NFL Player News

Wright suffered a high-ankle sprain on San Diego’s season-opening kickoff, but could be ready for snaps in the slot as early as Monday. Even if Wright isn’t ready to face the Broncos, he’ll undoubtedly be ready to roll following the Bolts’ Week 7 bye.

Richardson and Riley Leonard will both play, while Daniel Jones will sit. Richardson’s trade request this offseason has gone nowhere, but the Colts appear to be giving him ample opportunity to showcase himself in the preseason as he will get the first half here and the second half next week against Atlanta, while Leonard picks up the other two halves. The Colts are likely hoping someone talks themselves into trading a low pick for Richardson.

It’s hardly a surprise after head coach Sean Payton told beat writers Dobbins would be “fine” after he left Monday with the unspecified injury. Dobbins profiles as the Broncos’ lead back who will probably cede pass-catching duties to RJ Harvey once again in 2026. Rookie RB Jonah Coleman would be an interesting fantasy add if Dobbins, 27, misses any time in 2026. Dobbins last season missed nine games with a foot sprain.

It’s an unofficial depth chart and should be taken with some skepticism. Mike Evans and Demarcus Robinson are listed as starting wideouts alongside Samuel, who signed with the Niners last week after spending 2025 in Washington. Familiar with Kyle Shanahan’s offense after playing in San Francisco for the first six years of his NFL career, Samuel could see a surprising amount of playing time with Christian Kirk banged up and Ricky Pearsall out for the season with a knee injury. De’Zaun Stribling is listed as a WR2 on the unofficial depth chart for now. His performance in training camp and Niners coaches’ comments about the rookie suggest he’ll get plenty of run alongside Evans and Samuel in 2026.

Ballard said he’s confident Pierce will be ready for Week 1. Colts beat writers reported the injection on Monday. Ballard came out Tuesday and denied the procedure — part of Pierce’s rehab from offseason ankle surgery he underwent right after signing a massive contract extension with the Colts. Pierce, who operated strictly as a downfield option in 2025, is expected to have a more varied route tree when he’s fully recovered from his ankle issue. If Pierce is sidelined, Josh Downs will likely serve as the team’s No. 1 wideout to start the season.

Though the Vikings staged what appeared to be a (short-lived) quarterback competition between Murray and JJ McCarthy, the result was likely determined from the outset. Murray and McCarthy split first-team reps for much of the offseason and into training camp, with both QBs struggling at times. There was no way the Vikings were going to pay the steep price of acquiring Murray from the Cardinals only to sit him behind McCarthy. Murray as starter is probably good news for Justin Jefferson, who last season had one of the NFL’s lowest catchable target rates. Murray should be fine as a floor-based fantasy play in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. McCarthy should still be rostered in superflex formats behind the oft-injured Murray.

Downs seems to be OK after sustaining a groin injury late last week. A quick return to practice likely means coaches have no long-term concerns about Downs, who could start the year as the Colts’ top wideout with Alec Pierce recovering from offseason ankle surgery he underwent shortly after signing a massive contract extension. Pierce reportedly required a second PRP injection in his injured ankle recently, a report the Coltd deny. He appears to be iffy for the start of the regular season. Downs is expected to play the slot and the boundary this season with the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. to Pittsburgh.

Jacobs on Tuesday was seen on the sideline rehabbing and won’t participate on 11-on-11s for the time being. Depending on how long Jacobs sits with the groin issue, MarShawn Lloyd could have a real chance to assert himself as the team’s lead back ahead of the season opener. Packers coaches have praised Lloyd in recent months for his growth as a player and teammate, and he’s impressed in training camp so far. Lloyd should be scooped up in all fantasy leagues this month.

Golden was held out of practice for a couple days with a toe issue. He was spotted running with the Green Bay first team offense on Tuesday. The Packers seem intent to use Golden in an every-down role rather than the rotational role he had during his disappointing 2025 rookie campaign. The speedy Golden, who has drawn praise from Jordan Love this offseason, should profile as a high-variance weekly fantasy option in 12-team formats.

Flowers missed a couple of days of training camp practices with what was described as a quad bruise following a frightening collision with a Baltimore defender. Flowers was helped off the field by trainers and appears to be fine a few weeks ahead of the Ravens’ regular season opener. Flowers this month signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $140 million, and is set to once again be Baltimore’s top pass-catching option in 2026. Last year Flowers had his most efficient season as a pro, ranking eighth in fantasy points per route run, ahead of Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, and A.J. Brown, among others.

Fowlers said the team expects Barner to be more involved as a pass catcher in 2026 after recording 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns last season (while being targeted on 19 percent of his routes). Barner, following multiple offseason surgeries to clean up nagging injuries, is fully healthy and ready for a more prominent role in Seattle’s offense. New Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, meanwhile, is expected to use plenty of two tight end sets in 2026, meaning TE Elijah Arroyo could see an increase in snaps and routes. Barner has a little bit of extra hidden upside as the Seahawks’ primary tush push option near the goal line.