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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jalen Royals (knee) sat out of practice on Sunday. Head coach Andy Reid told the media that the rookie was the only active roster player sidelined. The fourth-round pick is battling knee tendinitis, and his professional debut for Week 1 is in doubt. Royals entered training camp with the opportunity to earn an early-season role with the looming suspension for Rashee Rice. Royals' short-term, redraft outlook is diminishing, but he remains an intriguing long-term option in dynasty formats. Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown (ankle), who has returned to practice, are slated to be the top wideouts for Kansas City when they face the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil on Friday.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) told reporters he will play Thursday night when the team opens its season against the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia's top wide receiver has battled a hamstring issue for the majority of training camp and only returned to practice on Wednesday. Barring a setback, Brown will be in Philadelphia's starting lineup and should be in fantasy football starting lineups across the board. The 28-year-old has 1,000 receiving yards in all but one of his professional seasons. Last year, Brown averaged 83 receiving yards per game and topped triple digits in one of his two games against the Cowboys' secondary.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Jalen Reagor (undisclosed) has been placed on injured reserve, according to an announcement from the team. Reagor was cut by the Chargers as they trimmed their roster down to 53 players, but he was signed to the practice squad shortly after. By being placed on injured reserve, the former first-round pick will miss a minimum of four weeks. Reagor has struggled to produce through five NFL seasons, as he's never surpassed 400 yards or two touchdowns in a single year. He appeared in eight games with the Chargers in 2024, catching seven passes for 100 yards and zero scores. He'll remain off the fantasy radar even when he's healthy again.

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Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Tanner McKee (thumb) was not spotted at practice on Sunday, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP. McKee fractured his thumb earlier this month and has not practiced in roughly two weeks. The 25-year-old was solid while filling in last year, as he completed 30 of his 45 pass attempts for 323 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. With Thursday's regular-season opener fast approaching, it appears unlikely that McKee will be healthy enough to suit up. If he's inactive, Sam Howell would operate as the Eagles' No. 2 quarterback behind Jalen Hurts.

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New York Jets running back Braelon Allen feels that he has a lot left to prove, according to an interview he conducted with Steve Serby of the New York Post. "I felt like I was the best running back in [the 2024] draft, and I still do," Allen said. "I have a lot left to prove, not even to the outside world but still people in this locker room and people in this building and to myself. Last year, I kind of gotta flush it, forget about it, but that still drives me." In 2024, Allen totaled 334 rushing yards, 148 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. He enters his second NFL season with a chance to carve out an even larger role in the Jets' offense. There's a growing sense that New York may look to reduce Breece Hall's workload, which could lead to additional opportunities for Allen and Isaiah Davis. Still, those opportunities will have to be earned, and Allen sounds dedicated to proving himself to his teammates, the Jets' front office and coaching staff, and the rest of the league. He's currently being drafted 101st in Yahoo leagues, which ranks 33rd among running backs. That price tag seems a little steep when you consider that Allen is the overall RB39 in this year's RotoBaller fantasy draft rankings.

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Terrace Marshall Jr. has joined the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad following a series of roster moves this preseason. Marshall showed some promise this preseason with seven receptions for 66 yards, and this move provides the Eagles with a low-risk depth option. The former second-round pick out of LSU has dealt with injuries and inconsistency throughout his career. Since entering the league in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers, he has not fully lived up to his potential, recording just 67 career receptions for 808 yards and one touchdown. Marshall is mainly a stash in deep dynasty formats for now.

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Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Phil Mafah (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the regular season with a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason finale. The seventh-round pick out of Clemson showed flashes in the preseason with 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, good for a solid 3.9 yards per carry. Standing six-foot and weighing 234 pounds, Mafah's big-bodied, between-the-tackles style was impressive in his final college season, rushing for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns. His placement on IR is a setback, but with the Cowboys' current running back situation, a potential revolving door of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and Jaydon Blue, Mafah remains a potential contributor later in the season. He is worth a roster spot in deeper dynasty leagues. Still, his fantasy value will stay uncertain until he returns to full health and the backfield situation becomes clearer throughout the season.

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith is reunited with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for a third time, a partnership that has historically produced fantasy-relevant results. Smith said of his OC: "We've had a lot of success together. He will continue to move that needle, bring the best out of you, and demand the best from you. It's why we get along so well." Last year with the Miami Dolphins, Smith posted the best season of his career, with 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. However, in his previous stint with Arthur Smith in Atlanta, he caught 50 passes for 582 yards and three touchdowns, which was his prior best. While the Steelers have other talented pass-catchers, including tight end Pat Freiermuth, Smith's offense has historically used multiple tight-end formations more than any other team. RotoBaller currently ranks the 30-year-old as a mid-range TE2 (ranked TE20) with potential for increased production due to his familiarity with the system. Smith's history with the offense and a strong preseason make him a solid late-round tight end target and a potential starter if needed.

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Indianapolis Colts rookie running back DJ Giddens remains third on the depth chart despite a strong training camp and decent preseason. The 22-year-old rookie, drafted in the fifth round out of Kansas State, is currently listed behind starter Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Goodson (elbow). Last year in college, Giddens rushed for 1,343 yards on 205 carries, averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per attempt, and also caught 21 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown. His preseason stats of 18 carries for 67 yards (3.7 YPC) and one nine-yard reception are less impressive. RotoBaller ranks Giddens as RB61, making him a potential late-round stash with upside. Taylor has a history of injuries, missing 16 games over the past three seasons. Goodson is also dealing with an elbow injury, and Giddens could see a significant workload increase if either misses time. The fifth-round pick is a must-add handcuff for Taylor managers and a strong late-round target in deeper leagues, with the potential to step into a starting role if injuries happen.

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Recently traded wide receiver Adam Thielen could start right away for the Minnesota Vikings, according to an article from ESPN's Kevin Seifert. The Vikings saw good news Sunday with a report that Jalen Nailor (hand) is progressing toward playing in Week 1, but still could turn to the veteran to start when the season begins. Thielen just arrived in Minnesota, but isn't the typical 11th-hour acquisition given that he played in Kevin O'Connell's offense in 2022 and worked out with quarterback J.J. McCarthy this summer. Fantasy-wise, he'll have his most appeal in the early weeks before Jordan Addison (suspension) returns to the lineup.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins said he envisions a big year for the team's wide receiver corps, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. As in prior years, the Michigan product is the team's No. 1 option, but the cast around him has changed significantly. Tank Dell (knee) suffered a gruesome injury in last year's playoffs, while Stefon Diggs signed with New England. In response, Houston drafted a pair of Iowa State rookies, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, and also signed Christian Kirk. The emergence of any would be a significant help to Collins, who has proven be a steady fantasy WR1 when healthy.

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Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Sunday that guard Tyler Smith is "hopefully the next one to get done" for an extension with the club, according to Ian Rapoport. It was a busy week for Dallas, which controversially shipped edge rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay and signed defensive back DaRon Bland to an extension. The first-year coach said he's hopeful Smith, an All-Pro at guard, could follow. The Tulsa product is still on his rookie deal, with the club holding a fifth-year option through 2026.

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The Minnesota Vikings are increasingly hopeful that wide receiver Jalen Nailor (hand) will be active in the club's Monday Night Football opener in Chicago, according to a report from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. That's great news for a Minnesota team that needs some help at the position with Jordan Addison (suspension) set to miss the first three weeks and Rondale Moore (knee) out for the season. Nailor has a limited fantasy ceiling as the likely fourth option in this offense now that the Vikings re-acquired Adam Thielen, but Nailor had some huge catches in a similar role last season with six touchdowns. He'll have some streaming appeal in the early weeks, especially.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (foot/ankle) recently returned to practice after recovering from a training camp injury. His Week 1 status is still uncertain, but Chiefs writer Nate Taylor noted that Hollywood seems to be back to full speed. The veteran logged just two regular-season contests with Kansas City last year but has consistently produced when healthy. If cleared to face the Los Angeles Chargers in the season opener, Brown should play a key role in the offense with Rashee Rice suspended for the first six games. While Xavier Worthy is surging up fantasy draft boards, Brown is an excellent value as a late-round pick with immediate flex appeal.

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The Athletic's Jeff Howe writes that Seattle Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori "should be considered a dark-horse candidate to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year." Emmanwori has been "a playmaking force in practice" and will eventually "take on a similar role as the one Ravens superstar safety Kyle Hamilton played in Mike Macdonald's scheme when the coach was the defensive coordinator in Baltimore." Howe thinks that Macdonald's defense should be better in his second year with the team. The 21-year-old has been lining up all over the defensive formation this summer, including playing at safety, nickel cornereback and outside linebacker. So far, Emmanwori has lived up to the hype of being a second-round pick with lots of versatility. If that continues into the regular season, he could become a houseful name in IDP fantasy formats sooner than later.

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The Dallas Cowboys and standout cornerback DaRon Bland agreed to terms on a four-year, $92 million contract extension on Sunday that includes $50 million guaranteed, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Cowboys were unable to keep All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons in town, but they have managed to lock up a key defender in Bland. The Cowboys selected Bland in the fifth round (167th overall) in 2022, and he's been a key member of their secondary in three seasons. Bland was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2023, when he had a career-best 69 tackles (53 solo), a league-high nine interceptions (five returned for touchdowns) and 15 pass breakups in 17 games (15 starts). A stress fracture cost him the first 11 weeks of last season, though, and he ended up playing in just seven games. Dallas will need a healthy Bland in 2025 with Trevon Diggs and rookie Shavon Revel likely unavailable to start the year.

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Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm logged five receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown on and was PFF's highest-graded player at the position this preseason. The Titans invested a fourth-round pick in the Texas product, and it could prove to be a steal should Helm continue to impress. While Chig Okonkwo is expected to start in 2025, he is entering the final year of his rookie contract, potentially opening the door for Helm to take over next season. Still, Helm's strong preseason suggests he is likely to have a role as a rookie as he works to build rapport with quarterback Cameron Ward early on. He shouldn't be prioritized in most redraft leagues, but Helm belongs on the radar for all fantasy managers heading into the regular season.

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Carolina Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans was listed on the team's initial 53-man roster released earlier this week. While second-year pro Ja'Tavion Sanders is expected to operate as the starter and primary pass-catcher at the position, Evans could still carve out a role for himself on offense. The fifth-round NFL Draft selection currently sits third on the depth chart behind Sanders and Tommy Tremble (back), but the latter was recently activated from the PUP list and hasn't made much of an impact through his first four campaigns. Evans is unlikely to provide fantasy value as a rookie, but he is worth a flyer as a deep-league dynasty stash.

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Despite making the Carolina Panthers' initial 53-man roster earlier this week, rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. was initially a long shot to see early playing time. That changed quickly after Carolina traded veteran Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings for draft capital and placed promising second-year pro Jalen Coker (quad) on Injured Reserve. With Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, and David Moore listed ahead of him on the depth chart, Horn will battle Hunter Renfrow and Brycen Tremayne for snaps. The undrafted Colorado product has been a summer standout, and his speed could earn him immediate opportunities in the Panthers' aerial attack led by quarterback Bryce Young. He's a worthwhile dynasty stash and a name to monitor in deeper redraft formats.

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton had a chance to make an early-season impact, but that is seemingly out the door with the addition of Adam Thielen. The Vikings brought back the 35-year-old earlier this week to shore up depth concerns at the position. Jordan Addison (suspension) will miss the first three games of the season, and Jalen Nailor (hand) is a question mark for Week 1. If Nailor is active on game day, Felton is, at best, the fourth wide receiver in the rotation. The third-round pick will fall further down the depth chart when Addison's ban is lifted. Minnesota has largely had a concentrated passing attack when all options are healthy, so it's unlikely Felton will make any noticeable impact in 2025. He can stay off draft boards in redraft formats.

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