Fantasy Football News

The Broncos signed WR Marquez Callaway to a one-year deal. He spent his first two NFL seasons under new Broncos HC Sean Payton in New Orleans, tallying 21-213-0 and 46-698-6 receiving lines. Callaway joins Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and K.J. Hamler in Denver's WR room. Jeudy and Sutton have been bandied about as trade candidates (although Payton recently shot those rumors down), while Patrick (ACL) and Hamler (pectoral) are rehabbing major injuries. There's a chance that opportunity opens up for Callaway in Denver, although we'd still consider him no more than a last-round flier in best-ball drafts for now.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the new ankle injury for Saints WR Michael Thomas will keep him out for the rest of the season. New Orleans reportedly tried to trade for receiving help before Tuesday's deadline but couldn't get anything done. That leaves Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harris as the top WRs for QB Taysom Hill going forward. Expect New Orleans to also lean heavily on Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram -- both in the run game and as pass-catchers (well, Kamara, at least, on that front).

Saints WR Marquez Callaway caught 5 balls for 104 yards in Monday night's preseason game against the Jaguars. That included a 43-yard TD on a play that drew a defensive pass-interference call, as well as a 1-handed reception or 29 yards. "Every time the lights turn on, [Callaway] does an amazing job," QB Jameis Winston said afterward, per Pro Football Talk. In addition to WR Michael Thomas being out, the Saints have also gone without WR Tre'Quan Smith in each of the 1st 2 exhibitions. The team also lost TE Adam Trautman to injury against Jacksonville. Callaway seems to be seizing the opportunity and should open the season in New Orleans' starting lineup. He looks like the best bet to lead Saints WRs in targets while Thomas is out.

Per beat writer Nick Underhill, Saints WR Tre’Quan Smith has been out of practice since Tuesday with an apparent leg injury. HC Sean Payton downplayed the injury, but Smith’s absence is a missed opportunity with Michael Thomas sidelined. In his absence, more reps have gone to guys like Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Harris is likely to miss the first 2 games following a July DUI.

Saints WR Michael Thomas is expected to miss the beginning of the regular season after June ankle surgery, according to NFL Network's ian Rapoport. Thomas reportedly needed ligaments repaired in the ankle, stemming from last September's injury. "It simply never recovered," Rapoport reports. Doctors reportedly recommend a 4-month recovery. From a June surgery date, that would stretch into October -- potentially costing Thomas half the season. We'll keep an eye out for more details. For now, at least, the Saints' top wideout becomes no more than a late-round fantasy pick. Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway and other Saints pass-catchers obviously stand to see their opportunities increase. We'll also see whether New Orleans dips into the trade market for WR help. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the team has been "nosing around" available free agents at the position.

Update: The Athletic reports that Thomas "may miss up to five games."