This article is part of our Training Camp Notes series.
Is it too early to start a countdown to Opening Day? We're just two Thursdays away now. 14 days. With that, news continues to pour in regarding injuries and position battles, so let's have our usual look around the league.
• Fantasy managers who've drafted Darrell Henderson can rest a bit easier. A day after the Rams acquired Sony Michel, coach Sean McVay clarified that Henderson's role won't really change as a result, and he'll still have a very big part in the offense. While it's never a good thing on a per-game basis to lose the presumed volume Henderson had prior to the trade, it could ultimately be a boon to his fantasy value in the long run because it should help keep him healthy. At an ADP of 68, I love Henderson in the fifth round of drafts even after this trade. He's still the most talented back on the roster and should produce as long as he's on the field.
• Some Broncos news: Courtland Sutton will play in the Broncos' third preseason game Saturday. It will be his first game action since he tore his ACL in Week 1 of 2020 and represents the final hurdle in his rehab. Noah Fant has missed practice all week with a leg injury and won't play in that upcoming exhibition, but he is expected to be ready for the regular season. Both have ADPs after 80 and are worthy upside plays there.
• Dak Prescott looked great in his return to full-team drills and shouldn't be on a pitch count, according to offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. While that's great and all, I doubt I'll draft him as the fifth quarterback off the board this year. Adam Schefter reported that the 28-year-old's shoulder might not be completely healthy all season, and let's not forget he's coming off of major surgery for a broken ankle that cost him all but five games last season. There are so many other solid options at the position.
• As promised, Saquon Barkley's workload is ramping up, as he returned to team drills Thursday, albeit in a red non-contact jersey. It's still not 100 percent certain that he'll be ready for Week 1, so reports out of Giants camp bear monitoring as he continues to do more.
• Another fantasy first-round running back has declared himself healthy, as Aaron Jones says he'll be good to go in Week 1 after dealing with a hamstring injury earlier in preseason. Of course, setbacks are always possible with hamstring injuries, and players are often overly optimistic regarding their own health prospects, but the UTEP product has been back at practice for 10 days and still has 17 more until the regular season starts, so I think we can take him at his word.
• Marvin Jones' AC sprain doesn't look like it will keep him from suiting up in Week 1, per coach Urban Meyer. The situation bears tracking as the 31-year-old's ability to suit up impacts the outlooks for DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault.
• Ryan Tannehill hit the COVID list and should miss 5-to-10 days as a result. Assuming he is fully healthy after that, he should have plenty of time to recover prior to the start of the season.
• Cam Newton returned to practice after missing a few days due to a misunderstanding of the COVID protocols. While Mac Jones flashed in practice with Newton absent, the Pats' 2021 first-round pick wasn't as sharp Thursday and also worked behind Newton in drills, possibly indicating how the depth chart will shake out to start the season.
• As we approach the final round of preseason matchups, there is no reason to be alarmed if teams sit their starters, particularly their quarterbacks. Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa are already confirmed to be sitting out.
• Finally, a note for those in deep leagues. File Quez Watkins away as a name to remember. Reports have been stellar on the 2020 sixth-round pick all preseason, and word that he's worked ahead of Greg Ward with the Eagles' starters in the slot this week is noteworthy. There's surprise value there if the Southern Miss product is able to lock down the starting gig.
