Aug 27, 2026, 7:29 PM ET

The New York Giants officially placed wide receiver Calvin Austin III (knee) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Thursday, according to Patricia Traina of Sports Illustrated. Austin will miss the entire 2026 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during training camp practice on Tuesday. With the 27-year-old now out of the picture in the Big Apple this year, it will help Odell Beckham Jr.'s odds of making the 53-man roster as he competes with Braxton Berrios, Jalin Hyatt, and Isaiah Hodgins in a depth role behind Malik Nabers (knee), Darius Slayton, and Darnell Mooney. Austin was heading into his first year with the G-Men after signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the team in March. The former fourth-rounder in 2022 by the Pittsburgh Steelers from Memphis failed to capitalize on his opportunity in Pittsburgh last year, catching just 31 of 55 targets for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 regular-season games after going for a career-high 548 yards and four TDs in his second year in 2024. Austin can obviously be ignored in all fantasy formats in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - Patricia Traina

Aug 27, 2026, 7:22 PM ET

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd is currently surging up fantasy football draft boards ahead of the 2026 season, even though he has only appeared in one game with the Packers due to injuries since being drafted in the third round in 2024 out of USC. Lloyd has also been rising up RotoBaller's RB rankings for the upcoming season now that there is a real possibility that he could open the 2026 regular season as the Packers' starting running back in light of Josh Jacobs' (groin) legal issues. Jacobs was formally charged on Thursday with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property for an incident that occurred back in late May. Packers brass admitted on Wednesday that they are preparing for the possibility that Jacobs is suspended by the NFL. Chris Brooks would be Lloyd's only competition for lead-back duties if Jacobs were to miss games in 2026. Although Lloyd has not been able to stay on the field early in his NFL career, the Packers still believe in his abilities. His speed and athleticism will make him very intriguing as a fantasy starter if Jacobs is suspended.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Pro Football Reference

Aug 27, 2026, 7:14 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker has made it clear that his running style preference is to work under center, which is expected to be a big part of the team's offense in 2026, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. Walker, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, presents a dangerous threat that should force linebackers and safeties to move forward before quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempts a play-action pass. Walker ranked fourth in percentage of runs that gained 10-plus yards, according to NextGen Stats. "No. 9. That's all I can say," Mahomes said, referencing Walker's jersey number, when asked what intrigues him most about the offense. "That change and the ability to catch, run, pass protect, do everything. [He can] make a play out of nothing into a 20-yard gain. That's going to be the biggest impact, I think, we'll have -- just finding the ways to get him the ball." If KC can make Walker more of a true dual-threat player, they should have more success as they attempt to get back to the playoffs. "He looks like he's the full package," head coach Andy Reid said of Walker. "He works at it. That's the part I appreciate. He's always asking questions." If Walker can avoid injuries in 2026 in his first year in KC, his volume alone as the team's workhorse should give him a high floor as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 in fantasy.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor

Aug 27, 2026, 6:55 PM ET

ESPN's Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that he does not think that star cornerback Christian Gonzalez and the New England Patriots have been close to a new deal. The Seattle Seahawks signed star cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who has the same agent as Gonzalez, to an average of $33 million per year. Schefter says that the Patriots "don't appear to be wanting to give" Gonzalez Witherspoon-type money or make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. There is still some time between now and the start of Week 1 of the regular season, though, and Schefter believes "there's probably one more push by both sides to try and get a deal done before the season starts." The 24-year-old former 17th overall pick from Oregon still has two years remaining on his current deal after his fifth-year option was picked up back in April, but that doesn't mean a new deal will not be agreed upon before Week 1. A Pro Bowler for the first time in 2025, Gonzalez has quickly emerged as one of the top shutdown corners in the NFL, and he was a big reason why the Pats advanced to the Super Bowl in 2025.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Aug 27, 2026, 6:42 PM ET

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (undisclosed) is in street clothes during pregame warmups and will not play in Thursday night's preseason finale against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Alex Brasky of Sports Illustrated. Shakir has been out for the past week at training camp with an undisclosed injury, and he will now sit out the preseason finale on Thursday. The 26-year-old's injury is not believed to be serious, though, so he should rejoin the team at practice next week and be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Houston Texans. In his fourth year in the NFL in 2025, Shakir took a slight step back, catching 72 of his 95 targets for 719 yards and four touchdowns in 16 regular-season games for Buffalo as one of quarterback Josh Allen's top targets. Shakir's 76-821-4 line in 2024 may be his ceiling in fantasy, which could especially be true after the team added receiver DJ Moore to the mix this offseason. The former fifth-rounder in 2022 from Boise State has seen his stock fall going into the 2026 campaign, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 54 fantasy pass-catcher.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex Brasky

Aug 27, 2026, 6:34 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is not dressed for warmups and will not play in the team's preseason finale on Thursday evening against the Buffalo Bills, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Rodgers will end up sitting out all three of the team's preseason games this summer as he heads into what is expected to be the final year of his storied career. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer and four-time MVP led the Steelers to the postseason in 2025 in his first year with the team, but for fantasy purposes, he had limited upside in a run-first offense. Rodgers completed 65.7% of his 498 pass attempts for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season games. The Steelers added receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who could thrive underneath on short routes, but he alone will not miraculously elevate the aging Rodgers to QB1 status in fantasy in 2026. Rodgers finished as the QB19 last year and should be regarded as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues with minimal upside as he looks to finish his career on a high note.--Keith Hernandez
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders

Aug 27, 2026, 6:27 PM ET

New England Patriots second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) should be "good to go" for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, with a league source telling The Boston Globe's Christopher Price that he avoided a serious right-ankle injury when he slipped on the turf at practice earlier this week. Unsurprisingly, Henderson, who missed practice this week after tweaking his ankle, did not travel with the team for their preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns as a precaution. The 23-year-old has improved since injuring his ankle earlier this week, but we will continue to keep tabs on his status as the Week 1 season opener quickly approaches in early September. The former second-rounder from Ohio State will split the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson in his sophomore campaign after producing an impressive 911 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns on 180 carries in 17 regular-season games in 2025. He added 35 catches for 221 yards and another score as a receiver. Henderson's lack of progress in pass-blocking is a concern for his overall fantasy upside, though, which could cap his ceiling in Year 2 as an RB3/flex play if Stevenson stays healthy throughout the year.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Boston Globe - Christopher Price

Aug 27, 2026, 6:20 PM ET

Updating a previous report, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Nov. 17 after he was charged on Thursday with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. The charges have come more than three months after Jacobs was arrested following an alleged domestic-violence incident at his home near Green Bay. Jacobs is subject to a suspension by the NFL, which is conducting its own investigation. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said that the organization is preparing for a potential suspension and is keeping the door open to potentially adding another RB before the start of the 2026 regular season to boost their backfield depth behind MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks. The team also has Pierre Strong Jr. in their RB room. It's beginning to look more likely that Jacobs will face a suspension to begin the 2026 campaign, which makes him harder to get behind as an RB2 target in upcoming fantasy drafts, despite his status as Green Bay's RB1 and his nose for the end zone (28 rushing touchdowns the last two years and four double-digit rushing TD seasons in his seven NFL campaigns).--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky

Aug 27, 2026, 5:59 PM ET

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (foot, toe) was seen on the sideline on Thursday before the team's preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers without a walking boot, according to Alex Brasky of Sports Illustrated. Coleman will not play on Thursday night after spraining his right foot/toe in the preseason opener, but with his foot no longer in a walking boot, he could progress towards being ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 13. Despite being a disappointment in his first two seasons in Buffalo after he was selected in the second round from Florida State, the Bills' brass hasn't given up on him and expect him to be a key part in the passing game in 2026 alongside newcomer DJ Moore and Khalil Shakir. Coleman had 38 catches on 59 targets for 404 yards and four touchdowns in 13 regular-season games in 2025 and was benched for being late to a team meeting. Maturity issues and drops have tanked his fantasy value in both redraft and keeper leagues, with Coleman currently being ranked as the WR116 at RotoBaller. If Coleman is out or limited in Week 1, Joshua Palmer and rookie Skyler Bell would be battling for WR3 duties in Houston.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex Brasky

Aug 27, 2026, 4:59 PM ET

After a strong finish to the 2024 season, Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. earned some sleeper buzz in fantasy circles ahead of the 2025 campaign. However, the 24-year-old delivered an underwhelming 2025 season, recording 37 catches for 322 yards and one touchdown on 51 targets across 15 games. While Mims Jr.'s role as a return man keeps his roster spot in Denver safe, his target volume may dip even further in 2026 following the Broncos' offseason acquisition of star wideout Jaylen Waddle. Between Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, and Troy Franklin, Denver has four wideouts who could all be ahead of Mims Jr. on the team's final depth chart once the season begins. In all but the deepest of league formats, Mims Jr. appears unlikely to play a fantasy-relevant role in 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 27, 2026, 4:45 PM ET

The eighth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is expected to be a key piece in his team's plans for its offense. However, Tyson's NFL debut will be delayed by a serious hamstring injury, which is expected to sideline him well into his rookie season and could lead to him opening the year on Injured Reserve with a return designation. The 22-year-old is a highly talented playmaker when healthy, as he recorded over 1,800 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns across his final 21 collegiate games at Arizona State. However, Tyson also now has a lengthy injury history. He missed most of his sophomore season in college with a knee injury, broke his collarbone late in his junior year, and suffered multiple Grade 2 hamstring strains during his final collegiate season in 2025. At this point, fantasy managers have to take his lack of durability into account when evaluating his value, even in redraft formats.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 27, 2026, 4:35 PM ET

After an encouraging rookie season in 2025 in which he recorded 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries across 17 games, Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (knee) entered training camp as one of the buzzier names in fantasy circles. Unfortunately, Monangai is currently sidelined after suffering a hyperextended knee during a camp practice. While Monangai is lucky to have avoided significant structural damage and could even return in time for the start of the regular season, he will have missed a significant chunk of the summer. The missed time matters for Monangai because he entered camp competing for touches with veteran Bears running back D'Andre Swift. Swift has been a steady player since signing with Chicago before the 2024 season, recording over 2,700 scrimmage yards and 16 touchdowns across 33 games with the team. Given his injury situation, Monangai seems likely to be Chicago's true RB2, at least early in the year. He still carries upside as a handcuff and stash option, but Monangai's stand-alone value in redraft leagues is in question entering 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 27, 2026, 4:29 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is among the quarterbacks who "could be on the move in the next few weeks," according to Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado. Allbright reports that McCarthy, Tua Tagovailoa, Dillon Gabriel, and Anthony Richardson Sr. are signal-callers who "have had calls placed on them to varying degrees of interest." The 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury and then struggled in his first chance to be a starter in 2025. Across 10 games last season, the 23-year-old completed 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Vikings signed veteran quarterback Kyler Murray over the offseason, and Murray will enter 2026 as the team's QB1. McCarthy may not even be the favorite to be Minnesota's backup, as the team also rosters veteran quarterback Carson Wentz. It's not clear that there is a team around the league that views McCarthy as an immediate starting option, but at this point, his dynasty value would likely be better served by a change of scenery.--Will Brady
Source: KOA Colorado - Benjamin Allbright

Aug 27, 2026, 4:19 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) is coming off an underwhelming 2025 campaign in which he recorded 42 catches for 532 yards and a touchdown on 73 targets across 14 games. Worthy suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1 that he played through for much of the season, which may have been one of the reasons why his production was subpar. Unfortunately for Worthy, he suffered another shoulder injury early in training camp that has limited him throughout the summer. While the current shoulder issue is not expected to cause Worthy to miss regular-season time, it's still a bit of a red flag. Worthy may also see a somewhat diminished role in the Chiefs' offense in 2026 if the team can get more out of top wide receiver Rashee Rice, who missed nine games in 2025. Worthy still carries some upside due to his elite speed as he enters his third NFL season, but he should be viewed as a mid-tier WR4/flex option entering 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller