Courtesy of Footballguys.com
NYJ - RB Elijah McGuire to miss 3-6 weeks
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Updating previous reports, New York Jets RB Elijah McGuire (foot) will undergo surgery on his broken foot this week and is expected to miss three to six weeks, according to a source.
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McGuire might not end up on injured reserve after all. If this timetable is correct, George Atkinson was signed to be a camp body, not potentially fill part of McGuire's role for the 2018 season.
PHI - QB Carson Wentz cleared for contact
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane
Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz (knee) participated in contact drills for the first time during training camp Saturday, July 28.
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Wentz is on target to start Week 1. Although he might run less, especially early in the year, he is probably a value at ADP because that reflected the possibility that he wouldn't start the season on time.
CAR - QB Cam Newton feeling good
Source: Panthers.com
Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton said his body 'feels great' after taking the proper steps this offseason to make sure he is fully healthy.
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The Panthers have added more weapons to the offense over the last two years. That's great news for Newton as most everything in the offense will funnel back to (or go through) him. Newton is a QB1 for Fantasy GMs and going off the board at QB7 (7.06) in 12-team PPR leagues.
PIT - WR JuJu Smith-Schuster leaves practice
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Ray Fittipaldo
Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (undisclosed) was not able to finish practice Sunday, July 29, because of an undisclosed injury but was catching passes after practice.
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Smith-Schuster had an injury issue this offseason too so this is something to watch. It doesn't sound serious at all, but this isn't the kind of news you want to hear about a player that you are spending a premium pick on in a fantasy draft.
NYJ - Issues surrounding Sam Darnold's negotiation
Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Rich Cimini
New York Jets QB Sam Darnold - the No. 3 overall pick this spring - remains unsigned after the team opened training camp Friday, July 27. While offset language remains an issue, the major sticking point, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini, is default language pertaining to guaranteed money. Under the Jets' proposal, Darnold's entire guarantee - expected to be roughly $30 million over the life of his proposed contract - will void if he's fined by the league for discipline or conduct on or off the field.
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The team has had a checkered history with Darnold's agent Jimmy Sexton, so this could drag on for a while. The Jets are asking for something Baker Mayfield didn't agree to and unusual for a Top 3 pick, so Darnold might have the better bargaining position here.
MIA - Mike Gesicki 'exactly as advertised'
Source: The Miami Herald - Barry Jackson
Miami Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki received his most extensive first-team work and caught two touchdown passes in practice Sunday, July 29. According to tight ends coach Shane Day, he has been competent as a blocker as well through four days of camp and two days of practicing in upper pads.
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Adam Gase made a fantasy star out Julius Thomas in Denver, so the tight end position is one to watch in Miami, although the bar is always very high for rookie tight ends to make a fantasy impact. Gesicki is more of a mid-season waiver wire pickup than a player you draft and stash for the long haul. He does open with Tennessee, the Jets, and Oakland, so Gesicki could get off to a hot start.
DEN - RB job wide open in Denver
Source: USA TODAY Sports - Lindsay H. Jones
Denver Broncos RBs Royce Freeman, Devontae Booker, De'Angelo Henderson and Phillip Lindsay all received first-team reps Sunday, July 29, prompting Lindsay H. Jones of USA TODAY Sports to say the 'running back job is totally open.'
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Lindsay is drawing a lot of praise as a receiver, but he has to keep the momentum going when the intensity turns up later this summer. This isn't going to be one of the most productive backfields in the league and will include 2-3 backs every week, but all of the Broncos backs are modestly priced when looking at their range of outcomes. They have a place in draft plans.
PHI - RB Jay Ajayi wants to show his stuff
Source: NFL.com - Kevin Patra
Philadelphia Eagles RB Jay Ajayi said he feels like people have forgotten about the type of running back he can be. 'I'm ready to showcase again to the world who I am as a running back,' Ajayi said. 'Especially given the role that I should be in this year and what they're saying.'
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If the Eagles give Ajayi the kind of workload the Dolphins did two years ago, he could be one of the best values at running back, but they have Corey Clement and Darren Sproles, so that's probably not going to happen. Still, if he collects most of the rushing scores and gets to close out wins, Ajayi might still make anyone who drafted him very happy.
WAS - TE Jordan Reed running routes
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Washington Redskins TE Jordan Reed (toes) ran routes in 7-on-7 drills Saturday, July 28.
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Each day that Reed's practice reports are unremarkable is a good one for his fantasy stock. Alex Smith made the most out of Travis Kelce and he should be able to do the same with Reed as long as he stays healthy.
BUF - QB AJ McCarron too conservative
Source: WKBW.com - Joe Buscaglia
Buffalo Bills QB AJ McCarron has been unwilling to take chances and has been holding the ball too long during training camp, according to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.com, and Buscaglia believes McCarron could cost himself the starting job if he doesn't improve.
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McCarron isn't the quarterback of the future for the Bills (that's rookie Josh Allen), and he may not be the quarterback of the now if he doesn't show better in training camp. Outside of LeSean McCoy, Fantasy GMs aren't likely to get much production from other pieces of the Bills offense.
BUF - Josh Allen the best QB in Buffalo?
Source: WKBW.com - Joe Buscaglia
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen has been the best quarterback thus far during training camp, according to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.com.
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Allen's arm certainly has been impressive. That's not the only thing he needs to win the job, and Allen had accuracy issues in college (56.0 percent passer) at Wyoming that need to be improved. Allen is the quarterback of the future, and going up against guys like A.J. McCarron and Nathan Peterman...they may just get to Allen as soon as possible.
BAL - WR John Brown keeps impressing
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Baltimore Ravens WR John Brown continued to 'stand out' among the receivers during practice Saturday, July 28, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
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When Brown is healthy, there's no doubt he can make plays. The Ravens have revamped their WR corps this offseason, going to free agency for the likes of Brown, Michael Crabtee and Willie Snead. The only Ravens WR Fantasy GMs are drafting is Crabtree, currently going off the board at WR28 (6.05) in 12-team PPR leagues. If Brown impresses in training camp and the preseason, keep him on your waiver wire speed dial in deeper leagues.
NE - RB Mike Gillislee may return Monday
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
New England Patriots RB Mike Gillislee (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Sunday, July 29, but could return to practice as early as Monday, July 30, according to a source.
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Gillislee, Jeremy Hill, and undrafted free agent Ralph Webb are battling one potential roster spot as the #4 back, that is if the Patriots choose to keep four in addition to special teams ace Brandon Bolden.
NE - WR Jordan Matthews unable to finish practice
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
New England Patriots WR Jordan Matthews (hamstring) left practice early Sunday, July 29, because of a hamstring injury.
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It doesn't appear to be serious but in the free for all for Patriots wide receiver roster spots, a player can't afford to give up any ground. Matthews isn't a lock for the roster, so he'll need to get back on the field soon.
MIA - TE A.J. Derby sits out
Source: The Miami Herald - Armando Salguero
Miami Dolphins TE A.J. Derby (foot) did not participate in practice Sunday, July 29, because of a foot injury.
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Derby is one of the main obstacles between second-round pick Mike Gesicki and playing time and targets. If this is a lingering injury, it could give the rookie a chance to build momentum with the first team.
TEN - Tennessee not looking at WR Dez Bryant
Source: NFL Network - Omar Ruiz
Free-agent WR Dez Bryant (Cowboys) is not an option for the Tennessee Titans at this time even though WR Rishard Matthews (undisclosed) is dealing with an injury, according to a source. The Titans could show interest in Bryant down the road.
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This can be spun as good news on Matthews' injury, but Bryant's locker room reputation isn't spotless and that could raise the desperation bar for signing him. It's also possible that they don't want to make any moves until they can see if Matthews is ready to return and has an uneventful return during camp or the preseason.
PIT - TE Vance McDonald injured Sunday
Source: The Athletic - Mark Kaboly
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Vance McDonald (foot) was carted off the field toward the end of practice with a foot injury Sunday, July 29.
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Let's not move on from Jesse James quite yet. The team reportedly envisioned a bigger role for McDonald this year after he caught ten passes in the playoff loss to Jacksonville. This could also open up more opportunity for Eli Rogers or James Washington if it's serious, especially with Juju Smith-Schuster also dealing with an undisclosed injury.
SF - Dante Pettis standing out
Source: 49ers.com - Joe Fann
San Francisco 49ers WR Dante Pettis is 'starting to stack good practices together' and 'smooth in and out of his breaks,' according to Joe Fann of 49ers.com.
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Trent Taylor being on the PUP is opening up a chance for Pettis to make an impression and he's taking advantage of it. At this rate, he'll be a hot late round sleeper by mid-August.
OAK - RB Jalen Richard diagnosed with calf strain
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur
Updating an earlier report, Oakland Raiders RB Jalen Richard (calf) exited practice with a calf strain Sunday, July 29.
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The team may sign another back and this certainly gives DeAndre Washington a leg up over Richard to make the team as the third back. Richard has been explosive in limited work and if the Raiders release him, he could find greener pastures elsewhere once healthy.
DEN - WR Demaryius Thomas moving around
Source: USA TODAY Sports - Lindsay H. Jones
Denver Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas is 'working everywhere, including as the Z receiver for the first time,' according to Lindsay H. Jones of USA TODAY.
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Thomas has been a little banged up this spring, but he appears to be healthy and no Broncos player is poised to benefit more from the upgrade to Case Keenum at quarterback than Thomas. He's a high floor, safe pick at ADP.
WAS - WR Josh Doctson a weapon in the red zone
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Washington Redskins WR Josh Doctson will be 'most dangerous' in the red zone, according to head coach Jay Gruden, but Gruden said Doctson will have a hard time putting up big numbers overall because the offense spreads the ball around.
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Doctson is set for a breakout season and working to become a favorite target of QB Alex Smith. Fantasy GMs are drafting him at WR56 (12.08) in 12-team PPR leagues.
Source: footballguys.com