2022 NFL Training Camp Report August 29: Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson Dealing With Injuries
It’s prime time now folks. If you don’t have any drafts in the books yet, they are surely coming this week. Get your last mock drafts in and button up those fantasy football rankings. The craziest thing about this game is that there is still NFL news and rumors every single day that could make or break your team. Fantasy football sleepers can turn to busts at a moments notice and vice versa. Good news for you is that we’re here to give you a run down of what’s happening out there so that you can stay up to date.
Commanders Running Back Brian Robinson Shot
In a terrifying and tragic event, rookie running back Brian Robinson was shot multiple times on Sunday in an apparent carjacking. The injuries are reportedly considered non-life threatening and he is in stable condition at the hospital. We’re going to refrain from discussing fantasy football implications in a serious time like this and simply wish the young man a speedy and full recovery to a normal life.
Injuries in the Steel City
Seemingly out of nowhere, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris told reporters today that he had a sprained lisfranc injury in training camp. The lisfranc is a tricky injury and can come in multiple forms with the broken bone version often requiring surgery and screws. The sprain version usually has a 4-6 week time table for return but it seems Harris is playing through that as it is suggested the injury happened four weeks ago.
Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson also left the preseason game with a shoulder injury and was quickly ruled OUT. That said, after the game Mike Tomlin told reporter Evan Washburn that the injury he suffered was minor and that he likely would have gone back in had it been a regular season game.
Bills Punter Released
The Bills kept rookie punter Matt Araiza and released veteran Matt Haack last week. Well, they just officially released Araiza as well yesterday amid serious sexual assault allegation stemming from his time in college. Backup quarterback Matt Barkley had to serve as punter in their most recent preseason game and they will begin the search for a new punter.
Rookies Storming Up the Boards in ADP
Over the last month or so two rookies have made MASSIVE movement in average draft position for fantasy drafts, per data we have collected via NFFC.
- Chiefs rookie running back Isaiah Pacheco was being drafted as the RB121 at pick 295 overall back in early July, per NFFC. As of the last two weeks his ADP has been RB48 at pick 128. That is a gain of 167 spots.
- Packers rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs has seen a similar rise of 141 draft spots. In early July he was being drafted at pick 290 overall as the WR130. Over the last two weeks he has moved up to pick 149 overall and the WR65.
Salute To The Mascot Code
One of our favorite traditions is having mascots trounce little kids on the gridiron. Here’s a quick look at Braves mascot Blooper laying the smack down on some unsuspecting Pop Warner players.
That said, they are playing football after all and it’s not only the kids who are at risk. Baltimore Ravens mascot Poe unfortunately suffered a torn ACL during his game vs. U12 kids in Baltimore. Respect to him for upholding the mascot code and keeping the mask on while he was being carted off.
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Related Articles:
- The Ultimate Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
- 2022 NFL Injury Report August 18: Joe Burrow Remains Sidelined for Cincinnati Bengals
- 2022 Fantasy Football ADP Risers & Fallers August 22: Tom Brady Dropping After Bahamas Trip
- 2022 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire August 23: Rookies Galore! Featuring Isiah Pacheco and Romeo Doubs
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.