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Riley Leonard Stumbles in Preseason Opener
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard started the second half of the Colts' preseason opener against the New England Patriots and completed 10 of 21 passes for 89 yards. Leonard also managed to eke out 12 yards on the ground from two rushing attempts. The sophomore quarterback out of Notre Dame threw one interception early in the third quarter while under pressure from a collapsing pocket, but eventually found his rhythm. Leonard seems to be playing for the third position on the Colts' quarterback depth chart behind Anthony Richardson Sr. and ahead of Easton Stick. He has another chance next week against the Atlanta Falcons to demonstrate progress and improve his efficiency in the air.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bills Defensive Tackle Phidarian Mathis Suspended Three Games
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis has been suspended for the first three games of the 2026 season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. The suspension stems from an alcohol-related incident that occurred in the spring of last year. Mathis, a former second-round pick in 2022 by the Washington Commanders from the University of Alabama, was with the New York Jets at the time of the incident. It will not help the 28-year-old's cause as he competes with DeWayne Carter for one of the final spots on the roster on the Bills' defensive line this summer. Mathis will be eligible to play in the preseason and will be eligible for reinstatement on Sept. 28. He played in six regular-season games in Buffalo last year and one of their playoff contests.
Source: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
Source: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
Anthony Richardson Sr. The Early Favorite for Backup Spot?
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. had moderate success in the air and on the ground during Thursday's preseason opener 13-13 tie to the New England Patriots. As the Colts' starter with Daniel Jones (Achilles) on the mend, Richardson Sr. completed 11 of his 14 attempts for 145 yards. He also reminded fans of his dual-threat abilities and tallied 53 yards on the ground off his six carries, scoring one rushing touchdown from the goal line. However, in Richardson Sr.'s first and only half of play, he threw one interception and lost a fumble. The Colts' 2023 first-round pick will have another opportunity next week against the Atlanta Falcons to improve his ball security and try to earn the backup role behind veteran quarterback Daniel Jones.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kayshon Boutte Plays With Backups, Not Targeted in Preseason Opener
The New England Patriots held out their offensive starters in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, but wide receiver Kayshon Boutte played 16 snaps on offense. Boutte wasn't targeted at all by quarterback Tommy DeVito in the 13-13 tie against Indy. Quarterback Drake Maye and starting receivers A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and DeMario Douglas were in street clothes, with Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism getting reps with the backup offense. The 24-year-old Boutte, who was a sixth-round pick in 2023 from LSU, had a career-high six touchdowns in 14 regular-season games last year, but otherwise he failed to stand out for fantasy purposes, catching 33 of 46 targets for 551 yards in his third year in the league. The offseason additions of Brown and Doubs officially put Boutte off the fantasy football radar in all single-year leagues and make him a potential trade candidate before Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. Boutte likely needs an injury or two in New England to become interesting again or a trade out of town.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Dorance Armstrong Suspended One Game
Washington Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong has been suspended one game for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, according to Adam Schefter. The reason for the discipline was not included in the initial report. Armstrong is coming off a torn ACL suffered against Dallas in Week 7 last season, cutting short what had been a strong year for the veteran pass rusher. He finished with 5.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits in only seven games, and his sack total still led Washington for the season. Armstrong opened training camp on the Active/PUP list but passed his physical and returned to the active roster on Aug. 7. Washington added Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson during the offseason, and Armstrong is currently listed behind Chaisson on the team's first unofficial depth chart. After missing most of last season because of the knee injury, Armstrong will now also have to sit out one regular-season game.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
David Njoku Hard to Trust in Crowded Tight End Room
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku landed with a much better quarterback this offseason, but the fantasy setup around him is a lot less comfortable. Njoku caught 33 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games for Cleveland last season, well below the 81-882-6 line he posted in 2023. Justin Herbert gives him a chance to rebound, especially near the goal line, where 26 of Njoku's 34 career touchdowns have come. The problem is finding enough work between the 20s. Oronde Gadsden II is coming off a 49-catch, 664-yard rookie season, Charlie Kolar was added in free agency, and the Chargers' first unofficial depth chart lists all three with an OR designation at tight end. Njoku has flashed in the red zone during camp, but there still isn't much separation in this group. RotoBaller has him at TE33 in half-PPR. The quarterback upgrade is real, but without a clearer route and target advantage, Njoku looks more like a touchdown-dependent TE3 than someone to trust in standard redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Colts Coach Brian Mason Tears Several Knee Ligaments
Indianapolis Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason suffered multiple torn ligaments in his knee after being rolled up on during Thursday night's preseason game against the New England Patriots, according to Joel A. Erickson. The injury happened on the final play of the 13-13 tie, when two players engaged near the sideline ran into Mason. Head coach Shane Steichen said after the game that Mason was being evaluated for a knee injury, and Erickson reported Friday that the damage includes multiple torn ligaments. Mason is entering his fourth season as Indianapolis' special teams coordinator and has been with Shane Steichen's staff since 2023. There has been no reported timetable for Mason's recovery, and the Colts have not announced whether the injury will keep him away from the team once practices resume.
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Josh Jacobs Could Return to Practice Late Next Week
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (groin) could return to practice late next week. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that Jacobs could "potentially" get back on the field during the upcoming week, according to Rob Demovsky, but added that it would not be until later in the week. Jacobs has been out since Aug. 6 with the groin injury and was already ruled out for this week's practices. He is coming off a 2025 season in which he rushed 234 times for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 15 games, while adding 36 catches for 282 yards and another score. Green Bay has been able to give MarShawn Lloyd extended first-team work while Jacobs is sidelined, but there has been no indication that Jacobs' lead role is in question. LaFleur's latest comments are encouraging, though his wording still leaves some uncertainty. Jacobs does not have a firm return date yet.
Source: Rob Demovsky
Source: Rob Demovsky
James Pearce Jr. Suspended Eight Games
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 regular season for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. The NFL announced Friday that the suspension will begin Aug. 30, and Pearce will be eligible for reinstatement Nov. 2. The discipline follows his February arrest in Florida after a domestic dispute involving his former girlfriend, Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson. Pearce later entered a pretrial intervention program that could result in the charges being dismissed if he completes its conditions. Atlanta is already without Jalon Walker, who tore his ACL earlier this month, so the Falcons will open the year missing both of their 2025 first-round edge rushers. Pearce was a huge part of the pass rush as a rookie, leading Atlanta with 10.5 sacks and adding 16 quarterback hits. RotoBaller had him 90th overall in its latest IDP rankings, but an eight-game absence makes him difficult to carry in standard IDP redraft leagues.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Brenen Thompson Garners Six Targets in NFL Debut
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Brenen Thompson had two catches for 30 yards on six targets in Thursday's preseason 27-7 victory over the Houston Texans. Thompson was tied for the most targets last night (6) with wideout Keandre Lambert-Smith. The 23-year-old rookie immediately showed his ability to be a deep threat in the Chargers' offense with his average of 15 yards per catch. Thompson has had a strong training camp up to this point, and he could find his way into a consistent rotational role for the regular season if he continues to stand out. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel made a heavy push for the team to draft him, so it will be worth managers keeping notes on him as the preseason goes on.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Troy Franklin May Struggle to Repeat Last Year's Volume
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin took a big step forward last season, but getting back to 104 targets could be a challenge. Franklin caught 65 passes for 709 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, finishing second to Courtland Sutton in all three categories. Denver then paid a hefty price to bring in Jaylen Waddle, and the Broncos' first unofficial depth chart has Marvin Mims Jr. ahead of Franklin at the third receiver spot. Franklin hasn't disappeared this summer. Bo Nix has continued finding him during first-team work, and Sean Payton recently praised how much more comfortable he looks with Denver's formations and different alignments. There are just more players fighting for touches now. Sutton and Waddle should command plenty of work, Mims is ahead of Franklin for the moment, and Pat Bryant and Evan Engram are part of the passing game as well. RotoBaller has Franklin at WR84 in half-PPR. He still makes sense as a late flier, but another 100-target season is getting difficult to project.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Gets Limited Action in Preseason Opener
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had two catches for 21 yards on three targets in Thursday's 27-7 victory over the Houston Texans in their preseason opener. Gadsden's lone drop came in the end zone when officials ruled him out of bounds before he completed the catch. The 23-year-old played three offensive drives during the game, but more importantly, he was the only tight end in the potential rotation to play. David Njoku and Charlie Kolar were both held out of the game as the Chargers opted to rest most of their key starters and veterans. This could be the first sign of how the team values the tight end group and how they plan to utilize each of them this season. It will be worth keeping tabs on how much each tight end in that three-man rotation plays during the preseason.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordyn Tyson's Hamstring Injury Could Linger Into Regular Season
Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that rookie first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is dealing with a right-hamstring issue and will miss time, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell. Moore isn't giving a timetable for Tyson's return, but he did say "it could" potentially linger into Week 1 of the regular season. "We've just got to let these experts evaluate this, and then we'll put together a plan," Moore said. "Not going to jump to conclusions. I don't have a doctor in front of my name, so I'm not going to jump to put together a timeline on it." The former Arizona State wideout injured his hamstring during a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday after landing awkwardly following a catch. He was slow to get up to test his leg before jogging off the field and not returning. Moore said the injury isn't a result of his previous hamstring issues in college in 2025. Tyson's hamstring injury and the fact he's missing valuable time learning the offense certainly won't make him more attractive as a WR3/flex target in fantasy football drafts. If he's forced to miss time early in the season, the biggest beneficiary in the Saints' WR room will likely be Devaughn Vele.
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Tyler Higbee Still Hard to Trust in Redraft Leagues
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee is healthy and still part of the first-team rotation, but that does not make him much easier to draft. Higbee played 10 games last season, catching 25 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns while missing time with hip and ankle injuries. He caught a red-zone touchdown on the first day of camp and is listed with Davis Allen atop one tight end spot on the Rams' unofficial depth chart. The problem is how crowded the room has become. Colby Parkinson had 43 catches for 408 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, Terrance Ferguson flashed as a rookie, and Los Angeles spent the 61st overall pick on Max Klare. The Rams love using multiple tight ends, which should keep Higbee on the field, but that is not the same thing as giving him steady targets. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams remain the first options in the passing game, too. Higbee can still find the end zone here and there, but standard redraft managers have better places to look for weekly tight end production.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Amon-Ra St. Brown Remains One Safest WR1s in Redraft Leagues
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has been about as steady as it gets for fantasy managers, and nothing this summer has changed that. He caught 117 passes for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns on 172 targets last season, giving him a fourth straight year with at least 100 receptions. Detroit has a new play caller in Drew Petzing, but the offense has settled in well during camp, and St. Brown has looked like himself. On Aug. 6, he beat Rock Ya-Sin deep for a touchdown in one-on-ones and scored again during red-zone work. There are plenty of mouths to feed with Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs and Isaac TeSlaa all involved, so another 172 targets would be a lot to ask for. That hasn't stopped St. Brown from commanding elite volume before. RotoBaller's Aug. 14 outlook still views him as one of the safest first-round wide receivers after three straight WR3 finishes in both PPR and half-PPR. He's not a riser because there isn't much higher to go, but there is no real reason to fade him either.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
