The NFL has suspended Cowboys RB Ronald Jones for the first two regular-season games for violating the PED policy. That's no big news for fantasy football drafts, but his absence won't help Jones' case for working ahead of Malik Davis or Deuce Vaughn. It might even factor into whether he makes the regular-season roster. Of course, if he hasn't appealed yet, Jones could point to totaling just 92 yards over a full season with the Chiefs as evidence that he didn't enhance a thing.
Pro Football Network's Adam Caplan says based on the early practices of training camp, new Eagles RB D'Andre Swift "will easily be the Eagles' most targeted running back." That's been the assumption of most people, of course, since Philadelphia acquired the former Lion in the middle of the NFL Draft. This semi-confirmation is worth noting, though, for anyone wondering if Kenneth Gainwell might fight off Swift in that area. Caplan adds that "most of the passes Swift caught last week appeared to be designed pass plays to him." That would help Swift's receiving volume in an offense that sported the league's second-fewest RB receptions last year. Of course, it's also worth noting that Caplan didn't talk about Swift being the all-around touch leader for the Eagles. We've preferred Rashaad Penny at ADP so far and consider him much more of a fantasy football sleeper than Swift. See how all Philly backs stack up in our RB rankings.
Broncos rookie WR Marvin Mims returned to practice on Monday. He had dealt with a hamstring issue. If Tim Patrick’s leg injury is serious, Mims will become a staple in Denver’s 3-WR sets.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara plans to meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell regarding a potential suspension. "I think Alvin really wants to get out ahead of this and have a chance to visit with Roger and kind of give him his side of the story," HC Dennis Allen said. "And look, at the end of the day, I think part of it is 'let's get some resolution with where we're at and move forward.' I think Alvin is looking forward to putting this behind him and focusing in on what he has to do to be the best he can for our team this season.” Kamara no longer faces felony charges following a recent plea agreement. Still, the veteran RB could earn a short suspension from the league.
Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the meeting will take place Wednesday.
Broncos WR Tim Patrick was carted off with an apparent non-contact leg injury. Reporter Mike Klis tweeted that the injury “appears” to be to Patrick’s left leg. The veteran sustained a right ACL tear nearly one year ago. We’ll let you know when more details emerge.
Update: HC Sean Payton said Patrick is being evaluated for a left Achilles injury. We'll keep an eye out for more information.
Per NFL insider Mike Garafolo, Colts RB Zack Moss suffered a broken arm in practice on Monday. He’s expected to miss about six weeks. With Jonathan Taylor sidelined, the Colts are down to Deon Jackson and Evan Hull atop the RB depth chart.
Beat writer Doug Kyed writes that the Pats are “managing” RB Rhamondre Stevenson’s load in training camp. Second-year RB Kevin Harris saw some first-team reps on Monday. Harris is a deep sleeper to monitor, but keep in mind that New England hosted RB Zeke Elliott over the weekend.
Per reporter Gary Klein, the Rams “project” rookie QB Stetson Bennett as a “reliable backup…and perhaps [Matt] Stafford’s successor.” A Round 4 pick in April, Bennett’s seemingly off to a strong start at camp. “What I really like about him is, if a play doesn’t go well, he’s able to reset himself and go to the next play,” HC Sean McVay said. “You can definitely feel the athleticism show up, and I think he’s getting more and more comfortable.” The two-time national champion turns 26 in October. He’s only a stash in deep dynasty superflex setups.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson underwent surgery on Sunday to correct his nasal septum, the team announced. Richardson will miss Monday's practice but is expected back on Tuesday. The missed reps for the rookie aren't ideal, but this ultimately figures to be a non-factor when it comes to Richardson's 2023 fantasy outlook.
Lions WR Marvin Jones has been activated from the non-football-injury list. He missed the first week of camp but will now look to carve out an early-season role while WR Jameson Williams serves his six-game suspension. The 33-year-old Jones is not an exciting fantasy pick.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes Bears QB Justin Fields has shown growth in training camp. Per Breer: “The ball’s coming out faster, and he’s throwing with more accuracy…[Fields] looks looser out there in large part because he’s moving more efficiently (with improved footwork) and the picture of all that’s around him is clearer to him than it was a year ago.” Chicago’s O-line received a shout-out, too — specifically the arrivals of G Nate Davis and Round 1 rookie OT Darnell Wright. See where Fields sits in our updated fantasy QB rankings.
Seahawks RB Kenny McIntosh is off to a strong start at training camp. "He lost about 10 pounds from when he was here in the springtime, and he's in great shape and is just razor sharp," HC Pete Carroll said. "He has been explosive and innovative with his running and his cuts, caught the ball well. He's done really well." McIntosh sunk to the seventh round of this spring's draft largely due to his 4.62-second 40 time. But he brings an intriguing combination of size (6'0, 204 lbs.) and pass-catching skills (65 receptions over the last two seasons at Georgia). McIntosh has gained fantasy intrigue with the recent injuries to RBs Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet.
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba was one of the best players in the first week of training camp. "He's really a gifted athlete," HC Pete Carroll said of the rookie. "Timing, hand-eye (coordination), body control, extraordinary natural quickness, and he makes things look really easy. I couldn't imagine him not being part of the mix right from the beginning. It just comes too easy for him. We're looking for the spots we can put him in, how to move him around, and see how much he can handle. There's nothing that's holding him back. He's hitting it off with Geno really well right now." If you've read our scouting report on Smith-Njigba, his impressive play is no surprise. Despite stiff target competition from WRs D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, Smith-Njigba is certainly capable of scoring as at least a WR3 this year.
SI.com’s Omar Kelly says Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill merely “blended in” across Week 1 of training camp. “You can tell he's either slowed by a nagging injury, or his focus is off because he's had too many drops,” Kelly writes. This isn’t enough to make us alter Hill’s standing in our 2023 fantasy football rankings. But we’ll keep an eye on him to see if things remain off.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor responded -- via Twitter -- to reports Indianapolis is considering the non-football injury list after he reported back pain upon arriving to training camp. Taylor said: "1.) Never had a back pain. 2.) Never reported back pain. Not sure who 'sources' are, but find new ones." It sure seems like we're building toward Taylor not playing for the Colts again. We'll keep watching this saga.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan likes what he's seen from QB Brock Purdy in camp so far. "I think he's done great," Shanahan said. "He has come back. He's had no arm troubles. He's been totally healthy. I think he's getting all his timing back, his rhythm. I was really impressed with him in his two practices." Purdy remains the favorite to open the season as San Francisco's starter.
Rams Wire's Cameron DaSilva says "no one should sleep on [Demarcus] Robinson or [Tyler] Johnson as the Rams' No. 3 receiver." He adds that either has a chance to "leapfrog" Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell, and Puka Nacua in pursuit of that third spot, joining Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson. We wouldn't recommend investing heavily into any of those competitors -- and we're not even especially interested in Jefferson. But we'll be watching to see who emerges as that No. 3 wideout.
Jets HC Robert Saleh expects RB Breece Hall (knee) to return to practice in 2-3 weeks. "He's coming along good," Saleh said, adding that he still expects Hall to be available come Week 1. Saleh's timeline would give Hall 3-4 weeks to ramp up ahead of the opener. We'll continue to keep you updated on his status.
Jets WR Allen Lazard was back on the field for Sunday's practice, according to insider Connor Hughes. Lazard ended up missing a few days with a left leg injury, but it shouldn't be a concern going forward. Lazard and Corey Davis are seemingly battling for the No. 2 outside WR spot behind Garrett Wilson.
Arrowhead Pride's Pete Sweeney believes RB Deneric Prince "should be written in ink on the Chiefs’ 53 [-man roster]." Prince is "locked in as the kick returner" and has continued to impress in the passing game. The undrafted rookie had a buzzy spring and has carried that momentum into training camp. We'll see if he continues ascending throughout the preseason. For now, Prince is still more of a dynasty stash than redraft target. But we're keeping a close eye on him.
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