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ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi reports that Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco is unlikely to play in the team's second preseason game this Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns want to keep the veteran out, even though both rookie Shedeur Sanders (oblique) and Kenny Pickett (hamstring) might not play. Although nothing official has been announced, rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) could make his NFL debut and see extensive run this weekend for the Browns. Flacco was scheduled to take the majority of first-team reps at training camp practice on Wednesday, and he remain the overwhelming favorite to be named the Week 1 starter, especially with Pickett missing over a week of team drills due to a hamstring injury. The 40-year-old gunslinger could have some decent games, but he'll also be injury-prone and on a short leash. Fantasy managers would be better off avoiding the Browns' QB situation.

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The New Orleans Saints placed wide receiver Bub Means (leg) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Means suffered a serious lower-leg injury in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and will now miss the entire 2025 season. Before his injury on Sunday, he caught one pass for a gain of 12 yards. It's definitely a blow to the Saints receiving corps after the 24-year-old fifth-rounder last year caught nine of his 15 targets for 118 yards and one touchdown in seven games (one start) in his rookie season. Means also missed the final nine games of his first year in the league with an ankle injury, so he has quickly developed an injury-prone label. Means will now rehab his leg in hopes of being ready for the start of the 2026 season.

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With Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) now unlikely to play in the second preseason game on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) now has a chance to start this weekend and get extended time in his first taste of NFL action, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. The Browns are likely to keep veteran Joe Flacco out again, while Kenny Pickett (hamstring) still hasn't return to team drills in practices. Along with Gabriel, Tyler Huntley should see plenty of run for the second straight preseason game with the team's QB room pretty banged up. The 24-year-old Gabriel was listed as the QB3 on the team's second unofficial depth chart of the preseason, but he's reportedly been outplayed by Sanders so far this summer as the two young signal-callers merely try to prove they belong on the team beyond the 2025 season.

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Mark Carman of CHGO Sports reports that Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze looks like quarterback Caleb Williams' go-to guy in practice on Wednesday, especially in the red zone. Carman adds that Odunze and Williams continued to work together after practice. There was a lot of disappointment in the Bears offense last year in Williams' and Odunze's first NFL season. Odunze finished with only 54 catches on 101 targets for 734 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games (12 starts). It wasn't a bad showing, but he was inconsistent for fantasy purposes. The 23-year-old could be in line for a Year 2 breakout with Keenan Allen gone and in new head coach Ben Johnson's offense, with his goal being his first 1,000-yard season and double-digit TDs. That would be amazing for fantasy managers that draft him as a WR3/flex with upside in 2025.

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Kansas City Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt (quadriceps) may not be available to play in the preseason game Friday, Aug. 15, because of his quadriceps contusion, according to head coach Andy Reid.

From TheHuddle

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that the same players who didn't play at all in the preseason opener last week against the Indianapolis Colts won't play in their second preseason tilt versus the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, either. It means that key starters like quarterback Lamar Jackson won't be suiting up. Backup Cooper Rush could get more than a quarter of action this weekend. The 28-year-old Jackson didn't play at all last preseason, so don't be surprised if the same thing happens this year after he threw for a career-high 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 17 regular-season games a year ago. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time MVP is at the top of his game and is a high-end, dual-threat QB1 for fantasy managers in 2025. Jackson isn't dealing with any sort of injury this summer.

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Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (undisclosed) was carted off the field after suffering an undisclosed injury during Wednesday's joint practice with the Detroit Lions. However, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Penn State took to Instagram and said, "I'm good, nothing serious." This is good news for Robinson and the Dolphins, as the team is hoping he will take a Year-2 leap after posting 26 tackles (16 solo), six sacks, and four pass deflections in 17 regular-season games as a rookie. Robinson is expected to start opposite Bradley Chubb entering 2025.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) is not expected to play in the team's second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. Sanders suffered an oblique injury on Wednesday and is considered "day-to-day." The fifth-round pick out of Colorado flashed in his preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of his 23 passing attempts for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Missing this week's game is not ideal for his development, and he's still likely behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel when all Cleveland quarterbacks are healthy. Fantasy managers can stash him in deep dynasty leagues, but it would be a surprise if he's a viable starting quarterback in 2025 redraft leagues.

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Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry will not play in the preseason game Saturday, Aug. 16, according to head coach John Harbaugh.

Fantasy Spin: The Ravens want Jackson and Henry to be healthy for the regular season, so neither player needs to play in the preseason. They should both be weekly starting options in all fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (undisclosed) did not practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. The veteran has been absent from practice since suffering an undisclosed injury on Sunday. For now, not much is known about the ailment, but Reiss said Henry could also miss Thursday's practice. The 30-year-old has never been a high-end fantasy TE1 with the Los Angeles Chargers or Patriots, but he's often been a steady streaming option, and he could have upside as quarterback Drake Maye's safety blanket in the short and intermediate passing game. Given the lack of established weapons at wide receiver, Henry can be viewed as a later-round flier or TE2 option in deep leagues. Fantasy managers should continue to check back for his latest injury updates.

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (undisclosed) remains out of action during Wednesday's practice due to an undisclosed injury. The fifth-year back out of Oklahoma is reportedly dealing with something minor, but it's not clear what is causing him to sit out. Stevenson played against the Washington Commanders last week, piling up 36 yards on seven rushing attempts. With rookie second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson continuing to impress, Stevenson missing time is far from ideal. That said, Henderson and Stevenson have different skill sets and could be set to play in a pure committee entering the 2025 regular season. If Henderson shines as an explosive playmaker, Stevenson's touches could begin to dwindle down the stretch.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (foot/ankle) will not play on Friday in the team's second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. The former Baltimore Raven and Arizona Cardinal has been out of action for the last two weeks after suffering foot and ankle injuries. Unfortunately, injuries have become a common theme for Brown since he left Baltimore via trade. After missing eight games in two seasons with the Cardinals, he missed 15 games in his first season with Kansas City a year ago. "Hollywood" has tantalizing big-play upside and speed that could fit perfectly with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but his inability to stay on the field is becoming a significant concern. Fantasy managers considering drafting him in the later rounds should continue to monitor his status ahead of the thick of fantasy draft season.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not likely to play in the team's second preseason game of the year against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, according to head coach Andy Reid. The two-time NFL MVP played against the Arizona Cardinals last week, throwing one pass for one yard and a touchdown. Needless to say, Mahomes doesn't need to take part in much preseason action to get ready, and it's a bonus for fantasy managers that he will not risk getting injured before Week 1 of the regular season. While Rashee Rice is expected to serve a suspension at the beginning of the year, Kansas City's passing attack could improve in 2025 with Rice, Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, and others taking a step forward. That said, Mahomes is unlikely to finish as a high-end QB1 in fantasy football based on what we've seen over the last two seasons.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (quad) has a quad contusion and could miss Friday's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Andy Reid. The 30-year-old appeared in last week's game against the Arizona Cardinals, logging three total touches for 17 yards. While any preseason injury is not ideal, the team is likely to be extra cautious with its veterans ahead of Week 1 of the regular season. The Chiefs' backfield is one of the most difficult to navigate for fantasy football, as Isiah Pacheco, Elijah Mitchell, Hunt, and seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith could all factor into a committee. However, Pacheco should be viewed as the starter for now.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) is back at practice on Wednesday after missing some time with an undisclosed injury. The former first-round pick out of Alabama was deemed "day-to-day" recently but is now a limited participant in practice. Given Waddle's history of getting banged up, the team is likely to be cautious with its young star wideout. Tyreek Hill (oblique) is also not participating in team drills. If Waddle can stay healthy, he could provide a tremendous return at his WR3 price tag in fantasy drafts. Tight end Jonnu Smith is now in Pittsburgh, and there's a real chance Hill is set to continue to regress after his age-30 season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his latest injury updates ahead of prime fantasy draft season.

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Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has drawn interest from several NFL teams and plans to play somewhere this year, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Beckham does not intend to retire and continues to train in anticipation of getting back on the field soon. The 32-year-old veteran will probably be a long shot to return any fantasy value this year, but it will depend on where he ends up. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year played in only nine games (no starts) with the Miami Dolphins in 2024 and finished the season with nine catches on 18 targets for 55 yards and no touchdowns. OBJ will be looking for a bigger role than that, but it's unclear if any other NFL team will be able to offer him anything more than a depth role in 2025.

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New York Giants TE Chris Manhertz (undisclosed) did not participate in the joint practice with the New York Jets Wednesday, Aug. 13.

From TheHuddle

Free-agent WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Dolphins) is receiving interest from several teams and plans to play in 2025, according to a source.

From TheHuddle

Zach Kruse of The Packers Wire writes that he hasn't heard the entirety of the Green Bay Packers organization "talk about a rookie like they have with wide receiver Matthew Golden in a long time." Kruse says that everytime someone is asked about Golden, it's some variation of, "Yeah, he's good, and he's only scratching the surface of his potential." It's looking more and more like the 22-year-old from Texas will be a key contributor through the air for the Packers offense right away in 2025. There will be more opportunity with Christian Watson (knee) expected to begin the year on the PUP list, and Jayden Reed (foot) could also be up in the air for Week 1. Golden has been practicing with the first-team offense since early in training camp and has gained valuable chemistry with quarterback Jordan Love. The speedy rookie is already in the conversation as a weekly WR4/flex in 2025.

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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that star wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) won't take part in joint practices with the New England Patriots this week, although he has continued to take part in walk-throughs. Jefferson will be re-evaluated next week. The 26-year-old All-Pro will not play in the second preseason game against the Patriots, but he is making progress as he recovers from a hamstring. It's a bit worrisome not to see Jefferson practicing with the team in training camp, but the Vikings are playing this one very cautious with one of the best pass-catchers in all of football. They have more reason to play it safe with WR2 Jordan Addison to be suspended for the first four games of 2025. Jefferson is missing out on key chances to gain chemistry with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, but he's still the No. 2 fantasy wideout behind Ja'Marr Chase.

From RotoBaller