Schefter: Patriots to release Chad Ochocinco

While quarterback Carson Beck did not play in Thursday’s preseason game against the Raiders due to a rib injury, head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed the rookie should be OK going forward.

“Tough dude. No concern level really,” LaFleur said in his postgame press conference. “If this would have been flag football or seven-on-seven, we would have trotted him out there, and he could have thrown.

Related Players: Jacoby Brissett

Lol at the "flag football" comment, but this is a good sign for Dynasty and (super) deep Superflex managers. Beck remains behind Brissett and is unlikely to carry immediate redraft value, but the positive update allows him to continue developing without an extended interruption. His 15-of-19, 188-yard debut remains much more significant than this seemingly minor injury.

De’Zhaun Stribling caught seven of eight targets for 63 yards against Tennessee, including three receptions on third down. The rookie said he began clicking with the offense once he settled into the game.

Related Players: Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Christian Kirk, Jacob Cowing

Stribling’s volume was particularly encouraging after he had already generated positive reports throughout camp. San Francisco has several established receivers ahead of him, but it would be an understatement to say that they are on the "aging" side of things, so strengthening an immediate rotational role makes him an increasingly interesting late-round target.

Isaac TeSlaa failed to catch any of his three targets Thursday, with one pass bouncing off his helmet and resulting in an interception. Lions coach Dan Campbell dismissed concerns afterward, saying TeSlaa is pressing and needs to stay the course but will “be just fine.”

Related Players: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Greg Dortch

TeSlaa scored six touchdowns on only 16 receptions as a rookie, but his rough preseason has done little to suggest a substantial Year 2 breakout is coming. Campbell’s confidence should protect TeSlaa’s role for now, though he needs to begin stacking positive performances before fantasy managers treat him as a late-round upside pick.