Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. started his training camp press conference on Thursday making sure that everyone noticed how they got tight end Kyle Pitts involved at practice. "See we got KP the ball? Gonna be a lot of that," Penix said. Pitts missed offseason work this spring due to a foot injury, but he's been cleared at training camp and worked with the team on Thursday. Fantasy managers that have burned by Pitts before are probably rolling their eyes and will want to see it to believe it in 2025. The 24-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2021 out of Florida had a 1,000-yard season but only one touchdown in his rookie campaign but hasn't gone over 667 yards in the last three years. Pitts is healthy now, and the Falcons expect big things from him, but Penix targeted him just 10 times in his three starts to close out 2024. Target Pitts as a TE2 in fantasy with the possibility of a bounce back.

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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is calling rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (undisclosed) day-to-day at training camp. "The soft-tissue thing (from the spring) lingered. I'm hopeful it's just a few days," Johnson said. Although the 21-year-old second-rounder isn't ready for the start of training camp, he should be ready to go soon and be a full-go for the start of his first NFL season this fall. When he gets onto the field, Burden will mainly be competing with Olamide Zaccheaus for the WR3 role in Chicago's offense behind DJ Moore and second-year man Rome Odunze. There's definitely opportunity, but Burden has already missed a lot of development time this offseason and could struggle to make an impact or carve out a meaningful role early on. There's certainly intrigue with Burden in Johnson's offense given his after-the-catch prowess, but he'll go undrafted in standard 12-team fantasy leagues.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) worked in privacy with the training staff on Wednesday at training camp as he tries to get ready for practice next week, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Adam Grosbard. "Think that's the best thing in terms of being able to strengthen, be as strong, sturdy and feel as good as he can be for the time that we get back out here on Monday," head coach Sean McVay said. Although it doesn't sound like anything serious, it's certainly something to watch for the 37-year-old quarterback after he signed a two-year, $84 million extension back in May. If Stafford's back injury were to linger or crop back up again during the regular season and cause him to miss games, Jimmy Garoppolo would take over and lead the Rams offense. Stafford was at the top of his game last year in the playoffs, but the injury concerns are real and make him a low-end QB2 in fantasy.

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SI.com's Patricia Traina reports that New York Giants quarterbacks Jameis Winston and rookie Jaxson Dart were splitting reps in 11-on-11 drills at training camp practice on Thursday. Winston appeared to be the No. 3 QB during workouts this spring at OTAs, but at least on Thursday, it was more of an even split under center behind starter Russell Wilson. This could vary on a day-by-day basis in training camp, but as things stand early on, it looks like it will be an even competition between Winston and Dart for the backup job in the Big Apple. Winston, 31, clearly has the edge given his experience in the NFL, but if Dart looks up to the task in camp and the preseason, it's possible that the G-Men look to trade Winston to a QB-needy team before the regular season. Winston has developed a reputation for being a happy-go-lucky gunslinger that racks up the turnovers.

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The New York Daily News' Pat Leonard writes that New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll didn't exude confidence at training camp on Thursday when discussing the toe injury that wide receiver Malik Nabers is managing. Daboll wouldn't assuage concerns about Nabers' surgery or the day-to-day comments. It sounds like the 21-year-old's toe situation is fluid, and it could flare up at any moment. The second-year wideout is practicing to begin training camp this week, but don't be surprised if the Giants sit him out to protect him before the regular season. It's not exactly what fantasy managers want to hear for a player that is being taken in the first round in drafts. However, the good news is that it's something Nabers has dealt with since college, and it didn't slow him down at all in 2024, as he caught 109 of 170 targets for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie season.

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Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, who is entering the final year of his current contract in 2025, said he never thought about holding out at training camp and is confident a deal will be reached eventually. "I'm never gonna give up. I deserve what I want. ... It's gonna get done, wherever it happens at," Cook said. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of Georgia easily had the best year of his career in 2024, rushing for 1,009 yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns on 207 carries while also adding 32 receptions for 258 yards and another two scores in 16 regular-season starts. With or without an extension, Cook is Buffalo's clear lead back, but Ray Davis and Ty Johnson aren't going away and will remain involved in an offense that likes to spread the ball around. One thing is for certain, fantasy managers cannot count on double-digit TDs again after Cook rushed for four touchdowns his first two seasons.

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Updating a previous report, New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (toe) was carted off the field at training camp practice on Thursday with a dislocated toe on his right foot, a source tells NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Fields thankfully avoided a fracture after being stepped on in practice, but he will surely miss valuable practice time at camp going into the weekend and possibly beyond. A lower-body injury definitely isn't ideal for a mobile QB like Fields, but the good news is that he has plenty of time to heal up before the start of his first season in New York. In the meantime, veteran Tyrod Taylor will get work with the first-time offense in camp. Fields is still undergoing tests, so the severity of his dislocation is unclear. It remains to be seen how much time he'll miss, but unless we know for sure he won't be ready for the season opener, Fields should still be viewed as a high-end QB2/low-end QB1.

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Jets QB Justin Fields was carted off the field early in Thursday's practice. He seems to have avoided anything too serious, though, suffering a toe injury. More updates to come.

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields appeared to injure himself and was carted off the field during Thursday's practice. Fields appeared to injure his lower leg after rolling right and throwing a pass in the direction of tight end Jeremy Ruckert. After the pass attempt, Fields went down to the ground and was helped off the field into the injury tent. A cart came out for him after he spent a few minutes in the tent and took him back to the locker room. It remains to be seen just how serious Fields' injury is, although this isn't great news for Jets fans early in training camp. Veteran Tyrod Taylor will run the first-team offense in Fields' absence. Stay tuned for updates.

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (foot) has been cleared to practice. Pitts missed time during OTAs earlier in the offseason with what was originally called an undisclosed injury but was later found out to be a strained foot. The veteran tight end's ability to practice at the beginning of training camp is a good indication that his injury was never very serious. Pitts turned in a disappointing 2024 season, catching just 47 passes for 602 yards and four touchdowns. He remains an elite athlete, but his involvement in the Atlanta offense is still a question, which leaves him in TE2 territory heading into fantasy drafts.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. was placed on the non-football injury list on Wednesday. Shenault missed the first day of practice with a lower leg strain, with head coach Sean McDermott declining to offer a timetable for a return, instead calling Shenault "day-to-day". Shenault is beginning his first season with the Bills after the Seattle Seahawks released him following the 2024 season. Shenault will battle with several others to be one of the final receivers on the Buffalo roster, with his skills as a returner on special teams most likely giving him a leg up on the competition, assuming his injury doesn't linger.

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Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins was placed on the non-football injury list on Wednesday with an issue with his back. The lineman was not spotted at practice on Wednesday, with the transaction explaining his absence. Head coach Mike MacDonald told reporters that Hankins will be fine that that his injury was not "long-term". Hankins joined the Seahawks in 2024 on a one-year deal with the team bringing him back on another one-year deal for the 2025 season. He posted 30 combined tackles and one sack last season.

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The Tennessee Titans signed free-agent linebacker Jihad Ward on Wednesday, adding a veteran presence to their defense. Ward notched 10 total tackles and one sack in 17 games with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. The veteran will help replace Lorenzo Carter, who retired earlier in the week. Tennessee will be the seventh team Ward plays for across his nine-year career, where he has accumulated 168 total tackles and 19 sacks.

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Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift is looking like the early leader to be the team's starter this season, according to team beat writer Jacob Infante. Swift ran for 959 yards and six touchdowns while adding 42 receptions in 2024, his first season with the Bears. That being said, the offense will look much different in 2025 with new head coach Ben Johnson leading the way on that side of the ball. The veteran back is the most explosive running back on the roster, with Roschon Johnson operating as the power and short-yardage option and seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai still an unproven asset. For now, Swift looks like a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 with upside for more heading into fantasy drafts.

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Free-agent LB Jihad Ward (Vikings) has agreed to sign with the Tennessee Titans, according to sources.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers kickers Jake Moody and Greg Joseph appear to be in a legitimate competition for the starting gig this fall. The two kickers are off to a strong start as they combined to go 8-for-8 on kicks during Wednesday's practice. They also both managed to knock down kicks from around 55 yards. Moody was selected 99th overall by the 49ers in 2023, but experienced a sophomore slump last season. He missed 10 field goal attempts and one extra point, which prompted the 49ers to bring in some competition. Joseph is a veteran kicker who has been around the league quite a bit. Last season, he knocked down 16-of-20 field goal attempts in eight games between three teams. Whoever wins this job should be worth rostering in fantasy leagues because it'll probably be a high-volume job.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back AJ Dillon was seen taking first team reps during the first day of training camp on Wednesday. It's only the beginning of camp, but it is interesting to see Dillon getting first team snaps over Will Shipley. Dillon was brought in on a one-year deal this offseason to replace Kenneth Gainwell who departed in free agency. Dillon did not play last season due to a neck injury, but appears to be at full health again. He posted three seasons with 600 rushing yards or more during his time with the Green Bay Packers. The 27-year-old is certainly capable of being a viable backup to Saquon Barkley. Neither Dillon nor Shipley figure to have weekly value with Barkley healthy, but both could be on the radar if Barkley ever misses time. Whoever wins the backup job could be a solid stash option.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk did not participate during Wednesday's opening training camp. This is an interesting development considering Polk wasn't placed on the physically unable to perform list. It's worth noting that Polk did undergo offseason shoulder surgery. It seems like the Pats are just being careful here and limiting Polk's reps early in camp. The former second-round pick had a disappointing rookie campaign with only 12 receptions across 15 games. Polk won't have an easy path to playing time with Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Mack Hollins likely all ahead of him on the depth chart. The Washington product is certainly going to need to earn his role during training camp.

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Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is a player to keep an eye on as the summer rolls on. Recently, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur gave high praise to the third-year tight end. LaFleur said Kraft is an ascending player and that he has been putting the work in all summer long. Kraft is coming off a season where he posted 50 receptions, 707 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns in 17 games with the Packers in 2024. He was a part-time starter during his rookie year but took over as the full-time starter last season. Clearly, the coaching staff believes in him, so hopefully there are more good things to come from Kraft this upcoming season.

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The Athletic's Ben Standig reports that Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (undisclosed) will join training camp practices soon but needs a bit of a ramp-up period and rest days. The Commanders placed Brown on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list to begin camp, but he could be back sooner than later. The 29-year-old was carted off the field on June 11 at minicamp, but the Commanders never specified what type of injury he was dealing with. It shouldn't really matter, though, as Brown should have enough time to get ready for Week 1 of the regular season if he can return to practice soon. When he does, he'll be competing for playing time as the No. 3 receiver behind Terry McLaurin and newcomer Deebo Samuel Sr. Brown missed the final two months of 2024 with a kidney injury and could face stiff competition from Luke McCaffrey.

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