Indianapolis Colts running back Evan Hull has seen extensive work with the second-team offense during joint practices with the Arizona Cardinals. Trey Sermon (hamstring) had previously cemented himself as the Colts' second-string RB, but that was before he left Sunday's game against Denver early after injuring his hamstring. As of Wednesday, head coach Shane Steichen had no timetable for Sermon's return. In his wake, Hull has taken the role and ran with it. If Sermon were to miss extended time, Hull would be on fantasy manager's radars as the preferred handcuff to back up Jonathan Taylor. Whoever emerges as the handcuff to own would not hold stand-alone value, though they would be a critical fantasy asset if Taylor missed any time. For now, we'll take the wait-and-see approach regarding Indianapolis' backup to own in fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele (undisclosed) was absent from practice again on Friday after leaving Wednesday early for an undisclosed reason. When asked by the media about Vele's absence, head coach Sean Payton said "he'll be fine." Payton did not offer specifics on the body part in question, though it does seem to involve a lower extremity, and he added that the wideout could suit up Sunday when Denver takes on the Green Bay Packers at home. The Broncos drafted Vele in the seventh round (235th overall) of April's draft out of Utah, and while he wasn't expected to make much of an impact in his rookie season -- he's balled out over the last week, and the excitement is building around him. Vele isn't your typical rookie, -- making his NFL debut at 26 years old -- but he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4, and Denver's WR room is ripe for the taking behind Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and Josh Reynolds.

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When asked about the status of his wideouts, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn praised wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus for his strong camp. The Commanders' wide receiver room has been a hot topic this Summer as Washington continues to look for its second WR behind veteran Terry McLaurin. "We're right in the middle of it," Quinn said when asked about the competition between his pass-catchers -- "I've been really impressed with Olamide." Known for his route-running and reliable hands, the sixth-year wideout has put himself in the category of a serious contender regarding the starting job. This will be a camp battle worth monitoring, as it was presumed Jahan Dotson had the inside edge in this role. Dotson is listed as the current WR2 on Washington's unofficial depth chart, but Zaccheaus will also have Dyami Brown and rookie Luke McCaffrey to contend with for playing time. He's nothing more than a late-draft dart throw or waiver-wire fodder until the situation is more concrete. Zaccheaus is Yahoo!'s WR145.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been showing off his chemistry with quarterback Geno Smith during joint practices with the Tennessee Titans. With Tyler Lockett (leg) missing time recently, Smith-Njigba has been thrust into a more prominent role, and he's not disappointing. There has been reported "obvious" chemistry between Smith and JSN, as Seattle's signal-caller has gotten more used to the second-year wideout's timing and tempo in his routes. "I just love the way JSN works," Smith said, "Jaxon is prepared every single day." It isn't just his teammates singing his praises, either. When asked about the former first-round pick, Titans head coach Brian Callahan called him "one of the better slots as a young player." It's a crowded WR room in Seattle, but the Ohio State product has an excellent chance to build off of his rookie year in 2024. JSN would garner breakout consideration if either Lockett or Metcalf missed any time. He's Yahoo!'s WR40 in ADP.

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With Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) still out, Easton Stick will make another start in the preseason game on Saturday versus the Los Angeles Rams. Stick underwhelmed in the preseason opener last Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks, going 5-for-13 for 31 yards and an interception. He evidently showed enough in training camp practices this week to hold off Max Duggan and Luis Perez, though, in what is turning into an unexpectedly tight QB competition for the backup role to Herbert in 2024. Stick looked better in practice this week but still had his ups and downs. If the 28-year-old struggles again this weekend, don't be surprised if Perez or Duggan see more starting reps in practice next week with Herbert still out. The bottom line here is that if Herbert ends up missing time in the regular season, the Bolts' offense could be in serious trouble.

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Jacksonville Jaguars rookie first-round wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. stood out while working out of the slot in Thursday's joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and continues to receive praise from the coaching staff. "He continues to grow, and just he and Trevor Lawrence keep talking and working. That's what's going to take, you're not going to be a finished product right away, but if he continues to improve and just learn with the offense, grow with the offense. But he's been doing a really good job," head coach Doug Pederson said. On his only catch in his NFL debut last weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs, the 21-year-old caught a 41-yard pass from C.J. Beathard. Although the Jaguars added Gabe Davis in the offseason, Thomas, the 23rd overall pick in the draft, has the chance to push for the WR2 role in Jacksonville and is worth a late-round flier as a WR4/flex heading into his first year in the NFL.

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The Athletic's Tashan Reed writes that Las Vegas Raiders running backs Ameer Abdullah and rookie sixth-rounder Dylan Laube are in a position battle to determine who will be the third-down running back behind Zamir White and Alexander Mattison. Neither Abdullah nor Laube made much of an impact in the preseason opener last weekend against the Minnesota Vikings, so the competition remains a toss-up as of right now. The 31-year-old Abdullah probably has a leg up just because of his familiarity with the offense after catching 19 of his 24 targets in 2023 for 131 yards in 17 games played. However, unless one of White or Mattison miss time with an injury this year, it's hard to foresee Abdulla or Laube having much fantasy appeal outside of very deep PPR leagues.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder is currently listed as the No. 2 QB on the second depth chart of the 2024 season that the team released before their second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. It doesn't mean that the QB battle for the No. 2 job between Ridder and Clayton Tune is over this summer, though. Ridder is trying to secure the backup job behind Kyler Murray in the desert this year after quickly flaming out in Atlanta after the Falcons took him in the third round in 2022. Both Ridder and Tune will get plenty of action in the final two preseason games with Murray not playing at all until Week 1. Ridder struggled with turnovers for the Falcons and quickly proved that he wasn't their franchise signal-caller in 19 games in two seasons. He's off the fantasy radar for now.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet (undisclosed) are both expected to sit out of Saturday's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. Charbonnet missed both joint practices against the Titans this week and will almost certainly sit on Saturday. With both Walker and Charbonnet out, it will place more of an emphasis on the RB3 battle between Kenny McIntosh and George Holani. McIntosh, a seventh-round pick in 2023, entered training camp as the slight favorite. The injury to Charbonnet doesn't appear to be serious enough to put his availability in question for the Week 1 regular-season opener. The 23-year-old was a clear second fiddle to Walker in his rookie season and will probably struggle for standalone fantasy value in his second year in the league as long as Walker stays healthy. At best, Charbonnet is an RB4 bench stash in PPR leagues.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) didn't play in the team's second preseason game on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles and remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list in training camp with just a few weeks until the start of the 2024 regular season in early September. Bourne suffered a torn ACL in his right knee last October and has yet to practice with the team this summer. At this point, it would be a surprise if the 29-year-old were ready for Week 1, and with either quarterback Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye running the offense in 2024, Bourne's fantasy stock has plummeted drastically he had a career-high 800 receiving yards back in 2021. The longer Bourne remains out, the more opportunities open up for rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker and Demario Douglas and KJ Osborn, among others.

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New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen said that rookie offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga's (back) injury isn't serious and he should be ready to go for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season in early September. Fuaga has been held out of training camp practice this week due to back tightness, but it appears the Saints are erring on the side of caution with the 22-year-old offensive lineman, who was taken 14th overall in April's NFL draft. Fuaga's health will be worth watching heading into the start of the season, as the 6-foot-6 rookie is expected to start his first year in the NFL as New Orleans' starting left tackle as the blind-side protector for quarterback Derek Carr.

From RotoBaller

The Miami Dolphins plan to play their starters for the second preseason game on Saturday against the Washington Commanders, according to head coach Mike McDaniel, but which starters and how much they'll actually play remains a mystery. Players like quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and running backs Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane will suit up but probably won't play more than a handful of offensive series as they prepare for the 2024 regular season. Miami's backfield and whole offense was incredible in 2023, and fantasy managers are expecting more of the same in 2024. Achane's blazing speed and big-play abilities make him the more attractive fantasy commodity as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 going into his second NFL season, even if Mostert is technically still a starter. The Dolphins list Mostert and Achane as co-starters on the depth chart, with rookie Jaylen Wright the favorite for a role as the RB3.

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Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) was officially placed on the season-ending injured reserve on Friday afternoon. In a corresponding move, the Vikings signed quarterback Matt Corral, who will compete for the No. 3 job. McCarthy missed practice earlier this week as he was dealing with knee soreness but eventually underwent an MRI, which showed a tear in his meniscus. The Michigan product underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and will now focus on recovering for the 2025 season. This is a tough blow for the former national champion, who looked quite sharp in the pro debut on Saturday as he went 11-for-17 with 188 passing yards and two scores. Fantasy managers should expect Sam Darnold to serve as the starting quarterback in Minnesota this season, with Nick Mullens slotted as the No. 2.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent quarterback Matt Corral is signing with the Minnesota Vikings after they placed first-round selection J.J. McCarthy (knee) on Injured Reserve. McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus earlier this week and underwent season-ending surgery as a result. Corral will likely compete with Jaren Hall for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart as Sam Darnold is slated to start and Nick Mullens to serve as the backup. Corral was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Corral then joined New England but never once saw the field with these two teams. Fantasy managers should expect Jaren Hall to serve as the No.3 quarterback in Minnesota as he started in Week 17 last season and served as the emergency quarterback on several occasions, but if Corral looks sharp in the preseason, he could make the final roster.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler (thigh) told the media that he is feeling 100% amid his thigh injury. The fifth-round pick in this year's draft reportedly suffered a bruised thigh in Saturday's preseason game. Before the injury, Rattler looked quite sharp in his pro debut, going 9-for-17 with 70 passing yards and a rushing score. This injury kept him out for a few days, and he is now past the minor setback. Even though Jake Haener is currently serving as the backup in New Orleans, Rattler could contend for that role, given his performance last week. Dynasty managers should continue to follow Rattler during the preseason, as he could be worth stashing if he continues to take advantage of any playing opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson expressed that he is "not where he wants to be" after Thursday's practice. Dotson further expressed, "I'm trying to grow every single day that I come out here. Trying to find something to get better at every single day." These comments came just a few days after head coach Dan Quinn told the media that the Commanders are still searching for the No. 2 receiver. Dyami Brown led all wide receivers in yards in their first preseason game on Saturday afternoon and has been having a fantastic training camp. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to the Washington wide receiver room during the final two weeks of the preseason, as it may decide who plays alongside Terry McLaurin this fall.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (shoulder) is hopeful to be ready for Week 1, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The first-round selection in this year's draft recently suffered a shoulder injury last week at practice. This was the same injury that kept Pearsall on the Non-Football Injury list earlier this spring. This is a tough blow for the Florida product, as he could have cemented himself as the No. 2 wide receiver in San Francisco amid a contract holdout with Brandon Aiyuk. Seeing that Shanahan is hopeful the 23-year-old could be ready for opening week is a great sign. Fantasy managers should take a look at Pearsall at his current 131.0 Yahoo ADP, as he may be a value if Aiyuk is eventually traded. If not, fantasy managers should expect Pearsall to split time as the No. 3 wideout with Jauan Jennings.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to shine at training camp this summer. During Thursday's practice, Harrison created separation with a nice move at the top of the route to get open in the end zone. The 22-year-old highly-touted prospect has been one of Arizona's brightest stars at camp all summer long, and he's being treated as such with a costly second-round fantasy ADP in drafts already in Year 1. Harrison has drawn comparisons to a young A.J. Green, who was also a No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft in the past, and he's all set to be quarterback Kyler Murray's top target with the Cardinals. Harrison dominated at Ohio State in 2023 to the tune of 18.1 yards per catch through 67 receptions (12 games) with 12 touchdowns and a massive 29.3% target share.

From RotoBaller

ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler believes Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson is likely to cede the majority of rushing attempts to James Conner in 2024. After totaling 1,040 rushing yards in just 13 appearances last season, Conner is locked in as Arizona's lead back to start the campaign. However, the Cardinals selected Benson with the second pick in the third round of the NFL Draft to provide a change of pace in the backfield for this year. It's also worth noting that Conner is riding an expiring contract in 2024, which would figure to make him a trade candidate when we get closer to the deadline around midseason. Benson, 22, profiles similarly to a young J.K. Dobbins based on workout metrics, and he's unlikely to see more than the occasional carry on early downs as an RB4/5 luxury stash in fantasy drafts while Conner is around and healthy in the desert.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown believes running back Chase Brown is primed for a breakout year in 2024. "If I could play fantasy football, I'd take him as my first running back," the four-time Pro Bowl left tackle said of Brown. "He's going to have a year. I guarantee it. Special talent, special player." Brown represents a popular late-round pick as an RB4 for fantasy managers this summer, ranking 12th among qualifiers at his position in full-PPR fantasy points per opportunity (0.91) in his rookie season a year ago. Incumbent veteran Zack Moss is set to start the season as Cincinnati's lead back, but the Bengals figure to be more inclined to get Brown involved as a change-of-pace back after workhorse starter Joe Mixon's offseason departure to the Houston Texans. Brown, 24, should at least see plenty of usage in the passing game after posting 11.1 yards per catch over 14 receptions in 2023.

From RotoBaller