Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson admitted that he was “banged up” and unable to play the way he wanted to late last season. C-Pat easily set a career high with 205 touches last year, and the Falcons are happy to limit his offseason reps. In fact, the 31-year-old sat out OTAs/minicamp and has been limited in training camp. “He’s got good work habits,” HC Arthur Smith said in camp. “Everybody is in different parts of their careers. With CP, where he is, at the usage rate he had last year, we are trying to maximize him.” Patterson’s also hoping for more return opportunities, as he needs just one more kick return TD to break the NFL record. “I’ve got a record to break,” he said. “I need one more before I can hang it up. I get one more, I’ll stop doing it.”
The Steelers have agreed to a 2-year, $36.71 million extension with WR Diontae Johnson. The deal locks in the team targets leader through 2024, allowing him to hit the open market ahead of his age-29 season. It's noteworthy that Pittsburgh invested in Johnson after allowing JuJu Smith-Schuster to hit the open market each of the past 2 years, including this year's departure to Kansas City.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has noticed improvement in RB AJ Dillon’s receiving ability. "I feel like of all the people we've had the last three years, he's got to be on a very short list of guys who have improved so drastically, and his pass-catching ability is really, really solid," Rodgers said. "He's made difficult catches look easy over the last couple years and this training camp, and I couldn't be more proud of (number) 28 and his approach, the way that he's handled not just being a player in this locker room, an ascending player, but a member of this community.” HC Matt LaFleur had similar complimentary things to say, including an endorsement of Dillon's pass protection. Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com writes that the Packers have “big plans” for Dillon and Aaron Jones, noting their potential to play both RBs at once. We’ll see on that, but it’s clear Dillon, only 24, is an ascending 3rd-year player.
Eagles WR DeVonta Smith is sitting out practice with a minor groin injury. HC Nick Sirianni said the team is just bring cautious with the 2nd-year pro, so there’s no cause for concern. We’ll let you know when he’s back to practicing.
Joseph Person of The Athletic reports that the Panthers continue to alternate QB Baker Mayfield with QB Sam Darnold in 1st-team workouts at training camp. HC Matt Rhule says he'll let the competition play out rather than anointing anyone. Person writes, "My expectation is that it will be Mayfield -- and nothing from the first seven practices has changed my mind." He adds that Mayfield has looked more comfortable in the 2nd week of camp than he did the 1st, though he also says Darnold has "looked sharp." We'll continue assuming that Mayfield wins out but will watch for confirmation.
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk has been the star of training camp the past few days. Teammates are impressed with his play. "Right now he’s having an outstanding camp," S Jimmie Ward said Wednesday. "B.A. has taken his game to another level. It’s crazy. I haven’t won a one-on-one rep with him yet." Aiyuk found himself in HC Kyle Shanahan's doghouse around this time a year ago and got off to a slow start. But he tallied a 47-730-4 line over his final 11 games, ranking 16th among WRs in PPR points. We still have some volume concerns here as Aiyuk fights for targets with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle in what figures to be a run-heavy offense. But Aiyuk is fairly priced at his current WR42 ADP.
Jets TE Jeremy Ruckert (foot) has been cleared for "football activities," according to Newsday Sports' Al Iannazzone. The 3rd-round rookie has been sidelined since the spring with plantar fasciitis. Ruckert is a fine dynasty stash but a redraft long shot behind TEs Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah.
The Athletic's Zak Keefer expects RB Nyheim Hines to be used "substantially more" this year than last. "It’s been obvious from the install days over the past week how much usage he’ll get, both with Jonathan Taylor on the field and off it," Keefer adds. "Hines has been heavily involved in the run and pass games." We don't expect Hines to steal much, if any, rushing work from Taylor. But his role should rebound in the passing game after he averaged a career low 2.4 catches and 18.2 receiving yards per game last year. Consider Hines a nice RB4 target in PPR drafts.
Saints HC Dennis Allen said Wednesday that QB Jameis Winston's surgically repaired knee is no longer a concern. "I think we're past the point where we're trying have a maintenance plan on the knee," Allen said. "I think we're in a good spot there. I think it's really just about continuing to get better at the quarterback position." Winston will be under center for the Saints come Week 1, although it remains to be seen if his movement in and out of the pocket will be back to pre-injury levels.
Saints HC Dennis Allen said Wednesday that WR Michael Thomas "looks outstanding" in camp so far. "Obviously, we're still in a progression with him," Allen added. "He got some 7-on-7 today. We plan on continuing to progress that. Hopefully soon we'll get on to some team work and keep rolling." Thomas might not be at 100% quite yet, but reports on his play in camp have been universally positive. He continues to climb our WR rankings.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is "lightning up camp," insider Albert Breer tweeted Wednesday. "Got Kareem Hunt traits, a gear Hunt didn't have," Breer adds. It's high praise -- and not the 1st time we've heard that the 7th-round rookie is having an excellent training camp. It's time to start taking Pacheco seriously as a factor in the Chiefs offense and a late-round flier in fantasy drafts.
The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue hears that Rams WR Van Jefferson's knee surgery "went great" and that "it’s realistic to believe he can return by the Sept. 8 opener." You probably won't want to be using Jefferson in Week 1 fantasy lineups, but it doesn't sound like we should be adjusting his season-long outlook much, if at all.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers praised rookie WR Romeo Doubs at training camp. “Every single day, there’s been at least one ‘wow’ play. And that’s rare for a young guy like that,” Rodgers said. “We’ve had some guys over the years do that, but they are all in the top 10 of Packers receiving history. Good start for him.” Missed time from WRs Christian Watson and Sammy Watkins have given Doubs a chance to shine alongside Rodgers. If this continues over the next few weeks, it’s quite possible he sees some run in 3-WR sets.
Patriots insider Jeff Howe tweeted Wednesday that the “expectation” is Matt Patricia will call plays this season. As Howe points out, Patricia has called most of the Pats’ offensive plays in camp. However, the long-time assistant — who’s generally worked on the defensive side — has never been an offensive play-caller at any level. He’ll almost certainly prove to be a downgrade on Josh McDaniels.
Per multiple reports, the NFL is appealing Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s 6-game suspension. Roger Goodell will determine who’ll hear the appeal. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: According to insider Jeff Darlington, the league is "appealing for an indefinite suspension that would be a minimum of one year."
Paul Dehner of The Athletic writes that WR Ja’Marr Chase “has picked up right where he left off” last season. You know, because All-Pro talents don’t just decline in their 2nd season. “It’s not a surprise, and it’s hard to imagine his stock soaring any higher, but Chase looks like he’s playing a different game,” Dehner shares. Good to know. The LSU product is currently coming off the board 3rd among WRs — and rightfully so.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles complimented the play of TE Cade Otton. “Cade’s a very cerebral player. You won’t see all the speed and power, but you look up and he’s always doing the right things, always in the right place. He has great hands and he understands how to play the game,” Bowles said. “I think a lot of young players don’t have that. He has that coming in, so that’s going to benefit him going forward.” Bowles noted that Otten needs to improve his play strength — standard language for a rookie. The 4th-round pick figures to see limited action alongside Kyle Rudolph and Cameron Brate, but he’s a name to monitor in dynasty circles.
Browns WR Amari Cooper returned to practice on Wednesday. He tweaked his right ankle on Monday, but it looks like a non-issue going forward.
Cardinals WR Marquise Brown was arrested Wednesday morning on criminal speeding charges, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM. We'll see where this goes but doubt it draws a suspension from the league. Brown, of course, missed the first week or so of camp with a hamstring issue. So it hasn't been an ideal start to his Cardinals career.
Bears RB David Montgomery has been taking reps with the special teams in training camp. “Wherever they need me, I’m going to be ready to be there,” he said. “I’ve never played special teams before. But I’m always down and excited to learn so I can be better.” Per The Athletic, "Montgomery said it was as simple as seeing his name on the depth chart and going to the special teams drills." We're not sure what to make of this. It could be the Bears just toying around with different options early in training camp. Or it could mean that Montgomery's role on offense will be scaled back this season. We'll see if we learn anything on that front in preseason action. RB Khalil Herbert notably beat Montgomery in both Pro Football Focus rushing grade and Elusive Rating last year.
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