy managers should anticipate a relatively even split between Warren and Dowdle heading into the regular season, with a hot-hand approach potentially dictating the workload early in the year. The 27-year-old will have one more opportunity to tune up Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kaleb Johnson Sees Expanded Role in Second Preseason Game
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson handled 10 carries for 39 yards and caught both of his targets for 15 yards in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. Johnson, who was surprisingly limited to just two touches in last week's win, was featured heavily on Friday night and received the vast majority of Pittsburgh's opportunities out of the backfield. While he couldn't find much daylight, the second-year pro ran hard and showcased his ability as a pass-catcher. Johnson took over for starters Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle in the second quarter and remained involved into the early stages of the fourth. At this point, it's clear that Johnson is competing for a depth role, and potentially a roster spot, alongside fellow running backs Lew Nichols, Eli Heidenreich, and Travis Homer. His final preseason opportunity will come Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Love Looks Sharp in Preseason Tune-Up
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love handled the first drive of the Packers' 33-13 victory over the Denver Broncos in the second preseason game for both clubs. Love was a solid 5-of-7 passing for 56 yards, engineering a 12-play drive that ended with a touchdown strike over the middle to running back MarShawn Lloyd for 11 yards. Love also completed two passes to Christian Watson, a 19-yard completion to Matthew Golden on a fourth down in Broncos' territory, a short seven-yard completion to Drake Dabney, and theb, the score to Lloyd for Love's final throw of the night. Overall, Love had a sharp drive and looks ready for the 2026 NFL season. With the Packers condensing their pass-catching corps this offseason by letting Romeo Doubs test free agency and trading Dontayvion Wicks to Philadelphia, the hope is that this clearout brings more work for players like Watson, Golden, Tucker Kraft, and Jayden Reed. Love is a high-end QB2 for fantasy this season, as the Packers will no doubt be efficient, but are at the mercy of head coach Matt LaFleur's playcalling when it comes to pass volume.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
MarShawn Lloyd Scores TD, Tallies 28 Yards in Preseason Win
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd played nine snaps for the Packers in the team's first three drives of their 33-13 win over the Denver Broncos in both teams' second preseason tilt. Lloyd capped off the team's first drive with a receiving touchdown on an angle route over the middle with plenty of daylight to trot in for the 11-yard score. After the third drive, Chris Brooks was the primary running back for the Packers and Lloyd's day was done. Lloyd's night ended with six carries for 17 yards to go with his 11-yard touchdown score on his only target. With Josh Jacobs (groin) returning to practice this week but not playing in this preseason game, the pecking order seems firmly established with Lloyd being Jacobs' primary backup. Lloyd seems like a near-lock to be the primary backup and contingency plan if Jacobs cannot play. Consider Lloyd a solid handcuff at the end of fantasy drafts and a worthwhile stash in case he works into more carries this season for Green Bay.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Drew Allar Shows Flashes in Preseason Loss
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar completed 11 of 23 passes for 110 yards and added four rushing yards on one carry in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. Allar took over for Will Howard in the second half on Friday night but was unable to replicate the success of his pro debut a week earlier. Although the Steelers struggled to get anything going offensively, Allar did flash his arm talent while under pressure on a 38-yard downfield completion to rookie tight end Lake McRee. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh was unable to capitalize on the momentum, missing a 44-yard field goal later in the possession. The Penn State product should see plenty of action in next week's preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Will Howard Struggles in Preseason Loss
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard completed 10 of 15 pass attempts for 74 scoreless yards and two interceptions in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. Howard made a few impressive completions, including a 14-yarder to third-year wideout Roman Wilson, a 16-yard strike to receiver Ben Skowronek, and a 12-yard touch pass to tight end Robert Tonyan. However, his two most promising drives ended abruptly after poor decisions resulted in interceptions. Pittsburgh's offense as a whole struggled to get much going after its impressive showing in last week's victory. With Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph resting Friday night, Howard and rookie Drew Allar appear to be competing for the QB3 job heading into the regular season. The 24-year-old will get his next opportunity Thursday against the Buffalo Bills.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ted Hurst Taking Advantage of Opportunities with First-Team Offense
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst is taking advantage of his opportunities as multiple Buccaneers receivers have been injured. Head coach Todd Bowles was pleased with Hurst, saying, "You can see him coming along. The more plays he makes, the more he's grasping the offense, and he's playing more confidently; with guys nicked up right now, he's really taking advantage of it." The 2026 third-round pick had a very successful career at Georgia State, totaling 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns in 24 games. With both Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (leg) missing time over the past week, Hurst has been forced to play with the first-team offense and has done well in that role. The Buccaneers face the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, when Baker Mayfield and the first-team offense will play, so managers should keep an eye on Hurst.
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Odell Beckham Jr. Consistently Getting Open at Camp
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has consistently gotten open during training camp as he fights for a role this season. According to Connor Hughes, Beckham has gotten open even when he hasn't always been targeted. In the joint practice against the Miami Dolphins, he put his matchup in a bind and was open multiple times during the team's first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. With veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster released after the addition of running back Najee Harris, Beckham's path to making the 53-man roster is clearing. Given his strong camp performance and standing with the team, the veteran receiver has a solid chance to suit up with the Giants this season.
Source: Connor J Hughes - SNY
Source: Connor J Hughes - SNY
Xavier Legette Leaves Game in Boot
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (ankle) twisted his ankle during their Week 2 preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars and left the game wearing a boot. Head coach Dave Canales said Legette injured his ankle, is experiencing foot soreness, and is listed as day-to-day. The former 32nd overall pick is expected to handle the WR3 workload in Carolina, behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, who will rotate ahead of him. If Legette misses time with this ankle injury, wide receivers John Metchie and Jimmy Horn Jr. would take on a larger workload in his place. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep an eye on this, since all the Panthers' receivers could be affected if he is out.
Source: Carolina Blitz
Source: Carolina Blitz
Jakobi Meyers Right Hand in Brace
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (hand) wore a brace on his right hand after jamming it in practice. Head coach Liam Coen said the veteran receiver "jammed it" at some point during the week and did not specify whether he would miss time. Meyers was traded to the Jaguars during the 2025 season and had success following the move, hauling in 42 of 61 targets for 483 yards and three touchdowns in nine games, averaging just under 10 half-PPR fantasy points per game. Despite a solid finish to last season, Meyers still finds himself in a crowded room, with Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, and Travis Hunter all expected to have roles in Coen's offense. If Meyers does end up missing time with this injury, all three receivers will have expanded roles in his absence.
Source: Juston Lewis
Source: Juston Lewis
Dalton Kincaid Trending Towards Enhanced Role in 2026
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid's "health, summer usage, and ability are all trending towards an enhanced role in 2026," per Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Kincaid was a productive player on a per-target basis in 2025, recording 39 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns on 49 targets across 12 games. However, the 26-year-old has missed nine games due to injuries over the past two seasons. The Bills also limited his usage in games where he was active in 2025, as Kincaid played fewer than 50% of his team's offensive snaps in 11 out of 14 contests (including the playoffs) last season. However, Buscaglia reports that Kincaid was one of the stars of Buffalo's joint practice session with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, and that Kincaid's production has stood out all summer long. If Kincaid can finally put together a fully healthy year, he could be on the verge of a long-awaited breakout season for fantasy managers.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Chuba Hubbard Expected to Be Ready for Week 1
Although Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) is currently battling a hamstring injury, the "expectation is that he'll be ready for Week 1 against the Chicago Bears," per Joseph Person of The Athletic. After recording back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 yards from scrimmage in 2023 and 2024, Hubbard suffered an early-season injury in 2025 and eventually ceded his starting role to former Panthers back Rico Dowdle. However, Dowdle signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers this past spring in free agency, opening the door for Hubbard to reclaim the RB1 role in Carolina. The 27-year-old was highly productive in a starting role in 2024, collecting 1,366 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns on 293 touches across 15 games. Hubbard could face some internal competition from Panthers back Jonathan Brooks, who is finally healthy entering 2026 after back-to-back lost seasons due to injury. Still, Hubbard profiles as the lead back in Carolina when healthy and should be viewed by redraft managers as a high-end RB3/flex option.
Source: The Athletic - Joseph Person
Source: The Athletic - Joseph Person
Haynes King Projected to Make Panthers 53-Man Roster
Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Haynes King (hamstring) was included in Joseph Person of The Athletic's latest 53-man roster projection. The Panthers have a clear QB1 in Bryce Young, and veteran Kenny Pickett looks like the favorite to open the year as the team's primary backup. Still, Person writes that King "could be the short-yardage and goal-line answer" that Carolina has been searching for in recent years. An undrafted free agent signee out of Georgia Tech, King ran for 953 yards and 15 touchdowns on 185 carries across 12 games in his final collegiate season. He also shined in Carolina's first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, recording over 200 combined passing and rushing yards and totaling three touchdowns. While King is unlikely to see fantasy-relevant playing time in 2026, his dual-threat ability gives him some long-term fantasy appeal in deeper dynasty leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Joseph Person
Source: The Athletic - Joseph Person
Kaden Davis Earning Praise from His Quarterback in Training Camp
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams praised wide receiver Kaden Davis by saying that the wideout has "made plays," "been explosive," and "been fun to watch," per Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. Davis has appeared in three games over the past two seasons with the Cleveland Browns but has yet to record his first NFL catch. However, the 27-year-old led the Bears with 88 receiving yards in the team's preseason opener, and Fishbain reports that Davis got some run with the first-team offense during Chicago's joint practice session with the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday. With Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) battling a groin injury, Chicago is looking for depth at the position behind star wideout Rome Odunze. It's still too early for fantasy managers to prioritize Davis, but he could be a name to keep an eye on in deeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Kevin Fishbain
Source: The Athletic - Kevin Fishbain
