Guest of the League
American Made Est. 2020
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Jets WR Mike Williams (ACL) activated from PUP list

Wed Aug 7 4:53pm ET
Field Level Media

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams, who is recovering from a torn ACL, passed his physical and was activated Wednesday from the physically unable to perform list.

The Jets signed free agent Williams in March to a one-year contract reported to be worth up to $15 million with incentives. The Los Angeles Chargers made him a salary cap casualty after his first seven seasons with the club. Williams, 29, was due to make $17 million in the final year of his three-year deal with the Chargers before he was released in March.

Williams insists he will be ready for the opening game, a Monday night affair at the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 9.

"That's my goal to be able to go out there, play this season and give it my all, give this team a chance, win the big thing," Williams said.

He sustained the knee injury in Week 3 of the 2023 season, which ended with 19 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown in three starts. In 88 career games (62 starts), he has racked up 309 catches for 4,806 yards (15.6 yards per catch) and 31 touchdowns, plus one rushing touchdown.

The Chargers selected Williams seventh overall in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Clemson.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

This Week in the TFC (8-1)

Player Notes
Mike Williams Aug 7 3:30pm CT
Mike Williams

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on Wednesday, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. This is promising news as the former Los Angeles Charger recovers from a torn ACL suffered in Week 3 of last season. The 29-year-old should have plenty of time to ramp up his activity before the Week 1 Monday Night Football contest against the San Francisco 49ers which is just over one month away. However, the team could still opt to bring him along slowly, so fantasy managers should check back for his latest injury updates. Williams is usually available outside the top 150 picks in redraft formats, so he's a low-risk, high-reward bench stash with spike-week potential. He's always been a volatile fantasy option, but since he'll be catching passes from Aaron Rodgers this year, he has legitimate fantasy football intrigue and upside.

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Aug 7 2:00pm CT
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said at Wednesday's practice that the deep-ball relationship with quarterback Will Levis and wide receiver Calvin Ridley has not been great so far. "We've missed a few. Hope deep-ball relationship improves as training camp goes on," Callahan noted. Ridley is still getting acquainted with his new quarterback during his first year in Tennessee, and Levis is going to want to form a rapport with his new wideout sooner rather than later in the absence of veteran DeAndre Hopkins (knee). The big-armed Levis is still something of a question mark entering Year 2, but he did lead the league with 10.4 air yards per attempt over 255 pass attempts in his rookie season in 2023. There's plenty of upside here as well for Ridley, who drew a substantial 28 deep targets with the Jacksonville Jaguars last year, but this connection is clearly a work in progress at the moment.

From RotoBaller

Odell Beckham Jr. Aug 7 1:50pm CT
Odell Beckham Jr.

The Miami Dolphins signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (undisclosed) this offseason to be their third wide receiver, but he has yet to practice as he works through an undisclosed injury. When healthy, however, he should still be the third option in the passing game. He is not the only candidate; tight end Jonnu Smith is coming off a career year in 2023 with the Atlanta Falcons, while running back De'Von Achane has notably worked on his receiving game throughout the offseason. As it stands, Beckham would likely need either superstar wideout Tyreek Hill or star receiver Jaylen Waddle to miss time for a pronounced role in Miami's high-octane passing attack. The 31-year-old former Pro Bowler did show he still had something left in the tank with the Baltimore Ravens last year, racking up 16.1 yards per reception through 35 catches.

From RotoBaller

Brian Robinson Jr. Aug 7 1:40pm CT
Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. are both are listed as starters on the team's initial preseason depth chart. There's not much of a surprise here, as the Commanders will likely ride one back or the other based on game scripts this fall. Robinson projects as Washington's early-down and goal-line back with plenty of touchdown upside after finding the end zone nine times in 15 games last year, whereas Ekeler is set to be utilized mostly on third downs and obvious passing situations after tallying 74 targets with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023. There's a real chance this ends up being an even split for touches amongst the two, with Robinson being the preferred option in standard fantasy leagues and Ekeler the priority in PPR formats.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Aug 7 1:40pm CT
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer appears in position to be the team's No. 1 target to begin 2024. After that on the depth chart, it appears to be an open competition between former first-rounder Quentin Johnston, rookie second-rounder Ladd McConkey, and veteran deep threat DJ Chark. Palmer is a bit of a WR4/5 sleeper pick in fantasy drafts this summer; he produced a solid 9.5 yards per target over 61 targets and 15.3 yards per reception across 38 catches for the Chargers in 2023. In LA's wide open receiving corps and with the most experience in this offense of the bunch, the 24-year-old former third-round pick out of Tennessee figures to be quarterback Justin Herbert's (foot) favorite target during the early going of the season.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Aug 7 1:20pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel offered a pretty strong suggestion on Wednesday at training camp that we won't see quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in action versus the visiting Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday night. Fresh off bagging a long-term deal with the Dolphins during camp, Tagovailoa appears poised to sit out Miami's preseason opener. In his likely absence, Mike White and Skylar Thompson should soak up the available snaps on Friday against Jacksonville. Tagovailoa was a first-time Pro Bowler a season ago, leading the NFL in passing yards (4,624) and registering career-high figures in completion rate (69.3%) and touchdown passes (29) with 14 interceptions over 17 starts. The 26-year-old star signal-caller is safe to draft this summer as a low-end QB1 starter without much rushing upside in the later rounds after the top-tier options are off the board.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Aug 7 1:10pm CT
Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said at Wednesday's practice that each quarterback will get a quarter of action against the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday at EverBank Stadium. That means Patrick Mahomes will appear in the first quarter, Carson Wentz will get the second quarter, and so on. Mahomes is unlikely to see more than a drive or two of play on Saturday, but Reid has been known for having his star and veteran players active in some capacity during exhibition games in the past. With an improved supporting cast around him following a career-low 4.5% touchdown rate and 7.0 yards per attempt over 16 starts for the Chiefs last year, Mahomes looks like a clear positive regression candidate among top-tier fantasy QB1 picks for 2024. Kansas City ran the second-most team pass plays per game (37.4) last season.

From RotoBaller

Lawrence Cager Aug 7 1:00pm CT
Lawrence Cager

The New York Giants have tons of opportunity at the tight end position this year after Darren Waller's retirement. They are looking to fill the void left by Waller with some combination of Daniel Bellinger, Lawrence Cager (hamstring) and rookie Theo Johnson. Bellinger is likely to be the starter, but Cager or Johnson are likely to be the team's primary pass-catching tight end. Cager started out training camp strong, and head coach Brian Daboll called him one of the standouts in the spring, but a hamstring injury has limited him recently. Johnson has returned after starting camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a hip problem. ESPN's Jordan Raanan says it's anyone's job to win this summer. None of the trio of TE options in New York are particularly attractive from a fantasy perspective, but Johnson probably has the most upside if he has a big enough role.

From RotoBaller

Chase Claypool Aug 7 12:40pm CT
Chase Claypool

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chase Claypool (toe) did not practice at training camp on Wednesday. It's been over a week now since Claypool was last on the field at camp due to his toe injury. For a declining receiver that was already battling for a roster spot this summer, all of his missed practice time is really bad news. It's a shame, too, as Buffalo has plenty of opportunity at the receiver position in 2024 with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, their top two receivers a year ago, no longer in town. The 26-year-old former second-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020 out of Notre Dame is going to need to get back on the field soon to have any shot at winning a 53-man roster spot to begin the regular season. Since going for 860 receiving yards in 2021 in his second season, Claypool has struggled to find a role in the NFL.

From RotoBaller

Velus Jones Jr. Aug 7 12:40pm CT
Velus Jones Jr.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. entered training camp on the roster bubble, although many expect the third-year wideout to be the team's starting kick returner in 2024. In an effort to be more versatile to the team, Jones agreed to spend this week of practice as a running back. He's spent most of camp to this point with the second-team offense while DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, rookie Rome Odunze and Tyler Scott take first-team reps. The 27-year-old's route-running has been erratic in his first two years in the NFL, so switching to RB is the team's creative attempt to unlock his big-play ability. Jones' return abilities on special teams will likely be enough to earn him a spot on the 53-man roster for the regular season, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't be expecting much else in what is now a stacked receiver corps in Chicago.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Aug 7 12:30pm CT
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf) was held out of training camp practice on Wednesday due to a calf injury. The Packers haven't given any indication that Reed's calf injury is a long-term ailment, but it's worth noting after he also missed the start of training camp due to a toe injury. Even if his calf injury isn't serious, there's a good chance he'll be held out of this weekend's preseason opener as a precaution. The 24-year-old second-year pass-catcher turned heads with eight touchdowns on 64 receptions and 793 yards in 16 games (13 starts) in his rookie season last year. Reed showed he has a nose for the end zone and plenty of big-play ability through the air and on the ground, but volume could be a question as long as both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs stay healthy. Heading into Year 2 in 2024, fantasy managers should consider Reed more of a touchdown-dependent WR3/flex.

From RotoBaller

Greg Dortch Aug 7 12:30pm CT
Greg Dortch

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that wide receiver Greg Dortch is going to have "a big year." "He speaks softly and carries a big stick," Gannon said. With Rondale Moore no longer in town, Dortch has been working with the first-team offense in training camp this summer after being a backup receiver each of the last two seasons. The 26-year-old slot receiver has had his moments as an injury replacement, though, especially in 2022, when he had a career season with 52 receptions on 64 targets for 467 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games (four starts). The former undrafted free agent has injury concerns himself because of his small 5-foot-7, 175-pound stature, but he could be a sleeper candidate worth looking into, especially with quarterback Kyler Murray fully healthy to begin the 2024 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Rondale Moore Aug 7 12:20pm CT
Rondale Moore

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Rondale Moore (leg) was carted off during training camp practice on Wednesday, and doctors put an air cast on his right leg, which is never a good sign. It's unclear how the injury happened, but it appears that Moore might be set to miss significant time with a serious injury. Making matters even worse, the 24-year-old's injury was of the non-contact variety, which makes it even more likely that he might have suffered a potential season-ending injury. The former second-round pick in 2021 was trying to carve out a role as receiver depth in Atlanta in his first year with the team behind Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III. If Moore indeed suffered a significant injury, it will only cement McCloud's status as the team's starting slot receiver to open the year.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Aug 7 12:10pm CT
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has thrown just one preseason pass in his NFL career, but FOX Sports' Greg Auman expects that to change in the team's preseason opener this Saturday against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "I'm excited for it," said Burrow, who's now healthy after suffering a wrist injury last November that ended his 2023 season. "I'm excited to get these reps and have these reps to get better right now." Head coach Zac Taylor understands there are injury risks with playing starters in the preseason, but he also recognizes the advantages of giving them real time in a huddle against an opponent. If Burrow does see preseason action this weekend, it probably won't be for more than an offensive series or two. And as long as the 27-year-old former first overall pick doesn't have a setback with his surgically repaired wrist in the preseason, he will be a prime bounce-back candidate in fantasy as a midrange QB1.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Aug 7 12:10pm CT
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain during training camp practice on Wednesday, according to a source. The outlook right now is that Downs could miss about a month, but the Colts are sorting it all out. It's a tough break for Downs, who had been a popular breakout candidate in fantasy leading up to Wednesday's injury after catching 68 of his 98 targets for 771 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (nine starts) in his first NFL season in 2023. We don't know for sure how much time the 22-year-old might miss to open the 2024 regular season, but this news surely puts a dent into his draft stock. With Downs now sidelined, both Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell will have more opportunities to make noise in Indy's passing game. While Pierce has looked more consistent in camp, Mitchell is a higher-ceiling, big-play option for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

DaQuan Jones Aug 7 9:13am CT
DaQuan Jones

Buffalo Bills RB Ty Johnson (hamstring), WR Chase Claypool (toe), OT Travis Clayton (shoulder), S Mike Edwards (hamstring), S Cole Bishop (shoulder), DT DaQuan Jones (undisclosed), LB Nicholas Morrow (core/groin) and LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (ribs) are out of practice Wednesday, Aug. 7.

From TheHuddle

Kenneth Walker III Aug 7 9:10am CT
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III caught just 19 passes in three collegiate seasons at Wake Forest and Michigan State, and many questioned his ability as a receiver when he entered the NFL. He's hauled in 56 passes for 424 yards and one touchdown through his first 30 pro games, but he could be more involved in that area this season based on comments from offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. "I think he gets better every single day," Grubb said. "I think the sky's the limit for him. I think he's a really, really talented, powerful back that's a true three-tool guy. He's electric out of the backfield as a pass-catcher." Walker's fantasy value took a hit last year after the team selected Zach Charbonnet in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, a new staff is in place, and Walker has reportedly had a great training camp. Charbonnet will likely be involved in the offense, but all signs point toward Walker remaining the clear RB1 for the Seahawks.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Aug 7 9:00am CT
Jaylen Waddle

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) has reportedly been dealing with a minor injury this week, which has held him out of practice. Head coach Mike McDaniel said several players are dealing with minor bumps and bruises, but nothing is major. While it's never ideal for a training camp injury to pop up, Waddle's status should not be a concern until further notice. The former first-round pick out of Alabama has averaged 83.6 receptions, 1,128 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns through his first three years with the organization. Miami signed him to a three-year, $87.75 million deal this offseason, so he should continue to produce alongside Tyreek Hill for at least the next few seasons. Waddle had his worst fantasy finish last season after posting two WR1 campaigns to begin his career, but he might be a bargain at his cost around the WR15 slot in preseason fantasy drafts. He's in one of the best offenses in the NFL, and he'd have top-five upside at the position if the aging Hill had to miss any time during the regular season.

From RotoBaller

Justin Fields Aug 7 8:50am CT
Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields will start against the Houston Texans in Friday's preseason contest, and the first-team offense will get "a couple series," according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Veteran Russell Wilson (calf) is dealing with a calf injury and won't suit up, so this is a perfect opportunity for Fields to show what he can do after a mostly disappointing three-year career with the Chicago Bears. The former first-round pick out of Ohio State flashed as a runner with Chicago, but his 60.3% completion percentage and 40 passing touchdowns to 30 interceptions in 40 career games left a lot to be desired. Wilson is still likely to start in Week 1 of the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons, but Fields could be promoted to the QB1 job by midseason if Wilson continues to regress.

From RotoBaller

Kenny Pickett Aug 7 8:40am CT
Kenny Pickett

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett was dealt to the organization following two underwhelming seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former first-round pick out of Pittsburgh University threw for just 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 25 starts to begin his career. The Eagles didn't give up much to acquire him, but he is reportedly still competing with Tanner McKee (a 2023 sixth-round pick) for the backup job behind Jalen Hurts. Both signal-callers are getting second-team reps, so this is a situation worth monitoring in superflex and two-QB leagues. Although Hurts has stayed mostly healthy during his pro career, his dual-threat style leaves him more susceptible to injury. If Hurts had to miss any time, Pickett or McKee would become a must-roster option in those formats, and either could have short-term upside given the high-end pass-catchers on the Philadelphia roster.

From RotoBaller