Fantasy Football News

Johnson (hamstring) underwent an MRI after leaving practice Friday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

Impacts: Hopefully the procedure was done out of precaution rather than concern, but there hasn't been a comment on the matter either way to this point. We'll be on the lookout for the results of the MRI.

Bills wideout Stevie Johnson has tweaked a hamstring at practice on Friday.

Impacts: Johnson's status will be evaluated later today. Normally, this wouldn't be a huge issue. However, if it turns out to be a severe injury that somehow lasts until the regular season, it could be an enormous blow to the passing attack of an offense which doesn't have a great deal of depth at the WR position.

Baldwin shed weight during the summer to enter Chiefs training camp in great shape, the Kansas City Star reports.

Impacts: After playing at 230 pounds for two years the 6-foot-4 Baldwin has trimmed to about 220 in order to handle the additional reps and faster pace of Andy Reid's West Coast system. Reid acknowledged the impressive transition, noting that the hulking Baldwin's body fat has dropped into the single digits. So far the fitness improvement has not equaled more consistent play in camp, but he's shown flashes of improved route running and being able to dominate defensive backs with his size—something the Chiefs are hoping the former first-round draft pick can finally translate to the regular season to take some pressure off Dwayne Bowe.

Hawkins' brother Artrell, who works in the local media scene in Cincinnati, believes that Hawkins suffered a high ankle sprain Thursday. Early indications are that he'll miss two weeks, Bengals.com reports.

Impacts: The typical length of absence for this injury is 2-to-4 weeks, depending on how high on the ankle it is. He wasn't able to put any weight on the ankle after the injury.

Foster (calf) is expected to come off the physically unable to perform list and resume practicing Sunday morning, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impacts: Foster suffered a calf strain early in organized team activities and has been rehabbing since. Houston has been extremely cautious with Foster, not wanting the injury to be a recurring problem all season.

Pete Carroll said Percy Harvin's hip surgery went well on Thursday.

Impacts: Harvin is expected to stay in New York for the time being and recuperate where his surgery was performed. There is still no timeline for his return, and it seems less likely that Harvin will take the field with Seattle until late in the regular season, if he even does at all. Avoid drafting him in any league until more information becomes available.

Mike Wallace missed Thursday practice with a groin issue and his status for Sunday's Hall of Fame game against the Cowboys is unclear.

Impacts: Wallace needs time to get into rhythm with Ryan Tannehill, but the Dolphins may be wise to let him sit out the preseason opener if any trace of the injury remains this Sunday. There's no upside to taking the risk of aggravating the injury and possibly missing time in the regular season. Don't move Wallace anywhere on your draft boards for now.

Texans RB Arian Foster could return to practice as soon as Sunday, according to the team's official site.

Impacts: Foster's inclusion on the PUP list seems precautionary. He likely won't earn many reps during preseason, nor should he. Look for him to be healthy and ready for Week 1. Keep him near the very top of your overall draft boards.

Coach Pete Carroll said that Harvin's hip surgery "went very well," while acknowledging that "a long rehab process" is coming up for the wideout, the Seattle Times reports.

Impacts: Carroll noted that to begin with, Harvin is slated to stay in New York (where his surgery was performed) for a few weeks. According to Carroll, the Seahawks don't "have any dates or timelines or any of that kind of stuff" with regards to Harvin's return to action, but the hope continues to be that the wideout will be able to return before the end of the season.

Niners CB Chris Culliver suffered an injury to his left knee in practice and was carted off the field on Thursday.

Impacts: Culliver isn't an elite shutdown corner, but he's still one of the better corners in the league and is certainly was a big part of San Francisco's secondary plans for 2013. Both he and LB Patrick Willis have uncertain return timetables from their respective injuries.

Fleener has been drawing raves for his performance in training camp. "Probably having the most productive camp, including his time at Stanford, that I've seen," offensive coordinator Pep Hamtilton told the Indianapolis Star. "In the time that I've been around Coby, he's a lot more explosive and confident right now and he's making plays that big-time NFL players tend to make."

Impacts: Fleener had a disappointing rookie season as the second-round pick had just 26 receptions as he missed four games with a shoulder injury. Hamilton was Fleener's offensive coordinator in college (along with Andrew Luck), which can only help his role in the offense. However, Dwayne Allen was impressive last season and it's not clear Fleener will be the top tight end target in an offense that will frequently feature both tight ends on the field. Still, it sounds like he's off to a strong start this summer that could result in a larger role in the offense.

Niners linebacker Patrick Willis will have an x-ray on his fractured hand.

Impacts: Willis' production has dipped over the last two years, but he is still a top IDP option at linebacker and an integral part of the Niners defense, so losing him for any extended amount of time would certainly be a setback for this unit. X-ray results are expected to be released soon, which will then help determine a timetable for Willis' return.

The 49ers will bring Robinson (concussion) in for a workout Thursday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impacts: Robinson, whose 2012 season was cut short due to concussion issues, has worked out for the Patriots, Jets, Dolphins and Lions, but remains unsigned. It makes sense that the 49ers are kicking the tires on Robinson though, given that top wideout Michael Crabtree is sidelined until at least November.

Jets RB Chris Ivory left practice after picking up a hamstring injury in practice on Wednesday.

Impacts: Of all players the Jets can least afford to lose on offense, Ivory probably tops the list. With the lack of wide reliable wide receiving options, the Jets figure to field a run-heavy offense this season. The problem is the depth at running back is also thin after Ivory. The Jets would be wise to keep him out of practice until he is completely healed.

Willis suffered what is being referred to as a "slight fracture" in his right hand during Wednesday's practice, Sacramento Bee reports.

Impacts: Willis, who has previously suffered fractures to the same hand, is not expected to miss any time during the regular season, however. In previous similar situations, he ended up wearing a cast over his hand and playing through the injury. For the time being, the issue figures to limit Willis some in training camp, but it shouldn't affect his regular season IDP utility.

Guard Manny Ramirez had been handling the snapping duties in practice for the time being, but the Broncos were able to talk Ryan Lilja out of retirement and into signing a one-year deal.

Impacts: Other Broncos offensive linemen continue to nurse their way back from offseason injuries, which should be cleared up in time for Week 1. Nonetheless, Peyton Manning will have to adjust to working with an unfamiliar center in 2013. Lilja will need time to adjust and get back into football shape. Keep an eye on how much, if at all, it may affect him and the rest of the offense.

Andrew Luck expressed a high level of confidence that Pep Hamilton is the right guy to help lead their offensive attack.

Impacts: Even though Bruce Arians is now in Arizona, Luck and Hamilton have a strong history, having worked together at Stanford. Hilton, however, continues to draw rave reviews. Hilton's ADP remains low and he could turn into a strong bargain.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says injured WR Percy Harvin won't return to the team until he is 100 percent.

Impacts: Harvin may not reach full health for some time. It is difficult to pinpoint a target return date for Harvin until after his hip surgery is complete. Depending on the severity of the injury, Harvin may return as soon as November or may miss the entire season altogether. Look for a return timetable announcement from the Seahawks later this week.

Ivory left Wednesday's practice with a tight hamstring, the New York Post reports.

Impacts: The hamstring had been bothering Ivory, who returned to practice Monday, but evidently it tightened up again Wednesday. While Ivory's injury doesn't seem particularly major, he came to the Jets with promise, given his physical style or running, tempered by injury concerns. If taking the cautious approach now enables him to get -- and stay -- fully healthy, then he remains the favorite to secure the Jets' No. 1 RB assignment, however.

Bears QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte could be in position to thrive under new coach Marc Trestman's playcalling.

Impacts: Marc Trestman's history indicates he will bring an innovative and aggressive approach to Chicago's offensive attack. Forte will almost certainly put up better totals in receptions and receiving yardage while Cutler may find himself quarterbacking a more vertical attack. Both players are likely going to be a bit undervalued heading into your draft and could present decent bargains.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said he was not concerned about Geno Smith's conditioning.

Impacts: Insert your favorite joke about Rex Ryan discussing anything related to conditioning, but the situation doesn't make sense. How could Smith look potent running the offense, but then struggle to finish simple and basic sprints? Only time will tell on whether Smith really is in game shape. Nonetheless, neither Smith nor Sanchez should be in your starting lineups heading into 2013.

TE Vernon Davis continues to emerge as a primary deep threat in San Francisco's offense, recent reports indicate.

Impacts: If Davis lines up at wideout and presumably gets targeted deep often, chances are he'll rack up a fair amount of yardage and also become a better than average PPR player in the process. Keep a very close eye on Davis in preseason to see if Jim Harbaugh may offer any clues on this story.

Blaine Gabbert has returned to practice after suffering an ankle injury earlier in the week.

Impacts: Had he been held out longer, it may have hurt Gabbert's chances of winning the starting job. Both Gabbert and Chad Henne need all the time and reps they can get to impress their new coaching staff. But since Gabbert was able to return before the Jags even played one preseason game, it should be back to business as usual for both QBs.

Gabbert (right ankle) suited up for practice Wednesday, John Oehser of Jaguars.com reports.

Impacts: This confirms that the sprained right ankle that he suffered Monday was indeed minor, with the focus now returning to Gabbert's competition with Chad Henne for the Jaguars' starting QB assignment.

According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the Seahawks hope to have Harvin -- who is slated to undergo a hip procedure Thursday -- back by Thanksgiving.

Impacts: With the Seahawks on bye that week, the report suggests that a potential target date for Harvin could the team's December 2 contest against the Saints in Week 13. While that's just an estimate at this stage, it does provide hope that Harvin could return to action before the end of the season, in some capacity.

Harvin's hip injury will require surgery, likely ending his season before it really even started.

Impacts: Harvin underwent a second opinion on his injured hip Tuesday and made the announcement via Twitter later that night. Surgery is expected to knock him out for the season, though there's a small chance he could return late in the year with an expected three-to-four-month recovery period.

Falcons WR Julio Jones has been impressive in camp and is drawing rave reviews.

Impacts: Jones is already one of the top wideout options in fantasy football. All he needs to do is find more consistency in his game. For whatever reason, his road performances were by and large better than those at home in 2012. If he can continue to develop and stay on the same page as Matt Ryan, Jones could enter fantasy superstardom.

Rice left Seattle training camp for knee treatment in Switzerland, NFL.com reports.

Impacts: Coach Pete Carroll didn't disclose the specifics regarding whatever procedure Rice might undergo overseas, though Carroll did state that Rice won't undergo any surgeries. Other NFL players have headed to Europe for what's called Regenokine treatment, a blood-manipulation procedure designed to aid recovery, so that's one potential reason Rice visited the Swiss. Carroll is in any case optimistic that Rice won't miss any preseason games.

Injured Seahawks WR Sidney Rice has traveled to Switzerland for treatment on his ailing knee.

Impacts: Rice's knee issues date back to the 2012 season, but he still managed to have one of the better years of his career. He may miss some preseason action, but it shouldn't be a cause for concern. Rice is expected to be good to go for Week 1.

Thus far in camp, Danny Amendola has been the only wideout who is performing well enough to draw positive reviews.

Impacts: Tom Brady likes having multiple options, even when he had a dominant wideout like Randy Moss at his disposal. It doesn't really bode well for him or the Pats offense that Amendola is the only one he seems to be syncing up with, but it is still very early. Still, this could be a rocky year for Brady with Aaron Hernandez no longer in the picture and Rob Gronkowski still recovering from injury.

Thus far in camp, Danny Amendola has been the only wideout who is performing well enough to draw positive reviews.

Impacts: Tom Brady likes having multiple options, even when he had a dominant wideout like Randy Moss at his disposal. It doesn't really bode well for him or the Pats offense that Amendola is the only one he seems to be syncing up with, but it is still very early. Still, this could be a rocky year for Brady with Aaron Hernandez no longer in the picture and Rob Gronkowski still recovering from injury.

Steelers rookie running back Le'Veon Bell has been working with the first team during the first week of camp.

Impacts: Of all rookie running backs in the league, Bell likely has the best shot at becoming a full-time starter who can log 20 carries each week. His fantasy value continues to rise, and if you are targeting him, you're probably going to have to spend at least an early mid-round pick to land him.

Arizona RB Ryan Williams admitted his surgically repaired knee is still not completely healthy.

Impacts: The clock is ticking for Williams, who has shown flashes of potential at times. However, he's been unable to shake the injury bug throughout his career with the Cardinals. Rashard Mendenhall has been dealing with injuries of his own, but if Williams can't get healthy in time for Week 1, Mendenhall's fantasy value gets a boost since he'd have no real competition for carries.

Ball shared first-team reps with Ronnie Hillman and Knowshon Moreno during practice Monday, the Denver Post reports.

Impacts: Ball had the biggest run of the day, but it's still way too early for a decision on who wins the starting job. Ball will be given every opportunity to do that, but he needs to win the job; it won't just be handed to him.

Bills DE Mario Williams left camp to have his foot evaluated on Monday.

Impacts: Williams registered 10.5 sacks and 46 total tackles in his first year in Buffalo last season. Losing him for any amount of time would be a huge blow to the Bills defense since he is such a key figure. However, it's too early to panic. Considering the number of injuries that have taken place throughout the league in preseason, this is likely all precautionary. Still, it's certainly a situation worth monitoring for Williams' IDP league owners.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak is optimistic that RB Arian Foster could be removed from the PUP list and back in action by midweek.

Impacts: This seemed like it would be the likely outcome for Foster, as placing him on the PUP was simply precautionary. Nonetheless, his original injury was a calf strain that happened back in OTAs during May. There isn't much upside for the Texans to overwork Foster during preseason, so expect him to be ready for Week 1.

Coach Gary Kubiak hopes that Foster (strained calf) will return from the PUP list by midweek, ESPN's Josina Anderson reports.

Impacts: While that's not a precise timetable for the running back's return, it does nonetheless seem to confirm that Foster's long-term status shouldn't be impacted by his current calf injury.

The Ravens have signed fullback Vonta Leach.

Impacts: This may be an indication that the Ravens plan to pound the ball on the ground a bit more now that their receiving corp has suffered a few key losses this offseason. That could be good news for Ray Rice's rushing yardage, depending on his durability. Look closely during the preseason to see how much work Bernard Pierce gets. While it won't be a 50-50 split, the Ravens may use Pierce more than expected if they do indeed shift towards becoming a run-oriented offense.

With Jeremy Maclin out for the 2013 season, the Eagles are hoping Riley Cooper can step[ up and help fill the void.

Impacts: Even though his numbers may not reflect it, Maclin became more comfortable and an integral part of Philadelphia's offense as he gained more experience. He averaged over 12 yards per reception in each of his four seasons in the league. Cooper posted decent yardage, but he didn't contribute on offense nearly as often as Maclin did. Expecting Cooper to step in and not skip a beat would be very optimistic. Cooper is no more than a borderline WR3 for fantasy purposes at this time.