Cutdown Day Fallout

Wed Aug 28 10:01am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Mason is likely backup for 49ers


Well, there is certainly a lot to sort out after cutdown day yesterday. There weren’t a ton of surprises but enough to keep everyone on their toes. And as always, we are here to help you sort it out before your next fantasy draft.

Here is the latest. . . . .

Lions second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker has won the top backup job to Jared Goff. He beat out Nate Sudfeld, who was released. Hooker has some potential if he ever gets a chance to start in this explosive offense.

The Packers have some big issues at running back. The depth behind Josh Jacobs is almost nonexistent. Green Bay put AJ Dillon on Injured Reserve because of a neck injury, ending his season before it even started. That leaves rookie MarShawn Lloyd as the likely No. 2 back but he has been battling a hamstring injury nearly all of training camp. Jacobs could really be in for a heavy workload early in the year.

It looks like Greg Joseph has won the kicking job in Green Bay. The Packers released kickers Anders Carlson and Alex Hale. Carlson made just 81.8 percent of his field goals last year, so the Packers decided to with the more reliable veteran in Joseph.

This was expected but the Vikings officially put tight end T.J. Hockenson on the PUP list. This means he will miss at least the first four games of the season as he recovers from his torn ACL. Hockenson still has a chance to make a fantasy impact this year but likely won’t be a big factor until the second half of the season.

The Panthers released receiver Terrace Marshall. He is a former second-round pick that hasn’t lived up to expectations. Marshall should get another chance with a new team, though. He has some talent and has played well at times with past chances.

Carolina placed rookie running back Jonathan Brooks on the PUP list. Brooks is another player recovering from a torn ACL. He is going to be out at least the first four games, leaving Chuba Hubbard as the starter early in the year for the Panthers. Hubbard seems to be a little undervalued right now in fantasy circles. He could start half the season while Brooks gets up to speed.

The Bucs released veteran receiver Sterling Shepard. Tampa decided to go with younger options at the position. Shepard has battled injury issues in recent years and could have a hard time finding significant work going forward.

Arizona surprised some with the release of running back Michael Carter. He was picked up last year and played pretty well with his chances. He also looked solid in camp this year. Carter was in a crowded running back room, though, and was forced out. Carter should be able to find work with one of the running back-needy teams in the NFL.

The Cardinals also released quarterback Desmond Ridder. He started games each of his first two seasons in the NFL but wasn’t able to win the backup job in Arizona. This was a little surprising. He has fallen off in a hurry.

The Rams didn’t really make any big news but had one announcement that caught many off guard. Los Angeles has named starting running back Kyren Williams the punt returner. We aren’t so sure what this says about Williams’ role as the No. 1 back in this offense. We would worry a little about this, especially with the way head coach Sean McVay has moved on from backs in a hurry.

There was big news in San Francisco with the 49ers placing Elijah Mitchell on Injured Reserve because of a hamstring injury. He was not designated to return, so his season is over. This really improves the value of Jordan Mason, who seems the clear No. 2 back in this high-powered offense. He should be a must own for any Christian McCaffrey owner.

The Patriots will have a new starting kicker this year. Joey Slye beat out second-year kicker Chad Ryland for the job. Ryland was a fourth-round pick but really struggled with his chances. Slye has been a dependable option throughout the years and should bring stability to the position for New England.

Cleveland released running back D’Onta Foreman despite not having a whole lot of depth at the position. Foreman is a veteran back with past starting experience, so it would not surprise to see him catch on with another team to provide some depth at the position.

Running back Nick Chubb will open his season on the PUP list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games. This was expected as Chubb was returning from a gruesome leg injury. He is making good progress, though, and it seems his entire season won’t be lost. Jerome Ford will open the season as the starter for the Browns.

The Texans released receiver Noah Brown, who started some last year and played very well. It was a little surprising to see him let go, providing quality depth for the Texans. Houston has a ton of top options at the position, though, so it was a numbers game as much as anything for Brown.

Tennessee traded quarterback Malik Willis to the Packers. He will become the top backup for Green Bay, giving the team an upgrade for that position behind Jordan Love. Willis was a bust in Tennessee but will look to revive his career in Green Bay.

It really looked like receiver Tim Patrick was positioning himself to play a big role with the Broncos passing game this year, but the team had other ideas. Patrick was released despite having a strong camp and preseason. Denver went with younger options at the position. Patrick should be able to latch on with another team as a veteran depth piece.

The Broncos released another veteran player, letting running back Samaje Perine go. Perine couldn’t move up the depth chart in a crowded running back room and will look to catch on with another team. Perine has some value to an NFL roster because of his experience and past success, especially in the passing game. 

The Chiefs finally cut ties with the erratic Kadarius Toney. It looks like Toney was expendable after the team just signed JuJu Smith-Schuster. Toney has all sorts of talent but has been all over the map since entering the league. He has made plenty of big plays but stumbled plenty of times as well. Toney has the talent to land him another job, but will need to show a lot more consistency if he hopes to get some consistent playing time.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Player Notes
Anthony Richardson Aug 3 9:30pm ET
Anthony Richardson

According to Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen, quarterbacks Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones will play in Thursday's preseason matchup with the Ravens. While Steichen didn't reveal who would start the contest, he did indicate that both players would see a "good amount" of action against Baltimore as well as versus Green Bay on August 16. Richardson has had his share of ups and downs throughout training camp. However, he has seemingly improved in several areas. In 15 regular-season appearances, the 2023 No. 4 overall selection threw for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, adding 10 more trips to the end zone on the run. He also completed only 50.6% of his attempts while missing plenty of time. As far as Jones is concerned, after throwing 24 touchdowns as a rookie in 2019, he hasn't been nearly as potent ever since. The next two games will be important for both men, considering it could decide who will be under center come Week 1. Richardson has a higher upside, or at least it seems. Still, both men have a way to go before earning the trust of fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Marquez Callaway Aug 3 8:00pm ET
Marquez Callaway

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers released wide receiver Marquez Callaway on Sunday. The 27-year-old is best known for his time with the New Orleans Saints, where he totaled 83 catches for 1,069 yards and seven touchdowns in 42 regular-season games. Since then, he spent time on practice squads for several teams before agreeing to a deal with San Francisco on July 31. However, Callaway now finds himself back on the market. It's safe to assume he'll see some attention from clubs around the National Football League, although his fantasy value can't get any lower. That isn't expected to change anytime soon. In a corresponding move, the 49ers signed wide receiver Robbie Chosen.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Aug 3 7:50pm ET
Josh Palmer

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (groin) didn't practice on Sunday. The wideout signed a three-year deal with the Bills in March after spending his first four seasons with the Chargers. He appeared in 59 regular-season games in Los Angeles, catching 82 passes for 2,287 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Bills lack depth at the wide receiver position, so Palmer has a legitimate chance to secure a meaningful role with the club throughout the 2025 campaign. However, he'll need to shake off his current ailment. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. With Khalil Shakir (ankle) week-to-week, Elijah Moore and Keon Coleman should get more first-team work in the days ahead, at the very least.

From RotoBaller

Robbie Chosen Aug 3 7:40pm ET
Robbie Chosen

Free-agent wide receiver Robbie Chosen agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers. The 32-year-old began his career with the Jets. He had some quality years in New York, amassing 207 catches for 3,059 yards and 20 touchdowns in 62 regular-season contests. Since then, Chosen has made stops in Carolina, Arizona, and Miami, although it's safe to say he wasn't nearly as productive. It's unknown how long the relationship between Chosen and the 49ers will last. However, he could find himself on the field in Week 1, especially since the team is dealing with injuries at the wide receiver position. Still, Chosen has a long way to go before earning a spot in fantasy lineups. In a corresponding move, San Francisco released wideout Marquez Callaway.

From RotoBaller

Tahj Brooks Aug 3 7:20pm ET
Tahj Brooks

Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks continues to make waves during training camp, with Chris Roling of USA Today reporting that the rookie "just keeps impressing." The Bengals held their annual night practice at Paycor Stadium in front of fans on Saturday. While there were more than a few standouts, there was no denying that Brooks was one of them after he "ripped off a few big runs." The 23-year-old was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In his final collegiate season at Texas Tech, he amassed 1,505 yards off 286 touches while finding the end zone a total of 18 times. Of course, Chase Brown is expected to get the bulk of the snaps out of the backfield. However, with the team recently releasing Zack Moss, Brooks may find himself getting more work over Samaje Perine, who the team brought back this offseason.. Although that won't make Brooks a starting fantasy option in redraft leagues, he could have increased value as an insurance policy for Chase's managers, assuming he continues to trend in the right direction heading into Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Mike Gesicki Aug 3 7:10pm ET
Mike Gesicki

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (hamstring) was absent from practice on Sunday after appearing to injure his hamstring during Saturday's practice at Paycor Stadium in front of fans. The veteran appeared in all 17 regular-season contests for Cincinnati in 2024. While he wasn't consistently productive, he still finished the year with 65 catches for 665 yards and two touchdowns. Gesicki has built a strong relationship with Joe Burrow, who urged the team to re-sign him this offseason, so it's reasonable to assume he could be a little more involved. He should be considered day-to-day. Hopefully, the team releases a positive update regarding his health in the next day or two. If for some reason Gesicki can't get on the field in Week 1, Noah Fant, who has looked good so far since signing with the team on July 31, would be in line for more opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Rashee Rice Aug 3 4:20pm ET
Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice's (knee) suspension from the NFL is "still in the works." While the league's internal process is being resolved, Rice could be available to play from Week 1. He is currently attending training camp and is working his way back from a brutal knee injury he sustained last season. The 25-year-old is facing a possible suspension of six or more games, but the exact length is unclear at this time. RotoBaller currently projects Rice as a borderline WR2, but if his suspension is deferred, his value could easily rise to the WR1 category. Fantasy managers should monitor his situation closely for updates on his status.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Austin III Aug 3 4:10pm ET
Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (undisclosed) was not dressed for practice on Sunday, as he is dealing with an undisclosed injury. While Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did not list the injury as more significant than day-to-day, his absence is still a development to monitor. Austin is trying to secure a starting receiving role and develop chemistry with the new Steelers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Austin, who posted a stat line of 36 receptions for 548 yards and four touchdowns last season, could be a player to watch in the later rounds of fantasy drafts and comes in as WR84 in the latest RotoBaller rankings.

From RotoBaller

Michael Pittman Jr. Aug 3 4:10pm ET
Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (groin) did not practice on Sunday while dealing with a groin injury. It was the second consecutive practice that he missed. Pittman Jr. posted a stat line of 69 receptions for 808 yards and three touchdowns last season, while playing through a back fracture. His absence from practice is a concern as he looks to develop chemistry with quarterbacks Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones, who are currently battling for the starting job. Fantasy managers should monitor the situation closely, as the severity and duration of the injury could impact Pittman Jr.'s value heading into the regular season, where RotoBaller currently has him as WR47.

From RotoBaller

KeAndre Lambert-Smith Aug 3 3:50pm ET
KeAndre Lambert-Smith

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith continues to turn heads at training camp, following up his impressive preseason debut with another standout performance on Saturday. According to beat reporter Kris Rhim of ESPN, Lambert-Smith caught two deep touchdowns from quarterback Justin Herbert, with one being a 53-yard catch. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman praised the rookie, stating, "He took the practice field to the game." This consistent play follows his strong outing in the Hall of Fame Game, where he led the team with 43 receiving yards on two catches and a touchdown. While Lambert-Smith is currently not a factor in fantasy drafts, his strong camp and early preseason play are worth monitoring as he looks to climb the depth chart.

From RotoBaller

Salvon Ahmed Aug 3 3:10pm ET
Salvon Ahmed

Indianapolis Colts running back Salvon Ahmed (leg) suffered a "severe leg injury" and had to be carted off the field from the team's practice on Sunday, according to Colts head coach Shane Steichen. Ahmed was reportedly the victim of an (inadvertent) hip-drop tackle from his teammate, rookie safety Trey Washington. Ahmed did not appear in an NFL game in 2024, but played in 38 games (four starts) between 2020-2023 for the Miami Dolphins. He had been fighting for a depth role in the Colts' backfield with Tyler Goodson, but it sounds as though this injury could potentially end Ahmed's 2025 season.

From RotoBaller

Dillon Gabriel Aug 3 3:00pm ET
Dillon Gabriel

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been "wildly down and wildly inaccurate in recent days," according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Jackson notes that Gabriel still gets reps ahead of fellow rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders but "has done nothing to make anyone observing believe he's ready to be trusted as a No. 2 quarterback." A third-round pick out of Oregon, Gabriel appears to be significantly behind veteran Joe Flacco, who is the reported favorite to win the starting quarterback job in Cleveland out of camp. It seems like both Gabriel and Sanders are likely also behind Kenny Pickett (hamstring), who is recovering from a hamstring injury but is the favorite to win the backup job. Based on this report, Gabriel should not be expected to push for playing time early in his rookie season.

From RotoBaller

Dontayvion Wicks Aug 3 2:50pm ET
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) was not able to participate during Saturday's practice. It's worth noting that Wicks missed practice time earlier in the week due to a calf issue. It's unclear if Saturday's absence was a planned rest day or if Wicks couldn't participate due to the injury. The absence of Wicks meant more snaps for Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs, and Malik Heath. Last season, Wicks saw a career-high 76 targets, but finished with 39 receptions for 415 receiving yards with five touchdowns in 17 games. The addition of Golden is going to make it more difficult for Wicks to see consistent snaps in Green Bay. Right now, the focus is getting Wicks back on the field, so fantasy managers should check back later on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Dylan Sampson Aug 3 2:40pm ET
Dylan Sampson

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Jerome Sampson is "essentially playing the 1-B role" next to veteran Jerome Ford, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. A fourth-round rookie out of Tennessee, Sampson rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns in 13 games last season for the Volunteers. With second-round running back Quinshon Judkins still unsigned by the team due to a July arrest, Sampson appears to be in line for a significant role as a rookie. Ford is entering his fourth season in Cleveland, but he's never truly earned a workhorse role throughout a full season. The backfield mix for the Browns will remain a bit muddled until Judkins' legal situation gets ironed out, but it sounds like Ford and Sampson will share the workload relatively evenly while Judkins is out.

From RotoBaller

Harold Fannin Jr. Aug 3 2:20pm ET
Harold Fannin Jr.

Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has "already played his way into significant snaps with the No. 1 offense," according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. A third-round pick out of Bowling Green, Fannin Jr. led FBS in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555) while scoring 11 total touchdowns in his final collegiate season. The Browns have established veteran David Njoku atop their tight end depth chart, but Jackson writes that Fannin Jr. is "going to play a role" as a rookie. The Browns could deploy both of their tight ends on the field together, but it's also possible that Fannin Jr. eats into Njoku's snaps and targets. Fannin Jr.'s deployment is something to monitor throughout the preseason, both for 2025 and beyond.

From RotoBaller

James Cook Aug 3 2:00pm ET
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook did not practice at training camp on Sunday and when asked why he wasn't present, responded, "Business." When asked if he would return to practice on Monday, Cook said, "business." ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg says that Cook kept repeating "business." There were questions as to whether Cook would hold out during training camp this summer as he seeks a new contract extension, but he showed up and had been practicing with the team until now. The 25-year-old sounds unhappy that he hasn't been able to lock up an extension with the Bills so far in camp, so he may refuse to practice until that happens. The two-time Pro Bowler had 1,009 rushing yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns in his third season in 2024 and is heading into the final year of his deal in 2025. A hold-in will allow both Ray Davis and Ty Johnson more reps in Buffalo's backfield.

From RotoBaller

Joe Flacco Aug 3 1:40pm ET
Joe Flacco

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) is doing everything he can to get back to full speed but also acknowledged he's losing ground in the QB competition with veteran Joe Flacco, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Flacco's two best throwing days at training camp have been on Friday and Saturday, and he's "gone from presumed favorite to strong favorite." There's still a lot to be settled with Flacco and Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but as things currently stand, it would be a surprise if Flacco wasn't starting under center in Week 1. Neither Gabriel nor Sanders never had a realistic shot to win the QB competition this summer. For fantasy purposes, nobody should be putting their faith in the 40-year-old Flacco in 2025, especially since he'll likely be on a short leash.

From RotoBaller

Jared Goff Aug 3 1:30pm ET
Jared Goff

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (undisclosed) has been activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Sunday and will return to the individual portion of practice at training camp. Meanwhile, head coach Dan Campbell said that Dan Skipper (ankle) will be out of practice for around a week. Decker will now be able to practice with the rest of the team due to a minor undisclosed injury that kept him sidelined for the start of camp. The 30-year-old veteran should be ready for the start of the regular season this fall and will be the Lions' starting left tackle on quarterback Jared Goff's blind side. Decker has been a stape for the up-and-coming Lions team, starting all 131 regular-season and playoff games that he's appeared in since being a first-rounder in 2016. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Aug 3 1:30pm ET
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is the team's unquestioned No. 1 tight end and "the heartbeat of this offense," according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show. Kaboly adds that Jonnu Smith was a late addition to the roster and "will provide a significant target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers." It sounds like the Steelers plan to use Smith in a lot of different ways, but as of right now before the start of the preseason, Freiermuth is going to be the team's top pass-catching tight end. Freiermuth caught a career-high 65 passes on 78 targets last year for 653 yards and a career-high-tying seven touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (11 starts). Both Friermuth and Smith should be on the field together plenty, and it's probably going to be impossible to predict which one might go off for fantasy purposes on any given week.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Aug 3 1:20pm ET
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (back) returned to practice in pads at training camp on Sunday after missing the previous four practices with back tightness. Smith being held out of practices this week was likely just a precautionary move by the Eagles early in camp. For now, there should be nothing to worry about with the 26-year-old, who has become one of the best No. 2 wideouts in football for the reigning Super Bowl champions. The former 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft out of Alabama actually had a career-low 833 receiving yards on 68 catches (career-low 89 targets), but he found the end zone a career-high eight times in 13 regular-season games. Smith has at least seven touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. Volume is an issue in this Philly offense, but Smith has been efficient with his opportunities and is on the WR2/3 borderline in fantasy.

From RotoBaller