Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) is still in a competitive battle with Justin Fields for the starting job. While the team waits for Wilson's return, Fields has made a strong impression during practice. This situation could disrupt the Steelers' initial plans, as they acquired Wilson to bring stability and experience to their quarterback position. Coach Mike Tomlin has repeatedly stated that Wilson is in "pole position" to secure the starting role. Despite Wilson's less athletic profile than Fields, he is expected to showcase his superiority and reaffirm his status as the preferred starter once he's back. For fantasy managers, Wilson's potential to win the job could positively impact the Steelers' skill players, as he has a proven track record as a facilitator. With Wilson at the helm, expect a significant boost for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who would likely see increased rushing attempts and dump-off opportunities. Wilson's presence would also benefit George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, and rookie Roman Wilson in the passing game.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields has impressed in camp while filling in for Russell Wilson (calf),who is sidelined with a calf injury. Fields has consistently improved throughout training camp, from making highlight-reel throws to delivering steady, play-by-play performances. "Justin has really taken advantage of the opportunity for additional snaps because Russ's been out some here the first week," said head coach Mike Tomlin. Fields has finished among the top quarterbacks in fantasy points per game over the last two seasons, ranking QB5 in 2022 and QB12 in 2023. Although Fields might not elevate the overall passing game in Pittsburgh, he has demonstrated the ability to support a top fantasy wide receiver, so George Pickens should remain a strong option. However, Fields' presence could impact the rushing opportunities for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, potentially limiting their touches.

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According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins agreed to a two-year, $14 million extension with the team. The Cardinals declined his fifth-year option a few months ago, saving the club some cash. However, the latest deal will keep the 25-year-old in Arizona for at least a few more seasons. Collins, the No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has appeared in 50 games for the Cardinals over the last three seasons, totaling 166 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two interceptions. With that in mind, he may be in line for his most productive season to date, so he will see interest from IDP managers heading into the 2024-25 campaign.

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Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) won't participate in preseason play. Unfortunately, the rookie could also miss time to begin his inaugural year. Brooks, the No. 46 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, tore his ACL in November. With that said, the Panthers will likely limit him once he's healthy enough to return. However, Brooks will presumably compete with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders for touches, meaning it could be challenging for the former Texas Longhorn to do anything substantial for fantasy managers early in the 2024-25 campaign.

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According to Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales, tight end Ian Thomas (calf) is expected to be sidelined for at least a few weeks. Even worse, he appears in danger of missing the team's Week 1 meeting with the New Orleans Saints. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career in Carolina. However, he hasn't been a reliable fantasy producer, totaling 116 catches for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns in 94 games. With Tommy Tremble (hamstring) battling an injury of his own, Thomas was in line to see more snaps moving ahead. But if Tremble and Thomas aren't available for the opener, rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders might find himself starting.

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Cardinals outside linebacker BJ Ojulari (knee) suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during practice on Friday. The 2023 second-round pick had a solid finish to his rookie season with four sacks and was projected to be a top pass rusher for Arizona this year. In Ojulari's absence, Dennis Gardeck is expected to assume a more significant role, and Victor Dimukeje is likely to see increased playing time at outside linebacker. Injuries have been a persistent challenge for Ojulari since his draft year; he had a knee procedure between the combine and the draft and dealt with a hamstring issue the previous spring. He began the last training camp on the PUP list but was activated by early August. With the defense weakened, Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride, and James Conner will likely need to score more points to keep the team competitive. All of these players could see a boost in value if Arizona becomes a high-scoring team, similar to last year.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) continues to participate fully in training camp sessions. However, the Browns aren't taking any chances with his recovery from season-ending shoulder surgery, with Zac Jackson of The Athletic reporting that the team is "closely monitoring" his rehab efforts. The 28-year-old had his best season in 2020 while still a member of the Houston Texans. Yet, he's struggled in limited action in his first two seasons in Cleveland. With that in mind, Watson has plenty of tools in his arsenal. As a result, the signal-caller is a bounce-back candidate this season, but he'll need to stay healthy.

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San Francisco 49ers first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) has shown impressive progress in training camp despite an initial slow start due to his injury. The 31st overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, who hails from Florida, was placed on the Non-Foothall Injury list before camp began but is now back at practice. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan praised Pearsall's development, noting, "real happy" and "He definitely understands our standard." With key players like Deebo Samuel Sr., Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings already established, the 49ers don't need Pearsall to make an immediate impact. However, his strong performance could make it difficult for the team to keep him off the field come fall. Pearsall is a valuable asset in dynasty leagues but will need an injury or trade to become relevant in redraft leagues.

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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku has had some impressive showings during recent training camp practices. Not only that, but it appears Njoku has strengthened his rapport with quarterback Deshaun Watson, with the tight end receiving frequent attention from the signal-caller during plays. The 2017 No. 29 overall pick has had some down years throughout his career. However, he's coming off his best season, totaling career-highs in receptions (81), yards (882), and touchdowns (six), resulting in a Pro Bowl selection. Without a doubt, Njoku has plenty of hype entering the 2024-25 campaign, and his statistical contributions could be higher than ever if Watson returns to form and stays healthy.

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According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill agreed to a restructured contract with the team. The multi-time Pro Bowler has been looking for a new agreement for months, even more so after players like Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown received market-altering deals this offseason. But now Hill will get $90 million over the next three seasons, with $65 million fully guaranteed. He is worth every penny, most recently finishing the 2023-24 campaign by catching 119 balls for 13 touchdowns and a career-high 1,799 yards. Without question, the 30-year-old is expected to remain a top wideout, meaning he'll be taken in the first round in most fantasy drafts heading into the 2024-25 season.

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Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson (shoulder) exited Friday's practice early with a shoulder injury, and the severity of the issue is currently unknown. Robinson, 28, played in nine games last season, dealing with a suspension and a knee injury. Drafted in the second round of 2017, Robinson has spent his entire career with the Jaguars, who used the franchise tag on him in 2021 and 2022 before signing him to a three-year, $54 million contract. Fortunately, the Jaguars have a solid replacement in fourth-year pro Walker Little. Although Robinson's injury's extent remains unclear, Little, a second-round pick in 2021, can step in at left tackle without disrupting the team's performance. Once projected as a top-10 draft pick, Little fell to the second round due to a torn ACL and his decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This injury could impact fantasy values for Travis Etienne Jr. and other Jacksonville skill players.

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Tennessee Titans veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) will be sidelined for "several weeks" due to a knee injury, as confirmed by coach Brian Callahan on Saturday morning. Callahan mentioned that there's no precise timetable for Hopkins's return and that the injury did not require surgery. If the recovery progresses on the shorter end, Hopkins could return just before the season opener. Conversely, if the timeline extends, he might return in time for the Week 2 game against the New York Jets on September 15th or later. Last season, Hopkins led Titans receivers with 75 catches, 1,057 yards, and seven touchdowns and was particularly effective with Will Levis as his quarterback. With the additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd and 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks, the Titans have ample receiving depth to manage while Hopkins is out. Ridley is expected to see a significant increase in targets and should see a boost in his fantasy value. Boyd and Burks will also see more opportunities but will likely remain bench options unless Hopkins's injury proves more serious. The injury also diminishes Will Levis's sleeper potential, making him relevant mainly in two-quarterback or flex leagues.

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Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman (neck) returned to the team on Friday. On Thursday, Foreman was airlifted to a hospital in Roanoke, Virginia, after suffering a neck/head injury in practice. He took a direct blow to the head during a special teams drill and was immobilized, though he never actually lost any feeling in his extremities. Cleveland signed the 28-year-old in March to serve as depth while Nick Chubb (knee) works his way back from a devastating knee injury. He should return to the field during training camp at some point as long as the injury is not severe, and with no timetable for Chubb's return, Foreman will be vying with backfield mate Jerome Ford for touches on the Browns' offense. He's currently an NFFC afterthought at RB65, No. 223 overall, but remains intriguing in best ball formats if he can put this injury behind him, as he still had some juice in the tank playing with the Bears in 2023.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer on his facial area and is scheduled to have a procedure performed Monday to address the issue. Reports say Haener should be expected back on the field for practice on Wednesday following the regularly scheduled off day for the Saints on Tuesday. The former fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is set to compete for the backup role behind incumbent starter Derek Carr with 2024 fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler. The second-year signal-caller is a Fresno State alum -- like Carr -- and enjoyed a breakout season in 2021, where he tossed 4,096 yards, completing 67% of his passes with a 33:9 TD: INT ratio. Carr is locked in as the starter, but it's anyone's game behind him. Haener presents as little more than a deep-league dynasty stash until he proves himself as the backup in question.

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Green Bay Packers kicker Greg Joseph has been outperforming returning starter Anders Carlson thus far in camp. Joseph is connecting on kicks at a 94% clip (29-of-31), including 7-for-7 at Thursday's practice, while Carlson has hit just 81% of his total attempts (25-of-31). This is a significant development as the Packers ranked 12th last season in points per game and project to be better this year with another year of growth for Jordan Love. Whoever holds the starting kicker position for Green Bay is sure to provide substantial value for fantasy managers this coming fall. Joseph is RotoBaller's K20, and Carlson was the K24 in 2023. There is an excellent chance for this ADP to be outperformed by one of these players while kicking for a rising Packers offense.

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When Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked by reporters who would fill the void of the 3rd-down running back role left by Jerick McKinnon, he praised Isiah Pacheco and his readiness to take on the responsibility. "He's ready to be able to do all that. He's good with the protections, he's good with the technique and fundamentals, he can run all the routes, he's got great hands." Pacheco out-targeted McKinnon (49-to-32) in 2023 and led him in receptions and yardage. Though McKinnon did outscore the Rutgers product 4-to-2. If what Reid means is that Pacheco is meant to absorb this workload, that would be fantastic news. The third-year Chiefs running back is the RB10 in RotoBaller rankings and the No. 27 overall player in NFFC ADP (RB11). Pacheco had 49 receptions last season and would see his fantasy floor and ceiling rise if his snap share increases.

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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), currently over seven months into his recovery from a torn ACL, is advancing faster than anticipated and could be an option for Week 1. Hockenson, who recorded 95 receptions for 960 yards and five touchdowns in the first 15 games of the season before his injury, suffered the ACL tear on December 24. He had to wait until January 29 for surgery due to knee swelling. Given the timing of his injury and his crucial role on the team, it seems unlikely that he will be ready for the start of September. The Vikings are expected to prioritize his full recovery, which might delay his return into the regular season. Although Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is optimistic about Hockenson's progress, Hockenson will probably begin the season on reserve/PUP, sidelining him for at least the first four games of 2024. In his absence, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, and Robert Tonyan will be the tight ends on the roster, but none currently offer significant fantasy value.

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Minnesota Vikings tight end Robert Tonyan (back) is out of practice currently dealing with lower back spasms. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hopes he will return in time for the preseason games. O'Connell noted, "He'll be out today (Friday), but we'll keep an eye on his progress over the next few days. We want to ensure he's ready for the upcoming preseason games and fully prepared when the time comes." T.J. Hockenson (knee) the team's top tight end, is still recovering from an ACL tear in his right knee and is not expected to be available for the start of the regular season. Tonyan was signed to help cover Hockenson's pass-catching duties, but with both tight ends potentially sidelined, the Vikings' tight-end depth chart now includes Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, N'Keal Harry, and Trey Knox. With a limited tight-end group, the focus will shift to increasing targets for vital offensive players such as Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been making a compelling case for the WR3 position, showing significant promise during training camp. Selected 92nd overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, McMillan, a former standout for the Washington Huskies, has garnered praise from quarterback Baker Mayfield, who noted, "What people don't realize, he was their (Washington's) leading guy in '22 before he got hurt. And so, for him to get back to true form -- he's a stud." Despite leading the Huskies in targets and catches in 2022, a knee injury in his final season limited him to 45 catches for 559 yards and five touchdowns, likely contributing to his fall to the third round. He led the Washington Huskies in targets and catches in 2022 despite playing with future 1st and 2nd round picks. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin ahead of him on the depth chart, McMillan may struggle to secure a substantial target share but could still deliver valuable fantasy weeks as a perimeter receiver. If he secures the WR3 role, he becomes a more intriguing option, particularly in best-ball leagues.

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San Francisco 49ers tight end Logan Thomas (hamstring) missed practice due to a hamstring injury. Thomas, who joined the 49ers in early June after four seasons with Washington, has yet to disclose the full extent of his injury. More information is anticipated in the coming days. The Arizona Cardinals drafted Thomas from Virginia Tech in the fourth round (No. 120 overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. Last season, he caught 55 passes for 496 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (15 starts) with the Commanders, participating in 70 percent of the offensive snaps. His early camp setback raises concerns, given Thomas's history of frequent injuries. With starter George Kittle often sidelined, the 49ers need a dependable backup, and Thomas's reliability is questionable at best. Monitor the situation closely, as the starting tight end for San Francisco could hold significant fantasy value.

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