Fantasy News

Thomas Rawls (ankle) won’t play in Seattle’s second preseason game this Friday.

Rawls is dealing with a minor ankle injury, head coach Pete Carroll announced, so he won’t play this Friday against the Vikings. Eddie Lacy will start in his place and might be able to work his way back into the starting lineup after Rawls seemed to have taken control of it. Rawls injury isn’t too concerning yet, but it’s a reminder that he’s battled some injuries through two seasons in the NFL.

Via: Bob Condotta 8/17/17 - 02:44 PM ET

Josh Huff caught one pass for seven yards in the Bucs’ preseason opener.

Huff is trying to earn a roster spot behind the top four receivers on the team, all of which are locked in. His 37-yard punt return should help those chances, as the former Eagle is a talented returner.

8/12/17 - 11:36 AM ET

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said reinstatement for Josh Gordon is “not under active consideration” as far as he knows.

Gordon can apply for reinstatement in September, but apparently nothing has reached the Commissioner’s desk. The talented but troubled receiver hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2014, and we shouldn’t get our hopes up that he will be back on the field until it actually happens. If he never plays again, Gordon has no one to blame but himself. He still has time to change at just 26-years-old, but the one-time rising star is currently wasting away his prime years.

Via: Mary Kay Cabot 8/17/17 - 01:49 PM ET

Freddie Martino records 14-yard reception in preseason opener.

Martino is battling a bunch of guys for a roster spot behind Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Adam Humphries, and Chris Godwin. He gets the Jaguars next time out.

8/12/17 - 11:34 AM ET

More evidence builds for Thomas Rawls being Seattle’s lead back in 2017.

NFL Network’s Steve Wyche says he talked to a Seahawks team official about the running back competition, and “the conversation centered almost exclusively on Rawls.” Wyche says the team official also said Rawls has been “outstanding” this year. Rawls appears to be closer to his rookie form, when he led the NFL in yards per carry as an undrafted rookie, than his sophomore season form when he didn’t really seem like himself for much of the year. The only concern with Rawls’ fantasy value is the presence of C.J. Prosise on passing downs and potentially Eddie Lacy at the goal line. Despite that, Rawls still offers solid upside in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts and is a huge discount at his current ADP which is outside the top 40 running backs.

Via: NFL.com 8/17/17 - 01:29 PM ET

Chris Conley plays very well in preseason opener for KC.

After the departure of Jeremy Maclin, Conley is expected to step up for the Chiefs. He had two receptions for 46 yards, including a very nice back-shoulder catch in the first quarter. Conley also had a long touchdown called back because he was called for offensive pass interference. The third-year receiver from Georgia has a lot of athletic ability, and he could have a breakout season after he progressed through his two seasons in the NFL. He’s a sleeper in deeper leagues.

8/12/17 - 11:33 AM ET

Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell will report to the team before the regular season, according to Adam Schefter.

This is the least bit surprising, but it’s worth forwarding. Schefter does also say “it remains unclear exactly when” Bell will report to the team. At this point, holding out really doesn’t do much good for Bell, as if he plays he’s going to be playing on the franchise tag this season no matter what (2017 franchise-tagged players can no longer negotiate long-term deals until after the season). Bell is a workout warrior that will report to the team in shape, but it’s still concerning he isn’t practicing with the Steelers. It’d probably be best for everyone if Bell reported to the team sooner rather than later.

Via: Adam Schefter 8/17/17 - 01:21 PM ET