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    Murray takes ‘hefty’ amount of first-team snaps

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    MIN Quarterback #1
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    The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reports that QB Kyler Murray “took a hefty amount of snaps with the starters” on Thursday.

    Per Lewis, Murray connected on a notable deep pass at one point, and ESPN’s Kevin Seifert also noted that Murray is pushing the ball downfield. Fellow Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy “spent more time with the No. 2 group” and attempted fewer downfield passes. If this is an indicator that Murray is pulling away, that’s a good thing. The sooner one quarterback begins taking all first-team reps the better.
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  • MIN Quarterback #9
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    We’ve done a lot of J.J. McCarthy blurbs this offseason and the vast majority of them from beats have McCarthy well behind Kyler Murray, while we also have a June quote from Kevin O’Connell saying “he doesn’t plan to take the competition until the end of camp.” It’s only the league-wide reporters who seem to give McCarthy much of a chance to win the job. Interesting coincidence, some would say.
  • MIN Quarterback #1
    While Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy are both expected to enter training camp in competition for the team’s QB1 role, it sounds like O’Connell would prefer to land on a decision sooner rather than later. Murray, by all accounts, appears to be the leader in the clubhouse to open the season as the starter, but McCarthy has received praise from teammates and coaches for his improvement as a passer and his ability to throw with a little more accuracy and touch. Currently going around the late ninth/early tenth round of best ball drafts, Murray could turn out to be a nice value if he wins the job and can return to the player who finished as a top-10 fantasy QB in fantasy points per game from 2020 to 2022 under KOC.
  • MIN Quarterback #9
    On one hand, it’s “just” OTAs. On the other hand, this is the second reporter to suggest there’s a noticeable difference between what Murray and McCarthy offer at the position. We’re less than a full week removed from ESPN’s Kevin Seifert saying the gap between the two QBs is “not close,” and now, Ragatz is all but suggesting the same in his most recent article. While there have been reports of McCarthy making strides as a passer this offseason, the bar has been set so low after 2025’s debacle, that any marginal improvements could garner praise for JJMC at this point. We’ll get a better sense of where things really stand between Murray and McCarthy when the pads come on in training camp, but Murray continues to sound like the clearcut QB1 to start the season, despite the Vikings’ best efforts to suggest the winner of this camp battle hasn’t already been determined.
  • MIN Quarterback #1
    It was only the Vikings’ second OTA of the spring and first that was open to the media. Still, while the Vikings gave both quarterbacks an equal opportunity, it doesn’t sound like a real competition, according to Seifert. “Murray made all of the best throws of the practice, demonstrating his downfield touch and accuracy,” he wrote. It was a reminder that McCarthy could continue making incremental improvements and still fall short of being able to match Murray, according to Seifert. A former Pro Bowler who led the Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021, Murray is being drafted outside the top-12 quarterbacks as he looks to bounce back in his first season with the Vikings.
  • MIN Quarterback #9
    McCarthy “has shown some things this spring that have been impressive so far.” Specifically, McCarthy is “layering the ball a little better” and is “not throwing a fastball all the time.” McCarthy’s accuracy and touch needed work, so this is good to hear. It still sounds like QB Kyler Murray is ahead of McCarthy in the battle for the starting role, but McCarthy is at least getting positive reviews at this time.
  • MIN Quarterback #1
    Sources tell Fowler that Murray is handling himself “like an alpha quarterback,” possessing “the experience and the swagger of a guy who has been to Pro Bowls and had success.” Recent interview clips involving Murray and fellow Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy reinforce Fowler’s sentiments, with Murray conducting himself with calm confidence. The coaching staff also complimented McCarthy’s development, but Murray seems to be winning the competition right now.
  • MIN Quarterback #9
    Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell attempted to address McCarthy’s accuracy woes by harping on the young quarterback’s footwork last season. He also tends to fire passes “on a line,” which only exacerbates his ball placement issues. Per Lewis, McCarthy has spent weeks with private throwing coach John Beck to improve both issues. Time will tell if Beck’s teachings have the desired effect. Lastly, Lewis believes that the way “McCarthy shows up to work every day and how his habits progress in his third season” is the final piece to the puzzle. The Vikings want their 2026 starter, be it McCarthy or QB Kyler Murray, “to lift the tide for the entire team.” McCarthy has been fully unable to do so thus far. Despite being the incumbent, McCarthy is currently viewed as the underdog in this summer’s quarterback battle. Avoid him in spring drafts for now.
  • MIN Quarterback #1
    Schefter said on air Thursday night that Murray should be consider the odds-on favorite to start for Minnesota in Week 1 after signing a one-year deal worth more than $36 million. J.J. McCarthy, however, will get a shot to compete for the starting gig after his disastrous, injury-marred 2025 campaign. McCarthy, 23, entering his third NFL season, would have to stay healthy this summer to have a shot at taking the team’s QB1 spot, and he would need to improve in every facet of the game, including accuracy. Dillon Gabriel was the only quarterback with a lower completion rate over expected in 2025.
  • MIN Quarterback #1
    The Kyler Murray experiment should be well underway by late November as Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings look to recover from their failed dalliance with J.J. McCarthy as the team’s starting quarterback. Murray will lead a quietly loaded Minnesota offense against Kyle Shanahan’s EPA-maximizing Niners offense. The last time Brock Purdy faced the Vikings defense he threw for 319 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a Week 2 2024 loss. Purdy took a season-high six sacks in that game.
  • MIN Quarterback #9
    The front office brought in former Cardinals QB Kyler Murray this offseason. Murray, 28, is a far more accomplished player and can help stabilize the offense, whereas McCarthy’s ups and downs have proven costly. McCarthy seemingly faces an uphill battle to win the gig, though the team did invest the No. 10 overall pick in him in 2024.

Rotoworld

  • SEA Wide Receiver #15
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    The News Tribune’s Gregg Bell reports that the Seahawks are ramping up WR Tory Horton (shin) after a successful offseason surgery.

    The Seahawks shut Horton down after trading for WR Rashid Shaheed last year, citing a new shin injury. The trade came as a surprise. He and Shaheed possess similar skill sets, and Horton had already set two franchise records, so replacing him in the lineup due to poor play did not add up. Apparently, Horton played through discomfort in his shin for five games until the pain led to imaging, revealing a crack in his shin. Horton attempted to avoid surgery, but it was ultimately deemed necessary in February 2026, delaying his return. Bell adds that the coaching staff is “excited and curious to unleash” Horton and Shaheed in the same formations, “challenging the deep coverage of defenses.” Stressing the defense vertically should open up the short-to-intermediate areas of the field as well. Shaheed will likely be the more reliable boom-bust FLEX and could even ascend to WR3 status, but it is nice to know that the coaching staff still views Horton positively after the surprising in-season trade last year.
  • ARI Defensive Tackle #93
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    Cardinals signed DT Brodric Martin, formerly of the Raiders.

    While we are happy for Martin, we can’t help but wonder if this is related to the apparent left knee injury DT Walter Nolen appeared to suffer at today’s practice. Hopefully, the Cardinals are just playing it safe. Martin entered the NFL as a 2023 third-round pick with the Lions.
  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
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    Speaking to ESPN’s Sarah Barshop about former Rams DT Aaron Donald’s potential return, coach Sean McVay said his “arrow” is “trending upward.”

    We assume this means Donald’s football workouts are going well. McVay adds that he does not expect to hear from Donald until the Rams return to the team facility in Woodland Hills after training camp. They are currently practicing at Loyola Marymount University. According to the team site, the last public training camp practice is scheduled for August 6th. It sounds like we might get an update on Donald in a week or two.
  • NO Wide Receiver #0
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    New Orleans Football’s Mike Triplett reports that Saints WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is participating fully at training camp.

    A “significant” hamstring injury prevented Tyson from participating in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He then remained limited throughout spring practices after the Saints drafted him in April. Earlier this week, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis revealed that Tyson had suffered “a small recurrence during the pre-draft process,” which explains his springtime limitations. The injury is now behind Tyson, and he has been practicing with the first-team offense since the Saints took the practice field on Wednesday. His new personal chef, a hyperbaric chamber and a recovery room are all part of his plan to maintain good health moving forward. Saints QB Tyler Shough notably complimented Tyson’s preparation and desire to improve. Tyson is slated to operate as the Saints’ WR2 while returning WR3 value or better in fantasy this season.
  • WAS Wide Receiver #13
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    Last Man Standig’s Ben Standig reports that Commanders WR Treylon Burks (foot soreness) sat out Thursday’s “on-field work.”

    Commanders coach Dan Quinn also said the team doesn’t see the soreness as a long-term issue, but it is a disappointing follow-up to what was reportedly a strong showing for Burks at the first training camp practice. The Commanders have a very thin wide receiver corps, so every injury matters. Hopefully, Burks is back before long.
  • FA Running Back #25
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    Colts hosted RB Kenny McIntosh for a workout on Friday.

    The Colts also hosted RB Marcus Major for a workout today. McIntosh suffered a torn ACL in July 2025 and was recently waived by the Seahawks.
  • ARI Defensive Lineman #97
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    Cardinals DL Walter Nolen left practice early on Friday after suffering an apparent knee injury.

    This is a bummer. A torn meniscus in his left knee ended Nolen’s 2025 rookie season. Multiple beat reporters say Nolen appeared to injure his left knee today. He had been drawing positive reviews in training camp thus far. Hopefully, this is only a short-term injury.
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    The Athletic’s Jesse Newell believes Chiefs WR Andrew Armstrong “appears” to have a chance to make the final roster.

    This isn’t exactly breaking news, but it is always worth keeping track of the players who might have a chance to catch passes from QB Patrick Mahomes. Newell compares Armstrong to WR Tyquan Thornton, who signed with the Chiefs in November 2024 before earning Mahomes’ trust the following offseason. Armstrong has spent the entire offseason training with the Chiefs and was allowed to take “numerous” first-team reps on Thursday. In his 2024 senior season at Arkansas, Armstrong (6'4/202) led the SEC in catches (78), receiving yards (1,140) and receiving yards per game (103.6). Newell believes “it would be an underdog tale if he makes the team,” so set your expectations accordingly, but feel free to track his progress this summer.
  • ARI Running Back #4
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    Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said, “not one running back can take all 65 snaps” in a game.

    Regarding running backs who play “all 65 snaps,” LaFleur says that he has “seen that story when guys are a little bit overloaded,” it hurts them either in the short- or long-term. Fortunately for all involved, not even 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey plays on 100 percent of snaps. He handled 81.6 percent last year, which is extremely high. This is a bit of a straw man argument from LaFleur, who ultimately concluded his comments by saying he wants to keep his running backs fresh and healthy for 17 games. That makes sense, but when a player is taken with the No. 3 overall pick, like RB Jeremiyah Love, we should expect them to eventually settle into a workload in which they are playing on a comfortable majority of snaps. The Cardinals’ coaching staff is seemingly intent on keeping Love’s ADP in check. We’ll take it.
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    Cardinals signed CB Quinton Newsome, formerly of the Broncos.

    Newsome had a tryout with the Cardinals earlier in the week. He spent 2024-25 as a practice squad player with the Broncos. The Cardinals correspondingly placed CB Jaden Davis on injured reserve.