RADIO
Puka Nacua Expected Back at Practice Next Week
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) is expected back on the practice field next week. Head coach Sean McVay said Nacua left Tuesday's practice because of soreness in his psoas, according to Sarah Barshop. Nacua did some work off to the side Thursday, and McVay expects him to be "ready to go" when he returns next week. That's good news after the 25-year-old left Tuesday with the training staff and was initially reported to be dealing with groin soreness. Nacua is coming off a monster 2025 season, catching a league-high 129 passes for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games. He finished second in the NFL in receiving yards and led all players in receptions. The Rams have no reason to push him through an August practice, and McVay's timetable makes this look like a short absence for now. Barring a setback, there isn't much here to change Nacua's fantasy outlook.
Source: Sarah Barshop
Source: Sarah Barshop
Treylon Burks Keeping Himself on the Redraft Radar
Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks is making a better case for himself than he was a few weeks ago, even if the fantasy ceiling is still pretty low. Burks caught just 10 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown in eight games last season, but he has been one of Washington's more noticeable receivers throughout camp. Dan Quinn said Burks came in leaner and has routinely been one of the team's fastest players in practice, especially on deep and in-breaking routes. He backed that up again during Wednesday's joint practice with Miami, making a tough over-the-shoulder catch from Jayden Daniels with tight coverage. The problem is that Washington added Stefon Diggs on Aug. 7, and the first unofficial depth chart now has Burks behind him. Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey are also listed as starters, with several other receivers still fighting for work. RotoBaller has Burks at WR108, which feels right for now. His camp has helped his chances of sticking in the rotation, but he is still more of a deep-league flier than someone to chase in standard redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kalif Raymond Is Becoming More Interesting in Deep Leagues
Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond has probably earned a bigger offensive role than most expected when he signed in March. Ben Johnson has praised him throughout the offseason, and Raymond has backed that up in camp, including a 54-yard touchdown from Caleb Williams during an 11-on-11 period. Chicago still lists him behind Rome Odunze on the depth chart, with Luther Burden III starting at the other receiver spot, so the path to steady targets is not especially clean. Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet will be involved too. Raymond also sits atop both return jobs, which guarantees he will have a weekly role even if the offensive touches come and go. He caught 24 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown with Detroit last season, so there is not much recent fantasy production to lean on. RotoBaller has him at WR94, which feels about right for normal redraft leagues. He is more interesting than he was a month ago, but that mostly matters in deep formats or leagues that reward return production.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jayden Daniels Issues Personal Statement Regarding LSU Controversy
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels addressed his dispute with LSU on Thursday and made clear he wants the matter handled away from football. In a statement shared on Instagram and reposted by Adam Schefter, Daniels said training camp has been his "number one focus" and that his "sole personal focus is on Commanders' football." He also said he remains grateful for his time at LSU and hopes the issues between his team and the school can be resolved privately. The statement comes after Daniels' representatives sent LSU a cease-and-desist asking the school to stop using his name, image and likeness, then requested that LSU return its copy of the Heisman Trophy he won in 2023. Washington's own camp coverage has described Daniels as sharp and increasingly comfortable in the offense, including a strong showing in Wednesday's joint practice with Miami. For fantasy managers, this remains an off-field story.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Brock Purdy Won't Play in Preseason Opener on Thursday
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday against the Tennessee Titans, according to Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows of The Athletic. It doesn't make much sense for Mac Jones to play either, although Jones has not been very sharp during training camp. Kurtis Rourke, who could be the backup in 2027 if Jones isn't around, figures to see most of the playing time on Thursday night. Adrian Martinez also figures to see extensive work against Tennessee, especially if Jones is held out. Even though the 26-year-old Purdy has already lost receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) for the entire 2026 season, the former seventh-rounder from Iowa State should be primed for a bounce-back campaign in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense after suiting up for only nine games in 2025 due to a turf-toe injury. Purdy will have more QB1 upside in his fifth NFL season if rookie second-round receiver De'Zhaun Stribling can step up as a big-play wideout across from veteran Mike Evans. Fantasy managers should be targeting Purdy as a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows
Kenneth Walker Could See His Biggest Workload Yet
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker could finally get the kind of workload he never quite had in Seattle. Jesse Newell of The Athletic reports that Walker is primed to be the Chiefs' clear workhorse after spending last season sharing carries with Zach Charbonnet. Walker still topped 1,000 yards, rushing 221 times for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns, but he was on the field for only 46.8% of Seattle's offensive snaps. Charbonnet had 184 carries of his own and saw 50 red-zone rushes to Walker's 31. Kansas City has been showing off another part of Walker's game in camp, too, getting him loose on screens more than once. Patrick Mahomes has been openly excited about what Walker can add, and the Chiefs currently list him first on the depth chart ahead of Emari Demercado and rookie Emmett Johnson. More work near the goal line and in the passing game would make Walker even more interesting after an already efficient 2025 season.
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
Jaydon Blue to "Get a Ton of Work" in the Preseason
Dallas Cowboys running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah will both "get a ton of work" in preseason games, head coach Brian Schottenheimer told Patrik Walker of the team's official website. Schottenheimer also made it known that Blue and Mafah are "in a heated battle" for the backup RB spot behind starter Javonte Williams. It appears that both Blue and Mafah have overtaken Malik Davis for potential RB2 duties entering the 2026 campaign. The 22-year-old Blue, a fifth-rounder from the University of Texas last year, only saw action in five games as a rookie, carrying the ball 38 times for 129 yards and one touchdown and catching one pass for a five-yard gain. Who wins the RB2 job between Blue and Mafah could very well come down to how they perform in the preseason, with Blue being the more intriguing upside stash in dynasty/keeper leagues because of his blend of pass-catching ability and speed. He's also the best handcuff play for fantasy managers who draft Williams. There have been nothing but glowing reports on Blue's development going into his sophomore season in Dallas.
Source: DallasCowboys.com - Patrik Walker
Source: DallasCowboys.com - Patrik Walker
Jordan Love Says Biggest Difference in Offense is "Ability to Finish"
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love said the biggest difference between this year's offense and the 2025 version is "our ability to finish," according to Kevin Clark of ESPN. Love explained that the offense's inability to finish late in games and late in the season is why they ultimately fell short last year, and it has been their goal and mindset to finish stronger in 2026, regardless of the situation. Love continued to focus on having a better mindset and focus late in games for every player on the team to do their job better in crunch time. The 27-year-old Love threw for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only six interceptions in 15 regular-season starts in 2025 in his fifth year in the league, good enough for a QB16 finish in fantasy. Head coach Matt LaFleur staying aggressive over the course of entire games could give Love the passing volume he needs to finish in the QB1 territory in 2026, but fantasy managers should be drafting him as a strong QB2 with a solid floor.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Clark
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Clark
Ryan Flournoy Is Getting Harder to Ignore in Redraft Leagues
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy has moved a long way from the practice-squad spot he held at the start of last season. He finished 2025 with 40 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns on 56 targets, and Dallas now lists him as a starting receiver alongside CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. That matters, even if the target ceiling is still pretty obvious. Flournoy's two 100-yard games last year both came when the Cowboys needed more from him, including a 9-115-1 line against Detroit after Lamb left with a concussion. He has kept building on that this summer. Dallas has talked openly about his improved route running and consistency, and Brian Schottenheimer has praised the work he put in during the offseason. KaVontae Turpin is still getting first-team reps, while Jake Ferguson gives Dak Prescott another established option in the middle of the field. Flournoy is RotoBaller's WR63, so nobody is asking him to become a weekly starter right away. For deeper leagues, though, the WR3 role and the flashes he showed last season make him a reasonable late-round swing.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carson Beck Won't Play in Thursday's Preseason Game Due to Rib Injury
Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck (rib) will not suit up for Thursday's second preseason contest against the Las Vegas Raiders due to a rib injury that he suffered in last Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The injury is not considered serious, though, and Beck practiced through the soreness all week. The Cardinals have decided to keep him out as a precaution and to allow for more time to heal. It remains to be seen if Beck will be cleared to participate in the third preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 22, against the Dallas Cowboys. The third-rounder went 15-for-19 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown in the first half last week against the Panthers. Even if veteran starter Jacoby Brissett misses time due to an injury in 2026, the 24-year-old Beck might not be the next man up under center in Arizona, with veteran Gardner Minshew also in the QB room.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Jayden Daniels' Camp Asks LSU to Return Heisman Trophy Copy
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels' representatives have asked LSU to return its copy of the Heisman Trophy he won in 2023, according to Matt Moscona. The request is the latest development in Daniels' dispute with the school over sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett wearing No. 5. Moscona also reported that Daniels personally contacted LSU leadership before fall camp to voice his displeasure with the decision. ESPN previously obtained a cease-and-desist letter from Daniels' attorney asking LSU to stop using his name, image and likeness. Pickett was promised No. 5 during his recruitment, and former LSU coach Brian Kelly said he would not issue it last season without Daniels' approval. LSU's current policy allows a number tied to a retired jersey to remain in circulation at the head coach's discretion. Moscona reports LSU has no intention of returning its Heisman copy.
Source: Matt Moscona
Source: Matt Moscona
Woody Marks Still Offers Late-Round PPR Value
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks isn't taking David Montgomery's job, but that doesn't make him an afterthought. Marks led Houston with 196 carries for 703 yards as a rookie and added 24 catches for 208 yards and three receiving touchdowns. The Texans brought in Montgomery to handle a major share of the backfield, and the veteran is viewed as capable of playing all three downs. Marks still has a way onto the field. Houston has been expanding his route work, and he has looked quicker this summer, including a 20-yard run with the first-team offense during camp. There is more competition behind them, too, with Jawhar Jordan putting together a strong summer. Marks isn't the safest bet for touchdowns, and his 3.6 yards per carry last year leaves some room for improvement. RotoBaller has him at RB47, though. That's low enough to take a chance on a second-year back who already handled 220 offensive touches and should stay involved as both a runner and receiver. He looks more useful as a late-round PPR target than a simple Montgomery handcuff.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
LeQuint Allen Jr. Emerging as Jacksonville's Passing-Down Back
Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. barely touched the ball as a rookie, but his role is starting to look a lot more useful for fantasy. Allen finished 2025 with 23 carries for 94 yards and 10 catches for 54 yards. He was already Jacksonville's best pass-blocking back, and that skill has carried over into a pretty specific job this summer. During the Jaguars' Aug. 7 mock game, Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. handled the early-down work while Allen came in on every third down and caught a touchdown from Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville's first unofficial depth chart now lists Tuten and Rodriguez as co-starters, with Allen next in line. That does not make Allen a threat to lead the backfield in carries, especially with Rodriguez built for short-yardage work and Tuten offering more explosiveness. Allen did catch 64 passes in his final season at Syracuse, though, so the receiving role is not coming out of nowhere. In deeper PPR leagues, he is becoming an interesting late-round stash if Jacksonville keeps trusting him on passing downs.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Saquon Barkley Has Left Foot/Ankle Checked at Practice
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had his left foot/ankle checked by a trainer during Thursday's practice, according to Brooks Kubena. Barkley was sitting on the ground while being examined before getting back to his feet without his cleat on. There was no immediate diagnosis, and nothing in the initial report suggested how much time, if any, he might miss. Barkley is coming off a 2025 season in which he rushed 280 times for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns over 16 games, while adding 37 catches for 273 yards and two more scores. The 29-year-old remains the clear lead back in Philadelphia. If this turns into something that costs Barkley practice time, Will Shipley is listed second on the Eagles' first unofficial depth chart, with Tank Bigsby third. For now, there simply isn't enough information to treat Thursday's trainer visit as anything more than something to monitor.
Source: Brooks Kubena
Source: Brooks Kubena
Puka Nacua Not Spotted at Practice on Thursday
ESPN's Sarah Barshop did not spot Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) at training camp practice on Thursday. It doesn't come as much of a surprise after Nacua was pulled from Tuesday's practice as a precaution with a minor groin injury. ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Wednesday that the Rams could keep Nacua out for "a few days," and he almost certainly won't be available to suit up in the preseason opener on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Barring a setback with his groin, Nacua should be all systems go for a Week 1 showdown in Australia against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers in early September. The 25-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2023 from BYU has quickly become one of the best receivers in the NFL through three seasons, making two Pro Bowls and accumulating 4,191 receiving yards, 313 catches, and 19 touchdowns in 44 regular-season games for the Rams. Nacua is the team's undisputed top target for quarterback Matthew Stafford, and he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 2 fantasy WR as he enters his fourth year in the league. UPDATE: Nacua is working on a side field on Thursday with trainers.
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
Source: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
