RADIO
Christian McCaffrey Could Have Practiced Tuesday
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey remains out with tightness, but head coach Kyle Shanahan gave a positive update Tuesday. Shanahan said McCaffrey is coming along well and would have participated if the 49ers had held a normal practice instead of a joint session with the Los Angeles Chargers. He also pushed back on speculation that McCaffrey's absence has anything to do with his contract, saying that would be wrong. San Francisco has been careful with McCaffrey rather than having him push through the tightness during August. That's understandable after he handled a franchise-record 413 touches last season, rushing for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 102 catches for 924 yards and seven more scores. Tuesday's update is probably the clearest sign yet that McCaffrey is getting close to returning to regular practice work.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Quentin Johnston "Totally Fine" After Injury Scare
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (lower body) is not expected to miss much, if any, practice time in training camp after suffering a lower-body injury on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. According to a source, Johnston is "totally fine." The 24-year-old appears to have avoided a significant injury, but the Chargers could elect to hold him out of Thursday's preseason contest against the San Francisco 49ers as a precaution. The former first-rounder from TCU in 2023 has struggled with drops and inconsistency in his first three years in the league, but he had 51 receptions for a career-high 735 receiving yards and scored eight touchdowns in 2025 for a second straight season in 14 regular-season games played. In a new offensive system run by coordinator Mike McDaniel, Johnston has an opportunity to continue to improve for fantasy managers as an excellent red-zone target due to his 6-foot-2, 208-pound frame. Fantasy managers should target Johnston as a WR3/flex with upside as he enters his fourth year in the NFL. RotoBaller has him ranked at No. 37 at his position.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Nnamdi Madubuike Very Limited in What he Can Do
It was a pleasant surprise to see Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) avoid the Physically Unable to Perform list to start training camp after suffering a scary neck injury last year that limited him to only two games, but The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec writes that Madubuike "remains very limited" in what he's doing in practices this summer. He mostly takes part in the team stretch, does light individual work with a coach or athletic trainer, and then heads to another field for conditioning. Madubuike has not done anything that involves significant contact, including hitting the blocking sled. Head coach Jesse Minter said after Monday's workout that the 28-year-old two-time Pro Bowler could start working into contact drills within the "next couple of weeks." With that timetable, Madubuike's readiness for the start of the 2026 regular season could be firmly in question since he has not taken or delivered any hits since last September. The former third-rounder had 19.5 sacks from 2023 to 2024 with Baltimore and could be a difference-maker for the Ravens' defense in 2026, but it looks like he will continue to be slowly eased back in.
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
JuJu Smith-Schuster Released by Giants
The New York Giants released wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday to clear a roster spot for running back Najee Harris. Smith-Schuster signed with New York on June 2, but his stay lasted less than three months. He had been dealing with knee swelling during camp, and head coach John Harbaugh said last week that the Giants knew they would have to manage the veteran's knee. Smith-Schuster played all 17 games for Kansas City in 2025, starting 12 and finishing with 33 catches for 345 yards and one touchdown. New York had a crowded receiver competition all summer, with Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios and rookie Malachi Fields among the players fighting for work. Smith-Schuster did make some plays in camp, but his time with the Giants is over before cutdown day. He now hits the market again with a few weeks left before the regular season and will look for another opportunity elsewhere.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Brock Purdy has a "Good Chance" to Play on Thursday Night
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he expects "a number of starters" to play in the preseason game on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers and said there is a "good chance" that will include quarterback Brock Purdy, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. If Purdy suits up to play on Thursday night, he likely will not play more than a couple of offensive series. The 26-year-old former seventh-rounder in 2022 from Iowa State is an obvious bounce-back candidate heading into his fifth NFL season after he appeared in just nine games for the Niners last year due to a turf-toe injury. Still, there are question marks with Purdy's receiving corps due to durability concerns, with veterans Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Christian Kirk, and Ricky Pearsall (knee) is already out for the season. Tight end George Kittle is returning from an Achilles tear from the postseason. At the very least, Purdy has running back Christian McCaffrey to dump the ball off to, and he should be considered a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in fantasy football drafts in Shanahan's offense.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Kaelon Black Returns to Practice After Adductor Injury
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black (adductor) returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since the opening week of training camp. The rookie had been sidelined since hurting his adductor during the Aug. 1 practice, wiping out more than two weeks of valuable work. Black was getting a decent amount of run before the injury, including a heavy share of the carries during San Francisco's first padded session. The 49ers used the 90th overall pick on him in April after he rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns on 186 carries at Indiana last season. At 5-foot-9 and 208 pounds, he gives San Francisco another option behind Christian McCaffrey as the team sorts through a banged-up backfield. Black has ground to make up after the long layoff, but getting back into practice now gives him time to push for a role before the regular season. UPDATE: Black looked good in his return to practice, according to Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn.
Source: Matt Barrows
Source: Matt Barrows
Travis Hunter Takes All 11-on-11 Reps at Cornerback
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter spent every 11-on-11 rep at cornerback during Monday's practice, a change from the way Jacksonville had been moving him between offense and defense throughout camp. Hunter still worked at receiver in 7-on-7 drills. Head coach Liam Coen said the Jaguars wanted to keep him on defense longer so he could get more coaching and mental reps there instead of constantly running back to the offense. That lines up with the team's first unofficial depth chart, which has Hunter starting at cornerback and on the second team at wide receiver. Coen still called him a "3A, 3B receiver," so the two-way plan isn't going anywhere. Hunter caught 28 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown in seven games as a rookie before a right knee injury ended his season. For fantasy managers, Monday is another reminder that his receiving volume may be tough to pin down. Jacksonville clearly wants him involved on offense, but cornerback looks like the steadier part of his Week 1 role right now.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: Sports Illustrated
Mike Evans Dealing With Left Foot/Ankle Tightness
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (foot/ankle) had his left foot and ankle wrapped and iced during Tuesday's joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. Evans appeared to be finished for the day after receiving treatment on the sideline, but head coach Kyle Shanahan later said the veteran was only experiencing some tightness and that he does not believe the issue is serious. That's encouraging after Evans only recently returned from a quadriceps strain suffered Aug. 1. He didn't get back into 11-on-11 work until Saturday, making it a quick turnaround between injury concerns. Evans signed a three-year deal with San Francisco in March after spending his first 12 seasons with Tampa Bay. He was limited to eight games last year, catching 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Tuesday's early exit is still worth noting, but Shanahan's update takes some of the concern out of the situation.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Tyler Biadasz Carted Off With Leg Injury
Los Angeles Chargers center Tyler Biadasz (leg) was carted off during Tuesday's joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers after going down in 11-on-11 drills. 49ers defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez fell on Biadasz's left knee, and the veteran center was unable to put weight on the leg before leaving on the cart. Biadasz signed a multi-year deal with Los Angeles in March and has been working as the Chargers' starting center, with rookie second-round pick Jake Slaughter listed behind him on the latest unofficial depth chart. Slaughter has already taken preseason snaps at center, so he would be the obvious in-house option if Biadasz misses time. The way he left the field was concerning, especially for an offensive line that added him to stabilize the middle. How much time Biadasz might miss now becomes the question for Los Angeles.
Source: Daniel Popper
Source: Daniel Popper
Quentin Johnston Comes Up Limping at Tuesday's Practice
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston appeared to suffer a lower-body injury during Tuesday's joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers. Johnston came up limping after trying to make a leaping catch near the sideline, and trainers immediately began working on him. Johnston had already missed some practice time recently, with head coach Jim Harbaugh saying last week that he was dealing with something minor, and he did not practice Monday. It's unclear if Tuesday's issue is related. Johnston is coming off his best NFL season, catching 51 passes for 735 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games. He has now led the Chargers with eight receiving touchdowns in back-to-back seasons, and Los Angeles picked up his fifth-year option in April. For now, this is a developing injury situation. Whether Johnston was able to return Tuesday or needs further testing will be the next important update.
Source: Kris Rhim
Source: Kris Rhim
Keon Coleman Diagnosed With Sprained Foot/Toe
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (foot/toe) has been diagnosed with a sprained foot/toe from Saturday's preseason opener against Carolina and is expected to miss some practice time. Coleman was in a walking boot on his right foot Tuesday, three days after catching a nine-yard touchdown from Josh Allen in Buffalo's 29-14 win. Head coach Joe Brady didn't sound overly concerned after the game, saying he believed Coleman would be fine while the team waited on the medical evaluation. Now there is a diagnosis, but still no return date. Coleman is heading into an important third season after catching 38 passes for 404 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games last year. He had put together a strong spring and summer before getting hurt. The walking boot makes the injury worth watching, but for now the only firm part is that Coleman will lose some practice time. How much remains unclear.
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Source: Cameron Wolfe
J.K. Dobbins Back in Full Pads Tuesday
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins was back in full pads Tuesday as he continues working through the soft-tissue issue that cut short his Aug. 10 practice. Dobbins was already back doing individual drills the next day and practiced again Wednesday, then returned Monday during Denver's non-padded session. So this hasn't turned into a long absence. He ran for 772 yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries in 10 games last season before a foot injury sent him to injured reserve after Week 10. Denver re-signed him to a two-year deal in March, and Dobbins is still listed first on the Broncos' initial unofficial depth chart ahead of RJ Harvey. Rookie Jonah Coleman is in the mix, too, after a good start to camp. Tuesday's full-pads appearance is another good sign for Dobbins, but there still hasn't been confirmation that he's back to a completely normal workload. That's the next thing to watch.
Source: Chris Tomasson
Source: Chris Tomasson
Eric Bieniemy Says Wife Gave Blessing for Chiefs Return
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said Tuesday that his wife, Mia, is doing great and that she gave him her blessing to return to the team. Bieniemy had been away from the Chiefs after Mia was shot at the family's Virginia home on July 26, then returned to camp on Aug. 10. He stayed involved while he was gone, watching practices remotely and joining team meetings from home. Bieniemy said Mia's recovery was one of the main reasons he felt comfortable coming back, joking that he had started driving everyone at home crazy. This is Bieniemy's first season back in Kansas City after previously serving as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator from 2018 through 2022. He returned to the same role in January after spending last season coaching Chicago's running backs. There isn't much of a fantasy angle here, but it's good news for Bieniemy and the Chiefs as he settles back into his normal work with the offense.
Source: ProFootballTalk
Source: ProFootballTalk
Za'Darius Smith Coming Out of Retirement to Join Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons signed veteran pass rusher Za'Darius Smith on Tuesday, bringing the three-time Pro Bowler out of retirement less than a year after he stepped away from the NFL. Smith retired on Oct. 13, 2025 after playing five games for Philadelphia, where he recorded 1.5 sacks. He was much more productive the year before, finishing 2024 with nine sacks while splitting time between Cleveland and Detroit. Atlanta has an immediate need on the edge. Jalon Walker is out for the season with a torn ACL, while James Pearce Jr. will miss the first eight games because of a league suspension. Smith also has some familiarity with head coach Kevin Stefanski from their time together in Cleveland. He turns 34 in September and has not played since last October, so his early workload is still something to watch. Even so, Smith brings 70.5 career sacks to a Falcons front that suddenly needed another proven option.
Source: Jonathan Jones
Source: Jonathan Jones
Trey Benson Not Yet Ready for 11-on-11 Drills
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) was back at practice Monday, but head coach Mike LaFleur said Tuesday that Benson is not yet ready for 11-on-11 drills. The third-year back has been dealing with another flare-up in the surgically repaired left knee that limited him to four games last season. He ran well when he was out there, finishing 2025 with 160 yards on 29 carries and another 64 yards on 13 catches. The problem now is time. Arizona has to cut its roster to 53 players on Aug. 30, and Benson is currently listed fourth on the depth chart behind Tyler Allgeier, Jeremiyah Love and James Conner. Love is dealing with an ankle injury and Conner still hasn't done 11-on-11 work either, so there is an opening if Benson can get healthy enough to take advantage of it. For now, though, Monday's return was only a first step. He still has to show the Cardinals he can handle full team work before cutdown day.
Source: Theo Mackie
Source: Theo Mackie
