The pads came on around the league Thursday, and the injury news cut both ways: some stars back on the field, one rookie already done for the year.

Deebo Samuel (FA, WR) is signing back with the 49ers on a 1-year deal worth up to $7 million.
My take: This is a major boost to his fantasy value after there being questions if he’d sign anywhere (while also obviously hurting the prospects of both Pearsall and Stribling). Worth noting this offense as a whole has some added fragility, as the starting skill players are 30-year old CMC, 30-year old Deebo Samuel, 32-year old George Kittle, and 33-year old Mike Evans. All four players also known for having frequent injury issues playing next to an electrical substation. Wooof.

Malik Nabers (NYG, WR) practiced Wednesday for the first time since October ACL surgery and "looked good" in a surprising full session, with QB Jaxson Dart raving about how he is attacking his recovery.
My take: The drumbeat continues. First positive health reports and now training camp videos showing Nabers looking solid. I’m still buying in the mid-third but I’m afraid that price tag is mostly gone as I’ve started seeing him go late 2nd.

Bucky Irving (TB, RB) is "full-go" to open camp with no ramp-up after offseason shoulder surgery, taking first-team reps at full speed.
My take: A perfect bill of health is a positive but not the primary concern when drafting Bucky. That lies more in the addition of Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker still posing a goalline threat. I’m still bullish on Bucky from a talent perspective and while I don’t expect him to be a workhorse, I think that is baked into his late round 5 price.

A.J. Brown (NE, WR) had his best day of the summer in New England's first padded practice, with Drake Maye going 4-for-5 and a touchdown his way as the "connection comes to life." Meanwhile, only minimally relevant, DeAndre Hopkins is no longer in camp with the Patriots in any capacity.
My take: After a rough first day, great to see Maye and Brown developing much needed chemistry. If he ever falls to the third I’d happily take Brown but mid to late second is quite a steep price compared to the RBs going around him or elite TE Brock Bowers. Also, specifically for best ball, don’t forget the very difficult schedule the Patriots have in the fantasy playoffs.

Chris Brazzell (CAR, WR) will have "season-ending surgery" on a torn LCL, ending a rookie summer that had real buzz.
My take: The immediate winner is Xavier Legette, whose grip on the WR3 job behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker just got a lot firmer. I'm not chasing Legette, but in deeper best-ball builds he's a fine last-round dart now that the room thinned out. Perhaps also means a slight bump for Coker.

Michael Penix Jr. (ATL, QB) said he could still be "four weeks" from full medical clearance off last November's ACL tear and isn't taking team reps yet, pointing to Atlanta leaning on offseason addition Tua Tagovailoa to open the year.
My take: This should give us more confidence that Tua will be the Week 1 starter. Though for how long, that’s anyone’s guess. The Falcons are obviously more committed in the long-term development of Penix but in a weak NFC South, if Tua can keep them competitive, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Tua start so long as they’re in contention.

Shedeur Sanders (CLE, QB) took "first-team reps" at Thursday's practice as Cleveland's quarterback competition keeps shifting.
My take: This is purely speculation but here is how I think this is playing out. The Browns early on favored Watson as the starter but as they’ve seen him on the field, they’ve seen what we know which is his arm is done. Since then we’ve heard positive reports on Shadeur as they start shifting their internal lean. Still think most likely scenario is Watson starts the year but the leash will be very short, perhaps two or three games, and then it’s Sanders’ team.

Underdog Fantasy is being acquired by UK-based IG Group in a deal worth "up to approximately $1.3 billion", about $1.1 billion up front plus a $200 million earnout, with closing expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

I am extremely happy for the Underdog team and all that they accomplished, revolutioninzing the game of best ball and helping to take it mainstream. My life wouldn’t be the same had I not won the inaugural Best Ball Mania.

That said, I am also rather concerned for best ball's future at Underdog given the acquisition's primary focus on prediction markets. We shouldn’t expect anything to change this season but will be interesting to see if they continue to invest in or at least maintain the fantasy sports part of the business. It is great to see many others sites continue to invest in this game and I believe they’ll take this as an opportunity to continue to grow and innovate.

Four reads and watches to firm up your board while the camp news keeps rolling.

🎥 Fantasy Football Today BUY or SELL? Reacting to the Biggest Training Camp News rapid-fire calls on the exact names moving right now.

4for4 Expert Mock Draft Recap: 12-Team Half-PPR (July) see where 11 experts are actually taking players.

FantasyPros 4 NFL Training Camp Risers and Fallers the camp buzz that's genuinely shifting ADP.

FantasyLife ADP Risers and Fallers: Aaron Rodgers Up, Rashee Rice Down a quick pulse on this week's market movers.

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