RADIO
Chris Brooks Returns to an Unsettled Packers Backup Battle
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (hamstring) returned to practice Sunday after missing the first week and a half of training camp. He opened camp on the non-football injury list after straining his hamstring during the summer break, an awkward absence with the backup job behind Josh Jacobs still unsettled. Brooks handled only 27 carries for 106 yards last season, adding 13 catches for 91 yards, but Green Bay values him for more than touches. At 6-foot-1 and 219 pounds, he has earned praise for his pass protection and special-teams work. The timing of his return matters because Jacobs has been out with a groin injury, while MarShawn Lloyd took most of the first-team reps in Jacobs' absence on August 6. Pierre Strong Jr. also mixed in. Brooks is healthy enough to rejoin the competition now, but he has catching up to do after missing the opening stretch of camp. RotoBaller ranks him 248th overall in half-PPR. For now, Brooks is more of an insurance-back watch than a late-round priority.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cooper Kupp No Longer Offers Reliable Weekly Volume
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp was still on the field plenty last season, but the opportunities weren't there often enough for fantasy managers. He played more than 72% of Seattle's offensive snaps across 16 games and finished with 47 catches for 593 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had taken over the passing game by then, piling up 119 catches and an NFL-high 1,793 yards. Kupp remains a starter on Seattle's current depth chart and has shown he can still make plays in camp, including a pair of touchdowns during recent red-zone work. The 33-year-old isn't disappearing from the offense. The issue is whether that role produces enough targets to trust him every week. Last season suggests it probably won't. RotoBaller has Kupp at WR76 in its August 10 half-PPR rankings. He can still give fantasy managers a useful week here and there, but at this point he makes more sense as bench depth than someone to draft expecting a regular starting role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Love Better Drafted as an Upside QB2
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been a better real-life quarterback than fantasy starter over the past two seasons. He completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions in 15 games last year, adding 199 rushing yards without a score. That left him QB21 on a per-game basis after a QB16 finish in 2024, well below the QB7 pace he posted in 2023. The supporting cast is in better shape now. Tucker Kraft is back on the field after last year's torn ACL, and Matthew Golden has been one of Green Bay's biggest playmakers in camp, including a 57-yard touchdown from Love on Family Night. Love still doesn't add enough rushing production to cover for quieter passing weeks, so another QB1 season will require more through the air. His current ADP is 128.0, while RotoBaller ranks him QB18. That's a reasonable spot to take him as a QB2 with upside rather than counting on a full return to his 2023 fantasy level.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J.K. Dobbins Leaves Practice With Trainers
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins left Monday's practice with trainers, according to Zac Stevens. There was no immediate word on what prompted his departure, and the Broncos have not identified an injury or provided any additional details. Dobbins rushed for 772 yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries across 10 games last season before a foot injury required surgery and kept him out for the remainder of the year. There is currently no indication that Monday's departure is connected to that issue. Dobbins entered training camp at the front of a Denver backfield that also features RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman. Both would become more important if Dobbins is forced to miss time, but for now there is not enough information to know whether his early exit will amount to anything significant.
Source: Zac Stevens
Source: Zac Stevens
Christian McCaffrey Sits Out Monday With Tightness
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is sitting out Monday's practice with what the team is describing as "tightness," according to Matt Maiocco. No specific body part has been identified, and the 49ers have not provided any additional details on the issue. McCaffrey is coming off a massive 2025 season in which he played all 17 games, rushing for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns while catching 102 passes for 924 yards and seven more scores. San Francisco is scheduled to hold a joint practice with the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday before the teams meet in Thursday's preseason opener. McCaffrey's availability for Tuesday's session will be the next thing to watch.
Source: Matt Maiocco
Source: Matt Maiocco
Tank Dell Drawing Positive Reviews During Comeback
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is drawing encouraging reviews as he continues his return from the serious knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. Rookie Watch reports that Dell has looked especially explosive in camp and more fluid running routes than he did before the injury. Dell returned to padded practice last week and has been able to run routes at full speed during individual drills, although Houston has not yet moved him into regular team work. The 26-year-old last played in 2024, when he caught 51 passes for 667 yards and three touchdowns across 14 games. Getting back on the field at all is a significant step after Dell underwent multiple surgeries following his December 2024 knee injury. The early reports on his movement are promising, but progressing into one-on-one and 11-on-11 work will provide a much better test of where Dell stands in his comeback. UPDATE: Dell was involved in team drills at training camp practice on Monday.
Source: Rookie Watch
Source: Rookie Watch
Haynes King Could Have Taysom Hill-Type Role
Carolina Panthers quarterback Haynes King could have a unique role in the offense once he returns from his hamstring injury. Adam Schefter said Monday that King is going to have a role this season and that it would not surprise him if Carolina used the undrafted rookie in a Taysom Hill-type capacity. The idea has been discussed before, with King saying during rookie minicamp that he would be willing to handle that kind of assignment if the Panthers asked him to. His athleticism certainly fits the concept after he rushed for 953 yards and 15 touchdowns at Georgia Tech last season. King also showed it during the Hall of Fame Game, throwing for 180 yards and two touchdowns while adding 39 rushing yards and the game-winning score against Arizona. He suffered a hamstring injury in that game and is considered week-to-week, so any experimentation with a specialty package will have to wait until he is healthy.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Luther Burden III Present at Monday Walkthrough
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) was present and walking around during Monday's walkthrough, according to Sean Hammond. Burden suffered the injury during Saturday's practice after landing awkwardly while attempting a contested catch and remains sidelined from football activity. The second-year receiver is expected to miss the preseason, though current reporting indicates that Chicago expects him to be ready for its Week 1 matchup against Carolina on September 13. Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns across 15 games as a rookie and entered training camp preparing for an expanded role following the offseason trade of DJ Moore. His presence at Monday's walkthrough does not represent a return to practice, so the next meaningful development will be when Burden is able to resume on-field work.
Source: Sean Hammond
Source: Sean Hammond
Roman Wilson Emerging as Steelers' WR3
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson appears to have the inside track on the team's WR3 job out of the slot, according to Nick Farabaugh. The third-year receiver is positioned to work alongside DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. in three-receiver sets, but the pecking order changes if Pittsburgh loses one of its outside starters. Farabaugh reports that rookie Germie Bernard would be the first receiver to step in on the perimeter in that situation. Wilson caught just 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns across 13 games last season, so earning a regular slot role would represent a sizable jump in opportunity. Bernard, the 47th overall pick in April, has the versatility to play inside or outside and remains an important part of the rotation. Wilson's camp has put him in position for more snaps, though an injury to Metcalf or Pittman may benefit Bernard more than it expands Wilson's role.
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Xavier Worthy Returns to Practice Monday
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) returned to practice Monday after missing time with a shoulder sprain, according to Matt Derrick. Worthy sat out practice last week while recovering from the injury, making his return a positive step with Kansas City's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams coming Saturday. The third-year receiver is coming off a 2025 season in which he caught 42 passes for 532 yards and one touchdown across 14 games while dealing with multiple injuries. Worthy had also been one of the Chiefs' more productive players during the offseason program before the latest setback. It is not yet clear how much work he handled Monday, so his participation over the next few practices should give a better indication of where he stands.
Source: Matt Derrick
Source: Matt Derrick
Eric Bieniemy Back at Chiefs Training Camp
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy returned to training camp Monday after spending time away from the team because of a family incident, according to the team. Bieniemy had been absent since late July, with head coach Andy Reid giving him as much time as necessary to be with his family. Pass-game coordinator Joe Bleymaier and offensive line coach Andy Heck helped handle his responsibilities while he was away. Bieniemy returned to Kansas City this offseason for his second stint as offensive coordinator after previously holding the job from 2018 through 2022. He is now back with the offense as the Chiefs continue preparing for Saturday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
Source: Kansas City Chiefs
Source: Kansas City Chiefs
Adam Randall Impressing Ravens With Versatility
Baltimore Ravens running back Adam Randall continues to make a strong impression as the coaching staff puts more on his plate during training camp. According to Sports Illustrated, the fifth-round rookie is working at running back and wide receiver, learning some tight end concepts, contributing on special teams and making progress with NFL pass protection. Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner said Randall has a "really high ceiling" and praised how quickly he has picked things up after playing just one full college season at running back. Randall rushed for 814 yards and 10 touchdowns at Clemson last season while catching 36 passes for 254 yards and three more scores. Derrick Henry and Justice Hill remain ahead of him, while Randall is battling Rasheen Ali for work further down the depth chart. The preseason should give Baltimore a chance to test Randall in several different situations and show whether his unusual skill set can earn him an immediate role.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: Sports Illustrated
Mason Rudolph Dominating Steelers' Backup Competition
The Pittsburgh Steelers spent a third and a sixth-round pick at quarterback over the course of the past two drafts, but according to beat reporter Alan Saunders, the battle for the primary backup job behind Aaron Rodgers has been dominated by veteran Mason Rudolph. Saunders lists both Will Howard and Drew Allar among his losers of the second week of Steelers training camp, with them all but handing the competition to Rudolph. While Rudolph himself has done little to stand out, Howard has reportedly been unable to close the gap that looked to be tightening during OTAs, making too many errors to overcome a limited skill set. Allar, meanwhile, has flashed standout athleticism, but is still a long way away from running an NFL offense after a near-total teardown of his fundamentals. With Rodgers preparing for his 22nd and final season, the rookie still has the best chances to eventually take over, but the backup job for 2026 is expected to remain with Rudolph.
Source: Alan Saunders
Source: Alan Saunders
Carson Beck Back Working With Third-Team Offense
After an impressive starting debut in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game, Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck was back working primarily with the third-team offense during Sunday's practice, and he was not particularly sharp, according to team reporter Darren Urban. While he did rally with a pair of touchdown throws late in practice, the offense was reportedly a step behind the defense for much of the day. Beck was a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and there is an expectation that he could see starting work at some point as a rookie. His performance in the Hall of Fame Game offered reassurance to fantasy managers weighing the late-season upside of players like Trey McBride or Jeremiyah Love. However, Beck will still need to establish consistency and show he can run the offense without significant drop-off to remove some of the lingering doubt surrounding his high-profile teammates.
Source: Darren Urban
Source: Darren Urban
Oronde Gadsden Listed as Co-Starter on First Unofficial Depth Chart
The Los Angeles Chargers released their first unofficial depth chart on Sunday ahead of Thursday's preseason opener against the Texans, and tight end Oronde Gadsden is listed as a co-starter along with both Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. The "or" designation is used throughout the lineup, including at running back where both Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal are listed in the primary backup spot, but with the highest statistical upside of the tight end group, fantasy managers are likely looking for more signs of encouragement surrounding Gadsden after he spent much of the early offseason as a popular breakout candidate. The second-year tight end was candid in recent remarks to the media about needing to improve as a blocker, and with Kolar and Njoku both excelling in that area, Gadsden could be hard-pressed to make consistent contributions in 2026, and he enters the year as RotoBaller's TE20.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
