2023 NFL Training Camps are open, and it’s time to dive into the news surrounding your favorite teams and fantasy players. Let’s take a look at the latest news and notes around fantasy football. To stay up to date on all of the latest fantasy football news, be sure to follow @FantasyProsNFL on Twitter and bookmark the FantasyPros NFL Player News page.
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2023 NFL Training Camp News
Check out the latest news and notes around the NFL.
NFL Rumors
Jonathan Taylor could be placed on NFI list by Colts
According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the Indianapolis Colts may place RB Jonathan Taylor on the non-football injury list due to a back injury he reportedly suffered in an offseason workout; Taylor refutes the claims of a back injury, calling this report false.
Fantasy Impact
Taylor hasn’t been practicing as he currently is listed on the physically unable to perform, or PUP, list. The Colts and Taylor are currently at an impasse as Taylor requested a trade after the team’s owner Jim Irsay said they would not offer an extension to Taylor, whose rookie deal is expiring after 2023. To further the stalemate, the Colts are threatening an NFI placement, for which he is eligible if he did receive an outside injury. If Taylor holds out, the Colts will not owe him any of his money in 2023. Taylor, though, refuted the back pain claim on Twitter. This saga could get uglier before it gets better, and the worry could be that this separation could be too much for the two sides to reunite.
Jordan Epp
Injury News
Zach Charbonnet ‘out indefinitely’ with shoulder injury
Zach Charbonnet will be ‘out indefinitely’ with a shoulder injury, per head coach Pete Carroll.
Fantasy Impact
It’s a huge loss for Seattle, who will also be without Kenneth Walker for most of training camp and preseason due to a groin injury. Not only that, but it’s a big blow to the rookie running back, who will miss out on vital preseason reps. When healthy, he’s the clear top backup to Kenneth Walker and starter if Walker misses time. It’s a setback that he should be able to overcome, but his season might get off to a slower start than he would have otherwise.
Garrett Ball
Kenneth Walker III could be ‘out a while’ with groin injury
Kenneth Walker III could be ‘out a while’ with a groin injury, per head coach Pete Carroll.
Fantasy Impact
It’s a blow to the Seattle backfield, who will also be without Zach Charbonnet due to a shoulder injury. It brings uncertainty to an otherwise promising backfield. He will miss a large part of the preseason, so his ramp-up time to full speed before week one will be short if he’s able to play week one at all.
Garrett Ball
Garrett Wilson dealing with low-ankle sprain
According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, WR Garrett Wilson is dealing with a low-ankle sprain that took him out of practice early on Thursday.
Fantasy Impact
A low-ankle sprain will likely take Wilson out for a couple of weeks, meaning Wilson will miss the rest of training camp and the start of the preseason. The second-year WR had 1,103 yards and four touchdowns, winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. With Aaron Rodgers in town, Wilson is expected to have a big season, so the Jets will want to be careful with his health.
Jordan Epp
Rookie Watch
Hendon Hooker ‘a ways away’ from playing, rehab going well
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, rookie QB Hendon Hooker‘s rehab for his ACL injury has gone well, but he is still “a ways away” from returning.
Fantasy Impact
It’s unclear if Hooker will play in 2023 or if he will even be a long-term option for the Lions. Detroit has gotten him involved in practices, throwing the ball and simulating game scripts, but he is still without pads playing against air. Hooker has reportedly been very involved in learning with the team and in his rehab, but the team is reportedly in no rush to get him back, even if he is “way ahead of schedule,” according to Hooker. Once he returns to real practices, the Lions can evaluate their future with their third-rounder.
Jordan Epp
Tank Dell building chemistry and timing with Stroud
According to Drew Dougherty of Texans TV, rookie WR Tank Dell and rookie QB C.J. Stroud have been building chemistry and timing with one another since draft night, Stroud says.
Fantasy Impact
There were reports after the 2023 NFL Draft that selecting Dell was a special request of Stroud. Dell is undersized but quick, and he threatens defenses vertically by playing larger than his size. A player like Dell is dangerous when he builds rapport with a QB like he did with Clayton Tune at Houston. Dell is drafted on average as the rookie WR12, according to FantasyPros’ ADP data.
Jordan Epp
Zay Flowers (illness) expected to return Monday
Zay Flowers (illness) is expected to return to practice Monday, per Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh.
Fantasy Impact
Flowers has reportedly made a great impression early on in training camp, but has been forced to miss some time due to an illness. Flowers will hopefully return Monday as he looks to continue to build chemistry with QB Lamar Jackson. The 22-year-old rookie currently ranks as WR50 in ECR, according to FantasyPros.
Jesse Garcia
NFL Training Camp Notes
Tua Tagovailoa focused on yoga, flexibility over offseason
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa told NFL Network that his emphasis on yoga and stretching over the offseason aided his flexibility, a key for injury prevention.
Fantasy Impact
Emphasis on flexibility as well as bulking up, which Tagovailoa reportedly did over the summer as well, will help tremendously in the young QB’s goal for injury prevention. Tagovailoa has a long injury history that stems back to college. With multiple concussion scares in 2022, Tagovailoa is focusing on his own health heading into Year 4 to keep a long-term future in the NFL possible.
Jordan Epp
Brian Robinson Jr. looks sharp, developing receiving skills
According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, RB Brian Robinson Jr. is developing his skills as an all-around back and is better than last year when he “never” felt right.
Fantasy Impact
Robinson missed four games in 2022 after an incident that resulted in him being shot multiple times during a car break-in. Despite this, Robinson ran for 797 yards and 12 touchdowns on 3.89 yards per carry. He only caught nine passes though, and Robinson said he specifically was focusing on developing his game as a receiver. Standig said Robinson’s catching looks “legitimate” and he has looked more slithery on the field as a runner. He can be drafted on average as the half-PPR RB33.
Jordan Epp
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