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NFL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Friday, August 21

Trey McBride Ranked Among Elite 2026 Fantasy Tight Ends

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Trey McBride is listed among the top options in PFF’s 2026 fantasy football tight end rankings. As one of the premier players in a list of 64, McBride is a critical target for managers evaluating the position. His high standing in the rankings provides fantasy drafters with a reliable benchmark for comparing tight end value throughout the draft process.

Brock Bowers Leads 2026 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings

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Brock Bowers holds the top spot in PFF’s 2026 fantasy football tight end rankings. As the leader among 64 evaluated options, Bowers is established as the premier choice for managers drafting the position. His top-tier ranking reflects his projected impact and reliability as a primary target, making him the cornerstone of the current tight end draft cheat sheet.

Thursday, August 20

Kubiak Delays Naming Kirk Cousins as Raiders Starting Quarterback

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Although Kirk Cousins led the opening touchdown drive for the Las Vegas Raiders in their recent preseason action and appears to be the frontrunner for the Week One starting job, head coach Klint Kubiak has not yet officially named him the starter. Following the team's game against the Texans, Kubiak remains cautious, keeping the quarterback situation a focal point of the team's evaluation process as they continue to weigh their options for the upcoming season.

Makai Lemon Returns to Eagles Practice Following Hamstring Injury

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Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon returned to the practice field in a limited capacity during Thursday's joint session with the Patriots. This marks the rookie's first practice in over two weeks after dealing with a hamstring injury that also hampered him during the spring. While his return is a key development for team depth as he competes for a roster spot, Lemon faces a significant climb to catch up on reps with only a few weeks remaining before the season opener.

De'Zhaun Stribling Emerges as Preseason Breakout Star

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49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling has solidified his status as a breakout star this preseason. In the 41-17 victory over the Chargers, Stribling secured four of five targets for 46 yards. Working alongside quarterback Brock Purdy, Stribling has consistently demonstrated high-level production, making him a player to watch as the 49ers refine their roster. His performance in the win over Los Angeles has drawn significant praise as the team evaluates its future offensive options.

Keaton Mitchell Records Four Touches in Preseason Loss

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Keaton Mitchell saw limited work in the Chargers' 41-17 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday night. The running back recorded three carries for minus-1 yard and brought in his only target for an 11-yard gain. Mitchell continues to compete for his role within the Chargers' backfield rotation as the team evaluates its roster depth during the preseason period.

Ladd McConkey Held Without Catch in Preseason Action

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Ladd McConkey played during the opening series of the Chargers' 41-17 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday night. The rookie wide receiver failed to bring in his only target during the contest. McConkey remains a focus for the coaching staff as they evaluate the receiving corps and determine the final depth chart heading into the regular season.

Trey Lance Showcases Speed in Preseason Appearance

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Trey Lance displayed his mobility and speed during the Chargers' 41-17 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday night. Despite the team's overall struggles on defense and special teams, Lance's athletic contributions were a notable takeaway from the game. The coaching staff continues to assess his development and utility within the offensive scheme as the preseason progresses.

Jake Slaughter Starts at Center in Preseason Defeat

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Jake Slaughter earned the start at center for the Los Angeles Chargers during Thursday night's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. While the team struggled with miscues on special teams and defense throughout the game, Slaughter's performance in the trenches remains a key point of evaluation for the coaching staff as they finalize the offensive line configuration.

Justin Herbert Sees Limited Action in Preseason Loss

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Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert saw limited action in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the 49ers, playing just three snaps. He completed one of two passes for nine yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Despite the minimal usage, Herbert remains a high-priority fantasy football draft target for 2026, with analysts highlighting his strong PFF performance grades and usage data as indicators of his top-tier potential for the upcoming season.

Brock Purdy Leads 49ers Offense in Preseason Win

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy continues to lead the team's offensive unit during the preseason. In the 41-17 win over the Chargers, Purdy completed four of six passes for 29 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and added one rush for three yards. He has been working closely with rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, who has emerged as a standout performer during the team's preseason efforts.

Omarion Hampton Sees Limited Action Against 49ers

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Omarion Hampton made a cameo appearance in the Chargers' 41-17 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday night. The running back recorded one carry for minus-1 yard and was not targeted in the passing game. Hampton is currently working to secure his standing within the team's running back rotation as the Chargers continue their preseason evaluations.

George Kittle Trending Toward Week 1 Return vs. Rams

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49ers tight end George Kittle is trending toward a return for the Week 1 matchup against the Rams in Australia. Following a positive check-up with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Wednesday regarding his January Achilles surgery, Kittle remains ahead of schedule in his recovery. Reports confirm he has a legitimate chance to play in the season opener, providing a significant boost to the San Francisco offense as they finalize preparations for the regular season.

Fernando Mendoza Struggles in Second Preseason Outing

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Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza faced a challenging second preseason outing in a 22-20 win over the Texans, highlighted by an opening-series pick-six. He completed 8-of-15 passes for 86 yards, took a sack, and was hit four times while leading the offense to only three points. Despite the turnover and a play where he chased an opponent 50 yards, the coaching staff continues to monitor the first overall pick's development as he adjusts to the NFL in a necessary learning process.

Woody Marks Finds Paydirt in Preseason Loss

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Woody Marks contributed to the Houston Texans' offense in Thursday's 22-20 preseason loss to the Raiders. Marks rushed four times for 37 yards and a touchdown while also catching his only target for six yards. The performance highlights his involvement in the team's backfield rotation as they evaluate depth during the preseason.

C.J. Stroud Leads Touchdown Drive in Preseason Action

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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud saw action during Thursday's 22-20 preseason loss to the Raiders, completing four of six passes for 27 yards. Stroud successfully led the Texans on a touchdown drive during his single series of play, as confirmed by head coach DeMeco Ryans. This brief appearance was part of the team's ongoing evaluation of their starters during the preseason schedule as they prepare for the upcoming regular season.

Gardner Minshew Named Starter for Saturday's Preseason Game

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The Arizona Cardinals have announced that Gardner Minshew will start at quarterback for Saturday's preseason matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. This marks the third different starting quarterback the Cardinals have utilized in as many preseason games as the team continues to evaluate its signal-caller depth. The team is currently determining how many starters will see action against Dallas.

Keenan Allen Joins Colts to Bolster Receiving Corps

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The Indianapolis Colts have signed veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen to address depth concerns and provide a reliable presence for their passing attack. Allen made his debut as the team concluded their final training camp session at Grand Park, which marked the end of an eight-summer era at the facility. The addition is viewed as a strategic move to solidify the Colts' offensive capabilities for the upcoming season.

Joey Porter Jr. Linked to Potential Trade Interest

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is currently the subject of trade interest from other teams. The 26-year-old defensive back is seeking a contract extension this offseason, adding a layer of complexity to his status with the organization as the preseason progresses.

Chigozie Anusiem Carted Off With Leg Injury

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Raiders cornerback Chigozie Anusiem suffered a significant leg injury during the third quarter of Thursday night's preseason game against the Houston Texans. The injury required him to be carted off the field, marking a concerning development for the Raiders' secondary depth.