NFL

This reinforces previous reports that downplayed the severity of the discomfort in the second-year quarterback’s throwing shoulder, the same shoulder he had surgery on after just five games in his rookie campaign. There isn’t enough to raise concern regarding his surgically repaired shoulder at this point, but it is something fantasy gamers will want to monitor as the summer progresses from organized team activities to camp and preseason. When healthy, Richardson proved to be one of the most dynamic play makers in the league after surging to five total touchdowns in just over eight quarters worth of play in 2023.

The Lions have already acknowledged their violation and have forfeited a team practice that was previously scheduled for Monday, June 10. The Lions are set to have their final week of OTAs next week, which was planned to run from Monday through Wednesday. With Monday’s practice now canceled, the team will instead get in work on Tuesday and Wednesday before wrapping up their offseason program ahead of training camp.

Anderson was waived by the Colts earlier in the week and now lands with the Jaguars. The former 2021 seventh-round pick is now on his fourth different team since entering the league and will likely have a chance to compete for a spot on the Jaguars’ 53-man roster. Anderson has seen regular season reps at tackle, center, and guard, but has played in just 15 games through his first three years.

The Jaguars selected Thomas with the No. 23 overall pick in this year’s draft after he went for 68-1177-17 last year at LSU. The 6-foot-3 speedster blazed a 4.33 40-yard dash at this year’s combine and is expected to come in and immediately contribute as a field stretcher for Trevor Lawrence, who attempted the third-most deep passes (75) last season. Thomas and free agent signee could both play similar roles in 2024, while Christian Kirk continues to operate from the slot. With that said, Thomas possesses elite deep speed compared to Davis and could turn into the preferred option on go routes and plays downfield. He makes for a great later round stash who should offer plenty of splash weeks as a rookie.

Phillips said he thinks the Vikings will have “a one-two punch” at running back this season, with Jones and Chandler both having a chance to make an impact. Chandler, the incumbent in the backfield, rushed 94 times for 419 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings’ final eight regular season games while adding another 16 receptions for 116 scoreless yards. Jones, who the team acquired earlier this offseason following his release by the Packers, is the presumed RB1 but is entering his age-29 season and is coming off a year in which he was limited to 11 games due to hamstring injuries. Both backs bring a three-down skillset to the backfield and would have fringe RB1 upside if the other were ever to miss time. For now, it sounds like Chandler could have some stand-alone value, making him a potential smash in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.

Kaboly pencils in free agent signee WR Van Jefferson as the team’s current No. 2 but believes “it would show a lack of awareness and urgency” if the front office opts not to bring in outside talent. Jefferson is best used as a rotational player, having failed to best his 2020 rookie season 1.46 yards per route run average in the three years since. When considering other in-house options, Kaboly did not list third-round rookie Roman Wilson as a candidate which bodes poorly for his access to the fantasy-friendly two-wide receiver sets. A veteran addition would further jeopardize his 2024 relevance.

Good stuff, though Telesco was speaking in the context of Laube’s special-teams potential. Already an ancient 24 years old after a marathon FCS career, Laube can catch passes for days but will likely have to force his way onto the field via the third unit. That might disappoint some overzealous fantasy managers, but nailing down return work would presumably create eventual opportunities on offense. Behind Zamir White and Alexander Mattison, Laube is definitely in the right backfield to do some depth chart climbing.

Singletary, who signed with the Giants on a surprisingly pricey three-year deal worth $16.5 million, was in Daboll’s offense in Buffalo before Daboll left for the Giants’ head coaching job. Understanding the intricacies of an offense is often crucial in a running back earning a lead back role. In Houston last season, Singletary was 13th in evasion rate and ninth in yards before contact per rush. He had the third most rush yards over the second half of the season. While Daboll complimented rookie RB Tyone Tracy’s progress in OTAs, no back is likely to challenge Singletary for the Week 1 RB1 role.

The journeyman tight end impressed the Vikings enough for them to sign him in mid-May as a potential short-term replacement for TJ Hockenson, who is recovering from a 2023 knee injury and could miss time in the regular season. Tonyan in OTA sessions has been a “favorite target” of Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, and the other Minnesota QBs, per Lewis. If Tonyan, 30, gets a full complement of routes in the pass-first Vikings offense, he could be more than serviceable in fantasy leagues this fall.

“The nice thing I like about Bucky is he gets to his top speeds early,” Coen began. “Like, when he accepts the handoff, he bursts and accelerates through the hole and can make people miss in space.” It would seem Coen isn’t too concerned about Irving’s 4.55 40 time. The 5-foot-9 big-play back is looking like a classic change-of-pace option as a rookie, catching a few passes and hopefully contributing a few big runs. He is the definitely the contingency option behind inefficient starter Rachaad White.