Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens will start Saturday's preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Despite a challenging 2023 season where he went 0-3 with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions as a starter, Mullens is now firmly positioned as the No. 2 quarterback. Following him on the depth chart is second-year pro Jaren Hall. Head coach Kevin O'Connell expressed confidence in Mullens due to his solid grasp of the offense. Mullens is known for his high-risk, high-reward style and had notable success during his time with the San Francisco 49ers before joining the Vikings. Though he tends to turn the ball over, with 31 career interceptions in just 20 starts, he also boasts 34 touchdown passes. Last season, after Kirk Cousins' injury, Mullens had mixed results in five games (three starts), with a respectable 8.8 yards per attempt but eight interceptions. Mullens is a veteran with the potential to deliver strong performances, particularly if he maintains his solid rapport with star receiver Justin Jefferson.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Payne Durham (knee) Leaves Joint Practice Early with Knee Issue. On Wednesday, Durham suffered a knee injury during the Buccaneers' joint practice with the Jaguars. According to Buccaneers insider JC Allen, Durham's MRI results were negative, and he is not expected to miss much time. Durham was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and appeared in 13 games during his rookie season, recording five catches for 58 yards. He played in Tampa Bay's preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on August 10, where he had two receptions for 27 yards. The Buccaneers won the game 17-14. If Durham cannot participate in the next preseason game, Ko Kieft and Devin Culp will have the opportunity for more reps to compete for the third tight end spot on the 53-man roster behind Cade Otton and Durham.

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The New England Patriots are trading pass-rusher Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons, addressing Atlanta's need for a top defensive player they have been seeking all offseason. In return, the Patriots will receive a third-round pick, aiding their efforts to rebuild a roster lacking talent and upside. In the final year of the four-year contract he signed with New England in 2019, Judon has a base salary of $6.5 million for the 2024 season. This salary was a big distraction during Jerod Mayo's first training camp as the Patriots' head coach. A four-time Pro Bowler with 66.5 career sacks, Judon will join a Falcons team aiming to bolster its pass rush as the regular season approaches.

Updating a previous report, the New York Giants traded DT Jordan Phillips and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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The New York Giants are trading DT Jordan Phillips to the Dallas Cowboys Wednesday, Aug. 14, according to multiple sources.

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (ankle) returned to full participation for Wednesday's joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams. Prescott has missed a couple days recently at training camp due to ankle soreness and was held out of the team's preseason opener on Sunday versus the Rams, but it's a non-issue and he should be 100 percent ready to go for the start of the 2024 regular season. It remains to be seen if Prescott and some of the team's starters will see action in the second preseason game this Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders, but if he does, it likely won't be for more than a series or two. The 31-year-old is heading into his final season under contract in 2024 after a career year in 2023. Prescott is a QB1 in fantasy, but he's not an elite one because of the fact that he's not really a rushing threat.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will not suit up for Saturday's preseason game at home as the Ravens host the Falcons on Saturday. Jackson, who has not played a preseason game since 2021, will be on the sideline along with other Baltimore starters, said head coach John Harbaugh on Wednesday. Jackson should be his dynamic self when Week 1 rolls around, where he'll be counted on to spearhead the Ravens' offensive attack as a dual-threat weapon that defenses need to account for. As a top fantasy quarterback, Jackson is as safe as it gets. The reigning NFL MVP threw for 3,678 yards passing and added 821 rushing yards on the ground and will be an easy top-five quarterback in all fantasy formats this season.

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After the news of Minnesota Vikings rookie first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) being out for the season after undergoing season-ending knee surgery, head coach Kevin O'Connell was effusive in his praise for starting quarterback Sam Darnold. "Our football team has been and will continue to be excited about Sam Darnold and what he's been able to bring," O'Connell stated before the beginning of the team's joint practice with the Cleveland Browns. Darnold is now pressed into action for what looks to be the entirety of 2024 following the stunning injury news about the 2024 No. 10 overall pick McCarthy. While the excitement in fantasy circles for the former first-round pick Darnold is somewhat shaky, he's clearly in the best situation he's been in as a pro. Darnold is at worst a low-end streaming QB2 option in redraft leagues and a low-end QB2/high-end QB3 in superflex formats.

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Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White continues his strong showing during training camp with his fast and physical running style. Showing that he's a great fit for new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's scheme, White has been bouncing off of defenders throughout practice on Tuesday. White received six carries for 23 yards and punched in a touchdown from two yards out in the first preseason contest against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday as he sits perched on top of the depth chart at the running back position without much opposition. A breakout candidate in his third season as a pro, the former Georgia Bulldog is a worthwhile mid-round pick in fantasy drafts as an RB2 who could be a big value this season with Josh Jacobs now in Green Bay.

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A growing rapport is developing between Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and third-year tight end Isaiah Likely. A fourth-round pick out of Coastal Carolina in 2022, Likely has been making waves over the last few days as Sunday's star of practice, along with numerous connections on Monday with Jackson. After Monday's practice, offensive coordinator Todd Monken stated, "We expect him to have a great year." Likely saw more time in 2023 when top tight end Mark Andrews was injured with a broken fibula, but with a quarterback who loves throwing to tight ends, Likely could see an uptick in work even with Andrews healthy. While Likely is a deeper-league pick in fantasy drafts, his involvement in the offense should be monitored if he sees more time on the field in 2024.

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Denver Broncos rookie first-round quarterback Bo Nix will start his first game this Sunday at home against the Green Bay Packers in the second preseason game. Nix was a solid 15-of-21 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown pass while adding 17 yards on the ground. The offense under Nix scored two touchdowns, looking poised in his first action as a pro. Nix looks to carry this momentum with him into this Sunday's game with the Packers in front of a home crowd that will be excited to see the No. 12 pick from April's NFL Draft suit up. The quarterback situation for Week 1 of the regular season is up in the air at this point, but another strong performance from the former Oregon Duck will go a long way toward cementing his status as the starting quarterback to open the NFL season.

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Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett (undisclosed) did not practice Wednesday, Aug. 14, because he has been dealing with a minor undisclosed injury, according to head coach Mike Macdonald.

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New Orleans Saints CB Marshon Lattimore (hip) has been ramping up his activity during recent practices and appears to be on track to be ready for the regular season.

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The Buffalo Bills recently evaluated former Tennessee Titans and New York Jets wide receiver Corey Davis during a tryout. Davis, who retired briefly before making a comeback, was the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and is looking to rejoin the league. Over his six-year career, Davis has accumulated 273 catches for 3,879 yards and 17 touchdowns. His standout season came in 2020 with the Titans, where he recorded career highs with 65 receptions, 984 yards, and five touchdowns. Afterward, Davis signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the Jets. The Bills' interest in Davis follows the placement of receiver Chase Claypool on season-ending injured reserve and comes in the wake of trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans for a 2025 second-round pick earlier this offseason. In response, the Bills have also added Curtis Samuel through free agency on a three-year deal and selected Keon Coleman with their top pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

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The Dallas Cowboys are still negotiating with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, but a deal remains elusive. Despite over a year of discussions, the Cowboys' best contract offer has yet to reach Lamb's desired figure of nearly $35 million annually, in line with the Vikings' Justin Jefferson, the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback. Lamb is not seeking to surpass Jefferson's salary, as acknowledged by Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones. Last season, Lamb played on a base salary of $2.52 million and will earn $17.991 million this year under the fifth-year option. He had a standout year in 2023, leading the league with 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns and earning his first All-Pro selection.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (undisclosed) missed practice due to undisclosed tightness. Head coach Mike Macdonald noted, "[Charbonnet] was tight this morning, so we're trying to figure out what's going on with him." While Charbonnet's availability for Saturday's preseason game against the Titans may be affected, it doesn't seem serious. Last season, Kenneth Walker III dominated the Seahawks' backfield, nearly doubling Charbonnet's usage and production. Walker finished as the RB19, while Charbonnet was the RB45 in full-PPR formats. If Charbonnet misses more practice time, Kenny McIntosh could step into the No. 2 role behind Walker.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (shoulder) has returned to practice and participated in Wednesday's joint session with the Colts. After missing the previous week of practice and the Cardinals' first preseason game against the Saints due to a shoulder injuryevident by the brace he woreDemercado is now working to get back up to speed. He will have a few days to prepare for Saturday's exhibition game against the Colts. It will be interesting to see whether Demercado or rookie third-round pick Trey Benson will receive the initial running back touches if Demercado is cleared to play. Before his injury, Demercado had been mixing in with the first-team offense and spelling starter James Conner, suggesting he could regain his role if Conner sits out again.

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New England Patriots LB Matt Judon was acquired by the Atlanta Falcons Wednesday, Aug. 14, in exchange for a third-round draft choice, according to sources.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (leg) is dealing with a leg injury that head coach Mike Macdonald indicated isn't severe. Tyler Lockett is coping with what Seahawks head coach Macdonald described as "a little something going on with his leg." Although Lockett was seen wearing pads at practice, he was relatively limited in his participation. Given Lockett's veteran status, the team is likely cautious about any potential injuries. This leg issue may impact his availability for the upcoming preseason game against the Titans, but it does not seem to be a serious concern. If Lockett is out for any period, second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba could see increased opportunities, stepping into the No. 2 wide receiver role behind DK Metcalf.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (hamstring) did not complete Wednesday's joint workout with the Cowboys due to hamstring tightness. Stafford played the first half of practice, including several 11-on-11 series, but left early as a precaution after feeling tightness in his hamstring. During the remainder of practice, backup quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett took over, with Garoppolo leading the first team and Bennett the second. While this issue does not appear to be severe, it raises some uncertainty about the Rams' prospects with Stafford at the helm. Last season, Stafford completed 62.6% of his passes for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Hopefully, it will be a minor inconvenience rather than a long-term concern. Stafford will lead an offense with two early wide receiver picks, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, and an early running back pick in Kyren Williams. If Stafford is hurt for any time, all of the Rams' playmakers would take a big hit.

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