NFL Training Camp News: Injuries, Depth Chart Battles & Fantasy Football Draft Updates
Training camp is already changing the 2026 fantasy football draft landscape, with injuries, position battles and emerging roles creating movement across NFL depth charts. Here are the NFL training camp news and fantasy football updates fantasy managers need to know from July 29.
Ricky Pearsall’s Knee Creates an Opportunity in San Francisco
The Ricky Pearsall situation is becoming one of the biggest fantasy storylines to monitor. Pearsall missed practice because of swelling in his right knee, the same knee in which he tore his PCL last season, and the latest report indicated surgery could be a possibility.
That creates an opportunity for rookie De’Zhaun Stribling, who has impressed early in camp and could move into three-wide sets alongside Mike Evans and Christian Kirk if Pearsall isn’t ready.
Fantasy Impact: Pearsall’s health adds significant uncertainty to his draft value, while Stribling is becoming a late-round sleeper to watch.
Cardinals Backfield Battle: Tyler Allgeier, Jeremiyah Love and James Conner
James Conner remains out of team and 11-on-11 work while recovering from his foot injury. Meanwhile, Tyler Allgeier was the first running back to receive first-team reps.
Arizona also invested the No. 3 overall pick in Jeremiyah Love, making this one of the more important NFL running back depth charts to monitor during training camp.
Fantasy Impact: Love entered the offseason atop the depth chart, but Allgeier’s first-team involvement is noteworthy. Fantasy managers should watch how the workload develops before draft day.
Jordan Addison Making Noise at Vikings Training Camp
Jordan Addison reportedly was “everywhere” during Minnesota’s first training camp practice after spending two months working with new quarterback Kyler Murray before camp.
Murray held a slight advantage over J.J. McCarthy in first-team snaps Wednesday, 16-12, as Minnesota continues its quarterback competition.
Fantasy Impact: Addison could become an intriguing WR3/WR4 sleeper if his early chemistry with Murray continues and Murray wins the starting quarterback job.
Xavier Worthy Healthy, But Is His Fantasy ADP Too High?
Xavier Worthy is practicing without a no-contact jersey following January shoulder surgery, an encouraging development after injuries affected his 2025 season.
The bigger fantasy question is his price. Worthy’s current redraft ADP already requires fantasy managers to project improvement after last season.
Fantasy Impact: Worthy’s health gives him bounce-back potential, but his ADP needs to be weighed against questions surrounding consistent target volume.
Tucker Kraft Getting Closer to Returning
Tucker Kraft expects to come off the PUP list “very soon” as he continues recovering from last season’s ACL injury.
Green Bay believes a Week 1 return remains possible after Kraft produced 489 receiving yards and six touchdowns in only eight games last season.
Fantasy Impact: Kraft remains an intriguing 2026 fantasy tight end target, but his participation and workload throughout camp will be important to monitor.
Bo Nix Healthy and Looking Sharp
Bo Nix was a full participant in Broncos training camp following offseason ankle surgery and reportedly looked sharp during red-zone work.
Denver also added Jaylen Waddle, giving Nix another weapon heading into 2026.
Fantasy Impact: With Nix being drafted around QB15, his health and upgraded supporting cast make him a quarterback worth monitoring as fantasy drafts approach.
James Cook Could See Fewer Touches in 2026
James Cook III led the NFL with 1,621 rushing yards last season, but Buffalo could distribute more touches throughout its backfield this year.
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady mentioned wanting to get Ray Davis, Ty Johnson and Frank Gore Jr. more involved.
Fantasy Impact: Cook remains Buffalo’s lead running back, but fantasy managers shouldn’t automatically project another 300-plus-carry season.
More NFL Training Camp Sleepers and Depth Chart Moves
Several other players are emerging as names fantasy managers should track.
Jaydon Blue is flashing early while competing for Dallas’ RB2 role. DeMario Douglas is seeing an expanded route tree in New England. Xavier Legette has the inside track on Carolina’s WR3 job following Chris Brazzell II’s LCL injury.
MarShawn Lloyd has an opportunity to establish himself as Green Bay’s No. 2 running back, while Rashid Shaheed is preparing for a larger role in Seattle. Rookie Cyrus Allen also received first-team reps in Kansas City and drew praise from Andy Reid.
Stay Ahead of NFL Training Camp News
Training camp can change fantasy football rankings, ADP, depth charts and draft strategy quickly. Injuries can create opportunities, position battles can reveal unexpected sleepers, and one strong week of practice can change a player’s draft cost.
FantasyLineups.com tracks NFL player news, injuries, depth chart changes, training camp battles and fantasy football analysis throughout draft season so you can make better decisions before you’re on the clock.
Get the latest NFL news and fantasy analysis every day at FantasyLineups.com and stay ahead of your league as the 2026 season approaches.
