Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (foot) missed practice Wednesday. GM Ryan Poles asserts that it was minor discomfort related to a cleat issue and isn't figured to be an issue for Week 1. The injury won't help an aging wide-out in a crowded receiving room. The 32-year-old is part of a hyper-talented WR room that includes DJ Moore and ninth-overall pick Rome Odunze. It's clear Allen won't have the 8.5 or more targets per game he's enjoyed in each of his last seven seasons, but he will be catching passes from rookie No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Fantasy managers will still want to watch to ensure Allen returns to practice in the coming days heading into their drafts.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor admitted he may have been premature in his comments about wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's status, stating that Chase is now considered day-to-day. Taylor acknowledged he "spoke too quickly" on Tuesday regarding Chase's availability and expressed hope that Chase will return "hopefully at some point soon." Despite Taylor's earlier statement that Chase would practice this week, the star wide receiver did not participate in Wednesday's session as the team prepared for its season opener. Chase has essentially been "holding in" throughout the preseason as he seeks a better contract than the $1.1 million he's set to earn in 2024. However, his salary will increase to over $21 million in 2025 due to the Bengals picking up his fifth-year option in April. Taylor also mentioned he expects Chase to play in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, but the final outcome remains uncertain with the situation evolving rapidly.

From RotoBaller

The Washington Commanders have signed former Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown. Brown, who previously worked with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn during their time with the Cowboys, was recently waived by the Texans as part of their roster cuts. At 28 years old, Brown is coming off two consecutive seasons with over 550 receiving yards, having played for the Cowboys in 2022 and the Texans in 2023. With the Commanders having traded Jahan Dotson to the Eagles last week, their current receiver lineup includes Terry McLaurin, Olamide Zaccheaus, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, Byron Pringle, and Jamison Crowder. Washington needs reliable contributors to support McLaurin and Zaccheaus, though rookie third-round pick McCaffrey might also see some action. Despite missing part of training camp due to a shoulder injury following offseason labrum surgery, it appears the Commanders expect Brown to be ready for Week 1 against Tampa Bay.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch anticipates that hold-in wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (back, neck) will participate in practice on Wednesday. When asked about the consequences if Aiyuk doesn't show up, Lynch responded, "Then we'll deal with that." Head coach Kyle Shanahan also expressed hope that Aiyuk will practice, noting that doctors have cleared him after earlier reports of back and neck issues. Shanahan indicated that he would address potential penalties if necessary. The situation remains to be determined regarding whether Aiyuk is nearing a market-value extension or is willing to play out his rookie contract, which includes a $14.1 million salary. This ongoing uncertainty also opens up trade possibilities for the 49ers' leading receiver since 2022. The offseason's biggest fantasy storyline continues with no resolution in sight.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | The Cowboys have signed running back Dalvin Cook. Dynasty Analysis: Well, that didn't take long. Cook visited the facility today and signed shortly thereafter. His signing is one of those that could be good in reality but a mess in fantasy. At this point, Dallas looks to be going with some kind of committee that features Cook, Ezekiel Elliott, and Rico Dowdle. Cook is certainly worth an add to a dynasty roster but he's going to need to show he has some juice left to be trusted in lineups moving forward.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | The Steelers will open the season with Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback. Dynasty Analysis: Wilson beat out Justin Fields for the job but it was hardly by a landslide. Wilson looks like the safer option at the moment, with Fields having more explosiveness and risk at the same time. Pittsburgh is obviously playing it safe here but it's hard to look at this and think Fields won't start some games this season as well. Wilson is a QB2 in dynasty leagues but it's clear his best days are behind him.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) was seen in a non-contact practice jersey again on Wednesday afternoon. The Alabama product was seen wearing the same jersey earlier this week as he is being slowly eased back into game action. The 25-year-old has been dealing with a lingering undisclosed injury for most of August now, but it is promising to see the wideout on the field, albeit in a non-contact setting. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to Waddle's status, as he could be a full participant in the coming days. Waddle signed a massive $84.75 extension earlier this offseason after posting his third-straight 1,000-yard campaign last season. Even though he battled numerous injuries last season, he remains a top option at the wide receiver position given his big-play ability with a strong 73.6 air yards per game and a 2.88 average yards per route run.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (toe) was seen taking part in the practice session that was open to the media on Wednesday afternoon, according to Sal Capaccio of WGR550. This is an excellent sign for the 28-year-old wideout, who is currently questionable entering the opening week of the NFL season. Samuel was diagnosed with turf toe earlier in August and could be ready for Week 1 if he continues to progress well. Head Coach Sean McDermott expressed last week that Samuel "has a real good chance of being back," and this recent report suggests he remains on track to do so. Last season as a Commander, Samuel caught 613 receiving yards with four scores through the air and added one on the ground. Samuel remains an intriguing draft target at his current 129.7 Yahoo! ADP as the Bills wide receiver room lacks a clear No.1 option.

From RotoBaller

Free agent wide receiver Allen Robinson II is signing with the Detroit Lions, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Robinson was recently cut by the New York Giants earlier this week. The 31-year-old has struggled over the past few seasons after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2019 and 2020. Since then, the Penn State product has averaged just 343 receiving yards each season, and will now look to join his fourth team in four years. Currently, the Lions have two wide receivers on the injured reserve, Tre'Quan Smith (undisclosed) and Antoine Green (concussion), which could open the door for the veteran to serve in a depth role throughout the season occasionally. For now, fantasy managers should feel comfortable leaving Robinson on their waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Free agent wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. is signing with the San Francisco 49ers, according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. The former 2021 second-round selection was waived by the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday afternoon. Over his first three NFL seasons, the LSU product totaled just 767 yards and one score on 64 receptions. Marshall saw a career-high 490 yards in 2022 but took a significant step down last season as he tallied only 139 yards. The 24-year-old could push to earn the No.4 or 5 spot on the 49er depth chart or may be placed on the practice squad for the time being. Marshall could be a name to monitor in deeper dynasty leagues, as he has yet to earn an extended opportunity in the NFL despite being a high draft pick.

From RotoBaller

Free Agent Kicker Brayden Narveson was claimed by the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday afternoon, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. In a corresponding move, the Packers released kicker Greg Joseph. Narveson was an undrafted rookie and spent the preseason playing in Tennessee and went 6-for-7 on his field goal attempts. This was surprising, as the Packers waived Anders Carlson on Tuesday, suggesting that Joseph had won the starting job. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Narveson to now serve as the new starting kicker in Green Bay. While the N.C. State product may be a risky investment late in drafts, he should have ample opportunities to score fantasy points kicking on a potent offense and has flashed potential by hitting a 59-yard field goal during the preseason.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans running back Cam Akers made the team's final 53-man roster on Tuesday, signing just a week after training camp had started. Akers doesn't present much value on special teams, so that means if he's active, he will be pushing for carries on game days to spell workhorse starter Joe Mixon. If the Texans opt to trade away presumed No. 2 back Dameon Pierce as well, Akers would become Houston's preferred backup and fantasy's clear-cut handcuff to Mixon. It's hard to envision Akers, 25, having much upside or standalone value this season, after rushing for a mere 2.8 yards per carry over 60 attempts and coming off his second career Achilles tear in 2023, but the former second-round pick is at least trending up this summer over Pierce.

From RotoBaller

There is hope that Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) will return sometime in November. Mitchell is on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the season and will miss at least the first four games of the year after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in December of last year. This could lead Baltimore to add a RB who was cut from another team, but for the time being, veteran receiving back Justice Hill is all set to handle the change-of-pace role behind workhorse starter Derrick Henry in the early stages of 2024. Fantasy managers can stash the 22-year-old Mitchell if they have the space, considering he racked up 8.4 yards per carry across 47 attempts in his rookie season last year, but he's unlikely to be an option until the second half of the campaign.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell finally started showing some of his potential last season, starting 14 games and looking to be a dangerous weapon early in the season. His effectiveness tapered off after a hot start, however, and the 24-year-old former second-rounder's role diminished down the stretch before missing time while in concussion protocol. The Rams are fairly loaded at WR, with Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Demarcus Robinson set to line up as the wideouts in three-receiver sets. The emergence of rookie Jordan Whittington, along with a good training camp from journeyman Tyler Johnson, gives LA the kind of depth in the receiving corps where they could consider floating Atwell's name in trade talks. It's been reported the Rams are not looking to deal Atwell, but they still might be open to a respectable offer to improve other areas of the roster.

From RotoBaller

There's still no sign of Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers (foot) at practice on Wednesday. Bowers hasn't practiced since the middle of August due to a foot injury, but there remains optimism that his lack of activity is precautionary. Fantasy managers will want to see the 21-year-old first-rounder back on the field soon, however, as Las Vegas' regular-season opener is less than two weeks away against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 8 at SoFi Stadium. In the meantime, Michael Mayer and Harrison Bryant figure to be handling the first-team reps at tight end in practice sessions for the Raiders. Unless something significant emerges about his injury, Bowers remains safe to choose as a late-round pick for fantasy managers waiting until the end of drafts to grab a TE.

From RotoBaller

It doesn't look like Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is practicing on Wednesday. After head coach Zac Taylor said on Tuesday that Chase was going to continue to practice amid ongoing contract negotiations with the Bengals, the wideout got to practice 13 minutes after it has started in street clothes. Taylor also said Tuesday that he expects Chase to suit up for Cincinnati's regular-season opener against the visiting New England Patriots on Sept. 8 at Paycor Stadium, so fantasy managers shouldn't be moving the 24-year-old All-Pro around in their first-round rankings for the final week of drafts. Despite missing star quarterback Joe Burrow for half of the season last year, Chase put up a career-high 100 receptions (145 targets) in 16 appearances.

From RotoBaller

The Pittsburgh Steelers have named quarterback Russell Wilson their Week 1 starter against the hosting Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, so Justin Fields will begin the season as the team's backup. The Steelers left the door open for Fields to potentially win the starting job after Wilson missed the early part of training camp due to a calf injury, but the incumbent veteran will ultimately get the nod for the opening week of the campaign. Wilson gives Pittsburgh a stabilizing presence under center that should help keep the offense on schedule, but his fantasy value is going to be very limited during his starts in 2024 with a weak receiving corps and a major emphasis on the ground game in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's attack. Fantasy managers shouldn't look at the 35-year-old veteran signal-caller as anything more than a low-upside QB2 option.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson will be the team's starter to begin the season, head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Fantasy Spin: This was always expected, as Tomlin said on numerous occasions throughout the offseason that Wilson was the favorite for the job. Wilson finished as QB14 overall in 2023 and is a QB2 and fringe starter in 12-team leagues.

From TheHuddle

The Arizona Cardinals are re-signing quarterback Desmond Ridder (concussion) to their practice squad on Wednesday, according to sources. Ridder returns to the desert just a day after he was waived as the Cardinals cut their roster down to 53 players. The 24-year-old signal-caller failed to prove to the Atlanta Falcons that he was their franchise QB in his two seasons, and now he'll enter the 2024 regular season as the QB3 in Arizona behind Kyler Murray and Clayton Tune. The former second-rounder out of Cincinnati is no longer on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues after completing only 64% of his 503 pass attempts in his two years in Atlanta while throwing for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. In addition to his 12 picks, Ridder was turnover-prone with 15 total fumbles, including 12 in 2023.

From RotoBaller

The Steelers have decided on Russell Wilson to be their starting quarterback to open the season. He beat out Justin Fields for the job.