Our 2023 NFL Training Camp News articles are intended to be a one-stop shop for the most important news from around the NFL during training camp. I’ll post a new Market Report every week during August to help our subscribers keep the pulse of what’s happening in the fantasy marketplace. I’ll update this article on a daily basis during the week so make sure to check back for the latest training camp buzz.
This article will focus mostly on news, beat reports, and injuries coming out of team practices. Be sure to check out Graham Barfield’s Preseason Game Reviews for key takeaways on player performances and playing time implications from preseason action.
ADP in this article is based on our ADP tool’s PPR setting, which pulls from NFFC drafts over the last 14 days.
CATCH UP ON PREVIOUS TRAINING CAMP MARKET REPORTS
2023 NFL Training Camp News Week of Aug. 21
2023 NFL Training Camp News: Week of Aug. 14
2023 NFL Training Camp News: Week of Aug. 7
2023 NFL Training Camp News: Week of July 31
NOTABLE SKILL PLAYER MOVEMENT FROM CUTDOWN WEEK
Quarterbacks
Trey Lance (Dal, traded by SF), Bailey Zappe (NE PS, cut by NE), Malik Cunningham (cut by NE), P.J. Walker (Cle PS, cut by Chi), Trevor Siemian (cut by Cin), Matt Corral (NE PS, cut by Car), John Wolford (cut by TB), Kellen Mond (cut by Cle), Brett Rypien (LAR PS, cut by LAR)
Running Backs
Pierre Strong (Cle, traded by NE), Zonovan Knight (Det PS, cut by NYJ), DeWayne McBride (cut by Min), Melvin Gordon (Bal PS, cut by Bal), Malik Davis (Dal PS, cut by Dal), Kenyan Drake (cut by Ind), Jordan Wilkins (cut by Cle), Ty Montgomery (NE PS, cut by NE), James Robinson (cut by NYG), Jonathan Williams (Was, IR), Hassan Haskins (Ten, Exempt List), Darrynton Evans (cut by Buf), Myles Gaskin (Min, cut by Mia), Trey Sermon (IR, cut by Phi), Kevin Harris (cut by NE), Damien Williams (cut by LV), Mike Boone (cut by Hou), Snoop Conner (Jax PS, cut by Jax), Deneric Prince (KC PS, cut by KC), Derrick Gore (cut by Was), Corey Clement (cut by Ari), Demetric Felton (Cin PS, cut by Cle), Darrel Williams (cut by NO)
Wide Receivers
Jalen Reagor (NE PS, cut by Min), Jamison Crowder (cut by NYG), Cole Beasley (NYG PS, cut by NYG), Robbie Chosen (cut by Mia), Anthony Schwartz (cut by Cle), Denzel Mims (cut by Det), Marquez Callaway (cut by NO), Kendall Hinton (cut by Den), Damiere Byrd (cut by Car), James Washington (cut by NO/Ind), Keelan Cole (cut by LV), Bryan Edwards (cut by NO), Breshad Perriman (cut by Ind), Ihmir Smith-Marsette (Car, traded by KC), Jacob Harris (cut by Jax), Shi Smith (cut by Car), Keke Coutee (cut by Mia), N’Keal Harry (cut by Min), Andy Isabella (Buf PS, cut by Buf)
Tight Ends
Albert Okwuegbunam (Phi, traded by Den), Dan Arnold (cut by Phi), Devin Asiasi (cut by Cin), J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (cut by Atl)
INJURY UPDATES FROM PAST MARKET REPORTS
Hendon Hooker (QB, Det) — Hooker, Detroit’s third-round pick this spring, will begin the season on the NFI list as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL suffered in mid-November last year. Teddy Bridgewater will open the season as Jared Goff’s backup.
Elijah Mitchell (RB, SF) — Mitchell returned to practice this week after initially picking up his hip injury on Aug. 3.
Dalvin Cook (RB, NYJ) — Cook took part in first practice with the Jets on Aug. 29 after needing labrum surgery this off-season. He could hold the early touch advantage as the Jets ease Hall back into action, but he should be the secondary option in the final months of 2023 as the lesser of the two backs the Jets will deploy this season.
Jerry Jeudy (WR, Den) — GM George Paton said Jeudy (hamstring) will avoid the short-term IR list to open the season, which is an indication the Broncos believe he’ll be ready to play before Week 4.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Sea) — Smith-Njigba, the 20th overall pick in 2022, underwent wrist surgery on Aug. 22, per Adam Schefter. HC Pete Carroll said JSN suffered a “slight fracture” and he’ll need 3-4 weeks to heal. However, JSN returned to practice and caught passes just 7 days after undergoing surgery, which gives him a real chance to play in the season opener.
Treylon Burks (Ten) — Burks suffered a sprained LCL in an Aug. 16 practice, and the injury kept him out of individual drills for just 12 days with his return to practice on Aug. 28. His ADP dipped the last two weeks (100, WR48) but he appears on track to be ready for Week 1.
Kadarius Toney (WR, KC) — HC Andy Reid said on Aug. 26 that Toney (knee) could return to practice in “about a week” which gives him a chance to play in the NFL season opener against the Lions on Sept. 7.
D.J. Chark (WR, Car) — Chark has missed the last week with a hamstring injury, but he said his hamstring feels good and he’s optimistic he’ll play Week 1.
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, NYG) — The Giants activated Robinson (knee) from the PUP list. New York’s 2022 second-round pick is expected to be limited early in the season, and he’ll have his work cut out trying to get snaps with Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt, and Sterling Shepard all vying for snaps.
Terrace Marshall (WR, Car) — Marshall returned to practice on Aug. 29 after originally suffering a back injury on Aug. 14. He’s headed toward the #4 WR spot in Carolina’s rotation.
Marquise Goodwin (WR, Cle) — The Browns activated Goodwin (blood clots) from the NFI list. He was turning heads with Deshaun Watson during OTAs and he’ll be used as a situational deep threat this season.
Mark Andrews (TE, Bal) — Andrews sat out practice last week for an undisclosed injury, and he started this week on the sidelines on Aug. 28. HC John Harbaugh said he’ll practice next week and they expect him to be ready for Week 1.
UPGRADES
Players whom we’re feeling more optimistic about based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow (QB, Cin) — Burrow returned to practice on Aug. 30, one month after initially going down with his calf injury. The Bengals took their time with Burrow’s injury and he should be good to go for the season opener against the Browns — OC Brian Callahan said the team has a “good plan” to get him ready for Week 1. Burrow may not have his typical mobility early in the season, but he’ll still be a QB1 option with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins making plays for him. Drafters never panicked with his ADP (37, QB4) barely budging over the last month. (Updated 9/1)
C.J. Stroud (Hou) — HC DeMeco Ryans finally made it official and named Stroud, the 2023 #2 overall pick, Houston’s starting quarterback, which means all three first-round quarterbacks will start in Week 1. Stroud will make his professional debut in a hostile environment on the road against the Ravens. He completed 11/20 passes for 89 yards (4.4 YPA), 1 TD, and 1 INT in three preseason starts, adding just 3/5 rushing. Stroud is a QB3 (218 ADP, QB30) in best ball and two-QB formats, and he should be left to streaming duties during his rookie campaign in redraft leagues unless he surprisingly unlocks some rushing upside. (Added 8/28)
Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune (Ari) — I’ll admit I didn’t have Dobbs as a Week 1 starter on my preseason developments bingo card, but it’s looking that way after the Cardinals sent a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Browns for Dobbs and a 2024 seventh-round pick (per Tom Pelissero). The Cardinals moved Kyler Murray (knee) to the reserved PUP list on Aug. 28, which will keep him out for at least four games, and they released Colt McCoy after he reportedly had a rough training camp. Dobbs is the frontrunner to start multiple games to open the season, but the Cardinals could certainly throw a curveball and give fifth-round pick Tune the starting nod on Sept. 10. Dobbs doesn’t have a ton of time to get familiar with his new teammates, but he’s at least familiar with OC Drew Petzing from their time together in Cleveland last year. The Cardinals are going to be a popular offense to stream D/STs against all season long, including in Week 1 with the Commanders. (Added 8/28)
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs a (LV) — Jacobs ended his summer-long holdout with the Raiders and signed a one-year, $12 million contract. Per Mike Garafolo, Jacobs previously turned down a $12 million per year at the end of July but his stance softened with the season rapidly approaching. He returned to practice on Aug. 31 and should be ready for the season opener. He started his career with three FPG finishes between RB12 and 15 before exploding with an RB3 finish in his first season under Josh McDaniel. That jump can be attributed to some of the league’s best volume. Jacobs ranked fifth in XFP/G (17.7), second in snap share (75%), first in backfield carry share (79%), and eighth in route share (50%) at the position. Jacobs will see one of the NFL’s biggest workloads once again and his ADP (32, RB29) will rise by a round by the start of the season. (Added 8/28)
Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler (Min) — The Vikings had been sniffing around some of the top free agent RBs, including Kareem Hunt, but they settled for former Dolphin Myles Gaskin, who projects to be a depth piece behind Mattison and Chandler. The Vikings also placed Kene Nwangwu on the injured reserve, which will keep him out for the first four weeks of the season. Mattison and Chandler got a small vote of confidence after this signing, and we’ve advocated targeting both Mattison (67, RB22) and Chandler (210, RB64) at their respective ADPs. Josh Oliver’s signing paired with Adam Thielen’s release was a sign that Kevin O’Connell wanted to scale back their heavy 11 personnel usage after they finished third in pass rate (64.4%) last season. (Added 8/30)
Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane (Mia) — The Dolphins placed Jeff Wilson on the injured reserve because of rib and finger injuries Wilson once looked primed for a big role right out of the gates with the Dolphins unable to make a deal to acquire Jonathan Taylor, but he’s now out indefinitely with his undisclosed injury. HC Mike McDaniel gave an ominous response when asked about the injury, stating he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Wilson returned this season. Wilson’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, later said he should return shortly after his four-week absence. The Dolphins are still candidates to add a running back at some point in September and beyond after also releasing Myles Gaskin this week. They signed Darrynton Evans for added depth for the time being. Mostert is set to lead this backfield against the Chargers porous run defense in the season opener with Achane working as his change-of-pace back. Achane is still making his way back from a preseason shoulder injury, but McDaniel said he’ll be ready “sooner rather than later.” Mostert is a player to target at his cheap ADP (138, RB 48) for early season help, and Achane (128, RB44) has a path cleared to significant touches early in his career. (Updated 9/1)
Jamaal Williams (NO) — Rookie Kendre Miller has had a rollercoaster off an off-season since needing off-season surgery for an MCL injury, which he suffered in the College Football Playoff. He’s been trending up since healing from a knee sprain earlier in August, but he suffered a hamstring injury this week. HC Dennis Allen declined to put a timeline on the injury, but he’s certainly in jeopardy of missing Week 1 if it’s a serious issue. Miller was headed toward a major role in September with Alvin Kamara set to miss the first three games, but those plans could be on hold depending on the severity of Miller’s injury. Williams appears headed toward a major workload against the Titans in the season opener, and potentially longer if you need early-season help at the position. (Added 9/1)
Evan Hull, Zack Moss, and Deon Jackson (Ind) — Jonathan Taylor’s already awful fantasy situation somehow got worse on cutdown day. He surprisingly opened training camp on the PUP list after undergoing an “arthroscopic debridement” surgery on his right ankle in January. And, in even more stunning news, he’ll remain on the PUP list to start the season after the Colts failed to find a trade partner, forcing him to miss at least the first four games in 2023. Taylor could miss even more time if his holdout drags into the season before the Oct. 31 trade deadline before Week 8. There’s a real chance that Taylor will never play another snap for the Colts with their relationship clearly fractured at this point.
Indy’s RB depth is being tested heading into the season after top backup Zack Moss broke his arm in practice on July 31, which left rookie Evan Hull and Deon Jackson as the top RBs in camp. Moss is the best bet for volume in this backfield but he may not be ready until after Week 1. HC Shane Steichen said he’s trending toward returning to practice before Week 1, which would help his chances of suiting up against the Jaguars. They did cut Kenyan Drake on Aug. 27, which is an indication he could be back soon, though. Hull is the most intriguing option after a fairly strong training camp, and he could carve out a passing-game role after leading all FBS backs with 55 receptions last season. Jackson seemingly has the most work to do with Indy’s new coaching staff, but he can’t be counted out in this wide-open competition for touches. I’m prioritizing Hull over Moss then Jackson later in drafts, but Shane Steichen is likely to use an ugly committee for as long as Taylor is out unless one back pushes ahead. (Updated 9/1)
Wide Receivers
Skyy Moore (KC) — The writing has been on the wall since the start of training camp, but GM Brett Veach confirmed that Moore is one of the “every-down guys,” per Jesse Newell. Rashee Rice and Justyn Ross will open the season as “package” players with the opportunity to earn more playing opportunities later in the season. Moore is in a position to earn a major chunk of the 654 routes and the 135 targets left behind by JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman. Kadarius Toney (knee) could be back for the season opener, but Moore has a chance to keep Toney in a smaller role with a strong start to the season. Our John Hansen has been driving the Skyy bandwagon from Day 1 and the train is about to leave the station at a reasonable ADP (94, WR44). (Added 8/31)
Rashid Shaheed (NO) — Shaheed won the Saints’ #3 WR spot by default with Tre’Quan Smith set to miss the start of the season after needing hernia/core surgery. It’s unclear when he’ll return but sources told Nola.com that he’ll miss at least Week 1 against the Titans. Shaheed and Smith both picked up groin injuries in an Aug. 5 practice, with Shaheed returning to individual practice on Aug. 24. He said on Aug. 31 that he feels back to “100%” heading into the season. We’ve featured Shaheed as a player to target in the final rounds of your drafts. (Updated 9/1)
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson (Min) — Hockenson’s mysterious ear infection and lower-back stiffness suddenly cleared up on Aug. 31 when he agreed to terms on a new long-term contract with the Vikings. Hockenson will be ready to rock in against the Buccaneers in Week 1, and he’s priced fairly in the early fifth round (52, TE3). (Added 8/31)
Chigoziem Okonkwo (Ten) — Kyle Phillips suffered a sprained MCL on a punt return in Tennessee’s second preseason game, and he’ll open the season on the injured reserve. Phillips was likely to be the team’s primary slot receiver and he’s off the radar in most formats. However, his injury could mean the Titans use more personnel with the likes of Chig on the field. Okonkwo ran 37.1% of his routes from the slot last year and averaged a blistering 2.73 YPRR from inside (per Fantasy Points Data). Okonkwo returned to practice on Aug. 28 after suffering a minor hip injury on Aug. 22. (Added 8/31)
DOWNGRADES
Players whom we’re feeling less optimistic about based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy (Ari) — The Cardinals continue to show they don’t care much about winning in 2023 after completing three trades on Aug. 25. In one of those trades, they landed Josh Dobbs to make multiple starts early in the season while Murray is on the shelf — they released McCoy on Aug. 28. The Cardinals moved Murray to the reserved PUP list on Aug. 28, which will cost him at least four games. Murray is only worth drafting in 1-QB leagues if you have an IR roster spot and, even then, you’ll probably want to use that spot on other positions early in the season. (Added 8/28)
Trey Lance (Dal) — The 49ers named Sam Darnold the backup to Brock Purdy last week, which spelled the end of his rocky start to his career in San Francisco. The 49ers traded three first-round picks and a third-round pick for just 4 career starts, and his 8 appearances were the fewest by a top 5 pick in the common draft era (per Field Yates). The Cowboys acquired Lance and his $5.3 million contract, which has a fifth-year option, for a 2024 fourth-round pick. Dallas will try its hand at developing Lance behind Dak Prescott, but he could still find himself as a gameday inactive behind Cooper Rush, at least early in the season. (Added 8/28)
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor (Ind) — Taylor’s already awful fantasy situation somehow got worse on cutdown day. He surprisingly opened training camp on the PUP list after undergoing an “arthroscopic debridement” surgery on his right ankle in January. And, in even more stunning news, he’ll remain on the PUP list to start the season after the Colts failed to find a trade partner, forcing him to miss at least the first four games in 2023. GM Chris Ballard said Taylor is “still complaining of pain” in his ankle, which is why he’ll remain on the PUP list entering the season. Taylor could miss even more time with his holdout dragging into the season before the Oct. 31 trade deadline before Week 8.
Taylor’s relationship with the Colts is undoubtedly on the rocks, at best, and it could be beyond repair at this point. Taylor should land in a good offense if he’s traded during the season since it would likely be a franchise looking for a running back to put a team over the top — the Dolphins, Bears, and Broncos all reportedly inquired. It’s also inevitable that a top back will go down in the first month to open another avenue for a trade if Taylor truly is healthy enough to play. With that said, it’s not out of the question that Jim Irsay is crazy enough to drag this dispute out over multiple seasons by letting him accrue his 2023 season before franchise-tagging him next off-season. WHAT. A. MESS. I’m staying away from Taylor unless he plummets to 100+ picks into drafts based on the information we have. He’s either truly hurt and/or both sides are dug in so deep that we won’t have a resolution until he’s traded…if that even happens. (Updated 8/31)
Backstory: Irsay ignited a fire in his star RB, who has been seeking a contract extension as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. He posted on July 26 that running backs don’t have a leg to stand on to change the depressed running back market under the current CBA. He then said on July 27 that they hadn’t made an official contract offer to Taylor. The two sides met to clear the air on July 29, but Taylor left the meeting and announced a trade request publicly — he reportedly requested the trade days earlier, per ESPN’s Stephen Holder. In that same ESPN article, Taylor’s “bitterness” toward the franchise originated with the team’s handling of his ankle injury last season.
Jeff Wilson (Mia) — The Dolphins placed Wilson on the injured reserve with rib and finger injuries. Wilson once looked primed for a big role right out of the gates with the Dolphins unable to make a deal to acquire Jonathan Taylor, but he’s now out indefinitely with his undisclosed injury. HC Mike McDaniel gave an ominous response when asked about the injury, stating he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Wilson returned this season. Wilson’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, later said he should return shortly after his four-week absence. The Dolphins are still candidates to add a running back at some point in September and beyond after also releasing Myles Gaskin this week. They signed Darrynton Evans for added depth for the time being. (Updated 9/1)
Kendre Miller (NO) — Miller has had a rollercoaster off an off-season since needing off-season surgery for an MCL injury, which he suffered in the College Football Playoff. He’s been trending up since healing from a knee sprain earlier in August, but he suffered a hamstring injury this week. HC Dennis Allen declined to put a timeline on the injury, but he’s certainly in jeopardy of missing Week 1 if it’s a serious issue. Miller was headed toward a major role in September with Alvin Kamara set to miss the first three games, but those plans could be on hold depending on the severity of Miller’s injury. Jamaal Williams appears headed toward a major workload against the Titans in the season opener, and potentially longer. (Added 9/1)
Wide Receivers
Cooper Kupp (LAR) — Kupp initially left an Aug. 1 practice early with a hamstring injury, which was the last thing the Rams wanted to see after he played in just nine games in 2022 because of an ankle injury. He missed three weeks of practice before returning last week for joint practices against the Broncos (and Patrick Surtain). Unfortunately, HC Sean McVay told reporters on Aug. 31 that his star WR had a “setback” with a “little muscle strain” in his recovery from his hamstring injury. He added that they’re taking it “day by day” with the injury. Kupp could be in jeopardy of missing their season opener against the Seahawks, and this lingering injury could prove to be a major thorn in his side moving forward. The only things that kept from being drafted ahead of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase were his age (he turned 30 years old in June) and durability concerns (he also missed half of 2018 for a torn ACL). His latest injury has caused us to slide Kupp to the WR10 in the mid-second round. Kupp’s connection with Matthew Stafford is undeniable. He’ll challenge for his third consecutive WR1 finish in FPG as long as he and his quarterback can stay healthy, but it’s become a matter of just how much time will Kupp miss this season. (Added 9/1)
Tank Dell and John Metchie (Hou) — ESPN’s Texans beat reporter D.J. Bien-Amine wrote that Robert Woods, Nico Collins, and Noah Brown have been the starting WRs throughout training camp. The Texans primarily used those three WRs with C.J. Stroud in their second and third preseason games, as well, with Dell and Metchie coming on after them. These two young WRs could get out of the gates slowly in their first NFL action because of a lack of snaps, but their roles should expand as the season moves along. (Added 8/28)
Tyquan Thornton (NE) — Thornton, a 2021 second-round pick, got off to a slow start because of poor play and availability issues — he dealt with a soft-tissue issue — in his second training camp. He ended camp on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury, which will keep him out for at least the first four weeks. There was hope that Thornton could be a deep sleeper if he could carve out a decent role in a wide-open receiving corps, but he’s headed toward being a situational deep-threat role when healthy and being yet another WR bust for the Patriots. (Updated 8/31)
Kyle Phillips (Ten) — Phillips suffered a sprained MCL on a punt return in Tennessee’s second preseason game, and he’ll open the season on the injured reserve. Phillips was likely to be the team’s primary slot receiver and he’s off the radar in most formats. However, his injury could mean the Titans use more personnel with the likes of Chig Okonkwo on the field. Okonkwo ran 37.1% of his routes from the slot last year and averaged a blistering 2.73 YPRR from inside (per Fantasy Points Data). (Added 8/31)
Tight Ends
Jelani Woods (Ind) — Woods will start the season on the injured reserve because of a hamstring injury that’s nagged him since he initially injured it back in late May during OTAs. Woods is well off the fantasy radar and he’s unlikely to be much of a factor in 2023 with Anthony Richardson taking over at quarterback. (Added 8/31)
WATCH LIST
Players who we’re not ready to upgrade or downgrade but whose situations demand monitoring based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields (CHI) — The Bears will be without LG Teven Jenkins for at least the first four games of the season after he landed on the IR with a leg injury. The 2021 second-round pick had a breakout sophomore campaign with a switch from tackle to guard. PFF graded him as the third-best guard with his dominant run-game blocking propelling him to the high finish. His injury is bad news for a line that’s trending upward but still a bottom half of the league unit. Fields and Chicago’s running game gets a small downgrade for as long as Jenkins is out of the lineup. (Added 8/21)
Running Backs
Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong (Cle) — The Browns acquired Strong from the Patriots in exchange for OT Tyrone Wheatley. Ford left an Aug. 7 practice with a hamstring injury and finally returned to practice on Aug. 29, which is a good sign he’ll be ready to go for the season opener. The injury was serious enough that the Browns signed Jordan Wilkins before eventually cutting him, and they’ll see what they have in Strong, who fell out of the mix in New England. Strong will compete with John Kelly to be active on gamedays while Ford will enter the year as the #2 RB. We like Ford at his depressed ADP (181, RB59) in this thin depth chart behind Nick Chubb, but he could be a little slow out of the gates. (Updated 8/28)
Kareem Hunt (FA) — ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Hunt has received four offers from four teams, but he’s still waiting for the right offer. Fowler didn’t go into details about what the “right offer” would be, but Hunt is likely looking for the right combination of money (most importantly) and a large role — he also likely wouldn’t mind playing for a title contender. He met with the Colts, Vikings (who signed Myles Gaskin), and Saints earlier this month. The Colts are the most logical spot for Hunt to land after Jonathan Taylor stayed on the PUP list to open the season, but the ball is in Indy’s court at the moment. There’s also a chance Hunt (and other free agents in the future) are steering clear of Indy with how they’ve handled Taylor since the start of training camp. Hunt is worth a flier late in drafts (193 ADP, RB61) just in case Hunt signs with the Colts. (Added 8/30)
Wide Receivers
Mike Evans (TB) — Evans’s agents released a statement stating they’ll discontinue contract talks on Sept. 9 if an extension isn’t reached on his contract that’s set to expire after this season. The Buccaneers are the second-favorites to finish with the NFL’s worst record at +850 odds. It’s possible Tampa Bay could shop him at the trade deadline before Week 8 if they get off to a poor start in 2023. (Added 9/1)
Romeo Doubs (GB) — Doubs missed Green Bay’s final preseason game with a hamstring injury and he missed practice on Aug. 30, which has his availability for the season opener against the Bears up in the air. Doubs said he “felt something” in his hamstring in the final practice before their third preseason game, and he left the decision about his Week 1 availability up to the coaching. On a positive note, he worked on the side in an Aug. 31 practice session, so the Packers could be giving him the rest of the week to recover before ramping up next week for Chicago. (Added 8/31)
Rashee Rice and Justyn Ross (KC) — The writing has been on the wall since the start of training camp, but GM Brett Veach confirmed that Skyy Moore is one of the “every-down guys,” per Jesse Newell. Rice and Ross will open the season as “package” players with the opportunity to earn more playing opportunities later in the season. These young WRs have their work cut out carving out a fantasy role early in the season, but there’s plenty of room for upward movement on this depth chart with no dominant WR target currently on the roster. (Added 8/31)
Tight Ends
Zach Ertz (Ari) — Ertz has been cleared for full football activity since Aug. 14 after opening training camp on the PUP list — he tore his ACL and MCL in Week 10 last year. He said on Aug. 30 that he’s still uncertain if he’ll play in the season opener. Ertz had 47 receptions before his season-ending injury, which was second to only Travis Kelce. GM Monti Ossenfort could look to eventually move Ertz before the trade deadline, but he’ll open the season in a committee with second-year TE Trey McBride in one of the league’s worst offenses. (Added 8/31)
