Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) did not participate in the team's joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday. It's his second straight day watching from the sideline after putting in a limited session on Tuesday. The veteran receiver has been managing the ailment for nearly two weeks now, and it would be a surprise to see Brown on the field for a preseason game. The 28-year-old missed three games with a hamstring issue last season. Despite that, Brown logged his third-straight 1,000-yard season and is ranked as a top 10 fantasy football wide receiver once again. For now, it doesn't appear like Brown is in jeopardy of missing any regular-season action, but the situation is worth watching as the preseason winds down.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (undisclosed) will be sidelined for "a little bit of time here," according to head coach Dan Campbell. The team did not elaborate on LaPorta's injury, only that he'd be held out of joint practices with the Miami Dolphins. He will likely sit out Saturday's preseason game as well. Campbell said that the injury isn't a major one, so it doesn't appear like LaPorta is at risk of missing any regular-season games. Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra will move up the depth chart and work as the team's top two tight ends until LaPorta returns. The 24-year-old finished the 2024 season as the TE8 with 60 catches, 726 yards, and seven touchdowns, and is ranked as a top-five fantasy football tight end entering his third season.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is scheduled to have a disciplinary hearing with the NFL on September 30th. This means Rice will be available for the first four games of the season before any possible suspension.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is scheduled to have a disciplinary hearing with the NFL on September 30th, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That makes Kansas City's top wideout available for the first four games of the season before any possible suspension. The looming suspension has been a dark cloud over Rice's fantasy football outlook, as the team reportedly anticipates being without Rice for four to six games. This all stems from a multi-car crash that occurred in Dallas in 2024. Rice was sentenced to probation and 30 days of jail time for his involvement. The delayed timeline makes drafting the 25-year-old more difficult, as there won't be a clear timeline before the regular season begins. There's now potential for Rice to be sidelined during the important late stretch of the fantasy football season. Rice was on his way to a breakout campaign last year before a season-ending injury in Week 4. If he were eligible to play all 17 games, he'd likely be selected in the second or third round. Now, fantasy managers will need to gamble a mid-round selection and hope for a lighter punishment from the league.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) could open the season on the PUP list. According to Scott Reynolds of Penter Report, he would be "shocked" if Godwin does not open the season on the PUP list. The veteran wideout is currently recovering from a dislocated ankle he suffered during Week 7 of the 2024 season. He began training camp on the active/PUP list and could be shifted to the reserve list, which would keep him sidelined for at least the first four games of the regular season. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to his status as his absence would significantly affect the Tampa Bay offense. If he were to sit out, Mike Evans would stand as the clear top option for Baker Mayfield. In addition, rookie Emeka Egbuka could be given a substantial role as well. Before his injury, Godwin was on pace to enjoy potentially the best season of his career as he caught 50 passes for 576 yards and five scores through seven games. When he does return, fantasy managers should expect him to carry solid WR2 upside in PPR leagues given his role as the slot receiver in the offense.

From RotoBaller

According to Travis Holmes of Big Cat Country, Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten appears to be pulling ahead in the RB competition during team practices. Holmes noted that Tuten "looks like a hard man to take off the field." While veteran running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby have been given more opportunities with the first team during training camp, the fourth-round rookie has been making a strong case to take the starting job. During his preseason debut, Tuten ran the ball six times nd picked up 24 yards and a rushing score. Even though he was deployed as the No. 3 running back in this game, seeing him flash more potential during practice should quickly push him up the depth chart. Last season, Etienne had a disappointing campaign, posting a career-low 3.7 YPC. For now, Tuten remains an intriguing late-round target in drafts as he could slowly take over the starting job as the season progresses.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was signed in the offseason to add firepower to the team's pass-catching corps. He tore his ACL during the 2024 season while a member of the Houston Texans and has been easing back into action thus far in training camp. Diggs has been fully cleared for participation in camp, but he did not suit up for New England's first preseason game last week. He sat down and talked to Scoop City's Dianna Russini on Wednesday, but would not commit to being ready to play against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 as he told her "we'll see" when asked. Signs have been positive for Diggs thus far, but fantasy managers drafting him need to at least be aware of the possibility that he is not out there in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold will be playing in the team's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, Aug. 15, head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed.

From TheHuddle

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater didn't play in the preseason opener, but he was more prominently featured in the team's QB rotation during training camp practice on Wednesday, according to beat writer Scott Smith. Head coach Todd Bowles said the work that Bridgewater gets in joint practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday will help him determine whether the veteran signal-caller will play on Saturday against the Steelers. "He knows how to run an offense," said Bowles. "He definitely knows how to run an offense. The timing is coming with the receivers so we look forward to him playing a little more." The 32-year-old has 10 years of NFL experience and comes to Tampa to compete with Kyle Trask for the backup job to starter Baker Mayfield. Bridgewater hasn't started a game since 2022 with the Dolphins, though, and appeared in just one regular-season contest with the Lions the last two years.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said the team is still working through the plan for some of their players for their second preseason game on Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he did confirm that quarterback Sam Darnold will be among those that play. "Our guys are going start the game out," Macdonald said. "We'll see how long it goes." Darnold has looked good in his first training camp with the Seahawks and will now try to transfer that over to game action for probably a couple of series on Friday. The 28-year-old former third overall pick in 2018 by the New York Jets out of USC has been a late bloomer in his NFL. He finally broke out as Minnesota's starter last year, throwing for a career-best 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 picks in 17 regular-season starts. It was a cool story, but Darnold is unlikely to come close to matching those numbers in Seattle. RotoBaller has him ranked as the QB27.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (hamstring) is still working his way back from a hamstring injury at training camp and was working on a rehab field on Wednesday, according to Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer. A hamstring injury has kept Gesicki out of practices for the last week, and he also missed the preseason opener versus the Philadelphia Eagles last week. The 29-year-old's hamstring injury isn't believed to be all that serious, but the Bengals could hold him out of their second preseason game on Monday against the Washington Commanders as a precaution. Cincy recently signed Noah Fant for TE depth, but when healthy, Gesicki should be the primary pass-catching tight end for the Bengals. He caught 65 of 83 targets for 665 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (three starts) a year ago and is ranked as a low-end TE2 in fantasy for the upcoming season.

From RotoBaller

The Athletic's Jesse Newell thinks it might be too aggressive to list Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton as a lock for the 53-man roster, but he writes that it's clear that the Chiefs "love Thornton and envision a role for him this season." Thornton has taken off since joining the team's practice squad last year. KC coaches love the 25-year-old's speed, and he seems to fit the role that Justin Watson played for the Chiefs the last three years. He has the speed to get deep downfield to occupy defenders and can also be a solid contributor on special teams. Newell adds that Thornton should be involved in the team's kickoff return game, and he's also being trained as a gunner on the punt team. On offense, Thornton is most likely to be more of a gadget player, at best, and he's still too buried on KC's receiver depth chart to turn heads in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

With Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue (heel) still sidelined from Tuesday's training camp practice, it allowed Deuce Vaughn to work with the first-team offense, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. Vaughn had a good day by showing lateral movements to make defenders miss in space. The 23-year-old is slippery in space because of his quickness and size (5-foot-6, 176 pounds), but Vaughn is still fighting an uphill battle to be involved out of Dallas' backfield in 2025. The former sixth-round pick (212th overall) in 2023 out of Kansas State has a combined 40 rushing attempts for 110 yards and no touchdowns while adding 10 receptions for 58 yards in the passing game in his two seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys. At best, he'll open his third season as the RB4 behind Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and Blue.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) remained limited to seven-on-seven drills during training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Browns beat writer Kelsey Russo. Pickett entered training camp as the primary competition for veteran Joe Flacco for the starting role entering Week 1, but he injured his hamstring on July 26 and hasn't taken part in team drills since then. He also missed the preseason opener last Thursday and probably will not play this Saturday in the second preseason contest versus the Philadelphia Eagles. It doesn't sound like it's an injury that will keep Pickett sidelined into the regular season, but he's effectively already lost the QB battle to Flacco. The Browns have one of the weakest and most beat up QB rooms in the league with rookies Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) and Shedeur Sanders (oblique) also nursing injuries.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (back) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Fantasy Spin: Stafford is still recovering from his back injury and does not have a definite timetable for his return. Fantasy players should monitor the situation over the next few weeks because Stafford can be a No. 2 fantasy quarterback if he plays.

From TheHuddle

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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