Fantasy Football News

Eagles tight end Zach Ertz suited up for the first few series of Thursday's preseason game against the Ravens and caught one pass for 13 yards.

Fantasy Impact: Ertz did not play in the team's first two preseason games and is unlikely to play in the fourth as the veteran does not have much to prove after catching 116 passes last season, an NFL record for a tight end.

Keelan Cole did not see a target and returned two kicks for no yardage as the Jaguars lost to the Dolphins in their third preseason game.

Fantasy Impact: Cole has not been productive this preseason and could be fighting for a roster spot. The third-year receiver is looking to rebound after having a disappointing 2018 in which he struggled with ball security and could be on the outside looking in when the final rosters are set.

Gardner Minshew completed 17 of 27 passes for 141 yards with one carry for 18 yards and a lost fumble in Thursday's preseason game against the Dolphins.

Fantasy Impact: Minshew came in during the second quarter on Thursday and played the rest of the night but couldn't lead the Jaguars to a score. With the release of fellow QB Tanner Lee it looks like Minshew has the backup quarterback job all wrapped up.

C.J. Board caught four of five targets for 56 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to the Dolphins.

Fantasy Impact: Board who spend time on the Jaguars practice squad last season is trying to make the team this year. The 25-year-old receiver is making a good effort as he has led the Jags in catches and receiving yards in the last two preseason games.

Chris Conley wasn't targeted in the Jaguars' third preseason game as the team lost to the Dolphins.

Fantasy Impact: Conley is in competition for the WR 2 role on the Jaguars with Marqise Lee and D.J. Chark. But with both players dealing with injuries, Conley could win the job by default. Even if he does win it, Conley won't be worth drafting in standard fantasy leagues.

Cam Newton has a mild-foot sprain in his left foot and is expected to be ready for Week 1. (Source: Jourdan Rodrigue on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: "Cam Newton has a mid-foot sprain in his left foot, and we are cautiously optimistic he will be ready for Week 1, " said Carolina Panthers GM Marty Hurney. X-rays came back negative after Newton was removed from Thursday's exhibition against New England, but he did use a walking boot to protect an injury that's initially being labeled as an ankle sprain. Newton avoided a serious injury, but will miss the rest of the preseason. He should be all systems go for Week 1 against the Rams.

Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys were up late into Thursday evening negotiating a deal that could make Elliot the second highest paid running back in the NFL, according to Jonathan Shipmen. Further, there is news that Elliot is on his way back from Cabo on Saturday and a deal could happen over the weekend. (Source: Kevin Turner on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Elliott is obviously a top four pick if his hold out will not carry into the regular season. This has been a very public contract negotiation with some back-and-forth between both camps, but with this information - along with the updates from Thursday - it may be worth presuming a deal is going to get done before week one. Thursday on ESPN's Wake Up, it was announced that a deal with Zeke was going to happen before week one, according to their sources. Ed Werder of ESPN then followed up that same day stating his sources told him Zeke was offered to become 'the second highest paid running back in the NFL.' To me, Zeke is a lock in all drafts now, but that does not come without risk because until he signs, he could potentially continue his hold out into the regular season.

Falcons TE Austin Hooper caught 1-of-2 targets for two yards in Thursday night's Preseason Week 3 loss to the Redskins.

Fantasy Impact: Hooper is coming off of a career year and will look to build off of it in 2019. Given the way new Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter utilized his tight ends in Tampa Bay, Hooper could be in store for another top 10 fantasy tight end season.

Falcons WR Justin Hardy caught his lone target for a 24-yard gain in Thursday night's Preseason Week 3 loss to the Redskins.

Fantasy Impact: Hardy is expected to enter 2019 as the Falcons' WR4 or WR5. He is not a relevant fantasy asset while Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Mohamed Sanu are healthy.

Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu caught all three of his targets for 23 yards in Thursday night's Preseason Week 3 loss to the Redskins.

Fantasy Impact: Sanu will open 2019 as Atlanta's WR3. He should only be considered a viable fantasy asset in PPR scoring formats unless Julio Jones or Calvin Ridley suffer an injury to open up additional opportunities.

Falcons WR Calvin Ridley caught 1-of-2 targets for nine yards in Thursday night's Preseason Week 3 loss to the Redskins.

Fantasy Impact: Ridley will operate as the WR2 in the Falcons' offense behind Julio Jones. However, Atlanta's high-octane passing attack should provide enough production for Ridley to return WR2 upside in most weeks.

Falcons RB Brian Hill carried the ball four times for seven yards in Thursday night's Preseason Week 3 loss to the Redskins.

Fantasy Impact: While Hill looked impressive this preseason, Ito Smith is still expected to open 2019 as Devonta Freeman's primary backup. Hill will battle with rookie Qadree Ollison for the RB3 spot on the depth chart.

Falcons RB Ito Smith carried the ball five times for 23 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night's Preseason Week 3 loss to the Redskins.

Fantasy Impact: Smith also caught his lone target for a nine-yard gain. Smith has scored in each of the past three preseason outings and should have the RB2 role on the Falcons on lockdown. He could also vulture touchdowns from Devonta Freeman this season in goal-line situations.

Falcons RB Devonta Freeman carried the ball two times for three yards in Thursday night's Preseason Week 3 loss to the Redskins.

Fantasy Impact: Freeman also caught his lone target for six yards in the loss. Freeman will look to bounce back from an injury-stricken 2018 campaign and should be deployed as a low-end RB1 across most fantasy formats.

Falcons RB Qadree Ollison carried the ball 12 times for 42 yards in Thursday night's Preseason Week 3 loss to the Redskins.

Fantasy Impact: Ollison is expected to open 2019 behind Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith on the depth chart. While looking impressive in the preseason, Ollison will need one of the players ahead of him to struggle or get injured to have any 2019 fantasy relevance.

Falcons QB Matt Ryan completed 9-of-14 passes for 74 yards in Thursday night's Preseason Week 3 loss to the Redskins.

Fantasy Impact: Ryan is coming off of a monster year and will look to build off of it with new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. Earlier in his career, Ryan had success with Koetter, which should continue moving forward. The Falcons are loaded with offensive firepower, which only helps Ryan's cause that much more.

Panthers QB Will Grier completed 4-of-8 passes for 44 yards in Thursday night's preseason Week 3 loss to the Patriots.

Fantasy Impact: Grier has a shot to open 2019 as Cam Newton's primary backup. If Newton misses any time this season, the rookie signal-caller will likely be the one who starts.

Panthers TE Ian Thomas failed to catch his lone target in Thursday night's preseason Week 3 loss to the Patriots.

Fantasy Impact: Thomas will open 2019 behind Greg Olsen on the Panthers' tight end depth chart, but could also return standalone fantasy value in leagues in which you can start two tight ends. If Olsen once again goes down with an injury, Thomas could have fringe TE1 upside in those games.

Panthers WR D.J. Moore caught 1-of-2 targets for three yards in Thursday night's preseason Week 3 loss to the Patriots.

Fantasy Impact: Moore will open 2019 as the Panthers' WR1. Entering his second year in the system, Moore could return fringe WR1 upside if he and Cam Newton could remain healthy and their rapport is intact.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen caught his lone target for a four-yeard gain in Thursday night's preseason Week 3 loss to the Patriots.

Fantasy Impact: Coming off back-to-back years with foot injuries, Olsen will look to get back on track as the Panthers TE1 in 2019. While he is locked in as the starter, it would be wise to keep an eye on Ian Thomas should the veteran once again go down with an injury.