Just last week, we received word that LaPorta has been having a “terrific” training camp. He suffered a season-ending back injury last year, which ultimately required surgery. While the surprise absence is somewhat concerning, this could simply be LaPorta taking a veteran rest day in the middle of the week. This is worth tracking, but not worth worrying about at this time.
This is unfortunate. The second-year pass rusher seemingly had a chance to play right away, but the team is apparently adjusting its expectations. Williams, 22, suffered a season-ending ACL tear in November. Whenever he makes it back, he will provide a decent boost to the 49ers’ defensive line.
According to Boyd, Warren “went down” while running a route during 11-on-11 drills. He “got up clutching at his groin area” before making his way to the sideline to meet with the Colts’ training staff. FOX 59’s Mike Chappell said Warren was exhibiting a limp while leaving the field. This is not the kind of news we want to hear, but the second-year tight end still has time to rehab a minor tweak before the regular season opener. Stay tuned.
Metcalf chose not to reveal details on the injury that has kept him sidelined for a week and a half. He simply said there are no long-term concerns, and he expects to be good to go for the season opener. Hopefully, he begins ramping up before long. Metcalf is a borderline WR3/FLEX, competing for the team’s top wide receiver role with WR Michael Pittman this year.
Tate apparently took a hard hit during Monday’s practice, but coach Robert Saleh said Tate’s stiffness is unrelated. The first-round rookie wide receiver had a good showing in spring practices, but may currently be behind slot WR Wan’Dale Robinson in the target pecking order. As is the case with many rookie wide receivers, Tate’s production could be back-weighted toward the end of the season this year.
Pinter has been competing with C Ethan Pocic for the starting job. Pocic notably suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture last year. Hopefully, Pinter escapes with a minor injury and the competition can continue.
According to Cleveland’s Mary Kay Cabot, Judkins was “the object of much of the chippiness on Tuesday.” According to multiple beat reporters, Browns coach Todd Monken abruptly ended practice early yesterday because defenders were being a little too physical. The team could simply be giving Judkins the day off after taking some hits yesterday, but this is worth keeping an eye on. Browns No. 2 RB Dylan Sampson operated as the team’s starter with Judkins sitting out.
Thornton left Tuesday’s practice early after reportedly straining a hamstring. Apparently, it was a very mild strain. The Chiefs’ field-stretching wide receiver was back in pads, practicing on Wednesday. We do not yet know if he was a full participant, but it seems as though he is good to go.
Pittman has been sidelined for a week and a half. According to Penn Live’s Nick Farabaugh, Pittman is only dealing with a minor hamstring strain, though. The veteran wide receiver currently profiles as a borderline WR3/FLEX this year, playing for a new team for the first time in his career.
Pollard had missed two practices with a foot issue he picked up in the Titans’ preseason game against the Niners over the weekend. Pollard went for 22 yards and a touchdown on four carries against San Francisco while Tyjae Spears had 35 yards on four rushes. Spears caught one pass in the game while Pollard was not involved in the pass game. Pollard profiles as a flex option in 12-team leagues, though he could be touchdown dependent with Spears taking on much of the pass-catching role.
It’s a devastating blow for the second-year pro and the Houston offense. Higgins was set to be the team’s No. 2 wideout behind Nico Collins this season after posting 525 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie operating mostly as a downfield threat. Higgins’ absence in the Texans offense leaves the team without much depth at the position. Expect Xavier Hutchinson to take on a much more prominent role in the balanced Houston offense while Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel see a bump in snaps and routes. It’s hard to say any Texans receiver not named Nico will have much in the way of fantasy value in 2026.
Biadasz sustained a major knee injury this week in joint practices with the 49ers. Schefter said Biadasz sustained “damage to his ACL and additional injuries to his left knee,” and will seek second opinions on how to deal with the injury. That’s never a good sign, and likely means Biadasz is done for the 2026 season. His absence could be a blow for Omarion Hampton and the Chargers’ run game under new OC Mike McDaniel.
Black had missed two weeks with a thigh injury before emerging as the clear top running back with McCaffrey sidelined. Barrows said Black “certainly didn’t look rusty, taking an early carry to the left for 50 yards and showing violence and strength on several ensuing runs. Black also had a catch at the goal line in a red zone drill.” Niners players and coaches were impressed by Black, who was taken with the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. “I thought he looked good hitting the hole and running hard,” Brock Purdy said. “You could tell there was a different level of intensity when he touched the ball.” With Jordan James struggling through a broken rib, Black will have a real chance to establish himself as the Niners’ RB2 ahead of the regular season. Black should be stashed in deeper fantasy formats in case CMC, 30, misses time in 2026.
Greenard injured his pec in late July and was expected back sometime in August. Whether it was a more serious injury than first thought or whether Greenard had a setback, he appears iffy for the Eagles’ regular season opener against Washington. Greenard’s absence would make the Commanders’ matchup a little friendlier for fantasy purposes. The Eagles and Vikings in April agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension that ties Greenard to the Eagles through 2029 and guarantees the linebacker $50 million. Greenard’s 13.5 percent pressure rate in 12 games in 2025 ranked seventh among all linebackers.
The rookie first-round pick has been sidelined for nearly two weeks with the hamstring issue, as DeVonta Smith deals with his own hamstring injury. While Lemon was seen running on the side at practice earlier this week, the Eagles will probably be careful with the wideout ahead of their Week 1 game against Washington. Lemon should operate as the team’s WR2 when healthy.
Bigsby, who will operate as the Eagles’ No. 2 back behind Saquon Barkley, had missed some practice time with the toe issue. He appears fully back well ahead of the team’s regular season opener against Washington. One of the most efficient rushers over the past two seasons with the Jaguars and Eagles, Bigsby should be drafted as a high-upside contingency option in case Barkley misses any time in 2026.
Faalele, who had spent the past two seasons with the Ravens, signed with the Giants in April. He lands with the Jaguars, who featured a solid offensive line in 2025 that occasionally struggled with run blocking. Faalele will likely operate as a rotational player for Jacksonville.
This comes on the heels of Mendoza impressing Vegas coaches in his preseason debut, completing ten of his 16 attempts for 97 yards and a touchdown against Arizona. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said after the game that the team’s Week 1 starting gig was still Kirk Cousins’ to lose. It appears Mendoza, with another solid preseason performance, could challenge for that top spot. Kubiak will be watching the rookie’s anticipation closely when Vegas takes on the Texans on Thursday.
Kamara, 31, exited the Saints’ Tuesday scrimmage with a knee injury. The one-month recovery timeline — at best — means Kamara will likely miss the team’s regular season opener, and perhaps their Week 2 game. Travis Etienne, meanwhile, should function as something close to a workhorse while Kamara is sidelined. Etienne’s PPR upside gets a boost if Kamara is sidelined for the first couple regular season contests.
It comes as little surprise after Biadasz was carted off the field during Tuesday’s joint practice with the Niners. Losing Biadasz would be a heavy blow for Mike McDaniels, Justin Herbert, and the LA offense. It looks like the Bolts will have to play most of the 2026 season without their stud center as major injuries continue to haunt the organization.
Wirfs sustained a hamstring injury during the first week of Bucs training camp. The team has been cautious with their superstar offensive lineman ahead of the season, and we should expect that to continue in the weeks ahead of the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Bengals. Baker Mayfield has struggled when the Bucs have had offensive line injuries over the past couple seasons.
Johnson, who functioned primarily as a special teams player last season in New England, had a couple productive years in Cleveland before becoming a journeyman back. Johnson probably won’t factor into the Tennessee backfield unless Tyjae Spears or Tony Pollard go down to injury.
Blue was able to go for the preseason opener against the Seahawks on Saturday, but was held out of action for the combined practice. He’s attempting to win the backup tailback job and competing with Malik Davis for that honor.
The Saints are obviously going to take every necessary precaution, but it’s still a situation to monitor. The 31-year-old tailback is likely to have a reduced role after the club brought in Travis Etienne in free agency, but because of his ability as a pass-catcher, still has a chance to be a productive fantasy player. There should be further updates on Kamara’s knee soon.