RADIO
Shane Steichen Gives Positive Update on Alec Pierce
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen gave a positive update on wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) after Wednesday's training camp practice, saying, "Alec is in a great spot right now. I watched him work out (Tuesday) in the indoor (facility) and he's moving around really good. Hopefully we will have him back soon," per Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. The 26-year-old remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list in camp after having surgery on his left ankle in April, but the Colts remain optimistic that he will be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season in early September. He was seen doing individual work off to the side on Wednesday, perhaps indicating that he could be getting close to coming off the PUP list. When fully healthy, Pierce is expected to have an elevated role in Indy's passing attack in 2026 now that Michael Pittman Jr. is in Pittsburgh. The former second-rounder from Cincinnati led the NFL in each of the last two years in yards per catch (21.8), scored 13 total touchdowns in those two seasons, and had his first 1,000-yard campaign in 2025. Still, with plenty of time missed this summer and in the offseason, Pierce has become a shaky boom/bust WR4/flex target in fantasy football drafts.
Source: 107.5 The Fan - Kevin Bowen
Source: 107.5 The Fan - Kevin Bowen
Tucker Kraft Standing Out at Training Camp
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) had a big practice in training camp on Sunday in his return to 11-on-11 work for the first time since suffering a torn ACL last year, and he was impressive again in Tuesday's session, according to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. Huber writes that Kraft showed that "he's going to be a force to be reckoned with this season." "He's worked his tail off. You know, congratulations to him," general manager Brian Gutekunst said. Kraft caught four passes on Sunday and another five on Tuesday as he works his way back into the fold in Green Bay's offense as a high-end target for quarterback Jordan Love. The 25-year-old said on Sunday that the Packers could put him on a snap count early in the season as he works back from his ACL tear. The former third-rounder from South Dakota State was one of the best TEs in the league in 2025 before he got hurt, catching 32 of 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. Regardless of potential snap-count concerns early on, Kraft is going to be drafted as a top-five player at his position.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Bill Huber
Source: Sports Illustrated - Bill Huber
Sam LaPorta Misses Practice With Undisclosed Injury
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (undisclosed) was not present at Wednesday's training camp practice due to an undisclosed injury, according to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit. Reisman writes that there is no word yet on the nature of LaPorta's injury after he worked all offseason to rehab from back surgery that limited him to nine games in 2025. Fantasy managers should be worried if LaPorta's absence on Wednesday is related to his back. But for now, we will consider him day-to-day. After recovering from back surgery, the former second-rounder in 2023 from Iowa has been excellent in training camp practices to this point and could easily bounce back to being a high-end pass-catching TE for fantasy managers in 2026. RotoBaller currently has LaPorta ranked as the No. 6 fantasy option at the position, behind Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren, and Tucker Kraft. He is a fine target at TE if you do not want to spend top dollar at the position. Don't forget that LaPorta burst onto the NFL scene in his first two years in the league with 146 receptions (203 targets) for 1,615 yards and 17 total touchdowns.
Source: Pride of Detroit - Jeremy Reisman
Source: Pride of Detroit - Jeremy Reisman
Ryan Flournoy Standing Out in Cowboys Camp
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy "continues to build" on his 2025 breakout, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Machota also reports that Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott "has a lot of trust" in Flournoy. Flournoy established himself as the WR3 in Dallas behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens last season, recording 40 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns on 56 targets across 16 games. As long as Lamb and Pickens stay healthy in 2026, it could be difficult for Flournoy to provide consistent production for fantasy managers. Still, the 26-year-old is an improving young player who appears to be carving out a role for himself in the Cowboys' offense. In deeper league formats and dynasty leagues, Flournoy could be worth rostering entering 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Bhayshul Tuten "Looked Like an Absolute Star" in Joint Practice
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten "looked like an absolute star" in the team's joint practice with the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tuten recorded 386 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 93 touches across 15 games as a rookie. With former Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. now a member of the New Orleans Saints, Tuten could have a chance to break out as the clear RB1 in Jacksonville in 2026. The Jaguars signed veteran back Chris Rodriguez Jr. in free agency, and the team is currently listing Tuten and Rodriguez Jr. as co-starters. However, it appears as though Tuten could be separating himself with his play in training camp. The 22-year-old profiles as a high-upside running back who could wind up as a steal for fantasy managers at his current redraft ADP of RB25.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Jaydon Blue Dealing with Sore Shoulder
Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (shoulder) sat out the team's joint practice with the New Orleans Saints due to shoulder soreness, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. Machota reports that Blue suffered the shoulder injury during the Cowboys' preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday. A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Blue appeared in just five games as a rookie and finished the year with 134 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 39 touches. Entering 2026, veteran running back Javonte Williams remains firmly atop the Cowboys' depth chart at the position. However, Blue appears to have a chance to earn the team's RB2 role, with Phil Mafah and Malik Davis profiling as his primary competition. While Blue has reportedly had a solid training camp so far, this shoulder injury could threaten to derail his progress. Fantasy managers should monitor for further updates on Blue in the coming days.
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Jacory Croskey-Merritt atop Commanders Running Back Depth Chart
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the current favorite to be his team's starter in the backfield, according to Ben Standig of the Last Man Standig Substack. A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Croskey-Merritt recorded 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries across 17 games (seven starts) as a rookie. The Commanders also roster veteran backs Rachaad White and Jeremy McNichols (quadriceps), as well as rookie Kaytron Allen, all of whom could push Croskey-Merritt for playing time. Croskey-Merritt recorded just nine catches on 13 targets last season, so he's unlikely to play a true three-down role in Washington. Still, the 25-year-old is a high-upside rusher who should provide value for fantasy managers as long as he sees regular work in the Commanders' offense. RotoBaller currently ranks Croskey-Merritt as the RB38 for redraft leagues entering 2026.
Source: Last Man Standig Substack - Ben Standig
Source: Last Man Standig Substack - Ben Standig
George Pickens the Cowboys' "Best Offensive Player" in Joint Practices
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens "continues to have a strong camp" and was the team's "best offensive player" in a joint practice with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Pickens had a breakout first season in Dallas in 2025, recording 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns on 137 targets across 17 games. The Cowboys may get more out of star wideout CeeDee Lamb this season, who missed time in 2025 with an ankle injury. However, it appears as though Pickens is still standing out amongst Dallas' myriad offensive weapons and could be in line for another big year. RotoBaller currently ranks Pickens as the WR8 for redraft leagues heading into 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Tyler Warren Leaves Practice With Groin Injury
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren appeared to suffer a groin injury during Wednesday's joint practice with the Atlanta Falcons, according to Joel A. Erickson. Warren went down during the session and walked off with a trainer, with James Boyd noting that he had a noticeable limp. The second-year tight end has been one of Indianapolis' busiest targets throughout camp after a big rookie season. Warren caught 76 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games in 2025, earned a Pro Bowl selection and added another score on the ground. He was also heavily involved in last week's joint practice with New England, catching three passes on the Colts' final two-minute drive alone. Warren has quickly become a major part of Shane Steichen's offense. The timing isn't great. Indianapolis has another joint practice against Atlanta on Thursday before the two teams meet in Saturday's preseason game.
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Terrance Ferguson Set for TE1 Role in Los Angeles?
The "best version" of the Los Angeles Rams' offense will have tight end Terrance Ferguson leading the team's tight ends in catches and yards, according to Nate Atkins of The Athletic. Atkins also writes that he believes Ferguson "will emerge from (the Rams' tight ends) as the player worthy of an every-week, game-planned role." A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ferguson recorded 11 catches for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 25 targets across 14 games (three starts) as a rookie. The Rams' tight end room is extremely crowded, featuring Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen (quadriceps), and 2026 second-rounder Max Klare. However, the Rams use multiple tight end formations at one of the highest rates in the league. Ferguson also appears to be separating himself from the pack with his strong performance this summer. His value is rising in both redraft and dynasty formats entering 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins
Jakobi Meyers' Redraft Ceiling Is Getting Harder to Trust
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was terrific after arriving last season, catching 42 passes for 483 yards and three touchdowns on 61 targets in nine games. He hasn't suddenly lost his job. Meyers is still listed as a starter, and he caught two red-zone touchdowns from Trevor Lawrence during the Aug. 13 joint practice with New Orleans. The problem is everything happening around him. Parker Washington has been one of Jacksonville's best players in camp, Brian Thomas Jr. is healthy again, and Travis Hunter is back taking offensive reps. That's a lot of competition for a player whose fantasy value has usually come from steady target volume. RotoBaller has Meyers at WR45 in its Aug. 18 PPR rankings, which feels a lot more reasonable than expecting last year's post-trade pace to carry over untouched. Meyers should still have useful PPR weeks and Lawrence clearly has a role for him. The ceiling just looks a little shakier now with this many receivers pushing for the football.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Khalil Shakir Still Has Late-Round Sleeper Appeal
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir keeps hanging around the later rounds, and the case for taking him there is pretty straightforward. He led Buffalo with 72 catches and 719 receiving yards on 95 targets last season, scoring four times. Josh Allen's first pass of the preseason opener went right back to him for 21 yards. DJ Moore changes the target picture, sure, but Shakir wasn't living on deep shots in the first place. A lot of his damage comes underneath and after the catch. RotoBaller has Shakir 125th overall in its Aug. 19 PPR rankings. That's a pretty cheap entry for a receiver who has led the Bills in receiving yards two years in a row. There probably isn't a monster breakout coming with Moore, Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid around. Fine. Shakir doesn't need one to pay this off. If you're looking for a late receiver who can actually make your lineup instead of just sitting there as an upside stash, he still makes plenty of sense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ray Davis Still Looks Like a Handcuff in Redraft Leagues
Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis is easy to like in theory. The problem is James Cook III isn't going anywhere. Davis had only 58 carries last season, finishing with 275 rushing yards, while Cook ran for 1,621 yards on 309 carries and won the rushing title. That's a pretty wide gap. Davis did show what can happen when the door actually opens, though. In Week 18, with Buffalo easing off Cook, he ran 21 times for 151 yards and caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown. That was his only game all year with double-digit carries. Ty Johnson is still around to take passing-down work, so even the backup role isn't completely clean from a fantasy standpoint. RotoBaller has Davis 183rd overall in its Aug. 19 PPR rankings, which puts him in late-round territory. That's about right. Davis can handle a bigger workload if Buffalo ever needs him to, but until something happens to Cook, there probably isn't enough here for regular standalone value.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
A.J. Brown Dominates Eagles
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown had his best practice of camp Wednesday, catching all seven of his targets against his former Philadelphia Eagles teammates, according to Mark Daniels. Brown got going early with a slant against Riq Woolen, then kept finding openings throughout the two-hour joint session. He also beat Quinyon Mitchell during 11-on-11 work and came down with a 30-yard grab over Woolen with Drake Maye under pressure. Seven looks, seven catches. That was his busiest day since arriving in New England. Brown said afterward that he is now 100% comfortable in the Patriots offense after putting himself at about 90% earlier in camp. He caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games for Philadelphia last season before New England traded for him in June. The Patriots brought Brown in to give Maye a proven top target. He looked every bit like one against his old team Wednesday.
Source: Mark Daniels
Source: Mark Daniels
Quinshon Judkins Not Practicing Wednesday
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (undisclosed) was not practicing Wednesday, according to ProFootballTalk. The absence comes one day after a physical Tuesday session in which defensive tackle Adin Huntington knocked Judkins to the ground during team work, drawing the ire of head coach Todd Monken. Jared Verse also got into Judkins on a later rep before Monken ended practice early. Cleveland has not tied Wednesday's absence to anything that happened Tuesday, so that connection shouldn't be assumed. Judkins led the Browns with 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 230 carries as a rookie before a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula ended his season in Week 16. He was back to full work during the offseason program and has been active throughout camp this summer. Cleveland entered camp with Judkins and Dylan Sampson leading the backfield, so any extended absence would matter. For now, though, Wednesday is simply a missed practice. UPDATE: The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot reports that Judkins is dealing with an undisclosed minor issue.
Source: ProFootballTalk
Source: ProFootballTalk
