Fantasy News

Vance McDonald plays but isn’t targeted in 49ers preseason game.

McDonald started the game and probably played longer than anyone else that started. There’s some speculation that the Niners are trying to showcase McDonald, who was just signed to an extension at the end of last season and is listed as the starter on the unofficial depth chart, to trade him.

8/12/17 - 11:07 AM ET

Emmanuel Sanders left practice after falling on his shoulder.

Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said the team is being smart (Sanders stopped practicing), and James Palmer of NFL Network says Joseph “didn’t sound worried.” It sounds like this could be just a minor injury, though Sanders did deal with shoulder injuries last season. It’s something to think about when making decisions during your fantasy draft. Still, hopefully Sanders is OK and can get back out there soon. He might be held out of Saturday’s preseason game as a precaution.

Via: James Palmer 8/16/17 - 03:57 PM ET

Peyton Barber sees team-high eight carries in preseason opener.

Barber turned the attempts into 21 yards. The Bucs running back battle will be one of the more intriguing to watch this offseason because it should be featured on ‘Hard Knocks,’ but it’s unlikely that Barber would become a fantasy contributor if he carves out a role.

8/12/17 - 11:06 AM ET

The Eagles have released RB Ryan Mathews, according to Ian Rapoport.

This was expected after Philadelphia added LeGarrette Blount, Donnel Pumphrey, and Corey Clement this offseason. Mathews is presumably fully recovered from his vertebrae injury, which is excellent news. Mathews is soon to be 30, but teams will certainly be interested in the services of the former first-round pick and near-1,300-yard back. The Ravens, who lost Kenneth Dixon for the season to a torn meniscus, are the team that first comes to mind. It’s also possible Mathews waits for other teams to be interested later in the preseason.

Via: Ian Rapoport 8/15/17 - 11:40 AM ET

Garrett Celek catches 24-yard pass in opening preseason game.

He ran a corner route and made a nice catch on a pass from Matt Barkley. Celek is probably on the roster bubble.

8/12/17 - 11:06 AM ET

Sammie Coates is listed as a top four receiver on the Steelers depth chart.

Coates was just activated off the PUP after he missed a few weeks with a knee scope, but he’s been inserted as the primary backup to Antonio Brown on the depth chart. The starters for Pittsburgh are Brown and Martavis Bryant, with Coates and Darrius Heyward-Bey listed behind them, with Eli Rogers and Justin Hunter behind them. Second-round pick JuJu Smith-Schuster and Cobi Hamilton are listed as “other” behind them on the depth chart. Pittsburgh clearly has a deep receiving corps, and they are going to have to make difficult decisions when it becomes time to cut the roster from 90 players to 53.

8/16/17 - 03:02 PM ET

Sims rushed three times for 23 yards in Friday night’s preseason opener.

Competing for a role with Doug Martin suspended for the first three games of the regular season, this was a good start for Sims, though he wasn’t involved as a pass catcher. He might not be a lock for the roster if rookie Jeremy McNichols shows enough in the preseason, but Sims should keep his spot if he keeps making the most of his touches.

8/12/17 - 11:04 AM ET