Wentz started this game and was on the field for two drives, both of which resulted in punts. J.J. McCarthy missed this game with an ankle issue and was already fighting for the backup job. The missed practice time and recurring injury issues likely have him behind Wentz on the depth chart when Week 1 comes around. The hope for Vikings fans is that Murray is a capable distributor of the football and neither Wentz nor McCarthy sees the field this year.
Lance could have the inside track for the Saints’ short-term No. 3 wide receiver job with WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) sidelined, though WR Barion Brown will almost assuredly make the roster as a receiver and returner. Lance nearly added a decent, leaping downfield gain to his box score, but QB Spencer Rattler’s pass grazed off his fingertips along the sideline. Brown was not involved as a receiver today, but rushed twice for 19 yards and one touchdown, including an eight-yard jet sweep that got him into the end zone. He also returned one punt for four yards.
Johnson added two catches for 15 yards and had another chunk gain through the air called back because of a penalty. Kenneth Walker didn’t play in this contest, allowing Johnson to draw the start with some of KC’s first-team offense on the field. Johnson split reps with Emari Demercado over the team’s first three drives, then left the game for good. He looks like the team’s No. 2 back, though all three backs have been the next man up behind Walker at some point during the preseason. Johnson isn’t guaranteed the backup job, but he’s now the favorite, putting him in the mix as a late-round flyer in deeper fantasy leagues.
Tucker and RB Josh Williams competed for the Buccaneers’ No. 3 running back job all night. Tucker got the start, touching the ball on three of the first four plays. Unfortunately, the drive ultimately ended in a punt, as did almost all of the others. It was an unproductive night for the Buccaneers’ offense. Williams entered the game on the second drive, and the two players continued to rotate in and out thereafter. Williams rushed eight times for 21 yards. Tucker caught one pass for minus-one yard as well. Neither player really separated from the other in the box score. The team must now choose between the trusted, higher-priced veteran, Tucker, and the more affordable second-year player, Williams. If Tucker is released, it could allow “1A” RB Bucky Irving to hoard short-yardage and goal-line work, which would significantly boost his fantasy-scoring outlook.
Darnell Mooney and Malachi Fields rested. Malik Nabers, still recovering from his 2025 ACL tear, was held out. Beckham drew the start along with the rest of the second-string offense. His stat line was impressive and it nearly went stratospheric when he burned the Jets’ secondary for a would-be 70-yard touchdown. Jameis Winston overthrew the pass and Beckham was unable to haul it in despite laying out for the catch. Per the eye test, Beckham still has something in the tank, even if that something is likely just good enough for a depth role. He isn’t a lock to make the Giants’ roster, but this preseason showing certainly helped.
Meyers seemingly has the No. 4 wide receiver job locked up. On the first drive, he hauled in three passes. He bagged a nine-yard pass on an in-breaking route from the slot on the first, a 17-yard pass via a corner route from the slot and a 25-yard gain on the following play. The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. labeled Meyers a “roster lock,” saying at first a special teams returner role seemed to be Meyers’ ticket to a roster spot, but “the consistency of his playmaking at every turn of camp and the preseason made him undeniable.” He ran with the first-team offense in practice this week, and Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters said, “he can play all three positions.” File Meyers’ name away for down the road.
Lemon had a rough night, but tonight’s outcome does not make him any less of a top-tier prospect. The first-round rookie was sidelined by a recurring hamstring injury for much of the spring and summer, so a rusty first showing is understandable. Lemon took the blame, on the field, for QB Tanner McKee’s interception, although it is fair to note that McKee’s pass arrived late. Lemon had broken inward, off his stem, and an open window was available to the Eagles’ backup quarterback. Unfortunately, Lemon was forced to slow down and leap for the pass, accidentally batting it backward as he attempted to high-point it. Bengals CB Tacario Davis snagged it and that was that. Davis also broke up a pass intended for Lemon on a corner route 20 yards downfield earlier in the game. He had a good night. Lemon may need to ramp up for another couple of weeks, but he remains a smart draft pick in 12-team leagues.
Harris saw his first game action since he suffered a torn Achilles last year. The 28-year-old running back had 39 yards on 11 carries and his longest run was for nine yards. Harris added a 20-yard reception, giving him 59 scrimmage yards on 12 opportunities. Perhaps the most interesting development from this game as it relates to Harris’ fantasy value was that Tyrone Tracy left with an undisclosed injury. Regardless of Tracy’s health, Harris was brought in to be a “significant contributor” to the Giants, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. He looked the part in Friday’s preseason finale against the Jets.
Tracy left Friday’s preseason game against the Jets with an apparent injury in the second quarter. The Giants announced Tracy was evaluated for a concussion, but was able to clear concussion protocol. Before leaving the game, Tracy had 37 yards and a touchdown on four carries. He doesn’t carry much standalone fantasy value in a crowded Giants backfield that also includes Cam Skattebo, Najee Harris and Devin Singletary.
Davis appears to have secured a roster spot, but we won’t know for sure until Sunday. The broadcast initially referred to him as the starter, but it was instead RB Phil Mafah who took the field. Mafah dominated backfield touches throughout the first half, repeatedly running into Saints defenders on runs up the middle. He was spelled by RB Israel Abanikanda. Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue does not seem to be playing this evening. Last Sunday, The Athletic’s Jon Machota predicted Blue would seize the No. 2 running back job from Davis in-season.
Douglas has seemingly secured a starting role in his rookie season. The big-bodied downfield wide receiver looked good in the first preseason game and played just three snaps in the second one. The Dolphins are expected to field a run-heavy offense, but Douglas could warrant FLEX treatment before long. He should be targeted late in drafts.
Bell played in the preseason for the first time this evening. He got involved early and looked good. He snagged a four-yard catch on the first play from scrimmage and hauled in an 18-yarder on the next drive by finding the soft spot in the Falcons’ zone coverage on a post route. Bell got shaken up by a hard hit while unsuccessfully attempting to bring in another pass, but he remained on the field and came back out for the next drive as well. Bell’s return from an ACL tear seems to be going well, and the Dolphins’ wide receiver depth chart has open roles. He should be targeted as a last-round pick in 12-team fantasy drafts.
It was a rough day for Tagovailoa. The Falcons quarterback was greeted by booes in his former home stadium this evening. He maintained his relatively low level of play, throwing short and, at one point, fumbling a snap, which was recovered by a Dolphins defender. It was not his worst showing, but it is unlikely to earn him the starting job either.
Pitts ripped off multiple double-digit gains, moved well and looked tough to bring down. He delivered a 37-yard catch on the Falcons’ first drive, securing the pass on a quick out route from bunch formation before taking off down the right sideline. He later had a 16-yard gain on a sort crossing route, where he again chewed up yards after the catch. Pitts is a mid-tier TE1 entering the year.
Per Dehner, Young has “made as many highlight catches as anyone, validating the Bengals’ fourth-round pick.” He believes “the seeds of a bright future were planted” for Young this summer. That said, Young is still developing and is likely to start the season as the Bengals’ No. 5 wide receiver.
Tracy went down after an eight-yard run late in the second quarter. After he was on the ground for a while, Tracy headed to the locker room with a trainer. While the nature of his injury remains unclear, Tracy was an effective runner against the Jets with 37 yards and a touchdown on four carries.
Appearing on NFL Live Friday afternoon, Fowler said that people inside the Raiders’ building and around the league still expect Cousins to be named the starter. Raiders HC Klint Kubiak declined to name a starting quarterback Friday morning. Following the loss of Thursday’s preseason game against the 49ers, Kubiak said rookie Fernando Mendoza needs another three preseason games before going as far as mentioning that Mendoza’s practice reps will decline once the regular season begins. While Kubiak continues to drag his feet when it comes to the official announcement, all signs still point to Cousins being named the starter at some point eventually.
Dehner has been covering the Bengals’ intent to increase the number of plays run from under center all summer. Last season, “the Bengals ran from under center 120 times on early downs. The league average was 210.” Per Dehner, it has become clear “over the weeks that the under-center offense would not be going away.” The Bengals are committed to changing their ways in pursuit of more explosive gains. Starting RB Chase Brown is a locked-in RB1.
The Vikings hoped that McCarthy’s ankle injury would heal, but ultimately the 23-year-old quarterback isn’t ready to play. The injury is considered minor and McCarthy is day-to-day, according to Lewis. While minor, McCarthy’s injury has cost him valuable reps as he now finds himself battling Carson Wentz for the QB2 job.
Taylor stops short of declaring Allen a starter in three-wide receiver sets, so he is likely still stuck in the No. 4 wide receiver spot. The fifth-round rookie has at least carved out a role for himself, and Taylor dubs him “the biggest winner in camp.” Allen is a worthwhile late-round pick at this time.
This might not matter, but it is worth noting. The Florida Times-Union recently reported that Jaguars WR Jakobi Meyers () is sidelined, as is WR Brian Thomas (shoulder). Both picked up minor injuries recently, but according to Shipley, the team does not “seem overly concerned” about either issue. Cameron and fellow sixth-round rookie WR CJ Williams have had good training camps. Cameron is evidently the name to know for waiver wire purposes in-season.
The Bengals sent the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft to acquire the disgruntled former Giant. Per Dehner, Bears coach Ben Johnson described him as “a menace” in joint practices, and QB Caleb Williams referred to him as “an All-Pro guy” and a “force to be reckoned with.” It sounds like things are panning out for Lawrence. Whether he can spark a defensive turnaround in Cincinnati remains to be seen, but the 28-year-old defensive tackle could pose problems this season.
The Steelers also waived CB Jaylon Guilbeau, S Jack Henderson, DB Brandon Hill, DB Tamon Lynum, DB Daryl Porter, OL Gregory Crippen, RB Alex Tecza, WR Jakobie Keeney-James and WR Isaiah Winstead. The Steelers released WR Cornell Powell
The Browns also released CB Tre Avery, CB Tyler Hall and OT Tyre Phillips. The Browns waived TE Drew Biber, OT Jeremiah Byers, P
Nik Constantinou, S Christopher Edmonds, CB Nate Evans, DT Coziah Izzard, DT Patrick Jenkins, CB Jeremiah McClendon, T Izavion Miller, DE Jamil Muhammad, WR Ben Patterson and TE Jermaine Terry II.
A fibula injury sidelined Harris for Weeks 4-12 last season. He totaled two pass breakups, 27 tackles and one quarterback pressure while active.