The Falcons begin training camp Wednesday, and it doesn't sound like TE Kyle Pitts will be taking the field right away. "He's still getting back. He's still working," WR Drake London said Tuesday, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "Once he heals up, he's going to be the same Kyle Pitts we all know." We certainly hope that will be the case, but it's worrisome that Pitts isn't yet healed up from a MCL injury that knocked him out in November. Don't be surprised if Pitts slides down our fantasy football rankings a bit in the coming days. Any delay to Pitts' usefulness would likely be good news for London's target share. The WR trailed Pitts in that category before the TE went down last season.
The Commanders are signing WR Byron Pringle to a one-year deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Pringle spent last season with the Bears but managed just 10 catches for 135 yards on 16 targets across 11 games. Injuries limited his chances to contribute at various points. Pringle has exceeded 13 receptions in just one of his four NFL seasons. So don't bet on a significant contribution in Washington -- barring injury to at least one starter.
Cardinals beat writer Bob McManaman guesses QB Kyler Murray (ACL rehab) will miss the first 3-5 games. “Don’t buy into any of the rumors that may suggest he won’t play a single down during the entire 2023 season,” McManaman writes. Beyond the ACL recovery, Murray will also learn a new system under OC Drew Petzing. Our current QB rankings project 12 games played for Murray.
Bucs RB Sean Tucker has been medically cleared for the start of training camp. A pre-draft physical revealed a heart issue that seemingly had Tucker's football future in jeopardy. "I always knew it was just a matter of time," Tucker said. "When it was right, I was already ready and didn't have to ramp anything up. I was keeping my body right and staying in good condition." We'll keep an eye on Tucker's health and standing in a relatively wide-open Bucs RB room.
Saints WR Michael Thomas is expected to be a full participant for the start of training camp on Wednesday, according to insider Nick Underhill. The key for Thomas will be staying healthy throughout the rest of the year. He's played just 10 games over the past three seasons due to an assortment of injuries. We're skeptical that Thomas can regain pre-injury form or production, especially competing for targets with WR Chris Olave. But Thomas is certainly capable of paying off his ninth-round, WR44 ADP.
The Saints signed TE Jimmy Graham to a one-year deal. Yeah, that Jimmy Graham. The 36-year-old hasn’t played since 2021 when he tallied only 14 catches with the Bears. We’re not counting on Graham to make a fantasy impact alongside Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau.
Patriots HC Bill Belichick said Tuesday that WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is "ready to go" for the start of training camp. JuJu missed most of spring practices dealing with the knee injury he suffered in last year's AFC Championship Game. We'll see if it becomes an issue again at any point ahead of Week 1. Smith-Schuster isn't an exciting fantasy pick but does project as the favorite to lead New England in targets this year.
Lions WR Jameson Williams suffered a leg injury on Monday and is expected to miss the next couple of days, HC Dan Campbell said. This obviously doesn't sound like a serious issue, but Williams could use all the reps he can get after playing just 78 snaps in his 2022 rookie campaign. He, of course, is suspended for the first six games of this season for violating the league's gambling policy. We'll let you know when Williams gets back on the practice field.
Jets WR Corey Davis shared his thoughts following an offseason of trade/cut rumors. “All of that was out of my control,” Davis said. “It was kind of a long offseason. There was a point where there was uncertainty. Obviously, with all the moves going on, it’s hard not to think that. It’s still a business, but I’m happy to be here. Happy they kept me.” New York added WRs Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman. But HC Robert Saleh said all offseason that the team intended to keep Davis. The 28-year-old is under contract for one more season, and he’s essentially free in current fantasy drafts.
Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles told reporters Tuesday morning that WR Russell Gage has a "little bit ways to go" to be healthy enough for training-camp practices. Gage likely has more missed practice days than receptions since joining Tampa Bay last offseason. Fortunately, he sits at the very end of drafts in ADP -- when he gets selected at all. Don't expect Gage to be an impactful fantasy asset for 2023.
The Giants and RB Saquon Barkley have agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $11 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That total would beat the RB franchise tag by a little, and the two sides had passed the league deadline for a long-term contract. Most importantly for fantasy football managers, the agreement means Barkley will start training camp -- and, barring injury, the season -- on time. Uncertainty over his contract has pushed Barkley later in Round 2 in many recent drafts. He's a good pick anywhere in that round, across 1-QB formats. He can even make sense as a Round 1 consideration, according to our 12-team PPR fantasy football draft guide.
Seahawks Edge Uchenna Nwosu has agreed to a three-year extension that will pay him $45 million, with incentives that could push it up to $59 million, according to multiple reports. In his fifth season -- and first with Seattle -- Nwosu set career highs in solo tackles, assists, sacks, tackles for loss, QB hits, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. It was just his second season as a starter. Seattle clearly believes Nwosu has more. See where he stands in our IDP rankings.
According to multiple reports, Saints rookie RB Kendre Miller (knee) passed a physical on Monday. As a result, he's been removed from the non-football injury (NFI) list and will be ready to participate in training camp. Miller sustained a right MCL injury at TCU during the College Football Playoff semifinal in January. This ailment kept Miller out of workouts during the pre-NFL Draft process, though the Saints still felt comfortable enough to spend a 3rd-round pick on the strength of his film. He only had a brief stint on the NFI list (July 18) after being expected to miss much more time, so it's notable that he'll be in line to fight for a role in camp with RB Alvin Kamara and free-agent signee Jamaal Williams. It's difficult to say how much of a workload Miller will have from the jump in such a crowded room, however. Miller would conceivably benefit from a possible Kamara suspension stemming from a 2022 off-field incident, though seemingly nothing is imminent. Even so, we'll be sure to track the Saints' backfield as the summer evolves.
The attorneys for Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill and Hill's accuser issued a joint statement that the parties have "resolved their differences" after an altercation in mid-June. With no formal charges against Hill, it seems unlikely that he'll face any NFL discipline for the incident. We just nudged Hill up the WR Rankings.
The Bears have removed WR Chase Claypool from the PUP list. That means he can begin practicing with the rest of the team Wednesday. It seems as though we don't need to worry about any physical issue here. Now we'll see if he can find enough targets.
The Commanders are signing K Michael Badgley, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Badgley will compete with incumbent Joey Slye. Try to avoid drafting both until the situation gets cleared up.
The Raiders and CB Marcus Peters have agreed to a one-year deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Peters instantly looks like a favorite to start for a weak Raiders D. He lost seven total games to injuries over the past two years, but has remained an INT and TD-return threat when healthy. Peters isn't a big factor for IDP teams but can make your week in a big-play, large-roster format.
The Ravens have placed WR Rashod Bateman on the PUP list to open training camp. Bateman had a cortisone shot earlier this offseason in the foot that ended his 2022 prematurely. We'll be watching his progress closely through training camp. Bateman could lose ground to WR Odell Beckham Jr. and/or rookie WR Zay Flowers if he's out long.
49ers RB Jordan Mason has flashed "noticeably better" receiving skills this offseason, per The Athletic's Matt Barrows. It was a reported area of focus for Mason, who tallied only 26 career catches (in four seasons) at Georgia Tech. The former UDFA excelled in limited rushing action as a rookie, and he could ascend to the RB2 role if Elijah Mitchell’s injury woes continue. Circle Mason as a deep sleeper on your fantasy cheat sheet.
Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney is expected to be ready for the regular season opener, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Toney underwent an offseason “cleanup procedure” on the knee he aggravated on Sunday. With Toney sidelined, look for Sky Moore’s ADP (WR50 on Underdog Fantasy) to continue rising.
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