Fantasy Football News

Jonathan Taylor

RB | IND

Jun 2
10:19am

Not yet practicing

Taylor (ankle) isn't participating at Friday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old relayed in April that the arthroscopic debridement surgery he underwent on his right ankle in January was a "perfect success," but he's apparently not yet ready to practice. Taylor missed the final three games of the season due to the ankle injury, and the Colts are likely to remain cautious with his offseason work. He's expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp.

Jalen Tolbert

WR | DAL

Jun 2
6:32am

Looking more comfortable in Year 2

Tolbert has made several impressive plays in OTAs, including during the two-minute drill, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' website reports.

The 2022 third-round pick out of South Alabama did little as a rookie, seeing action in only eight games and catching two of three targets for 12 yards, and his small-school background seemed to leave him ill-prepared for the complexities of an NFL offense. Tolbert did flash impressive athleticism in college though, and his good early showing in OTAs suggests he has a better handle on the playbook and is no longer lost on the field. He has a tough climb to become fantasy-relevant, however, and he'll head into mandatory minicamp battling Simi Fehoko for the No. 4 spot on the Dallas depth chart at wide receiver.

Simi Fehoko

WR | DAL

Jun 2
6:21am

Making early case for WR4

Fehoko could be ahead in the battle for the fourth wide receiver spot on the Cowboys' depth chart after OTAs, Patrik Walker of the team's website reports.

A fifth-round pick out of Stanford in 2021, Fehoko has only three catches through his first two NFL seasons, but he got some run in OTAs on the first team with Dak Prescott under center and showed sharp routes and sticky hands. Given his 6-3, 220-pound frame, Fehoko could be the most logical candidate to handle the role previously filled by Noah Brown as a core special teamer, run blocker and secondary target -- a role Brown turned into 43 catches for 555 yards and three TDs last year. Heading into mandatory minicamp, 2022 third-round pick Jalen Tolbert appears to be Fehoko's primary competition for the WR4 spot.

Micah Parsons

LB | DAL

Jun 2
6:11am

Versatility to be emphasized

Parsons says he's more interested in making impact plays all over the field than he is in winning the sack title in 2023, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

"Just playing chess, just being able to move around, that's the special ability that I have, that I want to incorporate," Parsons said Thursday. "We're doing a lot of special things. I don't want to give a lot away right now, but it's going to be a really cool year. I'm probably going to play like eight positions this year." The 24-year-old played just over 80 percent of his snaps in 2022 along the line of scrimmage, nearly double the 41.9 percent mark he recorded as a rookie, but defensive coordinator Dan Quinn might be gearing up to deploy the uber-athletic Parsons all over the formation this season. He should still get plenty of sacks after racking up 26.5 in his first 33 career regular-season games, but he also might see his tackle total rise from the 65 he picked up last year, and nabbing his first career interception could also be on the table.

Elijah Moore

WR | CLE

Jun 1
1:56pm

Lining up inside, outside

Moore lined up in different spots during Wednesday's OTA, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Moore has been a frequent target of quarterback Deshaun Watson since the Browns' first OTA last week. On Wednesday, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was pleased with receiver's skills, noting the flexibility to be used in the slot and outside the numbers in what looked like an up-tempo offensive attack. The Browns seem intent on throwing short passes to Moore and letting him create after the catch.

Hayden Hurst

TE | CAR

Jun 1
12:44pm

Should practice Friday

Coach Frank Reich said he expects Hurst (sports hernia) to participate in individual drills at OTAs on Friday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The 29-year-old has been sidelined for the start of Carolina's voluntary offseason workouts after he underwent offseason surgery for a sports hernia, but he's nearing his return to the field. Hurst agreed to a three-year contract with the Panthers in March and should have plenty of time to get back to full health before the start of training camp.

DJ Chark Jr.

WR | CAR

Jun 1
12:41pm

Individual work coming

Coach Frank Reich said he expects Chark (ankle) to take part during individual drills at OTAs on Friday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Chark has been limited early in OTAS as he continues his recovery from offseason ankle surgery, and any participation at Friday's practice would be an encouraging sign. The 26-year-old still has two months before the start of training camp, so the Panthers are likely to remain cautious after signing him to a one-year, $5 million contract in March.

Tony Pollard

RB | DAL

Jun 1
12:35pm

On track for training camp

Pollard (ankle) said Thursday he's ahead of schedule in his recovery and plans to be ready for the start of training camp, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 26-year-old was participating in reduced-tempo OTA practices last week and appears to be progressing well in his recovery after he underwent tightrope surgery on a high-ankle sprain and broken fibula in his left leg back in January. According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, Pollard also said he's "not really limited at this point," and the tailback is poised to lead Dallas' backfield in 2023 following the release of Ezekiel Elliott, who remains a free agent.

David Montgomery

RB | DET

Jun 1
8:36am

Dealing with minor injury

Coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that Montgomery (undisclosed) won't practice but isn't dealing with anything serious, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Montgomery departed from OTAs last week due to an undisclosed injury, and while a timetable for his return remains uncertain it doesn't look like the Lions are overly concerned. Heading into his age-26 season, Montgomery looks poised to handle a key role as a rusher for Detroit, though rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs should also see a fair share of carries while potentially commanding most of the backfield receiving work.

Luke Musgrave

TE | GB

May 31
5:52pm

Working with first-team offense

Musgrave has been getting reps with the first-team offense at OTAs this week, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

After letting Robert Tonyan walk in free agency, the Packers didn't sign any veteran tight ends but did use second- and third-round picks on Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, respectively. Green Bay's tight end depth chart appears wide open, with Josiah Deguara also in the mix. As for Musgrave, coach Matt LaFleur said Musgrave is "different" and a quick learner. "He does have an elite trait in that he can flat fly, and he's a large target," LaFleur added. Musgrave is a plus athlete at 6-foot-6 and 253 pounds. He has a good chance to play heavy snaps as a rookie.

Tyquan Thornton

WR | NE

May 31
4:07pm

Standing out at OTAs

Thornton was "at the epicenter of several schematic tricks" new OC Bill O'Brien installed at Wednesday's OTAs practice, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official website reports.

Selected 50th overall in last year's NFL Draft, Thornton's rookie season started with missing Weeks 1-4 and then catching just 22 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns on 45 targets across 13 contests. His speed is standing out at OTAs, however, and Thornton's "route-running precision and pacing to create separation were better than his rookie training camp," according to Lazar. O'Brien has made it a point to feature Thornton's speed in practices. The second-year wideout will try to push Kendrick Bourne for a role in three-wide sets alongside DeVante Parker and newcomer JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Treylon Burks

WR | TEN

May 31
3:47pm

Looking good at OTAs

Burks has been Ryan Tannehill's "favorite target" at OTAs, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official website reports.

"It seems like Tannehill connects with Burks at the start of every period, and I haven't seen Burks drop a ball intended for him yet in the open OTAs," Wyatt wrote Wednesday. Burks got off on the wrong foot after he was picked in the first round of last year's draft, battling asthma and conditioning issues while missing practices, but he's in a much better place in 2023. The conditioning stuff appears to be behind him, and Burks is being counted on for big production with Robert Woods gone and the Titans only adding veteran Chris Moore and seventh-rounder Colton Dowell to their wideout room. If he's able to stay healthy, Burks should run away with the team lead for targets this season.

Chase Claypool

WR | CHI

May 31
11:42am

Not practicing

Claypool is being held out of practice with a soft tissue injury, WCSR's Mark Grogte reports.

His absence from a few spring practices shouldn't matter so long as Claypool is healthy for training camp this summer. He looks to be third on the depth chart behind DJ Moore and Darnell Mooney (ankle), the latter of whom has also been absent from spring practices. Claypool didn't do much after coming over from Pittsburgh in a trade last fall and now enters his contract year in a suboptimal situation for putting up numbers.

Pat Freiermuth

TE | PIT

May 31
10:41am

Practicing this offseason

Freiermuth (knee) has been practicing during OTAs this offseason, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Freiermuth sustained a knee sprain during the Steelers' regular-season finale in January, but he appears to be back to full health now that the team has begun offseason activities. The 24-year-old enters the 2023 campaign as Pittsburgh's clear No. 1 tight end after securing 63 of 98 targets for 732 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Elliott Fry

K | DEN

May 31
10:40am

Signing with Denver

Fry is signing with the Broncos, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

He becomes the lone kicker on the Broncos' roster after they released Brandon McManus last week. Given that Fry has attempted only six field goals in the NFL, it's probably a matter of time before the team brings in competition for the Week 1 job.

Brock Purdy

QB | SF

May 31
10:33am

Looks good in return to throwing

GM John Lynch said Wednesday that "the early returns are really good" after Purdy (elbow) resumed throwing this week, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Trey Lance and Sam Darnold figure to take most of the practice reps this spring and possibly into training camp, but both Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan have suggested Purdy is the favorite to top the depth chart once healthy, with Lynch using the term "leader in the clubhouse" twice now. Coming back from offseason UCL surgery, Purdy reportedly is a bit ahead of schedule and could be ready in time for Week 1 of his second NFL season.

Amari Cooper

WR | CLE

May 31
8:28am

Back on practice field

Cooper (abdomen) is participating in Wednesday's OTA session, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Cooper is taking part in on-field drills for the first time since undergoing core muscle surgery in February. Browns head coach Stefanski also said that the soon-to-be 29-year-old receiver is on track to be at full strength by the start of training camp, per Matt Fontana of 850 ESPN Cleveland. A full offseason to build chemistry with quarterback Deshaun Watson could help Cooper take another step forward heading into his second year in Cleveland's scheme, in which he once again projects to act as the No. 1 target.

Breece Hall

RB | NYJ

May 31
8:08am

Jets optimistic for Week 1

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday that he's "very optimistic" about the chances of Hall (knee) being on the field Week 1, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Saleh affirmed that Hall's rehab from a left ACL tear is continuing on track, per Eric Allen of the Jets' official site, noting that the running looks powerful and has already hit over 22 miles per hour via GPS monitor. Though Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports that Hall isn't expected to be ready for the start of training camp, the 2022 second-round pick could still be available for the beginning of the regular season as long as he can avoid any setbacks. Of course, Hall might be eased into action even if he avoids missing any games. In that case, Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and Israel Abanikanda could all see increased opportunities out of the backfield.

Aaron Rodgers

QB | NYJ

May 31
7:59am

Hopeful to practice fully Friday

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Rodgers (calf) will be a limited participant at Wednesday's OTAs session, but the team is hopeful that the quarterback will practice fully Friday, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

Saleh said that Rodgers, who suffered a strained calf last week, is "fine," per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. The Jets don't appear worried about the status of the veteran quarterback, which reinforces the belief that he's simply dealing with a minor injury. Saleh said Rodgers will "for sure" be back in full next week, according to Cimini.

Jordan Addison

WR | MIN

May 30
12:50pm

Not practicing at OTAs

Addison (undisclosed) did not practice Tuesday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The Vikings' first-round pick at No. 23 overall, Addison was injured during the rookie minicamp earlier this month and is being held out of OTAs for "precautionary reasons," according to coach Kevin O'Connell, who added that it's "nothing serious at all." Addison was at least in attendance Tuesday but only as a spectator. Perhaps he'll be cleared for mandatory minicamp next month.

Calvin Ridley

WR | JAX

May 30
12:13pm

Getting eased back into action

Speaking Tuesday, coach Doug Pederson said the Jaguars are limiting Ridley's reps at OTAs as a way to ease him back into football shape, ESPN's Michael DiRocco reports.

Pederson said Ridley will be limited at OTAs and minicamp before gaining full clearance for training camp in July. "He hasn't played in a while plus the injury, so we're just trying to be careful with him," Pederson said. "But he's doing a great job. He's picking up the offense well." Ridley hasn't played in a game since October of 2021 when he was injured with the Falcons before being suspended for all of the 2022 campaign. Ridley should have no problem displacing Zay Jones as the Jaguars' top weapon next to Christian Kirk.

Christian Kirk

WR | JAX

May 30
10:28am

Good to go off knee injury

Kirk (knee) participated in OTAs on Tuesday, Jaguar Report's John Shipley reports.

Kirk injured his knee in last season's playoff loss to the Chiefs, so this is the first real update on him since the Jaguars were knocked out. The 27-year-old wideout wasn't sporting a brace or anything at Tuesday's session, so it's probably safe to consider Kirk 100 percent healthy. With Calvin Ridley now in the mix off his suspension, there's added competition for targets in Jacksonville, but Kirk should remain a reliable source of WR2/3 fantasy production.

Tyler Boyd

WR | CIN

May 30
10:07am

Shows up for voluntary practice

Boyd participated in Tuesday's voluntary practice, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Boyd is healthy this spring after exiting the AFC Championship Game early with a deep thigh bruise. He won't be at every voluntary practice, but that's only because he's a ninth-year pro entering his fifth season in the same system and fourth with QB Joe Burrow. The continuity in Cincinnati helps the Bengals offense overall and puts Boyd in a lot of favorable situations/ matchups, but it also means he's third in line for targets again behind fellow WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Amari Cooper

WR | CLE

May 30
9:00am

May practice this week

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that Cooper (abdomen) will "start doing stuff this week" after not practicing last week, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Cooper had core muscle surgery in February and should be back at full strength for training camp, if he isn't already. The Browns have no reason to rush him for spring practices a couple weeks before his 29th birthday, as this is his second season in Stefanski's offense after a successful Year 1. One cause for concern is that Cooper had better numbers in Jacoby Brissett's 11 starts (8.5 targets and 72 yards per game, seven TDs) than in Deshaun Watson's six games (6.5 targets, 61 YPG, two TDs), though most of the difference was just due to Cleveland passing less late in the year. It's also possible the targets will be spread out more this season after the Browns retained last year's skill-position starters and also added WRs Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman and Marquise Goodwin and TE Jordan Akins. Of course, Cooper is still a clear favorite to lead the team in targets, and they'll be of a higher quality this year if Watson regains his pre-suspension form.

Austin Hooper

TE | LV

May 30
8:57am

Facing competition for top role

Hooper could slide to No. 2 on the depth chart after the Raiders selected fellow tight end Michael Mayer with the 35th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Vic Tafur of TheAthletic.com reports.

Hooper originally faced little competition for the top job at tight end when he signed with Las Vegas in March after the team dealt Darren Waller to the Giants, but Mayer projects to vulture first-team reps sooner rather than later. The rookie's introduction limits the ceiling on Hooper's fantasy outlook, and 2017 first rounder O.J. Howard could factor into the TE mix as well.

Jimmy Garoppolo

QB | LV

May 28
2:46pm

Could be released without penalty

Garoppolo's three-year, $72.75 million contract with the Raiders contains a clause that would allow Las Vegas to release him without penalty if he's unable to pass a physical due to his surgically repaired foot, Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur of The Athletic report.

Garoppolo fractured his left foot while playing with the 49ers in early December, then underwent surgery in March, shortly after he finalized his contract with Las Vegas. According to a waiver and release clause in the deal, Garoppolo acknowledged the risk of further injury while continuing to play upon his return from surgery, and he also waived any responsibility on the part of the Raiders, who can terminate his contract with no further obligation or financial ramifications. The waiver becomes null and void if Garoppolo passes a physical at any point during the 2023 season, however. While the terms of the deal give the Raiders an easy out to move on from Garoppolo if his recovery doesn't proceed as anticipated, the team won't have much in the way of appealing alternatives. The Raiders are left with 37-year-old journeyman Brian Hoyer, fourth-round rookie Aidan O'Connell and 2022 undrafted free agent Chase Garbers as the other signal-callers on the roster. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Teddy Bridgewater and Joe Flacco are the most experienced options among an uninspiring crop of quarterbacks on the free-agent market.