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    Gibbs in uniform at practice amid contract talks

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    DET Running Back #0
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    Jahmyr Gibbs participated in the walkthrough portion of Thursday’s practice.

    According to Lions reporter Dave Birkett, Gibbs is in uniform “taking reps during the walk/through portion” of practice. He later stepped aside to work with trainers while individual drills were going on. Gibbs has already denied that he was missing practice because of his contract talks, but it’s hard to believe him on that front. His return to practice could mean that he and the Lions have reached an agreement on a new contract. Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor inked new contracts this week, making Gibbs the last domino to fall. All signs point toward a deal being announced in the very near future.
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    The Lions are retaining “all” of last year’s play-calling verbiage, and “it was on Drew Petzing to learn the offense,” not the other way around. Goff apparently “had as much of a hand in getting Petzing familiar with the offense as the offensive staff did.” Mays believes these developments speak to the command, agency and autonomy that Goff possesses at this stage in his career. We agree. For those who were concerned about the Lions scrapping the tactics that coach Dan Campbell employed as the Lions’ play caller in Weeks 10-18 last year, it sounds like those concepts aren’t going anywhere. Will Petzing be allowed to add his own elements to that playbook? Yes, we assume so. At the end of the day, this year’s offense could look a lot like last year’s fantasy-friendly unit, though. Draft accordingly.
  • DET Running Back #0
    According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the contract could be worth up to $75.75 million and includes $51.5 million guaranteed. The deal averages $22.5 million per year, resetting the running back market. The Lions’ bell cow back enters his age-24 season firmly in play for fantasy football’s overall RB1 spot.
  • DET Running Back #0
    Gibbs made a brief appearance at practice today. When Lions reporter Dave Birkett asked him if a deal was close, Gibbs gave a thumbs-up before heading into the indoor practice facility. The deal might not be officially signed yet, but it sounds like that should happen any day now. With the hold-in over and a contract in sight, Gibbs remains the 1.01 in early fantasy drafts.
  • DET Running Back #0
    When asked what his absence is about, Gibbs offered a thoughtful “I don’t know” and said “only time will tell” about when we could first see him on the field. Despite Gibbs saying his absence isn’t contract-related, multiple reports have suggested it is the main reason he hasn’t taken the field in training camp. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Gibbs remained sidelined until he either received a new deal or at least made major progress in negotiating a new deal. Rapoport also said that talks between Gibbs and the Lions are “not as active” as the ones going on between the Falcons and Bijan Robinson, who is also holding in while awaiting a new deal. We will continue to monitor both situations until they are resolved, but it doesn’t sound like Gibbs is anywhere close to returning to the field at this time.
  • DET Running Back #0
    Rapoport adds that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Gibbs isn’t at practice until they get real significant progress on a contract extension. Gibbs has passed his conditioning test but is currently a hold-in. Rapoport adds that “it would make sense” for Robinson to get the first contract of the two, but concedes that “it’s safe to say it’s up in the air right now.”
  • DET Running Back #0
    Both Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are holding in to start training camp. Gibbs has two years left on his rookie deal but is currently eligible for an extension and is rightfully looking to cash in. The Lions already committed to him as the centerpiece of their offense this offseason with they traded David Montgomery to Houston. That move gave Gibbs even more leverage, and it’s only a matter of time before the two sides agree to terms. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this year that Gibbs could earn more than $20 million per year. That would put him in line with Saquon Barkley as the league’s highest-paid running back, though he would likely have a longer contract with more in the way of guaranteed money. Though it’s not ideal for Gibbs to miss practice time in camp, with Robinson also holding in, fantasy managers shouldn’t change their approach to the top of the first round based on these developments.
  • ATL Running Back #7
    Neither Robinson nor the team can say outright that Robinson is “holding in,” but that’s what is happening here. The same is true of Jahmyr Gibbs, who is also sitting out of practice. Both players are under contract for two more seasons, the second of which is a fifth-year option that has already been exercised by their respective teams. Robinson is coming off another elite rushing season that saw him hit 1,478 yards and seven scores. He also took his receiving output to another level, reeling in 79 passes for 820 yards and four scores. The increase in passing game usage should be enough to make him the league’s highest-paid running back. Saquon Barkley currently makes over $20 million per year, and Robinson will likely exceed that mark when he and the Falcons finally reach an agreement.
  • DET Running Back #0
    No surprise here as Gibbs already took over this role in the second half of last season, which necessitated the offseason trade of David Montgomery to the Texans. The 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Gibbs is coming off the board within the first two picks of fantasy drafts this year. He’s set to break the bank this offseason with a massive contract extension from the Lions coming.
  • DET Running Back #0
    Fowler notes that both Gibbs and Falcons RB Bijan Robinson are eligible for extensions right now. Both players will likely reset the market. Whichever player signs second could end up making more money. Fowler adds that some around the league believe Gibbs “is the very best, No. 1 running back in the entire NFL.” Both players are in contention for the overall RB1 spot in fantasy this year.
  • DET Running Back #0
    Gibbs will be under contract for $14.23 million in 2027 per OverTheCap’s projections. Gibbs and the Lions will undoubtedly continue to discuss a long-term extension over the summer and perhaps in to training camp, with Gibbs and Bijan Robinson expected to reset the market at the running back position. Gibbs and Robinson, coincidentally, are the two most obvious 1.1 candidates in most fantasy football leagues.

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  • NE Running Back #37
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    Patriots acquired RB Corey Kiner from the Cardinals in exchange for a seventh-round pick.

    The trade was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The draft pick going to the Cardinals is a seventh-round pick in 2028. Kiner was buried on the depth in Arizona, but should immediately step in as the RB3 behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson with the Patriots. A former UDFA who appeared in four games with the Cardinals last year, Kiner is only worth a stash in deeper formats and has no standalone fantasy value.
  • MIN Quarterback #9
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    The Athletic’s Alec Lewis believes Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy won’t make the 53-man roster.

    McCarthy left preseason Week 2 with an ankle injury and returned to practice before ultimately missing preseason Week 3 altogether. According to Lewis, that only added to the murkiness about McCarthy’s 2026 status. All signs point to Carson Wentz as the QB2 after he started Friday’s game against the Broncos. Lewis adds that “McCarthy’s comfort (or lack thereof) with being QB3 could dictate his future in Minnesota” and projects that the Vikings won’t carry him on the 53-man roster to begin the regular season. The 10th overall pick in the draft only two years ago, McCarthy’s path to being a reclamation project for another organization could arrive sooner than anyone thought. Stay tuned.
  • FA Wide Receiver #1
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    Bills released WR Mecole Hardman.

    Hardman’s release was first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. A seven-year NFL veteran, Hardman spent most of his career with the Chiefs, where he helped Kansas City win three Super Bowls. Last year he appeared in only two games with the Bills and dropped passes were an issue in training camp and preseason this year. Hardman will head to the open market where he could be a fit for another team looking for wide receiver depth.
  • TB Wide Receiver #2
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    Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles told reporters “hopefully” WR Emeka Egbuka (toe) is ready for Week 1.

    Egbuka continues to deal with a minor toe injury. Bowles said in recent weeks that he was optimistic about Egbuka’s status, but also wasn’t sure if he’d be available for Week 1. Now he’s hopeful that the 23-year-old wide receiver will be available. The Buccaneers don’t seem too concerned about the injury at this point, making Egbuka a solid WR2 in fantasy drafts.
  • NYG Defensive Lineman #97
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    Giants acquired DL C.J. Okoye from the Ravens in exchange for a seventh-round pick.

    The news was first reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. The draft pick going to the Ravens is a 2028 seventh-round pick. Okoye reunites with Giants HC John Harbaugh after playing under him in Baltimore in 2025. A former UDFA from Nigeria, Okoye figures to bolster the Giants interior defensive line depth as a rotational player.
  • KC Wide Receiver #13
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    Cyrus Allen caught 1-of-2 targets for 12 yards in the Chiefs’ preseason game against the Seahawks.

    The Chiefs let most of their starters take the field in this game and Allen wasn’t among them. He didn’t see a snap until after Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton had all left the contest. His first target didn’t come until the third quarter, and it was a drop on a high throw. The rookie rebounded with a 12-yard gain for a first down on the very next play. After playing well into the second half of the team’s final preseason game, Allen is, at best, the Chiefs’ WR4 entering the season. Despite the strong training camp, he shouldn’t be in starting fantasy lineups for Week 1.
  • NYG Wide Receiver #3
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    Odell Beckham caught 3-of-6 targets for 53 yards in the Giants’ preseason game against the Jets.

    Darnell Mooney and Malachi Fields rested. Malik Nabers, still recovering from his 2025 ACL tear, was held out. Beckham drew the start along with the rest of the second-string offense. His stat line was impressive and it nearly went stratospheric when he burned the Jets’ secondary for a would-be 70-yard touchdown. Jameis Winston overthrew the pass and Beckham was unable to haul it in despite laying out for the catch. Per the eye test, Beckham still has something in the tank, even if that something is likely just good enough for a depth role. He isn’t a lock to make the Giants’ roster, but this preseason showing certainly helped.
  • TB Running Back #44
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    Buccaneers RB Sean Tucker rushed five times for 15 yards in Friday’s preseason game against the Jaguars.

    Tucker and RB Josh Williams competed for the Buccaneers’ No. 3 running back job all night. Tucker got the start, touching the ball on three of the first four plays. Unfortunately, the drive ultimately ended in a punt, as did almost all of the others. It was an unproductive night for the Buccaneers’ offense. Williams entered the game on the second drive, and the two players continued to rotate in and out thereafter. Williams rushed eight times for 21 yards. Tucker caught one pass for minus-one yard as well. Neither player really separated from the other in the box score. The team must now choose between the trusted, higher-priced veteran, Tucker, and the more affordable second-year player, Williams. If Tucker is released, it could allow “1A” RB Bucky Irving to hoard short-yardage and goal-line work, which would significantly boost his fantasy-scoring outlook.
  • KC Running Back #10
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    Emmet Johnson rushed seven times for 39 yards in the Chiefs’ preseason game against the Seahawks.

    Johnson added two catches for 15 yards and had another chunk gain through the air called back because of a penalty. Kenneth Walker didn’t play in this contest, allowing Johnson to draw the start with some of KC’s first-team offense on the field. Johnson split reps with Emari Demercado over the team’s first three drives, then left the game for good. He looks like the team’s No. 2 back, though all three backs have been the next man up behind Walker at some point during the preseason. Johnson isn’t guaranteed the backup job, but he’s now the favorite, putting him in the mix as a late-round flyer in deeper fantasy leagues.
  • NO Wide Receiver #18
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    Saints WR Bryce Lance caught 2-of-4 targets for 28 yards in Friday’s preseason game against the Cowboys.

    Lance could have the inside track for the Saints’ short-term No. 3 wide receiver job with WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) sidelined, though WR Barion Brown will almost assuredly make the roster as a receiver and returner. Lance nearly added a decent, leaping downfield gain to his box score, but QB Spencer Rattler’s pass grazed off his fingertips along the sideline. Brown was not involved as a receiver today, but rushed twice for 19 yards and one touchdown, including an eight-yard jet sweep that got him into the end zone. He also returned one punt for four yards.