| 9/4/2026 6:21:00 PM | Olave didn't suit up for the Saints' three-game preseason slate. |
| Olave missed time at the end of the offseason program due to a blood clot, and while he opened training camp as a full participant and agreed to a four-year extension worth up to $132 million on July 30, he exited three different practices for various reasons in August. Nevertheless, he appears to be entering the season in good health and ready to build upon a career-best 2025 regular season in which he posted a 100-1,163-9 line on 155 targets in 16 games. | |
| 9/3/2026 3:39:00 PM | Achane is set to lead a Dolphins backfield in 2026 that will also include Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon (ribs), based on Miami's initial 53-man roster. |
| The Dolphins traded for Jarquez Hunter shortly before cutdown day, but he ultimately didn't make the 53-man roster, though Hunter remains in the organization as part of the practice squad. Fullback D.J. Herman is also listed as a running back, but the team's backfield is otherwise unchanged from 2025, when Achane produced a career-high 1,838 scrimmage yards. The team around Achane went through an offseason overhaul, including the addition of mobile QB Malik Willis, but Achane projects to maintain a prominent role as the centerpiece of an otherwise unproven offense. | |
| 9/3/2026 2:58:00 PM | Spears is among the four running backs that made the Titans' initial 53-man roster. |
| Based on preseason usage, Spears is firmly entrenched as the team's top alternative to Tony Pollard in the backfield. Spears produced 536 scrimmage yards in 2024 and 547 scrimmage yards in 2025 while filling such a role. His 838-yard rookie season in 2023 came prior to Pollard's arrival in Tennessee. Rookie fifth-round pick Nicholas Singleton didn't show anything during preseason action that would indicate he's an immediate threat to Spears' role, while Julius Chestnut is likely ticketed for a role on special teams. | |
| 9/3/2026 2:50:00 PM | Golden finished the Packers' preseason schedule with one catch (on one target) for 19 yards across two games. |
| Golden was held without a target in the team's exhibition opener but was on the receiving end of a dot from QB Jordan Love in Denver in preseason Week 2, displaying the duo's growing rapport. Green Bay invested a first-round pick in Golden during the 2025 Draft, but a crowded receiving corps capped him to just a 29-361-0 line on 44 targets in 14 regular-season games as a rookie. With Romeo Doubs having moved on to the Patriots in free agency and Dontayvion Wicks getting traded to the Eagles this offseason, the WR options for Love are more clear cut between Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Golden, giving the latter a better chance to tap into his potential in the upcoming campaign. | |
| 9/3/2026 2:19:00 PM | Dowdle and Jaylen Warren are slated to have regular roles in the Steelers offense during the 2026 season, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports. |
| Despite Warren being the top incumbent running back in Pittsburgh, Graziano believes that Dowdle is a better bet to handle early downs out of the backfield, not only due to his experience working with new coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas but because of his combined 471 carries over the last two seasons. Both campaigns resulted in more than 1,000 yards on the ground for Dowdle, while Warren has topped out at 958 rushing yards (2025) in his four-year career. Warren does have the advantage in pass-catching chops, with 139 receptions over the last three years. As a result, both players are in line for weekly usage for the Steelers. | |
| 9/3/2026 12:54:00 PM | Reed is one of six wide receivers on the Packers' initial 53-man roster, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports. |
| Reed is joined by Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Bo Melton, Skyy Moore and J. Michael Sturdivant in Green Bay's wide receiver room, while Savion Williams (ankle) is on IR with a designation to return, meaning the 2025 third-round pick will miss at least four weeks before possibly factoring into the equation as well. Reed has historically been productive when healthy despite frequently coming off the field in two-wide sets, with his 63.2 percent snap share during the 2024 regular season representing his single-season career high. Watson is locked in as a starter, but Reed could earn a larger share of playing time if he holds off the 2025 first-round pick Golden. | |
| 9/3/2026 12:12:00 PM | Montgomery is one of three running backs on Houston's 53-man roster, along with Woody Marks and British Brooks, Jared Koch of SI.com reports. |
| Montgomery is ticketed for a prominent role after coming over from Detroit in an offseason trade, but it remains to be seen just how much Marks cuts into Montgomery's usage. The 230-pound Montgomery is much better-suited for running inside and short-yardage work than the 208-pound Marks, but Montgomery recorded only 76 receptions across the past three regular seasons in Detroit, so the shifty Marks could siphon away opportunities in passing situations. | |
| 9/3/2026 11:51:00 AM | Burrow said on teammate Ja'Marr Chase's (knee) podcast that the quarterback has high hopes for the Bengals in 2026 after the team's offseason personnel changes, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports Thursday. |
| "We're going to have a really good team that has a chance to win every game that we step foot on the field for," Burrow said. "We brought in a lot of the right guys, a lot of the right people with the right mindsets to go and chase this goal of winning a Super Bowl." Cincinnati's offseason additions focused primarily on fixing a defense that allowed 28.9 points per game during the 2025 regular season, which was third most in the NFL. Burrow and the offense are poised for another productive campaign if the star QB can stay healthy after being limited to eight appearances last season due to a toe injury. Starting wide receivers Chase and Tee Higgins (heel), as well as running back Chase Brown, are all reprising their roles alongside Burrow to provide continuity on offense. | |
| 9/1/2026 1:52:00 PM | Henry will head into the Ravens' Week 1 game against the Colts with Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali as his backup options, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports. |
| Though Keaton Mitchell is now with the Chargers after the Ravens non-tendered him back in the spring, Henry will be supported by a pair of familiar sidekicks. Ali is expected to serve as the Ravens' primary kickoff returner and will see most of his snaps on special teams, while Hill returns to his usual role as the top change-of-pace option. Rookie fifth-round pick Adam Randall (undisclosed) could also factor into the equation at some point this season, though not until at least Week 5 after the Ravens placed him on injured reserve. The makeup of the backfield once again points to the 32-year-old Henry handling a workhorse role in 2026, after he averaged 19.6 touches and exactly one touchdown per game over the prior two seasons. | |
| 9/1/2026 1:03:00 PM | Stafford once again didn't play any offensive snaps during the preseason. |
| Stafford hasn't taken a preseason snap since the summer of 2019. The difference this year from last is that he's healthy. While back issues kept Stafford glued to the sideline last year, he's been a full participant in training camp this summer and appears poised to try and repeat as league MVP with a star-studded roster in Los Angeles. Despite the back issues last preseason and during camp, Stafford still started all 17 regular-season games in 2025 and led the league with 4,707 passing yards, 46 touchdowns and a 7.7 percent touchdown rate. He finished as fantasy's overall QB3 but is being drafted on average as the QB12 in fantasy leagues this year. | |
| 8/30/2026 11:21:00 AM | Myers went 1-for-2 on field-goal attempts and missed his lone PAT in Friday's 9-9 preseason tie against the Chiefs. |
| Myers converted a 46-yard attempt in the first quarter but missed a PAT in the fourth quarter to keep Seattle's lead at 9-6. After the Chiefs tied the game, Myers missed an opportunity to give the Seahawks their only win of the preseason by pushing a 52-yard field-goal attempt wide right on the final play of the game. Myers missed his only field-goal attempt in Seattle's preseason opener against the Cowboys and went 1-for-2 on field-goal attempts while missing a PAT in the Seahawks' second preseason game. His preseason inaccuracy represents a significant departure from Myers' strong performance during the 2025 regular season, when he converted 41 of his league-high 48 field-goal attempts. | |
| 8/29/2026 7:36:00 PM | Rice played offensive 10 snaps in Kansas City's 9-9 exhibition tie with the Seahawks on Friday and did not record any targets or touches. |
| Rice and some of Kansas City's key offensive starters got to log some reps during the first quarter before being pulled. Though he didn't produce any offensive output, it's notable that Rice took part in his first game action since he landed on IR due to a concussion late last December. Rice had a tumultuous offseason, as he spent some time in jail due to a probation violation and also had a minor procedure on his right knee, but he appears healthy and isn't expected to face NFL discipline for the legal issue. As such, he can be penciled in as the Chiefs' top WR heading into Week 1 versus Denver on Monday, Sept. 14. | |
| 8/28/2026 1:54:00 AM | Simpson completed 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while also rushing three times for 10 yards in the Rams' 20-18 preseason win over the Chargers on Thursday. |
| Simpson drew the start and initially played the entire first half before reentering the game in the latter portion of the fourth quarter without attempting another pass. The rookie 13th overall pick put together a solid first two quarters, connecting with Brennan Presley for an 11-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter. Simpson did nothing to hurt his chances of earning the No. 2 quarterback job this preseason -- he completed 47 of 60 passes (78.3 percent) for 382 yards with a 3:0 TD:INT and added seven rushes for 19 yards -- but it remains to be seen whether he did enough to beat out the more experienced Stetson Bennett for the role. | |
| 8/27/2026 11:31:00 PM | Washington rushed eight times for 49 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday. |
| Washington operated as the starting running back due to Ashton Jeanty (ankle) being sidelined and turned in an efficient performance. The rookie fourth-round pick set the tone for his night by quickly churning out 12 yards on the first two plays from scrimmage, and he added 13- and 11-yard gains on Las Vegas' second possession. Washington appears firmly entrenched as the No. 2 back to open the season, but he'd be teed up for a likely Week 1 starting assignment against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 13 if Jeanty is unable to suit up. | |
| 8/27/2026 7:37:00 PM | Stribling (shoulder) won't suit up for Thursday's preseason contest at Las Vegas, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports. |
| Stribling seemingly came out of preseason Week 2 action with a minor shoulder injury, but he was able to mix back into drills as of Sunday while wearing a non-contact jersey. Considering he showed out in the 49ers' first two exhibitions with a combined 11 catches for 109 yards, the team will rest him along with other key members of the receiving corps. Stribling will set his sights on getting healthy for a Week 1 matchup with the Rams in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10 | |
| 8/18/2026 3:45:00 PM | Bass went 3-for-4 on field-goal tries and made both his extra-point attempts in Buffalo's preseason win over the Panthers on Saturday. |
| Bass is back at full health after recovering from a pelvic injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. The Bills don't even have another kicker on the roster, so Bass will be the beneficiary of what should be a productive offense led by superstar Josh Allen, a new offensive-minded head coach in Joe Brady, and a new home stadium that could help minimize the impact of the wind, even if it lacks a roof. | |
| 8/16/2026 5:14:00 PM | Allen (hamstring) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports. |
| Allen suffered a hamstring injury in early August, sustaining the injury just days after returning to practice from a calf issue. The rookie second-rounder is finally ready to resume team activities and continue preparing for his role as the starting middle linebacker. Allen's return means Austin Ajiake and West Weeks will likely see fewer opportunities in Saturday's preseason game against the Falcons. | |
| 3/24/2026 5:43:00 PM | The Bengals and Flacco agreed to a one-year contract Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports |
| Flacco kicked off last season as the Browns' No. 1 quarterback, completing 93 of 160 passes (58.1 percent) for 815 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions in four starts. Cleveland then dealt him to Cincinnati, where he proceeded to fill in for the injured Joe Burrow. In six more starts with his new team, Flacco racked up 1,636 yards and a 13:4 TD:INT on 61.6 percent passing. Once Burrow recovered from his turf toe injury, Flacco saw only spot action down the stretch of the 2025 campaign, a role he figures to fill again this season as long as the former remains healthy. | |
| 3/9/2026 6:18:00 PM | Walker agreed to terms Monday on a three-year, $40.5 million contract with Las Vegas, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. |
| Walker logged a career year with the Packers in 2025, racking up 128 tackles (58 solo), including 2.5 sacks, and five pass defenses over 14 regular-season games, and he'll now bring his talents to the Raiders as the team's new starting middle linebacker. The landing spot is positive for Walker's fantasy value in IDP formats, as new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard figures to rely on the soon-to-be 26-year-old linebacker as an every-down playmaker and schematic focal point. | |
| 3/9/2026 6:11:00 PM | Dean and the Raiders agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract Monday that includes $20 million guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. |
| Dean spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Eagles, who selected the Georgia product in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Dean's most productive season in Philadelphia was in 2024, when he logged 128 total tackles across 15 regular-season games, though he tore the patellar tendon in his left knee during the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX run that caused him to open the 2025 season on injured reserve. Dean appeared in just 10 regular-season games last year, finishing with 55 tackles (30 solo), including a career-high 4.0 sacks, one pass defense and two forced fumbles. With Devin White and Jamal Adams both unrestricted free agents, Dean is slated to start at linebacker alongside Quay Walker in 2026. | |
| 3/7/2026 5:22:00 PM | The Colts traded Franklin to the Colts on Saturday in exchange for Colby Wooden, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. |
| The move gives the Colts some relief as they look to become salary cap compliant, and it also indicates that Quay Walker may not return to Green Bay, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Franklin has logged 100-plus tackles in each of the last four years, and his 173 combined tackles across 17 regular-season games in 2024 led the NFL. If Walker doesn't return to Green Bay, then Franklin would likely start alongside Edgerrin Cooper (ankle) in 2026. | |
| 1/13/2026 2:11:00 PM | Henley recorded 13 tackles (nine solo) and an interception in the 16-3 wild-card loss to the Patriots on Sunday. |
| Henley didn't quite contend for the tackle-leader crown like he did in his breakout 2024 campaign, but the third-year linebacker cemented his status as one of the NFL's elite at the position with another 100-tackle campaign. Perhaps more importantly, the 2023 third-round pick became a more useful pass rusher, tallying 3.5 sacks mainly through a variety of stunt blitzes, and even recorded two INTs during the regular season. It's possible that Henley's excellent two-year run was a product of defensive coordinator Jessie Minter, who is an oft-rumored head-coach candidate during this cycle, but regardless the 26-year-old will be a name to circle come 2026. Henley, who enters the final year of his rookie contract, is eligible for an extension this offseason, but it remains unclear if the franchise will be willing to give out a lucrative contract after allowing past tackle leaders to hit the open market. | |
| 1/11/2026 11:24:00 PM | Highsmith posted 50 tackles (36 solo), including 9.5 sacks, along with three pass defenses and a forced fumble while appearing in 13 regular-season games in 2025. |
| Although Highsmith had a pair of two-game absences in 2025 due to ankle and pectoral injuries, he managed to reach the 50-tackle threshold for the fourth time in his first six professional seasons while also recording a team-high 9.5 sacks. The 2020 third-round pick saw plenty of work down the stretch after returning to game action in Week 13, and he should maintain a prominent role during the playoffs. | |
| 1/6/2026 10:40:00 PM | Cashman recorded seven tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 16-3 Week 18 win over Green Bay. He concluded the season with 144 stops (61 solo), including 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and two defensed passes across 13 contests. |
| Cashman got some well-deserved rest in the season finale -- he logged fewer than 90 percent of Minnesota's defensive snaps for the first time since Week 1 -- but still managed to finish second on the team in stops. The veteran linebacker capped a productive campaign with a sack of Green Bay QB Clayton Tune for a 10-yard loss in the fourth quarter. Though he missed four games due to injury, Cashman still set a career-high mark with 144 tackles on the season, ranking ninth in the NFL in that category. Cashman should be back to anchor the Vikings' defense in 2026 in what will be the final season of a three-year contract, barring an extension. | |
| 1/6/2026 5:12:00 PM | Landman recorded 132 total tackles (64 solo), including 2.5 sacks, six passes defensed, one interception and four forced fumbles over 17 games in 2025. |
| There's a reason the Rams handed Landman a three-year, $22.5 million extension earlier this season; Landman's emergence as a leader of the defense in his first season in Los Angeles. His 132 tackles were both a team and career high for the four-year vet, and he also led the Rams with four forced fumbles. He'll remain a key component of a young Rams defense in 2026, and will get his first taste of playoff football on Saturday in the wild-card round against the Panthers. | |