RADIO
Jordan Mason Showcasing Improved Explosiveness in Training Camp
Minnesota Vikings 27-year-old running back Jordan Mason continues to generate positive reviews from training camp thus far, with reports that he has shown better conditioning and improved explosiveness, and that head coach Kevin O'Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Philips have both been speaking highly of his physical transformation and mindset as he enters his second season with the Vikings. During the 2025 season, Mason rushed for 758 yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries. He contributed a small amount through the air, hauling in 14 of his 16 passes for 51 yards as well. Mason had a solid 4.77 YPC last season, and with Aaron Jones Sr. now 31 years old and the Vikings wanting to run more of a vertical wide-zone run scheme, Mason appears to be the preferred running back option to take in fantasy in what is projected to be a top-half offense. Mason finished last season as the RB35, aligning with RotoBallers' current ranks of RB35.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jadeveon Clowney Expected to Be Ready for Week 1
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (hip, ankle) is expected to be ready for Week 1, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Clowney suffered a "minor soft-tissue hip injury" during the preseason and has also battled a mild ankle issue, but it does not appear that either ailment is particularly serious. Across 13 games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, Clowney recorded 8.5 sacks and 12 TFLs. The 33-year-old is more of a pass-rush specialist than an every-down player at this point in his career, but he still has the ability to be a highly impactful defender when healthy. With star edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter ahead of Clowney on the depth chart, Houston should be able to limit Clowney's workload throughout the year.
Source: KPRC 2 Houston - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Houston - Aaron Wilson
Steelers Won't Negotiate with Joey Porter Jr. During Regular Season
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said that the team will not hold contract extension negotiations with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (back) during the regular season, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. When asked whether he would play without a deal getting done, Porter Jr. said, "I don't know," per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. A second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Porter Jr. is entering the final year of his rookie contract with Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old has established himself as the Steelers' top cornerback, recording 120 solo tackles, 31 passes defensed, and three interceptions across 47 career games (41 starts). While the Steelers and Porter Jr. still have time to work out a deal before Week 1, his contract status and availability to Pittsburgh are worth monitoring extra closely now that the calendar has flipped to September.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Nick Bosa Expected to Return to Practice on Wednesday
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said the team's plan is for defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) to return to practice on Wednesday, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Bosa has been battling knee tendinitis as he works his way back from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season in Week 3. However, the 28-year-old has been working on a side field through the early portion of this week and appears to be on track for a return to team activities in short order. Across 14 games in 2024, Bosa recorded nine sacks, 15 TFLs, and a forced fumble. When fully healthy, Bosa profiles as one of the better pass rushers in the NFL. However, he's now entering his age-29 season and is working with surgically repaired ACLs in both knees. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues may want to temper expectations for Bosa's production in 2026.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Aaron Donald More Likely to Debut in Week 2 or Week 3 than Week 1
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is more likely to debut in Week 2 or Week 3 than Week 1, per Dan Graziano of ESPN. Donald retired from the NFL following the 2023 season, but he officially announced his decision to come out of retirement and return to the Rams on Sunday. Given that Donald is 35 years old, missed most of training camp, and has not played in over two years, it appears the Rams will opt to bring him along slowly. Los Angeles will also travel to Australia for its season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, which could be factoring into the decision of whether or not to play Donald as well. The last time Donald was on the field, he was one of the best defensive players in the history of the NFL. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year and nine-time first-team All-Pro, Donald recorded eight sacks and 16 TFLs across 16 games for Los Angeles in 2023. While Donald could easily be a dominant force on a per-play basis once he's back on the field this season, the Rams may choose to limit his workload throughout the year to keep him fresh for the stretch run.
Source: ESPN - Dan Graziano
Source: ESPN - Dan Graziano
Micah Parsons Could Be on Track for Week 5 Return
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said, "We have a pretty good idea once we get out of that four-game window we're going to be pretty close" when asked about the return timeline for star edge rusher Micah Parsons (knee), per Ryan Wood of USA Today. Parsons will open the 2026 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he works his way back from a torn ACL, guaranteeing that he will miss Green Bay's first four games of the season. However, it appears as though Parsons has a chance to return to the field as soon as he is eligible. Across 14 games before the knee injury ended his 2025 season, Parsons recorded 12.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. When healthy, the 27-year-old is one of the most disruptive defenders in the NFL and is a worthy target for fantasy managers in IDP leagues.
Source: USA Today - Ryan Wood
Source: USA Today - Ryan Wood
Jaleel McLaughlin Signs Practice-Squad Deal with Browns
Veteran running back Jaleel McLaughlin has signed a practice-squad deal with the Cleveland Browns, per an announcement from the team. McLaughlin spent the first three years of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos, but he fell out of the team's regular running back rotation in 2025 and was waived by Denver on Sunday. The Browns have a pair of second-year running backs atop their depth chart in Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. However, McLaughlin could potentially work his way into the backfield mix in Cleveland in the case of an injury. The 25-year-old has been efficient when given the opportunity to this point in his pro career, recording 1,356 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 285 touches across 41 career NFL games (nine starts). McLaughlin is not roster-worthy yet, but he could be a name to monitor on the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: Cleveland Browns
Source: Cleveland Browns
Chris Bell Still Needs to Get into Football Shape
Miami Dolphins rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Bell played 14 offensive snaps in the team's preseason finale last Friday and caught two of his five targets for 22 yards as he closes out his rehab from a torn ACL. However, head coach Jeff Hafley said Bell is still working his way back, saying, "I think he would tell you he needs to continue to get in football shape," according to Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post. "If he continues to improve, get in shape, then my expectation is we see him on the field," Hafley added. It sounds as though the 22-year-old has a chance to be active as a part of the offense in Week 1 of the regular season in an offense that has one of the thinnest WR depth charts in the league. Bell is competing primarily with fellow rookie Caleb Douglas for the WR3 role behind Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert, so he has a prime chance for rookie-year targets from new Dolphins QB Malik Willis. Bell can likely be avoided in 12-team fantasy leagues, but with opportunity and likely positive game script most weeks, he could quickly emerge as a trendy waiver-wire pickup if he continues to ascend and build trust with Willis.
Source: The Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Source: The Palm Beach Post - Joe Schad
Raiders are Counting on Mike Washington Jr. to Win Games
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. is expected to have a significant role in the backfield this upcoming season. Raiders General Manager John Spytek recently praised head coach Klint Kubiak for drafting Washington. He also added that the team is counting on Washington to win games this upcoming season, Ryan McFadden reports. Lead back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is uncertain for Week 1, so Washington could immediately slide into a large role in the offense. Once Jeanty is healthy, it sounds like Washington will remain a big part of the running game. The 23-year-old is becoming one of the more important handcuffs to roster in fantasy leagues.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Malik Nabers was Involved in Most of Tuesday's Practice
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) was not seen during the media portion of Tuesday's practice. Giants head coach John Harbaugh said that Nabers was involved during most of the team reps during Tuesday's practice. Nabers is trending in the right direction for the Week 1 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He has practiced on consecutive days, but the Giants have yet to commit to Nabers being available for the season opener. Once he's fully healthy, Nabers should offer low-end WR1 value, but it wouldn't be shocking for him to be limited early in the season.
Source: SNY Giants
Source: SNY Giants
Colts Expect Anthony Richardson Sr. to Remain With the Team This Year
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said on Tuesday that he expects quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. to remain with the organization this year, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Richardson survived roster cutdown day on Sunday and will head into the 2026 season as the backup to Daniel Jones, who is coming off a torn Achilles tendon suffered late last season. Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft from Florida, has turned out to be a bust early in his NFL career. His rushing upside is elite, but he could not stay on the field, and he failed to improve on his accuracy as a passer in the competition for the starting job last summer with Jones. And after Jones took off with the starting gig and played well before his Achilles tear, there does not appear to be much of a future for Richardson in Indy. He is heading into the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, so this figures to be Richardson's final season with the Colts, barring something unforeseen happening. If Jones gets hurt again and misses time, Richardson could quickly become a QB2 option in two-QB superflex leagues for his rushing prowess alone.
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Parker Washington Could Discuss New Contract During Regular Season
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is carrying a ton of hype coming into the 2026 season. The Jags are expecting big things from Washington in 2026 and beyond. Recently, Jags' general manager James Gladstone said that the team is fine with discussing a new contract with Washington during the regular season, according to Ryan O'Halloran. Washington is entering his fourth season with the team, and broke out in a big way last season. He finished with 58 receptions with 847 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 16 games with the Jags last season. He could be one of the most trusted options in Jacksonville this upcoming season, and it appears the team would like to keep him around long term.
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Ashton Jeanty is in "Good Spot" with Ankle Injury
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) was seen working off to the side during Tuesday's practice. This was the first time that Jeanty was seen doing work during a media viewing period since suffering his ankle injury. Raiders General Manager John Spytek recently said that Jeanty is in a good spot following his ankle injury, Ryan McFadden reports. Spytek continued by saying he expects Jeanty to be back in the mix quicker than people would expect. He didn't give an exact timetable, but the Raiders might not know exactly when Jeanty will be ready to play. Mike Washington Jr. could operate as the lead back in Las Vegas in Week 1, but that'll depend on Jeanty's progress over the next few days.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Kendre Miller Leaves Tuesday's Practice Early
New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (undisclosed) left Tuesday's practice early with athletic trainers, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. It is unclear exactly what Miller is dealing with or if it is something that might prevent him from being ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. But it is very notable when considering that Alvin Kamara (knee) is currently recovering from a sprained MCL that could keep him from playing in the season opener. If the 24-year-old Miller is questionable to play in Week 1, it could vault Audric Estime into the RB2 role behind starter Travis Etienne Jr. in the Saints' backfield. Miller, a third-rounder (71st overall) in 2023 from TCU, has battled injuries in his first three NFL seasons and has appeared in only 21 games (two starts), averaging 3.9 yards per carry for 497 rushing yards and three touchdowns. When New Orleans' entire backfield is healthy, Miller figures to be the RB3, but an early-season injury could open the door for Estime to jump him. Miller is currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 87 fantasy RB, so he should go undrafted in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrelle
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrelle
CeeDee Lamb Excited for Second Year with Star WR Teammate
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb recently spoke about how he believes both himself and George Pickens can improve this upcoming season. Lamb recently told Jon Machota of The Athletic that he believes the two of them can be extremely vicious together. Lamb said he knows both of them strive to be the best and there's much more in them. Despite missing four games, Lamb still finished with 75 receptions with over 1,000 receiving yards. The expectation is that Pickens will be more comfortable during his second year with the organization. This could be an extremely dangerous Cowboys offense this upcoming season.
Source: Jon Machota
Source: Jon Machota
