RADIO
Malik Nabers Leaves Practice Early, Not Injury-Related
The Athletic's Dan Duggan reported on Wednesday that New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers walked off with a trainer with 20 minutes left in training camp practice after having a full workload. Head coach John Harbaugh was unaware when first asked about Nabers leaving early and said that it "wasn't part of the plan," before later stating that "there's no injury." The 23-year-old former sixth overall pick from LSU tore his right ACL and meniscus and was limited to only four games in his sophomore season in 2025, and Nabers was just recently cleared to shed his non-contact jersey in training camp practices. Nabers is nearing the final stages of his recovery from his season-ending knee injury last year, and barring a setback before now and the Sept. 13 regular-season opener, he should be ready to face the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. Nabers could be eased in early in the 2026 season, but his continued improvement in his rehab has made him a more palatable low-end WR1 selection in fantasy football drafts.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Kenny Gainwell has a Path to More PPR Upside
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell enters his first year with the team in 2026 after signing a two-year, $14 million deal with the team in free agency. The 27-year-old saw career highs across the board last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, carrying the ball 114 times for 537 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. What was most surprising, though, were his 73 receptions on 85 targets for 486 yards and three more scores as a pass-catcher. Gainwell will essentially be replacing Rachaad White in Tampa as a pass-catching specialist, albeit in a completely new offense under coordinator Zac Robinson. The speculation that third-string RB Sean Tucker will be cut before the start of the regular season could boost Gainwell's fantasy ceiling and his floor, with the vast majority of backfield touches going to Gainwell and Bucky Irving. And if Irving were to miss more time with an injury in 2026, Gainwell would have the highest ceiling of his NFL career as the Bucs' primary back. Tucker potentially being waived makes Gainwell an even more attractive RB3/flex with upside in PPR fantasy formats.
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Bucky Irving Might Not Have Much Competition on Early Downs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is coming off a down 2025 season in which he played in just 10 games due to multiple injuries, ultimately finishing with 588 rushing yards and only one rushing touchdown on 173 carries in his second year in the NFL. Irving impressed with 1,122 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground on 207 rushing attempts as a rookie, adding 47 catches for 392 yards through the air. Rachaad White moved on in free agency in the offseason, but the Bucs added pass-catching specialist Kenny Gainwell, who will no doubt cut into key pass-game targets for the third-year back in 2026. The good news for Irving is that it is looking more likely that No. 3 RB Sean Tucker will not make the 53-man roster as the team looks to trim salary. If Tucker isn't on the roster for Week 1, it should only increase Irving's early-down volume out of Tampa's backfield. And even though Gainwell will have a key role in this new offense, Irving could have a clear path back to a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2026 if he stays healthy. His case as an RB2 with upside is looking better in fantasy football.
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Sean Tucker Not Projected to Make 53-Man Roster
Josh Queipo of Pewter Report does not project Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker to make the final 53-man roster out of training camp. The Bucs initially opted not to tender him as a restricted free agent in the offseason, but they eventually signed him to a $3.52 million deal for 2026. Even though none of the salary would be guaranteed, it's a high price tag for a player with 151 carries, 651 yards (4.3 yards per carry), and nine touchdowns in his three seasons in the league. Tampa could feel that they are covered between Josh Williams at RB and Kam Johnson as a kick returner behind Bucky Irving and newcomer Kenny Gainwell. Ultimately, the Buccaneers could opt to go cheaper to fill the RB3 role in order to save money for a roster spot elsewhere to begin the 2026 season. Tucker had a career-high 86 carries for 320 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games last year, with Irving missing time due to multiple injuries. He has shown flashes of upside in Tampa, but he is firmly on the roster bubble. It is good news for Irving's overall fantasy upside this year.
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Source: PewterReport.com - Joshua Queipo
Theo Johnson Dealing With Shoulder Injury
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury at training camp practice on Monday, head coach John Harbaugh told Evan Barnes of Newsday Sports. Although Johnson missed a third day of practice on Wednesday with his shoulder injury, all signs point to him avoiding a serious injury that would keep him from being able to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The 25-year-old former fourth-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft out of Penn State took a notable step forward in 2025 in his second season, catching 45 of his 74 targets for 528 yards and five touchdowns in 15 starts for the G-Men. Johnson would be a lot more attractive in fantasy football leagues if the Giants had not signed Isaiah Likely to lead their TE room in 2026. New York could run a considerable amount of two-tight-end sets with Likely and Johnson involved, but unless Likely is injured, Johnson is going to remain off the radar in single-TE leagues this year. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 41 TE this year.
Source: Newsday Sports - Evan Barnes
Source: Newsday Sports - Evan Barnes
Jerry Jeudy Making a Late Push Up Redraft Boards
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has started to regain some redraft appeal with Deshaun Watson now locked in as the Week 1 starter. Jeudy's 2025 season was ugly despite heavy volume, as he caught just 50 of 106 targets for 602 yards and two touchdowns after posting 90 catches for 1,229 yards and four scores the year before. The late-camp connection with Watson has been more encouraging. Watson found Jeudy for a solid gain during Monday's first practice as the starter, then connected with him four times Tuesday, including a deep completion over the middle during 11-on-11 work. Jeudy still has plenty of competition. Cleveland spent the 24th overall pick on KC Concepcion and the 39th pick on Denzel Boston, with Boston continuing to make plays alongside Jeudy in first-team work. Still, Jeudy remains listed as a starter and has stayed involved as Watson has taken control of the offense. RotoBaller now ranks him WR67 in half-PPR after listing him WR79 earlier this month. That movement fits the current trend, with Jeudy looking more interesting as a late-round depth receiver than he did a few weeks ago.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rueben Bain Jr. Expected to be Ready for Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. (shoulder) suffered an AC sprain in training camp, but it's said to be "nothing serious," and he is expected to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener at the Cincinnati Bengals, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "He's got a sore shoulder that he's dealing with, so we kept him out today. He'll be fine," head coach Todd Bowles said. The 21-year-old from the University of Miami has played a key role on Tampa's defense in training camp and the preseason and figures to have a starting role to begin his first year in the NFL if he gets cleared from his shoulder injury. The 15th overall pick in April was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 after recording 9.5 sacks for the Hurricanes, and he was considered one of the best edge rushers in this year's draft. Bain is expected to start at weakside linebacker in 2026 for a revamped Buccaneers defense.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Ashton Dulin's Role Takes a Hit After WR Addition
At the start of training camp this summer, the Indianapolis Colts were talking about the prospect of scaling back wide receiver/returner Ashton Dulin's special teams responsibilities to become an offensive starter. But after the Colts signed veteran wideout Keenan Allen a month later, "those plans seem to have flipped," and Dulin could now become the team's primary kickoff and punt returner on special teams while seeing his offensive role reduced, according to Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star. The 29-year-old was seeing more usage on offense early in camp before they signed Allen and with Alec Pierce (ankle) still on the Physically Unable to Perform list. But Pierce could be ready for Week 1 of the regular season, and with Allen now in the fold, there is not as much urgency for Dulin to step up as a receiver. The former undrafted free agent from Malone College caught only five passes for 106 yards in 12 games played in 2025 and does not have more than 15 receptions or 207 yards in any of his six NFL seasons in Indy. Dulin can be ignored in the vast majority of fantasy football leagues.
Source: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
Source: Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
Darnell Washington Losing Redraft Appeal
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington is coming off the best receiving season of his career, but his redraft outlook has cooled as the preseason has unfolded. Washington caught 31 passes for 364 yards and one touchdown in 16 games last year, then signed a four-year, $42 million extension with Pittsburgh in June. That commitment has not translated into a larger receiving role this summer. Pat Freiermuth remains first on the depth chart, while Washington has just one catch for five yards through two preseason games. Veteran Robert Tonyan has been much more involved, catching six passes for 78 yards over the same stretch after reuniting with Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh. Washington still matters plenty to the Steelers because of his blocking, and his 6-foot-7, 264-pound frame gives him some red-zone appeal. The problem for fantasy managers is target volume. Washington drew only 43 targets despite starting 13 games last season, and nothing this August suggests a major jump is coming. RotoBaller ranks him TE36 in half-PPR, leaving him outside the standard redraft mix and better viewed as a deep-league touchdown dart throw.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trey McBride Stands Out in Joint Practice With Packers
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride was the team's standout during Wednesday's joint practice with Green Bay, according to Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. That's not exactly a surprise after the season McBride just put together. He caught 126 passes on 169 targets for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, setting the NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end. McBride was also a near-unanimous first-team All-Pro, receiving 49 of 50 first-place votes. Arizona has treated him like one of its established stars this preseason, including holding him out of Saturday's game against Dallas. He has now posted at least 100 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons, becoming the first tight end in league history with consecutive 100-catch campaigns. Wednesday's showing doesn't change much for fantasy purposes. McBride already enters 2026 as the clear centerpiece of Arizona's passing game.
Source: Theo Mackie
Source: Theo Mackie
Malik Washington Strengthening His Hold on a Starting Role
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has strengthened his redraft outlook by holding onto a prominent role in one of the NFL's most unsettled receiving corps. Washington opened the preseason with Miami's first-team offense against the Commanders and caught all three of his targets for 15 yards, including receptions on the Dolphins' first two offensive plays. He did not play against the Giants on Saturday, but Miami's current depth chart still lists him as a starter alongside Caleb Douglas and Jalen Tolbert. Washington also brings useful returning production after catching 46 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns last season, while adding 110 rushing yards and another score on 17 carries. The ceiling remains uncertain. Washington averaged only 6.9 yards per reception in 2025, Douglas has been one of Miami's better camp performers, and Chris Bell is now back in team drills. Still, Washington has done enough to remain near the front of the receiver rotation entering the final week of the preseason. RotoBaller's half-PPR rankings list him as WR81, and his combination of first-team usage and short-area volume makes him a reasonable late-round target in deeper redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Wright Pulling Ahead in Miami's RB2 Battle
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright is pushing ahead in the battle to back up De'Von Achane, giving his redraft outlook a late-August boost. With Achane out of Saturday's preseason game against the Giants, Wright started and handled every snap on Miami's opening drive, then played 12 of the team's first 16 offensive snaps before Ollie Gordon II took over. The results were ugly, as Wright managed nine yards on six carries and lost a fumble, but Miami kept him in the game afterward. The 5-foot-10, 208-pound back also has a useful workload sample on his résumé. When Achane left Week 14 last season with a rib injury, Wright carried 24 times for 107 yards and a touchdown while Gordon saw only five attempts. Miami's first unofficial depth chart had Wright ahead of Gordon, and the preseason rotation has backed that up. Gordon's recent rib issue should not be overstated after head coach Jeff Hafley said he could have returned in a regular-season game. Wright still has limited standalone appeal behind Achane, but he's increasingly looking like Miami's preferred insurance back and a worthwhile late-round target in deeper redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Frank Reich has Been "Impressed" With Geno Smith
New York Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich thinks he has the right quarterback to "steer his offensive ship" in veteran Geno Smith, who has "pure" throwing mechanics that few NFL QBs can match, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. "He's very detailed in the way that he teaches the offense," Smith says. "Very meticulous in what he wants from us and how he wants us to execute." "I am just so impressed with Geno, I cannot express that enough," Reich said. In addition to Smith, Reich thinks he has the personnel on the offensive line and the right weapons around Smith to build a formidable offense in 2026. Smith was a Pro Bowler in back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023 with the Seattle Seahawks, but he was one of the worst signal-callers in the league in 2025 in his lone season with the Las Vegas Raiders, going 2-13 as the starter while throwing for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-high 17 interceptions. He has looked much better this summer with the Jets, but fantasy managers in superflex leagues will believe a bounce-back only when they see it in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Josh Downs Says Calf Injury Is "Very Minor"
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (calf) downplayed the injury that has kept him out of practice the past two days. According to James Boyd, Downs called it "very minor" and said the team is simply being precautionary. He sat out Tuesday before the Colts identified the issue as a calf injury Wednesday. Downs also missed practice time earlier this month with a groin injury, so Indianapolis has already been careful with him during camp. The 25-year-old caught 58 passes on 88 targets for 566 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games last season after posting a career-high 803 yards in 2024. Michael Pittman Jr. is now in Pittsburgh, although the recent addition of Keenan Allen gives the Colts another proven option alongside Downs and Alec Pierce. For now, there isn't much reason to move Downs down fantasy boards based on his own description of the injury.
Source: James Boyd
Source: James Boyd
Patrick Mahomes Won't Play in Preseason Finale
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Wednesday that quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) will not play in the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Seattle Seahawks, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. Rookie signal-caller Garrett Nussmeier will get the start. Although Mahomes has been a full-go for all of training camp after tearing his ACL and LCL in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers last year, the Chiefs will end up keeping him out of all three preseason contests as a precaution. Reid has been non-committal on whether the 30-year-old three-time Super Bowl MVP will be ready for Week 1 against the division-rival Denver Broncos, but all signs point to him being available on Monday, Sept. 14. The former 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft out of Texas Tech was a Pro Bowler from 2018 to 2023, but he obviously had his season cut short last year and threw for under 4,000 yards in 2024 as the Chiefs' offense hasn't been as explosive in recent years. With mobility concerns coming off major knee surgery in a Chiefs offense searching for more explosive plays down the field, Mahomes has become more of a high-end QB2 target in 2026 fantasy drafts instead of the high-end QB1 he was earlier in his career.
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
