Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said there are no immediate plans to re-open contract talks with Baker Mayfield. (Source: Rick Stroud on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The expectation was that Mayfield would play this upcoming season on the final year of his contract. This will remain a situation to monitor all year.
Sun, Aug 30th 7:53am EDT
By Garrett Ball
Keenan Allen is facing two DUI charges after being arrested early Sunday morning. (Source: Adam Schefter on X)
Fantasy Impact: The veteran receiver was a badly needed addition to the Colts roster, and now he could find himself suspended for a game or two should the NFL find that action appropriate. It's also possible he will only face fines. Still, it's worth monitoring the vet's situation, as he was an interesting late-round sleeper in drafts.
Justin Herbert and most of Los Angeles' starters will play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. (Source: Alex Insdorf on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: HC Jim Harbaugh told reporters that Herbert and most of the team's starters are going to play in their final preseason game on Thursday night, with the exception of a few veterans. It remains unlikely that the starting unit will see more than a quarter or two of action, however.
Josh Allen won't play in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Source: Jay Skurski on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Allen saw some action earlier on in the preseason, but he is set to be sidelined for the team's final preseason game on Thursday night. He is fully healthy at this point and looks primed for another huge season from a fantasy perspective.
Deshaun Watson has been named the Browns starting QB for Week 1 against Jacksonville. (Source: Adam Schefter on X)
Fantasy Impact: Watson was the favorite to win the job going in, and even though he had some hiccups on the way, namely preseason struggles and the fans booing him, he won out in the end. It’s still likely that Shedeur Sanders will get a crack as the starter at some point this year, it’s just a matter of when. As for the Browns pass catchers, they were priced assuming bad QB play, expect their price and fantasy ceiling to remain about the same, as Watson is past his prime and Sanders is also struggling.
Nick Chubb has announced his retirement from the NFL via his personal Instagram. (Source: Ian Rapoport on X)
Fantasy Impact: Chubb had a great NFL career as one of the most taleneted runners of the football of his generation. Coming out of Georgia with questions surrounding his health, he ended his time in Cleveland as one of the best running backs the franchise has seen before moving to Houston last year. He ends his eight year career with four Pro-Bowls, over 7,300 rushing yards at five yards per carry, and 54 rushing touchdowns.
Free agent WR Josh Reynolds has been linked to the Texans. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Houston is holding workouts after losing Jayden Higgins for the season. Reynolds previously worked out for the Saints.
Jacoby Brissett won't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. (Source: Josh Weinfuss on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The veteran quarterback will not suit up on Saturday. He took part in the team's first preseason game, but they apparently don't feel that he needs more reps and will let him sit out of their next game. Gardner Minshew II is expected to be the starter with Carson Beck (ribs) unlikely to play as well.
C.J. Stroud is expected to play a few series in Thursday's preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. (Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Initial reports suggested that the Texans were going to rest their starters against the Raiders, but now they have made the decision to let some starters play a few series, including Stroud and the team's starters on the offensive line. He will be extremely limited in this game, so there's unlikely to be enough data to draw any fantasy conclusions from this preseason matchup.
Joe Burrow and Cincinnati's starters are set to be sidelined for Saturday's preseason game against the Chicago Bears. (Source: Jay Morrison on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Burrow and many of Cincinnati's starters played in the team's first preseason game last week, but they are going to be sidelined for this week's game against the Bears. It remains to be seen if their starters will take the field for the team's third and final preseason game on August 28.
The Cowboys have shown interest in CB Adoree' Jackson. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Jackson was with DC Christian Parker in Philadelphia. He is reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams.
Mike Garafolo reports that the Bills, Bears and 49ers are among the teams that have inquired about Bucs DT Vita Vea’s availability. (Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Vea continues to seek a trade as the Bucs aren't giving him the new contract he is seeking. This will remain a situation to monitor.
Dontayvion Wicks is trending towards opening the season as the No. 2 wide receiver for the Eagles to open the season. (Source: Jimmy Kempski on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Wicks continues to impress during training camp, while rookie Makai Lemon misses time with a hamstring injury. He was able to show flashes in Green Bay and could see more consistent opportunity with the Eagles. He'll remain a player to monitor for fantasy managers as well as the health of Lemon.
Kyler Murray has been named the starting QB for the Minnesota Vikings. (Source: Adam Schefter on X)
Fantasy Impact: There was a lot of speculation even today as to who would be named the starter for the Vikings in 2026, with both QBs failing to stand out and seperate from one another, at least to the public. But now, Kyler has been named the starter, and fantasy managers can prepare as such. It should raise the ADP of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, so the buying window may be closing.
Alvin Kamara had been taking the majority of the passing down reps for the Saints in team drills, with Travis Etienne taking the early down work. (Source: NFL.com)
Fantasy Impact: Pass catching has always been Kamara’s specialty, and it seems Etienne’s arrival hasn’t changed much. How much work Kamara receives when things matter is up in the air, however. But for now, he is a decent dart throw in drafts, especially PPR formats.
Panthers executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis was not willing to discuss a potential contract extension for QB Bryce Young. (Source: NFL)
Fantasy Impact: “I would say (Young) ascended last year and there is still room for him to ascend,” Tilis told reporters when asked about an extension. “His ceiling is currently unknown and I think that is exciting for us. He’s working hard to get himself there.” After leading the Panthers to the playoffs last season, Young will look to take another step forward as a passer.
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said he wants to see Aaron Rodgers play in the preseason, but no decision has been made yet. (Source: NBC Sports)
Fantasy Impact: McCarthy reportedly asked Rodgers to play in the team's first two preseason matchups. Rodgers said in an interview he didn't want to play, but he would if McCarthy wants it.
Sun, Aug 2nd 8:43pm EDT
By Garrett Ball
Jeremiyah Love started with the Cardinals first team offense when team activities began on Sunday. (Source: Bo Brack on X)
Fantasy Impact: He and Tyler Allgeier have been splitting reps so far, with much ado on social media about Allegeir starting out with the 1’s. It was only a matter of time before Love took over with the 1’s for the majority of practices, and it might start now.
The Denver Broncos will explore signing free agent Taysom Hill, according to Denver head coach Sean Payton. (Source: Steve Wyche on X)
Fantasy Impact: Hill played for Payton with the Saints, so it makes sense there would be interest on both sides. The 35-year-old has spent the last nine seasons in New Orleans and could carve out a bit of the "joker" role in Denver that Payton is known for.
Zachariah Branch got some high praise from HC Kevin Stefanski, who said the rookie wideout is “wired the right way” and “somebody that really puts in the effort on a day-to-day basis.” (Source: Marc Raimondi on X)
Fantasy Impact: Branch has made some highlight plays already in training camp, and with the No.2 receiver spot wide open, he’ll have every opportunity to impress and claim it. How he will be used in a Stefanski style offense will be interesting, as it doesn’t traditionally cater to Branch’s style of play, but that could change.
