Unsigned Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Panthers WR D.J. Chark is sidelined with a hamstring injury, according to The Athletic's Joe Person. HC Frank Reich declined to give a timetable for Chark's return but said the team isn't planning any “big moves” at the position. Carolina is also without WRs Terrace Marshall (back), Laviska Shenault (concussion), and Damiere Byrd (hamstring). That's left Jonathan Mingo and Adam Thielen as the clear top two healthy receivers. We'll see when these other guys are able to get back on the field.

On Tuesday, ESPN's Mike Reiss tweeted that Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott saw "a notable uptick in work" in practice behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson. Reiss specified that Elliott received increased usage as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Granted, this is only one report. We don't want to overreact or make any big takeaways here. The former All-Pro saw a career-low 23 targets with the Cowboys last season and likely won't be too much of a threat to Stevenson in that department. That said, we'll keep an eye on future reports should Elliott continue being utilized as a pass-catcher in practice as it could cut into the point scoring ceiling of Stevenson. He fell a smidge in our PPR RB rankings following Zeke's signing, but we still feel confident Stevenson will be the clear RB1 in this offense. Check back for further updates as we get more information.

The Bucs released K Rodrigo Blankenship. That leaves Chase McLaughlin as the only kicker on the roster. We'll see if Tampa adds any further competition over the next couple of weeks, but McLaughlin looks like a good bet to open the season as the Bucs' kicker. He's a weak fantasy option on an offense that figures to struggle post-Tom Brady.

The Patriots are unsurprisingly happy so far to have RB Ezekiel Elliott on board. (Otherwise, why would they have signed him?) Coaches have praised his football intelligence and communication with new teammates. The most noteworthy comment, though, seems like OC Bill O'Brien telling ESPN's Mike Reiss, "I do think he's a three-down back." Elliott's receiving fell way off last year, from 2.8 receptions per game in 2021 to just 1.1 in 2022. He also saw the second-fewest pass-blocking reps of his career, according to Pro Football Focus, trailing only a 2017 season in which Elliott was suspended for six games. This might be a throwaway comment from O'Brien. We'd be shocked if New England actually treated Elliott like a challenger to Rhamondre Stevenson's pass-game snaps. But we'll also keep watching for specifics on the new old guy's role. There remains plenty of separation between Stevenson and Elliott in our 2023 PPR rankings.

Ravens WR Odell Beckham missed practice for the second straight day Friday, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. We haven't seen a reason for the absence yet. The absences on the verge of the team's second preseason game makes it appear unlikely Beckham will play. He also didn't play in the first. Let's hope we get a look at the veteran wideout before the regular season. Reviews have generally been positive on his training-camp performance. Beckham sits third among Ravens WRs in our 2023 fantasy football rankings, though.

Saints insider Jeff Duncan writes that WR Michael Thomas has had a "mixed" training camp. "At times, he has looked like the guy who dominated NFL defenses... In other instances, he’s looked like a shell of himself, a guy who has struggled to beat press coverage from reserve DBs and had to be reminded to not catch the ball with his body." That shouldn't come as a surprise. Thomas has played just 10 games over the last three seasons and is 30 now. Especially with the presence of ascending superstar WR Chris Olave, Thomas is unlikely to re-emerge as a dominant fantasy force.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirms that Bucs WR Russell Gage will miss the entire 2023 season with the knee injury he suffered in Wednesday's practice. Gage was locked into Tampa's No. 3 WR job before this injury. The Bucs are now left with WRs Trey Palmer, Deven Thompkins, David Moore, and Rakim Jarrett to battle for that job. Palmer is an intriguing rookie and might be worth a look near the very end of best-ball drafts. Gage's injury should mean extra targets for WR Chris Godwin, WR Mike Evans, RB Rachaad White, and TE Cade Otton. We've adjusted all the Bucs in the 2023 fantasy football rankings.

Update: Gage suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon.

Buccaneers WR Russell Gage suffered a non-contact knee injury in Wednesday's joint practice with the Jets and needed to be carted off. NFL Network reports that "the belief heading into exams is that the severe injury will end his season." That's an especially big blow to Gage, who dealt with hamstring issues throughout last year, his first in Tampa Bay. We don't see much fantasy impact, though. Gage was set to be no more than the WR3 in what we expect to be a lackluster passing offense. His injury could mean more time in the slot for Chris Godwin. Deven Thompkins and rookie Trey Palmer look like candidates for the No. 3 WR role.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that new Jets RB Dalvin Cook is still "at least a week away" from being cleared to practice after undergoing shoulder surgery in February. It sounds like Cook should be ready in time for Week 1, but the missed practice time isn't ideal as he works to settle into a new offense. We'll see when he's able to get on the field. Teammate Breece Hall, of course, remains on the PUP list.

The Jets have agreed to a one-year deal with RB Dalvin Cook. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Cook is getting "up to $8.6 million ... with the majority guaranteed." He adds that it's the largest annual average of any deal for a RB free agent this offseason. This seems to signal a few things: First, the Jets like Cook much better than any of their current RB backups and were iffy enough on that crew to make a significant upgrade. Secondly, it also indicates they want to make sure not to overwork Breece Hall in his return from the ACL tear. Hall has yet to take the field in training camp, though reports have said they expect him to be ready for the regular season. Even if that holds true, expect Cook to cut way into the available work. That moves Hall down our RB rankings and gives Cook nice contingent upside, in case Hall misses further games. The rest of the Jets' current RBs are no more than end-of-draft fliers. At least one among Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and Israel Abanikanda probably isn't making the regular-season roster.

The Patriots are set to sign RB Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year deal worth "up to" $6 million, NFL Network reports. We'll see about the actual details of the contract but doubt the base value is anywhere close to $6 million. Elliott's name is much bigger than his game at this point. The 28-year-old averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry last season, ranking 43rd among 48 qualifiers in NFL Next Gen Stats' Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt. His usage and production plummeted in the passing game, too. Elliott caught just 17 of 23 targets for 92 yards (5.4 YPC) and 0 TDs. The Patriots have been flirting with free-agent RBs for a while now -- seemingly in large part because depth RBs Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris have failed to emerge. The Elliott signing is more about those guys than lead RB Rhamondre Stevenson. Zeke's arrival adds some risk to Stevenson's 2023 fantasy outlook. But Stevenson was more effective by basically any metric last year -- as a runner and pass-catcher -- and should remain the Patriots' clear backfield leader. Elliott looks more like a Stevenson handcuff than standalone fantasy option. But we'll keep an eye on New England's plans.

Update: Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal carries $3 million in base salary, $1 million in signing bonus, and incentives that can take it to $6 million.

According to multiple reports, the Raiders are signing RB Damien Williams. Las Vegas has obvious backfield questions, with Josh Jacobs not yet signing his franchise tender or returning to practice. It's not surprising that the team added a RB. It's interesting that the Raiders chose Williams, who is 31 and logged just 58 total touches over the past two seasons. Dalvin Cook, Kareem Hunt, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette remain on the open market (along with others, of course). So signing Williams might indicate the Raiders aren't too concerned about their backfield (or Jacobs?) and just need a cheap camp body. We'll certainly keep watching the whole situation. Just don't expect Williams' arrival to shake up our RB rankings.

"Signs are pointing to a running back by committee in Philadelphia," ESPN's Tim McManus writes. Five Eagles RBs -- D'Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Trey Sermon -- have received first-team reps in camp. McManus expects Swift, Penny, and Gainwell to all be in the mix for regular-season touches, "with matchups and in-game performance likely to sway how much each player is utilized in a given week." That sounds like a fantasy nightmare. On the plus side, we know this will be a productive offense and running game. And an injury to any one of those top three would make the other two much better fantasy plays. This is still a backfield to invest in at the right price. Penny remains our favorite value on the bunch, with an ADP in late Round 9.

Bears WR Chase Claypool picked up a hamstring injury in Wednesday’s practice. It’s minor by all indications, but we’ll see when the 25-year-old returns to the field.

Chargers RBs Isaiah Spiller and Joshua Kelley "have been splitting reps pretty evenly behind Austin Ekeler in camp," according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper. Kelley played ahead of Spiller all last season, but it sounds like the title of Ekeler handcuff is still up for grabs heading into 2023. We'll track this battle over the next few weeks.

RB Kareem Hunt did not sign with the Saints on Tuesday, despite reports that he was expected to. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Hunt had a "great" visit in New Orleans but will now head to Indianapolis for a Wednesday meeting. The Colts recently added RB Kenyan Drake but remain without RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle/contract) and RB Zack Moss (wrist injury). We'll keep watching Hunt's travels. And Saints rookie RB Kendre Miller will certainly be interested in whether Hunt comes back to town.

Update: ESPN's Dianna Russini reports that Indy called Hunt and offered him more money before he even started working out with the Saints.

The Saints are expected to sign RB Kareem Hunt, pending a physical, ESPN's Dianna Russini reports. That will further crowd a New Orleans backfield that also includes Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and rookie Kendre Miller. Kamara, of course, is suspended for the first three games, giving the other guys a shot at useable fantasy value at the start of the season. But we'll see what happens when Kamara returns. It seems unlikely that all four RBs would even be active on game days. Hunt is coming off a disappointing 2022 season that saw him finish with career lows in yards per carry (3.8), yards per catch (6.0), and Pro Football Focus rushing grade.

Texans LB Christian Kirksey has missed several recent days with a hamstring injury, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. Rookie Henry To'oTo'o has reportedly filled in for Kirksey in the starting lineup. The team interestingly listed Denzel Perryman and Blake Cashman as starting LBs alongside Christian Harris on the initial "unofficial" depth chart. That could mean nothing, of course. And Wilson reports that Kirksey is expected to reclaim his post when ready. We consider Harris to be the only lineup lock at this point. Harris sits highest among the group in our IDP rankings.

Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. left practice early on Monday. Per reporter Jamison Hensley, he didn’t return to the field after making a diving catch along the sideline. We should get an update on Beckham shortly.

Update: HC John Harbaugh said Beckham avoided an injury.

The Cowboys remain “in the mix” to re-sign RB Ezekiel Elliott, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. New England, meanwhile, remains “highly interested” in the 28-year-old. Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and Kareem Hunt all remain free agents as of Monday afternoon.