Fantasy News

Keith Smith (knee) passes his physical.

Smith had meniscus surgery and missed a couple of weeks of training camp, but he’s back and ready to practice for the Raiders. The fullback is obviously a better real-life asset for the Raiders than he is a fantasy factor.

8/13/19 - 12:43 PM ET

Trey Burton has missed the last three practices.

The Bears say they are taking a cautious approach with Burton, who avoided the PUP list to start training camp despite coming off offseason sports hernia surgery. Bears head coach Matt Nagy says Burton sitting out practices is “not a setback. It’s more of, for us, I’m trying to protect him a little bit. I need him and we need him 100 percent for Week 1.” Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune thinks it’s unlikely that Burton plays this preseason, which won’t be surprising if Chicago wants to ensure their starting tight end is ready to go for the NFL’s 100th season kickoff game on Thursday, September 5. For now, expect Burton to take things slow for the rest of the summer, but he should be good to go for Week 1. This news probably makes Burton a less enticing option toward the end of fantasy drafts.

Via: Chicago Tribune 8/5/19 - 02:44 PM ET

Demaryius Thomas (Achilles) has been activated from the PUP list.

Thomas tore his Achilles in December, but like former teammate Emmanuel Sanders, he’s made an impressive recovery and could now position himself for a roster spot in New England. That said, the Patriots are suddenly loaded at receiver after Josh Gordon was reinstated, so DT is no lock to make the team—and if he does, it could be as the No. 5 option behind Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Phillip Dorsett, and Gordon.

Via: Mike Reiss 8/20/19 - 04:01 PM ET

Tom Brady’s contract voids after this season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Also, Rapoport reports that Brady cannot be franchise tagged or transition tagged by the Patriots. In other words, despite the “extension” agreed to yesterday, Brady is essentially on a one-year contract and can technically become a free agent after this season. However, there’s virtually no chance Brady signs with any team other than the Patriots. Brady’s contract basically gave him a raise while adding cap space for New England, and the two sides are taking things year-by-year as the future Hall of Fame quarterback approaches his age-42 campaign. The six-time Super Bowl champion has indicated he’s going to play a few more seasons.

Via: Ian Rapoport 8/5/19 - 02:20 PM ET

Albert Wilson (hip) is uncertain for Week 1.

The Dolphins say they have a plan to keep increasing Wilson’s workload in practice, but it looks like it’ll be a close call for the start of the regular season. For now, Wilson doesn’t need to be drafted, but hopefully there’s a more reliable timeline on his return to full strength before most people draft after the third or fourth week of the preseason.

Via: Armando Salguero 8/13/19 - 12:28 PM ET

Colts head coach Frank Reich says the team is going to turn Andrew Luck loose this season.

Reich told NBC Sports’ Peter King in the Football Morning In America column that Luck has “been in some really, really good offenses. But I don’t know if he’s ever been in an offense that wants to turn him loose like we’re going to turn him loose this year.” Indianapolis’ offense is stacked with weapons after adding free-agent Devin Funchess and second-round draft pick Parris Campbell at receiver in the offseason, while also getting tight end Jack Doyle and receiver Deon Cain healthy from last season. Luck just threw 39 touchdowns (second in the league) last season, but it sounds like the Colts won’t be surprised if that number increases in 2019. Keep in mind that Reich previously said he wants to run the ball more consistently this season, but if the offense is efficient enough and potentially jumps ahead on opposing teams, there could be enough to go around so that the offense is among the NFL’s best at both running and passing. The lone concern with Luck’s fantasy outlook this season is his calf injury, as the player and the team don’t really know when he’ll return to practice.

Via: NBC Sports 8/5/19 - 07:57 AM ET

Antonio Brown practiced with a certified helmet today.

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden says his All-Pro receiver is “all in ready to go.” Ahead of today’s practice, Brown made waves when he briefly left to reportedly hit the weight room, but he returned shortly after with the rest of the team. Brown seemingly doing his own thing at times might be a concern, but all might be forgiven by his teammates because of how hard he works. AB filed a new grievance against the NFL and is still trying to play with the type of helmet he prefers, but at least he isn’t outright refusing to wear another helmet. Brown might have realized he might be out of a team if he kept up his antics for much longer after general manager Mike Mayock’s comments on Sunday.

8/20/19 - 03:21 PM ET