NFL Player News

Thomas brings starting experience from his time with the Dolphins. He’ll provide depth with G Dan Connolly moving to center thanks to Dan Koppen’s left ankle injury.

It would appear that the winner of the kicking competition that took place in training camp between Tanner Brown and Charlie Smyth is the man who wasn’t there. Carlson, who has remained unsigned since his contract with the Raiders expired at the end of last season, is now expected to take over as the Saints’ starting kicker for the season. Currently the 10th-most accurate kicker in NFL history, Carlson converted 22-of-27 field goal attempts last season, with three of his misses coming from 50-plus yards. Carlson still possesses one of the biggest legs in the league and should benefit from kicking in the friendly confines of the Superdome this season.

This is coming from multiple reports, per Schultz. We’ll eventually get word from head coach Todd Monken on the decision, but it sounds like Watson, who was the favorite to win the battle entering training camp, will get the first crack at the starting job. Watson completed 16-of-27 passes for no touchdowns and one interception in his two preseason appearances, and struggled in last week’s outing against the Bills while playing with backups. Despite being booed off the field after a disappointing performance in front of a home crowd, the 30-year-old vet, who is in the final year of a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, will get the chance to show he can lead the Browns in 2026. Watson shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a low-end QB2 for fantasy purposes, but he has some exciting offensive weapons to throw to in Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, and Harold Fannin.

Clark was carted from Sunday’s game after his ankle was rolled up at the end of the play. The early appearance of the injury suggested this would be a long-term injury, so Macdonald’s comments after the game don’t come as much of a surprise. Clark was selected 64th overall by the Seahawks in this year’s draft and was expected to be an immediate contributor for the defense. We’ll likely get word later in the week on exactly how long the Seahawks expect the rookie to be out.

The Raiders are still unsure how long Jeanty will be sidelined, but both Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport say the team is “breathing a sigh of relief.” Without knowing Jeanty’s return timeline, and the injury’s specifics, it is difficult to assess whether Jeanty is worthy of a top-15 fantasy draft pick. We expect to learn more in the coming days. For now, it might be worthwhile to pass on Jeanty in favor of healthy players late in Round 1 and early in Round 2. Should his ADP begin to tumble a few rounds, buying the dip could be worth it.

Ward would have cleared 100 yards in the box score had TE Gunnar Helm not stepped out of bounds while hauling in a downfield pass during a scramble drill. Ward’s ability to make wild throws off-script remains a plus and a minus. Playing within structure will be key to his development, and potentially his connection with rookie WR Carnell Tate. The duo went 0-of-2 out of five total pass attempts from Ward on the first drive this evening against Seattle.

Arroyo played three drives this evening, scoring from 36 yards out on the first one. Arroyo lined up in line on the left side, ran a route up the seam, shaking a safety along the way and easily hauled in the uncontested pass from tonight’s starting QB Drew Lock. Scoring against the Titans’ first-string defense is a plus, but playing while the rest of the Seahawks starters sat was not a great sign. Arroyo seems to be firmly behind TE AJ Barner on the depth chart right now.

Rams coach Sean McVay devised the team’s three-tight end approach midseason last year, and per Atkins, those looks aren’t going anywhere. Ferguson is lining up all over the formation in training camp, taking reps at F, Z, Y and X. The Rams also plan to get the ball to Ferguson “quickly” near the line of scrimmage this year, after asking him to function purely as a big-bodied field stretcher as a rookie. This aspect is key to unlocking his ceiling outcome. Ferguson averaged 9.0 yards after the catch in his final college season, leading all FBS tight ends with at least 45 targets. He is a TE2 with TE1 upside.

Clark got rolled up on after jumping over the pile after a play. He immediately went down and called for trainers, who applied an air cast to his lower leg after tending to his ankle. Losing the second-round rookie could be consequential. The Seahawks frequently put three safeties on the field, which put Clark in position to potentially start while S Nick Emmanwori works his way back from offseason ankle surgery. Clark now appears to be headed toward an extended absence. Fortunately, Emmanwori resumed doing individual work with trainers off to the side during practice this weekend.

Alexander also lists Klein behind TE1 Dalton Schultz and apparent TE2 Foster Moreau, so this isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement. Klein has efficiently caught 4-of-5 targets for 62 yards thus far in the preseason, and OC Nick Caley unpromptedly complimented Klein’s run blocking. The latter aspect is likely Klein’s ticket to game-day snaps this season. Schultz is a trusted veteran. Klein will likely be a non-factor in fantasy this year, but perhaps he can gain some ground in-season and force the Texans to get him involved late in the year.

According to Alexander, the Texans have utilized both running backs nearly evenly throughout camp. Texans OC Nick Caley “doesn’t typically go away from what’s working,” which could result in a hot-hand approach on game day. For now, Montgomery should be treated as the starter, but Marks looked good in last week’s preseason game and should be stashed on benches in 12-team leagues at the very least.