Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett completed 14 of 22 passes for 89 yards and touchdown, adding three carries for four yards in the Eagles preseason opener. While it was rumored that the Philadelphia starters would see playing time during the preseason opener, the second-team unit started the game and played into the third quarter led by the Eagles' offseason addition from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Without any starting receivers to throw to, the 26-year-old failed to throw for over 100 yards despite playing the entire first half and seeing snaps during the first drive of the second half. He was able to hit rookie running back Will Shipley for a seven-yard touchdown pass at the end of the first quarter. Pickett has received praise throughout the offseason but looked just as bland and was unable to complete big plays something he struggled with in Pittsburgh last season. Luckily for him, there is no real competition for his spot as the No. 2 option for the Eagles and he should see more play time next week when the Eagles travel to New England next Thursday.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Free agent wide receiver Robby Chosen has signed with the 49ers. Dynasty Analysis: The player formerly known as Robbie Anderson (and briefly as Chosen Anderson) will attempt to make the 53-man roster, though that could prove tough as he's bounced around the league in recent years. The news here may be the fact the 49ers are improving their depth chart in the hopes they can move Brandon Aiyuk here soon. Stay tuned.

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell is taking advantage of his increased playing time with the first team with Josh Downs (ankle) out. As per Kevin Bowen of The Fan, Friday was easily the best combined practice for him and teammate Alec Pierce. Both routinely worked with the starters, and notably, Mitchell ran out of the slot, hauling in three of three targets. The rookie wideout has nine receptions throughout training camp now, giving him the fourth-most among Colts pass-catchers, trailing only Michael Pittman Jr., Downs, and Kylen Granson. The Colts' coaching staff trusting Mitchell to expand his role so quickly is an encouraging sign. Downs' progress in return from injury is something to monitor, because if he were to miss time during the season, the former Texas Longhorn could return sleeper value in drafts this year. He's the NFFC WR66 (158 overall) currently in average draft position.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald announced that he believes tight end Noah Fant (foot) will practice next week. He missed a bit of time over the last few days due to a foot injury incurred during Wednesday's practice, but it seems he'll be all good to return following the weekend. This is a good sign for the sixth-year veteran, as any time missed during the crucial install of Ryan Grubb's offense could cost him. Targets will be scarce for Fant, as he has DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba to contend with for quarterback Geno Smith's targets. During Grubb's 2023 reign as coordinator for the Washington Huskies' offense, tight end Jack Westover finished the season with the fourth-most receptions and yards in Washington's offense. It seems fitting to project a similar situation here. Fant is the TE24 in NFFC ADP (207 overall) and is only a target in two-tight end and best-ball formats.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | The Patriots have released wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Dynasty Analysis: After a decent 2022 campaign in Kansas City, the Patriots signed Smith-Schuster to a three-year deal last off-season. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a mess as he posted just a 29/260/1 season in 11 games. With players like Demario Douglas and Ja'Lynn Polk apparently ready to move into prominent positions, he was simply expendable. At this point, he's still just 27 years old and should latch on to a team as a veteran presence. His dynasty value, however, is at an all-time low with little chance of really rising too much at this point in his career.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Giants running back Eric Gray rushed for 52 yards on four carries and added four catches for another 46 yards, scoring twice in his preseason debut. Dynasty Analysis: It was quite the stat sheet stuffer for Gray, which is great news. The bad news, however, is the fact he played well behind Tyrone Tracy and didn't log a snap with the starters. Gray remains a solid sleeper in dynasty leagues but we need to see him log some time against better competition before feeling too confident.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Texans receiver Tank Dell had one catch for 34 yards and a touchdown in Houston's preseason opener. Dynasty Analysis: Now seemingly healthy, Dell returned to his explosive self by scoring on the opening drive before calling it quits on the day. The Houston offense looks to be one of the more productive next season and Dell seems to be a relative bargain at the moment in dynasty leagues as many are focusing their attention on Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

The Dallas Cowboys announced on Friday that quarterback Dak Prescott (ankle) was given a precautionary day off at training camp on Friday due to ankles soreness. It should be nothing to worry about, but Prescott is also not expected to play in Sunday's preseason opener versus the Los Angeles Rams. The 31-year-old continues to manage occasional ankle soreness stemming from his broken ankle several years ago and also caused a stir back in early July when he was seen wearing a protective walking boot on his right foot while on vacation. Prescott continues to maintain that he'll be a full-go for the start of the regular season in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns despite not getting a long-term contract extension as he heads into the final year of his current deal. He had the best year of his career in 2023 but has a lower floor and ceiling than most big-name QBs because of his lack of rushing numbers.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) said his injured calf is feeling good and that he is taking his recovery slowly so he can be ready for the start of the regular season.

Fantasy Spin: McCaffrey did not need to play in the preseason in order to prepare for the season, so he probably will not return to the field until the week before the opener. He is a must-start option in all fantasy leagues, but players should keep an eye out in case he suffers a setback.

From TheHuddle

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Las Vegas Raiders first-round rookie tight end Brock Bowers is going to be difficult to keep off the field in 2024. Bowers has been as advertised as a playmaker in training camp while also proving stouter as a run-blocker than anticipated. His versatility has been evident early on. Michael Mayer will be a factor at the position, but Bowers seems inevitable. "Brock is different," head coach Antonio Pierce said. "He's a tight end, because that's what he's labeled as, but he can play all over the field. ... He's even more special with the ball in his hands." The 21-year-old was easily the best TE prospect in this year's draft class and figures to have low-end TE1 value immediately in fantasy as a safety blanket for either QBs Gardner Minshew or Aidan O'Connell. It's possible Bowers will be the team's second leading receiver behind Davante Adams.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receiver Stefon Diggs are among the team's healthy starters that will play in the second preseason contest on Friday on the road against the hosting Pittsburgh Steelers. Stroud and the rest of the starting offense were held out of last week's Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears, but they'll get some action in the second preseason game. The 22-year-old Stroud and the rest of the starters that play on Friday will likely only play for a couple of drives, at the most, but it will give us our first look at his connection with new wideout Diggs in a game setting. Stroud's marvelous first NFL season in 2024 has vaulted him into midrange QB1 status in fantasy circles, especially after the addition of Diggs this offseason. Diggs, meanwhile, will see his fantasy stock fall in a new environment in which he'll have more competition for targets.

From RotoBaller

The Pittsburgh Steelers activated running back/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (undisclosed) from the Non-Football Injury list on Friday after he passed a physical. Patterson will now be able to join the rest of his teammates in practice at training camp. The 33-year-old followed Arthur Smith from Atlanta to Pittsburgh and will most likely serve as the team's kick returner on special teams. The former 29th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013 out of Tennessee produced a career-high 695 rushing yards and eight touchdowns for the Falcons in 2022 but fell back to Earth big time in 2023, seeing 50 carries for only 181 yards. In Pittsburgh's backfield, he's third on the depth chart behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren and will most likely be used sparingly as more of a gadget player when he's not returning kicks.

From RotoBaller

The Minnesota Vikings acquired cornerback Nahshon Wright from the Dallas Cowboys on Friday in exchange for cornerback Andrew Booth, according to sources. The trade is pending physicals on both players. Wright was taken in the third round (99th overall) by Dallas in 2021 out of Oregon State and produced just 37 tackles (27 solo), an interception and five pass breakups in 32 games (three starts) in his first three years in the league. The 25-year-old defensive back figures to be a backup at cornerback in Minnesota behind Shaquill Griffin in his first year in the NFC North. Booth, a second-round selection (42nd overall) in 2022 out of Clemson, will also likely be a backup in his new home in Dallas. The 23-year-old has 20 tackles (19 solo) and one pass breakup in his first two years in the NFL in 23 games (two starts).

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on Friday that rookie first-round quarterback Bo Nix will start the team's second preseason game next week at home against the visiting Green Bay Packers. Jarrett Stidham, who opened training camp as the starter on the unofficial depth chart, is starting the preseason opener at Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Stidham entered the offseason with a leg up in the QB competition this summer, mainly because of his experience last year in Payton's offense. It doesn't mean he'll be starting in the Week 1 season opener in Seattle against the Seahawks, though, and both Stidham and Nix have been splitting first-team reps in camp to this point. Stidham may be the safer game manager to begin the year for Denver, but the Broncos drafted Nix in the first round for a reason. Neither QB profiles as anything more than a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues this year.

From RotoBaller

The San Francisco 49ers announced on Friday that they released tight end Logan Thomas. It remains to be seen if Thomas' release has anything to do with a hamstring injury that kept him out of some training camp practices in the last week. He was set to serve as depth at the tight end position behind All-Pro George Kittle after signing a one-year deal this offseason, but now he'll be looking for an opportunity elsewhere. Eric Saubert will now be the primary backup at the position in San Francisco for Kittle. Injuries have been the story of Thomas' career for the most part and have kept him from reaching his true potential. The 33-year-old did manage to play in 16 games in 2023 in his final year with Washington and caught 55 passes for 496 yards and four touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton announced on Friday that quarterback Jarrett Stidham will start the team's preseason opener on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium against the hosting Indianapolis Colts. Rookie first-rounder Bo Nix will start the second preseason game next week in Denver versus the Green Bay Packers. Nix will also appear after Stidham leaves the game on Sunday, with Zach Wilson following Nix. Stidham opened training camp atop the team's unofficial depth chart and has had the edge to win the starting job to open the 2024 regular season, mainly because of his experience in Payton's offense from a year ago. Stidham and Nix have split first-team reps at camp, and if Nix outperforms Stidham in the preseason, there remains a chance that the rookie could start in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. Whoever wins the job in Denver will be a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues, at best.

From RotoBaller

The San Francisco 49ers have made a renewed effort in recent days to strike a long-term deal with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, according to sources. The situation is fluid and other teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, are still in the mix. But now a return to San Fran appears increasingly possible. Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz writes that Aiyuk had a sit-down meeting with head coach Kyle Shanahan and others in the organization where "some open and candid thoughts were expressed." There is optimism Aiyuk won't be dealt now after it looked like the two sides relationship was fractured beyond repair just a few days ago. The likeliest landing spots for Aiyuk are Pittsburgh and Cleveland, and both locations would most likely be bad news for his fantasy value in 2024. If the 26-year-old former first-rounder stays in the Bay Area, he'll be a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 target in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Cordarrelle Patterson (hamstring) passed his physical Friday, Aug. 9, and has been activated from the Active/Non-Football Injury list.

From TheHuddle

Dynasty | Falcons wide receiver Rondale Moore has sustained a knee injury and is out for the season. Dynasty Analysis: He's already been placed on IR, so this is official. Moore was hoping for a fresh start with the Falcons this season after never really breaking out in Arizona. Unfortunately, he fell behind Ray-Ray McCloud early in training camp, then went down with this injury in practice. It's a tough break for Moore, who is going to be a tough hold in a dynasty league. Meanwhile, Darnell Mooney and McCloud likely get a short-term bump as a result.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Arizona Cardinals DE Marquis Haynes was released Friday, Aug. 9.

From TheHuddle