Fantasy News

The Raiders have signed Paul Butler.

Butler has been bouncing around a bit with most of his time coming in Oakland over the past couple of years, and he will get another chance to make the 53-man roster this summer. Las Vegas has plenty of options at the position, so Butler likely needs to really impress in order to climb the depth chart behind Darren Waller.

5/28/20 - 04:34 PM ET

Joe Flacco underwent a disc repair last month, according to Tom Pelissero.

Flacco is still recovering from the neck injury that ended his 2019 season, and Pelissero says that the timeline to be cleared is around August-to-September. The former Super Bowl MVP will likely have to settle for a backup job, but teams would be wise to sign him if he’s healthy as a proven winner in January. Flacco turned 35 at the start of the year.

Via: Tom Pelissero 5/7/20 - 03:31 PM ET

Alex Smith has been cleared for football activities, according to ESPN’s Stephania Bell.

What an awesome story. Bell and ESPN have been speaking to Smith recently for a documentary “Project 11” as he comes back from his devastating tibia and fibula fracture from 2018, and Bell writes that Smith “has received clearance from his surgical team to return to full football activity.” It has obviously been a long and extremely tough road for Smith, but there was a question of whether he would be able to use his leg again after the injury suffered against the Texans a couple of seasons ago. Smith will obviously have to knock off the rust and get Washington or another team to feel comfortable clearing him themselves and putting him out on the field, but he’s performed like a franchise quarterback for the several previous years he’s been playing. It would be awesome to see Smith suit up on Sundays again, and we’re cheering for him.

Via: ESPN 7/24/20 - 07:39 PM ET

Raheem Mostert has requested a trade from the 49ers.

Mostert has said that he wants a new contract ahead of this season, but his trade request is a bit of a surprise. Mostert’s agent Brett Tessler tweeted, “After months of unproductive talks with the 49ers about fairly adjusting Raheem Mostert’s contract (which paid him for special teams) we have requested a trade. Disappointing that it would come to this for a guy who led all NFL RBs in YPC & helped lead them to the Super Bowl.” Mostert worked his way into a large role on offense and averaged 5.6 yards per carry with ten total touchdowns last season, and he’s looking to cash in now at 28 years old—or at the very least get a pay raise that pays him as a key contributor on offense with two years left on his deal. The situation becomes an interesting one, as the 49ers might not be willing to budge considering the plug-and-play success of numerous running backs in the Shanahan offense (along with the presence of Tevin Coleman in the backfield). With training camp around the corner, a holdout is certainly a possibility.

Via: Brett Tessler 7/8/20 - 05:08 PM ET

The Raiders placed Nick O’Leary on the NFI/reserve list.

O’Leary was just signed by the Raiders this offseason, and this is a surprise move. It’s unclear what O’Leary is dealing with, but hopefully he’s OK. The veteran tight end might ultimately be released so that he can land with another team, but we’ll see as more is learned about his status.

5/28/20 - 04:30 PM ET

Devontae Booker is signing with the Raiders.

While the Raiders added Lynn Bowden Jr. in the draft, Booker is another option that will help pick up the slack at running back with DeAndre Washington now with the Chiefs. Booker has potential as a runner, but he’s been at his best as a receiving option and pass protector on third downs during his time with the Broncos. Las Vegas appears to be a deep team on paper heading into 2020.

Via: Sean Cunningham 5/7/20 - 09:26 AM ET

Tua Tagovailoa says he’s fully healthy.

Ahead of the start of training camp, Tua told USA TODAY, “I’d say I’m ready to go. It’s kind of one of those things where you start getting the itch to get back out on the field, to be able to compete.” Tagovailoa suffered a bad hip injury over nine months ago while at Alabama, but USA TODAY says he “gave himself a clean bill of health” with training camp around the corner. The COVID-caused delay in the start of camp probably benefitted Tua in that sense, as he’ll be out there for Day 1 competing for the starting job. Tagovailoa adds that he wants to do whatever he can to help the team and understands that might be to stand on the sideline and help out Ryan Fitzpatrick to start. The Dolphins have a chance to be exciting on offense this year with either Tagovailoa or Fitzpatrick under center.

Via: USA TODAY 7/24/20 - 07:35 AM ET