Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.
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July 30: Bengals release Moss, Ravens' Likely suffers foot injury
Eric Moody: Zack Moss' release by the Bengals clears the way for a concentrated backfield in Cincinnati, with major fantasy football implications. Moss, 27, opened 2024 as the Bengals' lead back, averaging 12.1 touches, 14.5 fantasy points and 63% of snaps per game over the first four weeks. But his role diminished before a season-ending neck injury in Week 8, and he finished the season with 242 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 74 attempts.
With Moss sidelined, Chase Brown took over and flourished. Over the next eight games, Brown averaged 23.6 touches and 20.6 fantasy points per game, fourth among RBs in that span. He also ranked top seven among RBs in routes, targets and receptions, solidifying his role in the Bengals' pass-heavy offense.
The release of Moss cements Brown's status as the featured back in Cincinnati, while Samaje Perine returns as a third-down specialist. Rookie Tahj Brooks now has a clearer path to No. 2 duties. Moss' fantasy relevance now depends on landing elsewhere and proving he's healthy.
Out in Maryland, Isaiah Likely suffered a small foot fracture in Tuesday's practice and will undergo surgery, though a return by Week 1 (Sept. 7 at Buffalo) remains possible. While Likely has typically played second fiddle to Mark Andrews, he set career highs last season with 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns.
His absence boosts Andrews' short-term fantasy outlook. Andrews is coming off a strange 2024 season in which he posted a career-low 15% target share and ranked 20th in targets, 14th in receptions, ninth in yards, first in touchdowns among tight ends and was the overall TE6 in total fantasy points. His efficiency may not be sustainable without targets.
Charlie Kolar, a solid blocker with limited receiving work, would slide into the TE2 role while Likely is out. Baltimore's run-heavy offense led by Derrick Henry limits upside across the board, but Likely's absence raises Andrews' early-season floor. Fantasy managers should monitor Likely's recovery and view Andrews as a low-end TE1 with touchdown-dependent volatility. Likely should not be drafted in most leagues.
July 27: Commanders place Terry McLaurin on active/PUP list
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin reported to training camp with what head coach Dan Quinn said is an ankle injury, according to ESPN's John Keim. McLaurin will no longer be fined but will work to the side with trainers. He is in the final season of a three-year, $68 million deal after scoring 16 TDs last season including the playoffs. McLaurin is currently the WR16 in ESPN's consensus wide receiver rankings.
July 26: Joe Mixon to miss extended time with foot injury
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon reportedly will miss extended time as he continues to deal with a foot/ankle injury. Mixon started training camp on the active/non-football injury list and will be revaluated closer to the beginning of the season.
In the meantime, Nick Chubb has been taking the majority of the first team reps in the Texans' backfield with rookie Woody Marks behind him while Dameon Pierce is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Mixon is currently the RB15 in ESPN's consensus running back rankings.
July 26: Jefferson dealing with hamstring, Mooney hurts shoulder
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Friday that wide receiver Justin Jefferson is dealing with a mild left hamstring strain, and the Vikings will evaluate the wide receiver again next week. Jefferson didn't participate in drills on Thursday with tightness in his leg. Expect Minnesota to take a cautious approach with their top offensive star, but there's no need to worry about his status ahead of Week 1.
Meanwhile, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney left the practice field Thursday after injuring his shoulder while trying to make a diving catch. Mooney's shoulder injury will keep him out for "a few weeks" according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi. Atlanta signed veteran receiver DJ Chark Jr. in the wake of Mooney's injury.
July 24: Justin Fields suffers dislocated toe in practice
The New York Jets' starting QB was carted off the practice field on Thursday after dislocating a toe on his right foot. A source told ESPN the injury is not considered significant and Fields isn't expected to be sidelined for long.
Fields is No. 13 in the consensus ESPN Fantasy quarterback rankings and is also currently 13th among QBs in average draft position. Tyrod Taylor, who is entering his 15th NFL season, is the Jets' backup quarterback.
July 17: Rashee Rice could face a suspension
Tristan H. Cockcroft: With the news Thursday that Rice has been sentenced to five years of probation and 30 days of jail time as part of a plea agreement stemming from his role in a 2024 multicar crash in Dallas, the odds of him serving a multigame suspension have significantly increased. Fantasy managers should brace for the likelihood Rice will miss a noticeable portion of the 2025 season.
This had long been a possibility, with the NFL choosing to wait to rule until the legal process played itself out, but now that Rice's penalty has been handed out, the league is sure to move quickly to announce a potential suspension.
I've moved Rice down in my rankings, from 21st among wide receivers to 28th, between Rome Odunze and Jameson Williams, reflecting a probable absence. That could change depending upon the length of any penalty. Xavier Worthy has also moved up from 23rd to 21st.
However, remember that Rice delivered some of the best per-game fantasy production when available for games, from Week 7 of the 2023 season, his first career NFL start, through Week 3 of 2024, his final full game before getting hurt last year. Including the postseason, he had team bests of 140 targets, a 23.0% target share, 28.2% target rate per route and 108 receptions during that span. Rice averaged 16.4 PPR fantasy points across those 17 games, which, when contrasted against the 2024 wide receiver leaderboard, would've placed him 15th.
July 17: Mike Williams announces retirement from the NFL
After eight years, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams has retired from the NFL, the team announced Thursday.
Williams, 30, played his last season in the league with the Jets and Steelers before signing a one-year deal this offseason to return to the Chargers, the organization that drafted him in the first round in 2017. He ranks 10th in Chargers' franchise history in receiving yards with 4.803, and 13th in receptions (309) and touchdowns (31).
Without Williams, Justin Herbert and the Chargers will now turn to wide receivers Quentin Johnston, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Tre Harris. Harris is currently holding out of training camp as part of several unsigned second-round rookies across the NFL. Our 2025 fantasy football rankings have been updated to reflect this news, including projections for all Chargers' players.