Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater didn't play in the preseason opener, but he was more prominently featured in the team's QB rotation during training camp practice on Wednesday, according to beat writer Scott Smith. Head coach Todd Bowles said the work that Bridgewater gets in joint practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday will help him determine whether the veteran signal-caller will play on Saturday against the Steelers. "He knows how to run an offense," said Bowles. "He definitely knows how to run an offense. The timing is coming with the receivers so we look forward to him playing a little more." The 32-year-old has 10 years of NFL experience and comes to Tampa to compete with Kyle Trask for the backup job to starter Baker Mayfield. Bridgewater hasn't started a game since 2022 with the Dolphins, though, and appeared in just one regular-season contest with the Lions the last two years.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said the team is still working through the plan for some of their players for their second preseason game on Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he did confirm that quarterback Sam Darnold will be among those that play. "Our guys are going start the game out," Macdonald said. "We'll see how long it goes." Darnold has looked good in his first training camp with the Seahawks and will now try to transfer that over to game action for probably a couple of series on Friday. The 28-year-old former third overall pick in 2018 by the New York Jets out of USC has been a late bloomer in his NFL. He finally broke out as Minnesota's starter last year, throwing for a career-best 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 picks in 17 regular-season starts. It was a cool story, but Darnold is unlikely to come close to matching those numbers in Seattle. RotoBaller has him ranked as the QB27.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (hamstring) is still working his way back from a hamstring injury at training camp and was working on a rehab field on Wednesday, according to Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer. A hamstring injury has kept Gesicki out of practices for the last week, and he also missed the preseason opener versus the Philadelphia Eagles last week. The 29-year-old's hamstring injury isn't believed to be all that serious, but the Bengals could hold him out of their second preseason game on Monday against the Washington Commanders as a precaution. Cincy recently signed Noah Fant for TE depth, but when healthy, Gesicki should be the primary pass-catching tight end for the Bengals. He caught 65 of 83 targets for 665 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (three starts) a year ago and is ranked as a low-end TE2 in fantasy for the upcoming season.

From RotoBaller

The Athletic's Jesse Newell thinks it might be too aggressive to list Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton as a lock for the 53-man roster, but he writes that it's clear that the Chiefs "love Thornton and envision a role for him this season." Thornton has taken off since joining the team's practice squad last year. KC coaches love the 25-year-old's speed, and he seems to fit the role that Justin Watson played for the Chiefs the last three years. He has the speed to get deep downfield to occupy defenders and can also be a solid contributor on special teams. Newell adds that Thornton should be involved in the team's kickoff return game, and he's also being trained as a gunner on the punt team. On offense, Thornton is most likely to be more of a gadget player, at best, and he's still too buried on KC's receiver depth chart to turn heads in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

With Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue (heel) still sidelined from Tuesday's training camp practice, it allowed Deuce Vaughn to work with the first-team offense, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. Vaughn had a good day by showing lateral movements to make defenders miss in space. The 23-year-old is slippery in space because of his quickness and size (5-foot-6, 176 pounds), but Vaughn is still fighting an uphill battle to be involved out of Dallas' backfield in 2025. The former sixth-round pick (212th overall) in 2023 out of Kansas State has a combined 40 rushing attempts for 110 yards and no touchdowns while adding 10 receptions for 58 yards in the passing game in his two seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys. At best, he'll open his third season as the RB4 behind Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and Blue.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) remained limited to seven-on-seven drills during training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Browns beat writer Kelsey Russo. Pickett entered training camp as the primary competition for veteran Joe Flacco for the starting role entering Week 1, but he injured his hamstring on July 26 and hasn't taken part in team drills since then. He also missed the preseason opener last Thursday and probably will not play this Saturday in the second preseason contest versus the Philadelphia Eagles. It doesn't sound like it's an injury that will keep Pickett sidelined into the regular season, but he's effectively already lost the QB battle to Flacco. The Browns have one of the weakest and most beat up QB rooms in the league with rookies Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) and Shedeur Sanders (oblique) also nursing injuries.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi reports that Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco is unlikely to play in the team's second preseason game this Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns want to keep the veteran out, even though both rookie Shedeur Sanders (oblique) and Kenny Pickett (hamstring) might not play. Although nothing official has been announced, rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) could make his NFL debut and see extensive run this weekend for the Browns. Flacco was scheduled to take the majority of first-team reps at training camp practice on Wednesday, and he remain the overwhelming favorite to be named the Week 1 starter, especially with Pickett missing over a week of team drills due to a hamstring injury. The 40-year-old gunslinger could have some decent games, but he'll also be injury-prone and on a short leash. Fantasy managers would be better off avoiding the Browns' QB situation.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (back) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Fantasy Spin: Stafford is still recovering from his back injury and does not have a definite timetable for his return. Fantasy players should monitor the situation over the next few weeks because Stafford can be a No. 2 fantasy quarterback if he plays.

From TheHuddle

The New Orleans Saints placed wide receiver Bub Means (leg) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Means suffered a serious lower-leg injury in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and will now miss the entire 2025 season. Before his injury on Sunday, he caught one pass for a gain of 12 yards. It's definitely a blow to the Saints receiving corps after the 24-year-old fifth-rounder last year caught nine of his 15 targets for 118 yards and one touchdown in seven games (one start) in his rookie season. Means also missed the final nine games of his first year in the league with an ankle injury, so he has quickly developed an injury-prone label. Means will now rehab his leg in hopes of being ready for the start of the 2026 season.

From RotoBaller

With Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) now unlikely to play in the second preseason game on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) now has a chance to start this weekend and get extended time in his first taste of NFL action, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. The Browns are likely to keep veteran Joe Flacco out again, while Kenny Pickett (hamstring) still hasn't return to team drills in practices. Along with Gabriel, Tyler Huntley should see plenty of run for the second straight preseason game with the team's QB room pretty banged up. The 24-year-old Gabriel was listed as the QB3 on the team's second unofficial depth chart of the preseason, but he's reportedly been outplayed by Sanders so far this summer as the two young signal-callers merely try to prove they belong on the team beyond the 2025 season.

From RotoBaller

Mark Carman of CHGO Sports reports that Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze looks like quarterback Caleb Williams' go-to guy in practice on Wednesday, especially in the red zone. Carman adds that Odunze and Williams continued to work together after practice. There was a lot of disappointment in the Bears offense last year in Williams' and Odunze's first NFL season. Odunze finished with only 54 catches on 101 targets for 734 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games (12 starts). It wasn't a bad showing, but he was inconsistent for fantasy purposes. The 23-year-old could be in line for a Year 2 breakout with Keenan Allen gone and in new head coach Ben Johnson's offense, with his goal being his first 1,000-yard season and double-digit TDs. That would be amazing for fantasy managers that draft him as a WR3/flex with upside in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt (quadriceps) may not be available to play in the preseason game Friday, Aug. 15, because of his quadriceps contusion, according to head coach Andy Reid.

From TheHuddle

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that the same players who didn't play at all in the preseason opener last week against the Indianapolis Colts won't play in their second preseason tilt versus the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, either. It means that key starters like quarterback Lamar Jackson won't be suiting up. Backup Cooper Rush could get more than a quarter of action this weekend. The 28-year-old Jackson didn't play at all last preseason, so don't be surprised if the same thing happens this year after he threw for a career-high 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 17 regular-season games a year ago. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time MVP is at the top of his game and is a high-end, dual-threat QB1 for fantasy managers in 2025. Jackson isn't dealing with any sort of injury this summer.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (undisclosed) was carted off the field after suffering an undisclosed injury during Wednesday's joint practice with the Detroit Lions. However, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Penn State took to Instagram and said, "I'm good, nothing serious." This is good news for Robinson and the Dolphins, as the team is hoping he will take a Year-2 leap after posting 26 tackles (16 solo), six sacks, and four pass deflections in 17 regular-season games as a rookie. Robinson is expected to start opposite Bradley Chubb entering 2025.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) is not expected to play in the team's second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. Sanders suffered an oblique injury on Wednesday and is considered "day-to-day." The fifth-round pick out of Colorado flashed in his preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of his 23 passing attempts for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Missing this week's game is not ideal for his development, and he's still likely behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel when all Cleveland quarterbacks are healthy. Fantasy managers can stash him in deep dynasty leagues, but it would be a surprise if he's a viable starting quarterback in 2025 redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry will not play in the preseason game Saturday, Aug. 16, according to head coach John Harbaugh.

Fantasy Spin: The Ravens want Jackson and Henry to be healthy for the regular season, so neither player needs to play in the preseason. They should both be weekly starting options in all fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (undisclosed) did not practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. The veteran has been absent from practice since suffering an undisclosed injury on Sunday. For now, not much is known about the ailment, but Reiss said Henry could also miss Thursday's practice. The 30-year-old has never been a high-end fantasy TE1 with the Los Angeles Chargers or Patriots, but he's often been a steady streaming option, and he could have upside as quarterback Drake Maye's safety blanket in the short and intermediate passing game. Given the lack of established weapons at wide receiver, Henry can be viewed as a later-round flier or TE2 option in deep leagues. Fantasy managers should continue to check back for his latest injury updates.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (undisclosed) remains out of action during Wednesday's practice due to an undisclosed injury. The fifth-year back out of Oklahoma is reportedly dealing with something minor, but it's not clear what is causing him to sit out. Stevenson played against the Washington Commanders last week, piling up 36 yards on seven rushing attempts. With rookie second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson continuing to impress, Stevenson missing time is far from ideal. That said, Henderson and Stevenson have different skill sets and could be set to play in a pure committee entering the 2025 regular season. If Henderson shines as an explosive playmaker, Stevenson's touches could begin to dwindle down the stretch.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (foot/ankle) will not play on Friday in the team's second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. The former Baltimore Raven and Arizona Cardinal has been out of action for the last two weeks after suffering foot and ankle injuries. Unfortunately, injuries have become a common theme for Brown since he left Baltimore via trade. After missing eight games in two seasons with the Cardinals, he missed 15 games in his first season with Kansas City a year ago. "Hollywood" has tantalizing big-play upside and speed that could fit perfectly with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but his inability to stay on the field is becoming a significant concern. Fantasy managers considering drafting him in the later rounds should continue to monitor his status ahead of the thick of fantasy draft season.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not likely to play in the team's second preseason game of the year against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, according to head coach Andy Reid. The two-time NFL MVP played against the Arizona Cardinals last week, throwing one pass for one yard and a touchdown. Needless to say, Mahomes doesn't need to take part in much preseason action to get ready, and it's a bonus for fantasy managers that he will not risk getting injured before Week 1 of the regular season. While Rashee Rice is expected to serve a suspension at the beginning of the year, Kansas City's passing attack could improve in 2025 with Rice, Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, and others taking a step forward. That said, Mahomes is unlikely to finish as a high-end QB1 in fantasy football based on what we've seen over the last two seasons.

From RotoBaller