2023 NFL Training Camps are open, and it’s time to dive into the news surrounding your favorite teams and fantasy players. Let’s take a look at the latest news and notes around fantasy football. To stay up to date on all of the latest fantasy football news, be sure to follow @FantasyProsNFL on Twitter and bookmark the FantasyPros NFL Player News page.
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2023 NFL Training Camp News
Check out the latest news and notes around the NFL.
Zay Flowers making a great early impression in Baltimore
Zay Flowers has reportedly made a great early impressions on the coaching staff and teammates through his maturity, work ethic, and drive.
Fantasy Impact
Flowers is expected to start alongside Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman in a revamped Ravens’ offense. With Bateman continuing to deal with a foot injury from last season, Flowers should get additional time to impress his teammates in training camp. The 22-year-old rookie currently ranks as WR52 in ECR, according to FantasyPros.
Jesse Garcia
Luke Schoonmaker starts training camp on NFI list
Dallas Cowboys rookie TE Luke Schoonmaker, who was dealing with a foot injury that limited him in OTAs, is beginning training camp on the non-football injury list.
Fantasy Impact
The NFI list doesn’t mean his injury wasn’t football related, it just means it came from before he was with the NFL. This means his foot injury likely stems from college and the Cowboys are taking it easy with the second-rounder as he heads into his rookie year. If healthy, Schoonmaker has the ability to find his way on the field early due to his abilities as a blocker and pass catcher. If Schoonmaker isn’t ready for the start of the season, though, Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot will carry the bulk of the load at TE.
Jordan Epp
Sam LaPorta seeing as many reps as possible
According to Erik Schlitt of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit, Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta is working with the first, second and third team units to get as many reps as possible in the offseason.
Fantasy Impact
The Lions invested in LaPorta by using a second-round pick on the Iowa product, and their investment appears to be matched by their commitment to his development. LaPorta has reportedly been impressive in offseason workouts, and he has looked more comfortable over time, according to Schlitt. The rookie TE is going on average in rookie drafts as the 20th pick, or TE3, according to FantasyPros’ ADP data.
Jordan Epp
Jonathan Taylor placed on PUP list
Jonathan Taylor has been placed on the PUP list by the Indianapolis Colts according to Tom Pelissero.
Fantasy Impact
Taylor missed the last three games of the 2022 season and continues to recover from arthroscopic right ankle surgery that the star running back underwent in January. Taylor will likely be eased back into action as more of a precaution in order to save his talents for when the regular season begins.
Chris Schommer
Tony Pollard cleared for camp
Tony Pollard has been cleared to participate in training camp.
Fantasy Impact
A divisional round ankle injury didn’t stop the Cowboys from giving Pollard the franchise tag in March, and the team did not bring in any veteran RB help beyond Ronald Jones. Pollard’s draft cost appears to already be accounting for a fully-healthy 2023 season, since he is the RB9 in FantasyPros consensus ADP. The lack of competition in the backfield and a potentially run-heavier offense under Mike McCarthy should lead to a breakout season for Pollard, as long as the team doesn’t bring back Ezekiel Elliot or other depth at the position.
Ryne Eberle
Wan’Dale Robinson starts camp on PUP list
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, WR Wan’Dale Robinson is being placed on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp.
Fantasy Impact
Robinson is recovering from an ACL injury that abbreviated his rookie season. Before his injury, Robinson had 227 yards in six games with one touchdown. The Giants have an abundance of slot receiving talent, but Robinson is part of their young core, so his roster spot is probably safe even if he has to miss time.
Jordan Epp
Sterling Shepard placed on PUP list by Giants
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard is being placed on the physically unable to perform list.
Fantasy Impact
Shepard has been a consistent presence at WR for the Giants when healthy, he just has struggled to stay on the field. Shepard’s recovery from his ACL has reportedly been going well. If Shepard is not elevated before the start of the season, he will be forced to miss four games.
Jordan Epp
Brock Purdy cleared for camp
Brock Purdy has been medically cleared for training camp but will be on a pitch count.
Fantasy Impact
This is good news for Purdy, especially since his UCL surgery didn’t take place until March. While this is a step in the right direction for playing Week 1, his participation in training camp and the preseason will ultimately determine if he is the starting QB against the Steelers. Purdy is currently leading the 49ers QBs at QB25 according to FantasyPros consensus ADP, but former third-overall picks Trey Lance and Sam Darnold follow closely and will also compete for the starting job.
Ryne Eberle
Jameson Williams dealing with minor leg injury
Jameson Williams is dealing with a minor leg injury and likely will not practice for a day or two, per Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell.
Fantasy Impact
This is great news considering Williams missed most of the 2022 season with an ACL injury. Williams will be absent for the first six weeks of the 2023 season as he serves a suspension for gambling. Williams should be considered day-to-day for now.
Jesse Garcia
Jimmy Garoppolo to have no restrictions in training camp
Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said there are no restrictions on QB Jimmy Garoppolo to start training camp.
Fantasy Impact
McDaniels did add the team will handle him as they would any player coming in off surgery/injury. Garoppolo avoided being placed on the PUP list and looks to be fully healthy entering training camp.
Ari Koslow
Kadarius Toney has knee surgery Tuesday
Kadarius Toney underwent a cleanup surgery Tuesday morning, his second knee operation of the offseason. According to head coach Andy Reid, there is “a chance” he will be ready for the Thursday night opener against Detroit.
Fantasy Impact
After tweaking his knee before Sunday’s practice, Toney’s training camp availability was already in question and this latest operation adds to his list of setbacks. Toney’s continued absence will provide additional opportunities for the rest of Kansas City’s wide receiver corp.
Ryne Eberle
DeAndre Hopkins to miss day or two early in camp due to prior engagement
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said DeAndre Hopkins will miss a day or two early in camp because of a prior engagement.
Fantasy Impact
Vrabel added that Hopkins let the team know prior to him signing. It is something to note if reporters start saying Hopkins is not at practice.
Ari Koslow
Michael Thomas: Saints GM Mickey Loomis feels good where Thomas is at
Saints GM Mickey Loomis said he feels “really good” where Michael Thomas is at physically.
Fantasy Impact
Thomas is expected to be a full participant heading into training camp on Wednesday. He appears to be fully healthy heading into this season after playing in 10 games over the past two seasons combined. Chris Olave should remain the No. 1 wide receiver in New Orleans, but Thomas could be the No. 2 target for Derek Carr. This will be a situation to monitor throughout training camp.
Ari Koslow
JuJu Smith-Schuster ready to go for training camp
JuJu Smith-Schuster is expected to be ready to go to begin training camp, per Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick.
Fantasy Impact
Smith-Schuster is going to need the reps with Mac Jones after it was recently revealed that he has yet to practice with Jones this offseason. Smith-Schuster was still recovering from a knee injury he suffered at the end of the 2022 season, but appears good to go for the start of Patriots’ camp.
Jesse Garcia
Justin Jefferson and Vikings having ongoing talks regarding contract
Justin Jefferson and the Vikings’ front office are having ongoing talks regarding a new contract.
Fantasy Impact
Jefferson is present at training camp despite looking for a contract extension after the Vikings exercised his fifth-year option. His future contract is likely going to reset the wide receiver market and make Jefferson the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL.
Jesse Garcia
Justin Herbert signs massive five-year extension
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, QB Justin Herbert is signing a five-year extension with the Los Angeles Chargers worth $262.5 million with guarantees added as well.
Fantasy Impact
Herbert signs the largest contract in NFL history in terms of average per year, coming in at $52.5 million. Herbert is the third QB to reset the market this offseason. In three seasons, Herbert has thrown for 14,089 yards and 94 touchdowns, earning Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl in the process. Now Herbert is locked in through 2029, and Joe Burrow is likely next in line for a big deal.
Jordan Epp
Saquon Barkley signs 1-year, $11 million deal with Giants
After threatening to hold out through training camp and potentially the 2023 season, Saquon has a deal. He signed a one-year deal worth up to $11 million with the Giants, beating the franchise tag. Included is a $2 million signing bonus.
Fantasy Impact
This is the news fantasy managers have been longing to hear. While it’s not the long-term contract many hoped for, it does ease the tension for this year. Barkley will be at training camp and won’t be holding out, so any potential discount there was in drafts when Barkley threatened to hold out is now gone. Saquon will likely be taken around the turn of the first and second round in fantasy drafts, which is fair value given his talent and upside as a premier back in the NFL. He’s a top tier RB1 once again.
Garrett Ball
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