RADIO
Mike Evans Should be Ready for Week 1
NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco thinks the San Francisco 49ers are playing it safe with veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (ankle) and that he should be ready for Week 1 of the regular season in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. Maiocco does not think Evans is dealing with any strain or a pulled muscle after he was pulled early from Tuesday's joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. Evans is not expected to do much practicing between now and Week 1, and Maiocco does not expect the future Hall of Famer to suit up for the final preseason game next week against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 33-year-old had some quad tightness earlier this week and had his left foot/ankle wrapped and iced, but head coach Kyle Shanahan downplayed any injury issues for Evans this week. Evans missed time with a minor quad injury earlier in training camp, and the Niners are likely being extra cautious with an aging wideout who has had his share of soft-tissue injuries. When fully healthy, Evans should be QB Brock Purdy's No. 1 target, but durability concerns make him a shaky low-end WR2/high-end WR3/flex for fantasy managers as he enters his first season in the Bay Area.
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
Ladd McConkey Gets a Target in Limited Action During Preseason Loss
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Ladd McConkey saw his first preseason action in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. McConkey was removed with the rest of the starters after a quick three-and-out on the team's opening drive. The 24-year-old was unable to haul in his one target on third-and-short to extend the drive. McConkey has the opportunity to reprise his role as Justin Herbert's go-to receiver on third down. In 2025, Keenan Allen led the team in third-down targets and overall targets, which took a significant toll on McConkey's fantasy production. With Allen recently signing with the Indianapolis Colts, McConkey's fantasy ADP might rise as we get closer to Week 1. Managers should feel confident in drafting McConkey without the fear of Allen coming back to swoop up targets again.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Omarion Hampton Gets All Three Snaps with Chargers First Team Offense in Loss
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton took all three snaps with the first-team offense in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Hampton was removed with the rest of the starters after a quick three-and-out on the team's opening drive. The 23-year-old had one carry for a loss of a yard that began their offensive drive. Hampton's fantasy stock took a boost on Thursday after being the only back to play with the first team. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has hinted at using all three running backs during the regular season and riding the "hot hand" in games, but Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal only played with the backups. Mitchell ran with the second team, and Vidal played well into the second half. Hampton should remain a trendy draft target in the first 15 picks of fantasy drafts, and could see his ADP sneak into the late first round by early September.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Skyler Bell Dealing With Groin Injury
The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia reports that Buffalo Bills rookie fourth-round wide receiver Skyler Bell (groin) has been dealing with a groin injury in training camp. Bell initially suffered the injury during practice at the team's new stadium on Aug. 8 and has not practiced since, although the 24-year-old from Connecticut was seen on Thursday doing drills with the training staff. He is hoping he will be cleared to play in the team's final preseason contest on Thursday, Aug. 27, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bell's time away from the team this summer will make it even more difficult for the rookie to make an immediate impact on a team that added receiver DJ Moore in the offseason. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can ignore Bell for now, while he is a developmental stash in dynasty/keeper formats. In his fifth collegiate season for the Huskies in 2025, Bell put up some numbers, catching 101 passes for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games played. Bell is primarily competing for playing time with Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, and Tyrell Shavers for a role behind Moore and Khalil Shakir.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Justin Herbert Sees First Preseason Action Against the 49ers
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert got the start in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Herbert was removed after a quick three-and-out on the team's opening drive. The 28-year-old completed one of two passing attempts for nine yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was able to connect to Charlie Kolar on his first pass attempt but was unable to connect with Ladd McConkey on third down to extend the drive. Chargers team reporter Eric Smith noted that Harbaugh planned for Herbert to play only one drive, which means he didn't consider putting him back out for a second drive. This was Herbert's first action this preseason and his first time playing under new OC Mike McDaniel in a game. He will have to continue getting comfortable in a new offense through practice reps since the team is expected to limit his usage in their preseason finale next week against the Los Angeles Rams.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Washington Jr. Earning Praise from His Head Coach
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said that rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. is "doing a great job running the ball" and "hinted that Washington Jr. has done enough as a runner to earn his shots," per Sam Warren of The Athletic. A fourth-round pick out of Arkansas, Washington Jr. recorded 1,296 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 195 touches across 12 games with the Razorbacks in 2025. Raiders RB1 Ashton Jeanty profiles as a three-down workhorse, which may make it difficult for Washington Jr. to see the field as a rookie. Warren also reports that the Raiders want to see the 23-year-old improve his all-around game, so the team may need to see improvements in pass protection and as a receiver before he is entrusted with a steady role in the offense. Still, Washington Jr. has stood out this summer and looks like the clear favorite to be the RB2 in Las Vegas. Fantasy managers looking for a handcuff option to Jeanty may want to prioritize Washington Jr. in drafts.
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Cyrus Allen Gaining the Trust of His Quarterback
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen "appears to be gaining" the trust of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee), per Jesse Newell of The Athletic. A fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Allen recorded 51 catches for 674 yards and 13 touchdowns across 13 games in his final collegiate season at the University of Cincinnati. The 23-year-old has been a buzzy name throughout Chiefs' camp and hauled in two catches for 20 yards on a team-high five targets in Kansas City's first preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams last Saturday. The Chiefs appear to have a veteran trio of wideouts ahead of Allen on the depth chart in Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton. However, Kansas City has been searching for reliable receiving talent for the last several seasons. Fantasy managers should not overreact just yet, but Allen could be a name to keep an eye on in deeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
Patrick Mahomes "Looks Like Himself" in Training Camp Practices
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) "still looks like himself" and it's been "difficult to tell he's only eight months post-surgery," per Jesse Newell of The Athletic. Mahomes is recovering from the torn ACL and LCL that ended his 2025 season in mid-December. Still, Newell writes that it's "all but certain" that Mahomes will be the Chiefs' starting quarterback in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. Across 14 games before the injury last year, Mahomes completed 62.7% of his pass attempts for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while rushing for 422 yards and five scores. Now entering his age-31 season and coming off a serious knee injury, Mahomes may be significantly less aggressive as a rusher in 2026. Still, the two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champ has a sky-high production ceiling. Mahomes profiles as a low-end fantasy QB1 entering 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
Source: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
Garrett Wilson "Looks Like Himself Again" with Improved QB Play in New York
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson's connection with new Jets quarterback Geno Smith has been building, and the star wideout "looks like himself again," per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Wilson was limited by a knee injury to just seven games played in 2025. However, the 26-year-old played in 17 games in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, recording at least 83 catches and 1,042 receiving yards in each of those campaigns. Wilson has had the misfortune of working with some of the league's worst quarterback play throughout his Jets career to this point. While Smith is coming off a down year with the Las Vegas Raiders, the veteran signal-caller should at least bring a level of stability to New York's passing game. As long as Wilson stays healthy, he should dominate target share in the Jets' offense. Entering 2026, Wilson profiles as a steady fantasy WR2.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Adonai Mitchell Building Chemistry with New Quarterback
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell's chemistry with new Jets quarterback Geno Smith has been "buzzing since the spring," per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. After being acquired by the Jets from the Indianapolis Colts midway through the 2025 season, Mitchell recorded 24 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns on 58 targets across eight games with New York. The 23-year-old has flashed high-end upside throughout his first two years in the NFL, but he's struggled with game-to-game consistency. While Smith is likely past his prime as he enters his age-36 season, the veteran signal-caller should provide Mitchell with significantly better quarterback play than what he experienced in his first half-season with the Jets. New York also enters 2026 with a clear need for pass-catching talent behind star wideout Garrett Wilson. Mitchell carries late-round sleeper appeal into 2026 for fantasy managers.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Jadarian Price Earning Praise from His Quarterback
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold said that rookie running back Jadarian Price is a "really special player" and that he "brings a different facet to the offense," per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. The 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Price recorded 761 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns on 119 touches across 12 games in his final collegiate season at Notre Dame. Seattle lost former running back Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, and incumbent back Zach Charbonnet (knee) is working his way back from a torn ACL that he underwent surgery on in late February. As a result, Price could be in position to play a lead role in the Seahawks backfield immediately as a rookie. The 22-year-old recorded just 15 receptions across 41 career games at Notre Dame, but Darnold praised his ability to impact the game as both a rusher and a receiver. Price profiles as a low-end RB2 for fantasy managers entering 2026.
Source: Pro Football Talk - Josh Alper
Source: Pro Football Talk - Josh Alper
Browns Expected to Make a QB Decision Early Next Week
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is slated to start Saturday's preseason matchup against the Bills after struggling in relief of Deshaun Watson in the team's preseason opening loss to the Bears, and a decision on the regular season starter could come shortly after the game. "I do not anticipate the QB decision going past early of next week," Monken said Saturday morning on a pre-game radio show. Both players are again expected to split work on Saturday, so their performances could be the final critical pieces of the decision. Both Watson and Sanders have been reported as having up-and-down camps, with that inconsistency bleeding into both their performances in the preseason opener, though Watson's final stat line while working with the first-team offense was still respectable. After Saturday's matchup with the Bills, Cleveland will have one final preseason tune-up against the Patriots before kicking off the regular season against the Jaguars on September 13.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
CJ Williams Catches Four Passes While Fighting for a Roster Spot
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie wide receiver CJ Williams caught all four of his targets for 22 yards in Friday night's preseason loss to the Panthers, also gaining two yards on an opening drive end-around. Receiver represents arguably the deepest position group on Jacksonville's roster, so the 2026 sixth-round pick faces an uphill climb just to make the team, but he's garnered significant camp buzz of late and has now put some solid production on tape. A former four-star recruit, Williams made only 35 catches across his first three seasons with USC and Wisconsin before catching a team-leading 59 passes for 749 yards and six touchdowns in his final collegiate season at Stanford. Whether with the Jaguars or another team as a waiver-wire pickup, the soon-to-be-23-year-old rookie does not project as an impactful fantasy performer in 2026, but if his development can continue, he could prove to be a name to remember in future seasons.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, and Stefon Diggs Expected to Play Saturday
The Washington Commanders have listed 15 players who will not participate in Saturday's preseason matchup with the Lions, but NFL Insider Adam Schefter notes that among the starters expected to see action are quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. After sitting out the preseason opener against the Dolphins, Saturday's tilt will provide the first look at Daniels and crew in first-year offensive coordinator David Blough's system, which should bear a resemblance to the one he ran in Detroit as a backup quarterback. While Diggs topped 1,000 receiving yards in his lone season with the Patriots in 2025, both Daniels and McLaurin struggled through injuries in their second season together. Still, big things are expected in a potential bounce-back year in 2026, and Daniels is RotoBaller's QB3 while McLaurin and Diggs are respectively the WR24 and WR44.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Josh Allen to Sit Along with Most of Bills' Starters
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and most of the team's starters will sit out Saturday's preseason matchup with the Cleveland Browns, according to NFL reporter Cameron Wolfe, who adds that a few young starters may play. A perennial MVP candidate and one of the most prolific fantasy quarterbacks of all time, Allen enters his ninth season as RotoBaller's QB1 following six straight finishes as a top two quarterback, with 2025 accounting for his fourth QB1 finish in that span. While Allen hasn't topped 4,000 passing yards since 2023, the arrival of wide receiver DJ Moore should raise his passing ceiling, while he remains a threat to score a rushing touchdown every week. Representing fantasy's safest option at the position, Allen is currently being drafted around the middle of the second round in single-quarterback leagues.
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Source: Cameron Wolfe
