The Cowboys have agreed to a deal with free-agent K Lirim Hajrullahu, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The former CFL kicker went to training camp with the Rams last summer but didn't make the regular-season roster and has yet to kick in a regular-season NFL game. He joined the Panthers this offseason but got cut in March. The addition is significant because Dallas K Greg Zuerlein has yet to come off the PUP list following offseason back surgery. We'll have to keep an eye on Zuerlein as we get into the meat of fantasy football draft season. If you're drafting this week, it's probably best to pass on the veteran kicker.
Panthers WR Robby Anderson is dealing with a hamstring "issue,” per beat writer Steve Reed. That news was passed down from HC Matt Rhule this morning. We’ll keep an eye out for an update on the severity and timetable for return. Anderson, 28, hasn’t missed a game since 2018.
The Seahawks will "roll with" RB Chris Carson this season, RBs coach Chad Morton said. "That's how it goes." It sure doesn't sound like Seattle plans on deploying a committee backfield this season with depth guys like Rashaad Penny, DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer. Injuries, of course, have been a bugaboo for Carson. But he's averaged over 100 total yards and .76 TDs in healthy games over the last 3 seasons. That's RB1 production. Carson is worth considering in the back half of Round 3 -- and is a steal in the 4th round of fantasy drafts.
Bears QB Justin Fields missed Wednesday's practice with a groin injury. HC Matt Nagy said the team doesn't believe it's a significant injury but that Fields might not be able to play in the 2nd preseason game vs. the Bills on Saturday. That'd hurt the rookie's chances of moving past QB Andy Dalton before Week 1.
Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett is dealing with a groin injury. He’s been held out of team drills over the past 3 days, per beat writer Gregg Bell. HC Pete Carroll said the team is just being “careful” with the veteran WR. There’s no cause for concern right now; the groin is simply something to monitor.
After a rough start to training camp, Bengals QB Joe Burrow has "been stacking one quality practice on top of another over the past 10 days," Sports Illustrated's James Rapien writes. Burrow went 11 of 15 with 3 TDs in team drills on Monday, per Rapien, and also scrambled for a pair of 1st downs. That last note is especially encouraging for a guy returning from a serious knee injury. Burrow isn't going to play this preseason, so these practice reports are all we'll get before Week 1. He's probably not a guy you'll want to trust in that opener vs. the Vikings -- but Burrow could certainly be an every-week QB1 by October.
Seahawks WR D'Wayne Eskridge (toe) was activated from the PUP list and made his training camp debut on Tuesday. The rookie also missed minicamp with this toe injury, so he has a lot of catching up to do. We'll see how much ground he can make up over the next few weeks, but Eskridge won't be an early-season fantasy option.
The Seahawks have agreed to a 4-year extension with S Jamal Adams. The deal holds a maximum value of $72 million, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, with $38 million fully guaranteed. Adams has been in camp but sitting out practices. This deal should return him to full action. We haven't moved Adams down our DB rankings at all.
Steelers WR Chase Claypool suffered an apparent lower body injury in Tuesday’s practice. It sounds like he went down hard after trying to catch a downfield pass. Per beat writer Ray Fittipaldo, Claypool went straight to the locker room to get checked out. We’ll let you know when an update is available.
Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports it's a "minor" ankle sprain and that Claypool "should be fine." That matches with reports from NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that the WR avoided significant injury. We're not adjusting Claypool downward at all.
The Eagles waived RB Kerryon Johnson. The former Lion recently suffered a knee injury that's believed to be a sprain. For now, Philly will move forward with Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell and Jordan Howard behind Miles Sanders.
Saints WR Tre'Quan Smith (leg) returned to practice on Tuesday. He ended up missing about 2 weeks. WR Marquez Callaway impressed in Smith's absence, but we're curious to see how things shake out between those 2 now over the next few weeks.
Vikings TE Tyler Conklin left practice Monday with a hamstring injury. Beat writer Ben Goessling tweeted Tuesday that it’s a “mild” issue for the 4th-year TE. Certainly not the worst-case scenario. Conklin doesn’t profile as a standalone fantasy option, but his progress (and presence) might take some shine off Irv Smith’s ultimate upside. HC Mike Zimmer talked up a bigger role for Conklin in June.
Broncos RB Melvin Gordon (groin) returned to practice on Tuesday. He missed the team's preseason opener but should be fine going forward. Gordon remains the favorite to open the season as Denver's lead back, but rookie Javonte Williams is breathing down his neck after a strong showing in his preseason debut.
Raiders TE Darren Waller returned to practice on Tuesday, according to The Athletic's Tashan Reed. Waller ended up missing about 2 weeks with what was reportedly a minor ankle injury. Barring a setback, it shouldn't be an issue come Week 1.
The Jaguars have released Tim Tebow. He was a disaster in the preseason opener. Hopefully this is the last time we write about Tebow.
Texans insider Aaron Wilson hears that WR Anthony Miller "could" be back from his shoulder injury for Week 1 or 2. The MRI on that shoulder revealed a "slight" dislocation but no structural damage. So Miller avoided a serious injury, but he'll miss valuable reps with his new team over the next few weeks. He's a long shot for early-season fantasy value. Keke Coutee is in line to open the season as Houston's slot receiver.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson returned to practice on Monday, just 10 days after spraining the AC joint in his shoulder. It sounds like he was limited, but just the fact that he was out there is confirmation that he'll be good to go come Week 1.
Bills WR Stefon Diggs missed his 5th straight practice with a knee injury on Monday. Per The Athletic' Joe Buscaglia, HC Sean McDermott said he expects Diggs to miss more time but isn't worried about his status for the start of the season "at this point." We're not moving Diggs in the rankings right now but will keep a close eye on his status.
Texans RB David Johnson played behind RB Phillip Lindsay in Week 1 of the preseason, getting out-snapped 8 to 2 with the 1st-team offense. Both of Johnson's snaps came on 3rd down, while Lindsay played all the 1st- and 2nd-down snaps. Johnson seems to have accepted that he'll be playing a reduced role this season. “Obviously, as it’s going on, in the moment it’s tough,” Johnson said. “But I think in the long run, it will just help out the team as a whole.” We're still expecting Johnson to handle the majority of the pass-catching work out of Houston's backfield, which gives him some PPR value. But Lindsay looks like the favorite to lead in carries.
Jets HC Robert Saleh said WR Elijah Moore (quad) won't practice this week but will hopefully be back on the field next week. Saleh added that he's "not worried" about Moore's Week 1 status. The rookie lit up the practice field throughout the spring and early part of training camp. So as long as he's setback-free when he returns, Moore should still play a big role right out of the gate.
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