Minnesota Vikings rookie outside linebacker Dallas Turner is listed behind edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel on the team's first unofficial depth chart. The veteran defenders were brought in during free agency after strong seasons with the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins, respectively. Greenard posted a career-high 12.5 sacks in 15 games last season, while Van Ginkel posted a career-high six sacks. Turner, who was projected by many to be a top-10 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, slipped to the No. 17 slot after posting 32.5 tackles for loss and 22.5 sacks in three seasons at Alabama. He figures to play a significant role as a rookie, but he might work behind the veteran duo for the first half of the season or beyond.

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced that quarterback Josh Allen will start in Saturday's preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, and he will play about a quarter. The 28-year-old could benefit from some preseason action given the turnover to his pass-catching group. With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis out of town, Allen will need to work quickly to develop chemistry with newcomers Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, among others. Buffalo could get out to a slow start offensively until the new faces get comfortable, but these reps before the regular season could help speed the process along. Once again, Allen is the consensus QB1 in 2024 fantasy football drafts. Even if his passing numbers take a hit, his rushing upside insulates him as an elite fantasy option.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings signed a two-year, $15.39 million contract extension this offseason to remain with the organization despite a lack of strong production since entering the league as a seventh-round pick in 2020. The Tennessee product has had to compete with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey for targets and has collected a modest 78 receptions for 963 yards and seven touchdowns through his first 45 regular season games. However, with first-round rookie Ricky Pearsall (shoulder) continuing to battle injuries and star wideout Brandon Aiyuk in the thick of trade rumors, Jennings has had his best camp as a pro, according to team reporter John Chapman. This is a great time to stand out in camp, as Jennings could play a significant pass-catching role if Aiyuk is traded and Pearsall is brought along slowly. Jennings threw for and caught a touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII, so the team likely has plenty of trust in him. While it's too early to say he'll definitely be a contributor, he's worth taking a late-round flier on in deep fantasy leagues and best ball drafts.

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver A.T. Perry struggled early in the training camp, but according to team reporter Jeff Nowak, he's been "coming on strong lately" ahead of the team's first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday. The sixth-round pick in last year's draft had a decent start to his career considering his draft position, catching 12 passes for 246 yards and four touchdowns. The Wake Forest product has a chance to play significant snaps in 2024 following the departure of longtime Saint Michael Thomas. Perry has a strong college production profile and above-average athleticism, so he could have some fantasy value in Derek Carr's offense. For now, he's likely the WR3 behind Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. It would be a surprise if he's a consistent producer, but his long frame could make him a top target in the red zone. His best value is as a late-round flier in best ball formats.

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Following an up-and-down 2023 season, veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. The 2017 fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Tennessee saw the most action of his career last season, playing in 13 games with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. Overall, he threw for 2,464 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions and ran for 421 yards and six scores on the ground. He is listed alongside Brandon Allen in the QB2 role on the team's first unofficial depth chart, and the position battle is worth monitoring in two-QB and Superflex leagues. If Dobbs wins the job, he should be stashed in deep versions of those formats, as he would likely have at least QB2 fantasy value if Brock Purdy had to miss any time. Dobbs has fantasy-friendly rushing upside, and he'd get to throw to a loaded skill group in the Bay.

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Veteran free-agent safety Tracy Walker is finalizing a deal with the San Francisco 49ers, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. The 2018 third-round pick out of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Detroit Lions. He racked up 398 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, three interceptions, and 23 passes defended in his first 79 pro games. With Talanoa Hufanga coming off a major ACL injury, this move provides depth to the San Francisco secondary. Walker may not begin the season as a starter, but the experienced veteran should see playing time and contribute to what has been one of the best defenses over the last few years.

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Miami Dolphins rookie sixth-round wide receiver Malik Washington has been turning heads with his play at training camp this summer. Washington is listed as fifth on the team's unofficial preseason depth chart, but that could change quickly. He posted back-to-back strong practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. The 23-year-old from Virginia slipped to the sixth round because he's only 5-foot-8, but he's also fast and has a knack for breaking tackles. Miami's top receivers are Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, Odell Beckham Jr. and River Cracraft. If they keep a sixth receiver, it will likely be Washington, Erik Ezukanma or Braylon Sanders. Along with the other wideouts on the bubble, Friday night's preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons will be huge for them. Washington projects to be a slot receiver in the NFL but for now is just one to watch in dynasty leagues.

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Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry won't play in the preseason, according to sources. The next time we will see him will be in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football in a rematch of last year's AFC Championship contest. The Ravens will also hold quarterback Lamar Jackson out of their preseason opener this Friday against the Philadelphia Eagles, although Jackson and some of the other starters on offense are expected to play later in the preseason. King Henry has a lot of wear on his tires after seeing 300-plus carries in three of the last five seasons, so it makes sense for the Ravens to hold their veteran RB1 back until games actually count. The 30-year-old almost certainly won't have as much rushing volume as he did in Tennessee, making him more touchdown-dependent as a midrange RB1 in fantasy in a better offense.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) took a hit to his left knee on the last play of training camp practice on Wednesday and stayed face down on the grass while teammates took a knee around him. Watson eventually got up and walked gingerly under his own power, giving two thumbs up to a camera on the sideline. "It's a little sore, but it's just a bruise, so nothing that's going to stop me from doing anything," Watson said. Depending on how he feels later in the week, the Packers could hold Watson out of the preseason opener on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns as a precaution, but it looks like he avoided a serious injury. The 25-year-old has plenty of big-play ability, but durability issues and questions about target volume make him more of a boom/bust WR4/flex in fantasy drafts.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (shoulder) was spotted after Wednesday's training camp practice wearing a brace covering his right shoulder and going across his torso. James Conner is Arizona's clear lead back entering the 2024 season, but Demercado so far has been working with the first-team offense as his primary complement in the Cardinals' backfield. It's unclear if the 25-year-old's shoulder injury is serious enough to keep him out of practices moving forward, but if it is, it could give both Michael Carter and rookie Trey Benson opportunities to unseat Demercado as the RB2 in the desert. Demercado had 58 rushing attempts for 58 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games in his first NFL season in 2023 after going undrafted out of TCU. He could open the year as the No. 2 RB, but Benson has a fairly good shot at surpassing on the depth chart sooner than later.

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Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher had some glowing words about the two-headed backfield of Zack Moss and Chase Brown after practice on Wednesday, saying he's "super pleased with both." Pitcher complemented Moss being a consummate pro and being where he needs to be on every single play, regardless of what has been asked of him. As for Brown, Pitcher said, "Chase is the young, budding talent that we all expected him to be, who adds an explosive element to our rushing attack, and catching the ball out of the backfield." Both backs are worthy of high-end RB3 status in fantasy, with Moss perhaps having the early-season edge. Brown has been a fast riser in training camp and could surpass the veteran Moss during the season. We may see one or both during the Bengals' opening preseason matchup at home against the Buccaneers on Saturday night.

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Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle has had a very good training camp to this point and could be the leader in rushing for the team this season, per The Athletic's Jon Machota and his latest 53-man roster projection. The Cowboys recently signed Royce Freeman (groin), who left camp on Monday with a groin injury with an unclear timeline for a return. Dowdle provides a bit of juice into the Cowboys' backfield, and along with the returning Ezekiel Elliott, should provide a solid one-two combination of backs in an elite offense this season. While Elliott is the current clubhouse leader for the highest number of touches among Dallas running backs, Dowdle may win out in efficiency this season. This Sunday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams should help to paint a clearer picture for fantasy managers, but draft Dowdle as an upside RB4 in drafts in the meantime.

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Chicago Bears OT Darnell Wright (undisclosed), DT Andrew Billings (undisclosed) and CB Terell Smith (undisclosed) left practice early Wednesday, Aug. 7.

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Indianapolis Colts DE Genard Avery (leg) left practice early Wednesday, Aug. 7, because of an apparent leg injury.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) will not play in the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Houston Texans. Wilson returned to training camp practice on Tuesday after missing some time with a minor calf injury, which allowed backup Justin Fields to get some run with the first-team offense. When asked if Wilson was still in the pole position and in the lead in the QB competition, head coach Mike Tomlin said, "You guys saw the depth chart I released yesterday. That is real." Pittsburgh listed Wilson as the starter over Fields on their first unofficial depth chart this week, but if Fields outplays Wilson for the rest of camp and the preseason, it's not out of the question that Fields could win the battle for the starting job entering the regular season. The 35-year-old Wilson proved the last two years in Denver that he's no longer a QB1 in fantasy, and that shouldn't change in Pittsburgh.

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Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen commented on the competition between rookie wide receivers Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell, noting, "They're still battling. Both of those guys are making plays every day. I think both of them will have an impact for us this year, so I really like where they're both at." This competition becomes even more crucial, with Josh Downs (ankle) expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks, opening up additional opportunities for Pierce and Mitchell. Both will start in three-receiver sets alongside Michael Pittman, but one could secure a more significant role in two-receiver formations. Alec Pierce, who led the NFL in snaps last season with 1,090, is known for his durability and consistent play. Adonai Mitchell, a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, brings significant potential to the table. While Mitchell's upside is notable, Pierce's experience and reliability make him the likely frontrunner for the starting role despite the tight competition.

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (hamstring) missed another training camp practice on Wednesday. It's the fourth straight day that Shaheed has been sidelined at camp after he experienced tightness in his hamstring over the weekend. It doesn't sound like Shaheed's injury is a long-term issue, so barring a setback, he should be healthy in time for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers. After catching 46 of his 75 targets for 719 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (eight starts) in 2023 in his second NFL season, the 25-year-old pass-catcher figures to have an even bigger role in the Saints' offense in 2024. He should be the club's No. 2 wideout behind Chris Olave, but he's going to need more target volume if he's going to be anything more than a boom/bust deep threat for quarterback Derek Carr.

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San Francisco LB Fred Warner (foot) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Aug. 7, because of foot irritation but said it is not a serious issue.

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The new Seattle Seahawks coaching staff really likes quarterback Geno Smith, and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has tailored his offense around Smith's strengths. "For people that haven't seen Geno throw in person, I think he's special," Grubb said. "He's an elite quarterback." Grubb's belief that Smith can make every throw is why the offense is shaped around his skill set. Smith has justified the coaches' faith in him with a strong training camp, and Seattle will likely view Smith and the passing game as diverse enough to have counterpunches for everything. The 33-year-old took a step back in 2023 after a career year in 2022, but he could be due for a step forward again under Grubb, whose offense at Washington was among the best in college football over the last two years. Nobody is saying fantasy managers should feel comfortable with Smith as their QB1, but he makes for a very strong QB2.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers, among other NFL teams, are in communication and are still negotiating with the San Francisco 49ers for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. However, no deal is done, according to source. The New England Patriots reportedly dropped out of the Aiyuk sweepstakes on Tuesday night, so it leaves the Steelers and Cleveland Browns as Aiyuk's most likely destination as of right now. It's unclear what Pittsburgh is dangling in a potential trade for Aiyuk, or whether they can actually meet his contract demands. The former first-rounder is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and wants a hefty raise after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Aiyuk would immediately become the Steelers' WR1 if a trade is finalized, although it would be a downgrade fantasy-wise with a move from Brock Purdy to either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. Stay tuned for more.

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