Team news: New England Patriots | Page 9

The Patriots are nearing a decision on their starting QB. Jerod Mayo said the team should know who it’ll be Monday night.

“It’s still a competition and Jacoby (Brissett) is still QB1,” Mayo said.

Related Players: Drake Maye

The decision shouldn't impact typical redraft leagues, but if Maye can take the job from Week 1, he presents an interesting floor-play for Superflex/2QB leagues.

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.

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.

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.

Good news on Lions Pro Bowl RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Sources say the hamstring injury he suffered is not considered significant, but the team will be very cautious with rest and rehab to make sure he’s 100% healthy. My understanding is he should be ready for Week 1 vs the Rams.

Related Players: David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds

It looks like the projected Gibbs/Montgomery split is still intact, making them both very fantasy-viable. If Gibbs were to miss anytime, Montgomery should be considered an RB1.

Chiefs rookie RB Carson Steele had his most reps with the 1s and 2s today out of all the days at camp.

Related players: Isiah Pacheco, Deneric Prince, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Keaontay Ingram, Carson Steele

Chiefs are giving him a long look after his standout game Saturday, the post said. The post also added a quote from OC Matt Nagy: "What I like about him is, right now, he's doing a lot of good things and being in the right spot at the right time, and you can trust him." The Chiefs aren't necessarily deep at RB. CEH didn't practice today and hasn't proved to be an exciting option. Prince and Ingram are familiar names but if Steele has a chance to get snaps in this offense, fantasy owners should follow this situation.

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.

"Nothing against Elijah Mitchell, but Jordan Mason runs at a very high level." - 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan on Mason earning reps at RB2 when Christian McCaffrey isn't in.

Related players: Isaac Guerendo

Guerendo is going to miss some time at camp and with the rookie out of action, it could mean the RB2 role ends up going to Mitchell or Mason. Mitchell struggles to stay healthy at times, but has excelled in the starting role before. It could just be coach-speak about Mason, but it's also worth paying attention to, especially if you're looking to handcuff McCaffrey this season.

WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring) will likely be out approx 10 days total

RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) will be out several weeks.

Related players: Elijah Mitchell, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jordan Mason

It's always tough for rookies when they miss time in camp. Guerendo was said to be battling for the RB2 spot with the often-injured Mitchell. The Niners traded up to get Guerendo who was having a nice spring. Meanwhile at WR, the team got back Pearsall today but Cowing was trying to work his up with the depth chart as well.