Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler is returning kicks at training camp during Thursday's practice. That's one way for the Commanders to get Ekeler involved besides backfield usage. The 29-year-old receiving back looked like he was running with a piano on his back after missing three games early last year due to an ankle sprain, rushing for just 3.5 yards per carry and producing only 4.6 yards per touch in 14 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers. Even so, Ekeler still ranked sixth among qualifiers at his position in yards per catch (8.5) over 52 receptions and 10th in yards per route run (1.55) across 282 routes in 2023, so Washington is going to try and get the ball in his hands in space. He's a wild card for 2024 as an RB3/flex gamble in the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts this summer, one that is best suited for PPR settings alongside early-down back Brian Robinson Jr.

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Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (undisclosed) missed Wednesday's practice and likely won't play in Friday's preseason game against the hosting Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Diggs sustained another undisclosed injury after having the wind knocked out of him on Tuesday at practice, but the issue is not expected to be a long-term problem. The 30-year-old All-Pro started hot in the first half of 2023 but took a steep downturn during the second half of the season as the alpha target with the Buffalo Bills, and he'll now share quarterback C.J. Stroud's targets with star wideouts Nico Collins and Tank Dell as well as safety valve Dalton Schultz in 2024. Diggs will have to overcome a likely drop in opportunity with efficiency to remain in WR1/2 conversations this fall, as he's unlikely to produce a fourth straight 100-catch season in his new digs.

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Most New York Giants starters, including quarterback Daniel Jones and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, are not expected to play on Thursday in their preseason opener against the visiting Detroit Lions in East Rutherford. The two teams had two intense joint-practices this week. Next week, the Giants don't have any joint practices before Saturday's preseason game against the Texans in Houston. That seems like the most likely spot to get the first-team offense and defense some preseason playing time. While it's no surprise to see New York hold out Jones after the signal-caller tore his ACL last season, it says a lot about the organization's belief in Nabers that they aren't pushing him to get as many exhibition snaps as possible. Fantasy managers will have to wait at least another week before they catch their first glimpse of the LSU standout and 2024 No. 6 overall pick in professional game action.

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As much as anyone on the offense, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has been breathing heavily during practice at training camp. Part of that is because he's getting a ton of work, more than he did under former head coach Arthur Smith, simply because the Falcons practiced more personnel groupings under Smith. Another part of it could be that he's still working himself into his best shape. Although he won't be an unrestricted free agent until the 2026 offseason, 2024 feels like it's a bit of a make-or-break season for Pitts. The 23-year-old former No. 4 overall pick and generational talent remains a buy-low fantasy asset among low-end TE1 picks in drafts this summer, with their being optimism that Atlanta's modernized offense will finally unlock him. Last year, Pitts led his position in deep targets (11), air yards (1,012), and unrealized air yards (479) in 17 games.

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will suit up and start in the team's first preseason game of the year against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday at EverBank Stadium. Head coach Doug Pederson said on Monday before the team's 11th camp practice that he intends to play the team's penciled-in starters for a "series or two" to get their feet wet as he's done in the past. Lawrence will suit up for the first time since signing his record-setting $275 million contract extension. The 24-year-old former No. 1 overall pick is coming off a fairly disappointing season from a fantasy perspective, throwing just 21 touchdowns with a pedestrian 7.1 yards per attempt in 16 appearances, but he did deal with four separate injuries at various points during the year. To begin the season, Lawrence belongs on the QB1/2 borderline after Jacksonville ran the sixth-most team pass plays per game (36.5) in 2023.

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is not dressed to practice on Thursday for precautionary reasons, according to head coach Robert Saleh. The Jets are being cautious because of the heavy rain all morning in New York, and they don't want to take the risk with their franchise signal-caller. Rodgers is already unlikely to play during the preseason this year, so this shouldn't affect his status for Saturday's exhibition opener against the visiting Washington Commanders in East Rutherford. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer was beginning to show signs of decline back in 2022 with the Green Bay Packers before 2023's ruptured Achilles, so he's being drafted as more of a QB2 in fantasy drafts this summer. The weekly potential for Rodgers to post QB1 scores will likely be dependent on game scripts in 2024.

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Green Bay Packers kickers Greg Joseph and Anders Carlson are in a competition for the starting job in 2024 after the team cut rookie James Turner last week. Carlson, a sixth-round pick last year, struggled at the end of his first year in the NFL, included a missed 41-yard field goal late in the Divisional Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It's been a close competition between the two in training camp, but ESPN's Rob Demovsky writes that Joseph has a slight advantage through the early portion based solely on the numbers. Joseph had made 36 of 40 field goals, while Carlson was 33-for-40. Carlson's only miss at practice last Saturday was from 57 yards out, though. Head coach Matt LaFleur anticipates the kicking competition playing out throughout the preseason, so Carlson has time to flip the script.

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Former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles officially announced his retirement on Thursday on his Instagram account. Foles entered the NFL as a third-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 out of Arizona and went on to play in 11 seasons in the league before hanging up his cleats. He hadn't played since the 2022 campaign, when he appeared in three games (two starts) with the Indianapolis Colts. The 35-year-old signal-caller made his lone Pro Bowl in his second year with Philly in 2013. He'll be remembered most for taking down Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII to give the Eagles their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. Foles wraps up his NFL career with 14,227 passing yards, 82 touchdowns and 47 interceptions in 71 regular-season games (58 starts).

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Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said that rookie first-round quarterback Caleb Williams and the "starters that are available to us" will play in the second preseason contest this Saturday on the road against the Buffalo Bills. There's a "range" of plays that will be designated for this group, but Eberflus wouldn't give a specific amount. Chicago held Williams and the starters out of the preseason opener last Thursday versus the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame game, but the 22-year-old will get his first preseason action in Buffalo this weekend. The No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft is unlikely to play more than a few offensive series, but it will give us a chance to see him operate against an opponent for the first time in his young NFL career. The USC alum is the most pro-ready QB of all rookie signal-callers and has an excellent supporting cast, giving him a chance to be a high-end QB2 in fantasy right off the bat.

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New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner signed a three-year contract extension on Thursday that is worth over $25 million, including $17.5 million guaranteed, according to sources. The deal ties Werner to the Saints through the 2027 season. Werner suffered a shoulder injury early in training camp, but it's unlikely to be a serious ailment. The 26-year-old linebacker earned his extension by posting a career-high 93 tackles (60 solo), half a sack, four tackles for loss, one interception and two fumble recoveries in 16 regular-season starts in 2023 in his third year in the league. The former second-round selection by the Saints in 2021 out of Ohio State will open his fourth year in the NFL as a starter for New Orleans, but he isn't really on the IDP fantasy radar for the time being.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf) has returned to the practice field at training camp on Thursday after he was held out of practice on Wednesday with a minor calf injury. Reed also missed the early part of camp due to an injury, but he's fine now and should be 100 percent for the start of the 2024 regular season, barring any other injury setbacks in camp or the preseason. The 24-year-old is the team's starting slot receiver but could have a tough time replicating his impressive rookie season in which he scored 10 total touchdowns (eight receiving, two rushing) in 16 games. Reed's production was helped by the fact that Christian Watson missed time due to injury. He's a big part of Green Bay's offense moving forward, but as long as Watson and Romeo Doubs are healthy, fantasy managers should be concerned about target volume for Reed.

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The San Francisco 49ers signed veteran free-agent wide receiver Robbie Chosen to an undisclosed deal on Thursday, according to his agents. The receiver formerly known as Robbie/Robby Anderson had multiple offers from teams but chose a team with an immediate need at the position. The Niners are on the verge of trading away star wideout Brandon Aiyuk because of his unhappiness that the team hasn't given him a long-term contract extension. In addition to Aiyuk's expected departure, rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall aggravated a shoulder injury this week in training camp practice, so the team is in need of depth at the position. Even if Aiyuk is traded, as expected, Chosen will likely be battling for a roster spot behind Deebo Samuel Sr., Jauan Jennings, Pearsall, rookie Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell.

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New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said that wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) is "a lot further ahead than anticipated" after the team activated him off the Physically Unable to Perform list at training camp on Wednesday. When Williams was asked how realistic it is for him to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, he said: "I guess we've got to see." The 29-year-old is still recovering from a torn left ACL that he suffered in Week 3 of last year with the Chargers, and he won't take part in team drills at camp for another week or two. He's up in the air for the start of the regular season, and even if he's active, it seems likely that the Jets will ease him into a full workload, which will make the big-bodied downfield threat even more of a risky boom/bust option for fantasy lineups. But when he's 100%, he'll be the No. 2 wideout behind Garrett Wilson in New York.

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Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen will play about a quarter in the preseason opener Saturday, Aug. 10.

Fantasy Spin: Allen was the QB1 last season.. He's still an elite option in drafts, but his stock could take a hit with the questions around him at receiver.

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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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