Free agent RB J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) has officially been cleared for football activities. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Dobbins is expected to begin visiting with teams soon and reportedly looks “outstanding” after suffering a torn Achilles last season. Dobbins should receive interest from multiple teams in need of running back depth.
The Saints are reportedly preparing for the real possibility that Ryan Ramczyk is medically not able to play this season. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Saints coach Dennis Allen alluded to Ramczyk’s knee not responding as they hoped, and it’s unclear when or if it will. The two sides agreed to restructure his contract earlier in March.
Mon, Mar 25th 4:13pm EDT
By Ari Koslow
Anthony Richardson is expected to participate in spring practices for the Colts. (Source: The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Richardson is expected to be fully cleared to participate. He is continuing to recover from shoulder surgery, but was able to resume throwing earlier in the offseason. He remains on track to be fully healthy by the start of next season.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that when veteran QB Daniel Jones "gets back, he'll be the guy," but was noncommittal on a timetable or a Week 1 return. (Source: Coral Smith, nfl.com)
Fantasy Impact: Daboll seemed confident in newly acquired QB Drew Lock, saying that "he knows what his role is going to be." However, he did reaffirm that, for now, Jones is the QB1 in New York. However, Daboll reportedly "balked at committing to a Week 1 return" but said Jones continues to improve health-wise. The Giants may give Jones one more year before it's easier to cut him after 2024, though their draft choices will indicate their plans.
Mike Williams said he will be ready for Week 1. (Source: Rich Cimini on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Williams, who signed a one-year deal with the Jets, told the media he is over four months removed from ACL surgery. He'll be a downfield threat on the outside for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets offense next season.
Chase Young is undergoing a neck procedure that is expected to sideline him into training camp. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Young, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Saints, is expected to be fully healthy by the start of next season. Schefter added that New Orleans was aware of his neck injury when signing him.
TE Brock Bowers will not work out at UGA pro day due to a tweaked hamstring. (Source: Taylor Bisciotti on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Bowers is planning on working out for teams at a later date in April. The minor injury should not impact his draft status in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Pending free agent WR Kendrick Bourne, who tore his ACL in October, says he plans to be a "full go" for training camp and to play Week 1. (Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Bourne played eight games in 2023, catching 37 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns. Despite playing in just half of their games, Bourne finished fifth, third and second on the team in those categories, respectively, in an offense that struggled to produce through the air. Bourne said he and the team are in talks on a reunion, though he's not yet committed.
Jordan Travis was recently told by doctors during a recent checkup that he should be fully cleared by April. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Travis had his season end early in his final year at Florida State due to an ankle injury. He'll likely be selected as a flier for a team in April during the NFL Draft.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow is expected to be cleared from his wrist injury by mid-May. (Source: ESPN.com)
Fantasy Impact: Burrow suffered a torn wrist ligament in his throwing hand last season that required season-ending surgery. Burrow shared that he expects to be cleared for full contact in May and then he will begin focusing on returning for the Bengals’ organized team activities.
Michael Penix Jr., a former Washington QB and a 2024 NFL Draft prospect, reportedly had "clean medicals" from multiple teams, likely meaning his MRIs checked out. (Source: Jordan Schultz on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Penix is an older prospect mostly because of his medical history, sustaining multiple season-ending injuries to the knee and shoulder. However, a clean bill of health is all Penix needed to lock up his place as a Round 1-2 prospect in this year's draft. The former Huskie and Hoosier is considered among the top six QBs in a strong class.
Veteran OT Tyron Smith, a pending free agent, and the Dallas Cowboys are expected to part ways, with Smith set to be a free agent and "unlikely to return." (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Smith has spent 13 seasons in Dallas, starting 161 games while making five All-Pro teams and eight Pro Bowls. One of the best blindside protectors of his generation, Smith has struggled with health in recent years, playing 30 games over the last four seasons and playing 13 or fewer games in each of his previous eight seasons. Plenty of contenders could look to Smith, assuming he doesn't chase what could be the final major paycheck of his career.
Ainias Smith, a former Texas A&M WR and an NFL Draft prospect, was flagged for a stress fracture in his left shin. He will meet with a specialist and did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Smith spent five seasons with the Aggies, accumulating 2,812 total yards with 23 touchdowns. Listed at 5'10" and 190 pounds, Smith could have benefitted from solid testing, especially given his return versatility. His status to perform at A&M's Pro Day might be in question.
Jonathon Brooks, a former Texas RB and a projected top-five RB prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, expects to be cleared from his rehab for his torn ACL by July 1. (Source: Eric Edholm on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Brooks tore his ACL on Nov. 12, 2023, a tough blow for a Texas program that fell short in the College Football Playoffs. Brooks has progressed to lightly jogging as of NFL Scouting Combine week and is no longer wearing a knee brace. He's pushing to be as available in his rookie season as possible.
Laremy Tunsil underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery. (Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Tunsil had been dealing with a nagging injury for most of last season. He is expected to make full and fast recovery for next year.
Braden Smith underwent surgery on his left knee. (Source: IndyStar.com)
Fantasy Impact: Smith missed three games last season due to the injury. He'll have plenty of time to get fully healthy by training camp.
Rams GM Les Snead said Tyler Higbee has had surgery to repair his torn ACL, but his timeline to return is "still unclear." (Source: Sarah Barshop on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Higbee tore his ACL and MCL in the Rams Wild Card loss against the Lions. His injury status will be worth monitoring throughout the rest of the offseason.
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot said Kyle Pitts is healthy this offseason. (Source: Zach Klein on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Fontenot added that the team still has a lot of faith in Pitts. New Falcons OC Zac Robinson has said he expects Pitts to be a key part of the Falcons passing attack. It is also worth noting that Atlanta released Jonnu Smith, who saw 70 targets last season.
Arik Armstead announced he will undergo surgery this offseason on a torn meniscus. (Source: NBCSports.com)
Fantasy Impact: Armstead is still expected to be healthy for training camp as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks in his recovery. He told reporters that he suffered the injury back in Week 13.
Jerick McKinnon remains a game-time decision, but he is expected to play in the Super Bowl on Sunday against the 49ers. (Source: James Palmer on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: McKinnon is expected to return after undergoing hernia surgery just over one month ago. It is unclear what role he'll play, but he'll likely have some role in the passing game out of the backfield.
