RADIO
Kyle Monangai Does Some Running on Wednesday
Updating a previous report, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift said that Kyle Monangai (knee) did some running at practice on Wednesday and looked good, according to Adam Hoge of CHGO Bears. Monangai did not practice with the rest of the team, though, and is considered week-to-week after hyperextending his right knee in training camp practice on Aug. 16. It is a positive sign that Monangai is doing some running, but it sounds like he still has some hurdles to clear before being cleared to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener next Sunday. If Monangai does not suit up for the season opener, Roschon Johnson would be in line for RB2 change-of-pace duties behind Swift against the Carolina Panthers. Monangai, a seventh-rounder last year out of Rutgers, carried the ball 169 times for 783 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2025 as a rookie, but he caught only 18 passes for 164 yards. The 24-year-old will continue to be involved in head coach Ben Johnson's offense behind Swift, but his lack of pass-catching abilities limits his fantasy upside, especially in PPR formats. RotoBaller has Monangai ranked as the RB42 for 2026.
Source: CHGO Bears - Adam Hoge
Source: CHGO Bears - Adam Hoge
Woody Marks' Production Upside Could Be Limited in Houston
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Houston Texans running back Woody Marks worked his way into the RB1 role in Houston midway through his rookie season and finished the year with 911 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 220 touches across 16 games. However, Houston made a big addition to its running back room over the offseason by acquiring veteran back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions. While Montgomery is now entering his age-29 season, he averaged 4.5 yards per attempt on 158 carries with Detroit last year and is reportedly expected to play a sizable role in the Texans' offense. Montgomery is also a proven weapon as a short-yardage and goal-line back, which could limit Marks' opportunities to score touchdowns. Marks remains an intriguing fantasy piece at the right price for his handcuff appeal and his pass-catching upside, but his redraft stock is falling ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
AJ Barner May Be Undervalued in Drafts Entering 2026
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner emerged as his team's top tight end in 2025, recording 52 catches for 519 yards and six touchdowns on 68 targets across 17 games. Despite his solid production, the presence of 2025 second-round tight end Elijah Arroyo in Seattle has led to speculation that Barner's role in the Seahawks' offense could fade in 2026. However, Barner has reportedly been one of the team's standout performers this summer, and he's already proven that he has established red-zone chemistry with Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. If he can earn slightly more overall target volume in 2026, Barner could establish himself as a lower-end TE1 option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Greg Dulcich Poised for 2026 Breakout with Expanded Role in Miami?
Entering 2026, Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich could be poised for a breakout season. A third-round pick back in 2022 by the Denver Broncos, persistent injury issues kept Dulcich from carving out a consistent role in Denver. He entered 2025 on the Dolphins' practice squad, but he was promoted to the active roster mid-season and finished the year with 26 catches for 335 yards and a touchdown on 33 targets across 10 games (three starts). Entering 2026, Dulcich looks like the clear TE1 in Miami, at least to start the season. The Dolphins are in obvious need of pass-catching talent to emerge, as the team's wide receiver corps consists of a combination of underwhelming veterans and unproven rookies. If Dulcich can stay healthy, he could emerge as a safety blanket for new Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis. As a late-round sleeper, Dulcich could be worth targeting at the end of fantasy drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Adonai Mitchell's Stock Rising Following Standout Summer
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell is entering his first full season in New York after being acquired by the Jets from the Indianapolis Colts at the 2025 trade deadline. While Mitchell struggled to carve out a regular role during his time in Indy, he averaged over seven targets per game with the Jets last season and finished the year with 24 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns across eight contests. All of Mitchell's games with New York last season came with star Jets wideout Garrett Wilson sidelined by a knee injury, so the return of Wilson in 2026 could hurt Mitchell's target volume. New York also used two first-round picks in the 2026 draft on pass-catchers in wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and tight end Kenyon Sadiq (hernia). Still, Mitchell drew rave reviews for his work in training camp and his chemistry with new Jets quarterback Geno Smith, and he appears set to open the year as the WR2 in New York. As a talented wide receiver with clear playing time opportunity, Mitchell profiles as a late-round sleeper target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alvin Kamara Does Not Participate in Saints Practice on Wednesday
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) was among the players who did not participate in practice on Wednesday, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Kamara is currently battling a sprained MCL, and his availability for the Saints' Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions is in question. The veteran running back missed the final six games of the 2025 season due to a separate MCL sprain, making his current injury all the more concerning. Kamara averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per touch across 11 games last season and is expected to play a minimized role in the Saints' offense in 2026 following the team's offseason acquisition of running back Travis Etienne Jr. If Kamara misses the start of the year, Etienne Jr.'s early-season workload outlook could be significantly improved.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Justin Tucker Works Out for Jets
Free-agent kicker Justin Tucker was part of a group workout with the New York Jets on Wednesday, according to Tom Pelissero. The Jets are continuing to look at their options at kicker despite claiming Blake Grupe off waivers earlier this week and bringing Jason Sanders back on the practice squad. Tucker has not kicked in a regular-season game since 2024, when he made 22 of 30 field-goal attempts in his final season with Baltimore. The seven-time Pro Bowler served a 10-game suspension last season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Grupe currently has the roster spot and made all 11 of his field-goal attempts during a five-game stint with Indianapolis late last season. Tucker's workout doesn't mean another move is coming, but the Jets are clearly still evaluating the position.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Charlie Kolar a Deep-League Sleeper Target Following Strong Camp
After spending the first four years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, veteran tight end Charlie Kolar is entering his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2026. Kolar saw very limited usage as a receiver during his time in Baltimore, recording just 30 receptions and four touchdowns across 47 games. In Los Angeles, Kolar could play a similar role as the blocking complement to the Chargers' receiving-focused tight ends Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku. However, Kolar has drawn strong reviews for his work in training camp, and he could be carving out a sizable role in his new team's offense. Given Kolar's extremely limited pass-catching track record, it's too early to prioritize him in fantasy drafts. Still, managers may want to consider him as a deep-league sleeper name to monitor entering 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Monangai Still Not Practicing
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (knee) remained out of practice Wednesday, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. Monangai has not practiced since hyperextending his right knee during an Aug. 16 session, when he got tangled with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Head coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday that Monangai remains week-to-week, so his continued absence is not unexpected. The second-year back rushed for 783 yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries as a rookie, adding 18 catches for 164 yards. Chicago opens the season Sept. 13 at Carolina, leaving Monangai less than two weeks to get back on the field. His Week 1 status remains uncertain, and D'Andre Swift would be in line for a heavier workload if Monangai can't go.
Source: Jason Lieser
Source: Jason Lieser
Malik Nabers Handles Individual and Team Drills Wednesday
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) took part in individual drills and team work Wednesday, head coach John Harbaugh said, according to Connor Hughes. Nabers is still working his way back from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season after four games. He had 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns before going down. Tuesday brought another encouraging sign when Harbaugh said Nabers handled most of the team reps after spending the early part of practice with the training staff. Wednesday's work keeps that progression moving, but Nabers has not committed to being ready for Week 1. The Giants open Sept. 13 against Dallas, leaving more than a week for his workload to build before a decision has to be made.
Source: Connor Hughes
Source: Connor Hughes
Isaac TeSlaa Still Has Lions' Trust After Quiet Summer
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa had a rough summer, but the team isn't backing away from him. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery said he is "not too concerned" about TeSlaa's camp and preseason. Detroit intentionally gave the second-year receiver more work against top cornerbacks, and he remains the No. 3 option behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. TeSlaa caught just 16 passes for 239 yards as a rookie, but six of those catches went for touchdowns. He also finished the year with eight receptions for 119 yards and two scores over the final three games. His preseason opener against Cincinnati was ugly, including a drop that turned into an interception, but Detroit hasn't let one uneven month change its plans. TeSlaa still has a bigger role waiting for him in Year 2.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Source: Detroit Free Press
Mike Evans Back at Practice
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (groin) returned to practice Wednesday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Evans had been sidelined since leaving an Aug. 18 joint practice with the Chargers early and was later listed with groin tightness. Kyle Shanahan said earlier this week that Evans was ahead of schedule in his recovery and could get back on the field before the team left for Australia. That happened Wednesday, although it remains to be seen how much work Evans handled. The 33-year-old signed a three-year deal with San Francisco this offseason after spending his first 12 seasons in Tampa Bay. He was limited to eight starts last year, catching 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Getting Evans back into practice is a good step with the 49ers set to open the season against the Rams on Sept. 10.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Tetairoa McMillan in Line for More Slot Work
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could see more time in the slot this season, according to Sheena Quick. Head coach Dave Canales has talked about moving McMillan around more heading into Year 2, and the Panthers used him inside at times during his rookie season as well. McMillan doesn't need much help getting involved after starting all 17 games and catching 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He went on to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Giving him more snaps from the slot would add another wrinkle to a passing game already built heavily around him and could create some different matchups for Bryce Young to attack. McMillan will still see plenty of work outside, but Carolina appears interested in making his alignment less predictable this season.
Source: Sheena Quick
Source: Sheena Quick
Omar Cooper Jr. Rebuilds Momentum Late in Camp
New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. needed a strong finish to camp after Isaiah Williams had started to pull ahead for slot work, and the rookie gave the Jets one. Cooper caught the touchdown that finished Geno Smith's two-minute drive on Aug. 24, with Aaron Glenn saying afterward that the first-round pick was improving every day. He followed that up with four catches from Smith during the final open practice, trailing only Adonai Mitchell and Garrett Wilson among Smith's targets that afternoon. Cooper also finished the preseason with three catches for 40 yards, including a 26-yard gain against Tampa Bay. The role is not settled. New York's current depth chart still has Cooper behind Wilson, while Mitchell and Williams remain ahead of him on the other side, and RotoBaller currently ranks Cooper WR79 in half-PPR. Still, the late-camp work with Smith matters. Cooper looked a lot more involved at the end of August than he did in the middle of it, giving his redraft stock a needed push before Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ty Johnson Absent for Another Practice
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (leg) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Johnson suffered a lower-leg injury in early August and has been out of action since, although he resumed running and sprinting last week. The 28-year-old's status is still up in the air for the Week 1 season opener against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 13, which could leave the Bills' backfield depth a little thin behind starter James Cook III. If Johnson is unable to play in Week 1, Ray Davis would see a bigger change-of-pace role behind Cook. Johnson, a sixth-rounder by the Detroit Lions in 2019 from Maryland, had 50 carries for 200 yards and a career-high three rushing scores in 2025 in his seventh year in the NFL, adding 24 receptions on 33 targets for 263 yards and two receiving touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues can avoid Johnson until further notice. We should have a better idea of Johnson's Week 1 status when the Bills release their official practice reports next week.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
