Fantasy Football 2023: Training Camp Roundup (8/18)

Training camps provide our first look into NFL players and teams as we prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season. Information will now begin to flood our social media timelines, leaving us to determine the subsequent fantasy impact. It’s a matter of knowing which information matters, and which should be ignored.

So each day in this space, we’ll take a trip through the top news and takeaways around the league’s training camps to offer up what fantasy managers need to know as we head through draft season and into the 2023 NFL regular season.

Today, let’s review the major news from Thursday. 

Joe Mixon Found Not Guilty

Joe Mixon was found not guilty on an aggravated menacing charge, potentially avoiding a league suspension. Mixon took a pay cut to stay with the team earlier this offseason, looking to be a focal point of Cincinnati’s rushing attack. Without Samaje Perine, Mixon is in line for a heavy workload in 2023, playing behind an improved offensive line, and one of the best offenses in the league. 

Kendre Miller Is Back 

Saints rookie RB Kendre Miller returned to practice for the first time since suffering a knee sprain in the first game of the preseason. 

Miller has a chance to play in the Saints’ second preseason game depending on how he progresses throughout the week. There was some doubt regarding Miller’s status for Week 1, but he should be near 100% by the season opener. Miller should be heavily involved early, along with Jamaal Williams, while Alvin Kamara serves a three-game suspension. 

Eagles’ Running Backs Still a Mystery

After getting last week off, Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott were active in Philadelphia’s second preseason game and were the first two running backs to see the field. Gainwell started and played eight snaps, followed by Scott in the next three plays. Rashaad Penny was third in the pecking order, getting more reps with his new team while D’Andre Swift sat out. Gainwell and Swift look to be the early favorites to lead the backfield, while Penny may be on the roster bubble, competing with Trey Sermon for the final spot. 

Javonte Williams Set for Debut 

Javonte Williams sat out in the Broncos’ first preseason game, but head coach Sean Payton confirmed that he will suit up against the 49ers Friday. He’ll be on a pitch count, playing around 10-12 snaps, returning to live-game action for the first time since last October. Williams played just four games last season but finished first among all running backs in broken tackle rate (26.1%) as a rookie in 2021.