Raiders want Mendoza to improve anticipation

It’s a devastating blow for the second-year pro and the Houston offense. Higgins was set to be the team’s No. 2 wideout behind Nico Collins this season after posting 525 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie operating mostly as a downfield threat. Higgins’ absence in the Texans offense leaves the team without much depth at the position. Expect Xavier Hutchinson to take on a much more prominent role in the balanced Houston offense while Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel see a bump in snaps and routes. It’s hard to say any Texans receiver not named Nico will have much in the way of fantasy value in 2026.

Pollard had missed two practices with a foot issue he picked up in the Titans’ preseason game against the Niners over the weekend. Pollard went for 22 yards and a touchdown on four carries against San Francisco while Tyjae Spears had 35 yards on four rushes. Spears caught one pass in the game while Pollard was not involved in the pass game. Pollard profiles as a flex option in 12-team leagues, though he could be touchdown dependent with Spears taking on much of the pass-catching role.

Black had missed two weeks with a thigh injury before emerging as the clear top running back with McCaffrey sidelined. Barrows said Black “certainly didn’t look rusty, taking an early carry to the left for 50 yards and showing violence and strength on several ensuing runs. Black also had a catch at the goal line in a red zone drill.” Niners players and coaches were impressed by Black, who was taken with the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. “I thought he looked good hitting the hole and running hard,” Brock Purdy said. “You could tell there was a different level of intensity when he touched the ball.” With Jordan James struggling through a broken rib, Black will have a real chance to establish himself as the Niners’ RB2 ahead of the regular season. Black should be stashed in deeper fantasy formats in case CMC, 30, misses time in 2026.

Biadasz sustained a major knee injury this week in joint practices with the 49ers. Schefter said Biadasz sustained “damage to his ACL and additional injuries to his left knee,” and will seek second opinions on how to deal with the injury. That’s never a good sign, and likely means Biadasz is done for the 2026 season. His absence could be a blow for Omarion Hampton and the Chargers’ run game under new OC Mike McDaniel.

Bigsby, who will operate as the Eagles’ No. 2 back behind Saquon Barkley, had missed some practice time with the toe issue. He appears fully back well ahead of the team’s regular season opener against Washington. One of the most efficient rushers over the past two seasons with the Jaguars and Eagles, Bigsby should be drafted as a high-upside contingency option in case Barkley misses any time in 2026.

The rookie first-round pick has been sidelined for nearly two weeks with the hamstring issue, as DeVonta Smith deals with his own hamstring injury. While Lemon was seen running on the side at practice earlier this week, the Eagles will probably be careful with the wideout ahead of their Week 1 game against Washington. Lemon should operate as the team’s WR2 when healthy.

Greenard injured his pec in late July and was expected back sometime in August. Whether it was a more serious injury than first thought or whether Greenard had a setback, he appears iffy for the Eagles’ regular season opener against Washington. Greenard’s absence would make the Commanders’ matchup a little friendlier for fantasy purposes. The Eagles and Vikings in April agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension that ties Greenard to the Eagles through 2029 and guarantees the linebacker $50 million. Greenard’s 13.5 percent pressure rate in 12 games in 2025 ranked seventh among all linebackers.

It comes as little surprise after Biadasz was carted off the field during Tuesday’s joint practice with the Niners. Losing Biadasz would be a heavy blow for Mike McDaniels, Justin Herbert, and the LA offense. It looks like the Bolts will have to play most of the 2026 season without their stud center as major injuries continue to haunt the organization.

Kamara, 31, exited the Saints’ Tuesday scrimmage with a knee injury. The one-month recovery timeline — at best — means Kamara will likely miss the team’s regular season opener, and perhaps their Week 2 game. Travis Etienne, meanwhile, should function as something close to a workhorse while Kamara is sidelined. Etienne’s PPR upside gets a boost if Kamara is sidelined for the first couple regular season contests.

This comes on the heels of Mendoza impressing Vegas coaches in his preseason debut, completing ten of his 16 attempts for 97 yards and a touchdown against Arizona. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said after the game that the team’s Week 1 starting gig was still Kirk Cousins’ to lose. It appears Mendoza, with another solid preseason performance, could challenge for that top spot. Kubiak will be watching the rookie’s anticipation closely when Vegas takes on the Texans on Thursday.