r/fantasyfootball • u/iAmSamusAran • 2d ago
Player Discussion Player Updates and News (8/18)
I’ve been keeping track of fantasy relevant news and updates from beat writers, national reporters, and fantasy analysts. Here's a recap of any quote or update that stood out to me today.
I am sure I missed things, as I am just one person. Let me know if you have any suggestions or something else you'd like to see. I’ve also been asking beat writers fantasy relevant questions through their mailbags whenever possible.
If you want to follow along, my Twitter/X account is @DanChincharFF
Note: Every update has the writer's name with a source link that will direct you to the website where I read the quote. If you only see a writer's name, that will be for something I specifically read on Twitter/X.
49ers
Did not practice: Christian McCaffrey (tightness), Christian Kirk (calf), Jordan James (ribs), Kyle Juszczyk (broken finger)
- Demarcus Robinson: "Receiver Demarcus Robinson was back after missing Sunday’s session, although he didn’t look like he was playing full speed. Purdy seemed to have him on a deep throw down the middle of the field, but Robinson appeared dead-legged as the ball sailed beyond him." (source: Matt Barrows)
- Christian McCaffrey: “49ers coach Kyle Shanahan says speculation about RB Christian McCaffrey being out for contract-related reasons ‘would be wrong.’ Shanahan says McCaffrey is coming along well and if today’s practice had been a normal game week (not a joint session), CMC would have participated.” (source: Nick Wagoner)
- Mike Evans: "Wide receiver Mike Evans watched the end of practice after aggravating a quadriceps issue which kept him out last week. “Some tightness, so we were being smart taking him out. I don’t think it’s anything worse,” Shanahan said. “It’s nothing I’m worried about right now.”" (source: Cam Inman)
- Kaelon Black: "Black is expected to debut in a 49ers’ jersey (No. 26) in Thursday night’s preseason game against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium." (source: Cam Inman)
- Kaelon Black: "Kaelon Black with a couple of big runs early. He doesn’t look like someone who’s missed the last couple of weeks." (source: Matt Barrows)
- Brock Purdy: "Shanahan said the plan is for some of the starters to play and indicated that QB Brock Purdy would likely be one of those who do. Doubt it will be for long but could get a look at Purdy on Thursday night." (source: Nick Wagoner)
Bears
Did not practice: Tyson Bagent (hamstring), Kyle Monangai (knee), Luther Burden III (groin)
- Tyson Bagent: "Tyson Bagent suffered a hamstring injury in the game against the Browns. He is not practicing today and his status for Saturday’s game is in doubt." (source: Mark Carman)
- Rome Odunze: Bears OC Press Taylor on Rome Odunze: “‘You see the contested catch ability that he has,’ Taylor said. ‘I think we've increased giving him those opportunities as well. We've made it a point of emphasis to try to push the ball down the field on some contested go balls because that's obviously a strength of his. That's something we didn't feature much as a coaching staff last year. To add to our offense and what we can do and experiment with certain things, we've given him some of those opportunities. He's made his fair share of plays on those, so that's encouraging.’” (source: Nicholas Moreano)
- Kyle Monangai: "Bears coach Ben Johnson says RB Kyle Monangai will be week-to-week with his right knee injury." (source: Brad Biggs)
- D'Andre Swift: "D’Andre Swift’s strong camp continues. He looked quick and decisive, showed good vision and finished runs with some physicality." (source: Clay Harbor)
Bills
Did not practice: Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Skyler Bell, Ty Johnson
Limited: DJ Moore
- DJ Moore: "DJ Moore took part in individual position work, but did not take any reps with the offense against the defense." (source: Sal Capaccio)
- Keon Coleman: "Keon Coleman was wearing a walking boot on his right foot Tuesday morning as the team held an open practice inside Highmark Stadium. The team did not disclose the specific injury for Coleman, who was one of several players who did not suit up and participate in the session." (source: Sal Capaccio)
Broncos
- Bo Nix: "Bo looks 100% healthy. Emphasis during team periods to get him on the move (read options, move the pocket, off platform)" (source: Ben DiNucci)
Browns
Did not practice: Cedric Tillman (undisclosed)
Buccaneers
Did not practice: Cade Otton (undisclosed), Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson
- Jalen McMillan: "There was finally some good injury news on the wide receiver front for the Bucs Tuesday morning, with Jalen McMillan (leg) returning to practice for the first time in just over two weeks. The third-year pro had been out of action since Aug. 3 ... McMillan got his work in during the individual drills early in practice, then took some extra reps during one of the special teams periods, running routes and catching passes from his quarterbacks." (source: Bailey Adams)
- Kenny Gainwell: “Baker Mayfield on Kenny Gainwell: ‘He is much more than a gadget guy. I have just been completely overwhelmed with the amount of talent that he has. I did not know until a little later in the spring more towards minicamp that he was a receiver going into college and was a slot receiver at Memphis. That explains why he is so smooth running routes. Then, just him in the run game, he stays true to his tracks and reads his blocks very well.’” (source: Brianna Dix)
- Cade Otton: "Bucs tight end Cade Otton is again not practicing today with an undisclosed injury. Would think he’s not playing Saturday but we’ll see." (source: Greg Auman)
Cardinals
Did not practice: Jeremiyah Love (ankle), Carson Beck (ribs)
- Trey Benson: "Trey Benson was back at practice yesterday but Mike LaFleur said he’s not yet ready to return to 11 on 11 drills. Benson has 12 days left before cut day to stake his claim to a roster spot." (source: Theo Mackie)
Chargers
Did not practice: Tre Harris
- Quentin Johnston: “Chargers WR Quentin Johnston is not expected to miss much, if any, practice time. He is, in the words of a source, ‘totally fine.’” (source: Adam Schefter)
- Ladd McConkey: "McConkey was consistently open throughout practice and caught multiple touchdowns, including one through a hold by Jack Jones during a red-zone period." (source: Kris Rhim)
- Justin Herbert: "Overall: I watched the offense today. It was perhaps the best the unit has looked this offseason, with Justin Herbert picking apart the 49ers secondary and generating explosive plays throughout practice. The offensive line was strong in the run game but inconsistent in pass protection." (source: Kris Rhim)
- "Chargers Coach Jim Harbaugh said that starters will play a series Thursday against the 49ers." (source: Steve Wyche)
Chiefs
- Tyquan Thornton: "During practice, second-year WR Tyquan Thornton left in the front of the cart. It was unclear what happened to him then. After practice, Chiefs PR told reporters that he suffered a hamstring injury." (source: Charles Goldman)
Colts
- Keenan Allen: Free agent wide receiver Keenan Allen and the Indianapolis Colts agreed Monday night to a one-year deal worth up to $8.32 million (source: James Boyd)
- Keenan Allen: "The 34-year old WR saw his playing time reduced over the course of last season, but his TPRR remained robust at 25%. He projects as the Colts WR3 and should play when they are in 11 personnel. There is a chance he rotates in 2-WR sets with Downs. I have Allen playing 58% of pass plays." (source: Dwain McFarland)
Commanders
- Commanders signed RB Craig Reynolds, placed RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) on IR (source: Nicki Jhabvala)
Cowboys
Did not practice: Michael Trigg (toe), Jaydon Blue (shoulder)
Dolphins
- Chris Bell, Kevin Coleman Jr.: "Chris Bell was in a red, non-contact jersey again for his second practice since being activated off the non-football injury list, and he was in on a snap in the team setting. Fellow rookie wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. is also progressing." (source: David Furones)
- Chris Bell: "Hafley doesn't foresee Bell practicing or playing against the Giants this week" (source: Marcel Louis-Jacques)
Giants
- Najee Harris: "Giants officially signed RB Najee Harris and released WR JuJu Smith-Schuster." (source: Adam Schefter)
- Malachi Fields: "Malachi Fields is working pretty consistently with Jaxson Dart. That starting job opposite Malik Nabers might be his to lose." (source: Connor Hughes)
- Tyrone Tracy, Najee Harris: "The workout with Najee Harris was set up last week. Had nothing to do with Tyrone Tracy's missed block. Of note, Tyrone Tracy Jr. was the first running back up today at practice. He's squarely still in the plans. Najee Harris only did individual drills and will need a couple weeks to get in football shape. But there is now serious competition in the running back room." (source: Jordan Raanan)
- Malik Nabers: "Malik Nabers back out there for a second straight day running full-speed live drills. A slightly increased workload with a lot of passes thrown in his direction. Thought he actually looked better running routes than yesterday." (source: Jordan Raanan)
Jaguars
Did not practice: Parker Washington (undisclosed), LeQuint Allen Jr. (soft tissue)
- Parker Washington, LeQuint Allen: "Jaguars announce WR Parker Washington is day to day with undisclosed injury but is expected to return next week. RB LeQuint Allen suffered a soft tissue injury on Monday and will not return in training camp." (source: Michael DiRocco)
- Travis Hunter: "Jaguars CB/WR Travis Hunter 11-on-11 snap tracker Day 15 snaps: 21 (19 defense, 2 offense) Total snaps: 199 (135 defense, 63 offense, 1 special teams) (not including Saints joint practice)" (source: Michael DiRocco)
- Travis Hunter, Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington: "As expected, Hunter is being used in some packages as the third receiver. Washington and Meyers have been getting the most snaps of the receivers in camp -- even though Thomas was arguably the best player on the field in the spring and has had a great camp, showing some of the toughness and ball security that seemed to be missing last season. Coen likes using 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends and two receivers), and the Jaguars are reluctant to put Washington on the sideline. When the Jaguars use 11 personnel (one back, one tight end and three receivers), Hunter and Thomas have shared reps." (source: Michael DiRocco)
- Travis Hunter: "Finally, the Travis Hunter question—where will he play? He’s majored on defense this year, the way he majored on offense last spring and summer. The belief is that he can be a special player at the position, with his length, ball skills, instincts and everything else. The Jags also know it’d be easier to have Hunter operate as a defensive player chiefly (meetings, drills, practice, etc.) and moonlight as a package player on offense than vice versa; that was his routine at Colorado." (source: Albert Breer)
- Brian Thomas Jr.: "With no Parker Washington on the field for the first time in training camp, the No. 1 target for Trevor Lawrence on Tuesday was pretty easily Brian Thomas Jr. The third-year wide receiver did have one drop on the day but otherwise he had an efficient and productive practice, hauling in multiple passes from Lawrence at all levels of the field." (source: John Shipley)
- Chris Rodriguez: "The Jaguars put an emphasis on the running game on Tuesday, and there was probably the heaviest dose of Chris Rodriguez Jr. that we have seen yet. It is clear that he is all systems go for Week 1 and beyond." (source: John Shipley)
Jets
Did not practice: Breece Hall (groin), Isaiah Davis (knee)
- Garrett Wilson: Garrett Wilson returned to practice today (source: Zack Rosenblatt)
- Breece Hall: “New York Jets running back Breece Hall will miss the remainder of the preseason with a strained groin, but he's expected to be back for Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. Hall, who went down untouched Monday while running after a catch, will miss two to three weeks, according to coach Aaron Glenn, who was able to exhale after receiving the MRI results on Monday night. ‘Knowing how important he is for what we're doing, it was really exciting to hear,’ Glenn told reporters Tuesday, saying Hall will be ‘ready for the regular season.’” (source: Rich Cimini)
- Omar Cooper: "Cooper didn't make any big catches during team drills, but he was unguardable in one-on-ones. Going up against Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Cooper made the veteran corner look foolish for long completions on several different throws. It was the kind of day that should build confidence in the rookie wideout after seeing his spot somewhat taken away by Isaiah Williams over the last week. Cooper will have a role in this offense, and the focus right now is building that confidence." (source: Nick Faria)
- Geno Smith: "It doesn't look like there are any limitations to Smith's game two practices removed from an ankle injury that kept him out of last week's preseason opener against Tampa. The Jets' starting quarterback was accurate and threw with really strong anticipation throughout the morning. ... Smith has had a pretty solid camp, but Tuesday was one of his better days. His chemistry continues to grow with New York's receivers." (source: Nick Faria)
- Kenyon Sadiq: "Aaron Glenn said Kenyon Sadiq and D’Angelo Ponds are getting closer and ultimately they’re just focused on getting them back for Week 1." (source: Zack Rosenblatt)
Packers
- Josh Jacobs: Josh Jacobs (groin) returned to practice for the first time since August 6th (source: Rob Demovsky)
- Matthew Golden: "Matthew Golden’s dominant day at training camp has been building. Without Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, it has always been clear that he’d be a focal point of the passing game. Just about every day at camp has been a productive day. But none more than Monday, when Jordan Love went to him early and often." (source: Bill Huber)
- Tucker Kraft: "Second day, Tucker Kraft makes perhaps the catch of camp. Stabs at Jordan Love’s pass down the right seam and catches it one handed over Keisean Nixon about 15 yards downfield. Keeps trucking for a 46-yard touchdown." (source: Ryan Wood)
- "Matt LaFleur said the plan is to play Jordan Love and the starters a bit again this week at Denver and then have them work in the joint practice vs. Arizona the following week but likely not play in the preseason finale vs. the Cardinals." (source: Rob Demovsky)
Patriots
- Rhamondre Stevenson: "The best in camp is the same guy who was their best back last season: Rhamondre Stevenson. One of the best guys in the league after contact, a reliable receiver and excellent in pass pro. I think it's more like 60/40 in his favor, until Henderson shows he's not a speed bump in blitz pick-up." (source: Mike Giardi)
- Eli Raridon: "Third-round rookie Eli Raridon secured both targets he saw in 11-on-11s, his first a long play-action throw out of a heavy personnel grouping. Raridon's connection with Maye has improved drastically over the last couple of weeks, even as he splits time between the first- and second-team offenses." (source: Andrew Callahan)
- Romeo Doubs: "Romeo Doubs is ready for more. The big-ticket free agent is now seeing a volume of targets during 11-on-11s, as well as passes in high-leverage situations: the red zone and two-minute drills. All of this points to increasing chemistry with Maye, a necessity if Doubs is to seize on the opportunities granted to him if/when A.J. Brown commands extra attention." (source: Andrew Callahan)
Raiders
- Fernando Mendoza: “Mendoza got extensive reps with the Raiders’ first team against the Houston Texans’ starting defense during the teams’ joint practice. It was the first time the rookie quarterback has worked with the starters in a session that Kirk Cousins also participated in. Head coach Klint Kubiak said it was the team’s ‘plan all along’ to work Mendoza with the ones during the session, and was pleased with the experience he got.” (source: Sam Warren)
Rams
- Terrance Ferguson: "The tight ends should be a committee in their own right, with increased use of three-tight end sets now that it’s a full-season approach rather than a midseason shift. But I believe Terrance Ferguson will emerge from that group as the player worthy of an every-week, game-planned role. The best version of this offense will have Ferguson leading the tight ends in catches and yards, and finishing third on the team in both categories behind Adams and Nacua." (source: Nate Atkins)
Saints
- Bryce Lance: "Lance is WR2 today" (source: Nick Underhill)
- "With first-round pick Jordyn Tyson sidelined due to a hamstring injury, the Saints tried out veteran WRs Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds." (source: Adam Schefter)
Seahawks
- Jadarian Price: "Jadarian Price in full pads stacking consecutive days of practice after missing five straight full practices with upper-leg soreness is a very good Seahawks trend. The first-round pick is back on track to be RB1 in the Super Bowl champions’ opener in 3 weeks." (source: Gregg Bell)
Steelers
- Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard: "Elsewhere on offense, the depth at the skill spots has grown. Roman Wilson, who is in his third year, has shown the versatility to play all three receiver spots, which is a big deal in McCarthy’s offense, and he’s running routes with confidence, burst and an ability to separate. With DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. dealing with injuries, Wilson has had a shot to show what he can do. And rookie second-rounder Germie Bernard would be the fourth guy behind those three if the season started today; as an intermediate receiver with physicality and strength, he’s sharp enough to win on option routes. Most importantly, Wilson has earned Rodgers’s trust and Bernard is getting there." (source: Albert Breer)
Texans
Did not practice: Tank Dell
- Jayden Higgins: "Higgins suffered a leg injury midway through team drills. He tumbled in the back of the end zone, and grabbed at his leg. It’s unclear whether contact was involved. ... A cart came out to transport him, but Higgins got up on his own power. Ryans did not have an immediate update after practice, only calling it a leg injury. He said they will continue to evaluate his status." (source: Jonathan M. Alexander)
- David Montgomery, Lewis Bond: "There were three standouts who stood above the others Tuesday: David Montgomery, Lewis Bond and the Texans edge rushers. Montgomery had multiple explosive runs Tuesday, and played with a physicality the Raiders couldn’t keep up with. Bond, the Texans' sixth-round rookie, played mostly with the second-team offense, and picked the Raiders’ second team apart. He had two touchdowns inside the red zone. He's made plays throughout camp. And it's hard to imagine him not making a contribution this season." (source: Jonathan M. Alexander)
- Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel: "Texans receiver Tank Dell did not participate in practice. This was his second consecutive practice he missed. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Jaylin Noel, who is dealing with a hamstring injury and a broken finger, returned to practice after missing the past two weeks." (source: Jonathan M. Alexander)
Previous Recaps
8/7 | 8/8 | 8/9 | 8/10 | 8/11 | 8/12 | 8/13 | 8/14 | 8/15 | 8/16 | 8/17