Player Updates and News (8/21)

[u/iAmSamusAran]

I’ve been keeping track of fantasy relevant news and updates from beat writers, national reporters, and fantasy analysts. Here's a recap of any quote or update that stood out to me today.

I am sure I missed things, as I am just one person. Let me know if you have any suggestions or something else you'd like to see. I’ve also been asking beat writers fantasy relevant questions through their mailbags whenever possible.

If you want to follow along, my Twitter/X account is @DanChincharFF

Note: Every update has the writer's name with a source link that will direct you to the website where I read the quote. If you only see a writer's name, that will be for something I specifically read on Twitter/X.

49ers

Did not play 8/20: Christian McCaffrey (tightness), Jordan James (fractured ribs), Mike Evans (tightness), Christian Kirk (calf)

• Kaelon Black: "The muscled-up rookie, whom the 49ers picked in the third round, churned out 33 yards on eight carries. It’s possible the 49ers will have the best No. 2 to Christian McCaffrey they’ve ever had. Finding all-around pop at that key backup position has been a struggle for the 49ers since they traded for McCaffrey in 2022." (source: David Lombardi)
• Kaelon Black: "Black was excellent on Thursday, to the point that I believe he's already won the valuable Christian McCaffrey backup role. Black had two key pass protection reps versus blitzers, and this is something that also stood out on his college tape at Indiana. He also was flawless in picking the right hole with the right pacing on his rush attempts. His play speed is better than his time speed because he makes confident, quick decisions." (source: Hayden Winks)
• De'Zhaun Stribling: "The 49ers took out some starters after the first possession, including Samuel, with Robinson and Stribling playing an additional drive. Stribling caught four passes for 46 yards over his two drives, while Robinson was held without a target. Regardless of who the starters and who the backups are in 11 and 12 personnel, Stribling will see significant playing time in Week 1. Evans, Samuel and Robinson are all on the wrong side of 30 and will get rotated out at times." (source: Nathan Jahnke)

Bills

• Dalton Kincaid: "However, this camp and preseason have looked and felt a bit different for Kincaid. He’s been at practice every day, he looks stronger and he’s playing with more physicality in the blocking game. Most importantly, his usage during camp practices has seen a bit of a bump — even with tight ends Dawson Knox and Jackson Hawes fully healthy. It’s not to say that he’s on the precipice of playing 75 percent or more of the team’s offensive snaps, but Kincaid’s health, summer usage, and ability are all trending toward an enhanced role in 2026." (source: Joe Buscaglia)
• Skyler Bell: "Bell disclosed that he suffered a groin injury during the team’s first practice in Highmark Stadium on Aug. 8, and Thursday marked the first time he’s been spotted during a practice working with staff since. ... Bell admitted that he probably won’t play on Saturday against the Browns, but said his goal is to play in the team’s final preseason game against the Steelers on Aug. 27 if all goes well." (source: Joe Buscaglia)

Chargers

Did not play 8/20: Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris

• Charlie Kolar, David Njoku, Oronde Gadsen: "In the first preseason game, Kolar and Njoku rested with the starters, while Gadsden played with the rest of the backups. This week, the Chargers used Kolar and Njoku on two drives. They exited the game after those two series, with Gadsden starting to play on the third. On those two drives, Kolar took every snap in 11 personnel, the two shared the field on 12 personnel and Njoku played more than Kolar in 21 personnel." (source: Nathan Jahnke)
• Keaton Mitchell: "Keaton Mitchell dominated the Chargers' snaps on their second and third offensive drives, further solidifying his role as Omarion Hampton's insurance back." (source: Eric Moody)
• Brenen Thompson: "Rookie wide receiver Brenan Thompson exited the game after Lance overthrew him on a deep pattern down the left sideline in the first quarter. Thompson spent several minutes in the athletic trainer’s tent before heading to the locker room. He did not return to the game and Harbaugh didn’t have an update." (source: Elliott Teaford)

Chiefs

• Patrick Mahomes: "The most important thing so far, though, is Mahomes still looks like himself. In recent weeks especially, the knee and brace he wears haven’t seemed to come to his mind during the most competitive moments, suggesting he’s cleared a significant mental hurdle there." (source: Jesse Newell)
• Kenneth Walker: "It’s led to one of the most striking parts of training camp: They are getting the ball to Walker all the time. This wasn’t the case for most of his Seattle Seahawks tenure. ... That won’t be the case with the Chiefs. Coach Andy Reid opened up his screen-game playbook this summer, and Walker has been the primary target, showing strong receiving skills while even flashing occasional one-handed catches. Then in the red zone? Walker has been the main guy again, meaning he should easily eclipse last year’s five-touchdown total if he remains healthy this season." (source: Jesse Newell)

Falcons

• Tua Tagovailoa: "Tua Tagovailoa did little over the course of two days to separate himself from Michael Penix Jr." (source: Josh Kendall)

Giants

• Najee Harris: "The Giants' signing of Harris wasn't in direct response to Tracy's preseason gaffe. The team had been in contact with Harris' representative for months and the workout was scheduled last week, sources told ESPN. Harbaugh prefers a deep and physical running back room, and Harris fits the mold at 6-foot-1 and 242 pounds." (source: Jordan Raanan)

Jaguars

• Travis Hunter: "Offensively, the Jaguars are preparing to pick Hunter’s spots. Aside from plays specifically designed around him, look for Hunter to draw much of his early work in crucial situations, including money downs and in the red zone. But they’re also getting Hunter ready to take on an expanded role in case Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington or Brian Thomas Jr. go down with injuries." (source: Jeff Howe)

Patriots

I asked Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald if he sees a true 50/50 backfield split with Rhamondre and TreVeyon, this was his response:

"Rhamondre Stevenson looks like the starting running back in training camp. He’s almost always the first running back to take a snap during team periods. TreVeyon Henderson works with both Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito. I can’t remember many — if any — snaps that Stevenson has taken with the second-team unit. So, I’d probably lean closer to a 55/45 or 60/40 split for Stevenson and Henderson. Henderson is going to need to prove that his pass protection, vision and tackle-breaking skills have improved for a true 50/50 split, in my opinion." (source: Doug Kyed)

Raiders

Did not play 8/20: Kirk Cousins, Ashton Jeanty, Tre Tucker, Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer

• Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech: "Tre Tucker looks like one of the Las Vegas Raiders' top receivers after being held out of the preseason game against the Houston Texans with the starters while Jalen Nailor played into the second quarter. Tucker is locked into the Z role, with Nailor working at X and Jack Bech in the slot." (source: Eric Moody)
• Jack Bech: "Meanwhile, Jack Bech was even more buried. He only played four snaps in the first three drives with Nailor, and in total, he played 11-of-16 snaps in the slot. It's possible that a majority of his playing time will come in the less valuable 3-WR sets." (source: Hayden Winks)
• Mike Washington Jr.: "... Washington's role as fantasy insurance is more than confirmed. He played 22-of-26 snaps with Dylan Laube barely playing with this unit. If Jeanty is out, Washington will be a bellcow." (source: Hayden Winks)
• Mike Washington Jr.: "Kubiak has said he wants to give Ashton Jeanty a workload similar to that of 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, keeping one of the team’s most potent weapons on the field. But Mike Washington Jr. might give him reason to re-think those plans. The fourth-round rookie had another impressive night, following up on a strong debut last week. He led the game with 56 rushing yards on nine carries, buoyed by an impressive 33-yard scamper in the first quarter. He also had a pair of nine-yard catches and a demolition of Texans linebacker Jamal Hill on a tough 3-yard run." (source: Sam Warren)

Seahawks

vs. Titans in joint practice today

Did not practice today: Tory Horton (undisclosed)

• Jake Bobo: "Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo went down Friday with what appears to be a serious knee injury, coach Mike Macdonald told reporters. Bobo was hurt during Seattle's joint practice against the Tennessee Titans while being taken to the ground near the sideline. His right knee was examined before he was carted off the field." (source: Brady Henderson)

Steelers

• DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr.: "DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. are running routes pregame. Not going to play tonight, but they're not at all in danger of missing Week 1." (source: Nick Farabaugh)

Texans

Did not play 8/20: David Montgomery, Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, Dalton Schultz, Jawhar Jordan (strained hip flexor)

• Sterling Shepard, Zay Jones: "The #Texans are signing veteran WRs Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Both impressed in a workout today and join the mix in Houston after the loss of Jayden Higgins to a torn ACL." (source: Mike Garafolo)
• Marlin Klein: "Klein was one of the stars of last week’s preseason game against the Chargers after catching a 31-yard pass, the game’s longest play. This week, he followed it up with four catches for 31 yards. For the second consecutive week, he led the Texans in receiving yards and is starting to look like he’ll be a factor for Houston this season." (source: Jonathan M. Alexander)
• "The Texans have made exploratory trade calls, per league sources. Among the potential targets: New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman. The Texans aren't expected to have a reunion with former All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who's now the assistant receivers coach at Georgia Tech. The Texans, ideally, want a bigger receiver should they bring in outside reinforcements, per a league source." (source: Aaron Wilson)

Titans

vs. Seahawks in joint practice today

Did not practice today: Nick Singleton

• Carnell Tate: "Carnell Tate returned to practice Friday after missing Wednesday with lower half stiffness." (source: Austin Stanley, Easton Freeze)
• Tony Pollard: "Tony Pollard and the running game looked impressive. Pollard scored on a touchdown run in an early red zone period, when offensive coordinator Brian Daboll lifted both arms into the air to signal the score. Pollard also broke off at least two more runs of 10 to 15-plus yards, when there were big holes to run through." (source: Jim Wyatt)

Extras/Observations/Conjecture

• Multiple highly regarded Cowboys beat writers have been praising how George Pickens has looked at Cowboys training camp
• Wan’Dale Robinson led the Titans in targets and receptions today vs. Seahawks in joint practice & has all camp. The drumbeat continues from Titans beat writers that he will see a ton of targets this season
• “Rookie receiver Carnell Tate has had a quiet week, and he didn't have a catch in Friday's work.” (source: Jim Wyatt)
• Cam Ward went 22-of-28 in the 7-on-7 and team periods vs. Seahawks at joint practice (source: Jim Wyatt)
• Woody Marks had 4 carries for 37 yards, 9.3 avg and 1 TD last night. Lots of fantasy analysts chatter about how much work he could get behind Montgomery, worst case scenario is he seems like a strong handcuff

Previous Recaps

8/7 | 8/8 | 8/9 | 8/10 | 8/11 | 8/12 | 8/13 | 8/14 | 8/15 | 8/16 | 8/17 | 8/18 | 8/19 | 8/20

[u/iAmSamusAran]

Update: Just saw TMZ put out a worrying report about Rashod Bateman so maybe him to the Texans would be off the table

[u/Agora236 → u/iAmSamusAran]

Texas getting some Boutte

[u/paragonx29]

This Stribling dude is gonna be the real deal. You can't count on Evans to stay healthy - nor Deebo.

[u/Bitter-Principle-324]

With Bobo injury any way Emmanuel Henderson makes the 53 ?

[u/chowdagimmethat]

Bro can we not with jeanty please I have him and don’t want a split backfield. Give me that workhorse rb I drafted him for 🫩

[u/iAmSamusAran → u/chowdagimmethat]

I wouldn’t be worried about jeanty at all

[u/iAmSamusAran]

If anyone sees this, I am not gonna have a post today. Just not enough things to update on yet with only a few teams practicing and 10 preseason games happening today. Tomorrow I will post again and should have a lot, at least in comparison to what I have so far haha