The Miami Dolphins will sign kicker Riley Patterson to their practice squad, general manager Chris Grier said Wednesday. Miami will spend at least the first four weeks without starting kicker Jason Sanders (hip) and needs a bit of help at the kicker spot. Patterson kicked for three teams in 2024, going 16-for-16 on extra points and 4-for-7 on field goals. As long as Sanders is injured, Patterson should have a solid chance to work his way onto the 53-man roster, but he will be no more than a shaky deep-league streamer at the kicking position in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said the club should have running back De'Von Achane (calf) available for Week 1, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. The star back's status for the start of the season has been something of an open question, but the club's optimism Wednesday certainly was a good sign. Achane piled up 78 catches and six receiving touchdowns last season to go with 907 rushing yards and six more scores on the ground, making him one of the most dynamic fantasy assets in the league. He looks ready to go for the Dolphins' opener against Indianapolis.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said newly signed tight end Darren Waller is not injured, but rather taking things "cautiously," according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. The veteran came out of retirement to sign with Miami, so the club has opted to take things slowly in practice as they approach the first week, according to Grier. Jonnu Smith had a breakout season playing for the Dolphins a year ago, piling up 88 catches and eight touchdowns, but was traded to Pittsburgh during the offseason. Waller figures to be the team's top receiving option from the tight end spot.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio was non-committal on whether running back Joe Mixon (ankle) will play during the 2025 season when asked at a Wednesday press conference, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The veteran back is on the reserve/non-football injury list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games, but the Texans haven't seemed especially optimistic about his return. Caserio said Mixon will be evaluated after four weeks, but ultimately answered, 'We'll see,' when asked if the running back would come back this season. Houston signed Nick Chubb, still rosters Dameon Pierce, and drafted Woody Marks earlier this year to round out its backfield.

From RotoBaller

With wide receiver Adam Thielen headed back to Minnesota in a Wednesday trade, the Carolina Panthers are planning on an enhanced role for receiver Jalen Coker, as reported by Jordan Schultz. A former undrafted free agent, Coker put together a solid rookie season on a bad Panthers team in 2024, accumulating 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns in just 11 games. Carolina added Tetairoa McMillan in the draft, but Coker figures to be in the mix to see an increased target share without Thielen, who averaged more than seven targets per game during his two years with the Panthers.

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The Minnesota Vikings are trading for their own former star wide receiver, Adam Thielen, Ian Rapoport reports. Carolina receives a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick, and Minnesota gets Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick, and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Thielen gets to return home, as not only did he spend nine years with the Vikings from 2014 to 2022, but he is also from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and attended Minnesota State University, Mankato. Although at 35 years old and perhaps a few steps slower than he was a handful of years ago, Thielen still produced at a reasonably high level in 2023 and 2024, where he had 615 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 48 receptions in 2024 and 1,015 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 103 receptions in 2023. Thielen will join a somewhat depleted receiver room with Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games, Rondale Moore out for the season (knee), Tai Felton (arm), and Jalen Nailor (hand). Thielen should produce early on, and his fantasy value is expected to increase with the move to a more explosive offense. Thielen also played alongside Justin Jefferson from 2020 to 2022 and scored 30 touchdowns during those three seasons.

From RotoBaller

ESPN is reporting the Panthers are trading WR Adam Thielen to the Vikings. Minnesota gets Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, and Carolina receives a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

The Las Vegas Raiders waived rookie quarterback Cam Miller on Tuesday, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. A sixth-round pick out of North Dakota State, Miller showed some flashes during the preseason. His release comes as somewhat of a surprise, with Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (wrist) set to miss significant time after fracturing his wrist. However, Las Vegas solidified its backup QB role by acquiring Kenny Pickett from the Cleveland Browns, and chose not to put O'Connell on injured reserve to begin the year. Miller could potentially find his way back to the Raiders as a practice squad signing or be claimed elsewhere.

From RotoBaller

Zac Jackson of The Athletic expects Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. to "play a lot, immediately" in 2025. Jackson also writes that Fannin Jr. and veteran tight end David Njoku will be both deployed together and moved around in different offensive formations. A third-round pick out of Bowling Green, Fannin Jr. recorded 117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns across 13 games in his final collegiate season. He may not be ready to overtake Njoku as Cleveland's TE1 right away, but it appears that the Browns are searching for ways to utilize Fannin Jr.'s obvious talent as a receiver. The 21-year-old is definitely a name to know in dynasty leagues, and he could become a priority waiver-wire target in redraft formats if Njoku were to get injured.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts rookie running back DJ Giddens could be in a prime position to open the season as the team's RB2 after Indianapolis released veteran back Khalil Herbert on Tuesday. With Herbert off the roster, Giddens and Tyler Goodson (elbow) are the Colts' running backs behind Jonathan Taylor. Goodson may miss the start of the regular season as he recovers from an elbow injury he suffered during preseason play, leaving Giddens as the likely passing-downs back early in the year. For fantasy managers looking for a handcuff option for Taylor late in drafts, Giddens appears to be the clear choice.

From RotoBaller

Veteran running back Khalil Herbert has been released by the Indianapolis Colts, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Herbert signed with Indianapolis in free agency this past March, but is now likely headed elsewhere. In 14 games split between the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals last season, Herbert logged 36 carries for 130 yards and one touchdown. With Herbert out of the picture in Indianapolis, Tyler Goodson (elbow) and rookie DJ Giddens now make up the depth behind star running back Jonathan Taylor. Goodson is currently dealing with an elbow injury, but is expected to return early in the season.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper told Kevin Patra of NFL.com that he still has "some juice left" and that signing with the Raiders will allow him to show it. Cooper signed a one-year deal with Las Vegas on Tuesday. The 31-year-old recorded 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns across 14 games split between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills in 2024. However, before 2025, Cooper had reached 1,000 receiving yards in five of the six previous seasons. He should slot in as the WR2 in Las Vegas next to Jakobi Meyers, although Cooper may eventually be surpassed by rookies Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech. As a late-round flier, Cooper could end up being a solid depth piece for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

The Jacksonville Jaguars have acquired veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick from the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 31-year-old recorded 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games with Detroit last year. The Lions' decision to move on from Patrick signals an internal belief in third-round rookie Isaac TeSlaa, who was a standout performer in the preseason. In Jacksonville, Patrick will likely step into the team's WR3 role next to Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter. He should remain off the radar of fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Following the trade that sent Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa has a clear path to open the season as the team's No. 3 wide receiver. During the preseason, the rookie from Arkansas was one of the most impressive pass catchers. The Lions selected TeSlaa with the 70th overall pick in April's draft. In the Hall of Fame Game, TeSlaa racked up 46 yards. Then, in his next contest, the wideout found the back of the ned zone for the first time in his career. In their preseason finale against the Houston Texans, TeSlaa punched in another score, which further solidified his starting role. With Patrick now out of the picture, fantasy managers should expect the 23-year-old to open the season sitting behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Given his dominant preseason, he is worth a late-round look in all 3-WR 12+ team leagues.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | The Chiefs have released tight end Robert Tonyan. Dynasty Analysis: In 2020, Tonyan had a 52/586/11 line for the Packers in 16 games. In his other 69 games played, he has a total of six other scores. It's a truly unbelievable stat but reinforces the fact he's been truly a one-hit wonder. Such has been the case with so many other players waived today, as Tonyan just hasn't been able to resurrect magic he once had in his career. At this point, he's far away from any dynasty roster.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Denver Broncos quarterback Sam Ehlinger was released on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The move comes as Denver trims down its roster to 53 players, and it leaves the team with just Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham in its quarterback room. Ehlinger appeared in all three preseason games, completing 42 of 57 pass attempts for 415 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also took four sacks. The former sixth-round pick hasn't appeared in a regular season game since the 2022 campaign with the Colts. He's a candidate to join the practice squad in Denver or elsewhere, but his path to playing time includes numerous obstacles. He should be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Robert Tonyan was released on Tuesday, the team announced. The move leaves Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, and Jared Wiley as the Chiefs' three rostered tight ends. Tonyan has spent seven seasons in the NFL, and he made waves with 52 catches, 586 yards, and 11 touchdowns as a Green Bay Packer in 2020. Outside of that campaign, he has been unexceptional, as his reception count dwindled to 11 in 2023 and zero in 2024. It remains to be seen whether Tonyan will land on another 53-man roster or if he'll have to settle for a practice squad spot.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Easton Stick was released on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The move helped the Falcons trim their roster down to 53 players, and it leaves Atlanta with only Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins in its quarterback room. Stick appeared in all three preseason games, completing 54 of 78 pass attempts for 520 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also took five sacks. The former fifth-round pick spent his first six NFL seasons with the Chargers before inking a deal with Atlanta in April. Now, he'll look for a new landing spot as Week 1 approaches. NewOrleans.Football's Mike Triplett reported that the Saints looked into signing Stick before he wound up with Atlanta, so perhaps they'll continue to show interest now that he's a free agent again. Regardless of where the veteran quarterback ends up, he should be avoided in all fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) was placed on the PUP list Tuesday, according to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. This was merely a procedural move to get Dell off the 53-man roster ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Placement on the PUP list comes with the requirement that a player misses at least four games, which won't be a problem for Dell given that he's expected to be sidelined for most or all of the season while he recovers from a dislocated knee and torn ACL, MCL, and LCL. Nico Collins and Christian Kirk will operate as C.J. Stroud's primary targets in the passing game, while tight end Dalton Schultz and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel also look to get involved.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans DT Denico Autry (knee) will begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and he will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.

From TheHuddle