The Cleveland Browns are cautiously optimistic that rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) could return to training camp practice next week and play in the presason finale next Saturday, Aug. 23, against the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Sanders injured his oblique on Wednesday and will not play in the second preseason game on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the hope is fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) can start this weekend. The Browns are officially calling Sanders day-to-day. The 23-year-old looked good in his NFL debut in the preseason opener last week, but he was never realistically in the running to win the starting QB gig for the Browns going into the regular season. Until further notice, Sanders is strictly a dynasty/keeper league stash in fantasy formats.

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Tennessee Titans wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett did not suit up for the team's second preseason game on Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Turron Davenport of ESPN. It remains to be seen if the Titans will allow Ridley and Lockett to take the field for the final preseason contest next Friday versus the Minnesota Vikings. Targets and volume shouldn't be an issue for Ridley as he goes into his second year in Tennessee, although he'll be working with rookie quarterback Cameron Ward. The 30-year-old caught 64 of 120 targets for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games last year with poor QB play. Efficiency could once again be an issue in a weak Titans offense, which makes Ridley more of a WR3/flex in fantasy than a bonafide WR2 target. Ridley has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and 12 combined TDs.

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Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) is "not considered a lock to be ready for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams," league sources tell Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Mixon is dealing with a lingering ankle/foot injury and remains on the Non-Football Injury list. Wilson adds that the Texans aren't rushing things with Mixon and will not rush him back onto the field after he missed the entire offseason and the majority of training camp. If the 29-year-old is not ready for the start of the regular season, the Texans will have to lean on Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale and rookie Woody Marks. Mixon's injury has obviously dropped his fantasy value significantly in 2025 despite the fact that he had his second straight 1,000-yard rushing campaign in 2024 in his first year with the team. RotoBaller currently has Mixon as the RB32 in fantasy.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is not playing in the team's preseason game on Friday night against the Tennessee Titans, but he is finally healthy again and has been impressive during training camp, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. It remains to be seen if Cousins will ever play for the Falcons again, as Michael Penix Jr. is their starter under center moving forward, and Cousins has made it clear that he wants to play in 2025. The Falcons received some calls on the veteran signal-caller in the spring, but nothing worked out. Pelissero says it's possible he could be traded before the Nov. 4 deadline, possibly to a team like the Los Angeles Rams if Matthew Stafford's back issues linger. For now, though, Cousins is the QB2 in Atlanta and will be off the fantasy radar while on the bench. He's making $27.5 million guaranteed in 2025, making him easily the highest-paid backup in the league.

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Greg Braggs Jr. of CHGO Sports writes that he's still "trying to figure out how DJ Moore fits in this offense." It sounds like new head coach Ben Johnson is doing plenty of experimenting with Moore in training camp, as he's "giving him hand-offs in the backfield every day almost." In theory, Moore should be better in his third year in Chicago with Keenan Allen gone and with Johnson now the head coach, but it all depends on whether quarterback Caleb Williams can take the next step after a disappointing rookie season in 2024. Moore still managed a career-high 98 receptions for 966 yards and six touchdowns in 17 starts a year ago and will be a key member of the offense under Johnson, even if they have to manufacture his touches. The 28-year-old certainly has competition for targets from Rome Odunze, but he's still in play in fantasy as a WR2.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has received clearance to travel with the team and be permitted to enter Brazil for Week 1 of the regular season against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 5, a source tells The Washington Post's Mark Maske. Rice plead guilty last month to two felonies and is facing a possible suspension under the NFL's personal-conduct policy and has a hearing scheduled for Sept. 30 before disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson. The fact that the 25-year-old's hearing is in late September means that he's likely to be available for fantasy managers and the Chiefs in Weeks 1-4 after his involvement in a multi-car crash in 2024. A suspension of anywhere from four to six games is still very possible, though, and now it might come later in 2025 or be deferred to 2026. Likely the WR1 in KC when available, Rice's looming suspension has dropped him to WR3/flex territory.

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Tennessee Titans rookie fourth-round wide receiver Elic Ayomanor has "emerged as one of the top target-getters in the Titans offense this camp," according to Easton Freeze of A to Z Sports. Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett are among those expectd to sit out of the second preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, so Ayomanor and fellow rookie Chimere Dike should see plenty of work alongside rookie quarterback Cameron Ward. The 22-year-old failed to corral either of his two targets in the preseason opener last weekend versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he is slowly solidying a key role in the Titans' passing attack in his first year in the NFL. Ridley is the unquestioned WR1 in this offense, but it's entirely possible that Ayomanor leapfrogs Lockett at some point as the WR2. Ayomanor is outside RotoBaller's top 100 wideouts right now.

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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange was one of the players who "got the highest volume of targets from Trevor Lawrence" during training camp practice on Friday, according to John Shipley of SI.com. Strange found the end zone and put forth an impressive display of consistency. However, Shipley also notes that it was a light day of practice, so fantasy managers should take it with a grain of salt. He flashed "serious speed to beat the secondary after the catch on an impressive deep throw from Lawrence during team drills." The 24-year-old caught his only target for 11 yards in the preseason opener last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Evan Engram out of town, has a real opportunity for a breakout season. Strange had a 40-411-2 line in 17 games (10 starts) in his second season in 2024. RotoBaller has him ranked as the TE21 for fantasy purposes.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown was one of the players who "got the highest volume of targets from Trevor Lawrence" at training camp practice on Friday, per SI.com's John Shipley. Brown was able to score a touchdown and also showed impressive consistency. However, Shipley also notes that it was a light day of practice without pads, so it should be taken with a grain of salt. The 25-year-old was slow to begin training camp heading into his first season with the Jaguars, but he has turned it around as he seeks to win a depth role in the passing attack in 2025. He is projected to be the team's WR3 behind Brian Thomas Jr. and rookie Travis Hunter, and he's developed some strong chemistry with Lawrence. Unless Thomas or Hunter miss time with injury, though, Brown will probably reside on the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues.

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The Tacoma News Tribune's Gregg Bell writes that Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (foot) "seems like a prime candidate to be one of the few Seahawks starters who does not play Friday" in the team's second preseason game versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Walker took art in a full-pads practice on Tuesday for the first time in more than a week and then rested on Wednesday. It's a routine that Walker has been going through the last couple weeks at training camp. It makes sense for Seattle to play it safe with the injury-prone Walker, who missed six of 17 games in 2024 an went on Injured Reserve in December with an ankle injury. He has yet to play a full season in his first three years with the Seahawks and could lose valuable backfield touches to Zach Charbonnet in order to keep him healthy. RotoBaller has Walker ranked as the RB16 in fantasy.

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Chicago Bears backup quarterback Case Keenum (leg) injured his leg in training camp practice on Thursday and remained absent on Friday, according to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. It's unclear at this time what it means for the team's snap distribution at quarterback for Sunday's preseason tilt against the Buffalo Bills. The 37-year-old veteran may not play in the second preseason game this weekend, but it's not a long-term injury and shouldn't keep him from being ready to begin the 2025 regular season. Keenum has been competing this summer with Tyson Bagent for the QB2 job in Chicago behind starter Caleb Williams. If Keenum is held out on Sunday, it will allow Austin Reed a chance for more reps. Keenum has played in only two games in three of the last four seasons with three different teams.

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Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (head) is expected to play in the team's second preseason game on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers after taking the majority of first-team reps during a joint practice with the Panthers on Thursday, according to Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle. Meanwhile, Dameon Pierce is expected to be held out after resting on Thursday. The 29-year-old Chubb recently was in the league's concussion protocol but has since been cleared and will at least handle a few series in Saturday's game. Chubb returned from a gruesome knee injury in 2023 but did not look explosive at all last year in his final season with the Cleveland Browns. He looked more explosive on Thursday, though, and he could have a sizeable role to open his first year in Houston with Pierce if Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) isn't ready to play in Week 1.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco has officially been ruled out for the team's second preseason contest on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers, according to Browns beat writer Noah Monroe. Flacco and Tyler Huntley are the team's only healthy QBs at the moment, with rookies Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) and Shedeur Sanders (oblique) and Kenny Pickett (hamstring) nursing injuries. Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is on the PUP list and isn't expected to play all year. The 40-year-old Flacco is healthy, and the Browns want to keep it that way, especially since he's fully expected to be named the Week 1 starter in time. Gabriel might make the start on Saturday, but either way, Huntley should play the majority of the game against Carolina. Flacco will have limited weapons in his second stint in Cleveland and is a low-end QB2, at best, in superflex fantasy leagues.

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Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III was working with the second-team offense during 11-on-11 drills in Friday's training camp practice, according to Greg Braggs Jr. of CHGO Sports. Burden has flashed his potential this summer, but he also got off to a late start to camp with a nagging injury. The 21-year-old second-rounder caught two of his three targets for 29 yards in the team's preseason opener last week against the Miami Dolphins as he looks to earn a key role in Chicago's passing attack in his first year in the NFL. Burden is primarily competing with Olamide Zaccheaus for the WR3 job behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, but the problem is that Zaccheaus has reportedly had a very strong camp and appears to be holding off the rookie for now. There's plenty of playmaking ability here, but Burden is currently more attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues.

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Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid has "been a steady target of Josh Allen's throughout training camp," according to Alex Brasky of SI.com. That carried over into Friday's joint practice with the Chicago Bears. Brasky writes that he "would take the over on all of Kincaid's futures this season" and believes it will be a "big rebound year for him." Kincaid caught his only target for 10 yards in last Saturday's preseason opener against the New York Giants. Big things were expected of the 25-year-old after he was taken in the first round in 2023, and he had a nice 73-673-2 line in 16 games as a rookie. However, he regressed with a 44-448-2 line in 13 games in 2024. The Bills offense likes to spread the ball around, and Dawson Knox is still in the picture, but Kincaid is still too young to completely write off. He's a great high-end TE2 target with upside this year.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars might hold rookie two-way star Travis Hunter (upper body) out of their second preseason game on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints as a precaution while he deals with an upper-body injury, according to head coach Liam Coen. Hunter didn't take part in the team's walkthrough practice on Friday due to his injury, per ESPN's Michael DiRocco. The 22-year-old second overall pick in this year's NFL draft doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious injury, but we'll keep a close eye on his health heading into the final week of the preseason next week. He will be considered day-to-day for now. The Jaguars have every intention of playing Hunter on both sides of the ball in his first year in the NFL, which makes it hard to gauge the Heisman Trophy Winner's fantasy potential in Year 1. He has the upside to be the team's WR2 right away, but he still makes for a boom/bust WR3/flex target in fantasy.

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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said on Friday that he's not planning to play quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and most of the team's starters for their second preseason game on Saturday against the Detroit Lions. Tagovailoa went 5-for-6 for 27 yards in the preseason opener last week against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, but he'll sit out of this one with the rest of the starters, which will allow backup Zach Wilson to make the start this weekend. In addition to Tagovailoa, the Dolphins will rest receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill (oblique), who has been in and out of practices this week due to an oblique injury. In addition to Wilson, rookie signal-caller Quinn Ewers will see action for Miami against Detroit. After a disappointing offensive season for the Dolphins in 2024 and more head injuries for Tua, he has dropped to low-end QB2 status in fantasy.

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that he's still unsure if quarterback Josh Allen will see action in the team's second preseason game this Sunday against the Chicago Bears. "[J]ust as it relates to [Friday] and then play time overall, I would just tell you, I've gotta get through -- we've gotta get through -- this practice, go home, or go back to the hotel ... go through the injury report and then reset the table for the game on Sunday night," McDermott said. The head coach also said he'd like to get running back James Cook some playing time after he signed a contract extension earlier this week to end his hold-in. Allen, the reigning NFL MVP, did not start the preseason opener last week against the New York Giants. If he sits out again, backup Mitchell Trubisky would make another start after going 9-for-13 passing for 138 yards and a score against the G-Men.

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With Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (thumb) sidelined temporarily after having surgery on his left (non-throwing) thumb, Malik Willis will step into the starting role for the second preseason game on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts. The former third-rounder by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 joined the Packers at the end of training camp last year and made two starts for the team when Love was injured, leading them to wins over the Colts in Week 2 and the Titans in Week 3. Willis has become more confident this year after having a full offseason to work with the offense and had a solid week during training camp practices as the QB1 with Love out of action. However, the first-team offense struggled on Thursday in a joint practice with the Colts. The 26-year-old will be off the fantasy radar in 2025 unless Love misses more games due to injury.

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Cole Thompson of Texans Wire writes that Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk stood out during the team's two-minute offense in joint practice with th Carolina Panthers on Thursday and "has been the most consistent receiver in camp not named Nico Collins." Kirk is locking up the WR2 spot behind Collins, and "no one expected Kirk to be just an average receiver when the Texans traded for him this offseason." The 28-year-old's fantasy stock was down following an injury-plagued final season in Jacksonville in 2024 in which he played in only eight games and caught 27 passes for 379 yards and one touchdowns. It also didn't help that Houston drafted rookies Jayden Higgins (second round) and Jaylin Noel (third round) back in April. Kirk's fantasy demise might be premature, though, which could make him an excellent value pick later in fantasy drafts for WR depth.

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