NFL Player News

Holani could get most of the opportunities on third down and in passing situations while Jadarian Price gets the majority of early-down work to begin the regular season, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN.com.

The Seahawks seem to trust Holani's receiving and pass-blocking abilities, which should allow the 26-year-old running back to earn a prominent role out of the gate, though the rookie first-round pick Price is the leading candidate to get most of the rushing opportunities. Zach Charbonnet (knee) also could earn a sizable role once healthy, but he'll miss at least the first four weeks of the season while on the reserve/PUP list and could be out well beyond then. Emanuel Wilson (hamstring) rounds out the running back depth chart.

Hockenson recorded a touchdown reception from Kyler Murray during the Vikings' final training camp practice Aug. 26, Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Hockenson played just five snaps in the Vikings' preseason opener and was rested for the final two exhibition tilts, but he's been getting in reps with the first-team offense throughout camp. After a delayed start to the 2024 campaign while he completed his recovery from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, Hockenson mostly stayed healthy in 2025 but was a middling fantasy option at tight end with a 51-438-3 receiving line on 66 targets over 15 games. Though Hockenson should benefit from upgraded quarterback play in 2026 after drawing targets from the likes of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer a season ago, the closest Murray has come to supporting two fantasy relevant pass catchers was in 2024, when tight end Trey McBride (111-1,146-2 line in 16 games) and wideout Marvin Harrison (62-885-8 in 17 games) both had some utility. Justin Jefferson is locked in as the clear top weapon in the passing game and should dominate the targets, but Hockenson could struggle to see consistent volume while he's vying with the likes of No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison and No. 3 receiver Jauan Jennings for the remaining looks that don't go to Jefferson.

Addison provided one of the highlights of the day during the Vikings' final training camp practice Aug. 26, connecting with quarterback Kyler Murray on a toe-dragging, sideline catch, Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Along with most of the Vikings' other key starters, Addison was rested for the final two preseason contests, but he was taking regular reps with the first-team offense throughout camp and will be ready to go for Week 1 against the Packers. As was the case for nearly every Minnesota pass catcher last season, Addison saw his production crater as a result of suspect quarterback play from J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer, but his fantasy outlook should be improved heading into 2026 while Murray steps in as the Vikings' new starter under center. Over his first two NFL seasons, Addison averaged 4.2 receptions, 55.8 yards and 0.6 touchdowns per game while Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold served as the Vikings' primary quarterbacks.

Brooks is set to begin the season as one of Green Bay's top three available running backs alongside MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the NFL placed Josh Jacobs (personal) on the Commissioner's Exempt List on Sunday.

Jacobs will spend an indeterminate amount of time on the Commissioner's Exempt List while his legal situation is sorted out. His absence creates an opportunity for Green Bay's running backs. Brooks is the most experienced of the team's available options at the position, having appeared in 41 regular-season games, including 32 with the Packers. Injuries have limited the currently healthy Lloyd to just one regular-season appearance in two years, while the recent trade acquisition Johnson seemed to be on the verge of being cut by Pittsburgh following a 28-carry rookie campaign in 2025.

Likely could emerge as the second option in the Giants' passing game behind Malik Nabers (knee), according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com.

Likely signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Giants in March and has subsequently formed a strong connection with QB Jaxson Dart on and off the field. The 26-year-old tight end also has familiarity with head coach John Harbaugh from their time together in Baltimore, where Likely played from 2022 to 2025. Likely was overshadowed by Mark Andrews on the Ravens, but the former has a clear path to a larger role in New York, where Likely will be competing for targets with fellow TE Theo Johnson (shoulder), as well as a WR room that includes Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, Malachi Fields and Odell Beckham behind Nabers.

Etienne was rested for all three of the Saints' preseason contests and is fully healthy heading into the team's Week 1 game in Detroit.

Etienne was one of the few Saints running backs to avoid any sort of injury scare or setback during training camp. Ty Chandler (knee) is out for the season after landing on injured reserve, and Alvin Kamara (knee) appears to be trending toward sitting out Week 1. Additionally, Kendre Miller sustained a minor undisclosed injury during practice Tuesday and is day-to-day, while Audric Estime is healthy but missed time in camp due to an ankle issue. After signing a four-year, $52 million deal in March, Etienne had already looked poised to handle a sizable workload for New Orleans both as a lead runner and pass catcher, and the current condition of his backups following camp and the preseason adds further fuel to the notion that he'll be in line for heavy volume right of the gate.

Shough drew positive reviews for his performance during the Saints' final practice of training camp Aug. 26, Grant Chachere of SI.com reports.

Though he didn't play at all in the preseason while the Saints instead opened up more reps for backups Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson, Shough reportedly looked sharp throughout training camp while keeping the New Orleans offense productive. Shough was able to close out camp on a high note by tossing three touchdown passes during 11-on-11 sessions, and Shough would have had two more had Devaughn Vele secured a one-handed catch in the end zone and had Chris Olave not fumbled near the goal line on another play. New Orleans will be without one of its key playmakers to begin the season in rookie first-round wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring), but Shough appeared to build good chemistry with new starting running back Travis Etienne, who was a frequent target of the quarterback during camp practices.

Sampson was rested for the Browns' 37-13 win over the Patriots in their Aug. 27 preseason finale.

Cleveland held both of their top two backs -- Quinshon Judkins and Sampson -- out for the third game of the preseason to open up more playing time for other running backs to stake claims to roster spots. Judkins is locked in as the Browns' lead runner heading into their Week 1 matchup with the Jaguars, but Sampson should have a consistent role as a weapon on passing downs. Sampson proved to be adept as a pass catcher during his 2025 rookie campaign, drawing 40 targets on just 249 snaps while producing a 33-271-2 receiving line. He was much less productive as a runner, however, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry on 65 totes.

The Falcons plan for Penix (knee) to start "eventually" this season, but head coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to decide whether Penix or Tua Tagovailoa will direct the offense Week 1 in Pittsburgh, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Penix didn't suit up for the preseason while completing his recovery from Nov. 25 surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, but he was cleared to take part in 11-on-11 drills just under two weeks ago and has been able to get some reps in with the first-team offense. Stefanski plans to continue evaluating both Penix and Tagovailoa in practices this week and next before naming a starter. Because of Penix's limitations for much of training camp, Tagovailoa initially appeared to be a strong bet to open the season as the Falcons' starter, but a poor preseason in which he fumbled twice and struggled to push the ball down the field has thus far prevented him from securing the Week 1 nod.

The Buccaneers signed Patterson to the practice squad Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The Buccaneers waived Patterson during Sunday's cutdown day. The undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech cleared waivers and promptly re-signed with the team that took a shot on him in late May. Patterson participated in all three preseason games, catching 13 passes for 72 yards.