New York Jets running back Israel Abanikanda found the end zone in Saturday's preseason win over the visiting Washington Commanders in East Rutherford, but he only produced 17 yards on his six rushing attempts in the victory. He added an eight-yard reception. Abanikanda rushed up the middle in the fourth quarter, plunging his way into the end zone from two yards out to tie the game at 17 points apiece on Saturday afternoon against Washington. Around this time last year, Abanikanda lost a lot of handcuff upside to starter Breece Hall when the Jets signed veteran Dalvin Cook. This time around, however, the 21-year-old former Pittsburgh standout has a better chance of carving out a change-of-pace role in New York's backfield, but rookie fourth-rounder Braelon Allen poses a big obstacle after impressing on Saturday.

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New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis played a big role in the passing game out of the backfield in Saturday's preseason win over the visiting Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium, reeling in four passes for 33 yards in the victory. However, he only generated eight yards on the ground over four carries. Davis is one of three Jets tailbacks vying for the No. 2 role this summer behind starter Breece Hall on New York's RB depth chart, and he at least showed on Saturday afternoon against the Commanders that he can contribute through the air when given the opportunity. The 22-year-old South Dakota State product put up a robust 7.6 yards per carry over his four-year college career, but for now, he looks like the fourth option out of the backfield in the Meadowlands behind fourth-round rookie Braelon Allen and 2023 fifth-rounder Israel Abanikanda.

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New York Jets running back Braelon Allen staked his claim as the team's top backup to starter Breece Hall in Saturday's preseason win over the visiting Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium, rushing six times for a team-high 54 yards in the victory. Allen had a long run of 24 yards on Saturday afternoon against the Commanders, showcasing plenty of strength with his 235-pound frame. The 20-year-old power back out of Wisconsin was drafted by the Jets in the fourth round of this past spring's NFL Draft, and while he isn't likely to make a big impact in the receiving game, Allen sure looks like the handcuff to roster in fantasy leagues in New York's backfield over Israel Abanikanda and Isaiah Davis behind Hall at the moment. His next chance to impress arrives next Saturday against the hosting Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (knee) suffered a minor MCL sprain during Friday's preseason opener. The injury is not expected to be serious for the team's first-round pick. The 20th overall pick in the 2024 draft made his preseason debut on Friday night but sustained a knee injury during the game. Fautanu was listed as the No. 2 left tackle behind Dan Moore Jr. on the team's first depth chart of the preseason. The initial plan was for Fautanu to demonstrate enough potential at right tackle during the preseason to secure the starting role, allowing 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones to shift to left tackle. However, this plan will be disrupted if Fautanu's injury sidelines him for an extended period. In his absence, Moore, who has been a starter in his first three seasons with Pittsburgh, is expected to return to the starting lineup. Fautanu was the best run-blocker in the draft, so running back Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren hope he fully recovers soon to help boost their fantasy values.

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Bills DT Ed Oliver (knee) will not return to the game against the Bears, even though he was cleared to play. Oliver injured his knee early in the game but was able to walk off the field and briefly sit on the bench before being evaluated in the sideline medical tent. He returned to the bench with his helmet, indicating the injury may not be as severe as initially feared. We'll need to monitor early week practice reports for more information. Still, the Bills might have avoided a significant setback with Oliver's injury on the first play from scrimmage. As one of the team's most vital defensive players, the Bills could be exercising caution, minimizing his workload ahead of Week 1. With several critical defensive starters lost in the offseason, maintaining Oliver's health is crucial. If the defense does weaken, it could shift more responsibility to Josh Allen and the offense, potentially increasing fantasy scoring opportunities for those players.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is already showcasing his comfort in the new offense by calling deep-play audibles. Running back Austin Ekeler revealed that Daniels changed the play from a planned screen pass to an all-go route, leading to a deep completion to Dyami Brown. OL Sam Cosmi also praised Daniels for his decision-making, noting the 42-yard strike and saying, "I think we've got a guy back there." Daniels, who has drawn significant interest from fantasy experts and fans, had an impressive debut in his first preseason game. Known for being the only FBS player with over 12,000 passing yards and more than 3,000 rushing yards, Daniels presents intriguing value as a late-round fantasy quarterback pick. With a strong supporting cast and his dual-threat capabilities, he stands out as a potential QB1 option for those looking to prioritize other positions early in their drafts.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was not on the field during the team's two-receiver sets, with Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs handling those roles. Most teams maintain a consistent pair of receivers for these formations, but the Texans rotated their wideouts frequently last season. While Dell may not see as much action in two-receiver sets compared to Collins and Diggs, his impact remains strong. This didn't impact Dell significantly, as he caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud midway through the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although Dell's fantasy value might take a slight hit due to his limited role in two-receiver sets, the Texans are likely to use three-receiver formations frequently, which should provide ample opportunities for him.

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The Minnesota Vikings anticipate a suspension coming at some point for wide receiver Jordan Addison, who faces drunken-driving charges in California after his arrest there last month. But due to the speed with which these matters move at the league office, the Vikings believe that any suspension would come either late this season or during the 2025 offseason. There was some concern that an Addison suspension could overlap with the early part of the season when they'll be without tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), but that doesn't seem likely. Fantasy managers considering taking Addison in upcoming drafts will want to be prepared to lose him at perhaps the most important time later in the year, but they can rest easy knowing he shouldn't be suspended early in 2024, and perhaps maybe not at all in his second NFL campaign.

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor, a sixth-round pick in 2022, seems to have emerged as the pretty clear favorite for the No. 3 wideout job this year behind starters Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison thanks to a strong training camp. Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield Sr. will also have roles, especially because they are willing run-blockers in a scheme that requires that of its receivers, but Nailor is the one who has made the most plays in camp. The Vikings listed Nailor and Powell as co-starters at WR3 on their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason. The 25-year-old Nailor isn't going to be drafted in standard 12-team leagues, but he could be a sneaky waiver-wire pickup at some point in 2024 if Addison is forced to miss time due to a suspension. Nailor has caught 12 of 19 targets for 208 yards and one touchdown in his first two years in the league in 21 games (one start).

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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler describes the Los Angeles Chargers' feeling on quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) as concern but not panic. They of course want their $52 million-per-year QB getting live reps in their new offense, but the hope and expectation remains that he will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. Herbert will spend two weeks in a walking boot as he nurses plantar fascia, an the sense is that if he needs a bit more time in the boot, the Chargers will give it to him. Pain tolerance is usually an issue for this type of injury, but Herbert has shown a penchant for playing through pain. The bottom line, though, for fantasy managers is that Herbert is losing valuable reps in the run-heavy, play-action work that will be fairly new to him under offensive coordinator Greg Roman's system. Without his best playmakers from seasons past and now with an injury heading into the regular season, Herbert has slipped to QB2 territory in fantasy.

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Los Angeles Chargers rookie second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey (lower body) isn't fully healthy in training camp this summer, but his do-it-all prowess gives him significant upside in fantasy, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. McConkey has a little bit of Stefon Diggs to his game, as well as a little Zay Flowers. Fowler writes that McConkey is a sudden mover who can live up all over the field. If he can grasp the Chargers' offense quickly, he could take off in his rookie season. The 22-year-old from Georgia is missing out on valuable reps with quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) in training camp, though, and LA's offense is expected to be much more run-heavy in 2024. But skills-wise, McConkey has what it takes to succeed at the next level and is worth a late-round flier as a WR4/5 in fantasy drafts.

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A slight trend that has taken shape for Buffalo Bills starting running back James Cook in training camp this summer has been some ball-security issues near the end of his plays. On a handful of occasions, Cook has allowed the football to hit the ground, and it happened twice at practice on Wednesday. However, The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia wouldn't expect it to impact Cook's time on the field at this point. However, that could change if his ball-security issues carry into the regular season. For now, Cook is still the team's unquestioned RB1 by a good margin, and it will remain that way until further notice. The 24-year-old had four fumbles in 2023. Power running isn't Cook's forte, but he's a strong pass-catcher and should be more valuable as a high-end RB2 in point-per-reception leagues going into his third year in the NFL.

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Baltimore Ravens rookie first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins (shoulder) injured his shoulder early in the second half of Friday's preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. The injury appeared to occur when Wiggins dove for a tackle. He did not return to the game after going into the medical tent on the sideline. Before his injury, the 20-year-old defensive back had three pass breakups. In addition to Wiggins, safety Sanoussi Kane left the game due to a stinger after a big hit in the middle of the field. Head coach John Harbaugh didn't have updates on Wiggins or Kane following the game. Wiggins should be a factor for Baltimore's secondary right away in his rookie season in 2024 as long as the shoulder injury he suffered on Friday isn't a long-term one.

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Free-agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore (shoulder) said that he's flying out on Sunday to visit with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. Gilmore is presumably healthy now after having offseason surgery on his shoulder back in February. The former 10th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2012 out of South Carolina played in 17 regular-season games with the Dallas Cowboys last year and finished with a career-high 68 tackles (54 solo), two interceptions, 13 pass breakups and a forced fumble. The 12-year-old NFL veteran and five-time Pro Bowler proved last year that he can still make an impact for a team when healthy and will now visit with interested teams to prove that he's worth a roster spot as he heads into his 13th NFL season.

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Things were not going to plan early in training camp for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was signed late during spring workouts in mid-May, but he's responded well over the last two weeks and has seen his time with quarterback Josh Allen during team drills steadily grow. It has come as Buffalo's receiver battle has thinned out a bit. Outside of Tyrell Shavers, Chase Claypool (toe) hasn't practiced in over a week, and with each passing day of non-participation, he likely sees his chances of making the team slightly decrease. Justin Shorter has also been hurt, and KJ Hamler mostly works with the second unit. Given the guaranteed money given to MVS, his odds of making the team seem quite good as of now. However, he still has Khalil Shakir, rookie Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins ahead of him on the depth chart.

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Houston Texans rookie tight end Cade Stover led all tight ends in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with three catches for 32 yards. His performance featured a crucial 16-yard reception that helped secure a key first down and contributed to a Texans touchdown. Notably, Stover caught C.J. Stroud's first pass of the game, demonstrating Stroud's confidence in him despite Stover not being the primary read. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio have praised Stover highly, suggesting that although Dalton Schultz is the top tight end, Stover could have a significant role early in the season. This development makes Schultz a less appealing late-round fantasy option and positions Stover as a potentially valuable pickup if Schultz misses any time.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (fibula) caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud midway through the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The score followed Dell's impressive 22-yard punt return, which was extended by a late hit penalty on Pittsburgh. On the ensuing drive, Stroud connected with Dell on a perfectly executed pass to the left side, where Dell evaded several defenders to reach the end zone. Dell, who saw his season cut short last year by a broken fibula and faced further challenges this offseason after being shot in Florida, demonstrated that he has fully recovered. Despite the presence of top receivers Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Dell himself, there was no clear indication of how targets will be allocated among them. Fantasy managers were eager to assess Dell's health, and he delivered a strong performance.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods led the team with four catches for 42 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, he drew a defensive pass interference call, underscoring his impact on the game. With Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs, and Noah Brown seemingly securing their roster spots, the competition for the remaining two spots is intense. Despite strong practice performances, former second-round pick John Metchie III has been underwhelming in games, with just two catches for 11 yards and a drop over two preseason games. Xavier Hutchinson, who caught five passes for 56 yards last week, had a quieter outing on Friday but added 19 rushing yards. Ben Skowronek, acquired from the Rams, brings versatility and blocking prowess but failed to catch any passes on Friday. Though the most expensive option, Woods is valued for his blocking and veteran presence, which could be crucial in determining the final roster spots.

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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with receiver Tank Dell for a 34-yard touchdown reception midway through the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stroud finished the night 2-for-4 with 41 yards and a touchdown. The scoring play showcased the explosive passing Texans fans grew accustomed to seeing from him during his rookie season. Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. He led the Texans to an AFC South championship and secured a victory over Cleveland in the wild-card round. It will be hard for Stroud to live up to the unbelievable hype building this offseason, but he and Tank Dell already seem up to the task.

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Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce started the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers but struggled to make an impact, managing just four carries for four yards. The team averaged only 3.1 yards per carry against primarily the Steelers' second-team defense. Receiver Xavier Hutchinson, known for his running skills, recorded the longest carry of the night with a 19-yard run. Without that carry, Houston would have accumulated just 61 rushing yards. Dare Ogunbowale added a touchdown following a muffed punt recovery in the second quarter, but it was his only significant play. Rookie Jawhar Jordan showed improvement from the Hall of Fame game, leading the Texans with 22 rushing yards. Cam Akers made a notable impact in the second half, with nine touches for 41 yards, displaying the burst that has generated preseason excitement. With vital offensive linemen Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, and Shaq Mason sidelined the expectations for the running game were lower. Assessing the run game's potential without starter Joe Mixon in the lineup remains challenging.

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