Fantasy News

Deon Cain (knee) is running routes and doing almost everything.

Cain looked like a major steal out of the sixth round in last year’s draft, but a preseason knee injury ended his rookie season before it started; however, the Clemson product is close to 100% as he gets back on the field after the torn ACL. Cain says he’s still rehabbing, but that he’s still working on the field, running routes, and “basically doing most everything that they are doing on the offseason program.” Colts GM Chris Ballard says he expects Cain on the field with his teammates for the start of training camp but that he will really get back to full strength during the middle of the regular season. Indianapolis signed former Panthers receiver Devin Funchess to a one-year deal during free agency and drafted Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell in the second round, but Cain should make a push for playing time in 2019 and beyond. Ultimately, his fantasy value might not come until 2020 when Funchess might sign elsewhere in free agency next offseason.

Via: Colts.com 5/29/19 - 07:55 PM ET

Trey Burton is recovering from sports hernia surgery.

Head coach Matt Nagy said his starting tight end had the procedure a couple months ago, but he hopes to be at full strength by training camp. The latter note is certainly a good sign, but if Burton’s absence lingers into August, fantasy owners would likely have cause for concern. Burton caught 54 passes for 569 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with the Bears.

Via: Around The NFL 5/29/19 - 03:07 PM ET

Todd Gurley wants to play lighter this season.

NFL Network’s Steve Wyche reports that holding Gurley out of OTAs has been the plan since shortly after the Super Bowl, when the Rams came together and made a plan for the former Offensive Player of the Year leading up to the 2019 season. Gurley’s trainer Travelle Gaines says the All-Pro running back isn’t doing certain harder exercises (like running up hills and work in the sand) but that they’re otherwise training the same as they have in the past. So while Gurley isn’t on the field participating in OTAs with his team, he’s still training and staying in shape, and Gurley reportedly wants to play at about 218 pounds this season, which would be six or seven pounds lighter than where he played in 2018. This shedded weight would mean less on his knees, and it could help him get even more involved as a receiver. Again, the summer will be key for Gurley as his potential workload and fantasy value is gauged for this year. There’s obviously risk given the knee issue Gurley dealt with at the end of last season, but he could still be in the mix near the top of fantasy drafts late this summer if all goes well in the coming months.

Via: Steve Wyche 5/29/19 - 01:52 PM ET

Saquon Barkley says he doesn’t think any number of touches is too high for him.

The second-year running back was asked if he thinks over 352 touches (the number of touches he received last season) would be too much for him, and he responded: “I don’t think any number is too high for me personally. At the end of the day, I know I sound like a broken record, but you will hear this for as long as I am in the NFL, as long as I take care of my body, my body will take care of me. I will continue to have my team around me. Obviously, have a great strength staff here and a great training staff here. Have to be a pro outside the facility. Whether it is 350 touches, 400 touches or less touches next year. Whatever I have to do to have this team compete for a championship, I am going to do.” Barkley is a freak athlete that’s a workout warrior and takes care of his body, and he should be able to handle a heavy workload every week. The only slight concern with Barkley not getting fed the ball every single week is if the Giants are out of contention late in the season and want to scale back their star player’s workload to keep him healthy for future seasons. Barkley should probably be the No. 1 pick in all 2019 fantasy drafts.

Via: Giants.com 5/29/19 - 09:17 AM ET

Todd Gurley is not participating in OTAs.

Rams head coach Sean McVay says that while Gurley isn’t practicing but has been a consistent participant for much of the offseason, adding that the team has him “on a great plan.” Gurley’s non-participation is going to alarm people, but we shouldn’t blow this out of proportion just yet. The Rams want their star running back fresh for January and hopefully February, so it makes sense to take things slow in the spring—it’s not like Gurley isn’t comfortable in McVay’s offense after two seasons of stellar play in it. Gurley’s knee will be a storyline all summer leading up to fantasy drafts.

Via: Andrew Siciliano 5/28/19 - 05:37 PM ET

The Saints have signed Javorius Allen, according to Field Yates.

Allen caught 129 passes in Baltimore over the past four seasons, and he will look to crack New Orleans’ roster as pass-catching depth behind Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray. The USC product will turn 28 at the end of August.

Via: Field Yates 5/28/19 - 04:33 PM ET

Orleans Darkwa is “100 percent” recovered from torn Achilles suffered in October.

Darkwa says he’s ready to sign with a team, and we’d think there’ll be interest around the league for the 27-year-old. The former Giant was out of the league last year after dealing with a couple of leg issues including the torn Achilles, but it’d be a surprise if another team doesn’t at least give him a chance to win a role this summer.

Via: Adam Schefter 5/28/19 - 12:34 PM ET