RADIO
LeQuint Allen Jr. Likely a Game-Time Decision for Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said on Wednesday that he will be "pleasantly surprised" if running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (undisclosed) plays in the Week 1 regular-season opener, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN. Allen will likely be a game-day decision for Sunday, Sept. 13, versus the Cleveland Browns. The 22-year-old has been dealing with an undisclosed soft-tissue injury and might need more time to recover. If Allen is unavailable to kick off the season, both Bhayshul Tuten (illness) and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will have higher fantasy ceilings against Cleveland. Rodriguez, in particular, will be a sneaky starting fantasy option in point-per-reception leagues as an RB3/flex, as he has looked like the better pass-catching option this summer over Tuten. When healthy, Allen figures to be Coen's preferred third-down back after he caught 10 of 11 targets for 54 yards in 17 regular-season games in 2025 as a rookie. He also had just 23 carries for 94 yards on the ground behind Tuten and Travis Etienne Jr.
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Panthers "Very Optimistic" Jonathon Brooks Will Be Available in Week 1
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (undisclosed) spent Wednesday's practice working with trainers on a side field for the second day in a row, but head coach Dave Canales told reporters he was "very optimistic" about Brooks' availability for Week 1 against the Bears. A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks has appeared in only three career games, re-tearing the right ACL that ended his collegiate career after handling only 12 touches as a rookie. While Canales' update offers reassurance about his availability, questions about his role still make Brooks a difficult fantasy start to begin the year, as conflicting reports out of training camp have painted a muddied picture of how he might split work with veteran Chuba Hubbard in 2026. The talent that made Brooks the first running back off the board in 2024 is still apparent, and with the higher-upside case among Carolina's backs, he is well worth taking a shot on later in drafts as RotoBaller's RB33.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
C.J. Stroud Unlikely to Open 2026 Season With a New Deal
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is "prepared to play out this season without a new deal," despite the Texans making what they considered a competitive offer, according to several people with knowledge of the situation. The current sentiment is that Stroud will "most likely not end up with a new deal" before Week 1. However, Fowler's understanding is that the Texans are prepared to put Stroud in "what it feels is a strong place among the 12 QBs in the $50 million club." If Stroud bets on himself and has a strong 2026 bounce-back campaign, he can "let an exploding QB market do the work for him." The former second overall pick out of Ohio State had a strong training camp this summer and has plenty of talent around him (even with receiver Jayden Higgins (knee) done for the year), making him a popular rebound candidate as a QB2 with upside for fantasy football purposes. If Stroud does not ink a new deal with Houston before Week 1, he will have plenty of incentive to turn his game around after two straight disappointing seasons.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Kenneth Walker a Full Participant at Wednesday's Practice
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker (foot), who dealt with a minor foot injury late in training camp, was present for Wednesday's practice and participated without limitation in all sessions, according to beat writer Pete Sweeney. The Super Bowl MVP signed a three-year, $43 million deal to join the Chiefs in free agency, and he is expected to handle a three-down role in an offense looking to rebound from a pair of down years. All signs point to the Week 1 availability of quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) after an ACL tear ended his 2025 season, but as he ramps up in his recovery, Walker could see a sizeable early-season workload and is one of a handful of running backs going near the one-two turn with a realistic chance to crack the top three. Following a hype-filled training camp, RotoBaller's RB8 has the feel of one of the safest running backs to build around in 2026.
Source: Pete Sweeney
Source: Pete Sweeney
Ollie Gordon II Practicing in a Non-Contact Jersey on Wednesday
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II (ribs) suffered a minor rib injury during the team's second preseason game, and he is practicing in a red non-contact jersey on Wednesday. The 2025 sixth-round pick ran for 199 yards on 70 carries while appearing in all 17 games as a rookie, and he could see a larger role in year two with the Dolphins in need of playmakers outside of starting running back De'Von Achane. Along with Achane and third-year player Jaylen Wright, Gordon was one of three running backs to make the initial 53-man roster, excluding undrafted rookie fullback DJ Herman. Once viewed as one of the most promising backs in the nation after a Doak Walker Award-winning season in 2023, Gordon has failed to live up to expectations and is unlikely to factor into the fantasy landscape in 2026 as RotoBaller's RB87.
Source: Alain Poupart
Source: Alain Poupart
Todd Bowles Remains Cautious Regarding Emeka Egbuka's Week 1 Status
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is still a bit cautious about wide receivers Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) as far as playing in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. "Headed in the right direction. I don't know how fast. I'll have a better gauge next week. They're moving forward every day," Bowles said. Egbuka got some work in on a side field with trainers on Wednesday, but he has not been a full go with the rest of the team for a while after spraining his toe, and he is a true question mark right now for the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13. Like Bowles said, fantasy managers will have a better idea of the 23-year-old's Week 1 status next week, when the Bucs start to release official practice statuses. If both Egbuka and McMillan are limited or out in Week 1, it will mean more targets for both Chris Godwin Jr. and Ted Hurst III. Egbuka's case as a legitimate WR2 in fantasy in Year 2 has been tempered this summer due to his toe injury, and he is currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 23 fantasy WR. The former first-rounder from Ohio State had a solid rookie season in 2025 with a 63-938-6 line on 127 targets in 17 games played.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Raiders Officially Name Kirk Cousins the Week 1 Starter
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has officially named veteran Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Despite a training-camp push by first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders have decided to let the 38-year-old veteran open the 2026 campaign as the starter under center. The expectation all along was that Cousins would open the year as the starter to give Mendoza more time to adapt to the NFL game and get used to playing under center. In 30 offensive snaps during the preseason, Cousins went 13-for-17 for 101 yards with one touchdown. Cousins could have some low-end QB2 sleeper appeal in the season opener against Miami in what should be an improved Raiders offense, but with Mendoza looming as the long-term option at the position, he makes for an unintriguing two-QB superflex option in season-long formats as he heads into his 15th NFL season.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Klint Kubiak Optimistic About Ashton Jeanty's Week 1 Status
When asked if he was optimistic about second-year running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) being able to play in the Week 1 season opener versus the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said, "Yes," with a sly grin, according to Levi Edwards of the team's official website. Jeanty has not practiced with the team since suffering what is believed to be a low-ankle sprain in training camp practice on Aug. 23, but he worked off to the side with trainers on Tuesday and is apparently making progress. If the former first-rounder from Boise State can avoid setbacks going into next week's practices, it looks like he will have a good shot at suiting up on Sunday, Sept. 13. With that said, the 22-year-old could have his workload limited against Miami if he is active, with the Raiders saying that they expect rookie Mike Washington Jr. to have a key role early on, even if Jeanty is available. Going into his second year in the NFL, Jeanty should be viewed as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 for fantasy purposes after scoring 10 total touchdowns (five rushing, five receiving) and finishing as the RB13 in half-PPR scoring as a rookie in 2025.
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Michael Wilson Unlikely to Have New Deal by Week 1
The Arizona Cardinals have attempted to extend ascending wide receiver Michael Wilson, who is coming off his first 1,000-yard season in 2025, but the "likeliest path" is for Wilson to enter Week 1 on the final year of his rookie deal, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. According to sources, Wilson is likely to be a key free agent next offseason, and if he has an encore in Arizona in 2026, he will be paid handsomely next March. The 26-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 from Stanford broke out with 78 catches on 126 targets for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games in his third year in the NFL. It helped that fellow wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. continued to struggle with drops while missing time due to various injuries, and the Cardinals' pass-happy offensive approach definitely played into Wilson's strong season. Wilson has developed great chemistry with Brissett, but most fantasy pundits predict a step back in 2026 in new head coach Mike LaFleur's offense, which is expected to be a much more balanced attack. Still, Wilson is a great WR4/flex target for fantasy managers.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Ashton Jeanty Misses Wednesday's Practice
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) missed another day of practice on Wednesday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Jeanty worked off to the side with trainers on Tuesday, but he has yet to return to a full practice since injuring his ankle in a training camp practice on Aug. 23. The 22-year-old former first-rounder from Boise State is believed to be dealing with a low-ankle sprain, but it is unclear yet if it will impact his availability for the Week 1 contest against the Miami Dolphins. At the very least, though, rookie Mike Washington Jr. figures to have a key role in Vegas' backfield to open the regular season, even if Jeanty is active on Sunday, Sept. 13. Jeanty still carries low-end RB1/high-end RB2 fantasy appeal in upcoming drafts, and he could be poised for an even bigger season in Year 2 in what should be a better offense after running for 975 yards and five touchdowns on 266 carries in 2025. He also had 55 receptions on 73 targets for 346 yards and another five scores as a receiver in 17 games played. We will have a much better read on Jeanty's Week 1 status once the Raiders start releasing official injury reports next week.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Jonathon Brooks Off to the Side Again on Wednesday
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (undisclosed) is working off to the side with a trainer for the second straight day in practice on Wednesday, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Head coach Dave Canales said that Brooks had some "soreness" on Tuesday, but he would not specify where. Brooks has been gaining steam as the potential lead back in Carolina in 2026 over Chuba Hubbard, who had a disappointing 2025 campaign after a 1,000-yard season for the Panthers in 2024. The 23-year-old Brooks, a second-rounder out of Texas in 2024, has already torn his ACL twice since entering the NFL and has played in just three games for the Panthers in his rookie season. Despite durability concerns, Brooks has explosive upside out of the backfield if he is healthy and could push Hubbard for lead-back duties this year. Right now, Brooks' undisclosed injury does not seem serious enough to keep him out in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, but we should have a better idea of his status next week. RotoBaller has Brooks and Hubbard ranked at No. 33 and No. 34, respectively.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Isaiah Likely Could Have a Breakout Season in First Year With Giants
ESPN's Dan Graziano does not think anyone should be surprised if tight end Isaiah Likely is a "breakout star" in his first season with the New York Giants in 2026. Likely followed head coach John Harbaugh from the Baltimore Ravens to the Giants in free agency, and Giants coaches "light up" when talking about Likely. The coaching staff thinks that Likely will "be a real asset" for quarterback Jaxson Dart as a receiver and "think he can win in both man and zone coverage." The Giants love how he has evolved his relationship with Dart, and he is a regular visitor to the QB room. The connection that Likely has formed with Dart on and off the field "could pay major dividends." Graziano thinks that Likely is a strong candidate to be the Giants' second-leading receiver this year, and potentially more if receiver Malik Nabers (knee) needs more time to get up to speed after tearing his ACL and meniscus early last year. The 26-year-old former fourth-rounder from Coastal Carolina never had over 477 receiving yards or six touchdowns in his four years in Baltimore, where he was in the shadow of Mark Andrews. Now that he is the TE1 in the Big Apple, Likely has clear TE1 upside in fantasy, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 15 player at the position heading into the new season.
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
Source: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
Chuba Hubbard Still in Line for Heavy Work
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard may remain a major part of the backfield, even with Jonathon Brooks healthy again. According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, the plan is for Hubbard and Brooks to split carries, with Hubbard potentially getting the larger share when Carolina is trying to close out games. The Panthers are excited about Brooks but intend to be careful with him after two ACL tears. Hubbard remains first on Carolina's current depth chart and has already shown he can handle a big workload, rushing for 1,195 yards in 2024. His numbers fell to 511 yards on 134 carries across 15 games last season. Brooks, meanwhile, has played only three regular-season games since entering the NFL and missed all of 2025. If ESPN's reported split holds, Hubbard should remain much more involved than fantasy managers expecting a Brooks takeover might have hoped.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Falcons Still Evaluating "All of the Quarterbacks"
Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said the group will make the decision on the starting quarterback going into Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "You're evaluating all of the quarterbacks," Cunningham said. The decision comes down to Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. (knee), although some folks believe that rookie Jack Strand could also be in the mix after looking good in the preseason and seeing some first-team reps in training camp practices. The thought was that the Falcons would give the starting gig to Tagovailoa to allow Penix to continue his recovery from a partially torn ACL late last season, but Tua's struggles this summer have the organization rethinking their plan under center. If Tagovailoa is named the starter, it might only be because the Falcons want to give Penix more time to get his legs under him and get back to 100%. Penix is clearly still Atlanta's preferred option to be the franchise signal-caller long term. Whoever starts at QB for the Falcons in Week 1 will be a low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues, at best.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Sean Tucker Misses Wednesday's Practice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (undisclosed) did not practice Wednesday, according to Greg Auman. No reason for the absence was immediately provided. Tucker made Tampa Bay's initial 53-man roster after beating out Josh Williams for the final spot in the backfield and is currently listed third behind Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell. The fourth-year back appeared in all 17 games last season, carrying 86 times for 320 yards and seven touchdowns while adding eight catches for 34 yards and another score. His eight scrimmage touchdowns led the Buccaneers in 2025. There is not enough information yet to know whether Wednesday's absence is anything to worry about. Tucker's status at the next practice should give a better idea of what is going on. UPDATE: Head coach Todd Bowles said Tucker is dealing with a minor injury.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
