Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Skylar Thompson completed 11 of his 13 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown in Thursday night's 19-10 preseason victory against the Carolina Panthers. Thompson took over for Mason Rudolph in the second quarter and orchestrated three consecutive scoring drives. He capped his opening series with a perfect five-for-five passing line, highlighted by a 24-yard strike to Lance McCutcheon in the end zone to put Pittsburgh ahead. Thompson's strong play this summer has likely been enough to earn him a roster spot somewhere, though it's uncertain at this point if it will be in Pittsburgh. The aforementioned Rudolph is likely to enter the season as the team's primary backup behind Aaron Rodgers, but if the Steelers place rookie Will Howard (finger) on IR, they could opt to keep Thompson as their QB3 or explore trade options.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson turned five carries into 24 yards and gained two yards on his only reception of a 19-10 exhibition win over the Carolina Panthers. Johnson was productive with most of his touches on Thursday night and did play a few snaps with Pittsburgh's first-team offense. The bad news, however, is that he entered the contest after both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell got some run. Johnson also had a few opportunities on special teams in the first quarter, returning the opening kickoff and later a punt, both for gains of 22 yards. The rookie's role on offense isn't exactly clear heading into the regular season, but fantasy managers should not plan to deploy him as a reliable RB2 right away. Johnson is better viewed as a bench stash with the upside to become a valuable asset down the stretch.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled two carries for three yards and secured both of his targets for 12 yards in a 19-10 preseason victory against the Carolina Panthers. Warren, who was held out of the team's first two preseason contests, had a nice gain through the air on his first touch, but unfortunately fumbled the ball on his way to the ground. Although he had three additional opportunities on Pittsburgh's first two drives, he didn't manage to make much out of them. The 26-year-old is expected to lead the Steelers' rushing attack to begin the regular season, but could cede snaps to promising rookie Kaleb Johnson and veteran Kenneth Gainwell if he struggles early on. Warren will still likely be a value in most fantasy drafts as a flex or RB3 target in the later rounds.

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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs was "great in the run and pass games" and "looked excellent" in the team's joint practice with the Houston Texans on Thursday, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. In contrast, Pouncy writes that the Lions' power run game behind David Montgomery struggled against Houston. Gibbs gained 1,929 yards from scrimmage and led the NFL with 20 touchdowns in 2024, but he started just four games. Montgomery will play a role in Detroit's offense. Still, it appears the Lions may be shifting the focus of their ground game, particularly with the uncertainty along the interior of their offensive line. The only question mark in Gibbs' fantasy profile is volume of touches. If he can shift into a true lead role in Detroit's backfield this season, Gibbs has RB1 upside.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph completed six of his eight pass attempts for 36 scoreless yards and an interception in Thursday night's 19-10 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers. Rudolph took the field for the team's first three offensive possessions and could not get much of anything going. The Steelers punted twice in the first quarter before Rudolph opened the second period with an ill-advised throw to Ke'Shawn Williams that Carolina picked off. Rudolph's brief showing was quickly outshined by teammate Skylar Thompson, who led Pittsburgh on three straight scoring drives. Nonetheless, the 30-year-old Rudolph should be expected to maintain QB2 duties heading into the regular season as the most experienced backup on the roster, especially if rookie Will Howard (finger) is placed on IR.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Robbie Chosen "has a chance to crack the (team's) 53-man roster," according to Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Chosen played well in San Francisco's second preseason game, recording five catches for 92 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 32-year-old has made 86 starts across nine NFL seasons, but appeared in just two games for the Miami Dolphins in 2024. Chosen's possible inclusion on the 49ers' roster is a result of injuries to wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (calf), Jacob Cowing (lower body), Jordan Watkins (ankle), and Russell Gage Jr. (knee). Veteran Demarcus Robinson will also be out to start the season due to suspension. Chosen is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant in 2025, but the 49ers' wide receiver situation is desperate enough that all of the team's possible options at the position are worth monitoring.

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The Minnesota Vikings have interest in acquiring veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen from the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Minnesota's receiving corps is thin to open the season, with Jordan Addison facing a three-game suspension and Jalen Nailor (hand) battling injury. Thielen spent the first nine years of his career in Minnesota before signing with Carolina prior to the start of the 2023 season. The 35-year-old remained a productive player in 2024, recording 48 catches for 615 yards and five touchdowns across ten games. If acquired by Minnesota, Thielen would likely be the team's WR2 until Addison returns. His fantasy profile could benefit in the short term from a move to the Vikings, but Thielen's season-long outlook would suffer once Addison pushes him to the WR3 role.

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New York Giants rookie tight end Thomas Fidone II caught a touchdown on Thursday, August 21, 2025, during the Giants' 42-10 preseason victory over the New England Patriots. Fidone caught four of his five targets for 39 yards, with his longest reception going for 28 yards and averaging 9.8 yards per catch. The rookie seventh-round pick has been flashing potential throughout training camp and is doing his best to make a deep Giants roster at the tight end position. While Fidone is buried on the depth chart right now, his solid performance in the preseason finale gives him a strong case to be added to the 53-man roster.

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New York Giants tight end Greg Dulcich scored two touchdowns on Thursday, August 21, 2025, in a 42-10 preseason victory over the New England Patriots. Dulcich caught four of his four targets for 26 yards, with his longest reception going for 10 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per catch. The two touchdowns (third of the preseason) are a significant accomplishment for Dulcich, who is doing his best to make a deep Giants roster at the tight end position. The Giants drafted tight end Thomas Fidone in the seventh round this year after drafting Theo Johnson in the fourth round last year, making the competition for a roster spot a tough climb for Dulcich before the cuts are made. Dulcich has minimal fantasy relevance in redraft leagues but is a name to monitor for managers in deeper dynasty formats in the event he makes the team or is signed elsewhere.

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New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo made his professional debut with a short but efficient outing in the Giants' 42-10 preseason victory over the Patriots. The rookie, who has been nursing a hamstring injury for a few weeks, was active for the first time and handled the first three carries of the game. He finished the contest with three carries for 12 rushing yards, an average of 4.0 yards per carry, with a long run of four yards, and zero rushing touchdowns. Skattebo also did not record a reception. While he is currently behind Tyrone Tracy Jr. on the depth chart, Skattebo is a key backfield piece who should contribute off the bench in the regular season.

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New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart had another excellent performance in the team's 42-10 win over the New England Patriots, showcasing his dual-threat abilities before an injury scare ended his night. The first-round pick started the game hot, throwing a 7-yard touchdown to tight end Greg Dulcich on the opening drive. He finished the game with 6-for-12 for 81 yards, a 5.9 average yards per attempt, and one touchdown with no interceptions. His night was cut short after a 23-yard run on fourth down late in the first quarter, where his head hit the ground. He was ultimately fine but did not return to the game. Despite his impressive preseason, 32-for-47 passing for 372 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, he will not be the starter to open the season, as veteran Russell Wilson has secured the QB1 role.

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New England Patriots running back JaMycal Hasty rushed for 30 yards on 11 carries during Thursday's preseason finale against the New York Giants. He also converted his lone target into a nine-yard reception. With the preseason wrapping up, New England played most of its depth players against the Giants. Their gameday roster included Hasty, who is the lone Patriots running back whose status still appears to be up in the air. TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Antonio Gibson are virtually locks to make the team, but if the Patriots opt to keep a fourth running back, that job would likely go to Hasty. The veteran running back clearly has the attention of New England's front office, which claimed him off waivers in 2023, kept him around in 2024, and re-signed him to the roster just a few weeks ago. Even if he does make the team, Hasty's limited role would keep him off the fantasy radar.

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San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams said that running back Christian McCaffrey "looks fantastic" and "looks like offensive-player-of-the-year-Christian," per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. McCaffrey has mostly received glowing reports for his training camp performance so far from teammates and outside observers alike. The 29-year-old is coming off a lost season in 2024 due to Achilles tendinitis and a PCL injury to his right knee. However, he led the NFL with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns in 2023. McCaffrey has played seven games or fewer in three of the last five seasons, but he has number one overall player in fantasy upside if he stays healthy.

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Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons has removed all Cowboys-related content from his X profile, per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. Parsons is currently engaged in a highly public feud with the Cowboys while he seeks a contract extension from the team. The 26-year-old requested a trade out of Dallas in early August, but there's been no indication that the Cowboys plan on moving him. Parsons has made an All-Pro team in each of his four NFL seasons and has finished in the top three in the Defensive Player of the Year voting three times. He's recorded 52.5 sacks in 63 career games, making him a worthy pick in IDP fantasy leagues.

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Carolina Panthers WR Hunter Renfrow and WR David Moore are likely competing for one spot on the 53-man roster, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com. Renfrow played 26 snaps in the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, catching two passes for five yards. Moore played 29 snaps but failed to catch his only target.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. (knee) is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL that will sideline him for up to ten days, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gage Jr.'s injury adds him to a growing list of sidelined wide receivers in San Francisco. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Demarcus Robinson (suspension) are set to miss the start of the season, while Jauan Jennings (calf), Jacob Cowing (lower body), and Jordan Watkins (ankle) are all questionable for Week 1. Gage Jr. has not played in an NFL game since 2022, but he may be relied upon early in the season if he can quickly recover from his MCL sprain. San Francisco acquired former second-round pick Skyy Moore from the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, who could be in line for more snaps with Gage Jr. sidelined.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (Achilles) is currently battling Achilles tendinitis, but the veteran expects to be ready to go for Week 1. Mariota is entering his second season as the backup to Jayden Daniels in Washington. The 31-year-old is one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks in the NFL with 74 career starts under his belt, although just 13 of those have come in the past five seasons. If Daniels were to get injured, Mariota's rushing ability (2,156 career rushing yards) would give him some fantasy appeal.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Jalen Reagor (lower body) returned to team drills in practice on Wednesday, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Reagor has been battling through a lower-body injury since late July. The 26-year-old played in eight games for the Chargers in 2024, recording seven catches for 100 yards. With wide receivers Quentin Johnston (concussion) and Tre' Harris (undisclosed) both dealing with ailments, Reagor has a chance to make the Chargers' 53-man roster and earn playing time early in the season. He's recorded just 22 catches in his last 36 games played, so Reagor should not be on the radar of fantasy managers.

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Dynasty | Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson will miss the season with a knee injury. Dynasty Analysis: Wilson was making a case for playing time behind AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith but this obviously throws cold water on that idea. This could also help explain why the Eagles recently traded for John Metchie. Regardless, any sleeper value Wilson may have had in dynasty leagues has evaporated, at least for this season.

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back) was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Thursday, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Gantt writes that the team is hopeful that Tremble will be able to play in Week 1 after undergoing back surgery in May. The 25-year-old is entering his fifth season with the Panthers and has recorded exactly 32 targets and 23 receptions in each of the past two years. Tremble is not a fantasy-relevant tight end, but he's a valuable player to Carolina because of his run-blocking ability. He threatens to vulture snaps and targets away from Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, who offers far more upside as a receiver.

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