Our 2024 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 daily 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
2024 NFL Training Camp News Week of Aug. 19
2024 NFL Training Camp News: Week of Aug. 12
2024 NFL Training Camp News: Week of Aug. 5
2024 NFL Training Camp News: Week of July 29
NOTABLE SKILL PLAYER MOVEMENT FROM CUTDOWN WEEK
Quarterbacks
Taylor Heinicke (LAC via Atl), Malik Willis (GB via Ten), Tyler Huntley (cut by Bal), Desmond Ridder (cut by Ari), Bailey Zappe (KC PS, cut by NE), Mike White (Mia PS, cut by Mia), Jaren Hall (cut by Min), Sean Clifford (cut by GB), Matt Corral (cut by Min), Brett Ryien (Min, cut by Chi), P.J. Walker (cut by Sea), Nate Sudfeld (cut by Det), John Wolford (cut by TB), Nathan Peterman (cut by LV), Sam Hartman (Was PS, cut by Was), Malik Cunningham (cut by Bal), Michael Pratt (TB PS, cut by GB)
Running Backs
Samaje Perine (KC, cut by Den), Deneric Prince (cut by KC), Evan Hull (cut by Ind), Michael Carter (Ari PS, cut by Ari), Cody Schrader (LAR, cut by SF), Dante Miller (cut by NYG), Myles Gaskin (Min PS, cut by Min), Kevin Harris (cut by NE), Matt Breida (cut by SF), Chris Rodriguez (cut by Was), Jawhar Jordan (cut by Hou), James Robinson (cut by NO), Isaiah Spiller (cut by LAC), DeWayne McBride (cut by Min), Kene Nwangwu (cut by Min), Mike Boone (cut by Car), Frank Gore Jr. (Buf PS, cut by Buf), Royce Freeman (cut by Dal), Malik Davis (cut by Dal), Hassan Haskins (cut by Ten), Zach Evans (cut by LAR), Boston Scott (Pit PS, cut by Phi), Jaret Patterson (cut by LAC)
Wide Receivers
Tim Patrick (Det PS, cut by Den), Kadarius Toney (cut by KC), Parris Campbell (cut by Phi), Terrace Marshall (SF, cut by Car), Noah Brown (Was, cut by Hou), Isaiah Hodgins (NYG PS, cut by NYG), Sterling Shepard (TB PS, cut by TB), Allen Robinson (Det PS, cut by NYG), Justyn Ross (cut by KC), Kyle Philips (cut by Ten), Quez Watkins (cut by Pit). K.J. Hamler (Buf PS, cut by Buf), Donovan Peoples-Jones (Det PS, cut by Det), Russell Gage (cut by Bal), Brandon Johnson (cut by Den), Ben Skowronek (cut by Hou), Andy Isabella (cut by Buf), John Ross (cut by Phi), Robbie Chosen (Mia, cut by SF), Samori Toure (cut by GB), Denzel Mims (cut by Jax), Justin Shorter (LV PS, cut by Buf), Martavis Bryant (cut by Was), Dee Eskridge (cut by Sea), Equanimeous St. Brown (cut by NO), Erik Ezukanma (cut by Mia)
Tight Ends
Peyton Hendershot (KC via Dal), Donald Parham (Den, cut by LAC), Irv Smith (cut by KC), Robert Tonyan (Min PS, cut by Min), Jordan Matthews (cut by Car), Cole Turner (cut by Was), Nick Vannett (cut by NO)
UPGRADES
Players whom we’re feeling more optimistic about based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
Drake Maye (NE) — Maye has steadily closed the gap on Jacoby Brissett to be the opening-day starter, and HC Jerod Mayo admitted on Aug. 26 that Drake has performed better than Brissett this summer. Mayo said on WEEI, “It’s a true competition, and I would say at this current point, Drake has outplayed Jacoby.” The Patriots ultimately went with Brissett as the team’s Week 1 starter, but’s clear that his leash is shorter than it was at the start of training camp. Maye gives New England’s offense a higher ceiling, but the Patriots decided they didn’t want the #3 overall pick to start all year behind the NFL’s worst offensive line for a rebuilding franchise. It once looked like the Patriots may hold Maye back until the second half of the season heading into training camp, but he’s clearly going to start sooner than most anticipated. We’ve been targeting Maye late in Superflex/2-QB drafts, and he should be viewed as an upside low-end QB2 because of his potential dual-threat ability. (Updated Aug. 29)
Russell Wilson (Pit) — HC Mike Tomlin officially announced that Wilson will open the season as the team’s starting quarterback over Justin Fields. Tomlin told reporters that packages for Fields are “certainly on the table” and they’re “open to weaponizing their backup quarterback’s mobility. Fields has shortened Wilson’s leash as the starter, but Russ will get the first crack at leading what could be an abysmal Steelers offense. Wilson is an unappealing low-end QB3 option for as long as he holds off Fields in what will be a run-heavy attack in Pittsburgh. (Added Aug. 28)
Running Backs
Jahmyr Gibbs (Det) — Dan Campbell said on Aug. 20 that Gibbs and Sam LaPorta could both return to practice as early as Aug. 25, and that’s exactly what happened. Both Gibbs and LaPorta missed chunks of training camp with minor hamstring issues but both players appear to be well on track to be ready for the season opener against the Rams. Hopefully, you took advantage of Gibbs’ slight ADP dip (13.7, RB5) over the last week or two. (Added Aug. 26)
Josh Jacobs (GB) — Marshawn Lloyd’s bid to win the Packers' #2 RB job was hindered by a hip injury early in camp before he picked up a hamstring injury in the first preseason game. He at least avoided a trip to the injured reserve and he’s set up to be the backup once he’s healthy with A.J. Dillon placed on the injured reserve, which ended his season. Lloyd has struggled to stay healthy in training camp, which has slowed his development and could cause him to get out of the gates slowly. HC Matt LaFleur has tended to avoid using his RBs in bell-cow roles, but he may have to buck that trend early in the season until Lloyd gets caught up to speed. (Added Aug. 27)
Jaylen Warren (Pit) — Warren left Pittsburgh’s Aug. 17 game with a hamstring injury, but the third-year RB told Chris Adamski four days after the injury that he would play if it were the regular season and the injury is “nothing major.” Mike Tomlin also said on Aug. 21 that Warren’s injury isn’t a “long-term concern.” Warren has a little over three weeks to play against the Falcons on Sept 8, and Edwin Porras wrote that 80% of RBs with a hamstring injury since 2018 have returned within two weeks. The bad news is that the risk of re-injury is around 24%, which typically results in another two-week absence. Warren had pulled dead even with Harris in ADP before his injury, but Najee is now being selected a round ahead of Warren (77.3 to 89.5), and I am more inclined to buy the dip on Warren. (Updated Aug. 26)
Jerome Ford (Cle) — Nick Chubb started training camp on the PUP list, and he's expected to remain on the list through at least the first four games of the season (per Adam Schefter). He’s making his way back from a gruesome multi-ligament knee injury suffered in Week 2 last September, which required two surgeries to repair the damage. It was also the second time he sustained a multi-ligament injury to his left knee after he previously injured it while at Georgia in 2015. ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote that the organization believes he’ll play “some time” this season, but they don’t want to pressure him by putting a timetable on a return. Ford could be headed toward a bigger role than expected to start the season if Pierre Strong (ribs) is banged up and they don’t completely trust D’Onta Foreman outside of short-yardage situations. Ford remains an ideal early-season target at his cheap ADP (110.8, RB37) for those who take a zero-RB approach. (Updated Aug. 29)
Jaleel McLaughlin (Den) — The Broncos released Samaje Perine to open a path to significant passing-game work for McLaughlin. It’s looking like he could fill the Darren Sproles role in Payton’s offense, working as a change-of-pace option and in passing situations. Broncos RBs notably led the league in targets (153) in Payton’s first season, and Nix should keep his RBs involved as receivers. The most likely outcome is that these Broncos backs cannibalize themselves in one of the league’s weaker offenses, but it’s possible McLaughlin carves out a significant role in an offense that surprises with Bo Nix at quarterback. (Added Aug. 27)
Chuba Hubbard (Car) — Jonathan Brooks opened training camp on the NFI list for the ACL injury he suffered while at Texas last November and the Panthers will keep him on the list to open the season, which means he’ll miss at least the four games of the season. There was some hope Brooks could be ready by Week 3 or 4, but the Panthers will play it slow with the 46th overall pick. Brooks could still become a league-winning player if he can secure a three-down role by the second half of the season, but Hubbard could be a bell-cow option for at least the first month of the season. He’s a great early-season RB2 option for people who deploy a zero-RB strategy with his ADP (130.8, RB44) sitting in the 11th round. (Added Aug. 27)
Bucky Irving (TB) — The Buccaneers placed Edmonds on the season-ending IR for a knee injury. Irving is in a favorable spot to see immediate playing time behind Rachaad White with Edmonds set to miss the entire season. However, the Buccaneers will likely add some competition before the season starts. Irving doesn’t have a whole lot of competition to be the #2 option, and he could put more pressure on White than he had all of last season. (Updated Aug. 27)
Jordan Mason (SF) — The 49ers placed Elijah Mitchell on the injured reserve, which will end his season. He recently returned to practice after missing a major chunk of training camp for a hamstring injury. Mason entered training camp as the forgotten man in the San Francisco backfield, but he’s now in the driver’s seat to be the handcuff for Christian McCaffrey, ahead of Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor. Mason needs to finish the job off to be the #2 RB behind McCaffrey, and he’d be the top waiver wire pickup if CMC missed time this season. (Added Aug. 27)
Wide Receivers
CeeDee Lamb (Dal) — The Cowboys and Lamb reached terms on a four-year, $136 million contract, including the largest signing bonus for a WR at $38 million (per Adam Schefter). The Cowboys have been putting off some bad vibes this off-season but they finally got a deal with Lamb done less than two weeks before the season opener. Lamb can safely be selected as the first WR off the board, just behind Christian McCaffrey at the start of drafts. (Added Aug. 26)
Puka Nacua (LAR) — Nacua returned to practice on Aug. 26, which was a little less than three weeks after suffering a knee injury in practice that HC Sean McVay described as a burst bursa sac. Nacua’s minor injury came as Cooper Kupp picked up steam after a strong start to training camp. The Rams believe Kupp is all the way back from his injury-riddled last two seasons, and a source close to the 31-year-old receiver told Jeremy Fowler, “He’s on an absolute mission. He was deeply affected about not being out there for parts of last year.” The nearly two-round ADP gap between Nacua and Kupp from early August is completely gone with Nacua (14.6, WR9) falling a few spots and Kupp (23.8, WR13) rising by nearly 10 spots. McVay said this week that Nacua will be ready to go for the season opener. (Updated Aug. 30)
Rashee Rice (KC) — The NFL doesn’t plan to place Rice on paid leave via the commissioner’s exempt list, barring changes in the case, and they’ll “let the legal process play out” before deciding on a any kind of discipline (per Mark Maske). Rice created a tumultuous off-season for himself with his off-the-field behavior. He was arrested in Dallas for his role in a street race in late March before allegedly assaulting a photographer at a Dallas nightclub in May. His assault charges in his nightclub incident were dropped, and it appears that the justice system is moving slowly on his street-racing case. He has a civil trial date set for Dec. 9 and his criminal trial is set for June 23, 2025. Rice’s ADP plummeted by multiple rounds this summer because of the potential of a suspension, but it’s looking likely that Rice will avoid a suspension during the 2024 season. Rice has more competition for targets since the Chiefs signed Marquise Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy, but he’s an ascending second-year player who already has chemistry with Patrick Mahomes. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini heard that Rice was the star in early training camp and that he looks faster and more explosive than he did during his rookie campaign. Rice has league-winning upside and he’s buried in the rankings on draft services like Yahoo and ESPN. (Added Aug. 29)
Brandon Aiyuk (SF) — Aiyuk and the 49ers finally agreed to terms on a four-year, $120 million contract extension, ending his summer-long hold out for a new deal. He ended up taking the same contract that the 49ers have been offering since Aug. 12 (per Adam Schefter). Aiyuk could get out of the gates a little slow since he hasn’t practiced during training camp, but he’s at least seen his ADP (35.5, WR23) drop by about a round to make him more appealing as a late-third round option. (Added Aug. 30)
Michael Wilson — The NFL suspended Zay Jones for the first five games of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy for a misdemeanor domestic battery charge in November 2023. Wilson has been running with the starters this summer and Jones’ absence early in the season will give the second-year receiver more runway to establish himself as the #2 WR behind Marvin Harrison. (Added Aug. 26)
Marvin Mims (Den) — The Broncos buried Mims during the preseason as they tried to create a trade market for Tim Patrick, but his role is set to grow once the regular season rolls around after the team released Patrick. It’s time for Mims to step up and command more routes and targets with rookie Bo Nix, and his top competition for opportunities behind Courtland Sutton is Josh Reynolds. He finished 12th in aDOT (15.2 yards) among receivers who ran 200+ routes last season, and it’s on him to develop into a more complete receiver. Payton should take a longer look at Mims at some point in his second season, which gives him some hope to pay off after a quiet rookie season. (Added Aug. 27)
JuJu Smith-Schuster (KC) — The Chiefs are expected to bring back Smith-Schuster (per Jordan Schultz) after the Patriots released him after their first preseason game. Knee issues have robbed Smith-Schuster of his explosiveness since starting his career with 169/2343/14 receiving in his first two seasons in 2017-18. It seems unlikely that Smith-Schuster ever finds himself consistently fantasy-relevant as he enters his age-28 season, but if he does it would be with Patrick Mahomes in this Chiefs passing attack. His presence is a small downgrade for the likes of Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and Xavier Worthy, but Smith-Schuster should see limited routes and targets each week. (Added Aug. 26)
Tight Ends
Sam LaPorta (Det) — Dan Campbell said on Aug. 20 that Jahmyr Gibbs and LaPorta could both return to practice as early as Aug. 25, and that’s exactly what happened. Both Gibbs and LaPorta have missed chunks of training camp with minor hamstring issues but both players appear to be well on track to be ready for the season opener against the Rams. LaPorta has been slightly overvalued at his early fourth-round ADP (38.7, TE2). (Added Aug. 26)
Taysom Hill (NO) — Yahoo announced they’re adding TE eligibility for Hill so he’ll now be listed as a QB/TE this season. Taysom now has TE eligibility at Yahoo, ESPN, Sleeper, and NFFC among the top platforms. He’s yet to throw a pass in the preseason, but he’s seen reps at fullback and running back, which has propelled him to 5/21/1 rushing and 1 target in his first two games. Hill’s positional eligibility is split between quarterback and tight end at most sites. He can be left for the waiver wire in leagues where he’s listed as a quarterback, but he’s worth a late-round flier at sites where he’s listed as a TE. Hill’s weekly usage and production is going to be all over the map, but he could turn into a low-end TE1 option if he continues to get backfield work if Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams continue to disappoint behind a declining Alvin Kamara. Taysom could rack up some carries early in the season as Miller landed on the injured reserve for a hamstring injury, forcing him to miss at least the first four games. (Added Aug. 27)
Colby Parkinson (LAR) — The Rams placed Tyler Higbee on the PUP list to start training camp and he’ll remain on the list to open the season, which will keep him out for at least the four games of the season. He continues to recover from ACL and MCL tears that he suffered in Los Angeles’ Wild Card loss in January, and he could miss well into the season. The Rams prepared to be without Higbee by handing Parkinson $15.5 million guaranteed in free agency. Parkinson has a runway to take this job and run with it, and he’s one of my favorite late-round darts at the position in TE-premium formats. (Added Aug. 27)
Johnny Mundt (Min) — T.J. Hockenson will begin the season on the PUP list as he continues to recover from ACL and MCL surgeries, which will keep him out for at least the first four games of the season. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported at the beginning of camp that the estimates he had heard for Hockenson’s absence ranged from three to seven games. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis wrote that Johnny Mundt is the favorite to lead the group in snaps while Hockenson is out. Mundt delivered a pair of double-digit FP performances with a combined 9/97/1 receiving on 13 targets (17.1%) and 66 routes (75.9%) after Hockenson went down at the end of last season. Josh Oliver posted 3/48 receiving on 4 targets (5.3%) and 19 routes (21.8%) in that same two-game stretch. Mundt has a legitimate chance to be fantasy-relevant in deeper formats and a TE streamer for as long as Hockenson is out of the lineup. (Added Aug. 27)
DOWNGRADES
Players whom we’re feeling less optimistic about based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields (Pit) — HC Mike Tomlin officially announced that Russell Wilson will open the season as the team’s starting quarterback over Fields. Tomlin told reporters that packages for Fields are “certainly on the table” and they’re “open to weaponizing their backup quarterback’s mobility. Fields has shortened Wilson’s leash as the starter, but Russ will get the first crack at leading what could be an abysmal Steelers offense. Fields is on the radar in leagues with deep benches or in Superflex/2-QB formats since he could be a fantasy game-changer once he gets a chance to play. (Added Aug. 28)
Jacoby Brissett (NE) — Drake Maye has steadily closed the gap on Brissett to be the opening-day starter, and HC Jerod Mayo admitted on Aug. 26 that Drake has performed better than Brissett this summer. Mayo said on WEEI, “It’s a true competition, and I would say at this current point, Drake has outplayed Jacoby.” The Patriots ultimately went with Brissett as the team’s Week 1 starter, but’s clear that his leash is shorter than it was at the start of training camp. Maye gives New England’s offense a higher ceiling, but the Patriots decided they didn’t want the #3 overall pick to start all year behind the NFL’s worst offensive line for a rebuilding franchise. It once looked like the Patriots may hold Maye back until the second half of the season heading into training camp, but he’s clearly going to start sooner than most anticipated. (Updated Aug. 29)
Running Backs
Kyren Williams (LAR) — HC Sean McVay told reporters that Williams will return punts this season, “It’s another opportunity for him to get touches and impact the game, and you feel comfortable with that because of the confidence in Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers being able to spell him, if need be.” It’s not often that a bell-cow RB is asked to handle additional duties outside of his running back duties. It’s another red flag that his workload is set to decrease after the Rams selected Corum in the third round. We pushed Williams as one of our favorite late-round picks in 2023, but he’s slightly overpriced in the second round before we even consider his extensive foot/ankle issues that have forced him to miss 35% of his games in his first two seasons. (Added Aug. 28)
Isiah Pacheco (KC) — The Chiefs reached terms on a contract with former Broncos RB Samaje Perine, who should immediately jump into the #2 RB spot previously occupied by Jerick McKinnon. Kansas City had been having a pillow fight for the backup job among Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Carson Steele, and Deneric Prince. Perine has carved out an NFL career as a passing back for his QB protection skills, and he notably saw more targets (56) than carries (53) during his lone season with the Broncos. Pacheco owned a 10.2% target share, 48.1% routes, and an excellent 90% share of inside the 5-yard line carries in his final nine-game stretch compared to an 8.2% target share, 34.4% route share, and a 50% share of inside the 5-yard line carries in his first nine games. Pacheco’s late-season surge corresponded with McKinnon mostly being out of the lineup from Week 12 on. He’s still positioned to be the clear lead back in an offense that ranked inside the top-six in PPG in six straight seasons before last season’s surprising offensive dropoff. His role isn’t looking nearly as strong with Perine set to steal some passing-game work, but Pacheco is still a player to target in an offense that has a great chance to return to the top of the league in PPG. (Added Aug. 28)
Jonathon Brooks (Car) — Brooks opened training camp on the NFI list for the ACL injury he suffered while at Texas last November and the Panthers will keep him on the list to open the season, which means he’ll miss at least the four games of the season. There was some hope Brooks could be ready by Week 3 or 4, but the Panthers will play it slow with the 46th overall pick. Brooks’ ADP (97.7, RB30) has cooled off by about a round since the start of August, and it wouldn’t be surprising if it falls by another round with his first month of the season officially lost. Brooks could still become a league-winning player if he can secure a three-down role by the second half of the season, but make sure your league has an IR spot if you select him in the 10th round or later. (Added Aug. 27)
Nick Chubb (Cle) — Chubb started training camp on the PUP list, and he's expected to remain on the list through at least the first four games of the season (per Adam Schefter). He’s making his way back from a gruesome multi-ligament knee injury suffered in Week 2 last September, which required two surgeries to repair the damage. It was also the second time he sustained a multi-ligament injury to his left knee after he previously injured it while at Georgia in 2015. ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote that the organization believes he’ll play “some time” this season, but they don’t want to pressure him by putting a timetable on a return. Jerome Ford is expected to play the same role as the lead back while Chubb is out, and the plan was for D’Onta Foreman to step into Kareem Hunt’s old role, which included short-yardage work. Chubb is far from guaranteed to return to his previous form in 2024 or ever again, and he carries far too much risk without enough upside to select him this summer. (Updated Aug. 29)
Kendre Miller (NO) — Miller is coming off a miserable, injury-plagued rookie campaign with just 41 carries in eight games because of knee and hamstring issues. His sophomore campaign got off on the wrong foot after picking up a hamstring injury at the start of training camp, which prompted HC Dennis Allen to tell the press, “It’s hard to make the team when you’re in the training room all the time.” Well, he’ll start the season on the injured reserve for his hamstring injury, which will keep him out of the lineup for at least the first four games. Miller has fallen behind for the second straight season so look elsewhere for RB help late in the double-digit rounds of your drafts (193.2, RB62). (Added Aug. 27)
Elijah Mitchell (SF) — The 49ers placed Mitchell on the injured reserve, which ended his season. He recently returned to practice after missing a major chunk of training camp for a hamstring injury. Jordan Mason entered training camp as the forgotten man in the San Francisco backfield, but he’s now in the driver’s seat to be the handcuff for Christian McCaffrey, ahead of Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor. Mason needs to finish the job off to be the #2 RB behind McCaffrey, and he’d be the top waiver wire pickup if CMC missed time this season. (Added Aug. 27)
Keaton Mitchell (Bal) — Mitchell started training camp on the PUP list and he’ll remain there to start the regular season, which means he’ll miss at least the first four games. Mitchell is recovering from a mid-December ACL tear, and the organization is optimistic the second-year RB will return at some point during the season but they’re in no rush to get Mitchell on the field. Mitchell can be left on the waiver wire in all formats and don’t be surprised if the Ravens are forced to add a body to the backfield before the season after Owen Wright broke his foot in the final preseason game. (Added Aug. 27)
Wide Receivers
Odell Beckham (Mia) — Remember this guy? HC Mike McDaniel said Odell could open the season on the PUP list after failing to practice in training camp for an undisclosed injury. OBJ is coming off a quietly strong season as a part-time player for the Ravens. He posted excellent metrics in targets per route run share (23%), YPRR (2.11), and air yards share (24.7%), but he owned just a 53.4% route share. Odell is completely off the fantasy radar to start the season, and he’s unlikely to have many fantasy moments barring an injury to Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle. (Added Aug. 26)
Kendrick Bourne (NE) — Bourne will open the season PUP list as he continues to recover from a torn ACL in Week 8 of last season, which means he’ll miss at least the first four games of the season. The Patriots will open the season with Ja’Lynn Polk, Tyquan Thornton, K.J. Osborn, DeMario Douglas, and Javon Baker as the top five WRs while Bourne is out of the lineup. Bourne will need some help to be fantasy-relevant later in the season. (Added Aug. 27)
Zay Jones (Ari) — The NFL suspended Jones for the first five games of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy for a misdemeanor domestic battery charge in November 2023. Michael Wilson has been running with the starters this summer and Jones’ absence early in the season will give the second-year receiver more runway to establish himself as the #2 WR behind Marvin Harrison. Jones will need an injury in front of him to have any chance at fantasy relevance when he does return from his suspension. (Added Aug. 26)
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson (Min) — Hockenson will begin the season on the PUP list as he continues to recover from ACL and MCL surgeries, which will keep him out for at least the first four games of the season. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported at the beginning of camp that the estimates he had heard for Hockenson’s absence ranged from three to seven games. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis wrote that Mundt is the favorite to lead the group in snaps while Hockenson is out. (Added Aug. 27)
Tyler Higbee (LAR) — The Rams placed Higbee on the PUP list to start training camp and he’ll remain on the list to open the season, which will keep him out for at least the four games of the season. He continues to recover from ACL and MCL tears that he suffered in Los Angeles’ Wild Card loss in January, and he could miss well into the season. The Rams prepared to be without Higbee by handing Colby Parkinson $15.5 million guaranteed in free agency. Parkinson has a runway to take this job and run with it, and he’s one of my favorite late-round darts at the position in TE-premium formats. (Added Aug. 27)
Jelanie Woods (Ind) — Woods’ rough training camp got even worse when he picked up a turf toe injury, which required surgery that will keep him out for about four months (per Jordan Schultz). The Colts ended his season by placing him on the injured reserve, which is his second consecutive missed campaign. Woods found himself buried on the depth chart behind Kyle Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, and Drew Ogletree during training camp practices after missing his entire second season due to a hamstring injury. The odds of Woods being fantasy-relevant during his career are quickly diminishing. (Updated Aug. 27)
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
Brock Purdy (SF) — NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the 49ers and Trent Williams aren’t close to a new deal and that San Francisco’s star LT is willing to holdout into the regular season until he receives more guaranteed money. Our Scott DiBenedetto rated Williams as the NFL’s best left tackle, noting that Purdy owned a 3-to-9 TD-to-INT ratio when Williams missed or played fewer than half of the snaps. Purdy owned a 28-to-2 ratio in his other 12 games.
Running Backs
Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott (Dal) — The Cowboys signed Dalvin Cook to their practice squad, and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote that he’ll ramp up and familiarize himself in Dallas’ system before being pulled up to the active roster. Cook’s YPC has fallen in four straight seasons (3.2<4.4<4.7<5.0), and he mustered just 67 carries and 15 receptions in 15 contests with the Jets before being released and latching on with the Ravens for the postseason. This is the best spot for Cook to potentially carve out a role, but he’ll open the season behind Dowdle and Zeke. There’s little hope for the 29-year-old RB to turn back the clock to become a fantasy-relevant option despite his ideal landing spot. Dowdle will face additional competition for snaps and touches, but he couldn’t ask for more washed-up competition to face for those opportunities. HC Mike McCarthy also said Dowdle will get fewer special teams snaps this season because of his bigger offensive role (per Calvin Watkins). (Added Aug. 29)
Marshawn Lloyd (GB) — Lloyd’s bid to win the Packers' #2 RB job was hindered by a hip injury early in camp before he picked up a hamstring injury in the first preseason game. He at least avoided a trip to the injured reserve and he’s set up to be the backup once he’s healthy with A.J. Dillon placed on the injured reserve, which ended his season. Lloyd has struggled to stay healthy in training camp, which has slowed his development and could cause him to get out of the gates slowly. He’s still a player to bet on late in drafts, especially if you’re focused on landing a potential impact player for the second half of the season. However, he’ll likely open the season as the #3 RB behind Emanuel Wilson as he gets caught up to speed in September. (Updated Aug. 27)
Wide Receivers
Ja’Marr Chase (Cin) — Chase is still in search of a new contract and he practiced for the first time this summer on Aug. 25 (per Tom Pelissero). He’s been mostly holding in at training camp until this week. Ja’Marr is under contract through 2025 after the Bengals picked up his fifth-year option, and the Bengals typically move at their own rate when it comes to locking up players to long-term deals. However, Chase is among the NFL’s elite WRs and holding in at camp, which puts more pressure on Cincinnati’s front office to get a new deal done. Chase is at least getting ready for action two weeks before the season opener, but it remains to be seen if he’ll sit out games if he doesn’t get a new contract. On Aug. 27, HC Zac Taylor said “yes” when asked if he’s confident Chase will play in Week 1, but Chase killed the positive momentum by sitting out the next two practices. (Updated Aug. 30)
MIke Williams (NYJ) — The Jets activated Williams from the PUP list in early August, which came a little over nine months since he had ACL surgery in late October last year. He took his first 11-on-11 reps in an Aug. 27 practice so he remains right on schedule in his return from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 3 in 2023. The Jets continue to ramp him up for an early-season return, and HC Robert Saleh told reporters he’ll be available for the season opener but they’ll “smart” with how they use him. He still isn’t the easiest player to draft as he moves from one of the NFL’s pass-heaviest, quick-paced offenses to what is likely to be more of a ball-control offense under Aaron Rodgers. He’s also going to get limited full-speed reps with his new quarterback, and Rodgers has notably struggled to get on the same page with new receivers throughout his career. (Updated Aug. 29)
Washington Commanders Receiving Corps (Was) — The Commanders sent Jahan Dotson and a fifth-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for a third-round pick and a pair of seventh-round picks (per Adam Schefter). Dotson left behind an 82.7% target share, an 18.0% air yards share, and a 12.6% target share to be divvied up to the likes of Terry McLaurin (52.6, WR31), Dyami Brown (N/A), and eventually Luke McCaffrey (236.8, WR88). The move could open up more targets and more 12 personnel snaps for late-round targets Ben Sinnott (227.7, TE26) and Zach Ertz (236.8, TE28). Washington added to their receiving corps during cutdown week by signing former Texans receiver Noah Brown, who will instantly challenge for the #2 role as an outside-inside receiver. He hit 22+ FP three times as a depth option in C.J. Stroud’s passing attack last season. It’s a small hit for these Washington receivers behind McLaurin, but rookie McCaffrey and Sinnott should eventually be given more opportunities to emerge as the season moves along. (Added Aug. 29)
Ricky Pearsall (SF) — HC Kyle Shanahan said first-round pick Pearsall will return to practice on Aug. 26 after missing most of training camp for a lingering shoulder injury, which has hampered him since the spring. Pearsall is finally trending in the right direction, but he’s likely to start the season behind Jauan Jennings as the #4 WR unless Brandon Aiyuk is traded before the start of the season. Pearsall (191.2, WR75) is best left to start the season on the waiver wire in all but deeper leagues. (Added Aug. 26)
Tight Ends
None of note.
