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Eagles bring back OT Fred Johnson via trade with Jags

Sun Aug 24 8:57pm ET
Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles are acquiring offensive tackle Fred Johnson, a member of its Super Bowl championship team last season, from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2026 seventh-round draft pick, according to multiple media reports on Sunday night.

Johnson, 28, had signed a one-year contract with Jacksonville in March, reportedly for $1.3 million, after playing two seasons with Philadelphia. He started six of the 17 games that he played in 2024, and appeared in 17 games at tackle in 2023 after joining the team's practice squad in November 2022.

The primary backup to starting tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, Johnson also played in one playoff game in 2023 and all four last season as the Eagles won the Super Bowl.

An undrafted free agent in 2019, Johnson spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers but did not appear in any games. He played guard and tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2019-21, starting eight of 23 games that he played. He also made five appearances with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.

ESPN and NFL Network also reported on Sunday night that the Eagles are trading offensive tackle Darian Kinnard to the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 sixth-round pick. Kinnard, 25, played in two games (one start) for Philadelphia in 2024.

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Kinnard in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in one game that season. The Chiefs waived him in August 2023 and signed him to their practice squad. Kinnard then signed with Philadelphia in February 2024.

Earlier on Sunday, the Eagles acquired quarterback Sam Howell and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick from Minnesota. The Vikings received a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round selection.

Philadelphia also waived quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and waived/injured defensive back Lewis Cine on Sunday.

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Player Notes
Graham Mertz Aug 25 6:40am ET
Graham Mertz

Houston Texans quarterback Graham Mertz got the start in the team's preseason finale in Detroit on Sunday, and the sixth-round rookie had a very strong showing while leading his team to a 26-7 win over the Lions. With starter C.J. Stroud and primary backup Davis Mills getting the day off, Mertz completed 14 of his 16 pass attempts for an efficient 145 passing yards. He threw a touchdown to Quintez Cephus and led three scoring drives before halftime. He also added 20 rushing yards on two carries. Mertz played ahead of Kedon Slovis, who was on the Texans' practice squad last year and took over for the second half of Saturday's win. Mertz likely secured the third spot on the quarterback depth chart with his strong showing, while Slovis could be headed back to the practice squad.

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Ollie Gordon II Aug 25 1:10am ET
Ollie Gordon II

Following Saturday's 14-6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel noted that he was impressed with rookie running back Ollie Gordon II's performance. "I think Ollie did a very good job today of mastering the non-on-ball assignments," said McDaniel. I thought he competed...So it was a good day for a rookie back in terms of getting his feet wet. It didn't look too big for him." Gordon II got the starting nod on Saturday for the team's preseason finale with backfield mate De'Von Achane (calf) still battling a sore calf and provided a decent spark. With teammate Jaylen Wright (leg) week-to-week, the Oklahoma State product could challenge for the backup job behind Achane. Gordon II fell off during his junior campaign with the Cowboys, but racked up 2,062 scrimmage yards and 22 total TDs back in 2023. He won't threaten Achane's workload, but could be a nice change of pace option for Miami and profiles as a better short-yardage rusher (6-foot-2, 225 lbs).

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Jacob Cowing Aug 25 12:50am ET
Jacob Cowing

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan reports that wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring) could miss up to six weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered last week during practice. The second-year pro will likely open up the season on injured reserve. San Francisco's pass-catching corps is reeling with yet another significant injury to one of their wideouts. With the news regarding Cowing, it could very well be teammates Ricky Pearsall and Skyy Moore lining up in two-wide sets, depending on whether Jauan Jennings (calf) will be good to go for their season-opener against the Seattle Seahawks. Moore is a newly acquired asset for the team, but it isn't out of the question that they might seek more help in that regard. Fantasy managers can expect Pearsall, tight end George Kittle, and running back Christian McCaffrey to be slated for a heavy load of touches if this situation doesn't improve.

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Ricky Pearsall Aug 25 12:20am ET
Ricky Pearsall

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and his chemistry with fourth-year quarterback Brock Purdy have been on full display this offseason, in camp, and during their lone preseason drive together. The 24-year-old is one of San Francisco's only healthy wideouts, and he and Purdy have worked hard to develop a connection ahead of the 2025 season. In the lone series the two shared during their victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Pearsall hauled in 3-of-4 targets for 42 yards and totaled more than half the 49ers' yardage. With conflicting reports around the health of teammate Jauan Jennings (calf) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to potentially miss six games of his own, the University of Florida alum is poised to handle a large workload in the early going of the season. He's a fine selection as a high-upside WR3/4 in PPR formats.

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Calvin Austin III Aug 24 11:00pm ET
Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (abdomen) was spotted in pads and running routes during the team's practice on Sunday, per Nick Farabaugh of PennLive. Austin III has been dealing with an abdominal injury for the better part of a month, but it appears he's trending towards being ready to go for Week 1. The 26-year-old recorded 36 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games for Pittsburgh in 2024. He's expected to play a key role as the team's lead slot receiver in 2025. If Austin III can quickly develop chemistry with new Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, there's an opportunity for him to emerge as the number two target-earner in Pittsburgh behind DK Metcalf. He may end up being a value in fantasy as a late-round flier.

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Tyjae Spears Aug 24 10:50pm ET
Tyjae Spears

Starting the season on the short-term injured reserve list is "in consideration" for Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (ankle), according to Easton Freeze of A to Z Sports. Spears suffered a high ankle sprain in preseason play and is reportedly still in a walking boot. It's unlikely that he will be ready to go for Week 1, and he could be sidelined for the first four weeks of the season if the team does indeed place him on injured reserve. Julius Chestnut and Kalel Mullings (ankle) would serve as the backups to Tony Pollard in the Titans backfield if Spears is forced to miss time, although Mullings is dealing with a minor ankle issue of his own. Spears profiles as a solid running back depth in fantasy when healthy.

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Efton Chism III Aug 24 10:30pm ET
Efton Chism III

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III (ankle, foot) did not practice on Sunday as he battles ankle and foot injuries, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. The same ailments kept Chism III from playing in the team's preseason finale against the New York Giants on Thursday. An undrafted free agent signee out of Eastern Washington, Chism III has been a standout in training camp and recorded 12 catches across the two preseason contests he took part in. He's reportedly fighting with second-year wide receiver Javon Baker for one of the last spots on New England's initial 53-man roster. Even if he makes the team, Chism III is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant in 2025, but he could be a name to monitor in dynasty formats.

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Jauan Jennings Aug 24 10:20pm ET
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings' (calf) "lingering calf issue and long contractual stalemate with (the team) could combine to send him to the injured reserve list," according to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard. Jennings has missed the majority of training camp with a calf issue and is also seeking a new contract from the team, which has led to speculation that the calf ailment is disguising a "hold-in." By threatening to place Jennings on injured reserve, which would sideline him for at least four weeks, the team would essentially be attempting to call his bluff. In Kawakami's report, he notes that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently said he expects Jennings to be on the field for Week 1. If that is indeed the case, Jennings profiles as a WR3/flex option in fantasy. However, he obviously comes with significant risk until both his injury and contract situations are resolved.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Dugger Aug 24 9:00pm ET
Kyle Dugger

The New England Patriots are shopping fifth-year safety Kyle Dugger, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. Despite starting in all 45 of his appearances in the previous three seasons and signing a four-year, $58 million extension in April 2024, Dugger has been working with the second-team defense under a new regime this summer. The Patriots could go with Jabrill Peppers and either Jaylinn Hawkins or Craig Woodson as their starting safety tandem if Dugger stays on the bench or ends up elsewhere. However, finding a trade partner for Dugger may not be easy. His 2025 base salary of $9.75 million is guaranteed, and he didn't play well last season. The 29-year-old appeared in 13 games and went without an interception for the first time since 2020, his rookie campaign, and Pro Football Focus ranked his performance 157th out of 171 qualified safeties. It's worth noting that Dugger played through a right-ankle injury that required offseason surgery. Dugger is now fully healed, and if the Patriots are serious about getting rid of him, they'll have to hope another team sees him as a viable bounce-back candidate in its defensive system.

From RotoBaller

Brett Rypien Aug 24 8:20pm ET
Brett Rypien

The Minnesota Vikings released quarterback Brett Rypien on Sunday as part of a shakeup at the position. Along with moving on from Rypien, they traded Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles and signed Carson Wentz. Their QB room now consists of new starter J.J. McCarthy, Wentz, and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. Rypien spent most of last season on the Vikings' practice squad and didn't get into any games. The 29-year-old appeared in all three of the Vikings' preseason contests this month and combined to go 15-for-29 for 151 yards and an interception. That wasn't enough to convince the organization to retain him. Since going undrafted out of Boise State in 2019, Rypien has gotten into 10 games (all with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams) and completed 58.3% of passes with four touchdowns against nine interceptions.

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Trevon Diggs Aug 24 7:50pm ET
Trevon Diggs

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Dallas Cowboys defensive back Trevon Diggs (knee) is slated to be activated from the PUP list. The defensive back has passed his physical and will be cleared for action. The 26-year-old has been held out of action during training camp as he was recovering from an offseason knee surgery. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he is unable to progress enough to suit up for their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2021, Diggs enjoyed a career season when he tallied an impressive 11 interceptions. However, over the past two seasons, Diggs has tallied just three interceptions with 39 solo tackles. When healthy, he is expected to serve as a starter in the secondary.

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Chimere Dike Aug 24 7:30pm ET
Chimere Dike

Tennessee Titans' rookie wide receiver Chimere Dike recorded one reception for one yard on two targets in Friday's 23-13 preseason win over the Vikings. Dike was not involved much on Friday, even with Calvin Ridley (soreness) not suiting up. Currently, he sits behind Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Van Jefferson, and fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor on the depth chart, but he appears to have established a solid role on special teams. Head coach Brian Callahan has spoken highly of Dike for his work as a returner, and on Friday against the Vikings, he backed it up with a 36-yard kick return.

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Jordan James Aug 24 7:30pm ET
Jordan James

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Jordan James (finger) is expected to move down the depth chart following the trade that sent Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. to San Francisco. Given Robinson's experience at the NFL level, he will likely be the top option to slot in as the No. 2 running back behind All-Pro Christian McCaffrey. During the preseason, James was competing for a depth role over second-year running back Isaac Guerendo, but he suffered a broken finger earlier in August, which has kept him sidelined since. At the time of their injury, James was slated to miss "a couple of weeks." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but given his injury and the acquisition of Robinson, James is not expected to have a prominent role as a rookie. He is best to leave off your draft board in redraft leagues.

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Will Howard Aug 24 7:20pm ET
Will Howard

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard (hand) was unable to suit up in their preseason finale on Thursday against the Carolina Panthers. The Ohio State product missed the entirety of the preseason due to a broken bone in his right hand. While the former sixth-round selection had an opportunity to claim the No. 2 job behind Aaron Rodgers, given that he missed the entire preseason, fantasy managers should expect him to open up as the No. 3 option on the depth chart. In 2024, Howard led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a National Championship. He threw for 4,010 yards with 35:10 TD:INT. His passing yards and passing scores both led the Big Ten. With Howard slated to serve in a depth role in his rookie season, he should only be viewed as a deep league taxi squad stash option in superflex dynasty formats.

From RotoBaller

Dillon Gabriel Aug 24 7:20pm ET
Dillon Gabriel

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is slated to claim a spot on the 53-man roster officially. Earlier on Sunday, the Browns opted to release quarterback Tyler Huntley, leaving them with four options on their depth chart. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Browns have planned to keep four quarterbacks on their roster for some time, suggesting that Gabriel's position is safe. The Browns selected Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Oregon. During their preseason finale this past weekend, Gabriel entered the game after the starter Joe Flacco, which suggests the team views the Oregon product as the No. 2 option on the depth chart. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be in a good position to make his NFL debut early in the season if he can open the campaign as the backup.

From RotoBaller

Shedeur Sanders Aug 24 7:10pm ET
Shedeur Sanders

According to Adam Schefter, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is set to make the 53-man roster. Earlier on Sunday, the Browns released Tyler Huntley, which leaves them with four quarterbacks on the roster. However, the Browns have planned to keep four quarterbacks on their roster, which means the Colorado product could be in the mix to see playing time during the regular season. Sanders flashed upside in his preseason debut when he went 14-for-23 with 138 passing yards and two scores against the Carolina Panthers. However, in his final preseason game this past weekend, he struggled, being sacked five times and completing only three passes. With Joe Flacco being named the starter, fantasy managers should expect Sanders to open the season serving as a backup option alongside fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel and veteran Kenny Pickett. He should be viewed as a low-upside stash option in deeper superflex dynasty formats.

From RotoBaller

Phil Mafah Aug 24 7:10pm ET
Phil Mafah

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Phil Mafah carried the ball two times for 16 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 31-13 preseason win over the Falcons. The seventh-round draft pick has impressed in camp and entered the game in the fourth quarter of Friday's game after Jaydon Blue (ankle) was helped off the field. The Cowboys don't currently have a true RB1, with Miles Sanders (shoulder), Javonte Williams, Deuce Vaughn, and Blue ahead of him on the depth chart. With his performance on Friday and injuries to Sanders and Blue, he may have a chance to make the 53-man roster and compete for touches early on.

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Jaylin Lane Aug 24 7:00pm ET
Jaylin Lane

Washington Commanders rookie wide receiver Jaylin Lane is feeling comfortable in the Commanders' offense, and did not play in the team's final preseason game on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens, with no injury reported and multiple starters sitting. With the Commanders' star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin, still dealing with contract negotiations and status for playing in Week 1 up in the air, Lane has the opportunity to step up with a thin wide receiver room that currently has Deebo Samuel, K.J. Osborn, Michael Gallup, Luke McCaffrey, and Noah Brown. Lane has been impressive in the Commanders camp, and in two preseason games, he had three receptions for 42 yards and was targeted six times. At this time, Lane is a solid candidate for a late flyer or dynasty stash.

From RotoBaller

Aidan O'Connell Aug 24 6:30pm ET
Aidan O'Connell

The Las Vegas Raiders are exploring all options at quarterback after backup Aidan O'Connell (wrist) suffered a wrist injury that will sideline him up to eight weeks. Head coach Pete Carroll emphasized the team's urgency, saying, "All possibilities are available right now... we're looking everywhere to see if we can find the best guy that fits us." At present, rookie Cam Miller is the lone healthy backup to starter Geno Smith, but he's considered a developmental piece. With roster cuts approaching, the Raiders are expected to add a more experienced arm to stabilize their depth chart.

From RotoBaller

Ollie Gordon II Aug 24 6:30pm ET
Ollie Gordon II

Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II finished with 43 yards off eight carries in Saturday's win over the Jaguars. Mike Boone had only 27 yards off seven touches, although he made up for it by finding the end zone. With De'Von Achane (calf) and Jaylen Wright (leg) not a lock to be on the field for the Week 1 showdown with the Colts, it appears Gordon could be the first in line to handle the bulk of the snaps. Head coach Mike McDaniel praised the rookie after the contest, stating that the game didn't look "too big" for him. Still, with the opener a few weeks away, Achane and Wright both have time to get healthy. However, if they aren't out there, Gordon should at least be in the flex conversation.

From RotoBaller