Treadwell misses preseason opener

Vikings WR Laquon Treadwell missed Thursday night's preseason opener with a thigh injury. It's the 1st we've heard of it, but insider Chris Tomasson reports that Treadwell "missed more than a week of practice" with the issue. It's certainly not what he needs after a disappointing rookie season that included a broken finger, pulled hamstring and sprained ankle. There remains opportunity for Treadwell in Minnesota's WR corps, but he's no more than a late-round flier at this point.

The Jaguars released WR Laquon Treadwell. He was shoehorned into a significant role over the 2nd half of last season but remained a replacement-level player. Treadwell's release increases the chances WR Laviska Shenault sticks on Jacksonville's roster. But Christian Kirk, Marvin Jones and Zay Jones are locked in as the top 3 WRs.

WR Laquon Treadwell re-signed with the Jaguars. The former 1st-rounder had 1 of his better stretches as a pro over the 2nd half of last season, averaging 4.4 catches and 57.9 yards across the final 7 games. It doesn't look like he drew much interest on the open market, though, and returns to a Jaguars team that previously added WRs Christian Kirk and Zay Jones to Marvin Jones, Laviska Shenault and Jamal Agnew. We'll see how the WR room shakes out this summer, but Treadwell isn't a recommended target in early best-ball drafts.

The Falcons have signed WR Laquon Treadwell to a 1-year deal. The Vikings' 1st-round bust totaled just 701 yards and 2 scores over 4 seasons in Minnesota. We'll see what new the surroundings do, but don't bank on Treadwell becoming a fantasy factor. He figures to battle with Russell Gage for #3 WR duties behind Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.

According to 247Sports, Vikings WR Laquon Treadwell has been running with the 1st team during OTAs and exhibiting more confidence than he did through his 1st 2 seasons. The former 1st-round pick has totaled just 21 pro receptions to date and stands a long way from fantasy relevance. But he could secure the #3 WR gig behind Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Opting for Treadwell in that spot ahead of newly signed veteran Kendall Wright would allow Minnesota to run Thielen more from the slot, where he has performed well over the past 2 years. Wright, on the other hand, is almost exclusively a slot receiver.

Injuries played a big part in Vikings WR Laquon Treadwell's disappointing rookie year. Those close to him believe he still wasn't fully over his 2015 broken fibula and dislocated ankle when last season kicked off. "When I was working him out last year, I could tell he was walking and running with a limp," Treadwell's trainer, David Robinson, said. "After every drill, he'd be rolling his ankle around trying to work it out, because he was stiff. I kind of knew in the back of my head he wasn't ready to play last year." Treadwell also dealt with a broken finger, pulled hamstring and sprained ankle as a rookie. He's healthy now, though, and has been running alongside Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen with the 1st-team offense in OTAs. "He looks healthy," CB Xavier Rhodes said. "Coming out of his breaks good, moving his weight really well, turning his hips when he needs to turn his hips. Breaking down, not taking too many steps in his break. He's turned around tremendously." Turning just 22 in June, Treadwell is certainly capable of bouncing back in his 2nd go-around.