Guest of the League
True Grit Est. 2022
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Bills QB Josh Allen to sit out entire preseason for first time

Thu Aug 21 12:29pm ET
Field Level Media

Josh Allen will sit out Saturday's game against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking the first time in his NFL career that the Buffalo Bills quarterback will not play in the preseason.

Bills coach Sean McDermott announced Thursday that Allen would not participate in the preseason finale.

"(You've) got the reigning MVP, and I feel that he's shown to this point that he's in a good spot," McDermott said.

Allen, 29, will be under center on Sept. 7 when the Bills open their season with a rematch of their AFC divisional round playoff game against MVP runner-up Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in Orchard Park, N.Y.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Allen completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 3,731 yards, 28 touchdowns and a career-low six interceptions in 2024 while adding 531 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

The other quarterbacks currently on the Buffalo roster are Mitchell Trubisky, Mike White and Shane Buechele.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

2025 Fantasy Wide Receiver Preview

Player Notes
Kyler Murray Aug 21 12:00pm CT
Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that the plan for the preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders would be "similar" to last week in which almost all of the starters and a few other key players did not suit up. Murray and most of the offensive starters only played two possessions in the preseason opener againt the Kansas City Chiefs before sitting out in last weekend's loss to the Denver Broncos. While Murray and the rest of the starters probably won't face the Raiders, it was widely reported this summer that the signal-caller and second-year receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. have improved their chemistry heading into the 2025 season. Murray threw for 3,851 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 starts in hi sixth year in the NFL in 2024, but it's his rushing/scrambling ability that puts him in contention as a low-end QB1 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Aug 21 11:40am CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that he plans for the starters to play at least a little of the preseason finale on Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The amount of playing time the starters get will be determined on how they perform in Thursday's joint practice with the Jags, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will get one more dress rehearsal before the regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Indianapolis Colts, although he'll be without receiver Tyreek Hill (oblique) and running back De'Von Achane (calf), basically his two best offensive weapons. At the most, Tagovailoa will likely get a couple of offensive series before being pulled. The 27-year-old and Miami's offense was a dink-and-dunk unit last year, and Tua missed more time with a head injury. He has become an injury-prone, low-end QB2 fantasy option.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Higgins Aug 21 11:30am CT
Jayden Higgins

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime writes that Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins has been rotating on the outside with Xavier Hutchinson when the team goes to 11 personnel (three receivers). Fellow rookie Jaylin Noel has seen most of his reps from the slot but has also seen some work on the outside. With Christian Kirk currently locked in as the starting slot wideout in Houston, Higgins, the No. 34 overall pick in April, should have a clearer path to playing time in 2025. The two wideouts were teammates at Iowa State, and head coach DeMeco Ryans has described them as inseparable. The 22-year-old Higgins made a highlight-reel 14-yard reception on his only catch of the second preseason game last weekend. In a Texans offense that could throw the ball often, Higgins is absolutely worth a late-round flier in fantasy for receiver depth.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Aug 21 11:20am CT
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (foot) is not practicing with the team on Thursday after leaving Wednesday's practice early after having his foot stepped on, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec. The Ravens said on Wednesday that Jackson is fine, so they are just giving th two-time MVP a day off after a minor injury. Jackson is not going to play in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Washington Commanders, but he'll be ready to rock for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 7, in a rematch of the AFC Divisional Round versus the Buffalo Bills. The 28-year-old former first-rounder is in his prime as an elite dual-threat quarterback. Jackson threw for a career-best 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions in 17 regular-season starts in 2024 and also ran for 915 yards and four more TDs.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Aug 21 11:10am CT
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (foot) is in full pads at practice on Thursday for the third straight day, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. Walker suffered a minor foot injury earlier this month and had been alternating practice days as a precaution given his lengthy history with lower-body ailments. The 24-year-old appears to be moving past the foot issue in the final week of the preseason, but he'll probably be held out of the finale this weekend against the Green Bay Packers. Walker has been very productive for Seattle and fantasy managers when he's healthy, but he's almost guaranteed to miss some time again in 2025 due to injury. It's why the Seahawks have hinted that they will involve Zach Charbonnet more in order to try and keep Walker available. He has become a risk/reward RB2 for fantasy purposes.

From RotoBaller

Troy Franklin Aug 21 10:13am CT
Troy Franklin

Dynasty | The Broncos have traded wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the Saints. Dynasty Analysis: The Broncos get a 2026 6th round pick and 2027 7th round pick in exchange. Vele was solid in his rookie season with 41 catches for 475 yards and three touchdowns. However, he was sidelined in camp and opened the door for the likes of Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin to emerge over the past month. He should find playing time behind Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed easier to get but the quarterback position is much less desirable. In the end, Vele remains a back-end roster stash in dynasty leagues.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Skyy Moore Aug 21 10:13am CT
Skyy Moore

Dynasty | The Chiefs have traded wide receiver Skyy Moore to the 49ers. Dynasty Analysis: Kansas City and San Francisco will exchange 6th and 7th round picks in 2027 as part of the deal. In the end, this is a cheap way for the 49ers to attempt to put a band aid on a shark bite when it comes to their current list of wide receiver injuries and problems. Moore just never turned into much with the Chiefs and while he could have some short-term value, there's just still not much to like here when it comes to long-term dynasty value.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Josh Allen Aug 21 10:10am CT
Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott said quarterback Josh Allen will not play in the team's preseason finale Saturday, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Last year's MVP previously had appeared in at least one preseason game every year of his career, but that appears to be coming to end this season. Like many teams with a franchise quarterback, Buffalo doesn't have much to gain by playing Allen and won't take any risks as a result. They'll open the regular season with a Sunday Night Football debut against Baltimore on Sept. 7.

From RotoBaller

Todd Bowles Aug 21 10:00am CT
Todd Bowles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) will begin the season on the 53-man roster, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. One of the best tackles in the game, Wirfs is recovering from knee surgery and likely will be on a similar track to return as receiver Chris Godwin (ankle), Bowles said. That means the Iowa product likely won't play immediately this season, but is eligible to return to practice and does not have to miss a mandated four games now that he has been activated from the physically unable to perform list. He has missed all of training camp so far.

From RotoBaller

Luke Schoonmaker Aug 21 9:40am CT
Luke Schoonmaker

Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said that tight end Luke Schoonmaker (concussion) is officially in concussion protocol, as relayed by Jon Machota of The Athletic. The third-year tight end left Monday's practice early and now must clear protocol before returning to the field. Schoonmaker is coming off a career-best 27 catches and 241 yards in a year in which Dallas played half the season without quarterback Dak Prescott. Jake Ferguson, who finished second on the team in targets in 2024, is still on track to be Dallas' top receiving tight end.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Trask Aug 21 9:30am CT
Kyle Trask

Quarterback Kyle Trask is in line to start Tampa Bay's final preseason game against Buffalo, according to Rock Riley of the Tampa Free Press. The Bucs are holding starter Baker Mayfield out of the game, so Trask will get the first look with newly signed Teddy Bridgewater to follow. The fifth-year veteran has spent his entire career in Tampa, but has attempted just 11 passes in four years backing up Mayfield and Tom Brady. From a fantasy perspective, both of the the Tampa reserve quarterbacks are just Mayfield insurance in deeper dynasty formats.

From RotoBaller

Cade Otton Aug 21 9:20am CT
Cade Otton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton said he hopes to remain with the team long-term, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. The big tight end is approaching the final year of his rookie contract and is coming off the best season of his career from a receiving standpoint, compiling 59 receptions for 600 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. Tampa still rosters receiver Mike Evans, inked a three-year deal with receiver Chris Godwin, and drafted Emeka Egbuka earlier this year, so Otton's consistency as a pass catcher with Tampa looks to be in question. At any rate, he's scheduled to hit the open market next year unless a new deal comes to fruition.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Aug 21 8:50am CT
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hamstring) has not participated in team activities since exiting last Thursday's joint practice against the Green Bay Packers with an apparent left hamstring injury. One of the buzzier names in fantasy circles, the Colts hope that Downs can be a comfort blanket to freshly-named starting QB Daniel Jones, but he has a history of nagging lower-body injuries. He missed the first two games of 2024 with a high ankle sprain sustained late in training camp. Fellow wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (groin) was able to return to the field on Wednesday after tweaking his groin in the same joint session and sitting out of Tuesday's practice. The Colts also spent a first-round pick on All-American tight end Tyler Warren, and second-year wideout Adonai Mitchell is said to have turned it on of late, so the team will not be without capable pass-catchers to begin the year. Still, the health of Downs is worth monitoring as he will likely be held out of the team's final preseason game on Saturday.

From RotoBaller

Jaydon Blue Aug 21 8:30am CT
Jaydon Blue

Dallas Cowboys fifth-round rookie running back Jaydon Blue is expected to make his preseason debut on Friday against the Atlanta Falcons. The Cowboys' running back depth chart has been one to monitor heading into the season, as ambiguous backfields almost always return fantasy value. Free agent acquisition Javonte Williams has been running with the one through most of camp, but the buzz around him has been muted at best. Williams is almost three years removed from the devastating knee injury that derailed his promising young career. Without his signature contact balance or burst, his past two seasons have been marred by a complete lack of efficiency, a trait that also applies to the play of new teammate Miles Sanders. Drafters should take caution in gleaning anything from a third preseason game. Still, if Blue can showcase any of the explosiveness or pass-catching ability that he put on display at Texas, he should be viewed as a priority target in the late rounds of drafts.

From RotoBaller

Chris Godwin Aug 21 8:30am CT
Chris Godwin

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan to activate ninth-year wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) from the Physically Unable to Perform list and have him on the 53-man roster to begin the season. The team is taking a cautious approach to his recovery from the gruesome ankle injury that ended his 2024 season and still considers him unlikely to play until October. By keeping Godwin off the PUP list to begin the year, they can accelerate his practice window, and the plan is for him to start practicing in Week 2, keeping him on his current recovery timeline. Godwin was the WR2 in PPR formats before his season ended prematurely in Week 7 of last year, and he is currently RotoBaller's WR52, making him a smart late-round pick in all leagues, but especially those with an injured reserve spot.

From RotoBaller

J.J. McCarthy Aug 20 8:50pm CT
J.J. McCarthy

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has apparently made a good impression on his teammates. Recently, Viks running back Aaron Jones told Kay Adams that McCarthy's IQ is up there with Aaron Rodgers. This is noteworthy given the fact that Jones spent his first seven seasons in Green Bay alongside Rodgers. McCarthy didn't see the field at all last season while recovering from a knee injury. A year later, McCarthy is the unquestioned starter heading into Week 1. The 22-year-old has a big challenge ahead of him, but apparently is earning the respect of his teammates before taking any live game snaps.

From RotoBaller

Keon Coleman Aug 20 8:40pm CT
Keon Coleman

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman appears to be making a good impression on his team early in camp. Recently, Bills' tackle Dion Dawkins commented about Coleman and said he believes Coleman is going to be a special player. Coleman is coming off a rookie season where he hauled in 29 receptions for 556 receiving yards with four touchdowns across 13 games. Now, Coleman figures to take a bigger step forward in 2025. Bills' quarterback Josh Allen recently said that Coleman is having a really good camp. It sounds like the organization expects the 22-year-old to make big strides on offense this upcoming season.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Addison Aug 20 8:30pm CT
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (hand) was forced to make an early exit from Wednesday's practice. Addison appeared to have suffered a hand or arm injury that resulted in him missing the rest of practice. The good news is that Addison is reportedly fine and didn't suffer any notable injuries from this incident. This is great news for the Vikings who are already battling multiple injuries at wideout. Addison is expected to miss the first three games of the regular season due to a suspension. He should be ready to go for Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Skyy Moore Aug 20 7:30pm CT
Skyy Moore

The Kansas City Chiefs have traded wide receiver Skyy Moore and a future seventh-round pick to the San Fransciso 49ers in exchange for a future sixth-round pick. The 49ers have been decimated by injuries with Brandon Aiyuk (ACL), Jauan Jennings (calf), and Jacob Cowing (leg) sidelined. At the same time, Demarcus Robinson is suspended for three games. Moore was limited to six games last season due to an abdominal injury and did not catch a pass on three targets. The 24-year-old was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft but never lived up to the hype. He will get a fresh start in San Francisco, where he will look to carve out a role in an explosive offense. Moore isn't on the fantasy radar in redraft leagues, but is worth a stash in dynasty with the move to San Francisco.

From RotoBaller

Devaughn Vele Aug 20 6:20pm CT
Devaughn Vele

The New Orleans Saints have acquired wide receiver Devaughn Vele from the Denver Broncos for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round selection. Vele was a seventh-rounder in 2024 who exceeded expectations as a rookie, catching 41 of 55 targets for 475 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. However, the former Utah standout's role in the Denver offense diminished late in the season as Marvin Mims Jr. started receiving more targets. With Mims, Courtland Sutton, and Troy Franklin all returning and rookie third-rounder Pat Bryant coming in this year, the Broncos have decided to move on from Vele for a solid return on investment. Going from Bo Nix to either Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough will be a major downgrade at quarterback for Vele, but he could be a bigger part of a Saints offense that doesn't have much at receiver after Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Brandin Cooks.

From RotoBaller