Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles says QB Tom Brady is away from the team for personal reasons and not expected back until after the Aug. 20 preseason game against the Titans, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. We have yet to see further explanation. Given that it's Brady and the expected return would still give him a little more than 2 weeks before the start of the regular season, we're not adjusting our fantasy football projections for him or the Tampa WRs.
Update: GM Jason Licht said Thursday afternoon that Brady's absence was a "pre-planned" arrangement. "He'll come back even more focused. It's the least of our concerns," Licht said.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin made it official Thursday by announcing that QB Mitchell Trubisky will start the preseason opener. He has been working as the lead QB throughout offseason practices and training camp, so this comes as no surprise. We'll see exactly how Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett work in behind Trubisky.
Patriots RB James White is retiring, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Many reports have had White continuing to have issues in his recovery from the hip injury that ended his 2021 campaign, so this doesn't come as a surprise. Rookie Pierre Strong might be the most direct replacement for White's skills and role, but we'll see how the renovated backfield splits up passing-down work. For now, Strong carries upside at the end of fantasy football drafts.
Lions GM Brad Holmes says WR Jameson Williams will miss Week 1, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. He declined to give a public timetable beyond that, though. "We're going to be very smart with him," Holmes added. We don't know yet whether Williams will start the regular season on the PUP list, but Detroit has clearly indicated they'll be patient in activating him.
Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell has missed a couple of practices with a hip injury. The issue is believed to be minor, but we’ll keep an eye on his status going forward.
The Saints have cut veteran RB Malcolm Brown. He last only a couple of weeks on the roster. For now, New Orleans will roll with Mark Ingram, Tony Jones, Abram Smith, Dwayne Washington, and Devine Ozigbo behind Alvin Kamara.
Arrowhead Pride's Pete Sweeney did not include RB Ronald Jones in his latest 53-man roster projection for the Chiefs. Sweeney has RBs Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon making the team. He believes Edwards-Helaire and Pacheco are locks, with McKinnon and Jones battling for the 3rd and final spot. "My thought is the Chiefs preferred McKinnon — but in March, signed Jones just in case McKinnon decided go elsewhere," Sweeney writes, adding that Jones could be traded to a team that loses a RB to injury over the next few weeks. This isn't the 1st time we've heard that Jones is in danger of missing Kansas City's final roster: Charles Goldman of Chiefs Wire made the same prediction back in July.
Bears WR N'Keal Harry will have tightrope surgery today for his recent high-ankle sprain, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Harry is expected to miss 8 weeks. We'll see what the Chicago WR corps looks like when he returns, but this'll obviously make it tough for him carve out a role.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh tried to paint an optimistic picture of RB Gus Edwards' rehab in a Wednesday appearance on SiriusXM radio but basically conceded that Edwards won't be ready for the start of the season. "Gus is doing really well. He's kind of a patient rehab guy," Harbaugh said. "I don't know that he'll be the first week, but before the season's over I think he's going to be roaring and ready to go." We'll continue to monitor Edwards' progress. But, at this point, he's not worth a pick in most fantasy drafts.
Insider Albert Breer's "guess" is that the NFL's appeal of Deshaun Watson's suspension will result in a 10- or 12-game suspension. "I think it’s fair to guess that [Peter C.] Harvey will extend [the suspension]," Breer writes. "I don’t think the league would go to the trouble of filing the appeal if there weren’t real plans to extend the suspension." Breer believes we'll get a decision from Harvey by August 19.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler hears that the Cardinals envision WR Rondale Moore stepping into the role WR Christian Kirk played last season. Kirk tallied 103 targets across 17 games, finishing 27th among WRs in half-PPR points. "The Cardinals envision Moore, an explosive second-round pick, handling those duties and more, considering his ability to take handoffs," Fowler writes. If Moore gets to triple digit targets -- in addition to some rushing work -- he'll be a smash pick at his 13th-round price tag.
Broncos RB Melvin Gordon missed practice on Wednesday with a foot injury. There's been no indication of something severe, but HC Nathaniel Hackett said the veteran is currently being evaluated. In the meantime, the Broncos added 2 RBs (Stevie Scott and JaQuan Hardy) to the roster. We’ll let you know when more info comes out on Gordon’s status.
Browns WR Jakeem Grant was placed on IR and will miss the 2022 season after tearing his Achilles on Tuesday. Grant inked a 3-year, $10 million contract with Cleveland in free agency but didn't project for a significant role on offense. There's no fantasy impact here outside of return-yardage leagues.
After visiting Browns camp and speaking with team officials, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes TE Harrison Bryant will play a “pivotal role” come Week 1. The #2 TE is described as "a safety value, available on screens and intermediate routes.” It’s quite possible we see more 2-TE looks, especially with Cleveland’s WR depth unproven. Bryant's totaled only 45 catches through 2 seasons but brings Round 4 draft capital and huge college production. Still, the presence of David Njoku and the uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson leave Bryant as just a late option in deep FFPC formats.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Steelers QB Mitchell Trubisky is the “clear favorite” to start Week 1. Fowler points out Trubisky’s improved play in recent practices. HC Mike Tomlin even admitted that Trubisky would start should the team need to play a game today. Meanwhile, Fowler writes that “there’s not much feeling” the Steelers will “rush” rookie Kenny Pickett into the starting lineup. With Mason Rudolph turning some heads in camp, this situation might eventually see all 3 guys making starts in 2022.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Titans TE Austin Hooper “should see a healthy red-zone [target] share.” Hooper’s never topped 6 TDs in a season. But he joined a Titans squad this summer that lost ~45 red zone targets to trade (A.J. Brown) and free agency. QB Ryan Tannehill has also posted a top-3 TD rate in 2 of the past 3 seasons (2019 and 2020). Ultimately, Hooper enters the year as a TE2.
Lions QB Jared Goff spoke glowingly on 2nd-year WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. "I'm looking for him when things break down, and I'm looking for him when we need a play," Goff said. "Right now, he's that guy. He can take a sweep to the house. At the same time, he understands defense and coverage, and it's so rare for a young player to have that ability. He keeps asking the right questions and understanding what's going on over there. He's going [up]." St. Brown’s ADP has dropped since early in draft season. As the WR32 in FFPC Main Event drafting, he’s now coming at a reasonable price.
Bucs WR Russell Gage suffered an apparent leg injury in practice on Wednesday. Gage limped off with team trainers, per beat writer Rick Stroud. We’ll pass along an update when we learn more.
Jon Machota of The Athletic named Cowboys WR Simi Fehoko as the “biggest surprise” in training camp. Machota mentions WR Noah Brown as another strong candidate, but it’s Fehoko who’s mentioned as looking “ready to contribute in year 2.” The Stanford product made only 5 appearances as a rookie and didn’t catch a ball — hardly a surprise as a Round 5 pick on a (then) strong WR corps. Injuries to Michael Gallup and James Washington, plus the trade of Amari Cooper, have given guys like Fehoko a shot to emerge. The 24-year-old goes 6’4, 222 pounds with sub-4.5 speed, so he has some intriguing tools to work with.
Eagles WR DeVonta Smith has missed 5 consecutive practices with a groin injury. Per HC Nick Sirianni, the 2nd-year WR remains day to day.
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