Pro Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey (calf), who has been sidelined with a strained calf for most of training camp, is anticipated to return to practice on Tuesday. Although the team won't release a detailed injury report on his participation until Thursday, his return to the field is a promising sign of his availability for the season opener. McCaffrey has been limited to side-field workouts in recent weeks, but it appears he can join team drills as the 49ers begin their Week 1 preparations. Injuries have been a concern for McCaffrey in the past; he played only ten games combined during the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Carolina Panthers. However, he has rebounded strongly, playing all 17 games in 2022 and 16 games last season. In 2023, McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards, added 564 receiving yards, and scored 21 total touchdowns, earning him the Offensive Player of the Year award. While McCaffrey seems on track to be ready for Week 1, it's wise to draft his backup, Jordan Mason, as a precaution. Mason will become a must-start running back if McCaffrey misses any time.

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Carolina Panthers linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (illness) did not practice on Monday as he deals with an illness. This shouldn't be a major concern early in the week, but his status is worth monitoring when the team is required to release their first official injury report of the season on Wednesday. Clowney signed a two-year, $20 million contract to join the Panthers this offseason following a 9.5-sack season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft has had an up-and-down 10-year career with the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Ravens, but he is productive at times and is tasked with helping replace Brian Burns, who was traded to the New York Giants.

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is expected to be named the starter at some point during the 2024 NFL season, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. While Jacoby Brissett gets the nod Week 1, Howe expects that the Patriots will turn to the No. 3 overall pick at some point this year. He notes that "the variables between the team's record and the line's performance have made it a guess as to when that would happen." In other words, if the Patriots get off to a hot start, the Patriots may ride with Brissett. Similarly, if the offensive line can't do a good job in pass protection, the Patriots may play Brissett in order to preserve Maye's health. Once he does take over as the starter in New England, Maye will be a high-end fantasy QB2.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell impressed during the preseason and is trending toward being the team's primary slot receiver when the regular season kicks off this week, according to fantasy football analyst Jared Smola. Indianapolis spent a second-round pick on the Texas product, and it now appears he's poised to start in place of the injured Josh Downs (ankle). Even with a starting role, Mitchell might not be worth deploying right away in fantasy football. He's still behind Michael Pittman Jr. in the receiver room, and he'll also lose some opportunities to rushing threats Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson.

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Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis looked efficient during his first preseason in the NFL. Although the Kentucky product was held to just two yards in the first week, he bounced back with an impressive 58 yards on eight carries in the second week, good for an average of 7.3 yards per carry. He also caught three passes for 19 yards throughout the preseason. The Bills held Davis out of their final preseason game, a real indication that they have plans to use him down the stretch in 2024. He's not the fastest player, but there's a real chance that he can be more productive around the goal line than James Cook. With real touchdown upside, Davis should be viewed as a potential RB3/FLEX play with RB2 upside if Cook gets hurt.

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Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers did not play any snaps alongside quarterback Gardner Minshew II during the preseason, according to fantasy football analyst Jacob Gibbs. This is significant because Minshew was named the Raiders' starting quarterback, and it would have been ideal for Bowers to get some game action with him before the regular season kicked off. That wasn't the case, but there's still time for them to establish a rapport during practice leading up to Week 1 and early in the regular season. Bowers is still a generational talent at tight end and should be treated as such. He's a first-round pick in dynasty leagues and a fringe top-12 fantasy tight end in redraft leagues.

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Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze had plenty of opportunities to establish a connection with quarterback Caleb Williams during the preseason. According to fantasy football analyst Jacob Gibbs, Odunze was the Bears wide receiver who spent the most time on the field with Williams during the three preseason games even more than veterans DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. This bodes well for Odunze's stock in 2024 as he's already started to get on the same page with his quarterback, a fellow rookie. The No. 9 pick will still have to compete for targets with Moore and Allen, but he's trending in the right direction. Odunze should be drafted in all fantasy leagues and will open the year with low-end WR3/FLEX upside.

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New York Giants CB Adoree' Jackson is a candidate to return punts if WR Gunner Olszewski doesn't play in Week 1, head coach Brian Daboll said on Monday, Sept. 2.

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Updating a previous report, Free-agent RB Leonard Fournette (Bills) worked out for the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, Sept. 2.

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Los Angeles Chargers DE Joey Bosa (hand) was no longer wearing a club on his surgically repaired hand at practice Monday, Sept. 2.

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Los Angeles Chargers WR DJ Chark Jr. (undisclosed) was not on the field during the media access portion of practice Monday, Sept. 2.

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Free-agent WR Phillip Dorsett (Broncos), WR Jahcour Pearson (XFL) WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (Panthers) and WR David Wallis (Patriots) recently worked out for the New Orleans Saints.

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Cincinnati Bengals rookie offensive lineman Amarius Mims (pectoral) returned to practice on Monday. The Bengals' O-line has struggled in recent years, which led to Mims being drafted 18th overall in 2024. Mims is not currently listed as a starter, but he should be an important rotational piece. The Bengals still have the No. 21 PFF-ranked O-line in the NFL. Should Mims perform as expected, he will surely boost that ranking. With quarterback Joe Burrow having dealt with various injuries throughout his career, the health of Mims is something to monitor.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) was not seen at the period of practice on Monday that was open to the media. It's no concerning that Chark hasn't practiced at all for the last two weeks with the Chargers due to a hip injury. There's a chance Chark was limited in practice on Monday after reporters left, but we'll have a better idea of his status heading into the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders when the Bolts post their first official injury report on Wednesday. When healthy, the 27-year-old is expected to start in three-wide sets in 2024 in his first year in LA alongside Joshua Palmer and rookie Ladd McConkey. Especially considering his injury, Chark has been going undrafted in standard 12-team leagues. If he's limited or out this Sunday, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston would enter the starting lineup against Vegas.

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Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett (undisclosed) said he expects to play in the Week 1 game even though he missed some time during the preseason.

Fantasy Spin: Lockett should continue to see a good amount of targets in the passing game this season and could be a possible flex option in deeper leagues when he has a favorable matchup.

From TheHuddle

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (foot) was in uniform on the practice field on Monday. Head coach Mike Macdonald noted during the preseason that he is optimistic that Fant will be available for the Seahawks' opener against the Denver Broncos. While Fant has not put up prolific numbers for the Seahawks over the past couple of seasons, he is still important to the offense. New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb could also scheme more looks for Fant in 2024. With backup tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) also banged up, the Seahawks can only hope that at least one of these players will be available this week.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (leg) expects to play in Sunday's opening game against the Denver Broncos. Lockett had been dealing with the injury throughout training camp and the preseason. He has been limited in practice during that time, however, it appears that it was all precautionary for the 31-year-old. Lockett is coming off a down year in which he caught 79 passes for 894 yards and five touchdowns. The Seahawks offense is expected to be more prolific and vertical with the addition of new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. While Lockett's best days may be behind him, he should still deliver consistent flex value and could produce a WR2 week on occasion. He is also a solid player to have on your bench should anything happen to wide receivers DK Metcalf or Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

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The Seattle Seahawks added to the quarterback room by signing Jaren Hall to their practice squad on Monday. The 2023 fifth-round pick started two games for the Vikings in 2023. He threw for 168 yards and zero touchdowns to go along with one interception. Hall was waived last week to make room for Brett Rypien on the Vikings' roster. The Seahawks currently only carry quarterbacks Geno Smith and Sam Howell on their active roster. Hall could feasibly find himself on the active roster at some point should the team decide they need to carry three active quarterbacks. For now, this signing is inconsequential to the Seahawks offense.

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Free agent wide receiver John Ross worked out for the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday. Ross failed to make the Philadelphia Eagles' final roster earlier in the preseason. He was once drafted as the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ross also owned the record for the fastest 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine until 2024. However, he has never lived up to his pedigree and has recently bounced around the league. Ross would give the Saints a vertical threat and extra depth behind Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry. Given that he has not played in a regular season game since 2021, Ross does not project to have much fantasy appeal if he were to be signed.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have worked out free-agent wide receiver Jamal Agnew. The former Jacksonville Jaguar has made his living as a receiver, runner, and kick returner. Agnew has never played a large role in an offense but he is a solid gadget player who can line up all over the field. He would be a solid kick returner opposite running back Cordarrelle Patterson as well. Should he sign with the Steelers, Agnew will not have fantasy appeal. However, he would be a welcome addition to that offense.

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