Fantasy Football 2023: Training Camp Roundup (8/1)

It can be hard to prep for fantasy football during training camp and the preseason. Things happen every day that might be a huge deal for fantasy … or might be no deal at all. 

Sometimes we can figure it out, but sometimes it’s just a matter of paying attention to what happens to know what might matter just so things don’t slip through the cracks.

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.

Jonathan Taylor Definitely Has a Limp

The Jonathan Taylor saga continues in Indy. The Colts RB has been at practices, but he’s watching. And while he claims he doesn’t have a back injury (the Colts claim he does), this video shows a clear limp:

The injury risk here is probably bigger than the holdout risk. The Colts could theoretically get away without paying Taylor anything in 2023 — and he’d still be under contract with him next season. Taylor has almost no leverage here.

Zack Moss Breaks His Arm

The Colts RB room was decimated before the calendar even turned to August, given Taylor’s … situation, followed by backup Zack Moss breaking his arm. He’s going to miss up to six weeks. He could be back for the start of the regular season, but he may miss a few games. This means Deon Jackson and rookie Evan Hull are now the two primary backs to keep an eye on. Both are worth late-round dart throws at the moment.

Dalvin Cook Visits Jets Practice

Nothing has been signed, but all signs continue to point to Dalvin Cook joining the Jets. He visited practice. The move would be bad news for Breece Hall drafters (Hall is already on the PUP list and is not fully recovered from his ACL tear last season). Cook-to-the-Jets would signal a backfield by committee. 

Broncos WR Room Hit Hard: Tim Patrick Out for Season, KJ Hamler Waived

Tim Patrick suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in practice Monday. He was a popular late-round pick in fantasy drafts and was coming back from an ACL tear. The door is now open for Marvin Mims to be a legitimate contributor as a rookie.

KJ Hamler was also waived after dealing with chest pain (non-football). He’s expected to be out for a few weeks, but the Broncos expect to sign him back. He’s not a fantasy name to know, but it again underscores Mims and the next Broncos WR to know.

Vet WR Michael Thomas, Calvin Ridley Impressing in Practices

Good news has come out of training camp for both of these players. Michael Thomas is practicing (a plus!) and has been heavily targeted by Derek Carr. Meanwhile, Calvin Ridley has looked like Jacksonville’s WR1.