New England Patriots rookie tight end Jaheim Bell suddenly found himself at the top of the depth chart early this week with Hunter Henry (lower body) and Austin Hooper (undisclosed) held out of practice and Mitchell Wilcox (calf) leaving practice early with his injury. Bell has taken a lot of reps and caught touchdowns from three different quarterbacks as he is making the most of the opportunity on the field with several tight ends ahead of him out for recent practice sessions. While Bell should not be drafted in fantasy football for 2024, he could be somebody to keep an eye on if injuries continue to strike the tight end room. The 23-year-old from Florida State should get plenty of work in the Patriots' final preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night.

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San Francisco's rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (shoulder) won't be practicing with the team this week. Head coach Kyle Shanahan did leave a glimmer of hope that Pearsall could play in the 49ers preseason finale on Friday against the Las Vegas Raiders, but it's looking like that window is closed. There is still some time between now and the 49ers Week 1 opener against the Jets on September 9, but Pearsall may not be heavily involved due to him missing critical installation time, especially with Brandon Aiyuk not practicing. For fantasy purposes, Pearsall is merely a late-round contingency pick in the event of an injury to Deebo Samuel or Aiyuk. The path to playing time seems a bit murky even then, as Jauan Jennings is also involved at wide receiver.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that the healthy starters will play on Friday, including starting quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield stated that he isn't expecting to play too much, so it's important to play well when they're out there. With the Buccaneers hosting the Miami Dolphins this Friday in their final preseason tune-up, Mayfield and company will get a handful of game snaps and then make way for other players further down the depth chart. Notably, Mayfield did not suit up for the Bucs' second preseason matchup against the Jaguars. The team looks to keep its starting quarterback healthy after posting a 28-touchdown season in 2023 while adding over 4,000 passing yards. Mayfield still has Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, so all is well in Tampa for this passing game. At worst, Mayfield is a streaming quarterback option in fantasy, but he could be a low-end fantasy starter in a pinch if the matchup is right.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) exited Saturday's preseason contest with the Buffalo Bills and was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin spoke on Tuesday, saying "He is probably out for this week, but not anything that's a long-term concern." Tomlin is putting a positive spin on a negative with Warren, but the fact is Warren may miss multiple weeks and as of now, Warren's Week 1 status is in jeopardy. When healthy, Warren is one of the biggest sleeper candidates in fantasy football, as he's part of a two-headed backfield with Najee Harris and now is coached by one of the preeminent offensive coordinators for his skills, Arthur Smith. Warren was an upside RB2 before this injury but is probably more of a high-end RB3 in fantasy with some of the concern about his hamstring.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (undisclosed) did not practice on Tuesday, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Despite not practicing, Cooper was present for the team's walkthrough in the middle of the practice session. Though Cooper did leave practice on Thursday during 11-on-11 drills, the specific reason or injury was not made known. Head coach Kevin Stefanski did note that Cooper was "sore." The unquestioned top wide receiver for the Browns entering 2024, the 30-year-old Cooper put up a career-high 1,250 receiving yards in his 2023 campaign. Cooper is a worthwhile pick as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 in fantasy football drafts as a stable floor play with a dash of upside. Even with the team adding Jerry Jeudy in the offseason, Cooper is still the top dog in the pecking order for quarterback Deshaun Watson.

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Minnesota Vikings tight end Robert Tonyan (back) returned to practice Tuesday. Tonyan had been out of training camp and the preseason since July 31. Tonyan was still a limited participant in practice. He only participated in positional drills and sat out of the team portion of practice. His return is a welcome one for the Vikings' depth at tight end as starter T.J. Hockenson (knee) continues to recover from a torn ACL and MCL. Tonyan recorded 11 receptions for 112 yards and no touchdowns with the Chicago Bears in 2023. The 30-year-old signed with the Vikings in May as a veteran depth piece. He is unlikely to be a major fantasy contributor in 2024, especially once Hockenson returns.

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested that running back Christian McCaffrey's (calf) obsession with practice reps has him unconcerned with the running back's calf strain. When speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Shanahan explained that McCaffrey is so deliberate with every rep he can take when healthy, that the missed time should not affect his ability to perform at a high level. McCaffrey is the engine that drives the 49ers offense. He finished 2023 with 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with 67 receptions for 564 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. McCaffrey is currently the consensus No. 1 pick in fantasy despite the injury. Shanahan's interview should only serve to appease fantasy manager worries about drafting McCaffrey.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (back) returned to practice on Tuesday. Charbonnet sat through the Seahawks' second week of preseason with back tightness. Charbonnet finished his rookie season in 2023 with 462 rushing yards, 209 receiving yards, and one rushing touchdown. He still appears to be squarely behind Walker in the Seahawks' pecking order. With a new regime entering the fold, fantasy managers will need to see how these backs will be deployed at the start of the season. For now, Charbonnet is merely a high-quality insurance back.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is reportedly having promising contract talks with the team, according to owner and general manager Jerry Jones. Lamb has been holding out during the preseason and training camp as he seeks a contract extension. Lamb finished 2023 with 1,749 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on a league-leading 135 receptions. He is fully worth a top-of-the-market wide receiver extension. The Cowboys are cutting contract negotiations dangerously close to the regular season. All Cowboys fans and fantasy managers can do is hope that the two sides can come to an agreement in the next few weeks.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (hamstring) was back in team drills on Tuesday. Stafford left a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys with hamstring tightness last week. The Rams have remained cautious with the injury. All reports have suggested that the coaching staff was unconcerned about the injury. Stafford returned to individual drills on Monday. Tuesday's ramp-up to team drills suggests that the injury may be progressing well. Stafford threw for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns in 15 games in 2023. Stafford is highly important to the fantasy success of Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams as well as the Rams' success as a whole. For now, Stafford's injury should be monitored by fantasy managers to ensure that he returns to play fully healthy before Week 1.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (undisclosed) exited team drills at Tuesday's practice and did not return. Little information is available on Barkley's status. Given Barkley's relatively extensive injury history, any potential injury news is concerning. Barkley ran for 962 yards and six touchdowns and added 41 receptions for 280 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games with the New York Giants in 2023. Barkley is joining an Eagles squad with the No. 2 PFF-ranked offensive line. He figures to meet or succeed his 2023 numbers in a significantly better offense in 2024. As a second-round pick in fantasy, Barkley could be one of the game's best values. With draft season in full swing, fantasy managers should keep a close eye on this situation to ensure that it does not need to impact draft strategies.

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Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is confident in the backfield's one-two punch of Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, according to Adam Schultz of Athlon Sports. "I watch [Ekeler] and I'm like, 'This guy is tremendous,'" Kingsbury said. He's as quick and as fast and as strong as I've seen him. Have just been really pleased. The compliment of him and [Robinson] is great. You have a power back who has great hands and then you have a quick-twitch smaller guy who's been a 100-catch guy in the NFL. So, couldn't be more pleased with that one-two punch and the different things that we'll be able to do with both those guys." Evidently and perhaps unsurprisingly, the Commanders are expecting good things from the combination of Robinson, a younger power back, and Ekeler, a veteran with experience as an elite pass-catcher out of the backfield. Robinson is the preferred fantasy option given his expected volume and touchdown opportunities, but it's not hard to imagine a scenario in which both backs are starter-worthy options in fantasy football this year.

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Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods (toe) will miss "considerable time," head coach Shane Steichen told Stephen Holder of ESPN.com. "I don't have a timetable on it," Steichen explained. Holder added that Woods' absence will extend into the regular season and could impact roster decisions. The Colts have plenty of options with Woods, including a potential injured reserve placement before or after rosters trim down in one week. None of the Colts' tight ends are appealing options in fantasy football this year, but an injury to Woods could create some additional opportunities for the team's top two players at the position, Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox.

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Extension talks between the Cincinnati Bengals and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase have been "mysterious," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This situation is particularly unique because, as Schefter notes, Chase still has two years left on his current contract. That's what makes these negotiations different from those between the Dallas Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb, as well as the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk. The Bengals are reportedly willing to strike a deal with Chase before the season, but Week 1 isn't a firm deadline in the team's eyes. On the other hand, Schefter highlighted recent comments from former NFL receiver Chad Johnson who believes that the two sides are making progress, but Chase might be inclined to hold out if he doesn't have a deal by the start of the season. As of now, the chances of that happening are slim, but should he miss time, Tee Higgins would be the Bengals' top receiver and a borderline WR1 in fantasy football. Fantasy managers must continue to monitor this situation in hopes of gaining more clarity before the regular season kicks off next month.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman has been "able to do everything physically that the offense has asked of him," offensive coordinator Joe Brady told the media on Tuesday. Brady noted that Coleman, a rookie, is still learning and adapting to how NFL cornerbacks will guard him. This promising review of the first-round pick doesn't necessarily lock Coleman into the top receiver role, but it certainly reflects the coaching staff's trust and optimism in him. As the season approaches, fantasy managers will continue to monitor the competition between Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Khalil Shakir in the Buffalo wide receiver room. It should be noted that Coleman has played 100 percent of first-team snaps for the first two weeks of the preseason, separating himself from his teammates. As of now, he appears to be the top fantasy wide receiver on the Bills and is a worthwhile pick at his current ADP in the 11th round of drafts.

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The San Francisco 49ers continue to remain apart from wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams in regard to contract negotiations. Asked about the two players Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan told the media, "Zero updates. Nothing has changed." It remains fascinating to watch this entire situation unfold as both players remain absent from practice with just over two weeks until the NFL regular season gets underway. Aiyuk's impasse comes with an added wrinkle given ongoing trade chatter, but it sounds like his realistic options are playing for the 49ers or Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 (and if he picks the Steelers, the 49ers would still have to agree to trade terms). There's been less discussion about a Williams trade, so it seems like he'll either be suiting up for the 49ers or spending Week 1 on their sideline, barring an unforeseen development. Being without either player would be a massive loss for the 49ers. Aiyuk is coming off the best season of his career in which he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns en route to finishing as the WR14 in PPR leagues. Meanwhile, Williams boasted an 89.9 PFF grade over 809 snaps and was particularly dominant in run blocking, an effort that helped Christian McCaffery finish as the overall RB1. There's no doubt that the 49ers are better when both players are on the field, and the same goes for fantasy managers.

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The New Orleans Saints have activated tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) from the PUP list, according to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune. All signs point to Johnson being active for Week 1. The 27-year-old is coming off an uneventful season in which he caught 37 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns. There had been some speculation that Carr might be able to elevate Johnson's production, but that wasn't the case as the Oregon product ultimately saw his statistics take a step backward from 2022 to 2023. Moving forward, even if you view veteran Taysom Hill as more of a Swiss army knife and less of a tight end, Johnson still isn't in a very favorable role ahead of the 2024 season. Johnson can be left undrafted in typical 12-team redraft leagues, though he could ultimately have some streaming appeal once bye weeks and injuries start to pile up.

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Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus says a majority of the starters, including quarterback Caleb Williams, will not play in Thursday's preseason finale against the defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. That also means fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting to see wide receivers D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze on Thursday against the Chiefs, with running back D'Andre Swift and tight end Cole Kmet also being unlikely to suit up. Williams notably scored a seven-yard rushing touchdown in Saturday's preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bears were one of the offseason's biggest winners, landing the 22-year-old USC standout first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft and surrounding the signal-caller with one of the league's premier supporting casts, but this offense has plenty of mouths to feed from a fantasy perspective.

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New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk has earned a starting job in the team's crowded WR room. Polk has been a regular contributor in the Patriots' top offensive unit this week. The 22-year-old second-round rookie out of Washington looks to offer New England some help in the receiving corps after the club fielded a historically poor offense in 2023, and his fantasy upside in Year 1 is likely to remain limited largely due to the uncertainty at quarterback. Although Polk doesn't grade out as an overly talented athlete based on workout metrics, and his college production was overshadowed by rookie first-rounder and former teammate Rome Odunze, he could end up seeing a decent amount of volume in 2024 as a WR5/6 fantasy flier at the end of drafts this summer.

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New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) will practice on Tuesday in training camp. "He's good," head coach Brian Daboll said on Tuesday. Tracy was carted off the practice field with an ankle injury last Tuesday, so it's highly encouraging to already see him back in action for the Giants. The 24-year-old fifth-round rookie from Purdue is tentatively slotted in as New York's No. 2 option in the backfield behind workhorse starter Devin Singletary this summer, and it remains to be seen if he'll get a chance to build on that status in Saturday's preseason finale against the New York Jets. Tracy isn't going to start the campaign with standalone fantasy value, but he certainly appears to be the preferred handcuff for Singletary's managers.

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