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FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Agency: 49ers signing veteran CB Eli Apple

Mon Jul 28 2:33am ET
Field Level Media

Veteran cornerback Eli Apple will have a chance to play for his seventh NFL team after agreeing to a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, his agency said on social media Sunday.

The 49ers had not made an announcement as of Sunday night. Apple, who turns 30 on Aug. 9, was limited by a hamstring injury last season and played in only four regular-season games and one playoff appearance for the Los Angeles Chargers, making two tackles.

He has 383 career tackles, six interceptions, 61 passes defended, three forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in 102 regular-season games (82 starts) for the New York Giants (2016-18), New Orleans Saints (2018-19), Carolina Panthers (2020), Cincinnati Bengals (2021-22), Miami Dolphins (2023) and Chargers.

The Giants selected Apple with the 10th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft.

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Player Notes
Isaac TeSlaa Jul 27 9:10pm CT
Isaac TeSlaa

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa has been impressive early in training camp practices and could be close to earning some first-team reps, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. Detroit gave up a haul of future draft assets to trade up in the third round and select TeSlaa back in April, so the team is clearly high on what he can be as a pro. The 23-year-old spent his final two college seasons at Arkansas, recording 28 catches for 545 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games in 2024. TeSlaa appears to be facing an uphill battle for playing time as a rookie, as the Lions have veterans Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, and Kalif Raymond ahead of him on the receiver depth chart. However, Patrick is playing on a one-year contract that expires at the end of the 2025 season. TeSlaa profiles as his future replacement and could potentially push Patrick for playing time in 2025 if he continues to play well throughout the preseason.

From RotoBaller

Drew Sanders Jul 27 8:50pm CT
Drew Sanders

Denver Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (foot) has suffered a tendon injury in his foot and will require further testing to determine his recovery timeline, according to Ian Rapoport. Rapoport reports that Sanders is "not expected back before the season begins" and will be out "an extended period of time." It's ominous news for Sanders, who was limited to just four games last season due to an Achilles tear he suffered last April. The 24-year-old was expected to play a key role in Denver's defense this season, but it appears the team will have to make do without him for at least the start of the regular season. The Broncos now have Alex Singleton and free-agent addition Dre Greenlaw penciled in as starters at off-ball linebacker, with Justin Strnad in place as a key reserve.

From RotoBaller

Deuce Vaughn Jul 27 8:40pm CT
Deuce Vaughn

Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn (hamstring) missed the team's practice on Sunday with a left hamstring injury, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. Vaughn missed time with a similar injury in 2024, but Watkins relays that the current hamstring ailment is not considered to be as serious. The 23-year-old Vaughn was drafted by the Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2023 draft and has yet to make a significant NFL impact. In 14 career games. Vaughn has recorded 40 carries for 110 yards. There could be an opportunity for him to earn playing time in Dallas this season if he can get back to full strength. The Cowboys have veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders competing with Vaughn and rookie Jaydon Blue for snaps in the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Brian Burns Jul 27 8:30pm CT
Brian Burns

New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns (general soreness) returned to the practice field on Sunday after a collision with wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson led to both players leaving practice on Friday. Giants coach Brian Daboll said that Burns' snaps in practice could be limited as a precaution, but that he had not suffered any structural injuries. The two-time Pro-Bowler has been extremely durable in his career, suiting up in at least 15 games in each of his six NFL seasons. In his first year with the Giants in 2024, Burns played 17 games, recording 8.5 sacks and 17 TFLs. New York has some depth at edge rusher after using a first-round pick on Abdul Carter in the 2025 draft, but Burns is still a key piece of their defensive identity.

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Minkah Fitzpatrick Jul 27 8:30pm CT
Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Miami Dolphins have added a $16.2 million signing bonus to the contract of recently-acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Fitzpatrick's contract had no guaranteed money left on it before the revision, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Schefter that he is still discussing a new long-term deal with the team. Miami acquired Fitzpatrick from the Pittsburgh Steelers along with a 2027 fifth-round pick in late June in exchange for defensive back Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-rounder. Fitzpatrick actually began his career in Miami, but he's spent most of the last six seasons with Pittsburgh and has been named a first-team All-Pro three times. The 28-year-old has recorded 400 solo tackles and 20 interceptions in his career and will be expected to anchor the Dolphins' secondary in 2025.

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Joey Bosa Jul 27 8:20pm CT
Joey Bosa

Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa (calf) said he feels "great" and gives himself a clean bill of health for Bills training camp, according to Nick Wojton of USA Today. Bosa missed the team's minicamp and OTAs with a calf injury, but he practiced in full earlier this week. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal worth over $12 million with Buffalo this past offseason after spending the first nine years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers. He's a five-time Pro-Bowler who has recorded 72 career sacks and 156 QB hits. However, injuries have been a consistent issue for Bosa, especially in recent years. He played 14 games in 2024, but just 14 combined from 2022-23. The Bills are sure to manage his workload in the preseason and maybe even early in the regular season in the hopes he can be on the field for a potential Super Bowl push.

From RotoBaller

Allen Lazard Jul 27 8:00pm CT
Allen Lazard

The New York Jets' Allen Lazard has had "a very quiet" training camp thus far and is dropping in the team's wide receiver pecking order as a result, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports. Meanwhile, free-agent addition Josh Reynolds has emerged as the odds-on favorite for the No. 2 role opposite star Garrett Wilson. Lazard appeared in 12 games last year and caught 37 of 60 targets for 530 yards and six touchdowns. The belief during the offseason was that the Jets would move on from Lazard, particularly with the departure of his friend and longtime quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but he wound up taking a pay cut to stay. Now a member of what could be a run-heavy offense with Justin Fields replacing Rodgers, Lazard probably won't make much of an impact from a fantasy standpoint in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Evan McPherson Jul 27 8:00pm CT
Evan McPherson

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson converted all six of his field-goal attempts on Sunday to continue a spotless training camp. McPherson is off to an 18-for-18 start this summer as he looks to leave an underwhelming 2024 season behind him. After beginning his career with a productive three-year run, McPherson went backward last season in making just 16 of 22 field goals (72.7%), though he did knock in all but one of his 38 extra-point tries. The 26-year-old missed the Bengals' final five games because of a groin injury, but he has bounced back nicely from it so far. As part of a team with a high-powered offense, McPherson should get plenty of opportunities this year. He's RotoBaller's eighth-ranked kicker heading into the 2025 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Shedeur Sanders Jul 27 7:50pm CT
Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders is the only healthy quarterback on the roster who hasn't gotten any reps with the No. 1 offense in training camp, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. The former Colorado standout, a fifth-round pick in this year's draft, is trailing behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookie third-rounder Dillon Gabriel. With that said, Saturday's practice was Sanders' best so far, according to Jackson, who notes that he "displayed touch and confidence." The 23-year-old will need to keep that up to earn a roster spot in a crowded QB room, though he'll have an opportunity at more reps if Pickett (hamstring) has to miss time because of the hamstring injury that he suffered Saturday.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Jul 27 7:30pm CT
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is in a contract year, but he's not expecting an extension to come together. While Pierce told Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star that his representatives and the Colts did discuss a new deal "a while back," the plan is to "play the season out, kind of see where things go." A second-round pick from Cincinnati in 2022, Pierce has posted fewer than 40 catches per season, but he emerged as a major big-play threat last year. Pierce averaged a league-high 22.3 yards per catch on 37 grabs (69 targets) and led the Colts with seven receiving touchdowns. He's now building on that performance in camp, with Erickson noting that Pierce has been the Colts' most consistent receiver so far in practice. Unfortunately for Pierce, he has never had the benefit of high-level quarterback play in the NFL, and it's doubtful that will change this season with Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson Sr. battling for the starting job. Pierce also has to share targets with Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, each of whom amassed over 100 last year, as well as Adonai Mitchell and first-round tight end Tyler Warren. Those factors damage the 25-year-old's fantasy stock.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Jul 27 7:20pm CT
Spencer Rattler

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler looks to be in the lead for the team's starting job, according to Jeff Nowak of WWL Radio Sports. Rattler received most of the reps at Sunday's practice as rookie Tyler Shough worked with the second team and Jake Haener was with the third team. While Haener is reportedly under consideration for the No. 1 role, he has always seemed like the longest shot of the group, and Sunday was the third time in four practices that he has worked with the third team. Rattler, a fifth-round pick out of South Carolina last year, started in six of seven appearances as a rookie and completed 57% of passes with four touchdowns against five interceptions. That wasn't enough to stop the Saints from making a fairly sizable investment in this year's draft in Shough, the 40th overall pick from Louisville. The 25-year-old is the only member of the trio who hasn't turned the ball over in camp yet, though Nowak notes that Shough hasn't taken many risks. It appears he'll have more work to do to overtake Rattler.

From RotoBaller

Trey Hendrickson Jul 27 6:00pm CT
Trey Hendrickson

According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is "still talking" with the front office regarding a new contract. "My understanding is the sides are still talking," said Pelissero. There is some back and forth." Hendrickson has been a force on the defensive side of the ball throughout his career, most recently combining for 35 sacks in the last two seasons. He has also been named to the Pro Bowl four times. The Bengals were successful in getting rookie Shemar Stewart to finally agree to his rookie contract. However, it will be interesting to see how things play out in this situation, considering both sides aren't willing to budge on guaranteed cash. Without question, the Bengals will need him on the field, especially since the defense struggled during the 2024 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Eli Apple Jul 27 5:50pm CT
Eli Apple

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, free-agent cornerback Eli Apple agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers on Sunday. The 2016 No. 10 overall pick has suited up for the Giants, Saints, Panthers, Bengals, Dolphins, and Chargers during his career. He has appeared in 102 regular-season contests, totaling 383 tackles and six interceptions. Unfortunately, Apple hasn't been as productive in recent seasons. While it's unknown how much work he'll see in San Francisco, he will at least add depth to a 49ers team that dealt with plenty of injuries throughout the 2024 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Laviska Shenault Jr. Jul 27 5:40pm CT
Laviska Shenault Jr.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (leg) was activated off the active/non-football injury list on Sunday. The wideout was battling a lower leg strain, forcing him to miss the first four practices of training camp. He signed with the Bills in March after making stops in Jacksonville, Carolina, Seattle, and Los Angeles (Chargers) since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He had a decent rookie campaign, finding the end zone five times. However, Shenault has only had two touchdowns ever since. Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer have both looked good during training camp, and Khalil Shakir doesn't appear to be in jeopardy of losing his spot on the depth chart. With that in mind, Shenault will have work to do in order to get meaningful snaps throughout the season. For now, he's not worth drafting in any fantasy format.

From RotoBaller

Dawson Knox Jul 27 5:20pm CT
Dawson Knox

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox was activated off the active/non-football injury list on Sunday. The veteran was dealing with a hamstring injury. Fortunately, his stint on the shelf didn't last too long. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career in Buffalo, totaling 193 catches (299 targets) for 2,277 yards and 23 touchdowns. He was once one of the most productive tight ends in the National Football League. However, since combining for 15 touchdowns during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, Knox has only found the end zone three times in the last two seasons. Although Dalton Kincaid has had his share of struggles, he's still the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart. While that doesn't necessarily mean Knox won't get looks from Josh Allen, he likely won't be consistent enough to warrant starting consideration in any fantasy format.

From RotoBaller

Kenny Pickett Jul 27 5:10pm CT
Kenny Pickett

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) was injured toward the end of Saturday's practice. He will be re-evaluated "later this week." The signal-caller, who was traded to the Browns in March, has looked good throughout training camp, appearing to have an early lead for the starting quarterback job. However, Joe Flacco may handle most of the first-team reps in the interim, with Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in line for more work. Pickett has appeared in 30 regular-season contests combined for the Steelers and Eagles during his career, throwing for 4,765 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions while completing 62.4% of his attempts and adding five scores on the run. All things considered, any Browns quarterback, regardless of who starts, won't draw attention from managers in fantasy drafts heading into Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Jalin Hyatt Jul 27 3:40pm CT
Jalin Hyatt

New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt was back in action on Sunday after being held out of Friday's practice due to cramping/tightness. Hyatt was evaluated during warmups and given the green light. With Wan'Dale Robinson missing time in each of the last two practices, the noticeably bulked-up third-year wideout is looking to work his way into a larger role after seeing only 19 targets as a rookie and 40 in 2024. While the Giants' offense is built to run through Malik Nabers, Hyatt's speed made him a deep ball specialist in college, so he well could find himself on the receiving end of the occasional Russell Wilson moonball. This probably isn't enough to make him fantasy relevant in most formats, but for those with a large enough portfolio, he could be worth the occasional swing in 20-round best ball drafts.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Jul 27 3:40pm CT
Malik Nabers

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers was once again the focal point of the team's offense during Sunday's training camp practice. Dan Duggan of The Athletic charted Nabers with five receptions on 10 completed passes by Russell Wilson. Nabers finished his rookie season with 165 targets, finishing behind only Ja'Marr Chase in that category despite missing two games. It's worth noting that Nabers has been managing a toe issue, but had dealt with it since college and wasn't slowed down by it during his rookie campaign. While the quarterback under center has changed, the game plan remains the same, and the 2025 Giants offense will once again run through Nabers. Ordinarily, there might be trepidation in taking pieces from a subpar offense, which the Giants project to be once more. Still, Nabers' unreal target numbers should have drafters feeling great about him as their first-round pick, and he could realistically challenge to be the overall WR1 this season.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Jul 27 3:00pm CT
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (calf) is still dealing with a calf issue that forced him to leave Sunday's practice early. This is the same injury that Jennings dealt with during the team's offseason program, but the belief at the time was that it would not impact his training camp availability. The 49ers' wide receiver room has been one of the biggest question marks in fantasy heading into the 2025 season. With Jennings leaving practice early on the same day that Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) was activated off the PUP list, this is certainly a situation worth monitoring. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is on the PUP list, recovering from a torn ACL he sustained last season. After watching many notable defensive stalwarts find new homes in free agency, the 49ers may need to score a lot this year to stay in games, and whoever can secure the team's WR1 spot is going to be an extremely valuable fantasy asset. Jennings is considered day-to-day for now.

From RotoBaller

Kendre Miller Jul 27 2:20pm CT
Kendre Miller

After a frustrating start to his NFL career, New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller says he's finally back to full health. Hampered by a laundry list of injuries over his first two seasons, including a hamstring strain and sprained ankle, Miller has played in only 14 games since being selected in the third round of the 2023 Draft, totaling only 80 carries in his young career. At times, former head coach Dennis Allen was vocal about Miller's inability to stay on the field. However, in his first days of camp with a new regime, the 23-year-old stated that he has put in the work this offseason and feels 100% healthy. Alvin Kamara still leads the Saints' backfield, but Miller remains an intriguing insurance option that should be stashed in deeper formats.

From RotoBaller