RADIO
Rico Dowdle Still Has a Real Shot to Lead Pittsburgh's Backfield
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle has a real chance to come out of camp with the larger share of this backfield. He rushed for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns on 236 carries with Carolina last season, added 39 catches for 297 yards and another score, and has now cleared 1,000 rushing yards in back-to-back years. Pittsburgh did not bring him in to sit, but Jaylen Warren is not going away either. Warren is still listed first on the initial depth chart, and the Steelers have continued giving both backs first-team work. The interesting part is that Pittsburgh itself has called Warren's No. 1 designation temporary while the coaching staff sorts out the split. Both backs have been described as capable of handling every down, so this could change by game plan or even by who has the hot hand. RotoBaller has Dowdle at RB29. That's a fair spot for the uncertainty, but there is more upside here if Dowdle ends up getting the heavier side of the workload. He looks like a solid middle-round target rather than someone to fade because of the committee.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shedeur Sanders Tosses Interception Late in Preseason Opener vs. Bears
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders had mixed results in Saturday's preseason opener against the Chicago Bears but his performance was marred by a fourth-quarter interception. Deshaun Watson, Sanders' main competition for the starting quarterback job, led the Browns on their two scoring drives in the team's 34-10 loss to Chicago. Meanwhile, Sanders was 6-of-11 passing for 79 yards. He added two rushes for three yards, playing most of the third quarter and early in the fourth. Sanders completed a 24-yard pass to Gage Larvadain and hit Luke Floriea on a 35-yard strike. Sanders will continue to compete with Watson for the starting quarterback job.
Source: Cleveland Browns
Source: Cleveland Browns
Tre' Harris Flashes With One-Handed Catch at Saturday's Practice
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris made one of the better plays of Saturday's practice, snagging a one-handed catch during team work. It would not have counted in a game, as the Chargers noted a false start and a Tuli Tuipulotu sack on the rep, but Harris still put his ball skills on display. The 2025 second-round pick had 30 catches for 324 yards and one touchdown as a rookie. His finish was more encouraging than the full-season line, with 187 receiving yards over the final six games. Mike McDaniel has liked what he's seen, saying this offseason that Harris has "a lot more juice" than he realized coming out of Ole Miss. A WR1 push is probably getting ahead of things. Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston remain listed as the starters on the Chargers' current depth chart, with Harris behind McConkey. But Harris is making a real case for more work in Year 2, and Saturday's highlight only adds to that push in Justin Herbert's offense.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
De'Zhaun Stribling Gets "Vet WR Treatment" at Practice
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling continues to get encouraging signs about where he stands with the team. During Sunday's special teams period, David Lombardi noted that Stribling worked individually with offensive assistant/wide receivers coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker instead, the same setup veteran Mike Evans received. Lombardi described it as the "vet WR treatment." It comes just a few days after Stribling caught seven passes for 63 yards in his preseason debut against Tennessee. The 49ers had seen enough by midway through the second quarter, pulling the No. 33 overall pick from the game with nearly eight minutes left in the half. Stribling has also been making plays in camp since returning from some early hamstring tightness. Sunday doesn't guarantee where he'll land in the receiver rotation, but San Francisco continuing to prioritize his offensive work is another positive development for the rookie.
Source: David Lombardi
Source: David Lombardi
Darius Cooper Draws Hefty Target Share in Eagles' Passing Attack
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper, who was singled out by quarterback Jalen Hurts earlier in training camp as an emerging player, was busy in the team's preseason opener on Saturday in the 24-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, hauling in two of his team-high five targets for 21 yards. The 24-year-old went undrafted last year out of Tarleton State before latching on with the Eagles and catching nine of 11 targets for 92 yards and zero touchdowns in 13 games played (zero starts). Cooper has had more of an opportunity in camp of late with both DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and first-round rookie Makai Lemon (hamstring) missing over a week of practice. The Eagles are also without A.J. Brown now, so there is more opportunity for Cooper to make some noise in Philly's WR room as he competes for a role behind Smith and Dontayvion Wicks. If Lemon gets off to a slow start in his rookie campaign after missing valuable time in camp, Cooper could be the primary beneficiary. He's also competing for offensive snaps with veteran Hollywood Brown.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Parker Washington has Established Himself as Jaguars' WR1
ESPN's Michael DiRocco writes that Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington has been quarterback Trevor Lawrence's favorite target during training camp, and "he always seems to be open." DiRocco also writes that Washington "has established himself as the Jaguars' WR1." Washington has "thrived" in one-on-one situations against the team's top corners, and he beat cornerback Travis Hunter at the line of scrimmage and caught a deep pass down the sideline for a touchdown the last time the team matched the first-team offense against the first-team defense. The 24-year-old former sixth-rounder from Penn State came on strong in the latter half of the 2025 season with three 100-yard games in the final four contests (including the playoffs). Washington appears to be the real deal and has been one of the most hyped receivers this summer, even in a crowded WR room in Duvall that includes Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers. With good health in 2026, Washington seems primed for his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL and should be targeted as a WR2 on the rise in upcoming fantasy drafts.
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Isaiah Williams Appears to be Jets' Primary Slot Option
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets wide receiver Isaiah Williams "appears to have overtaken" rookie first-rounder Omar Cooper Jr. as the team's starting slot receiver. Williams has had a "stellar camp." Cooper's after-the-catch abilities are better suited for a game atmosphere than practice, which has allowed Williams to surpass him this summer. Rosenblatt adds that the Jets would like their first-round pick to make an impact, so Cooper will most likely continue to get chances to make noise behind Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell in 2026. A former undrafted WR out of Illinois, Williams had 26 catches on 36 targets for 193 yards and zero touchdowns in 15 games (two starts) with New York last year. Williams will also play a role as a return man on special teams, but he could be doing enough in camp to steal valuable targets away from Cooper as the WR3 for the Jets. The 25-year-old's versatility is the best thing going for him. Despite his strong camp to this point, Williams is merely a name to monitor in most fantasy football leagues in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Deshaun Watson Functions at a "High Level" in Preseason Opener
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken was pleased with quarterback Deshaun Watson's performance in the team's preseason opener on Saturday in the 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, saying that he functioned at a "high level," per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Monken said the QB competition between Watson and second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders will continue for at least another week, and Jackson writes that "it's hard to imagine much changed Saturday in what was a predictably uneven first performance in a game setting for both QBs." The 30-year-old Watson went 11-for-15 passing for 126 yards, adding four rushing yards on three carries while losing a fumble. It was Watson's first game action since October of 2024 due to a torn right Achilles tendon. Almost all of Watson's yardage on Saturday came on short throws, and his most impressive work came while converting a first-and-25 with three straight completions. Sanders finished his outing going 6-for-11 passing for 79 yards and an interception. If Watson is solid in joint practices with the Buffalo Bills this week and in the second preseason game, he could be named the starter by Monken.
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Marcus Mariota Suffers Sprained MCL, Likely Out for Rest of Preseason
Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) suffered a sprained MCL in the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Miami Dolphins that will likely keep him out for the rest of the preseason, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. It's unclear at this time if Mariota's knee injury will keep him sidelined going into Week 1 of the 2026 regular season versus the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 13. Either way, the Commanders might be in the market for a veteran signal-caller to provide more depth behind starter Jayden Daniels. The other QBs on the roster are Sam Hartman and undrafted rookie Athan Kaliakmanis. The 32-year-old Mariota played a big part in the Commanders' offense a year ago with Daniels only playing in seven games due to injury, although he went 2-6 in his eight starts while throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his 11 total games played.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Packers Want to Get MarShawn Lloyd More Touches
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd saw only five total opportunities in the team's preseason opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but head coach Matt LaFleur wants to get him more involved in the team's next outing against the Broncos. After struggling to stay healthy through his first two years in the league, the 2024 third-round pick has had a strong training camp, spending extended time working with the first-team offense as Josh Jacobs (groin) deals with a groin injury of his own. Speaking on Lloyd's effort against the Steelers, LaFleur told reporters, "MarShawn is a guy, he's going to go 1,000 mph. Sometimes as a back, you do have to have a little patience to let things develop, but I was pleased with his effort." With more playing time will come more opportunities to develop that patience, and the indication is that the team wants to put more on Lloyd's plate in the lead-up to the regular season.
Source: Ryan Wood
Source: Ryan Wood
Tucker Kraft Cleared to Participate in Team Work on Sunday
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) will do 11-on-11 team work for the first time in training camp on Sunday, head coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. After tearing his ACL in Week 9 of last year, Kraft opened camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but he has been progressing nicely and will take a huge step on Sunday in working with the rest of the team at practice. Barring a setback with his surgically-repaired knee, the 25-year-old should be ready to roll for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. The former third-rounder from South Dakota State in 2023 was one of the best tight ends in the league in eight games in 2025 before his season-ending injury, catching 32 of his 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns, and he's not going to come at a discount in fantasy drafts in 2026. RotoBaller currently has Kraft ranked as the No. 5 TE, and his draft stock is only going to rise now that he's been cleared to practice with the rest of the squad.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Keon Coleman Banged Up in Preseason Opener
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman caught three passes in the team's preseason opener against the Panthers, including a nine-yard touchdown from Josh Allen on the second drive of the game, but he appeared to favor his lower body after being tackled on a fourth-down converting catch on the next drive. The Bills' first-team offense looked sharp in limited work, but both Coleman and DJ Moore got banged up and exited the game early. Head coach Joe Brady indicated after the game that neither situation is overly serious, and the Bills have a scheduled off day. Still, both statuses will need to be monitored in the lead-up to the regular season.
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Phil Mafah Will be OK After Suffering Chest Injury
Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah (chest) exited Saturday night's preseason opener against the Seahawks with a chest injury and did not return. A seventh-round pick in 2025, Mafah earned only seven total opportunities as a rookie, but with the team's primary backup job up for grabs behind locked-in starter Javonte Williams, he has been part of a training camp battle that includes fellow second-year player Jaydon Blue and veteran Malik Davis. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated after the game that the injury did not appear to be overly serious. Still, Mafah's status bears watching in the lead-up to the regular season. While the second running back spot in Dallas holds almost no standalone value, whoever earns the role will become an important handcuff to Williams.
Source: Todd Archer
Source: Todd Archer
Jaylen Warren a Safe Bet to Produce from His Latest Ambiguous Situation
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has developed into one of the league's most well-rounded backs, topping 300 receiving yards in three straight seasons and 1,100 yards from scrimmage in two of three. Whether paired with a bruiser like Najee Harris or a pass-catching specialist like Kenny Gainwell, Warren has shown a knack for filling in wherever needed and often excelling while doing so. Now slated to share a backfield with a similar jack-of-all-trades in Rico Dowdle, there is an opportunity for both backs to produce in Mike McCarthy's up-tempo offense. Dowdle has rushed for 1,000 yards at each of his last two stops with the Panthers and Cowboys and has familiarity with McCarthy's system. Still, with Warren having already earned the trust of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the incumbent could have an early advantage in any workload split, and his reliability to always do the right thing will make snaps difficult to take away. Both players represent excellent value in the middle rounds of 2026 drafts, and as the current RB27 by ADP, Warren has the opportunity to greatly outperform expectations after his RB16 finish a year ago in a not dissimilar situation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Williams' Stock Rising with His Upside on Display
With the benefit of time and film study to reflect on the New England Patriots' preseason opening tie with the Colts, ESPN's Mike Reiss has labeled second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams as one of his three offensive risers, along with third-string quarterback Behren Morton and potential third running back Jam Miller. Williams got into his deep bag of releases, showcasing a slick crossover move on his 12-yard touchdown grab and offering a glimpse of the upside he can provide when pairing the full package with his impressive straight-line speed. While Reiss points out that it wasn't all perfect for the 2025 third-round pick, Williams will have the opportunity to further hone his skills against one of the league's best secondaries when the Patriots meet up with the Eagles for joint practices later in the week. Quietly putting together an impressive camp of late, Williams is making a case for an expanded role in a receiver room not lacking talent.
Source: Mike Reiss
Source: Mike Reiss
