Preseason News and Notes: Week 1

Mon Aug 11 11:39am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Henderson shows big play ability


We are going to do this every week going forward, giving you a quick recap of all the pertinent news and notes from the preseason games that took place. We will talk about injuries, position battles, depth charts and anything else that could impact the fantasy world.

Here is all the news from Week 1 of the preseason. . . .

Ravens rookie receiver LaJohntay Wester made a strong case to get some consistent touches during the regular season. He returned a punt for a touchdown and had two receptions for 41 yards on three targets. He showed off his great speed and big-play ability. He is battling for the fourth receiver job and could have a leg up over Devontez Walker and Tylan Wallace right now.

Running back Keaton Mitchell continues to make plays for the Ravens. He is having a strong camp and that carried over to his first preseason game. He had nine carries for 68 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and one touchdown. Derrick Henry is clearly the starter but Mitchell is going to be in the mix for carries and looks to be the handcuff to Henry. Mitchell could end up getting six to eight touches per game even if Henry is healthy and playing, giving him some standalone fantasy value.

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson did not have the start he hoped, leaving the game early after getting sacked. He suffered a dislocated finger but avoided the worst and should be fine going forward. He did not suffer a break. He needs to be on the field to win the starting job, though, so missing preseason action is not a positive for him. The good news for Richardson is Daniel Jones was pretty ho-hum after taking over for Richardson. Jones was just 10-of-21 for 144 yards. He did not seize his opportunity.

Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders got his chance to start and took advantage of the opportunity, going 14-of-23 for 138 yards and two touchdowns, adding 19 rushing yards on four carries. Sanders made some great throws and showed off his big-time arm in the game. Joe Flacco still seems likely to open the season as the starter for Cleveland and Sanders was fourth on the depth chart going into this game, so he still has a lot of work to do to make the roster and make an impact for the team his rookie season. This game was certainly a step in the right direction for that to happen, though.

Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson is another rookie that showed well in his preseason debut. He ran once for 18 yards and caught three passes for 12 yards. He also returned the opening kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown. Henderson showed off his big-time speed and playmaking ability in the open field. He is going to be a problem for opposing defenses and looks to be a big part of this Patriots offense his rookie season. This game should really get fantasy owners excited about his prospects for this coming season.

We stick with the rookie theme and look at Panthers rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan. He got five targets in his preseason debut and caught two for 43 yards. McMillan has a chance to rack up a ton of catches his rookie season in this offense. Bryce Young looked his way early and often.

And speaking of the Panthers, quarterback Bryce Young was efficient in his first preseason game, going 4-of-6 for 58 yards and a touchdown. He had a great finish to last season and looks to carry that momentum into this year. Things are looking up for the third-year signal caller. This Panthers offense could take a big step forward.

The Giants have to be excited about rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. He was 12-of-19 for 154 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in New York's preseason opener. Russell Wilson is the starter this year but he is keeping the seat warm for Dart. He is the future at the position and could be starting sooner than later if he keeps progressing like he has to start his career. New York might have finally found their franchise quarterback in Dart.

The Vikings got their first look at quarterback JJ McCarthy. He wasn’t in there long but showed pretty well, finishing 4-of-7 for 30 yards. McCarthy certainly looked like he belonged and can handle the starting quarterback duties for the Vikings. He also was without Justin Jefferson, who might be the best receiver in football. McCarthy has a chance to make some noise in his first season as a full-time starter in the NFL. 

It looked pretty bad at the time but it seems Titans running back Tyjae Spears avoided the worst with his injury in the preseason. He suffered a high-ankle sprain and will miss some time. But he had to be carted off the field because of the injury, so many thought he suffered a possible season-ending injury. The good news is he will be back but the bad news is he could be slowed early in the regular season. Tony Pollard might have to carry the load a little more to start the year.

There were a lot of bad reports out of Jets camp in recent days, saying Justin Fields is struggling. He got to play in their preseason opener and did well, which was encouraging. Fields was 3-of-4 for 42 yards and ran for 14 yards and a touchdown. His work on the ground is what makes him so intriguing to fantasy owners. Fields can do some big-time damage with his legs.

The Titans have to be happy with what they saw from rookie quarterback Cam Ward. He got his feet wet and played a few series, looking pretty solid. Ward finished 5-of-8 for 67 yards. He looked Calvin Ridley’s way often. Ridley had three receptions for 50 yards. This connection could be a great one for fantasy owners.

Many fantasy owners want to see how the Jaguars are going to use rookie Travis Hunter. If the first preseason game is any indication, it sure looks like he will be used a lot more offensively than defensively. He ran with the first-time offense to start the game and caught two passes for nine yards. He did not play defense at all until his day as a receiver was over. It sure seems like Hunter will be used more as a receiver to start his career, getting some situational work as a cornerback defensively. This is good news for his fantasy value going forward if this remains the pattern for his usage.

The Vikings seem likely to be without receiver Rondale Moore for the rest of the season. He suffered a knee injury in their preseason game and it didn’t look good. Head coach Kevin O’Connell stated after the game that the injury was pretty significant. Moore was set to serve as the No. 4 receiver and possible return man for the Vikings.

Dolphins running back Alexander Mattison is looking to grab the No. 2 running back job but left their first preseason game early because of neck and shoulder soreness. He is going to need to be on the field and performing if he hopes to be the top backup in the Dolphins high-powered rushing attack. This injury is one to watch going forward. It could hurt his chances for playing time early in the year.

The Saints have a quarterback battle on their hands between Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough. Rattler has been outperforming him in camp but Shough was the better of the two in their first preseason game. This battle seems wide open right now. Shough was 15-of-22 for 165 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Rattler threw for just 53 yards and ran for 22 but lost a fumble. Who knows how this quarterback battle plays out?

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Player Notes
Jaydon Blue Sep 9 2:50pm CT
Jaydon Blue

According to Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the team "needs to see more consistency" from rookie fifth-round running back Jaydon Blue, per The Athletic's Jon Machota. Blue reportedly was impressive during training camp this summer before missing some time late in camp with a minor injury, but he was a surprise healthy scratch in the season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday. The 21-year-old is going to remain a healthy inactive for Week 2 this coming Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants, with veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders handling backfield duties for Dallas. Although Williams wasn't extremely efficient on the ground in Week 1, he did find the end zone twice. Sanders had a 49-yard run but also a crucial fumble. Blue should have a role at some point in 2025, but fantasy managers are going to have to be patient.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Daniels Sep 9 2:40pm CT
Jayden Daniels

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters on Tuesday that he has "zero concern" after quarterback Jayden Daniels (wrist) showed up on Monday's estimated injury report with a wrist issue, according to NFL.com. Daniels is fully expected to start in a Week 2 matchup on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers. The 24-year-old second-year signal-caller wasn't asked to do too much in the easy Week 1 win over the New York Giants on Sunday, and he finished by going 19-for-30 passing for 233 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Daniels ran the football 11 times for 68 yards but was unable to find the end zone with his legs. He finished as the QB13 for the week, which is a bit disappointing, but Daniels has high-end QB1 upside each and every week, and he should be asked to do more in what could be a shootout with Green Bay on Thursday.

From RotoBaller

Derrick Harmon Sep 9 2:30pm CT
Derrick Harmon

Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (knee) and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee) will both miss the Week 2 contest this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Harmon will miss his second straight game to begin the year after h was inactive for the season-opening win on Sunday against the New York Jets. Elliott injured his left knee in Week 1 in the second quarter and did not return. With the 28-year-old defensive back unavailable for Week 2, expect Chuck Clark to make the start across from Juan Thornhill against Seattle. Elliott and Harmon will be hoping to heal up and be ready to play in a Week 3 matchup on the road against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 21. Fantasy managers are going to be a little more wary of starting Pittsburgh's defense in Week 2 after they allowed over 30 points in the season opener to the Jets.

From RotoBaller

Deebo Samuel Sep 9 2:20pm CT
Deebo Samuel

After watching how the Washington Commanders used new wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. in the Week 1 win over the New York Giants, The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala writes that it's clear the team wants him to "be everywhere" and to "do everything." Samuel played 54 offensive snaps and caught seven of a team-high 10 targets for 77 yards. Most of his snaps (74.5%) and targets (six) cam from the slot, but the 29-year-old also lined up out wide and in the backfield. He had a 19-yard rushing touchdown and was used on three WR screens. With the 49ers, Samuel was a deep target around only eight times per year. But in Week 1 on Sunday he was targeted deep twice. He was also Washington's lead returner on kickoffs. It's no secret now that the Commanders plan to use Samuel a lot, and in all situations. It will leave him more vulnerable to injury, but it will also rejuvenate his fantasy appeal.

From RotoBaller

Bhayshul Tuten Sep 9 2:10pm CT
Bhayshul Tuten

With the Jacksonville Jaguars trading Tank Bigsby to the Eagles on Monday, their running depth chart gained a little breathing room. The team now lists Travis Etienne Jr., Bhayshul Tuten, and LeQuint Allen Jr. on the active roster, and if Sunday's matchup against the Panthers is any indication, Allen could find himself involved in the passing game. Seven of Allen's nine snaps on Sunday came on passing plays, earning one target, which he caught for four yards. Bhayshul Tuten saw the field only four times, but not once when Trevor Lawrence dropped back to pass. Bigsby was the back on eight passing plays, but with him now shipped to Philadelphia, an opportunity exists for Allen to carve out a greater role on passing downs. One of the most prolific collegiate pass catchers in his rookie class, it should come as no surprise if he's able to turn those looks into tangible plays, and he has contingent upside should anything happen to Etienne. As such, Allen is worth a claim in deep leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jake Tonges Sep 9 2:00pm CT
Jake Tonges

With the San Francisco 49ers placing All-Pro tight end George Kittle (hamstring) on the IR on Tuesday, the team is left with only Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges at the position. While fullback Kyle Juszczyk could be asked to handle an expanded role, it was the fourth-year tight end Tonges who stepped in on Sunday following Kittle's departure due to a hamstring injury. Tonges made the first three catches of his NFL career, including a 4-yard TD pass with under two minutes to play. With quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder, toe) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder) also banged up, the 49ers' offense may look entirely different heading into Week 2. While the gameplan will continue to be funneled directly through Christian McCaffrey, the team will be looking for contributions wherever they can get them, and Tonges could be in line for his first career start. While his effectiveness could be capped in a Mac Jones offense, desperate managers can throw a waiver dart in hopes of volume by necessity.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Gainwell Sep 9 1:40pm CT
Kenneth Gainwell

Going into the season as a fantasy afterthought, Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Kenneth Gainwell was the running back on the field for the majority of his team's Week 1 snaps. In a back-and-forth matchup with the New York Jets, Gainwell saw 29 snaps to Jaylen Warren's 25. While Warren did lead the position in carries and total opportunities, most expected his split to be with rookie Kaleb Johnson and not the journeyman Gainwell. In speaking with reporters on Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin suggested that Gainwell could continue to see the field moving forward, citing the big-play ability he's shown throughout his career. While Gainwell deserves a look on the waiver wire by any managers hit hard by injury in Week 1, the expectation is still that the third-rounder Johnson, who saw only one snap in his NFL debut, will be worked into the offense, shortening Gainwell's fantasy shelf life considerably.

From RotoBaller

RJ Harvey Sep 9 1:20pm CT
RJ Harvey

Broncos running back RJ Harvey is one of five offensive players nominated as Rookie of the Week following the first game of his NFL career. Harvey was used sparingly in the Broncos' Week 1 victory over the Titans, carrying the ball only six times. However, he was able to turn those six carries into 70 yards, aided by a 50-yard run in the 4th quarter. Comparatively, J.K. Dobbins took 16 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. Should Harvey continue to display the explosiveness he showed in helping to seal away the game, it won't be long until he's given a larger role. Until that happens, he can be started in the flex spot for managers with no better options, but those who can remain patient should be rewarded in the near future.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Sep 9 12:23pm CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) has been placed on injured reserve and will miss a minimum of four weeks.

Fantasy Spin: Luke Farrell stepped up as the primary tight end in the 49ers' offense in Kittle's absence on Sunday. He didn't emerge as a primary target in the offense, so he should not be a focus in your league despite the opening in the San Francisco offense.

From TheHuddle

Will Shipley Sep 9 12:20pm CT
Will Shipley

Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley (rib) reportedly suffered a fractured rib in the season-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday, according to sources. This makes Monday's acquisition of RB Tank Bigsby from the Jacksonville Jaguars make more sense, but in addition to depth behind starter Saquon Barkley, Bigsby can also help the Eagles out on special teams as a kickoff returner. It's unclear how much time Shipley will miss, but he probably will not be able to suit up in Week 2 in a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs, and when he does return, he may no longer be the direct backup to Barkley. The 23-year-old only carried the ball three times for 26 yards in Week 1 before he suffered his fractured rib on a kick return late in the first half. In addition to Bigsby, the Eagles have AJ Dillon as backfield depth.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Sep 9 12:20pm CT
George Kittle

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers are placing tight end George Kittle (hamstring) on the injured reserve. As a result, Kittle will miss at least the next four games. The star tight end suffered this injury during their Week 1 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Before exiting the contest, Kittle caught all four of his targets for 25 yards and a touchdown. When he was sidelined, Kittle was replaced by Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears he will be sidelined for at least the next month. While he remains out, fantasy managers should expect Farrell to see most of the blocking work while Tonges takes on most of the receiving work. Tonges caught all three of his targets for 15 yards and appears to be in the lead role to take on most of Kittle's offensive production. He is worth targeting in deep 14+ team formats on the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Jake Moody Sep 9 12:10pm CT
Jake Moody

The San Francisco 49ers are waiving kicker Jake Moody on Tuesday, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Moody made 84 percent of his 25 field-goal attempts and led the league with 60 extra points made in his rookie campaign in 2023, but it quickly went downhill for him from there. The 25-year-old struggled in the postseason in 2023 and then made only 24 of his 35 field-goal tries in 14 games in his sophomore season a year ago. Moody then made just one of his three field-goal attempts (one was blocked) in the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday to seal his fate in the Bay Area. He will now attempt to latch on with another team heading into Week 2. The Niners don't currently have another kicker on their roster, so they will be working out options this week to kick for them in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints.

From RotoBaller

Hunter Henry Sep 9 12:00pm CT
Hunter Henry

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry didn't wow anyone with his production in the Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, but what did stand out was that he played 93 percent of the offensive snaps and was tied for the team lead in targets with Kayshon Boutte with eight. Henry hauled in four of his eight targets for 66 yards, which was second on the team behind Boutte's 103 receiving yards. If you are already streaming tight ends going into Week 2 or just lost George Kittle (hamstring) for three to five weeks, Hunter is absolutely worth looking at on the waiver wire going into a Week 2 meeting against a Miami Dolphins defense that just gave up 33 points to Daniel Jones and the Indianapolis Colts. Austin Hooper was only on the field for 23 snaps and caught one pass for 10 yards. Henry is currently rostered in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues.

From RotoBaller

Trey Benson Sep 9 11:40am CT
Trey Benson

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner unsurprisingly led the team's backfield in their Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints with 12 carries, but he averaged only 3.3 yards per carry for 39 total rushing yards. Meanwhile, backup Trey Benson handled eight carries for 69 yards -- 75 percent of his production came on one run -- and also caught his only target for a six-yard pickup. If Week 1 was any indication, the backfield split in Arizona could be more even than most fantasy managers expected going into the year, which is reason enough to pick Benson up off the waiver wire. The 23-year-old back is currently only rostered in 39 percent of Yahoo leagues, making him a prime waiver-wire priority for those that are already looking at a thin RB situation. Benson and the Cardinals also have a juicy Week 2 matchup against a bad Carolina Panthers defense.

From RotoBaller

Nick Chubb Sep 9 11:30am CT
Nick Chubb

Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb didn't exactly turn heads in the team's Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but he was the clear RB1 in Houston's backfield with Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) out. Chubb handled 62 percent of the running back carries on Sunday against the Rams and led the Texans in rushing attempts (13) and rushing yards (60). He wasn't able to haul in his lone target in the 14-9 loss. The 29-year-old four-time Pro Bowler may never be as dominant as he once was with the Cleveland Browns before he suffered a gruesome knee injury in 2023, but the opportunity is there for him to be the team's bell-cow back for a good portion of the 2025 season. Right now, he's currently rostered in only 68% of Yahoo leagues, so if you're in a pinch early on at the RB position, you should be looking at scooping Chubb off the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Trevor Lawrence Sep 9 11:20am CT
Trevor Lawrence

Jackonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence had an encouraging first-half showing in the Week 1 win over the Carolina Panthers, going 14-for-19 for 128 yards and a touchdown, but the Jags had a 20-3 lead at halftime and chose to go conservative in the second half. Lawrence finished 19-for-31 passing on the day for 178 yards, a touchdown and an interception, so overall, his day didn't look all that great against a team that had the worst defense in the league in 2024. This game also included a lengthy weather delay that could have interrupted the 25-year-old's rhythm in head coach Liam Coen's first game. While Lawrence' final stat line didn't jump off the page, he could be primed for a much better performance in a Week 2 date against a Cincinnati Bengals defense that was quite porous last year.

From RotoBaller

Darnell Mooney Sep 9 11:10am CT
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) did not play in Week 1 due to a shoulder injury he suffered during training camp. However, Mooney was listed as questionable coming into the game on Sunday and could be a player for fantasy managers to target heading into Week 2. Top Falcons wide receiver Drake London (shoulder) sprained his shoulder in Week 1 and is considered day-to-day due to the injury. If London were to end up missing Week 2 and Mooney were to return, Mooney would be the clear top wide receiver target for Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Penix Jr. attempted 42 passes and threw for 298 yards in Week 1, so even if London is healthy, Mooney should have a chance to play a fantasy-relevant role. Where available, he should be added in all fantasy leagues with 10 or more teams.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Sep 9 11:10am CT
Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill's estranged wife has alleged in court filings that Hill committed domestic violence, although he has vehemently denied the allegations. Keeta Vaccaro has alleged eight separate incidents of domestic violence that were related to the couple's divorce, according to documents obtained by TMZ. Vaccaro alleges the first incident happened in January of 2024, about two months after they were married. Hill's attorney said that the allegations are part of a "shakedown" and are "an attempt to generate bad media coverage" for his client. He has not formally been criminally charged, and it's unclear if law enforcement was investigating Vaccaro's allegations. The five-time All-Pro was detained by police last September after being stopped for reckless driving as well. It's unclear if this situation will lead to a potential suspension from the NFL, but it's one more thing to worry about for Hill's fantasy managers after Miami's offense looked bad again in a Week 1 blowout loss to the Colts.

From RotoBaller

John Parker Romo Sep 9 11:00am CT
John Parker Romo

The Atlanta Falcons are signing kicker Parker Romo to their practice squad, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Current Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo had a rough game in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, missing a 44-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game with under five seconds to go. Romo appeared in four games for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, making 11 of his 12 field goal attempts and seven of eight extra-point attempts. Koo does not appear to have lost his job yet, but Atlanta has now brought in some competition in case he falters in a critical late-game situation again.

From RotoBaller

Marquise Brown Sep 9 10:40am CT
Marquise Brown

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown could be in line for a significant target volume going forward, given the current state of the team's wide receiver room. Top wideout Rashee Rice will miss the first six games of the season due to suspension, and WR2 Xavier Worthy (shoulder) is week-to-week after dislocating his shoulder in Kansas City's season opener. Without Worthy and Rice on the field, Brown was targeted sixteen times in Week 1, recording 10 catches for 99 yards. The 28-year-old Brown should be added in all leagues and could be a must-start wide receiver in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles if Worthy is unable to play.

From RotoBaller