RADIO
Jonathon Brooks Runs with Starting Lineup on Saturday
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks started in Saturday's 29-14 preseason loss against the Buffalo Bills and struggled to find any running room. Brooks rushed for five yards on three attempts while catching one pass for nine yards on Saturday. He logged seven of nine snaps with the first-team offense and was targeted once on three routes run. The 23-year-old had trouble finding running room as the offensive line struggled to open any lanes for him, as he averaged a measly 1.7 yards per carry. While the Panthers offense looked sluggish on Saturday, the good news is that Brooks looked healthy, as it was his first NFL snap he played since December 8, 2024. Brooks could see a heavy workload early on as Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) is week-to-week and likely questionable for Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. Brooks has been a trendy name whose fantasy stock has risen with a strong training camp. He is steadily becoming a running back to target in the middle rounds at his current Yahoo Fantasy ADP of 77 and is ranked 91st overall in the latest RotoBaller rankings.
Source: Pro Football Focus
Source: Pro Football Focus
Shedeur Sanders Will Start in Browns Second Preseason Game
ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi reports that Shedeur Sanders will start in Thursday's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Todd Monken announced that Deshaun Watson and Sanders will split first-team reps during joint practices with the Bills. Additionally, Monken plans to let Sanders play the first half with Watson playing the third quarter, and Dillon Gabriel playing the fourth quarter. Watson looked sharp in his preseason start by completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. In Sanders' limited action, he completed six of 11 passes for 79 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. The two remain in a close competition for the starting job that has a chance to be decided after the second preseason game.
Source: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
Aaron Donald's Target for Decision to Return Shifts
ProFootballTalk reported that retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald's target date for a decision to return to the Los Angeles Rams continues to shift. Speculation about Donald's return first spread across the league after the blockbuster trade that sent the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, to the Rams. In early August, Donald was spotted at the team's facility for an official training camp workout. Even as Donald pushes his decision timeline back, the Rams do not seem inclined to set any deadlines. If he decides to return, the Rams would have one of the best defenses in history on paper as they attempt to win another Super Bowl in 2026.
Source: ProFootballTalk
Source: ProFootballTalk
Texans Starters Will Play in Next Preseason Game on Thursday
ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reported that the Houston Texans will play their starters in next Thursday's preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach DeMeco Ryans told Bien-Aime that everyone healthy will play in the game. The team decided to rest almost all of their primary starters, including C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, and Dalton Schultz, during their 27-7 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Ryans has not officially announced a plan or official playing times for their second game yet. However, he will likely make his decision public closer to Thursday's day game.
Source: ESPN - DJ Bien-Aime
Source: ESPN - DJ Bien-Aime
Demond Claiborne Leads Vikings In Rushing Saturday
Running back Demond Claiborne of the Minnesota Vikings earned a team-high 12 carries for 34 yards in the club's preseason opener against the New York Giants. Playing mostly behind the Vikings' backups on the offensive line, Claiborne still showed some juice despite limited space to run, including a nine-yard burst that gained a first down to set up Minnesota's lone touchdown. The rookie will begin the season behind Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason, though his impressive speed and receiving potential give him a chance to win playing time in a backfield with two veterans on expiring deals. Claiborne, a sixth-round pick, has serious long-term potential in dynasty formats, but he also could be a high-priority waiver candidate in redraft leagues if either Jones or Mason misses extended time.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Mason Sharp In Limited Action
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason continued a strong summer on Saturday against the New York Giants with 17 yards on three carries in the first-team offense's only drive of the day. The second-year Viking has been impressive in training camp as the club appears to be headed for a split backfield that includes veteran Aaron Jones Sr. With just 28 receptions in his past three seasons -- and Jones still the Vikings' top choice on passing downs -- Mason's ceiling will be somewhat limited by his lack of passing game work, particularly in PPR leagues. A popular choice for the zeroRB strategy, however, Mason has 1,000-yard potential and a pathway to regular goal-line touches on a talented offense, all from a mid-round ADP.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Myles Price Making Push For Bigger Receiving Role?
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Myles Price logged an impressive preseason debut by catching all four of his targets for 51 yards and a touchdown on Saturday against the New York Giants. An undrafted free agent from Indiana, Price made the Vikings' 53-man roster last season and finished third in the NFL in kick return yards. The second-year pro is now competing with Tai Felton and Jeshaun Jones for a secondary receiving role in the Vikings' offense, and Price's team-best 28-yard reception and acrobatic touchdown catch on Saturday certainly helped his cause. Still firmly behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings, Price won't factor into most standard formats, but he's a name worth knowing in formats that score return yards and deeper dynasty leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Evans Returns to Team Drills
San Francisco Chronicle's Noah Furtado reports that San Francisco wideout Mike Evans (quad) returned to team 11-on-11 drills and caught a rope from Brock Purdy. Evans suffered a quadriceps strain early in training camp that has forced him to miss practices and the 49ers' preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. The 49ers have dealt with various injuries up to this point that have caused multiple receivers to miss some time in training camp. Evans is projected to be the WR1 in the offense and will be the No. 1 option in the red zone through the air. With Evans returning to team drills, he is on track to be available for Week 1. Evans is being drafted as a fringe WR2 and carries immense touchdown upside for 2026.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Noah Furtado
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Noah Furtado
Christian Watson Being Drafted as a WR3 Despite Intriguing Upside
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson is heading into the 2026 season with a clean bill of health and a new four-year contract worth up to $110.5 million. The 27-year-old has had a roller-coaster career up to this point of his career due to multiple hamstring injuries and a significant ACL injury. However, when healthy, Watson is a strong fantasy producer and has had stretches of dominance in fantasy football. In his final eight games, Watson scored over 18 PPR points four times, averaged 14 points per game, and finished as the WR13. Watson is heading into 2026 with an opportunity to establish himself as the No.1 receiver in Green Bay. The team traded Dontayvion Wicks and let Romeo Doubs walk in free agency. Watson could see a higher snap percentage and more targets with a condensed receiver room. Additionally, with Josh Jacobs facing a possible suspension, the team may opt to be more pass-heavy this season. Watson is currently a value in redraft leagues and carries WR1 upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mason Taylor a Sneaky Deep Sleeper for 2026?
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor took a hit to his fantasy stock after the team drafted tight end Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) and wideout Omar Cooper Jr. in April. However, with a recent setback in Sadiq's recovery, Taylor could carve out a role this season. Sadiq underwent a minor hernia procedure in May to fix the issue he battled in his final season at Oregon. The rookie returned for the start of training camp but suffered a setback in his recovery shortly into camp. While Sadiq has been out, Taylor has put together a strong camp and was a "standout player" in their joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Jets reporter Amanda Vogt. If Sadiq suffers another setback or misses time during the season, Taylor would be viewed as TE2 with upside.
Source: NewYorkJets.com - Amanda Vogt
Source: NewYorkJets.com - Amanda Vogt
Tez Johnson Still Has a Path to More Work
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson made enough noise early in camp to stay interesting, even after a groin strain interrupted his momentum. Johnson caught 28 passes for 322 yards and five touchdowns as a seventh-round rookie, and Tampa Bay's own camp coverage called him one of the early standouts this summer. Baker Mayfield has shown trust in him, and Johnson made plays both underneath and down the field before getting hurt. The issue is opportunity. Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan still sit ahead of him in the receiver pecking order, with Johnson listed behind Godwin on the current depth chart. Mike Evans is gone, which clears one major name from last year's crowded room, but the groin strain interrupted Johnson's push for more work. RotoBaller has him at WR110 in half-PPR. That's deep-league territory, and it should be. Still, five touchdowns as a rookie and the way he opened camp make him worth keeping in mind late if the injury doesn't linger.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dalton Kincaid Could See Increased Snap Count With Improved Pass-Blocking
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid showed off an encouraging part of his game during Saturday's preseason action. Ryan Talbot pointed out that Kincaid stayed in to block one-on-one on a Josh Allen completion to Khalil Shakir and held up well on the rep. Talbot noted that better pass protection could help Kincaid stay on the field more often and make his usage less predictable. That would matter after injuries and Buffalo's deep tight end rotation kept his workload down last season. Kincaid logged 302 offensive snaps across 12 games, but he still caught 39 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns. His blocking had already drawn praise in 2025, and the Bills have continued to push him toward becoming a more complete tight end. One preseason rep does not prove that his snap count is about to jump, but it is exactly the kind of play that could help him earn more work.
Source: Ryan Talbot
Source: Ryan Talbot
Carson Beck Back at Practice After Rib Injury
Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck (ribs) returned to practice Saturday after sitting out Thursday's preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Bo Brack reported Beck was back on the field two days after Arizona held him out with minor rib discomfort. Beck suffered the injury when he was sacked late in the second quarter of the Hall of Fame Game against Carolina, though he stayed in and opened the third quarter. He was excellent before getting banged up, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut. Beck is currently third on Arizona's unofficial depth chart behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II, so every preseason rep matters as the rookie works his way into the quarterback room. The Cardinals host Dallas on Aug. 22, giving Beck another chance to get back into game action if the ribs continue to cooperate.
Source: Bo Brack
Source: Bo Brack
Romeo Doubs Scores Three Touchdowns in Saturday's Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs had a big day at Saturday's practice, catching three touchdowns, according to Doug Kyed. It continues a strong stretch for Doubs after he started camp a little slowly and then began making more plays once he settled into the offense. The Patriots currently list him with the first-team offense, and he is coming off a 2025 season in Green Bay in which he caught 55 passes for a career-high 724 yards and six touchdowns. Doubs also led the Packers with 12 receptions of 20-plus yards. New England brought him in to be a significant part of the passing game alongside A.J. Brown, and days like Saturday are a good sign that the transition is coming along. Practice touchdowns only mean so much in August, but three in one session is hard to ignore. Doubs is giving himself a chance to carry some real red-zone appeal into the regular season.
Source: Doug Kyed
Source: Doug Kyed
Jaxson Dart Heads to Medical Tent, Cleared to Return
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart briefly left Saturday's preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings after taking a big hit from safety Jay Ward. Connor Hughes reported that Dart was slow getting up after Tyrone Tracy Jr. missed the block, and the Giants' medical staff eventually pulled him from the game despite Dart initially trying to stay in. He was taken to the blue medical tent for an evaluation, but the scare didn't last long. Dart was cleared to return and came back onto the field on New York's next possession. He then connected with rookie Malachi Fields for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Dart dealt with several concussion evaluations during his rookie season, making any trip to the medical tent noteworthy. The good news Saturday is that he was quickly cleared and able to resume playing.
Source: Connor Hughes
Source: Connor Hughes
