Training Camp is Officially Underway!

Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh says he ‘doesn’t know’ if RB Najee Harris will recover from his eye injury in time for training camp

• The Najee Harris plot thickens, and Harbaugh’s blunt assessment of the situation confirms the fears of Harris’ current and prospective owners: he may not be able to participate in training camp. While the team reportedly is still confident that Najee will be ready to go for the season opener in September, there’s no question that the door is now wide open for rookie first round RB Omarion Hampton to plant his flag as the Chargers clear RB1. It’ll take Hampton stacking good days in camp to truly solidify his spot atop the depth chart, but with oodles of extra reps available with Najee sitting out, Hampton should have no problem acclimating at a high speed as one of the most productive college RBs in the 2025 class. If Najee is able to return sooner rather than later in camp, there’s may still be hope for him and his fantasy value - but should the former Steeler miss most or the entirety of training camp, it’s unlikely that he begins the season with a fantasy-relevant workload (or ever gets to that point, especially if Hampton plays well).

Patriots WR Stefon Diggs will avoid the PUP list heading into training camp, cleared in full to participate

• Earlier reports indicated that Diggs would be ready for Week 1, but it’s an even better sign that he’s been cleared to participate in full in Pats training camp this week. Of course, New England plans to ease him back into action and pay close attention to his reps - he’ll be 32 this year, after all - but in a WR room devoid of a true No. 1 outside of him, the stage is set for Diggs to become a veteran safety blanket for second-year QB Drake Maye. Barring any unforeseen setbacks or injuries during camp, Diggs should be ready to for Week 1 - and if he does suit up, we’ll be looking back at his current WR42 ADP and be scratching our heads. He was a top-10 receiver in points per game and first downs per route run last season before going down, and anything close to that level of production would make him a steal in 2025.

Contract Holdout Report: WR Terry McLaurin absent, RBs James Cook & Kyren Williams present as each seek new deals

• It’s not even August, so there’s no need to panic on McLaurin’s situation (or either of the RBs, who could potentially hold-in) just yet. That being said, it will become a situation to monitor for the Commanders receiver as he continues to push for a long-term deal after a career year in 2024. McLaurin’s representation has floated the idea that ‘all options will be explored’, suggesting that a potential trade request out of Washington could be on the table – but until that comes to fruition, it’s probably safe to qualify it as nothing more than a public attempt at leverage. McLaurin has been around the league long enough that time missed in camp won’t be detrimental to his game – throughout his career, he’s been a pro’s pro and is deserving of a new deal after helping break in then-rookie QB Jayden Daniels on the team’s NFC Championship run last season. However, if he would miss any time in the regular season, the Commanders would be forced to rely on the likes of veterans Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz in the passing game until McLaurin returns.

• As for the running backs, Williams and Cook have made it clear that they are both in the market for new deals but have opted to at least be present at their teams’ respective training camps. Just how much Cook participates this summer until a deal is reached remains to be seen, but Williams stated plainly that he intends to practice as usual while a new deal for him is negotiated. No action is necessary in redraft or dynasty formats for either back just yet, but Williams appears more likely to be a non-threat on the holdout front than Cook.

Training Camp: 5 Players with the Most on the Line

• Travis Etienne (RB - JAX) - He’s in need of a serious bounce-back after a disappointing (and inefficient) 2024 season, and his work is cut out for him with two very efficient RBs in Tank Bigsby and rookie Bhayshul Tuten sharing the backfield with him. New HC Liam Coen’s hot hand approach birthed the Bucky Irving phenomenon, and Etienne will have to kick camp off on the right foot to avoid becoming the Rachaad White to Bigsby or Tuten’s Bucky – or falling out of the backfield rotation entirely.

• Anthony Richardson (QB - IND) - This time last year, Richardson was being drafted as a potential top-5 fantasy QB. Fast forward to today, and he’s losing a QB battle with Daniel Jones before it’s even started. Life comes at you fast in the NFL, and with his career as a starter on life support, it’s going to take a Herculean effort if and when Richardson is able to suit up to overtake Jones, who’s set to win the battle on cruise control by default.

• Jordan Mason (RB- MIN) - Mason has been one of the most efficient rushers in the league when given opportunity, and he has perhaps his best shot to be a real contributor in a non-backup capacity this year in Minnesota. Kevin O’Connell talked this offseason about keeping Aaron Jones (now 30) fresh using Mason, and impressing in camp could be a highway to Mason’s most consistent role and utilization of his career, including a potential goal line role. And on a high-powered offense like Minnesota’s, that could prove to be highly lucrative.

• D’Andre Swift (RB - CHI) - D’Andre Swift has been flying under the radar as Ben Johnson’s current RB1 — but can he hold onto that role? He’ll need to earn Johnson’s trust in camp to keep a grip on early-down and passing work, with Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai both lurking. Swift averaged an extremely healthy 5 targets per game under Johnson in 2022, but his range of outcomes in this backfield remains wide heading into camp.

• Isiah Pacheco (RB - KC) - Pacheco is one season removed from being a fantasy RB1, and he was on his way last season after averaging 21 touches over the two games before fracturing his fibula. Kareem Hunt took over, and played a role throughout the rest of the year despite Pacheco returning late and Hunt being dead last in nearly every efficiency category. Hunt is back with the Chiefs, but a healthy Pacheco still has as chance of re-gaining his workhorse role in camp, and if he does, we’re looking at a serious value in the 6th round of fantasy drafts.