Team news: Arizona Cardinals | Page 16

Ja’Lynn Polk likely will be one of the starting wide receivers when Week 1 arrives, at least until Kendrick Bourne returns from injury. Polk’s training camp hasn’t been spectacular or filled with other-worldly catches, but he has been consistent and done enough for the quarterbacks to trust him.

Demario Douglas probably has been the best wide receiver, but Polk isn’t far behind. He might start behind K.J. Osborn on the depth chart, but optimism is high around the second-round pick out of Washington.

Related players: Javon Baker

While optimism is high around Polk, it sounds like even if he doesn't get a starting job out of the gate, it should only be a matter of time. Meanwhile, fourth round pick Baker started strong, but looks to be further down the depth chart after a tough stretch, according to the rest of the story. Baker is dealing with drops in practice and running with the fourth-string QB at times. The story said he'll likely start as the team's WR4 or WR5.

Who emerges as the No. 2 running back? On the early downs, Trey Sermon probably needs to be viewed as the favorite there, although a hamstring injury in the preseason opener opened the door for some valuable practice reps to the likes of Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson. The overall running back depth chart remains very much “in pencil” with Jonathan Taylor the obvious bellcow.

There aren't a lot of household names behind Taylor. Even though Hull was a rookie last year who missed most of the season, it looks like Sermon could open up as the backup to Taylor. Given Taylor has had his share of injuries over his career, targeting his handcuff late in drafts may be a good idea.

Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye remain in competition to be the Patriots’ starting quarterback when the regular season starts against the Bengals on September 8.

That’s the word from Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, who said today that he hasn’t decided whether Brissett or Maye will start Week 1, and won’t decide until after the preseason finale.

As the story said, it's a departure from what Mayo was saying for most of the offseason, when he has indicated that Brissett is the starter and Maye is still developing. But Mayo said today that he likes the progress Maye has made. Maye has certainly made a move over the past several days with his play, however, the story added Brissett is still probably the favorite to start Week 1.

The Raiders have named Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback.

Head coach Antonio Pierce made the announcement Sunday after a camp battle between Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. It was a close battle all the way through. Both threw for just under 100 yards Saturday against the Cowboys. In the end, the veteran wins out. The Raiders gave Minshew $15 million guaranteed in free agency after he nearly led the Colts to the playoffs last season. Minshew and the Raiders open the season September 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Patriots HC Jerod Mayo says "the competition isn't over" for the starting quarterback job in Week 1.

Mayo said that Drake Maye has made strides, but he wants to see the whole operation be faster with Maye at QB.

Related Players: Jacoby Brissett

Maye showed some of his rushing ability when finding the end zone and 15 yards on four attempts. He's still a stay-away in a questionable offense for redraft leagues but would be more intriguing in 2QB/Superflex if we knew he was a good bet to start all 17 games.

Source: Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs suffered a hamstring injury at today’s practice.

Related players: David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki, Zonovan Knight

This will be worth monitoring until we find out just how serious this is. Hamstring injuries, of course, can be very tricky. If Gibbs has to miss any time or games to start the season, Montgomery would likely get a bulk of the work with Reynolds next up. The loss of the dynamic Gibbs would certainly change the Lions offensive attack. The rookie Vaki could get to see more time if Gibbs is out for a while.

Someone in the set of wideouts has to emerge as an eventual No. 1. Right now, rookie Ja’Lynn Polk has as good a shot as anyone.

Related players: Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, Kayshon Boutte

For what it's worth, we've already reflected this on our fantasy depth charts listing Polk as the top option. Robinson thinks Polk could step in and get a ton of targets immediately. In the preseason opener, Polk played limited snaps but caught three balls for 14 yards. Robinson expects those numbers to grow. Polk could be worth targeting in the later rounds of drafts given his very late ADP.

The Raiders’ quarterback competition may be over at this time next week.

Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew are vying for the starting job in Las Vegas and O’Connell got the start in the team’s first preseason game. Minshew is set to start the second game against the Cowboys on August 17 and head coach Antonio Pierce said on Sunday that he thinks that will be enough information to make a call about who will be under center in Week 1.

The story went on to say O’Connell and Minshew both led scoring drives during their time in the preseason opener and Pierce said he thought both players did well, so there’s not much of a hint about which way he’s leaning as decision day draws closer.

Browns RB D’Onta Foreman is back with the team after his scary neck injury yesterday and being flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital. Again, X-rays and scans were negative.

Related Players: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Nyheim Hines

Good news all around after a big scare yesterday. Foreman is looking to carve out an early-season role with Jerome Ford as Nick Chubb continues to recover from his knee injury.

Browns D’Onta Foreman injured during kickoff drill. Being immobilized and taken off on board.

Related Players: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Nyheim Hines

There are no further updates at this time, but we'll keep an eye on it. Foreman is looking to carve out an early-season role with Jerome Ford as Nick Chubb continues to recover from his knee injury.