Fantasy Sports

Stafford leaving practice is likely a precautionary measure for the Rams to ensure any hamstring issue does not escalate. Head coach Sean McVay said, “unfortunately, [Stafford] had some tightness” in Wednesday’s joint practice against the Cowboys. The 36-year-old just agreed to a re-worked contract in the offseason and the Rams anticipate Stafford continuing to run the offense at a high level. Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett took over reps for the second half of the practice.

Just days after it was reported Judon had multiple teams inquiring about him, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reports the Patriots are finalizing a trade to send him to the Falcons. He is entering the final year of his deal, set to make a base salary of $6.5 million. Judon was a brief hold-in to Patriots camp and now gets dealt. The Falcons presumably would be willing to give Judon a larger contract than the Patriots were and get the four-time Pro Bowler to bulk up their pass rush. ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds the Falcons are sending a third-round pick to the Patriots in return. While the Falcons do not yet have a new contract in place with Judon, he has been practicing with the Patriots and this is unlikely to turn into a situation like Haason Reddick’s with the Jets. Judon will be 32 at the start of the season, performing at a high level in New England with 32 sacks in 38 games. He previously spent five productive seasons with the Ravens. The Falcons now add Judon to wreak havoc as the most experienced edge rusher on the team.

Davis retired just before the start of the 2023 season but has since decided to attempt a comeback. The Jets released him early in the offseason, allowing him to sign with any team willing to take a shot on him. The Bills are shockingly thin at wide receiver heading into the season, creating a need for extra depth at the position. Davis won’t be a fantasy-relevant option in Buffalo, but he could provide the team with a veteran presence as they attempt to figure out their rotation.

Addison is still undergoing tests, but things don’t look to be serious. It’s a sigh of relief for Vikings fans and fantasy drafters alike after Addison was carted off the practice field earlier today. Assuming the tests don’t reveal anything unexpected, Addison should have a good shot at suiting up for the Vikings’ Week 1 opener in less than a month. He can remain in the WR4 range until we get another update from the team.

Per Lewis, Addison went up for a contested ball before going down. He hobbled off the field with the help of trainers at first but eventually left on a cart. Having just lost J.J. McCarthy for the season to a lower-body injury, this is not the news Vikings fans want to see. However, it’s fairly standard for players to be carted to the locker room with even minor injuries during camp as a precaution, so fantasy managers shouldn’t panic just yet. Should Addison miss any time, Jalen Nailor would seemingly be in line for the WR2 job opposite Justin Jefferson.

Per Payton, Nix will also get the majority of the first-team reps in practice this week. Jarrett Stidham got the same treatment heading into his start in the Broncos’ preseason opener versus the Colts. Nix went 15-of-21 for 125 yards and a touchdown in relief of Stidham in that game. A good outing this week should lock him in as the Broncos’ Week 1 starter. If he struggles, the door will remain cracked for Stidham to get the nod in Week 1.

McCarthy suffered the knee injury during the Vikings’ preseason opener last weekend. It was initially reported as knee soreness, but the issue was later revealed to be a meniscus injury that required surgery. Barring any setbacks, McCarthy should be ready for training camp next year. Without the No. 10 overall pick looking over his shoulder, Sam Darnold is locked in as the Vikings starter this year. With Kevin O’Connell calling the shots and Justin Jefferson as his top receiver, this is the best situation Darnold has ever found himself in as a starter. He will rank as a QB2 to open the season.

Wright, the 120th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, fits well in head coach Mike McDaniel’s outside zone running scheme, and performed well in Miami’s preseason opener against Atlanta. Wright had ten rushes for 55 yards and a score along with one target against the Falcons. McDaniel said Wednesday that Wright, Raheem Mostert, and De’Von Achane would “determine who gets the ball and how frequently and how much during the game.” Wright said he’s comfortable in McDaniel’s offense. “I feel like I’m explosive,” Wright said. “I’m not somebody that’s going to dance around in a hole. If I see a cut, I’m going to hit it with full speed. If I get in the open field, I mean, it’s over with. I don’t feel like nobody’s catching me. I mean, I could also lower my shoulder. I have power with me. Elusive. I feel like I got a mix of a lot of running styles.” More impressive play from Wright in preseason action and Miami’s backfield could be something of a three-way split in 2024.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday morning that Gibbs — who picked up a hamstring injury on Monday — is “gonna be fine.” Schultz confirmed Gibbs’ injury isn’t a long-term issue, and barring any setbacks in the coming weeks, the second-year back should suit up for Week 1 against LA. In Detroit’s postseason win over the Rams last season, Gibbs had 25 yards on eight carries and four catches for 43 yards.

Though he’s not taking every first-team practice rep with Brown sidelined, Watson — who had 27 catches as a wind sprinter last year in the KC offense — looks to be the favorite to join Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice in three-receiver sets until Brown is ready to return. Brown went to the hospital after sustaining a serious shoulder injury in the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Jaguars last weekend. He could be in danger of missing the team’s season opener against the Ravens. Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore could have a rotational role while Brown is out. Moore was not targeted on seven routes last week against the Jags.