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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Saints' QB competition ongoing and 'really close,' coach says

Tue Aug 19 10:03pm ET
Field Level Media

While 31 of the 32 NFL teams have named their starting quarterback in this final week of training camp with Week 1 coming into focus, the New Orleans Saints haven't settled on a starter just yet.

New head coach Kellen Moore said they'll use this week to evaluate whether second-year QB Spencer Rattler or rookie Tyler Shough -- the Saints' second-round pick in April -- will be named the starter. As Moore told reporters, the team has three practice days and their final preseason game versus the Denver Broncos (in New Orleans) to help them determine a starter.

"It's really, really close -- numbers, experiences, reps, everything -- it's going all the way back to the start of training camp," Moore told ESPN. "Everything is very, very close between this group."

Even their preseason numbers have been close. Rattler has completed 71.4 percent of his passes for 252 yards, one touchdown and one interception while being sacked three times. Shough has completed 70.6 percent of his throws for 231 yards, one score and one INT while being sacked four times. Rattler does have 41 rushing yards (on six scrambles) while Shough has just one run for three yards.

The Saints host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. ET to open the regular season.

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Player Notes
Anthony Richardson Aug 19 9:00pm CT
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson Sr. will not play in the team's final preseason game on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Jake Arthur of Sports Illustrated. Riley Leonard and Jason Bean will be the team's signal-callers in the preseason finale. Jones was named Indianapolis' Week 1 starter on Tuesday, but it's clear that the team is still prioritizing Richardson Sr.'s health by holding him out of exhibition action. The third-year quarterback has missed a significant amount of time due to injuries so far in his career, and has already suffered both shoulder and finger injuries since the start of the OTAs in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Nick Bosa Aug 19 8:40pm CT
Nick Bosa

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (neck) returned to certain portions of practice on Tuesday but was held out of team drills, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Bosa has been battling neck soreness, but it appears he's nearing a full return with plenty of time before the regular season gets underway. The 27-year-old is coming off a down year by his standards, recording his fewest sacks (nine), solo tackles (33), and QB hits (24) since his rookie season. Bosa is just a few seasons removed from winning Defensive Player of the Year, so he still has the potential to be a game-wrecking edge rusher and a fantasy asset in IDP leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jaydon Blue Aug 19 8:20pm CT
Jaydon Blue

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue (ankle, heel) returned to practice on Tuesday, according to Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News. Blue has been out of action for nearly two full weeks with a bone bruise. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer recently said that the team is hopeful Blue will play in the team's final preseason game on Friday against the Atlanta Falcons. A fifth-round pick out of Texas, Blue is part of a backfield committee in Dallas with veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. He's unlikely to dominate touches early on, but Blue could feasibly work his way into the RB1 role for the Cowboys throughout the season. As a result, Blue is worthy of a late-round pick in most fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Aug 19 7:30pm CT
A.J. Brown

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) is on track to face the division-rival Dallas Cowboys in 16 days for Week 1 of the regular season on Sept. 4, barring some kind of setback. Brown is working his way back into action and is nearing a return to practice. The 28-year-old was seen doing some individual drills on the field on Tuesday. The Eagles have been extra cautious with their star pass-catcher during training camp and the preseason and are optimistic that Brown will be ready to go when games count. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patulla said that when the training staff is ready to cum him loose, "he'll be cut loose." Brown has had 1,000 receiving yards in five of his six NFL seasons and in all three of his campaigns with the Eagles. He remains a top-10 fantasy wideout.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Goodson Aug 19 7:00pm CT
Tyler Goodson

Indianapolis Colts running back Tyler Goodson (elbow) avoided a serious elbow injury on Saturday in the team's second preseason game, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. Goodson probably won't play in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but the 24-year-old does have a shot to be ready for the Week 1 opener on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Miami Dolphins if he makes the 53-man roster out of training camp. Goodson was third behind Jonathan Taylor and rookie DJ Giddens in last Saturday's preseason tilt against the Green Bay Packers, suggesting he's currently the RB3 ahead of Khalil Herbert (undisclosed). He only handled 43 total touches in 16 games (no starts) in his second NFL season in 2024, but Goodson averaged 4.8 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns. As long as Taylor and Giddens stay healthy, Goodson is off the fantasy radar.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Aug 19 6:40pm CT
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (groin) returned to training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. Pierce initially suffered his groin injury in practice on Aug. 10 and then proceeded to miss the team's second preseason game last Saturday. The 25-year-old will probably be held out of th preseason finale this week as well, but the fact that he's back at practice this week means he should be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Miami Dolphins. Not only does Pierce have an uphill battle for consistent playing time in Indy's crowded receiving corps, but he's probably also the only one of Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Adonai Mitchell that doesn't benefit from Daniel Jones being named the team's starting quarterback. Pierce is currently ranked as the WR70 in fantasy at RotoBaller.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Rush Aug 19 6:20pm CT
Cooper Rush

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that quarterback Cooper Rush will likely start in Saturday's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders. Harbaugh is likely to handle player participation this weekend like he did in the second preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys when he sat most of the starters. Lamar Jackson will end up not playing in any preseason action this year as he looks for another MVP-like season. In last week's win over Dallas, the 31-year-old Rush went 20-for-30 passing for 198 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Rush hasn't been very good in two preseason games, but he's still fully expected to open the 2025 regular season in September as the primary backup to Jackson and ahead of Devin Leary. If Jackson were to miss any time in 2025, Baltimore wouldn't be asking much of Rush in the passing game.

From RotoBaller

Kenny Pickett Aug 19 5:40pm CT
Kenny Pickett

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) would do some team drills at practice on Tuesday for the first time since injuring his hamstring on July 26. It's progress for Pickett, but he was still limited in practice. The Browns officially announced on Monday that veteran Joe Flacco will be their starting signal-caller going into Week 1 of the regular season, so at best, the 27-year-old Pickett will be Cleveland's QB to begin the year if he can get over his nagging hamstring injury in the next two weeks. It would help his cause if he gets cleared to play in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams. If Pickett isn't healthy enough to be Flacco's backup in the season opener, that job will fall to one of rookies Shedeur Sanders (oblique) or Dillon Gabriel. It's why the Browns are considering carrying four QBs on their initial 53-man roster.

From RotoBaller

Diontae Johnson Aug 19 5:30pm CT
Diontae Johnson

The Athletic's Zac Jackson lists wide receiver Diontae Johnson on the "wrong side of the bubble" to make the Cleveland Browns' 53-man roster heading into the regular season. Jackson goes on to explain that Johnson "has been outplayed in camp." The addition of undrafted rookie wideout Isaiah Bond doesn't help Johnson's chances of making the roster, either. The 29-year-old Johnson had a 1,000-yard season in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Steelers but has regressed each year since. In 2024, the former third-rounder played for the Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans and combined for just 33 catches, 375 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games (eight starts). Getting cut from a Browns roster with shaky depth at the receiver position would pretty much be rock bottom for Johnson.

From RotoBaller

Shedeur Sanders Aug 19 5:20pm CT
Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) will not practice on Tuesday. The Browns will see how Sanders is doing on Wednesday. Sanders is dealing with an oblique injury that kept him sidelined for the team's second preseason game over the weekend, but the 23-year-old is considered day-to-day and could be back on the field on Wednesday. The Browns named veteran Joe Flacco as their Week 1 starter under center on Monday, but they have not named a No. 2 yet. Sanders, Kenny Pickett (hamstring) and rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) have all missed time now in camp due to injuries, making the decision more difficult. It could come down to who is able to play in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Rams. Sanders looked good in the preseason opener, but as long as Pickett is healthy, he will most likely be the QB2 to open the year.

From RotoBaller

Jacory Croskey-Merritt Aug 19 5:12pm CT
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Dynasty | Commanders rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt had 46 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in Washington's second preseason game. Dynasty Analysis: "Bill" has quickly risen up the depth chart and has made a strong case to be part of the Washington offense early this season. With Brian Robinson apparently on the outs, he's going to clearly have a chance to do just that. One of our favorite sleepers all Summer, Croskey-Merritt is going to likely end up in a backfield mix that includes Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez. The chance to add him in dynasty leagues has likely passed and he's looking like the early favorite for "late round steal" in previously held rookie drafts.

Anthony Richardson Aug 19 5:12pm CT
Anthony Richardson

Dynasty | Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson will be the backup to Daniel Jones to start the season. Dynasty Analysis: Yikes. The Colts drafted him with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, based on some tantalizing physical skills but also with a real lack of experience. Unfortunately, that lack of experience and his lack of availability (he's played 15 games in two years) has resulted in a lack of trust within the organization after just two seasons. While Daniel Jones is unlikely to flourish in the starter's role and completely close the door on Richardson, this is going to take his ADP and put it into a major tailspin.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. Aug 19 5:11pm CT
Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Dynasty | Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez had 62 rushing yards on six carries in Monday's preseason game. Dynasty Analysis: With Brian Robinson apparently on the outs, Rodriguez started the game and proceeded to rip off a 40-yard carry on the game's first drive. Robinson is likely to be traded in the coming days and Rodriguez certainly stated a strong case to be part of the mix. While the Commanders are likely to go with some kind of rotation featuring Rodriguez, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Austin Ekeler, Rodriguez undoubtedly needs to be rostered in dynasty leagues.

Micah Parsons Aug 19 5:10pm CT
Micah Parsons

The Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons haven't had any contract negotiations since late March or early April, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Schefter goes on to say that it sounds like it's personal now and that each side appears to be dug in. Parsons has already asked for a trade. "I see these two sides headed towards a divorce in time," Schefter said. The 26-year-old linebacker has also been dealing with a back injury during training camp, but the main reason why he's not practicing with the rest of the team is because of his contract situation. It remains to be seen if the Cowboys will actually trade Parsons before the regular season begins in two weeks, or if they will wait until after the 2025 campaign. With no end in sight to the stand-off between Parsons and Dallas, his Week 1 status against the Eagles is firmly up in the air.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Aug 19 4:40pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf will not suit up for the team's preseason finale on Thursday against the Carolina Panthers, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Pass-rushers T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward also will not play. Rodgers will end up not playing at all in the preseason as he heads into his first year with the Steelers and potentially his last year in the NFL. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer will take on his former team, the New York Jets, in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 7, where he'll be an unappealing, low-upside QB2 option for fantasy managers against a strong defense. Rodgers has looked slow during training camp and is expected to be more of a game manager in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's scheme in 2025. With Rodgers on the sidelines on Thursday, Mason Rudolph should start against Carolina.

From RotoBaller

Mac Jones Aug 19 4:30pm CT
Mac Jones

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones (knee) is not at training camp practice on Tuesday after spraining his knee in the second preseason game over the weekend, according to The Athletic's David Lombardi. Jones' injury isn't believed to be serious, but it explains the recent signing of Nate Sudfeld for additional QB depth. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Jones will not play in the club's preseason finale on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the Niners believe that Jones will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. In addition to Sudfeld, the team has Carter Bradley in their QB room behind starter Brock Purdy. The 26-year-old Jones will be off the fantasy radar unless he's forced into a starting role in 2025 due to a Purdy injury.

From RotoBaller

Isaac Guerendo Aug 19 4:20pm CT
Isaac Guerendo

San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) returned to training camp practice on Tuesday and was pretty active, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Guerendo will have more opportunities for reps with both Patrick Taylor Jr. (shoulder) and Corey Kiner (ankle) both injured. The 25-year-old missed a couple of weeks at camp with a shoulder injury but is now back in time to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in two weeks. It remains to be seen if the Niners will play him in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. Guerendo, a fourth-rounder last year, had a healthy 5.0 yards per carry and 420 rushing yards on 84 carries in 16 games (three starts) in his first season in the NFL. He's primarily a handcuff option for the injury-prone Christian McCaffrey, but if CMC misses more time with injury, Guerendo would be an every-week fantasy starter.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Aug 19 4:10pm CT
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers Jauan Jennings (calf) and Jordan Watkins (ankle) remained sidelined at training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Jennings initially suffered a calf injury back in the spring and then aggravated it early in camp this summer. The 28-year-old is also dealing with contract-extension negotiations with the organization, but the fact that he's missed most of camp and the presason so far has to have fantasy managers a little less bullish on his breakout potential in 2025. With that said, Jennings should have a big role in San Francisco's passing attack if he's healthy for the start of the regular season with Deebo Samuel Sr. out of town and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) unlikely to be ready. Jennings nearly had his first career 1,000-yard season and scored six times in 2024. He's currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 38 fantasy wideout.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Ridley Aug 19 3:43pm CT
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Tuesday, Aug. 19, because of soreness, according to head coach Brian Callahan.

Fantasy Spin: Ridley may miss a few practices but will most likely be ready for the start of the regular season. He will see plenty of targets each game and should be a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Aaron Rodgers Aug 19 3:23pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers and WR DK Metcalf will not play in the final preseason, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.

Fantasy Spin: Neither Rodgers nor Metcalf played in a preseason game, so their first game snaps will happen during the Week 1 game. Metcalf will be the main target in the passing game for the Steelers and can be a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver in fantasy leagues. Rodgers is coming off a decent 2024 season but should only be a No. 2 quarterback in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle