Fantasy Football News

After being cleared to practice four days ago, Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski told reporters that Michael Penix Jr. won't play in the final preseason game, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Tua Tagovailoa will be the starting QB on Friday, as three practices are too soon for Penix Jr. to return to game action.

Bears WR Luther Burden returned to a "short, light" practice on Wednesday, according to The Chicago Tribune's Sean Hammond. It sounds like Burden would have been listed as "limited" if this was the regular season, but it's another positive step in his return from an August 8 groin injury.

Lions TE Sam LaPorta was back on the practice field on Tuesday, less than a week after HC Dan Campbell was non-committal on his Week 1 availability due to a hip injury. LaPorta took part in individual and team drills, per The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett. Barring a setback, LaPorta is on track to be a full-go come Week 1.

Colts WR Josh Downs is sidelined with a calf injury. He was allowed to speak to the media on Wednesday, though, and called the issue "very minor." We'll keep an eye on him, but we're not moving Downs in the WR rankings for now.

Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase is not practicing on Wednesday after hyperextending his left knee in Tuesday's workout, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. Chase was not wearing any protective or supportive equipment on the injured knee, though. It continues to look like Chase dodged a serious injury and will be ready for Week 1. He's still worth a top-4 pick in fantasy drafts.

Chargers RB Keaton Mitchell has missed practice time with what OC Mike McDaniel called a "mild setback." Mitchell went into the blue medical tent during Thursday's preseason game against the 49ers but stayed on the sidelines afterward. We don't have any other details on his ailment.

Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. injured his left shoulder in Tuesday's practice. HC Liam Coen didn't sound overly concerned afterward, although it sounds like Thomas will miss some practice time.

Chiefs RB Ken Walker sounded alarms when he missed Tuesday's practice with a foot issue. He dealt with a foot issue last summer before splitting backfield work with RB Zach Charbonnet. But this latest issue doesn't seem serious. Walker was on the field Tuesday without a limp or extra protection on the foot, and ESPN's Nate Taylor reports that he's "fine."

Texans WR Tank Dell is "nowhere near ready to play," according to insider John McClain. Dell was cleared to practice in early August but has remained limited by all accounts as he works back from his December 2024 knee injury.

Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase told the media after going down in Tuesday's practice that he hyperextended his knee but could play if there were a game tomorrow.

Raiders HC Klint Kubiak offered little clarity on RB Ashton Jeanty's ankle injury after Tuesday's practice. "He's on the mend," Kubiak said, via ESPN's Ryan McFadden. "Again, Ashton got hurt in practice, and the whole team took a knee. That says a lot about him being on the mend and counting on him. Really excited about getting him back. I'm a huge believer in the power of prayer."

Saints WR Chris Olave left practice early after hitting the ground while attempting to catch a deep pass. With practice nearly over, he did not return, but HC Kellen Moore said Olave got the wind knocked out of him and should be fine.

49ers WR Mike Evans is sitting out Tuesday's practice with a groin injury, according to insider Matt Maiocco. Evans has already missed multiple practices this month with a recurring quad issue.

Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase suffered an apparent left knee injury in Tuesday's practice. Here's the video of Chase going up for a pass, coming down awkwardly, and then immediately grabbing at his knee. Chase limped to the sidelines under his own power, got checked by trainers, and remained out on the field. So it seems like he dodged a serious injury, but we'll update his status when we know more.

After reportedly getting plenty of work in his first training camp with the team, Kenneth Walker isn't expected to practice Tuesday because of a foot issue, per Chiefs beat writer Matt Derrick.

Christopher Price of Boston Globe Sports reports that “TreVeyon Henderson is getting some ‘precautionary tests’ done on his right ankle, but is walking and moving fine.” Henderson suffered the lower ankle injury after slipping on the turf in yesterday’s practice.

Just five days after it was announced that Tyler Warren is expected to miss about a week with a groin injury, Colts beat reporter Mike Chappell says the team might hold him out of practice this week. The injury appears to have lingered longer than previously hoped, but Warren should still be ready for opening day against the Ravens in a few weeks.

Colts WR Alec Pierce is expected to return to practice this week, HC Shane Steichen said Tuesday. Pierce has been sidelined all offseason after undergoing surgery on his ankle and heel.

Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt is sidelined with a groin injury, according to insider Ben Standig. HC Dan Quinn said Monday that JCM will work off to the side with trainers this week and hopes to return to practice next week.

Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty's status for the season opener vs. the Dolphins is "still up in the air," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jeanty's ankle sprain is "believed to be more low than high," per Rapoport, but it's not a long-term injury. "There is a chance that Ashton Jeanty may not be on the field for Week 1," Rapoport adds.