The Baltimore Ravens will rest quarterback Lamar Jackson in the preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. It's been the routine for Jackson, though, as he's one of six QBs who have not played game snaps in the last two preseasons and then started in Week 1. "We have done well over the years doing that because we practice well," head coach John Harbaugh said. "It comes down to practice. Practice is what makes it." Since Harbaugh became the Ravens coach in 2008, he has never played his starters for any great length of time in preseason games. Jackson won his second MVP award in 2023 and didn't play in the preseason last year, so fantasy managers considering drafting him as a top-five fantasy signal-caller shouldn't be worried that he'll come out rusty in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season against the defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs.

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott had some positive news on Thursday on wide receivers Curtis Samuel (toe) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck). "I feel like those two - from what I've heard so far - have a real good chance of being back. Just not committing to it yet," McDermott said. Despite dealing with multi-week injuries, both Samuel and Valdes-Scantling have a shot to be ready to go for Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. Samuel, 28, has been labeled week-to-week with turf toe. Even if both wideouts are ready for the 2024 regular-season opener, it appears that rookie Keon Coleman will operate as the team's WR1 in the first year without Stefon Diggs. And if Samuel and MVS are out in Week 1 or limited, look for Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins and KJ Hamler to receiver additional opportunities in Buffalo's offense.

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Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he wants to get second-year quarterback Bryce Young and the starters "some good work" in the preseason finale this Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. Canales said he's unsure if backup Andy Dalton (quadriceps) will play. Given how bad Young was in his first year in the NFL, it makes all the sense to throw the 23-year-old out there for extensive action in the preseason finale to try and build chemistry with the rest of the offense under a new coaching staff. The former Alabama star has nowhere to really go but up in Year 2, and he has a new No. 1 wideout in Diontae Johnson to help him improve. Pushing the ball downfield will be a good first step for Young to improve on a disastrous rookie campaign. Until we see Young take the next step, though, he should probably only be drafted as a QB2/3 in superflex fantasy formats.

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Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that wide receiver Diontae Johnson (illness) was held out of Thursday's training camp practice due to an illness. The Panthers are still hoping that Johnson will be feeling good enough to suit up on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills in the preseason finale after not playing at all in the first two preseason contests. Johnson has dealt with several minor injuries in his first camp with the Panthers this summer but should be fully healthy for the start of the 2024 regular season. Carolina acquired the 28-year-old from the Pittsburgh Steelers, hoping he can be a spark to improve the offense drastically in quarterback Bryce Young's second season. Efficiency and volume have been problems for Johnson in the past, but he should see enough volume with his new squad (if healthy) in 2024 to be in play as a weekly WR3/flex in fantasy.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (hamstring) was a full participant in Thursday's joint practice with the Houston Texans, according to head coach Sean McVay. Stafford returned to team drills at training camp earlier this week after he was limited to individual drills on Monday. Even though the 36-year-old signal-caller's hamstring issue isn't very serious, he's not expected to suit up for the preseason finale this Saturday against Houston. Stafford finished as the QB15 last year in what was a bounce-back campaign after he played in only nine games in 2022 due to injuries. He had 3,965 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 15 regular-season contests. Even with wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the aging Stafford's fantasy ceiling and floor have come down considerably. At best, if he stays healthy, he's probably no better than a midrange QB2 at this point in his career.

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The Washington Commanders are trading wide receiver Jahan Dotson and a fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and two seventh-round picks. This is one of the more surprising deals in recent memory, considering the two organizations are NFC East foes. Dotson was selected by Washington in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and racked up 35 receptions for 523 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie in 12 games. Despite playing in 17 games in 2023, he tallied just 518 yards and four touchdowns. There have been reports that Dotson was failing to secure the WR2 role in Washington this offseason, and his departure clears the way for Olamide Zaccheaus and rookie Luke McCaffrey to see more snaps than expected in 2024. Dotson's fantasy value was already declining, but now that he's behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in the Philadelphia passing game, it would be a surprise if he sees a healthy amount of targets from Jalen Hurts.

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Albert Breer is reporting the Commanders are trading WR Jahan Dotson and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Eagles for a 2025 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks.

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier rushed for 1,035 yards in his 2022 rookie season, but that didn't stop the team from selecting Bijan Robinson in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Allgeier spent last season as a secondary ball carrier for Atlanta, rushing 186 times for 683 yards and four touchdowns. With former head coach Arthur Smith gone, many believe Robinson will become a true workhorse running back, but Falcons writer Daniel Flick predicted Allgeier could see roughly 14 carries per game in 2024. He clarified that Robinson could see about 16 carries per game plus work in the passing attack, but it's worth noting Allgeier is likely to remain involved in the offense. Given the high injury rate at the running back position, Allgeier is worth stashing in deeper setups. If Robinson has to miss any action this year, Allgeier would be moved into the starting role behind a top-tier offensive line as a part of an ascending offense under new quarterback Kirk Cousins.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune will start the team's preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, indicating that he has a lead over Desmond Ridder for the backup QB spot behind Kyler Murray. Ridder was dealt to the Cardinals in March in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore, but he's fighting for a roster spot if the team does not keep three quarterbacks. Tune, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, threw for 62 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions in one start last year. Fantasy managers in Superflex or two-QB leagues should monitor the backup competitions around the league, as any QB2 could become a starter and enter the fantasy football radar if injuries take place.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Brooks has been drawing positive reviews this offseason, and his success has continued into training camp. According to Calvin Watkins of Dallas News, Brooks has been "outstanding." Brooks was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of South Carolina and played in seven games as a rookie, collecting six receptions for 64 yards. Following the departure of Michael Gallup, the team's WR3 role is open behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. If Brooks beats out Jalen Tolbert, he will be worth rostering in deep fantasy football leagues. For now, he's at least an interesting late-round dart throw in best ball formats.

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San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams has not been at training camp this offseason, and he remains away from the team just a few weeks away from the season-opening game against the New York Jets. Williams is seeking a revised contract, and Kyle Shanahan is hopeful the two sides will strike an agreement soon. "I've had some contact with him. It's been good talking to him," Shanahan said. "We're negotiating hard. Hopefully, it's getting close." The 31-year-old is an 11-time Pro Bowler and has been named a first-team All-Pro in each of the last three seasons. The 49ers offense would likely take a hit if the future Hall of Famer isn't on the field, so surely, the organization will do everything possible to get him on the field in Week 1.

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The Washington Commanders are releasing kicker Riley Patterson following the trade for former Cleveland Browns kicker Cade York, according to John Keim of ESPN. Patterson has spent time with six NFL organizations since going undrafted out of Memphis in 2021. He's seen regular-season action with the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns, and has made 59 of his 67 field goal attempts through the first 39 contests of his career. Patterson's 88.1% career field goal percentage is above the league's average, so it would not be surprising if he lands another opportunity this season.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are releasing defensive end/outside linebacker Randy Gregory after he never reported to training camp this offseason. The 31-year-old fully repaid his $1.3 million roster bonus before his release. Gregory, a second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, has appeared in 60 games for the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers and has compiled 106 tackles, 22 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles. The Nebraska product has been somewhat productive during his six-year NFL career, but he's been tough to depend on lately.

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The Cleveland Browns are trading kicker Cade York to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The Commanders have reportedly struggled with the kicker position during camp, so York is being brought in to help alleviate that issue. York was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of LSU, and he went 24-of-32 on field goal tries during his rookie campaign. The Browns released him following his rookie season, and he spent time with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants before ultimately landing with the Browns again this offseason. The Commanders released Riley Patterson in a corresponding move, so York should have a clear path to starting placekicking duties.

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Atlanta Falcons All-Pro cornerback A.J. Terrell agreed to a four-year, $81 million contract extension that includes $65.8 million guaranteed, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The No. 16 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson has racked up 247 tackles, one sack, four forced fumbles, four interceptions, and 43 passes defended in his first 61 pro games. He was named a second-team All-Pro in 2021. Terrell now becomes the second-highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, and the Falcons lock down a key defensive piece to go along with Pro Bowl safeties Jessie Bates III and Justin Simmons.

New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye appears to have won the competition with Chad Ryland for starting kicking duties to begin the 2024 regular season. Slye hit all four of his kicks at training camp practice on Wednesday from 33,41,47 and 50 yards out. Meanwhile, Ryland hit his 33-yarder and then missed his next three kicks. For most of camp, Slye was clearly the better kicker from distance, but now he's proving to be better from intermediate range as well. Two of Ryland's misses weren't close, and his third miss was a doink off the right upright. It remains to be seen if Ryland or another kicker is kept around on the practice squad as a second option if Slye struggles early on in 2024. The 28-year-old Slye has a strong leg but has made just 82.3% of his 32 field-goal attempts in five NFL seasons and will be kicking for an offense that could have a rookie QB starting as early as Week 1.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (hip) made his return to training camp practice on Wednesday after sitting out last weekend's preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday with hip soreness. In addition to Mason, the Niners also got Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and rookie Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) back at practice this week, leaving just Christian McCaffrey (calf) sitting out. McCaffrey has been working out on side fields and remains on track to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener, so the 25-year-old Mason will be competing with Mitchell for the RB2 role in the final two weeks of camp. It's unclear how many RBs the Niners will carry on the initial 53-man roster, but Mason's special teams contributions could be the deciding factor. The power runner has averaged 5.6 yards per carry in his two NFL seasons but is mostly just a dynasty/keeper stash until he has a more clear role.

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Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce confirmed on Wednesday that quarterback Aidan O'Connell won't play in the preseason finale on Friday against the San Francisco 49ers. The Raiders named Gardner Minshew II as their starting QB earlier this week, and the Raiders will hold both Minshew and O'Connell out of action this weekend, with Carter Bradley and Nathan Peterman set to split the reps under center. The 25-year-old O'Connell will enter his second NFL season as the backup to Minshew, but if Minshew struggles early on, don't be surprised if Pierce gives O'Connell a shot. He went 5-5 as the starter in 2023 after the team moved on from Jimmy Garoppolo, throwing 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Ultimately, experience won out for Pierce, with Minshew having 37 career NFL starts under his belt. For now, O'Connell is merely a QB3/4 bench stash in superflex fantasy leagues.

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Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (stinger) is being held out of practice due to a stinger that Dillon suffered toward the end of last season. Per Matt LaFleur, Dillon being held out of practice is for precautionary reasons. With Dillon being held out and backfield mate MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) nursing an injury of his own, the Green Bay backfield has been hit hard with the injury bug. Dillon averaged just 3.4 yards per attempt in his worst season as a pro, with 613 rushing yards on 178 attempts. The role for Dillon is up in the air with Lloyd's injury and Josh Jacobs coming in to be the top running back for the Packers. It's a thin bet to expect Dillon to have a fantasy-friendly role in 2024 outside of injury, so keep him undrafted in fantasy drafts.

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The Philadelphia Eagles released veteran tight end C.J. Uzomah on Wednesday. The Eagles signed Uzomah to a one-year pact in April and with the competition in camp, felt it necessary to cut the journeyman loose to free agency. Uzomah spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets after eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Playing sparingly for the Jets last season, Uzomah managed just eight receptions on 12 targets for 58 yards and a touchdown grab. The Eagles' depth chart at tight end comprises Dallas Goedert, Albert Okwuegbunam, and Grant Calcaterra.

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