- The Jaguars’ running back rotation is still unknown: Questions remain as to how trustworthy the position’s usage was at Friday’s scrimmage.
- WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears: Burden has a chance to play in Week 1 after suffering a groin injury over the weekend.
- Last Chance! The PFF Early Bird Sale Ends Aug. 17: Save 33% and get PFF+ for just $79.99, our lowest price of the year.
NFL training camps have been underway since late July. While some NFL veterans are safely set to take on clear-cut roles, others enter fantasy-relevant training camp battles and injury-related obstacles.
The article below breaks down need-to-know information and recommended storylines to track in the coming weeks regarding NFL veterans in 2026.
Jacksonville Jaguars running backs
Jacksonville Jaguars second-year running back Bhayshul Tuten reportedly delivered consistently “terrific” performances in spring and summer practices while free-agent signee running back Chris Rodriguez rehabbed following spring foot surgery.
Fellow second-year running back LeQuint Allen (80.8 PFF pass-blocking grade) remains entrenched as the third-down back, having graded out as the best pass protector among 35 NFL running backs with at least 50 pass-protection snaps in 2025. He is the only qualifying player to clear a 71.0 PFF pass-blocking grade.
Tuten operated as the starter at last Friday’s scrimmage but eventually began rotating with Rodriguez, who took over in the green zone and “got most, if not all, of the goal-line type reps.”
However, Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley believes “it is dangerous to use the scrimmage as a data point” because Jaguars head coach Liam Coen deployed former Jaguars and current Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby as the team’s starter in last year’s scrimmage.
Shipley has not yet identified the team’s two-minute-drill running back. Earning this role would meaningfully boost Tuten’s weekly fantasy-scoring potential.
Running between the 20-yard lines is a fantasy-unfriendly role. Tuten can earn passing game involvement in that area, and even lead the backfield in targets, given Allen’s role as a pass protection-based player.
If Tuten can at least force a split with Rodriguez for scoring position duties, Tuten can return RB2 value. Like all three-player backfields, this is, however, a precarious situation.
Tuten earned a 66.7 PFF rushing grade and a 52.9 PFF receiving grade last year. By comparison, Rodriguez posted a 78.4 PFF rushing grade and a 47.7 PFF receiving grade.
RB J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton patted his right hamstring as he told reporters that running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a soft-tissue injury at Monday’s practice. Dobbins, 27, has an extensive injury history and notably tore his hamstring along with three knee ligaments and his meniscus in 2021. He earned an 80.8 PFF rushing grade, a career-worst 46.6 PFF receiving grade and a 60.3 PFF pass-blocking grade before suffering a season-ending Lisfranc injury in Week 10 last year.
As detailed in “Top 3 receiving running back prospects for fantasy football,” fourth-round rookie running back Jonah Coleman is the best post-catch producer in the 2026 class, fares well in pass protection and profiles as a three-down back. He compiled an 82.1 PFF offense grade last year, and “his 5-foot-8, 220-pound fire hydrant frame yields a 33.4 body mass index (BMI) rating.” He has received positive reviews and will compete for the starting role if Dobbins is sidelined in the regular season.
Second-year running back RJ Harvey registered a 69.4 PFF receiving grade, and may be best-suited to a pure pass-catching role.
Dobbins resumed practicing on Tuesday, but re-injury remains a risk until details on the injury are made clear.
WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears
Chicago’s presumed No. 1 wide receiver and No. 2 pass-catcher, Burden suffered a groin strain on Saturday. He is expected to sit out for “about a month.” Burden has a chance to be ready for Week 1, with reporting language ranging from hope to belief. Playing in an exceptionally well-schemed offense, his elite upside keeps him in “must-draft” territory. He earned a 77.7 PFF receiving grade last year.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson recently said he believes it is Burden’s “destiny to be one of the best wide receivers in the league,” comparing him to Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry, players Johnson coached with his prior teams. St. Brown earned a 92.8 PFF receiving grade while leading the team in targets (592) during Johnson’s 2021-24 tenure. Meanwhile, Landry recorded a 90.5 PFF receiving grade while also pacing the team in targets (552) in their four seasons together.
Encouragingly, Burden exhibited a normal gait on Monday. He remains a WR2 with WR1 upside. His recovery must be closely monitored.
WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
The Athletic’s James Boyd reported on Monday that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce required a second PRP injection in his surgically repaired left ankle “to alleviate soreness and speed up his rehab.” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said he does not “have a timetable on his return.” The Colts signed Pierce to a four-year, $114 million extension this offseason.
On Tuesday, Colts general manager Chris Ballard refuted Boyd’s reporting regarding the second injection in a statement to FOX59’s Mike Chappell, yet revealed that Pierce’s heel was also addressed surgically.
Boyd stands by his reporting and left aspects unexplained.
Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (groin) resumed practicing on Tuesday. Pierce did individual work with trainers and appears to show left calf atrophy.
The situation is murky. A free-agent wide receiver signing would be a negative indicator.
Pierce should be avoided in drafts at this time. He earned an 81.0 PFF receiving grade last year, while Downs played to a 77.4 PFF receiving grade.
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