NFL Training Camp Updates for Fantasy Football: Terry McLaurin, Joe Mixon, and More

The NFL Training Camp coachspeak and news updates are coming through our feeds faster than Tyreek Hill running a 40-yard dash, so let's break down the biggest training camp updates and how we should react to them through the fantasy football lens.

As a reminder, you can access my full fantasy football rankings for 2025 through our Rankings HQ, as they'll be updated throughout camp as we continue to react to news.

Fantasy Football Reactions To The Latest NFL Training Camp News

Maybe we don't draft any Texans RB this year

We got news that Joe Mixon is dealing with a "frustrating foot injury", which isn't exactly what we want to hear heading into August. There were always going to be red flags for Mixon coming into this season—PFF's reigning 29th-ranked offensive line was overhauled, but are they really THAT much better?

The other part is Mixon altogether. He was great for fantasy managers through the first 14 weeks of the season and worked as the RB2 in PPR points per game (21.2). Mixon had a brutal fantasy playoff schedule and unfortunately wasn't able to show up—he was the RB37 (8.2) on a per-game basis and also played through an ankle injury in the (actual) playoffs.Overall, the age for Mixon and early injury concerns are enough to drop him down the rankings for me. Now, this doesn't mean I'm going all out and need that next man up, because the next man up is another running back with an injury history that we cannot ignore. It would be great to see the Nick Chubb of old, but we all remember that he suffered a catastrophic injury during Week 2 in 2023, which required two separate reconstructive knee surgeries. THEN he started eight games in 2024 before breaking his foot in Week 15.

According to ESPN, he recorded career lows in yards per attempt (3.3) and percentage of carries that gained at least 10 yards (4.9%). I'm passing on this backfield altogether this season.

Don't worry too much … yet

Justin Jefferson: Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced on Friday that superstar receiver Justin Jefferson will miss some practice time during training camp with a mild left hamstring strain. NO, DO NOT FREAK OUT! I know what you're all having flashbacks to … the Grade 2 thigh hamstring tear that Jefferson suffered during the 2023 season that sidelined him for seven weeks. While any injury isn't great, I've only moved CeeDee Lamb higher in my fantasy football rankings (WR2) because of this news. If we want deep sleepers to target, then I would point you in the direction of Jalen Nailor, who is in a contract year. We haven't gotten an update on Jordan Addison's potential suspension, so Nailor is a late-round flyer I don't mind snagging at the very end of drafts in deep leagues.

Terry McLaurin: The WR1 for the Commanders returned to camp amidst ongoing extension talks, but he was placed on the PUP list with an ankle injury. McLaurin was fined $200,000 ($50,000 per day) for missing the start of training camp. This smells like shades of Davante Adams last season when he was wanting to get out of Las Vegas. McLaurin just needs to get paid and (hopefully) that ankle injury will heal overnight.

Matthew Stafford: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is dealing with back soreness and will not return to practice this week like the team had hoped. Head coach Sean McVay said at the start of training camp that Stafford would be limited, but he also said he is "absolutely" expected to be ready for the regular season. We do need to monitor this one because Stafford is 37 years old, but I'm not changing my rankings immediately.

Backfields I'm keeping an eye on

Jacksonville Jaguars: There have now been multiple reports from camp that Tank Bigsby is receiving the bulk of the carries with the first team and standing out more than Travis Etienne.

Dallas Cowboys: Last week, we got reports that Jaydon Blue is viewed as "borderline lazy", but we all know better than to fall for early camp storylines like that. This is a fluid situation, and hopefully, someone emerges as the RB1 sooner rather than later.

Cincinnati Bengals: We know Chase Brown is THE guy for the Bengals, but who is the RB2? I've been buying as much Tahj Brooks as I can right now at his cheap price. It feels like the rookie could emerge and shoot up a depth chart that consists of Zack Moss and Samaje Perine.

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