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Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) was held out of practice on Monday and Tuesday of this week as a precaution due to a minor hamstring injury, and he also did not suit up for the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Imaging on McMillan's hamstring came back clean, and head coach Dave Canales wasn't concerned when asked when the rookie wideout might return. With another full week before the start of the regular season, the 22-year-old should be ready to roll for his NFL debut in Week 1 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 7. Canales chalked up McMillan's hamstring soreness to his high activity during training camp this summer. If fully healthy, McMillan could operate as quarterback Bryce Young's favorite target this year, putting him in play as a WR2 in fantasy drafts.

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith looked sharp in Sunday's preseason finale, leading the first-team offense on a 60-yard scoring drive in his lone series. The veteran capped the drive with a 17-yard strike to rookie wideout Dont'e Thornton Jr. in the end zone. Smith has shown poise throughout camp, and with Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense beginning to click, expectations are rising in Las Vegas. While Smith enters the year projected as a fantasy QB2, his efficiency and potential volume in a suddenly explosive system could make him a sneaky value pick in deeper formats.

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Eric Smith of Chargers.com wrote earlier this week that Los Angeles Chargers rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton "just keeps getting better and better." Hampton might have been at his best all summer during the team's 21st practice of training camp on Monday, although there was no live tackling allowed. However, the former North Carolina back showed his speed, athleticism and power. With Najee Harris (eye) still on the Non-Football Injury list due to a fireworks accident that injured his eye on the Fourth of July, Hampton "has stepped into the lead-back role." The 22-year-old did not play in the preseason finale this weekend but carried the ball twice for 12 yards in Week 2 of the preseason against the Rams. Even if Harris is active for Week 1 of the regular season, Hampton figures to be L.A.'s RB1, and his fantasy stock continues to rise.

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Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson (groin) caught two of his three targets for 48 yards during Saturday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. The rookie missed the first two preseason games due to injury, but he was able to get on the field and showcase his pass-catching abilities this weekend. While Tyler Higbee may open the 2025 season as Los Angeles' No. 1 tight end, it's clear that Ferguson represents the future for the Rams. He showcased a rare blend of speed, size, athleticism, route-running, and ball-tracking skills against the Browns. He's a very intriguing dynasty option, and he could even start to generate some redraft appeal by midseason. Ferguson should stay right on Higbee's heels, so if the veteran gets injured or struggles to produce, the rookie will be ready to take over.

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Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has yet to sign a rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns. In fact, Judkins is the only player from the 2025 NFL Draft class who has yet to sign his rookie salary. According to Michael David Smith of NBC Sports, the Browns continue to view this situation as "day-to-day." Earlier in the offseason, the former Ohio State standout was arrested for domestic violence. While his prosecutors declined to file a formal misdemeanor battery charge against Judkins, the league is still reviewing this situation and may opt to suspend him. The Browns selected Judkins in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he was initially expected to lead the backfield. However, in his absence, fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson and veteran Jerome Ford have taken most of the carries out of the backfield. Given his uncertainty, Judkins is a high-risk option in drafts that is best to fade.

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Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Tre' Harris (undisclosed) was unable to participate in team drills during the week and was held out of action during their preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers. Harris is currently competing alongside fellow rookie Keandre Lambert-Smith and veterans Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston for a starting job in the offense. Harris enjoyed a nice breakout game in the second week of the preseason, when he led the team in receiving yards (with 85) during their loss to the Rams. The 23-year-old joined the Chargers in the second round of the draft out of Ole Miss. He is worth keeping a close eye on in deeper redraft leagues, as he could eventually carve out a role in the passing attack. However, given his current injury, he should be viewed as a late-round stash option.

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Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter rushed for 14 yards on seven carries during Saturday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. The rookie was inefficient once again, but it's still worth noting that he only played in the first quarter and thenceforth ceded carries to Cody Schrader and Brennan Presley. However, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum didn't even play. Corum's absence could indicate that he's in line to operate as the Rams' No. 2 running back while Hunter opens his career as the third-string. Hunter is merely a low-end stash in dynasty leagues, and he can be avoided in redraft formats.

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Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was held out of their preseason finale, along with many key starters. While Croskey-Merritt was nursing a minor shoulder injury early in the week, seeing him receive rest before the regular season is a telling sign for his expected role. Instead, Chris Rodriguez Jr took five carries on the ground while Kazmeir Allen led the backfield with eight touches. Despite being drafted in the seventh round, Croskey-Merritt has emerged as a potential starter in D.C., especially following the trade that sent presumed starter Brian Robinson Jr. to San Francisco. Croskey-Merritt racked up 46 yards and a score in their second preseason game and 24 yards in his debut. Fantasy managers should continue to closely monitor Croskey-Merritt's status leading up to the regular season, as he could carry RB2 upside if he were to be named the team's starter.

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Minnesota Vikings rookie wide receiver Tai Felton (arm) was held out of Friday's preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans due to arm soreness. The Maryland product was lifted from practice earlier in the week but was unable to progress enough to suit up. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as this injury could linger during the opening weeks of the regular season. The Vikings selected Felton in the third round of this year's draft with the 102nd overall pick. During the first two weeks of the preseason, Felton was relatively quiet, as he saw just two targets in each game. He combined for 46 total receiving yards. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status early in the season as he could eventually carve out a role with Jordan Addison serving a three-game suspension during the first three weeks of the campaign.

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Carolina Panthers rookie running back Trevor Etienne showed some improvement during Carolina's preseason finale on Thursday evening. Facing the Steelers, Etienne ran the ball just three times, but racked up 26 yards. His longest run of the evening went for 28 yards. This was also his longest run of the preseason. During their second game, Etienne ran the ball for only 18 yards on seven attempts. In his debut, he did not fare much better, totaling just three rushing yards on two attempts. The Panthers selected Etienne in the fourth round of April's draft out of Georgia. Given his lack of consistent success during the preseason, fantasy managers should not expect the rookie running back to have a significant role in his debut campaign. Chuba Hubbard will likely serve as the clear workhorse with Rico Dowdle filling in as a strong No. 2 option.

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Dynasty | The Vikings have signed free agent quarterback Carson Wentz. Dynasty Analysis: Now five years removed from once being an MVP candidate in the NFL, Wentz has found a home as the backup to JJ McCarthy. Wentz has spent time with the Eagles, Colts, Commanders, Rams and Chiefs over the past five seasons and will now join his sixth franchise in as many years. Wentz has proven to be a very capable backup or short-term option but simply not a player to build a franchise around. His presence should be a welcome one for Minnesota as they now have some insurance behind McCarthy after trading Sam Howell to the Eagles this morning in a corresponding move. Wentz remains far off the dynasty radar outside of deep Superflex leagues.

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Dynasty | The Minnesota Vikings have traded quarterback Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles. Dynasty Analysis: The Vikings received a 2026 5th round pick from the Eagles. The teams also swapped 2027 picks, with the Eagles receiving a sixth-round pick and the Vikings receiving a 7th round selection. This is actually decent value for the Vikings, who signed Carson Wentz in a corresponding move. Howell really struggled in his time with Seattle last year and hadn't shown a lot in camp this season. He'll compete with Kyle McCord for backup duties behind Jalen Hurts but it's hard to see him having much dynasty value.

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According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are waiving rookie safety Shilo Sanders. The buccaneers signed Sanders, who is the brother of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, an undrafted free agent following April's NFL Draft. Sanders attended Colorado alongside his brother. Sanders spent his last two collegiate seasons in Colorado and logged 44 solo tackles with 67 combined tackles in his final season. Sanders was ejected from their preseason contest against the Buffalo Bills this past Saturday when he threw a punch. Given his lack of attention during the draft process, fantasy managers should not expect Sanders to be heavily sought after on the free agent market leading up to the regular season.

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Baltimore Ravens beat writer Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic lists Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely's (foot) status on the initial 53-man roster as one of his toughest calls in his latest roster projection. Likely underwent foot surgery in early August. Zrebiec includes Likely in his roster projection and writes that the team is projecting confidence that the tight end will be able to play in Week 1 or "shortly thereafter." If that's the case, Likely can avoid a placement on injured reserve, which would sideline him at least four weeks. Likely's presence on the field has a big impact on the fantasy outlook for fellow tight end Mark Andrews. In the lone game that Likely missed in 2024, Andrews matched his season-highs in single-game targets (seven), catches (six), and receiving yards (68).

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Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson was the first running back on the field in his team's final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Sampson got the first handoff of the game from starting quarterback Joe Flacco and finished his day with two carries for three yards and one reception for 14 yards. Veteran running back Jerome Ford split reps with Sampson during the team's second offensive series. With running back Quinshon Judkins still unsigned following his offseason arrest, Sampson and Ford should be expected to share the Browns' backfield workload early in the season. If Sampson can emerge as the clear RB1 in Cleveland with a strong start to his rookie campaign, he could be a steal in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.

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Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty wrapped up his first NFL preseason by playing one series on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. Jeanty logged two carries for five rushing yards and will finish the preseason with 12 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. He did not see much preseason work in the passing game, recording just one catch for two yards. Jeanty should be expected to shoulder a heavy workload as a rookie in a Raiders' offense that's light on playmakers outside of tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Jeanty profiles as a solid fantasy RB1 with upside, particularly if the Raiders offense outperforms expectations.

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Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. recorded two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in his team's final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. The fourth-rounder out of Tennessee finishes the preseason with three catches on eight targets for 43 yards and a score. Thornton Jr.'s touchdown grab against Arizona came from starting quarterback Geno Smith on the team's first offensive possession. Thornton Jr. is listed as a starter on the team's depth chart, and he has a chance to emerge as the team's WR2 behind veteran Jakobi Meyers. He could be a solid value as a late-round dart-throw for fantasy managers, particularly in deeper leagues.

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Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (ankle) suffered a low-ankle sprain on Friday, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The rookie running back told reporters after the game that he was not overly concerned and hopeful to be ready for Week 1. Blue is one of the more intriguing rookie running back candidates given the situation in Dallas, where his primary competition for carries are two veterans on one-year deals in Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei completed 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards to go with two touchdowns and an interception Saturday against San Francisco. The rookie got the majority of snaps and played fairly well, also rushing for 13 yards on one attempt. The Chargers are clearly set at quarterback with Justin Herbert, but will have decisions to make with backup candidates Trey Lance, Taylor Heinicke, and Uiagalelei on cutdown day.

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Running back Raheim Sanders ran 13 times for 48 yards to lead the Los Angeles Chargers in rushing on Saturday against San Francisco. The undrafted rookie had a decent showing in the preseason finale, but still has an uphill climb to make the Chargers' final roster. The Chargers traded for Najee Harris and drafted Omarion Hampton to add to a roster that already features Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins. Sanders is likely still on the outside looking in when cutdown day arrives.

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