New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk has earned a starting job in the team's crowded WR room. Polk has been a regular contributor in the Patriots' top offensive unit this week. The 22-year-old second-round rookie out of Washington looks to offer New England some help in the receiving corps after the club fielded a historically poor offense in 2023, and his fantasy upside in Year 1 is likely to remain limited largely due to the uncertainty at quarterback. Although Polk doesn't grade out as an overly talented athlete based on workout metrics, and his college production was overshadowed by rookie first-rounder and former teammate Rome Odunze, he could end up seeing a decent amount of volume in 2024 as a WR5/6 fantasy flier at the end of drafts this summer.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) will practice on Tuesday in training camp. "He's good," head coach Brian Daboll said on Tuesday. Tracy was carted off the practice field with an ankle injury last Tuesday, so it's highly encouraging to already see him back in action for the Giants. The 24-year-old fifth-round rookie from Purdue is tentatively slotted in as New York's No. 2 option in the backfield behind workhorse starter Devin Singletary this summer, and it remains to be seen if he'll get a chance to build on that status in Saturday's preseason finale against the New York Jets. Tracy isn't going to start the campaign with standalone fantasy value, but he certainly appears to be the preferred handcuff for Singletary's managers.

From RotoBaller

The Athletic's Joseph Person believes the toughest call for the Carolina Panthers' 53-man roster is whether to have rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) begin the year on the Physically Unable to Perform List. Brooks remains stuck on the Non-Football Injury List and unable to practice or participate in any preseason action as he rehabilitates last November's torn ACL, and it sounds like he's at risk of missing the first four games of the regular season. The 21-year-old rookie second-rounder was the first RB selected in this year's NFL Draft, and with the Panthers continuing to rebuild, the team may opt to delay his debut and not rush their presumed lead back for the future into the fray. Chuba Hubbard (knee) was back at Tuesday's practice and is shaping up as a borderline RB2/3 fantasy starter for the early stages of the year.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (knee) is participating in Tuesday's practice in training camp. Hubbard had been dealing with a knee injury since Thursday, but it proved to be a minor setback. After the Panthers signed veteran Miles Sanders to a significant contract last offseason to be the team's lead back, Hubbard overtook him for the job by midseason in 2023. Carolina then made second-rounder Jonathon Brooks (knee) the first RB chosen in this year's NFL Draft, but the rookie is a candidate to start the year on the Physically Unable to Perform List. That likely leaves Hubbard as the club's interim lead back, and after he took 238 carries and caught 88.6% of his 44 targets last season, he's looking like a fringe RB2/3 fantasy starter for the early part of 2024.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) looked good in his return to training camp practice on Monday, his first since being diagnosed with a plantar-fascia injury in his right foot on July 31. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was steadfast throughout the injury process that Herbert wouldn't miss a beat in adapting to a new offense. Herbert didn't do any work in full-team situations on Monday but got plenty of snaps in 7-on-7 drills, with Harbaugh saying that "he looked great with a capital G. No drop-off, pinpoint accuracy. He looked really good." The 26-year-old started 62 consecutive games, the second-longest streak by a QB, before a fracture to his right index finger in Week 14 in 2023 ended his season. With Herbert back at practice, it looks like he'll be ready in plenty of time for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, where he'll be a QB2 with upside in a new offense.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (undisclosed) will practice at training camp on Tuesday, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Cooper left the second day of joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings last Thursday with an undisclosed injury but is back now and should be able to suit up in the preseason finale this Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. Injuries are always a concern with the 30-year-old veteran, but the five-time Pro Bowler put up a career-high 1,250 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 72 receptions (128 targets) in 2023, despite the fact that quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) only played in six games. He has put up 1,000 yards in seven of his nine NFL seasons, and although a healthy Jerry Jeudy could take some targets away this year, Cooper is trending as a value pick on the WR2/3 borderline right now in fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that tight end Sam LaPorta (hamstring) could be back on the training camp practice field as early as next Sunday after the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Saturday. LaPorta has been dealing with a hamstring ailment since earlier this month and has missed valuable reps in practice, but the Lions have given us no indications that his availability for the Week 1 regular-season opener is in jeopardy. The 23-year-old burst onto the scene in 2023 as a rookie and immediately became a high-end TE1 in fantasy, catching 86 passes (120 targets) for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. No other TE had more than six touchdowns last year. As long as LaPorta's hamstring issue doesn't linger into the regular season, fantasy managers should feel comfortable taking him as either the first or second TE off the board in upcoming drafts.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) remained out of training camp practice on Tuesday and has missed around two weeks with an undisclosed ailment that the Dolphins are considering minor. At this point, it's unlikely that Waddle will suit up for the team's preseason finale this Friday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Dolphins don't seem worried that he's in danger of missing the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. Miami's receiving corps is a bit beat up at the moment, with Tyreek Hill (hand) dealing with an injury and Odell Beckham Jr. (undisclosed) not having practiced at all this summer. As long as the 25-year-old Waddle is ready to roll for the start of the regular season, fantasy managers should have no qualms taking him as a solid WR2 option. RotoBaller has Waddle ranked as the No. 18 fantasy wideout.

From RotoBaller

The Detroit Lions are still planning to have running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener. "Gibbs, our plan is get him going next week. He's trending the right way and we're hoping day after the Pittsburgh game, I think we're going to get a lot of guys back," head coach Dan Campbell said. The Lions play their preseason finale this Saturday against the Steelers, so hopefully Gibbs will return to practice this Sunday and be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season in the first week of September. The 22-year-old second-year back has missed more than a week of training camp due to a hamstring injury, and while some fantasy managers may have moved him down their draft boards as an RB1 because of the injury, he may not end up missing any time at all to begin the year. Gibbs finished as the RB10 in half-PPR leagues in his rookie season and is currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 6 RB.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that all of the team's starters are expected to play in the preseason finale on Saturday in Seattle against the Seahawks. Most notably, it means that quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will make his preseason debut after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023. When Watson takes the field this Saturday, it will be his first NFL game action since Week 10 of last year. The 28-year-old former 12th overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2017 missed all of the 2021 campaign due to a season-long suspension and has played in 12 combined games for the Browns the last two years due to injuries. Watson never looked comfortable running the offense in 2023 and will need to stay healthy and produce for fantasy managers to consider him as anything more than a risky, low-end QB2 option.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean (hamstring) is getting outside-corner reps in team drills at training camp practice on Tuesday with the second-team defense. DeJean, the 40th overall pick in this year's NFL draft back in April, is a bit behind after injuring his hamstring in late July at the start of camp. In addition to working as an outside cornerback, DeJean is also seeing work with the backup defense out of the slot. It's not great that the 21-year-old defensive back is working with backups this summer, but the good news for the Eagles is that he's back on the practice field. With just two weeks until the start of the 2024 regular season, it would be surprising if the Iowa product is in Philly's starting lineup on defense in Week 1 of the regular season. He's hoping to play in the preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ankle, foot) went down at training camp practice on Tuesday with an apparent ankle/foot injury and was seen walking with a limp. It comes just as Johnson returned to the practice field after missing less than a week with a minor groin injury. It's not great news for the big offseason acquisition, but we'll have to wait for more word on the severity of Johnson's ankle/foot injury. When healthy, the 28-year-old former Pittsburgh Steeler has been one of second-year quarterback Bryce Young's favorite targets in training camp. The former third-rounder had his first 1,000-yard season in 2021 in Pittsburgh but has regressed since and even went without a touchdown in all of 2022. Carolina's offense figures to be better in 2024, and Johnson should be Young's top target when healthy, giving him WR3/flex value. Check back for more updates on Johnson's condition.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (hand) is dealing with a minor hand injury, according to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. The Pro Bowl wideout wore a removable brace on his right hand during practice on Tuesday, but he was in full uniform. Given Hill's steep cost in fantasy drafts, this is not great news, but it sounds like the ailment will not limit him when meaningful action begins next month. Since teaming up with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in 2022, Hill has averaged 119 receptions for 1,754 yards, and 10 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He's riskier than ever before since he turned 30 years old this offseason, but his week-winning upside makes him worth a top-three selection in all formats. His Week 1 matchup, the Jacksonville Jaguars, allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2023. He should get out to a hot start.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins EDGE Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) has been activated off the PUP list and is inching closer to a return. Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver praised Phillips, saying, "I'm certainly not counting that kid out of anything. He looks great. He looks like the Jaelan Phillips we all expect to see." Initially, there were concerns about whether Phillips would be ready for the start of the 2024 season, but now the focus has shifted to how many snaps he might play in the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars and early in the season. Phillips did not participate in Saturday's preseason win over the Commanders, as the Dolphins are likely being cautious with their 2021 first-round pick. He may have another opportunity to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Buccaneers, but it's possible he may not suit up until the Week 1 game against the Jaguars. With Miami needing a solid pass rush, Phillips' return is crucial. If he can't return to form, it will boost Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle to produce even more offensively if the defense struggles.

From RotoBaller

The Carolina Panthers have waived cornerback Lamar Jackson (knee) with an injury designation. The third-year player from Nebraska, who was competing for a spot in the Panthers' secondary, was injured during Saturday's 15-12 preseason loss to the New York Jets. If Jackson clears waivers, he will be placed on the Panthers' Injured Reserve list, sidelining him for the entire 2024 season. However, if he and the team reach an injury settlement, he could return to play later in the season. Jackson, who went undrafted in 2020, initially signed with the New York Jets before being waived and has since had stints with the Jets, Chicago Bears, and Denver Broncos before joining the Panthers this offseason.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has yet to decide on his starting quarterback for Week 1, stating, "When I know, I'll let you know." The competition remains tight between rookie first-round pick Drake Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett. Brissett, who has been taking most of the first-team reps in training camp, brings experience with 48 career starts across five teams in his eight-season career. Meanwhile, Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has steadily improved. He led the Patriots' offense to 10 points, including a rushing touchdown, during 25 snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles in preseason action. Mayo has praised Maye's commitment and progress since joining the team. The upcoming preseason finale against the Commanders will be crucial for the coaching staff to evaluate the quarterbacks in a game-like scenario. Regardless of who secures the starting role, neither quarterback is expected to have a significant fantasy impact.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) is eager to return to team drills this week. After passing his physical and rejoining practice on August 7, Williams has been limited to individual drills while he recovers from a torn ACL. The 29-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, missing 19 games, including playoffs. Returning to team drills would give Williams two weeks to build chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers before the Jets' season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on September 9. These reps are crucial for Williams, who joined the Jets this offseason with uncertainty about his readiness for Week 1. If he can stay healthy and develop a connection with Rodgers, Williams could become a valuable, though unpredictable, flex option in the Jets' passing game alongside top receiver Garrett Wilson.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon on quarterback Kyler Murray "leaps and bounds ahead" of last year. Murray was forced to miss the first half of the 2023 season while recovering from a torn ACL. The Cardinals went 1-8 without him and 3-5 in games he started. This summer has been smooth sailing for Murray, and Gannon said this week that the ability to focus on football is a good thing for the quarterback. Fortunately for the Murray believers out there, he showcased no significant ill after-effects of the ACL injury regarding his efficiency as a ball carrier. His 5.55 yards per carry over his eight games last season aligns with his career average 5.8. The emergence of tight end Trey McBride as a plus-level pass-catching option and the offseason acquisition of Marvin Harrison Jr. to Arizona's offense should provide Murray with two competent go-to choices in the passing game. Between the belief in the coaching staff and a pair of high-level playmakers, Murray is an intelligent middle-round target to aim for to fill your QB roster spot.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | The Washington Commanders have named Jayden Daniels their starting quarterback. Dynasty Analysis: No real surprise here as Daniels really wasn't challenged much by now journeyman Marcus Mariota in camp. He's been impressive in limited action and in training camp, so Washington clearly sees no reason to keep him on the bench. Daniels remains a top-2 pick in Superflex formats but also remains one of the bigger boom or bust players at the position we've seen in some time.

Dynasty | The Falcons are sitting quarterback Michael Penix Jr for the final preseason game. Dynasty Analysis: This seems unusual considering Kirk Cousins is the clear starter. However, the Falcons brass is simply saying they've seen enough of Penix to know what they have and don't want to risk injury. While camp reports have been glowing, we still haven't seen enough of him to really determine how good he may be and likely won't barring a catastrophe regarding Cousins. Penix remains a high upside player who dynasty managers will need to be very patient with.