NFL

Holmes didn’t offer a timetable for Pacheco’s return. The former Chief injured his knee early in camp and then suffered a back injury, which ultimately landed him on injured reserve. He will miss at least the first four games of the season while on IR, though it sounds like a Week 5 return isn’t in the cards. For now, Jacob Saylors will serve as Jahmyr Gibbs’ backup. He shouldn’t see much work as long as Gibbs is healthy, but dynasty managers may want to give him a look on the waiver wire.

Meyers missed some time late in training camp with a thumb issue that forced him to wear a brace on his right hand. Coen specifically said that Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) was practicing in full and didn’t say the same of Meyers. It’s possible the team is working Meyers in more slowly as the season approaches. Still, even a limited practice more than a week ahead of Week 1 should put Meyers in line to play. Meyers will be in a supporting role behind Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr . this year. He will be a low-end FLEX play for the Jags’ opener versus Cleveland.

BTJ suffered a shoulder injury late in camp and has dealt with shoulder issues in the past, so this latest scare was a definite concern for fantasy managers and Jags fans alike. The good news is that he’s practicing in full over a week before the first game of the season. After a summer of hype for Parker Washington, Thomas Jr. is likely second in the pecking order for targets. Barring a setback with the shoulder injury, he should project for WR3 numbers in Jacksonville’s opener versus the Browns.

The team’s plan, per Graziano, is for Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks to split carries this season. That comes as little surprise. “If Hubbard stays healthy, he’s the one in whom they’ve built up more trust, so I’d expect him to be the one the Panthers lean on to try to grind out games when they have the lead,” Graziano said. “The split should be pretty close, but it would not be a surprise at all to get to the end of the season and see that Hubbard got the majority of the work.” Brooks on Tuesday practiced to the side while Hubbard (hamstring) practiced in full. It’s a concerning situation for those who have gone in on Brooks as Carolina’s lead back.

Graziano said the “Lions offense is going to hum this season, and Williams is the player poised to take the biggest leap.” That leap, he said, could come as Detroit coaches push Jamo “to expand his route repertoire and contribute as more than just a deep threat.” That in turn could create more short-area and intermediate opportunities and make Williams something more than a boom-bust WR3 play. Williams’ splits with and without Sam LaPorta are concerning, but he should be a high-upside swing in fantasy drafts, especially for those who fade receivers in the first couple rounds.

Graziano affirmed what every fantasy manager believes: Likely will probably be the team’s WR2 behind Malik Nabers this season. New York coaches, according to Graziano, “love the way he has embraced and evolved his relationship with Jaxson Dart since he has been in New York. Likely is a regular visitor to the quarterback room, and the connection he has formed with Dart on and off the field could pay major dividends.” Graziano said Likely could be Dart’s top option if Nabers needs time to get back to full speed as he recovers from his 2025 ACL injury. Likely profiles as an easy click for fantasy drafters who forgo the game’s elite tight ends.

This, according to Rapoport, comes after “two positive days” of practice for the veteran tight end, coming off a late-season Achilles injury. Kittle is “trending in the right direction” to play against the Rams in the first game of the NFL season, and the first-ever game in Australia. It’s possible the 49ers will have a pitch count for Kittle coming into the season. If he suits up against the Rams, Kittle will be a risky low-end TE1 option in 12-team leagues. He had nine catches for 84 yards and a touchdown in his only game against LA in 2025.

Van Noy spent time with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in both Miami and New England, making this a reunion for the two. The 35-year-old linebacker spent the past three seasons with the Ravens, tallying 12.5 sacks during a 2024 Pro Bowl campaign. The Vikings will start Van Noy out on the practice squad, but fans shouldn’t be surprised to see him in the middle of the Minnesota defense later this season.

Miller left practice early under his own power Tuesday, an all-too-familiar picture for the oft-injured back coming off an ACL tear from last October. However, Underhill reports it is a minor issue for the 24-year-old. With Alvin Kamara (knee) missing time, Miller has seen a lot of preseason work. Miller, when healthy, can be the Saints’ RB2 and primary handcuff to Travis Etienne.

Vannett, 33, is a journeyman veteran tight end best known for his blocking skills. Starting his career with the Seahawks, he has jumped around the league with the Steelers, Broncos, Saints, Giants, Chargers, Titans, Vikings, and Rams. He signed with the Seahawks in the offseason but was let go in final cuts. The Ravens add Vannett as blocking tight end depth on the practice squad.