RADIO
Jets Starters Will Play Friday Against Buccaneers
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn plans to play his starters in Friday's preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Al Iannazzone. That should put Geno Smith, Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson on the field together, though Glenn did not say how long the first unit will play. Smith was named New York's starter in March after throwing for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions with Las Vegas last season. Hall is coming off a career-high 1,065 rushing yards on 243 carries, while Wilson is back healthy after a knee injury limited him to seven games and 395 receiving yards in 2025. The Jets are also getting two joint practices with Tampa Bay before Friday's game, so Glenn does not need to leave his starters out there long to get useful work. For fantasy managers, the preseason opener should offer an early look at how Smith fits with Hall, Wilson and the rest of New York's revamped offense.
Source: Al Iannazzone
Source: Al Iannazzone
Kevin O'Connell Believes J.J. McCarthy has a "Future With the Organization"
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy lost out to Kyler Murray in the battle for the starting job in training camp this summer, but head coach Kevin O'Connell said he believes McCarthy "has a future with the organization," according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The 23-year-old former 10th overall pick from the University of Michigan missed his entire rookie season in 2024 after having knee surgery, and he struggled mightily in just 10 games started last year in his first season in the starting role, completing 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. His struggles prompted the Vikes to sign Murray to a one-year deal in free agency in the offseason. Minnesota officially named Murray as their QB1 on Tuesday. For now, McCarthy will sit and learn behind Murray, but his next opportunity could come sooner rather than later if Murray's injury issues from a year ago resurface. For now, though, McCarthy is undraftable in redraft leagues, and his fantasy stock in dynasty/keeper formats has reached a new low.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Puka Nacua Leaves Practice Early With Unspecified Injury
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua left Tuesday's practice early with an injury, according to Ari Meirov. Head coach Sean McVay said afterward that the team was still unsure what Nacua had injured, so there is no body part, diagnosis or timetable to attach to this yet. That's really the whole story for now. Nacua is coming off a 2025 season in which he led the NFL with 129 catches and finished second with 1,715 receiving yards while scoring 10 touchdowns in 16 games. He is also currently No. 3 overall in RotoBaller's PPR rankings, which makes any health update worth following closely. Still, there is no reason to assume this is either minor or serious before the Rams know what happened. Nacua's status at the next practice, or another update from McVay, should give fantasy managers a better idea of whether this was just a brief scare or something that could linger.
Source: Ari Meirov
Source: Ari Meirov
Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders Listed as Co-Starters on Depth Chart
The Cleveland Browns still haven't picked a starting quarterback. According to Zac Jackson, the team's unofficial depth chart will list Deshaun Watson "OR" Shedeur Sanders at the top of the position when it is released Tuesday. Sanders took all of the first-team reps Monday, but Cleveland has bounced those opportunities between the two quarterbacks throughout training camp. Sanders started the final seven games of his rookie season, finishing the year with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Watson is trying to win the job after missing all of 2025 while recovering from a re-ruptured right Achilles. He returned for the full offseason program and has been competing throughout camp. The "OR" designation doesn't tell us who will ultimately start Week 1, but it makes one thing pretty clear: this race is still open. Until the Browns settle it, neither quarterback carries enough job security to be trusted in standard one-quarterback fantasy leagues.
Source: Zac Jackson
Source: Zac Jackson
Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr. Listed as Co-Starters
Jacksonville Jaguars running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are listed as co-starters on the team's first unofficial depth chart, according to Ryan O'Halloran. The designation fits a competition that has stayed open through camp rather than a backfield Tuten has already claimed. Tuten scored seven total touchdowns as a rookie, rushing 83 times for 307 yards and five scores while adding two receiving touchdowns. Rodriguez comes over from Washington after the best season of his career, when he ran for 500 yards and six touchdowns on 112 carries in 13 games. He also worked his way back into team drills after offseason left-foot surgery and has produced chunk runs in camp. An unofficial August depth chart is not a promise of how the carries will be divided once the season starts, but this is still meaningful for Tuten's outlook. He may eventually separate, but Jacksonville is not treating Rodriguez like a distant backup right now.
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Jalen McMillan Returns to Individual Drills
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) returned to individual position drills Tuesday, according to Scott Smith. That is a step forward after McMillan missed several practices with the knee injury he suffered earlier in camp. Head coach Todd Bowles initially said the team was being cautious after McMillan banged the knee, then acknowledged last week that he was not sure how long the receiver would be out. McMillan is not all the way back yet, though. Smith noted that it remained to be seen whether he would take part in team drills, so this should not be treated as a full return to practice. McMillan played only four games last season after a serious neck injury, finishing with 12 catches for 178 yards. Getting him back into individual work is encouraging, but his participation in team periods will give a better indication of how close he is to resuming a normal workload.
Source: Scott Smith
Source: Scott Smith
Michael Pittman Jr. Misses Another Practice
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers confirmed that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (right leg) missed another training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Fellow wideout DK Metcalf also wasn't seen at practice due to an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old Pittman has missed the last couple of days with an injury that doesn't appear to be very serious. Still, neither Pittman nor Metcalf is likely to suit up for the team's preseason opener on Thursday versus the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers acquired Pittman from the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason to bolster the team's WR depth behind Metcalf in 2026. Pittman had a career-high seven touchdowns in 17 games in 2025 in his final year in Indy, but it came with just 784 receiving yards, his lowest total since his rookie campaign. The former second-rounder from USC is joining an offense that should be more pass-happy under new head coach Mike McCarthy, but as second fiddle to Metcalf in an offense led by a fading Rodgers, Pittman profiles as more of a WR4/flex in fantasy football in his first year in the Steel City.
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Jayden Reed Back at Practice After Ankle Issue
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (ankle) returned to practice Tuesday after sitting out the previous two sessions, according to Rob Demovsky. Reed's 2025 season was basically lost to injuries, so even a short August absence gets a little more attention than it otherwise might. He broke his collarbone in Week 2 and had a lingering foot injury surgically repaired at the same time, eventually finishing with 19 catches for 207 yards and one touchdown in seven games. Green Bay still showed its confidence in Reed by signing him to a contract extension in April, and he enters this season alongside Christian Watson and Matthew Golden as one of the receivers expected to lead the group. It is not yet clear how much Reed did during Tuesday's practice, so calling him a full participant would be premature. The quick return is good news for fantasy managers, and for now keeps the ankle issue from looking like a lengthy camp absence. Reed is currently No. 98 overall in RotoBaller's PPR rankings.
Source: Rob Demovsky
Source: Rob Demovsky
DK Metcalf Out With Undisclosed Injury on Tuesday
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (undisclosed) missed Tuesday's training camp practice with an undisclosed injury, quarterback Aaron Rodgers told Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. With both Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. (leg) sitting out, receivers Germie Bernard, Brandon Smith, and Roman Wilson have stepped up for Rodgers. The Steelers' WR corps is a little banged up, but neither Metcalf's nor Pittman's injury seems to be very serious, and the two should be back in the fold at practice sooner rather than later. We would not expect Metcalf to play in Pittsburgh's preseason opener this Thursday against the Green Bay Packers. The 28-year-old Metcalf should still be the Steelers' WR1 in new head coach Mike McCarthy's offense in 2026, but the addition of Pittman definitely won't help his overall target share as he enters his eighth NFL season. In addition to more target competition, the two-time Pro Bowler's situation with Rodgers running the offense won't necessarily give him a high fantasy ceiling. The path to the fourth 1,000-yard season of Metcalf's career is tenuous.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Matthew Golden Returns to Practice After Toe Injury
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (toe) returned to practice Tuesday, according to Rob Demovsky. Golden had been sidelined since Family Night, where he caught a 57-yard touchdown from Jordan Love and continued a strong start to his second training camp. The 2025 first-round pick had 29 catches for 361 yards and no touchdowns in 14 regular-season games as a rookie, but Green Bay has created more room for him this year after Romeo Doubs left in free agency and Dontayvion Wicks was traded. Golden, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed are expected to lead the receiver group. The quick return is encouraging, especially after Golden dealt with shoulder and wrist injuries during his rookie season, but it is not yet clear how much work he handled Tuesday. For now, the toe issue looks like a brief interruption rather than something that should change his fantasy outlook.
Source: Rob Demovsky
Source: Rob Demovsky
Jacoby Brissett to Play on Thursday Against Raiders
The Arizona Cardinals' starters, including quarterback Jacoby Brissett, will play a drive or two in the team's second preseason game on Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. Brissett and the first-team offense did not play in last week's Hall of Fame preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. The 33-year-old veteran took over for an injured Kyler Murray last year and proceeded to have a career season, throwing for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 games played (12 starts). It was an impressive showing for a career backup, but his strong season earned him a new contract in the desert and the confidence of the Cardinals' new coaching staff. Arizona's offense is expected to be much more balanced under new head coach Mike LaFleur in 2026, especially after the offseason additions of running backs Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier, so we aren't expecting Brissett to be dropping back to throw nearly every down like he did in 2025. At best, Brissett should be considered a low-end QB2 with limited upside in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Jonah Coleman Impresses in Pass Protection
Denver Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman gave the coaching staff another good sign Tuesday, this time in pass protection. According to Troy Renck, Coleman had a couple of nice blitz pickups during practice. That matters for a rookie trying to earn snaps in Sean Payton's offense, especially because Payton praised that part of Coleman's game after the draft and said he could play on third down. Denver took Coleman 108th overall after he rushed for 758 yards and 15 touchdowns at Washington last season. He has also been getting positive reviews throughout camp, with Payton recently saying Coleman does not feel like a rookie. The Broncos still have J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey in a crowded backfield, so one good practice rep is not going to settle anything. Still, Coleman showing he can recognize pressure and hold up in protection gives Denver another reason to trust him when the offense gets into passing situations.
Source: Troy Renck
Source: Troy Renck
Jeremiyah Love to Play in Second Preseason Game
The Arizona Cardinals' starters, including rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love, will play a drive or two in the team's second preseason game on Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. Love did not play in last week's Hall of Fame preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, so he'll make his NFL debut this week. The 21-year-old third overall pick from Notre Dame has an incredibly high fantasy ceiling in the short and long term in Arizona, but early on in his first NFL season, Love could share plenty of backfield touches with Tyler Allgeier and veteran James Conner. Regardless, fantasy managers in redraft leagues will have to pay a pretty penny to secure the services of the do-it-all back as he heads into his first year in the NFL. He's not in an ideal situation in an offense run by veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, but Love's talent alone makes him a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 talent right away.
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Aaron Rodgers Sees Roman Wilson Coming Into His Own
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson is getting another vote of confidence from Aaron Rodgers. According to Mike DeFabo, Rodgers said Wilson is "coming into his own," pointing to how much more dynamic and confident he looks this summer. That's a big change from where Wilson was a year ago. He caught only 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games last season and was a healthy inactive late in the year. This summer, he is listed as a starter on Pittsburgh's first unofficial depth chart and has been making plays in camp, including a diving touchdown catch during a two-minute drill. There is still competition for work with second-round rookie Germie Bernard in the receiver room, but Wilson has given the Steelers more reason to keep him involved. Rodgers continuing to single him out is notable, especially after such a quiet 2025. Wilson still has to carry it into the regular season, but his third-year outlook looks considerably better than it did a few months ago.
Source: Mike DeFabo
Source: Mike DeFabo
Deebo Samuel Sr. Listed as Starter on First Preseason Depth Chart
San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is listed as a starting WR on the team's first unofficial depth chart of the preseason, according to the Bay Area News Group's Cam Inman. Veteran Mike Evans and Demarcus Robinson are listed as the other starters in three-wide sets alongside Samuel, who is returning to the Bay Area after spending the 2025 campaign with the Washington Commanders, where he caught 72 of his 99 targets for 727 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games played. The Niners brought Samuel back after learning that Ricky Pearsall (knee) would miss the entire season. The 30-year-old veteran is versatile and will have more fantasy upside back in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, but rookie second-round receiver De'Zhaun Stribling also figures to be heavily involved in San Fran's offense opposite Evans. There's also veteran Christian Kirk, who is in his first year with the team. Samuel's versatility will give Shanahan another weapon to challenge defenses, but fantasy managers should not expect the former second-rounder to suddenly have another 1,000-yard season just because Pearsall is out for the year. RotoBaller has Samuel ranked at No. 56 at the WR position in fantasy.
Source: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
Source: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
