Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Taylor Heinicke had a very rough outing in his first preseason game, leading all three drives in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints. The 32-year-old is competing with Trey Lance to be Justin Herbert's backup, looked inaccurate and stiff, and sailed the ball multiple times. He finished with only one completion for five yards and also took a safety that was later overturned. Heinicke's 2024 season as a backup with the Chargers saw him complete just three passes for 28 yards, and this performance does little to cement his hold on the backup role.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers undrafted rookie running back Raheim Sanders led the backfield in the team's 27-13 preseason win against the New Orleans Saints. He had 10 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 11 yards. The 23-year-old made a strong case for the third backup role in an already crowded backfield with Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins, and Nyheim Hines. Sanders, who transferred to South Carolina from Arkansas in his senior year, finished his college career with 881 yards on 183 carries and 11 touchdowns on the ground, plus 27 catches for 316 yards and two touchdowns. With Najee Harris' (eye) Week 1 availability uncertain, the rookie will have to continue to prove himself to secure a spot on the final roster.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers running back Nyheim Hines looked rusty in the team's 27-13 preseason win against the Saints. The 28-year-old returned to the league, signing a contract with the Chargers in July after a two-year absence following a jet-ski accident. Hines muffed two punt returns and fumbled one away. He also added 10 yards on four carries, busting out an impressive juke on one run. However, he appeared out of sync most of the game. Despite having flashed on special teams in the past, Hines will have to do a lot more to make the team in an extremely crowded backfield.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance started the second quarter of the team's 27-13 preseason win against the New Orleans Saints and eventually led a 14-play, 85-yard scoring drive towards the end of the half. The 25-year-old, a former first-round pick, got it done more with his legs than his arm, completing seven of 14 passes for 55 yards through the air while rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Although he was up and down with his accuracy and had a fumbled snap, Lance looked confident and poised, building off the momentum he gained in the Hall of Fame Game last week. Overall, Lance easily outplayed backup Taylor Heinicke and made a strong case to be Justin Herbert's primary backup this season.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon had 33 rushing yards, one catch, 39 receiving yards and a touchdown in his NFL preseason debut. Dynasty Analysis: Once a highly touted dynasty prospect, Gordon's value plummeted after a forgettable season at Oklahoma State and a draft weekend freefall. He has a long way to go before making this roster, but would certainly be a viable dynasty roster stash should he avoid the practice squad. At this point, he looks like he could push Jaylen Wright for RB2 duties but he's going to need to string together some good performances in the next couple of weeks to do so. Still, today was a solid start as he showed some real tackle breaking ability and didn't see any of the other running backs do much at all.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden caught two passes for 29 yards in his preseason debut. Dynasty Analysis: So far, so good for Burden, who has been drawing great praise ever since being taken by the Bears. While his path to dynasty relevance is going to be tough playing behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, Burden really does look like a player who may have been a victim of circumstance last year when his stats took a nose dive. His rookie ADP is stable and could rise in the next couple of weeks with more good vibes.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough completed 15-of-22 passes for 165 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his NFL preseason debut. Dynasty Analysis: More importantly, he played better than Spencer Rattler (53 passing yards, 22 rushing yards and a lost fumble). Shough was far from perfect but moved the offense at times and bounced back from an awful interception, showing some maturity in the process. Shough will need to keep posting solid games to hold off Rattler, but he's clearly the favorite to start for what looks to be a rather uninspiring offense. He's a decent rookie hold at the moment.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Saints running back Kendre Miller had 15 rushing yards on six carries and caught one pass for nine yards in the Saints first preseason game. Dynasty Analysis: Miller is attempting to hold off Devin Neal for backup duties behind Alvin Kamara. However, he's also squarely in a fight to just make the roster with players like Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Cam Akers, Velus Jones Jr. and Marcus Yarns. Neal is currently out with an injury and Miller simply didn't take advantage. While none of the other runners did much, either, dynasty managers are starting to really lose patience here.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton played the first three snaps of the team's first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. His usage "should make it clear how much the Chiefs have liked him in camp," according to Jesse Newell of The Athletic. With Marquise Brown (ankle) battling an ankle injury and Rashee Rice (groin) both fighting a groin issue and looking at a likely suspension to open the season, Thornton could have a chance to earn targets in Kansas City. A second-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2022, Thornton has yet to find his footing in the NFL. In 28 games (13 starts) with New England, he logged just 39 receptions for 385 yards and two touchdowns. However, it appears Thornton will be granted a second chance in Kansas City. He could be a name to monitor early in the season, given the team's uncertainty at wide receiver.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said he's "encouraged by what I've seen so far" from rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Jhabvala writes that the organization believes Croskey-Merritt has "the potential to be a special player." A seventh-round pick out of Arizona, Croskey-Merritt played in just one game in his final college season due to an eligibility dispute with the NCAA. He's earned glowing reports for his work in training camp so far. Washington has established veterans in Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler atop their running back depth chart, so Croskey-Merritt is fighting with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. for a depth role. He would likely need at least one of his teammates to get injured to be fantasy relevant in 2025, but Croskey-Merritt is a name to keep an eye on throughout the remainder of the preseason.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer (calf) suffered a calf injury that forced him to leave Sunday's preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Homer had two carries for six yards and two catches for 15 yards before getting hurt. The 27-year-old is entering his seventh NFL season and has been with Chicago since 2023. In 10 games in 2024, Homer earned just nine total touches. If he is forced to miss time, seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai's path to both a roster spot and playing time may be more secure.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love said he's "got a lot of confidence" in rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Golden worked with the first-team offense in Green Bay's first preseason game on Saturday against the New York Jets. A first-round draft pick out of Texas, Golden has an opportunity to become the lead target-getter for the Packers in 2025. His role could become even larger if third-year wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot) is forced to miss time as a result of a sprained foot. Golden has tremendous upside in fantasy and could see his average draft position continue to rise throughout the remainder of the preseason.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden had one catch for seven yards in his NFL preseason debut. Dynasty Analysis: Unlike a lot of other rookies, Golden just didn't play much. He had one additional catch called back due to a penalty but was otherwise quiet. Don't look too much into this as he's been one of Green Bay's standouts in camp. The Packers really need someone to step up to be Jordan Love's true WR1 and Golden may very well have the best chance to do so. His rookie ADP is stable if not a touch low at the moment.

Dynasty | Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan caught two passes for 43 yards in the Panthers preseason opener. Dynasty Analysis: It has looked all along like McMillan was going to be a factor this season and if tonight was any indication, he's going to be the top target for the Panthers moving forward. The counting stats aren't amazing but he didn't play much and had absolutely no problem getting open. With Bryce Young looking solid, McMillan is going to continue battling Travis Hunter to be this year's rookie WR1 and it's going to be hard to argue taking him as such in late rookie drafts.

The San Francisco 49ers are signing free-agent running back Jeff Wilson Jr., according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 29-year-old had a recent workout with the team and is now returning to San Francisco, where he began his career under head coach Kyle Shanahan and played from 2018-22. The 49ers traded Wilson to the Dolphins during the 2022 campaign after acquiring Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers. Wilson combined for a career-high 860 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving) between San Francisco and Miami that year, but his role in the Dolphins' offense diminished from 2023-24. Wilson totaled a meager 16 carries for 57 yards in nine games last season, and he spent several months on the open market as a result. Now that he's reuniting with the 49ers, Wilson will provide healthy depth at RB for a team lacking it behind McCaffrey. Backups Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and Jordan James (finger) are dealing with injuries that will keep them out for a couple of weeks apiece. Meanwhile, recent free-agent pickup Ameer Abdullah (rib) had to leave the team's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos early on Saturday after suffering a rib injury.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins running back Alexander Mattison (neck/shoulder) is "doing well" but dealing with "neck and shoulder soreness" after leaving the team's preseason opener early on Sunday, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters. Mattison departed in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears after he was tackled on his head on a 21-yard catch and run. It didn't look good at the time, but it appears Mattison avoided a significant injury. The former Minnesota Viking and Las Vegas Raider joined the Dolphins on a one-year contract in free agency and is competing for a role behind De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright. Along with his 21-yard reception, Mattison rushed three times for eight yards and a touchdown on Sunday. It's unknown if he'll be ready for Miami's second preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (groin) was forced to exit early during Sunday's practice. Pierce returned after leaving practice, but was carted back to the locker room shortly after that. There isn't too much information on his status, so for now fantasy managers should consider Pierce day-to-day. If he misses time, Adonai Mitchell and Ashton Dulin figure to see increased snaps in camp. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will draw the start under center for the second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. The plan is for Jones to play a couple of series before heading to the bench for the rest of the game. Anthony Richardson Sr. will take over and will play the rest of the first half of Saturday's game. Richardson started the first preseason contest, but exited the game on the second drive due to a finger injury. The expectation is that these two quarterbacks will compete all preseason for the starting gig in Indy.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) was held out of Sunday's preseason matchup against the Chicago Bears. Head coach Mike McDaniel said Waddle suffered a minor injury during a joint practice with the Bears on Friday. He continued by saying he didn't want any of his starters playing through injuries. It's unclear what is going on with Waddle, but for now fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. Fantasy managers should get more updates on his status throughout the week.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai was efficient in his first preseason outing against the Miami Dolphins. The rookie carried the ball six times for 30 yards and didn't play in the second half. Monangai ran with determination, averaging five yards per carry in his first game action. Although currently fourth on the Bears' unofficial depth chart, Monangai played earlier than current third-string running back Travis Homer and was much more productive. He has also been seeing some first-team reps in practice this week, so it's a promising sign to see Monangai perform well. The seventh-round draft pick should get more playing time if he continues to look good and will be someone to watch in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller