Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Minnesota Vikings tight end Robert Tonyan (back) is out of practice currently dealing with lower back spasms. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hopes he will return in time for the preseason games. O'Connell noted, "He'll be out today (Friday), but we'll keep an eye on his progress over the next few days. We want to ensure he's ready for the upcoming preseason games and fully prepared when the time comes." T.J. Hockenson (knee) the team's top tight end, is still recovering from an ACL tear in his right knee and is not expected to be available for the start of the regular season. Tonyan was signed to help cover Hockenson's pass-catching duties, but with both tight ends potentially sidelined, the Vikings' tight-end depth chart now includes Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, N'Keal Harry, and Trey Knox. With a limited tight-end group, the focus will shift to increasing targets for vital offensive players such as Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones.

Minnesota Vikings tight end Robert Tonyan (back) left practice due to back spasms, and his return timeline is still uncertain. If Tonyan's injury proves severe and he misses a significant amount of time, the Vikings' tight end situation could become problematic. T.J. Hockenson (knee) the team's primary tight end, is only seven months removed from an ACL tear in his right knee and is not expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. He is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, with no clear timeline for his return. Typically, recovery from an ACL tear takes 9-12 months. Tonyan was brought in to fill Hockenson's pass-catching role, but without both Hockenson and Tonyan, the Vikings' tight end group consists of Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, N'Keal Harry, and Trey Knox. With limited options at tight end, the focus shifts to increasing targets for critical players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (illness) returned to practice at training camp on Wednesday. Brown was sidelined for a couple of days due to an illness, but he's back in action at camp on Wednesday. The 27-year-old star wideout registered a pitiful 5.7 yards per target over 101 targets a year ago in the desert with the Arizona Cardinals, badly fading after a hot start and missing four games with a sore heel, but he'll have a great chance to bounce back as a fringe WR2/3 in fantasy drafts with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2024. After dropping just one pass over his 51 receptions, Brown should at least give the Chiefs' offense some stability this year after it was plagued by receiver drops last year. With the Rashee Rice situation in a state of uncertainty, Brown's ADP could rise or fall based on when or if Rice gets suspended.

The New York Jets have signed former Detroit Lions tight end Anthony Firkser. Firkser joins a Jets tight end room led by Tyler Conklin. Firkser only appeared in two games for the Lions in 2023 and did not record a statistic. This appears to be a depth add for the Jets as they prepare for the season's long haul with eyes set on the Super Bowl. Time will tell if Firkser manages to make the final roster. This move is of little consequence for fantasy football.

With Christian McCaffrey receiving a training-camp rest day on Monday, Jordan Mason was the San Francisco 49ers' first running back on the field for the start of team drills. Mason, the 49ers' No. 3 back the past two seasons, carried the ball on the first snap. Elijah Mitchell, the No. 2 back sinceMcCaffrey arrived in 2022, had a carry on the second snap. Head coach Kyle Shanahan also shared praise of Mason's development after the session. After Mitchell served as McCaffrey's unquestioned backup, Mason at least is making the situation murkier.San Fran's backfield pecking order behind McCaffrey will certainly be something for fantasy managers to monitor leading into the Aug. 10 preseason opener against the hosting Tennessee Titans. Until then, Mitchell should be treated as CMC's preferred handcuff at the end of fantasy drafts with rookie Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) sidelined.