Sun Jul 14 11:41am ET
Field Level Media
Former NFL wide receiver and special teams player Jacoby Jones has died at the age of 40, multiple media outlets reported Sunday morning.
No cause of death was revealed.
Jones is best known for catching the "Mile High Miracle" on Jan. 12, 2013, as well as recording two touchdowns in the Ravens' 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3, 2013.
With his team facing a third-and-30, Jones reeled in a game-tying 70-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of Baltimore's AFC Divisional playoff game against the host Denver Broncos. Justin Tucker kicked a 47-yard field goal in the second overtime to fuel the Ravens to a 38-35 victory.
Three weeks later, Jones had a 56-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter and added a 108-yard kickoff return to begin the third versus the 49ers. The latter stands as the longest return in postseason history.
An All-Pro returner and Pro Bowl selection in 2012, Jones had 203 catches for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns in 128 career games (33 starts) with the Houston Texans (2007-11), Ravens (2012-14), Pittsburgh Steelers (2015) and then-San Diego Chargers (2015).
More recently, Jones served as the receivers coach at Alabama State the past two seasons.
Dynasty | Colts tight end Jelani Woods is set to undergo toe surgery. Dynasty Analysis: Woods is going to be out for "a significant amount of time" after missing all of last season due to injury as well. Woods flashed big upside in his 25/312/3 rookie season in 2022 but that now seems like ages ago. This injury is going to push him to droppable status in dynasty leagues as managers are simply not going to be willing to wait for yet another injury to heal.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (thumb) is dealing with a minor right-thumb injury that will keep him out of most, if not all, of Wednesday's joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The odds are near zero that Hill will play in Friday's preseason finale. He was limited in practice on Tuesday and was wearing a brace on his hand/wrist. Head coach Mike McDaniel said the injury isn't expected to impact Hill's availability for the Week 1 regular-season opener. Basically, the Dolphins are playing it safe with the Cheetah this week. If it was already the regular season, Hill would most likely be practicing and playing. Fantasy managers should have no worries selecting the 30-year-old speedster as one of the first wideouts off the board with one of the first picks of the first round in upcoming drafts. Hill led the NFL with 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 regular-season games in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) missed two weeks of training camp practice due to an undisclosed injury, but he was back on the practice field on Wednesday and is fully expected to be good for the Week 1 regular-season opener in two weeks. Waddle was taking part in individual drills on Wednesday during their joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tyreek Hill (thumb) is being held out on Wednesday as a precaution, and Odell Beckham Jr. (undisclosed) hasn't practiced all summer, so Miami's receiving corps is banged up, to put it lightly. The 25-year-old Waddle probably won't play in Friday's preseason finale against the Bucs, but fantasy managers shouldn't be worried that he won't be ready for the regular-season opener. Even with Hill soaking up tons of targets, Waddle qualifies as a strong WR2 target in fantasy after his third straight 1,000-yard campaign in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy (knee) suffered a non-contact knee injury in Tuesday's joint practice against the Indianapolis Colts, but he appears to have avoided a long-term ailment, and he should only miss a few weeks. The No. 28 overall pick in last year's NFL Draft out of Clemson played in all 17 games as a rookie, collecting 20 total tackles, three sacks, and one run stuff. He only played 305 defensive snaps last season, but his role could expand in Year 2 if he gets back to health. For now, he is nowhere near the fantasy football radar in IDP leagues, but it'll be worth monitoring if he can develop into a pass-rushing threat.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson struggled mightily during Tuesday's joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals. According to Nate Adkins of the Indy Star, Richardson faced tremendous pressure against the Bengals' starting defense, and he started 3-of-10 as a passer during team drills. His day didn't get much better, as he finished 10 for 20 and an interception. Richardson has started in just 17 games since high school, and his numerous injuries as a rookie likely slowed down his development. However, he is still just 22 years old, and many believed he'd be a project when entering the NFL as a first-round pick. While the Colts could struggle in the passing game early on, Richardson's elite rushing ceiling keeps him as a potential high-end QB1 in 2024 fantasy football. Head coach Shane Steichen has been vocal about not reducing Richardson's role on the ground, and if that is the case, he could contend to lead the position in rushing yards and touchdowns. Players like Justin Fields and early-career Josh Allen have had success in fantasy football despite looking overwhelmed as a passer. Richardson could fit that bill in his sophomore campaign.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones was dealt to the organization from the Cleveland Browns for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft last October. While he played in eight games for the Lions, he only caught five passes for 58 yards. He could be a more significant factor in the offense with a full training camp in Detroit, though he's currently behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Kalif Raymond on the depth chart. Still, the explosive wideout, who has averaged 15.5 yards per reception in his career, could have value as a late-round pick in best ball formats. If one of the starting wideouts goes down, Peoples-Jones will play significant snaps in one of the league's best offenses, and his one-play-touchdown upside could enable him to enter best ball lineups on occasion. Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman suggests Peoples-Jones is in the lead for the WR4 role, so he's at least worth monitoring early in the 2024 campaign. For now, he can be left undrafted in traditional fantasy football leagues.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said wide receiver Tyreek Hill (hand) will not participate in team drills during Wednesday's practice. Hill is dealing with a minor hand injury, so the team is being extra careful with the eight-time Pro Bowler. McDaniel said Hill could practice in full, but it may put him at risk of further injury. While the 30-year-old's injury is somewhat concerning given his steep cost in fantasy football drafts, it's a good sign the organization is not taking any chances. Following two seasons of at least 1,710 receiving yards with Miami, Hill remains in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in all formats. Hill's age puts him at risk of sudden decline, but his upside remains the highest among all fantasy wideouts.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Jordan Mims went undrafted last year out of Fresno State, and after a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers, he landed with the Saints and played in two regular-season games. With Kendre Miller (hamstring) continuing to deal with injuries, Mims has seen extra opportunities this offseason. According to Ross Jackson of LouisianaSports.net, he has made the most of them. "The play began with [Derek] Carr and Mims talking in the backfield, Carr looking to instruct the running back on how to attack the play," Jackson wrote. "The conversation paid off as Mims beat linebacker Demario Davis down the left sideline for what would have been a big gain. It was an impressive catch by the back who continues to catch eyes." It's important not to overreact to a practice highlight, but if Miller can't stay healthy or make an impact, Mims could occupy the RB3 role behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams in 2024. This report puts him on the deep-league fantasy football radar, but he can be ignored in traditional drafts.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry joined the team this offseason following an eight-year career with the Tennessee Titans that saw him rack up 9,502 rushing yards and 90 rushing touchdowns. King Henry posted a 2,000-yard rushing season in 2020, and although he has seemingly regressed since then, he's still been productive considering his offensive circumstances in Tennessee. Now in Baltimore, he's set to play with arguably the best rushing quarterback of all time, and Henry says the fit has been perfect. "I'm comfortable now. I'm right at home," he said, "Training camp was good. We got a lot better; [we're] still getting better, but I'm comfortable and right at home." While Henry's efficiency has declined, he could improve on his 4.2 yards-per-carry from last year since defenses have to respect Lamar Jackson in the rushing attack. He'll also run behind Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard, something Henry is excited about. As always, Henry will be more effective in standard and half-PPR formats than in PPR, and he could contend to lead the NFL in touchdowns if he stays healthy. He's reasonably priced around the RB9 spot in 2024 redraft leagues.
From RotoBaller
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.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie first-round tight end Brock Bowers (foot) missed Tuesday's training camp practice after he sat out of the second preseason game on Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys due to a sore foot. Bowers' foot injury is worth watching with the 2024 regular quickly approaching in several weeks, but as of right now, his injury doesn't appear to be serious enough to make him questionable for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. The 21-year-old from Georgia was the 13th overall pick in April and figures to immediately serve as Vegas' top pass-catching TE over Michael Mayer. Volume-wise, it's possible that Bowers is the No. 2 pass-catcher behind WR1 Davante Adams, making him worth a fantasy draft selection as a low-end TE1. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder could be a beast in yards after the catch in his first year in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had another meeting on Monday, and talks continue to progress on a long-term contract extension, according to sources. There has been movement on a deal, but there are some minor details that still need to be ironed out with ownership approval. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been close to acquiring Aiyuk in a trade, but the Steelers' latest offer on a long-term extension has reportedly pushed the 26-year-old first-rounder back to the negotiating table with his current squad. At this point with two weeks remaining before the start of the 2024 regular season, it seems likely that Aiyuk will remain in San Fran, regardless of whether an extension is agreed upon. The Niner reaching an extension with Aiyuk in the next several weeks is the likeliest outcome, which would be the best possible news for fantasy managers that have already drafted Aiyuk as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (back) returned to training camp practice on Tuesday. Kamara didn't exactly do much in a light practice session on Tuesday, but it was a good sign nonetheless to see him back in action after being held out since Aug. 13 with back tightness. It remains to be seen if the Saints will want the 29-year-old veteran to play at all in the preseason finale this Sunday against the visiting Tennessee Titans, but either way, it looks as though he'll be good to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. The five-time Pro Bowler averaged under 4.0 yards per carry in 2023 for the second time in the last three years, but he made up for it by catching 75 passes for 466 yards in 13 games. Kamara is obviously more attractive in point-per-reception fantasy leagues as an RB2, but if his volume dips at all in the passing game, we could see his fantasy value crater very quickly.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots rookie tight end Jaheim Bell suddenly found himself at the top of the depth chart early this week with Hunter Henry (lower body) and Austin Hooper (undisclosed) held out of practice and Mitchell Wilcox (calf) leaving practice early with his injury. Bell has taken a lot of reps and caught touchdowns from three different quarterbacks as he is making the most of the opportunity on the field with several tight ends ahead of him out for recent practice sessions. While Bell should not be drafted in fantasy football for 2024, he could be somebody to keep an eye on if injuries continue to strike the tight end room. The 23-year-old from Florida State should get plenty of work in the Patriots' final preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco's rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (shoulder) won't be practicing with the team this week. Head coach Kyle Shanahan did leave a glimmer of hope that Pearsall could play in the 49ers preseason finale on Friday against the Las Vegas Raiders, but it's looking like that window is closed. There is still some time between now and the 49ers Week 1 opener against the Jets on September 9, but Pearsall may not be heavily involved due to him missing critical installation time, especially with Brandon Aiyuk not practicing. For fantasy purposes, Pearsall is merely a late-round contingency pick in the event of an injury to Deebo Samuel or Aiyuk. The path to playing time seems a bit murky even then, as Jauan Jennings is also involved at wide receiver.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that the healthy starters will play on Friday, including starting quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield stated that he isn't expecting to play too much, so it's important to play well when they're out there. With the Buccaneers hosting the Miami Dolphins this Friday in their final preseason tune-up, Mayfield and company will get a handful of game snaps and then make way for other players further down the depth chart. Notably, Mayfield did not suit up for the Bucs' second preseason matchup against the Jaguars. The team looks to keep its starting quarterback healthy after posting a 28-touchdown season in 2023 while adding over 4,000 passing yards. Mayfield still has Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, so all is well in Tampa for this passing game. At worst, Mayfield is a streaming quarterback option in fantasy, but he could be a low-end fantasy starter in a pinch if the matchup is right.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) exited Saturday's preseason contest with the Buffalo Bills and was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin spoke on Tuesday, saying "He is probably out for this week, but not anything that's a long-term concern." Tomlin is putting a positive spin on a negative with Warren, but the fact is Warren may miss multiple weeks and as of now, Warren's Week 1 status is in jeopardy. When healthy, Warren is one of the biggest sleeper candidates in fantasy football, as he's part of a two-headed backfield with Najee Harris and now is coached by one of the preeminent offensive coordinators for his skills, Arthur Smith. Warren was an upside RB2 before this injury but is probably more of a high-end RB3 in fantasy with some of the concern about his hamstring.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (undisclosed) did not practice on Tuesday, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Despite not practicing, Cooper was present for the team's walkthrough in the middle of the practice session. Though Cooper did leave practice on Thursday during 11-on-11 drills, the specific reason or injury was not made known. Head coach Kevin Stefanski did note that Cooper was "sore." The unquestioned top wide receiver for the Browns entering 2024, the 30-year-old Cooper put up a career-high 1,250 receiving yards in his 2023 campaign. Cooper is a worthwhile pick as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 in fantasy football drafts as a stable floor play with a dash of upside. Even with the team adding Jerry Jeudy in the offseason, Cooper is still the top dog in the pecking order for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (back) is participating in practice Tuesday, Aug. 20.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns WR Amari Cooper (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Tuesday, Aug. 20, but did participate in the walkthrough.
From TheHuddle