Fantasy Football News

Emeka Egbuka traveled to Jacksonville with the team this week but is resting his toe injury. I’d be surprised if we see him next week. Focus is on having him back for Week 1 vs. Bengals.

Related Players: Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, Ted Hurst

Tampa Bay appears to be deliberately preserving Egbuka for Week 1, but his prolonged absence adds some draft-day uncertainty. The previous favorable diagnosis prevents an aggressive downgrade, though his participation in team drills will be important next week. Godwin would receive the clearest target boost if Egbuka is unavailable or limited, while Johnson, Hurst, and the Buccaneers’ other depth receivers could receive additional reps.

Klint Kubiak said they’re still monitoring Ashton Jeanty’s status heading into Week 1, “but we’re counting on him.”

Related Players: Mike Washington Jr., Dylan Laube, Dare Ogunbowale

Kubiak stopped short of confirming that Jeanty will play, but his wording moves the situation in a slightly positive direction. Washington remains the clear contingency and should be rostered everywhere, while Jeanty is a far more risky bet at the 1/2 turn than even one week ago.

Per Kyle Trimble (@BangedUpBills) who noted that it appears Kincaid hasn’t been limited by the observed injury. However, Trimble noted back on July 30 that Kincaid may have suffered a right ring or pinky finger injury based on the tape mechanism he sported at the start of training camp.

Fast-forward to this week, and Dan Fetes confirms that Kincaid had indeed broken his right pinky finger at some point in camp. That brought about a bit of an uncomfortable pause in the room before discussing that even with the splint on, Kincaid’s training camp this summer has been so good the injury’s gone largely unnoticed. On a similar theme, Kincaid hasn’t worn a knee brace in camp, and he’s been a big part of the offense’s plans in the early going.

Related Players: Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes

The previously undisclosed fracture sounds more alarming than it is. Kincaid practiced through the injury and has reportedly performed well, leaving no reason for a draft-day adjustment. If anything, his uninterrupted participation provides additional reassurance after the knee problems that limited him last season.

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said Thursday's trade for wide receiver Tutu Atwell had "nothing to do" with a possible suspension for two-time Pro Bowl receiver Puka Nacua.

McVay, speaking after the Rams' preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, said that Atwell adds depth at the position.

"It gives us an opportunity to be able to have that speed element, and he can do some different things," McVay said. "It had nothing to do with anything other than just adding depth to the receiver room."

Related Players: Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, CJ Daniels

The Rams’ secondary receivers would receive a short-term boost if a suspension is announced, but no draft-day takeaways are currently needed due to the trade itself.

With Ashton Jeanty sidelined, Washington started Thursday’s preseason finale and rushed eight times for 49 yards. He finished the preseason with 168 rushing yards and an average of 7.3 yards per carry.

Related Players: Dylan Laube, Dare Ogunbowale

The underlying usage was even more encouraging. Washington played 16 of the Raiders’ first 20 offensive snaps and opened each of their first two drives with six consecutive snaps. Laube primarily spelled him in passing situations, indicating that Washington is currently the preferred early-down replacement for Jeanty. Washington is currently ranked as a low-end RB4, but that could very easily slide up when we get more clearance on Jeanty's Week 1 (and beyond) availability.

Not a lot of injury updates from Mike Macdonald, per usual. But he did say that Seahawks have ruled out long-term injury for Tory Horton, so that's a big positive.

Related Players: Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp

The long-term reassurance is helpful but does not establish Horton’s Week 1 availability. Rashid Shaheed remains positioned as Seattle’s primary field-stretching receiver while Horton is sidelined.

Trade: Dolphins traded WR Tutu Atwell back to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for RB Jarquez Hunter, sources tell ESPN.

Related Players: Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Malik Washington, Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, Jalen Tolbert, De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon

Atwell gives the Rams a familiar situational deep threat but remains unlikely to command enough volume for redraft relevance.

As for Miami, Atwell’s departure strengthens the roster cases for Tolbert, Douglas, and Bell. Hunter’s strong preseason gives him an opportunity to compete with Wright and Gordon behind De’Von Achane, though it doesn't shift anything for fantasy managers at the moment.

Colts WR Keenan Allen and DT DeForest Buckner will play in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Lions, per Colts HC Shane Steichen. Only a few plays, though, which makes sense given their importance to the team.

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, Deion Burks

Allen’s appearance may provide some insight into where he lines up and how quickly Indianapolis intends to integrate him. With Pierce now off PUP and Downs’ calf issue described as minor, Allen remains a late-round depth option as opposed to a mid-round target.

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell provided a few new injury updates prior to the team’s final training camp practice on Thursday, and unfortunately, it’s not all good news. Primarily, Campbell broke news that backup running back Isiah Pacheco is dealing with a new back injury, and his timeline for a return is unclear.

“I can’t give you anything definitive,” Campbell said. “He is feeling better as of yesterday, you know. It’s been a little touch-and-go right now. He’s had a little bit of a back (injury), and we’re hoping he’s coming out of this as of yesterday.”

The good news is that Campbell said they weren’t concerned about the knee injury that initially kept Pacheco out of practice for a little over two weeks.

Related Players: Jahmyr Gibbs, Jacob Saylors, Sione Vaki, Kareem Hunt

The positive knee update is offset by a new injury with an uncertain timeline. Pacheco remains the favorite to complement Gibbs when healthy, but consecutive lower-body and back concerns make his Week 1 workload less secure. Hunt’s recent visit is also more relevant in light of this update. Pacheco should remain in place for now, with Vaki and Saylors offering only speculative (very) deep-league value.

Sources: The #Packers are signing former Pro Bowl TE Jonnu Smith to a 1-year deal.

One of the NFL’s most respected veterans, Smith has amassed 345 career catches and 30 TDs.

Related Players: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle

Smith’s history with LaFleur and ability to line up in multiple spots make him more interesting than a typical late-camp depth signing, but Kraft remains the clear lead tight end. Smith could take some secondary routes and work in two-tight end packages while Musgrave (neck) is unavailable.