San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) was on the practice field on Monday doing side work as he continues to recover from a calf injury. Last week, head coach Kyle Shanahan said he is not concerned with CMC missing all of training camp, and his return to the field in some capacity is great news for his Week 1 availability against the New York Jets. Last season's NFL Offensive Player of the Year was dominant in fantasy football in Year 2 with the Niners, racking up just under 1,800 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns. The 28-year-old is still in the conversation to be the No. 1 overall pick in all redraft formats, and he's a must-start option all season - regardless of matchup.

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The Detroit Lions are releasing wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Peoples-Jones was dealt to the Lions at last year's trade deadline from the Browns in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He caught just five passes for 58 yards in eight games for Detroit. Overall, the Michigan product has tallied 122 receptions for 1,895 yards and eight touchdowns in 58 games since entering the NFL as a sixth-round pick in 2020. While his chances of becoming a legitimate starter seem to be dwindling, another organization might sign him after teams cut down to 53 players by Tuesday's 4 p.m. EDT deadline.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Ainias Smith (ankle/hamstring) reported discomfort in his ankle and hamstring following Saturday's preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The rookie fifth-round pick out of Texas A&M is getting an MRI, but his Week 1 status is in some doubt. With Johnny Wilson and newly-acquired Jahan Dotson on the roster, Smith was already unlikely to have a significant role on offense early in the season, but he was an excellent punt returner in college, so he could be in the mix there. For now, he can be safely ignored in 2024 fantasy football redraft leagues, and dynasty managers should monitor his status.

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The Baltimore Ravens are releasing wide receiver Russell Gage, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Gage missed all of last season with a torn patellar tendon that he suffered in training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he is now being let go by Baltimore after signing with the team earlier this month. Since being selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of LSU, Gage has racked up 244 receptions for 2,491 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had big moments with the Atlanta Falcons and Buccaneers earlier in his career, but his major injury from last year could be affecting him in 2024. Either way, there's a chance another organization will give the veteran a shot as teams cut down to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. Eastern.

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Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that backup quarterback Desmond Ridder (head) is in the league's concussion protocol after he was forced from the preseason finale on Sunday against the Denver Broncos early due to a head injury. Before Ridder left the contest at Empower Field, he went 10-for-16 passing for 111 yards and carried the ball twice for 25 yards. In his first year in Arizona, the 24-year-old is expected to open the year as the primary backup to starter Kyler Murray. However, if he cannot clear the concussion protocol in time for the Week 1 regular-season opener versus the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8, it will be Clayton Tune backing up Murray. The former third-rounder quickly fell out of favor with the Atlanta Falcons in 19 games over two seasons, mainly due to turnover issues and overall mediocre performances.

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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said it's to be determined whether wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (undisclosed) will start the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. McDaniel also said Beckham isn't going to put on a cape and play in games without practicing -- he hasn't been on the practice field all summer. He will need to get comfortable working with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in practices before he can play in games. If we had to guess, the 31-year-old would start on the PUP, but it depends on how quickly he can get on the field. He's running out of time with the regular-season opener just less than two weeks away. If OBJ does start on the PUP, he'd be forced to miss at least the first four games. With Beckham and River Cracraft dealing with injuries, Braxton Berrios is now the favorite to open the year as the WR3 behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard on Monday, according to a source. The 31-year-old pass-catcher signed with Tampa with the hopes of rekindling his rapport with old teammate Baker Mayfield. It may still happen, though, as the Bucs are holding a practice spot for him. The former second-round pick by the New York Giants in 2016 out of Oklahoma had a career-high 872 receiving yards in 2018, but injuries pretty much derailed what was once a promising career. Shepard was unable to play in more than 12 games from 2019-22. In 15 games (two starts) last year in New York's terrible offense, he caught just 10 of 22 targets for 57 yards and one touchdown. An undisclosed injury also kept Shepard out of all three preseason games with the Buccaneers. If he re-signs with the team, he'll merely be providing depth at the position behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and others.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) is back at training camp practice on Monday and is taking part in individual drills. The Rams are easing Nacua back into the fold, with Monday being the first time he's been at practice since Aug. 4 due to a bursa-sac injury in his knee. All indications are that the 23-year-old second-year pass-catcher will be ready to go in time for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 8 against the Detroit Lions. Head coach Sean McVay hasn't been worried at all about Nacua's status despite missing plenty of practice time in camp. Unless Nacua suffers a setback in the next two weeks, fantasy managers should feel confident selecting him as a top-10 fantasy wideout after a breakout rookie season in 2023 in which he went for 105 catches (160 targets), 1,486 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season contests.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) said his hamstring is feeling much better and that he expects to play in Week 1 on Sept. 8 against the Atlanta Falcons in just under two weeks. Warren was seen at training camp practice on Monday, but he's not doing all the drills as the Steelers slowly get him back into the fold from a hamstring injury that he suffered in the second preseason game. When the 25-year-old is fully healthy, he's expected to once again operate as a co-starter in Pittsburgh's backfield in 2024 alongside Najee Harris. The third-year back's fantasy ceiling is limited as long as Harris remains healthy, but Warren looked like the better back more often in 2023, averaging 5.3 yards per carry while also catching 61 passes for 370 yards through the air. Warren is a fine fantasy target as an RB3/flex, especially if his draft price has fallen due to his injury in camp.

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) returned to training camp practice on Sunday. Gibbs returned to the practice field for the Lions after missing two weeks with a strained hamstring. Now that the 22-year-old is back, he'll have just under two weeks to prepare for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 8 against the Los Angeles Rams. The Lions haven't seemed too worried that Gibbs won't be ready for the season opener, but there's still a chance he'll cede more touches to backfield mate David Montgomery to open the year. Now that Gibbs is back at practice, fantasy managers should feel more comfortable taking him as a midrange RB1 in drafts, either late in the first round or early in the second, especially in point-per-reception formats. Gibbs was the 12th overall pick in 2023 and had 945 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns and added 316 receiving yards and another score in 15 regular-season games in his rookie campaign.

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that tight end Sam LaPorta (hamstring) returned to training camp practice on Sunday. It marked LaPorta's first practice session with the team since the first week of August after he injured his hamstring. As long as the 23-year-old second-year tight end doesn't suffer a setback with his hammy in upcoming practices, he should be ready to roll for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 8 against the Los Angeles Rams. LaPorta's injury was never really considered all that serious, so his fantasy value as one of the top fantasy TEs hasn't really wavered this summer. The former second-rounder immediately established himself as one of the best pass-catching TEs in the NFL in his first year, catching 86 of his 120 targets for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023. Travis Kelce might be the first TE taken in your fantasy draft, but LaPorta may have even more upside at this point.

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The Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb agreed to a four-year, $136 million extension on Monday that includes $100 million guaranteed, according to sources. The deal also includes a receiver-record $38 million signing bonus. The deal was negotiated by Tory Dandy of CAA, and it makes Lamb the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones never seemed to be in a rush to extend the 25-year-old pass-catcher this offseason, but now a deal is done just less than two weeks before the start of the regular season. Lamb can now rejoin Dallas' offense in practice after holding out all of training camp and the preseason. The former first-rounder has been a Pro Bowler each of the last three seasons and led the NFL with 135 receptions in 2023 while also going for a career-high 1,749 yards and 12 TDs in 17 regular-season games. With an extension in hand, Lamb is now even more likely to be a top-five pick in fantasy drafts.

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The Cowboys and WR CeeDee Lamb have agreed to 4-year, $136M extension with $100M guaranteed. This ends his holdout and gets the top fantasy receiver back on the field.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has noted that rookie Drake Maye is giving veteran Jacoby Brissett a run for his money in the quarterback competition. While Brissett, in his ninth NFL season, has the advantage of experiencehaving started 11 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 and being familiar with Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's systemMaye's performance has closed the gap significantly. Mayo acknowledged that the difference between the two quarterbacks has narrowed in recent weeks and emphasized that the decision will hinge on which player gives the Patriots the best chance to win against the Bengals in Week 1. Maye has made a strong case with his preseason play, totaling 66 snaps, completing 21 of 34 passes for 192 yards, and tossing one touchdown with no interceptions. Additionally, he has contributed with seven carries for 32 yards and a rushing touchdown. Maye's physical talent and ability to make plays could potentially elevate the performance of skill players like Rhamondre Stevenson and Ja'Lynn Polk, making him an intriguing option for the starting role.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught two passes for 39 yards on three targets in a 30-27 win against New Orleans on Sunday. The day was highlighted by a 33-yard gain in the first quarter, where quarterback Will Levis showed great patience in the pocket before dealing a strike to Ridley. It was a modest preseason for Ridley, who played sparingly, only recording one catch in the other two preseason contests. With DeAndre Hopkins' status still in question for opening week, Ridley appears locked into the WR1 position for the Titans as they set their sights on the Chicago Bears. Consider him a strong WR3 as the top pass-catching option in Tennessee with a healthy amount of upside if Levis can bring his game to the next level.

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Several teams have contacted the Houston Texans to inquire about trading for wide receiver John Metchie III, given the team's crowded receiver lineup. The Texans currently have a solid trio of starters in Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell, and also feature veterans Robert Woods, Noah Brown, and Xavier Hutchinson. While it's uncertain whether the Texans will trade Metchie III, interest from other teams is growing. The former second-round pick from Alabama had ten catches for 100 yards and a touchdown during the preseason. Although Metchie III was drafted by the Texans in 2022, his rookie season was delayed due to a leukemia diagnosis. A trade could give him more opportunities to play and potentially impact fantasy football if he lands in a favorable situation.

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Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Bryce Oliver hauled in three passes for 52 yards and two touchdowns in the last preseason win over New Orleans. It was a mini breakout for the undrafted pass-catcher out of Youngstown State, who was having a quiet game until quarterback Malik Willis started looking his way in the fourth quarter, which led to two scores, along with the game-winner with 1:25 remaining. Oliver was not expected to compete for an active roster spot, but this performance definitely gives general manager Ran Carthon something to think about. Even so, with Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Tyler Boyd, Kyle Philips, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine having locked up roster spots at WR, it's tough to see a situation in which Oliver ends up on the active 53-man roster for the Titans. He is nowhere near any fantasy radar heading into the 2024-25 season.

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis only threw four total passes in a preseason week 3 win over New Orleans, but two of them went for touchdowns. The third-year QB was 3-4 on the day for 51 yards including the game winning score to rookie receiver Bryce Oliver, threading the ball in a tight window for the five yard TD. Willis also added 29 yards on three rushing attempts, showcasing his elite speed on numerous occasions. Willis' future in Nashville has been a major question all offseason, with the Titans bringing in Mason Rudolph to back-up starting QB Will Levis. The Liberty product put on an extremely gutsy performance in the last preseason game with two fourth quarter touchdowns, but it's still tough to see Tennessee keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster for the 2024 season ahead. Willis remains a prime cut candidate, and could see being scooped up by another team if the Titans decide to go that route. Either way, he is non-viable for fantasy barring multiple injuries.

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Good news for the Cleveland Browns, as starting offensive tackle Jack Conklin (knee) has passed his physical and is coming off the Physically Unable to Perform list. Conklin was a 2016 first-round pick of the Titans out of Michigan State. He signed a four-year, $60 million extension with the Browns back in December 2022. In 2023, Conklin played one game at right tackle for the Browns last season before suffering a severe knee injury. In the season opener, he tore two ligaments when Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson rolled into his knee after Conklin had finished a block. Hendrickson was inadvertently pushed into Conklin by Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., and Conklin had to be carted off the field. As a two-time All-Pro, Conklin's return significantly boosts the Browns' real-life performance and fantasy football prospects.

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Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee) will not be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform List before the season kicks off. As reported by Ari Meirov, the star edge rusher will be forced to miss at least the first four games of the new season since he hasn't progressed enough to be activated from the PUP list. Chubb tore his right ACL during the team's Week 17 contest against the Baltimore Ravens last season which was just three seasons after tearing his left ACL while he was still a member of the Denver Broncos. He played a big part in the Dolphins' success on defense last year, so it remains to be seen how this will effect him and the team's pass-rush moving forward.

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