Guest of the League
Fantasy Draft
FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Raiders S Lonnie Johnson Jr. suffered broken fibula

Sun Aug 3 2:12pm ET
Field Level Media

First-year Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr., was carted off the field during Saturday's practice at Allegiant Stadium with a broken fibula in his right leg, according to multiple reports on Sunday.

Johnson, 29, will reportedly undergo an MRI exam to determine if there is any additional damage. Depending on the severity of the injury, including if surgery is required, recovery could range anywhere from 10 weeks to six months.

The six-year pro collided with defensive end Maxx Crosby while attempting to tackle running back Raheem Mostert.

A projected backup this season, Johnson was receiving first-team reps when the defense featured three safeties.

Johnson agreed to a one-year deal with the Raiders during the offseason after spending three years with the Houston Texans (2019-21) and one each with the Tennessee Titans (2022), New Orleans Saints (2023) and Carolina Panthers (2024).

A second-round pick by Houston in 2019, Johnson has accumulated 199 tackles, 15 passes defended and four interceptions across 83 games (20 starts).

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Champs Draft Live Stream Event (7-30)

Player Notes
James Cook Aug 3 2:00pm ET
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook did not practice at training camp on Sunday and when asked why he wasn't present, responded, "Business." When asked if he would return to practice on Monday, Cook said, "business." ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg says that Cook kept repeating "business." There were questions as to whether Cook would hold out during training camp this summer as he seeks a new contract extension, but he showed up and had been practicing with the team until now. The 25-year-old sounds unhappy that he hasn't been able to lock up an extension with the Bills so far in camp, so he may refuse to practice until that happens. The two-time Pro Bowler had 1,009 rushing yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns in his third season in 2024 and is heading into the final year of his deal in 2025. A hold-in will allow both Ray Davis and Ty Johnson more reps in Buffalo's backfield.

From RotoBaller

Joe Flacco Aug 3 1:40pm ET
Joe Flacco

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) is doing everything he can to get back to full speed but also acknowledged he's losing ground in the QB competition with veteran Joe Flacco, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Flacco's two best throwing days at training camp have been on Friday and Saturday, and he's "gone from presumed favorite to strong favorite." There's still a lot to be settled with Flacco and Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but as things currently stand, it would be a surprise if Flacco wasn't starting under center in Week 1. Neither Gabriel nor Sanders never had a realistic shot to win the QB competition this summer. For fantasy purposes, nobody should be putting their faith in the 40-year-old Flacco in 2025, especially since he'll likely be on a short leash.

From RotoBaller

Jared Goff Aug 3 1:30pm ET
Jared Goff

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (undisclosed) has been activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Sunday and will return to the individual portion of practice at training camp. Meanwhile, head coach Dan Campbell said that Dan Skipper (ankle) will be out of practice for around a week. Decker will now be able to practice with the rest of the team due to a minor undisclosed injury that kept him sidelined for the start of camp. The 30-year-old veteran should be ready for the start of the regular season this fall and will be the Lions' starting left tackle on quarterback Jared Goff's blind side. Decker has been a stape for the up-and-coming Lions team, starting all 131 regular-season and playoff games that he's appeared in since being a first-rounder in 2016. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Aug 3 1:30pm ET
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is the team's unquestioned No. 1 tight end and "the heartbeat of this offense," according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show. Kaboly adds that Jonnu Smith was a late addition to the roster and "will provide a significant target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers." It sounds like the Steelers plan to use Smith in a lot of different ways, but as of right now before the start of the preseason, Freiermuth is going to be the team's top pass-catching tight end. Freiermuth caught a career-high 65 passes on 78 targets last year for 653 yards and a career-high-tying seven touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (11 starts). Both Friermuth and Smith should be on the field together plenty, and it's probably going to be impossible to predict which one might go off for fantasy purposes on any given week.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Aug 3 1:20pm ET
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (back) returned to practice in pads at training camp on Sunday after missing the previous four practices with back tightness. Smith being held out of practices this week was likely just a precautionary move by the Eagles early in camp. For now, there should be nothing to worry about with the 26-year-old, who has become one of the best No. 2 wideouts in football for the reigning Super Bowl champions. The former 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft out of Alabama actually had a career-low 833 receiving yards on 68 catches (career-low 89 targets), but he found the end zone a career-high eight times in 13 regular-season games. Smith has at least seven touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. Volume is an issue in this Philly offense, but Smith has been efficient with his opportunities and is on the WR2/3 borderline in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Justice Hill Aug 3 12:13pm ET
Justice Hill

Dynasty | The Ravens have signed running back D'Ernest Johnson. Dynasty Analysis: Productive whenever given opportunities, Johnson oddly signs with one of the deepest running back corps in the league. The former Brown and Jaguar will now face an uphill battle to make the team since they already have Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell all on board. A strong preseason could also be a bit of a showcase for Johnson latching on elsewhere if he doesn't make the squad. Regardless, he belongs on waiver wires at the moment.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Russell Gage Aug 3 11:10am ET
Russell Gage

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Russell Gage has "run some really crisp routes" in training camp practices and has drawn the praise of quarterback Brock Purdy, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. The veteran wideout has been forced into a more prominent training camp role as a result of injuries to San Francisco receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (calf), and Jacob Cowing (hamstring). Gage last appeared in an NFL game in 2022 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 74 career games, he's recorded 244 catches for 2,491 yards and 14 touchdowns. Gage is probably still a long shot to make an impact in fantasy this season, but he could earn some playing time early in the season if San Francisco continues to deal with injuries in their wide receiver room.

From RotoBaller

Khalil Shakir Aug 3 11:00am ET
Khalil Shakir

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) has suffered a high ankle sprain and is considered "week-to-week," according to Bills head coach Sean McDermott. Shakir left the team's Friday practice early due to the injury. It doesn't seem like this will threaten Shakir's availability for the start of the regular season, but he could miss a good portion of the remainder of training camp. The fourth-year receiver emerged as a favorite target of Bills quarterback Josh Allen in 2024. In 15 games, Shakir recorded 76 catches for 821 yards and four touchdowns. If he were to miss time, Elijah Moore could be the leading candidate to step into his role as Buffalo's primary slot receiver. Outside receivers Joshua Palmer and Keon Coleman would also be in line for more targets, as would tight end Dalton Kincaid. Shakir is currently ranked as the WR40 for PPR-scoring formats, but that could change depending on how he recovers from this injury.

From RotoBaller

A.J. Brown Aug 3 10:50am ET
A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) will not practice on Sunday, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. It's unclear how severe this hamstring ailment is for the superstar wide receiver, but this is an injury worth monitoring. Brown missed three games in 2024 due to a hamstring issue. The 28-year-old is a crucial part of the Eagles' offense and is coming off a year in which he recorded 67 catches for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. Any potential missed time for Brown would massively improve that fantasy outlook for Eagles WR2 DeVonta Smith. Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. are other Philadelphia wideouts who might see a bump in usage as well. Assuming this is just a minor injury for Brown, he profiles as a low-end WR1 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Kincaid Aug 3 10:30am ET
Dalton Kincaid

Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid had his "best practice" of training camp on Friday night and was "especially impressive against one-on-one coverage," according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. It's a good sign for the third-year tight end, who missed practice earlier this week due to soreness in his left knee. Kincaid tore the PCL in that same knee during the 2024 season. It was a frustrating 2024 overall for Kincaid, who recorded 44 catches for 448 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games played. He hasn't quite developed into the star the Bills were hoping for when they drafted him in the first round in 2023, but Buscaglia writes that there's still an opportunity for Kincaid to become a "standout piece of the passing offense." Kincaid will be competing with fellow tight end Dawson Knox for playing time, although the Bills like to deploy both players in two tight end sets. Kincaid profiles as a fringe TE1 for fantasy, but one with a higher upside than some of the other tight ends drafted in his range.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Gainwell Aug 3 10:20am ET
Kenneth Gainwell

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin praised running back Kenneth Gainwell's versatility as both a rusher and a receiver, saying that Gainwell has a "well-rounded game." Mike DeFabo of The Athletic writes that Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has been deploying Gainwell "in a variety of roles, including outside at receiver." Gainwell signed a one-year contract with Pittsburgh this offseason after spending the first four years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 17 games last year with Philadelphia, he recorded 406 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 91 total touches. Gainwell figures to be part of a Steelers' backfield committee that also features Jaylen Warren and rookie third-rounder Kaleb Johnson. Arthur Smith has shown a preference for utilizing multiple running backs in the past, and it sounds like Gainwell's usage could cut into the fantasy production for both Warren and Johnson.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Aug 3 10:00am ET
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed worked solely as a slot receiver during Saturday's practice. Instead, Matthew Golden, Malik Heath, and Romeo Doubs saw a majority of the snaps from wideout. Reed only saw 10 snaps during the entire practice, but it's also worth noting he has been dealing with a toe issue. Possibly, the Packers wanted to take the cautious approach here. Reed is most impactful when he is coming out of the slot. His target volume took a step back whenever he'd line up as the No. 1 or No. 2 wideout on the field. This is something to keep an eye on throughout training camp.

From RotoBaller

Dontayvion Wicks Aug 3 9:40am ET
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) was able to participate during Saturday's practice. It's worth noting that Wicks missed practice time earlier in the week due to a calf issue. It's unclear if Saturday's absence was a planned rest day or Wicks couldn't participate due to the injury. The absence of Wicks meant more snaps for Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs, and Malik Heath. Last season, Wicks saw a career-high 76 targets, but finished with 39 receptions for 415 receiving yards with five touchdowns in 17 games. The addition of Golden is going to make it more difficult for Wicks to see consistent snaps in Green Bay. Right now, the focus is getting Wicks back on the field, so fantasy managers should check back later on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Terrance Ferguson Aug 3 9:30am ET
Terrance Ferguson

Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson (groin) was unable to participate in practice on Saturday. Head coach Sean McVay has downplayed the severity of the issue, but he also said Ferguson has no timetable to return. This is certainly frustrating given Ferguson was reportedly looking good during camp. The expectation was Ferguson could be an immediate impact player after being selected in the second-round of this year's draft. Tyler Higbee figures to continue working as the No. 1 while Colby Parkinson gets extra snaps as the backup. This injury shouldn't impact Ferguson's status in dynasty leagues, but he might lose steam in re-draft formats.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Aug 3 8:50am ET
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed did not participate with the team during their Family Night event on Saturday. Instead, Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs, and Malik Heath served as the primary wideouts. It's worth noting that Reed has been dealing with a toe issue during training camp. He missed Friday's practice due to the injury, so there's a good chance that his absence was rest related. Fantasy managers shouldn't be bothered by his absence here, but should stay tuned in case he misses more time.

From RotoBaller

J.J. McCarthy Aug 3 8:40am ET
J.J. McCarthy

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has reportedly looked impressive early in training camp. The second-year quarterback missed all of last season due to a knee injury. Now, McCarthy has been given the keys to the castle with Sam Darnold no longer in Minnesota. This is certainly a ton of pressure considering the Vikings have a ready-to-win roster. McCarthy has stepped up to the challenge and is making good throws in practice. According to Alec Lewis, McCarthy connected with wide receiver Jordan Addison in the middle of the field on a nice throw and received a high five from head coach Kevin O'Connell. The hype train for McCarthy might be picking up steam.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Aug 3 8:30am ET
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (foot) looks like he's going to get some extra rest early in training camp. Walker was seen practicing on Thursday, but will take off both Friday and Saturday. Head coach Mike Macdonald said Walker is dealing with soreness in his foot. He continued by saying Walker is fine, but the team is just being cautious with him. Walker was limited to 11 games this past season due to injuries. It sounds like he's mostly healthy heading into camp, but the team wants to keep him at 100 percent before the regular season. The expectation is that Walker is going to get a regular workload as the lead back in 2025, but fantasy managers know the risk when drafting him.

From RotoBaller

Tucker Kraft Aug 3 8:30am ET
Tucker Kraft

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (groin) sat out of Saturday's practice while dealing with an injury. Head coach Matt LaFleur said they plan to give Kraft a few days to get over his groin injury. It doesn't sound like Kraft is going to miss significant time, so fantasy managers should consider this a day-to-day issue. Luke Musgrave figures to operate as the No. 1 tight end until Kraft is back. Kraft has been impressive enough that a few missed practices won't hurt his status as the starter in Green Bay. Fantasy managers should check back later in the week for another update on his status.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford Aug 2 10:50pm ET
Matthew Stafford

According to Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) visited Dr. Robert Watkins, a back specialist, on Saturday. The veteran is considered week-to-week, with the team remaining optimistic he'll be ready to go for Week 1. However, the latest report adds some doubt, especially since this is Stafford's second appointment with Dr. Watkins in the last two weeks. Stafford threw 41 touchdowns in his first season with the Rams back in 2021. Yet, his production has dipped ever since, with the signal-caller most recently tossing only 20 touchdowns to finish the 2024 campaign. Stafford's fantasy value has mirrored his statistical regression. Still, he's a step or two above Jimmy Garoppolo, who may find himself moving to the top of the depth chart. With that in mind, Garoppolo's presence likely wouldn't be an ideal scenario for Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, two wideouts who have provided plenty of fantasy production over the years.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris Aug 2 10:00pm ET
Najee Harris

Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris (eye) worked off to the side during Saturday's practice. While he seemingly still has a way to go before potentially getting cleared for Week 1, his presence on Saturday was at least a positive step in the right direction. The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in March after spending his first four years in the National Football League in Pittsburgh. He had more than a few productive outings with the Steelers, amassing 4,312 yards off 1,097 carries while totaling 34 touchdowns in 68 regular-season contests. Harris needs to get cleared as soon as possible. If he remains limited and is ruled out heading into the opener versus the Chiefs on September 5, Omarion Hampton will have a chance to lock up even more touches out of the backfield moving ahead.

From RotoBaller