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    Grupe has ‘clear lead’ in kicker competition

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    The Indianapolis Star’s Nathan Brown reports Blake Grupe “has the clear statistical lead” in the Colts’ kicking competition.

    Grupe is competing with Spencer Schrader for the Colts’ starting gig, and through a week of training camp, Grupe has been more accurate. Brown said the team is evaluating other factors as well, including ball flight and pre-practice kicks from Grupe and Schrader. The Colts in 2025 tied for tenth in team field goal attempts. That sort of opportunity will make Grupe or Schrader fantasy viable in 2026 as long as Daniel Jones is healthy.
Evaluating a 'very flat' NFL COY market
Drew Dinsick and Jay Croucher discuss the betting favorites for the NFL Coach of the Year award, headlined by Klint Kubiak and Ben Johnson at +600 following Week 4.

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  • NYJ Kicker #19
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    Sanders somehow won the kicking job over Blake Grupe despite Grupe being on the active roster and Sanders falling to the practice squad. Sure. Well, anyway, Grupe is being waived. Sanders will continue to kick for the Jets.
  • NYJ Kicker #19
    This is notable because Sanders is currently on the Jets’ practice squad while veteran kicker Blake Grupe is on the 53-man roster. Fantasy managers expecting Grupe to contribute to their Week 1 lineups will want to make sure they find a replacement. Sanders certainly makes for a viable option after he converted 37-of-41 field goal attempts last season while going 12-of-14 from distances of 50-plus yards.
  • NYJ Kicker #10
    Jason Sanders, who had won the Jets kicker competition, is instead released to make way for Grupe. As we wrote about Sanders a few days ago: Winning the Jets kicker competition is not an endorsement that provides many fantasy points. Grupe will probably be stuck in the 20s in weekly ranks in most of the Jets games this year.
  • FA Kicker #10
    Grupe, who had a “90% make rate in camp” per Mike Garafolo, has a chance to come aboard late and win a different kicking job. Spencer Shrader will kick for the Colts this year.
  • IND Kicker #10
    Grupe appeared in only five games for the Colts in 2025 but went a perfect 11-for-11 with the team. He was signed in December after making only 18 of 26 attempts with the Saints to start the year. His efforts to end the season earn him a chance to prove his worth on the modest deal. Spencer Shrader remains under team control, setting up a potential kicker battle in camp and preseason.
  • IND Kicker #10
    Grupe, who was released by the Saints in early December after making just 18 of his 26 field goal tries, came through big time for Indy in their near-upset of the Seahawks. Grupe nailed a 60-yarder to take the lead in the fourth quarter — a kick that would have been good from at least 65 yards. Grupe will be a decent streaming option in Week 16 against the 49ers.
  • IND Kicker #10
    Grupe will be the kicker for the Colts in Week 14 against the Jaguars. The 27-year-old gets first crack at being the kicker for Indianapolis after the team released Michael Badgley following his missed extra point against the Texans in Week 13.
  • IND Kicker #19
    He’ll likely be elevated a few times as roster manipulation while the Colts figure out if he’s the answer. Grupe struggled this year for the Saints, hitting just 18-of-26 field goals, including two inside of 40 yards. He’ll be a worthwhile fantasy play if the Colts can get their offense back on track against the Jaguars in Week 14.
  • FA Kicker #12
    The Money Badger missed a huge extra point against the Texans in Week 13 and had missed three of his 21 extra points in total. It’ll be a different kicker for the Colts after today’s tryouts resolve, and whoever they pick will find themselves in a favorable Week 14 situation against the Jaguars. Blake Grupe was one name publicly identified from the tryouts earlier today.
  • FA Kicker #19
    Michael Badgley missed a critical extra point in the Colts’ Week 13 loss to the Texans and head coach Shane Steichen was noncommittal on Badgley keeping the starting job for Week 14. Grupe, who was released by the Saints last week, had missed eight of his 26 field goal tries this season. An 85 percent field goal kicker during his NFL career, Grupe would have some fantasy upside in the Colts offense if he lands the starting job.

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    Patriots brought in free agent RB Jamaal Williams for a workout.

    The Pats brought in an interesting name to work out for the backfield this week, bringing in former Packers, Lions, and Saints running back Jamaal Williams. The 31-year-old last appeared in the NFL for the Saints in 2024, tallying 164 rushing yards that season. He had a career year for the Lions in 2022, totaling 1,000 yards on the ground and leading the league in rushing touchdowns. The Patriots are looking for some depth behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson; there is no indication Williams will sign, but he will be practice squad depth if he does.
  • NYG Wide Receiver #87
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    Giants WR Braxton Berrios (foot) announced he will need season-ending surgery.

    Berrios announced on his Instagram that he will need season-ending surgery for his foot injury that landed him on injured reserve. The 31-year-old is primarily a special teamer, returning four punts and five kicks this season. Injuries have prevented Berrios from appearing in more than 14 games over the last three seasons and he now has his season end early as he requires foot surgery.
  • ATL Running Back #30
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    Falcons signed RB Jam Miller to their practice squad.

    Miller is a 2026 seventh-round pick by the Patriots, though he was waived during final cuts. He joins the Falcons practice squad as fellow RB Cash Jones is released.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #87
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    Broncos signed WR Cam Ross to their practice squad.

    With Pat Bryant (ankle) suffering a multi-week injury in Week 4, the Broncos are adding to their wide receiver depth by signing Ross to the practice squad. The 25-year-old Ross was an undrafted free agent out of Virginia who spent training camp with the Broncos before he was let go in final cuts. Ross now re-joins the practice squad. EDGE Jahfari Harvey was let go from the practice squad in a corresponding move.
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    Cardinals signed OL Jedrick Wills off Buffalo’s practice squad.

    He’ll replace Paris Johnson, who heads to season-ending injured reserve. Wills, the former 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft, will compete with 2026 seventh-rounder Jayden Williams for reps at left tackle in Johnson’s absence.
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    Buccaneers LB Josiah Trotter (knee) did not practice on Tuesday.

    It was a mid-week downgrade after a limited estimated session on Monday. Trotter’s in real danger of missing Thursday night’s game against the Cowboys.
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    Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin (right groin/hip) did not practice on Tuesday.

    It was an addition to the report. Never a great sign, especially on a short week. The Buccaneers aren’t carrying a practice-squad kicker, so expect some workouts as they try to find someone you won’t be starting in fantasy football with Jalon Daniels under center.
  • ARI Tight End #89
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    Cardinals placed TE Hunter Long (knee) on injured reserve.

    He’ll miss at least the next four weeks. Long had played 91 snaps in his first four weeks with the Cardinals and will cede blocking duties to promoted practice-squadder Teagan Quitoriano for those of you in points-per-blocked-players leagues.
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    OT Lane Johnson retired from the NFL after 14 seasons.

    We’d heard word through former Eagles EDGE Brandon Graham on a post-game show that this was on the table following Week 4, but it’s still a stunner to see it come to fruition. Johnson cites that his “personal and family priorities” have changed in his post about retiring. The stalwart Eagles right tackle made two first-team All-Pro appearances and three second teams, along with six Pro Bowls. Markel Bell started in his stead in Week 4 and should be expected to get the playing time at right tackle going forward.
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    Browns designated QB Dillon Gabriel (back/IR) for return.

    His 21-day practice window will open up. There’s obviously no rush to promote him to the active roster with the Browns already dressing three quarterbacks every week, so this is probably just starting a ticking clock on a trade or cut from the quarterback room.