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NFL Playoffs League - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Training Camp Preview: AFC South

Wed Jul 20 10:16am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Titans need Henry back healthy


This is the third in a series of training camp previews. The previews give you a quick look at each team, going over position battles and injuries to watch in camp. The season is right around the corner.

Titans

The Titans had another great season last year but came up short in the playoffs. Tennessee certainly has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but can’t seem to get over the hump. Will this be the year? The team might be running out of time with Derrick Henry another year older. The window could be closing, making this camp an important one to see if this team can take one more step forward. That Titans hold training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn.

Position battle: The Titans traded their No. 1 receiver, A.J. Brown this offseason, leaving some big shoes to fill at receiver. The team did bring in Robert Woods and Treylon Burks to help fill that void. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine also will be in the mix to start, though, do don’t discount him. All three players will battle it out for the right to start in Tennessee. Burks is the projected top receiver but missing workouts this offseason didn’t help matters for him. He had some asthma issues, causing him to miss time. And Woods is recovering from a torn ACL, so nothing is certain with this receiver room right now. It should get sorted out this training camp. 

Injury watch: Derrick Henry missed half of last season because of a foot injury, which required surgery. This is a serious injury to return, but Henry has looked great in offseason workouts and looks back to 100 percent. This is still an injury to watch going forward. Just make sure he is back to his old self in camp and preseason action before using a high draft pick on him this year. 

Colts

The Colts made a change at quarterback once again this offseason. Indy traded for Matt Ryan and dealt Carson Wentz after just a season. The Colts hope Ryan can steady the ship at quarterback and take this team to a new level. Ryan certainly has the track record to help this team reach new heights. So much of the focus of this camp will be getting Ryan up to speed in the offense. Ryan and the offense will get going at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.

Position battle: Michael Pittman is the No. 1 receiver for the Colts, but the starter opposite him is up for grabs. Parris Campbell and rookie Alex Pierce should challenge for that other starter spot. Campbell has performed well on the field but hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Pierce is a very talented rookie, but could need some seasoning before he is ready to jump into a starting role. This one is really up for grabs.

Injury watch: Parris Campbell has played 15 games in three seasons. He has a world of talent and has produced when on the field, but he can’t stay healthy. He is returning from foot surgery this time. His health will be a big thing to watch this training camp for the Colts. Campbell can be a difference maker for the offense, but needs to be on the field.  

Jaguars

The Jaguars were a disaster last year because of a coaching situation that didn’t work out. The team made changes to the coaching staff once again, hoping this is the right fit. Training camp will be a good time for the coaching staff to get the team on the same page. Plus, the Jaguars made a lot of changes to the roster this offseason, hoping to find new talent for franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. There is a lot of new in Jacksonville, which should make for an intriguing training camp. Jacksonville trains at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Fla.

Position battle: The Jaguars added plenty of playmakers offensively this offseason. The receiver spot really looks different with Christian Kirk and Zay Jones added to the mix. Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault are still around, though, and will look for playing time. These four players should battle it out for playing time this camp and preseason. 

Injury watch: Travis Etienne missed his entire rookie season because of a Lisfranc injury suffered during the preseason. He is well on his road to recovery and should be all systems go for training camp and the start of the season. As long as he is healthy, Etienne will play a huge role for the Jaguars offense. He has a load of talent and can be used on a variety ways offensively. 

Texans 

Houston had another tough season last year, leading to another change to the head coach. Veteran Lovie Smith will look to get this team going in the right direction. The good news is the Texans have a lot of young talent and competed hard last year. This team might not be as far off as many think. We will get a better idea during training camp and preseason action, though. Houston holds training camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Texas. 

Position battle: The Texans are looking for a No. 1 running back. The team drafted Dameon Pierce but he is not going to be handed the job by any means, especially since he was a fourth-round pick. Marlon Mack might be No. 1 on the depth chart right now, followed by Rex Burkhead. It would seem Pierce has the best chance to emerge, but Mack could be the one to open the season as the starter. 

Injury watch: Marlon Mack has a chance to be the starter for the Texans, but will need to be healthy and at full strength to win that job. He has played six games the last two seasons. Last year he was a healthy scratch much of the season, but injuries have always been an issue for Mack throughout his career. They are always going to be a concern going forward for Mack. Hopefully, he has a clean camp and can earn a big role with the team.  

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Player Notes
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Ndamukong Suh May 27 4:50pm ET
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Hendon Hooker May 27 4:30pm ET
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Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker was rumored to be a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in the middle of his stellar final season at Tennessee in 2022. However, he suffered a late-season ACL tear and was ultimately a third-round selection by Detroit. Teddy Bridgewater was Jared Goff's primary backup last season, while Hooker spent most of his debut campaign on the Injured Reserve list. With Bridgewater announcing his retirement this offseason, the 26-year-old is set to move into the QB2 role in 2024. So far at OTAs, the reviews have been promising. "It was fun watching Hendon Hooker sling it in a team setting for the very first time," Colton Pouncy of The Athletic wrote. "Really nice touch on his deep ball. Good velocity. One of his best plays of the day was a deep ball down the right sideline to Daurice Fountain, which drew "oooohs" and "aaahhs" from the team." After Goff signed a four-year extension to remain with the organization, Hooker's narrow path to the starting job closed. However, he can be stashed in deep Superflex or two-QB leagues. If Goff had to miss any time due to injury, the 26-year-old sophomore would have intriguing upside thanks to his rushing ability and pass-catching group headlined by Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta.

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Brandon McManus May 27 3:00pm ET
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Jonathan Allen May 27 2:50pm ET
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Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (knee) has been participating in the team's organized team activities this spring and has been extremely happy with the team's new regime change in the front office and on the sidelines. Allen said months ago that he didn't want to be part of another rebuild, but the long-time defensive captain is thrilled with how things are unfolding under new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn. Following Pro Bowl nods in 2021 and 2022, Allen had 53 tackles (30 solo), 5.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 19 QB hits in 16 starts. The 29-year-old former 17th overall pick in 2017 out of Alabama has no more guaranteed money left on his deal, which has two years remaining. It's unclear how Allen's role on defense might change in 2024 under Quinn.

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Shane Zylstra May 27 2:40pm ET
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Jack Campbell May 27 2:30pm ET
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Brian Branch May 27 2:20pm ET
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It sounds as though Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (leg) will be out until training camp, at the very least. Head coach Dan Campbell said that Branch had a clean-up surgery for an injury they thought would heal on its own, but the Lions decided they'd rather just get it done and let Branch heal before the season. He was spotted riding a scooter around the facility during organized team activities last week. The 22-year-old cornerback is progressing well despite the fact that he wasn't available to take part in OTAs this spring. In his rookie campaign in 2023 for the Lions, Branch looked pretty good, recording 74 tackles (50 solo), one sack, three interceptions, 13 passes defended and a forced fumble that resulted in a touchdown.

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Hunter Renfrow May 26 9:20pm ET
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Charlie Kolar May 26 12:00pm ET
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Derrick Henry May 26 11:30am ET
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Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry will be involved in the team's passing game in his first year with the team in 2024. Henry caught a couple passes out of the backfield from quarterback Lamar Jackson during organized team activities this week, and he did more pass-catching in the last couple years with the Tennessee Titans, catching 33 passes for 398 yards in 2022 and 28 passes for 214 yards last year. He had never reached 20 receptions in a season before that in his career. Despite all the tread on Henry's tires at this point in his career, it sounds as though the Ravens aren't putting a cap on his workload in 2024 as they try to get over the hump to reach the Super Bowl. Henry will start to become more of an injury risk at the 30-year-old mark, but you can't ignore the fact he's led the league in rushing in four of the last five seasons. As long as his workload remains hefty, Henry will be an RB1 in fantasy.

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Aaron Rodgers May 26 11:10am ET
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New York Jets rookie offensive tackle Olu Fashanu (quadriceps) was a full participant at organized team activities earlier this week. Fashanu has been recovering from a strained quadriceps muscle that he suffered while running the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in February but appears to be fine now and should be ready for training camp, the preseason and the start of his rookie season in 2024. The Jets selected the 21-year-old with the 11th overall pick in last month's NFL draft, so Fashanu will most likely become a starter for the Jets sooner than later in 2024. The move to bolster the team's offensive line early in the draft made sense, considering the Jets need to do a better job of protecting veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers so that he can stay healthy for a full season.

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Donte Jackson May 26 11:10am ET
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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cory Trice (knee) said this week's organized team activities felt like the "first day of school" after he missed all of the 2023 season while rehabbing a torn ACL in his knee. Trice is still wearing a brace on his surgically repaired knee, but he said he'll be fully cleared for training camp this summer. The 23-year-old wasn't able to get on the field at all in his first year in the NFL after the Steelers took him in the seventh round out of Purdue in 2023. During training camp and the preseason this summer, Trice will be mostly likely competing for a backup role behind Donte Jackson and rookie Ryan Watts, and he won't be guaranteed a roster spot heading into Week 1 this fall.

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Joe Burrow May 25 10:20pm ET
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) hasn't faced any limits regarding his activity level during voluntary OTAs. "We designed the whole thing to stay within the constraints of where the medical people think he should be and where he wants to be right now," said offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher. "Nobody is sitting there with a special pitch counter. But we've been smart how we put it together." It's undoubtedly a positive update on the signal-caller, who suffered a season-ending torn ligament in his right wrist during a meeting with the Ravens in mid-November, and it appears he's well on his way to being ready for Week 1. While Burrow has all the tools needed to be a top fantasy quarterback, his health will be on the mind of all fantasy managers. With that said, the Bengals have a favorable schedule in 2024-25, meaning the 27-year-old could thrive as long as he stays on the field.

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Dameon Pierce May 25 10:10pm ET
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According to Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, running back Dameon Pierce will have a role this season. While Joe Mixon is believed to be the No. 1 option on the depth chart, it appears Pierce could have a bigger function than anticipated. "I see Dameon having a very clear headspace as we are out working, and I think that will allow him to have a really productive year this year, " said Ryans during an interview with the Houston Chronicle. "He has everything it takes to be a really good running back for us, and I think him and Joe as a one-two punch would be very beneficial for us all." Of course, it remains to be seen how things will work out for the revamped Texans' offense. However, it seems Mixon and Pierce could collectively remain productive enough to exceed expectations during the 2024-25 campaign, although it will be tough to tell which player will be the most productive from week to week.

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Brandon Aiyuk May 25 9:40pm ET
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According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is reportedly looking for a new contract similar to what Amon-Ra St. Brown got from the Lions. The wideout is slotted to make just over $14 million on his fifth-year option. However, if Aiyuk gets his wish, he could double that amount. Of course, St. Brown has been more productive, so it will be tough to justify making Aiyuk one of the highest-paid receivers in the National Football League. But the 26-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, amassing 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns off 75 catches, meaning someone would be more than happy to pay him if the 49ers decide to move on from this situation.

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Chris Rodriguez Jr. May 25 11:30am ET
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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is likely headed for the No. 3 role in the backfield behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler after the team passed on selecting another RB in this year's NFL draft. Rodriguez is the clear early-down backup to Robinson, whether that means five to 10 touches from scrimmage per game or a lower figure. However, he could have a bigger role on special teams if the Commanders view him as part of what looks like a trend of teams seeking bigger-bodied kick returners given the new league rules on kickoffs. The 23-year-old doesn't have a path to any kind of real fantasy value in 2024 unless one of Robinson or Ekeler go down with an injury. In his rookie campaign in 2023, Rodriguez had 51 carries for 247 yards and two touchdowns while catching two passes for 12 yards in 13 regular-season games.

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Dyami Brown May 25 11:30am ET
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Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown's stock is down this offseason after the team added Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency and drafted Luke McCaffrey in the third round. Brown, a third-round pick in 2021, has just 29 receptions in his three NFL seasons, and two of his three career touchdowns came in one game. He offers a different player profile than both Zaccheaus and McCaffrey, but Washington's previous staff made Brown available at last year's trade deadline, according to league sources. Another challenge for Brown will be the fact that the Commanders love to use 12 personnel, which means two tight ends on the field at the expense of a receiver. The presence of pass-catching running back Austin Ekeler also likely cuts down the available snaps for Brown in 2024.

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Dustin Hopkins May 25 11:20am ET
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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) has recovered from the torn hamstring that he suffered on Christmas Eve last year against the Houston Texans that sidelined him for the rest of the season and the playoff loss. Despite being recovered from the injury, Hopkins was a notable absence during organized team activities this week. The Browns also have kickers Cade York and Lucas Havrisik on the current roster, but barring injury, the 33-year-old Hopkins figures to be the team's starting kicker in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. Despite missing the final two games of the regular season last year, Hopkins finished as the No. 12 fantasy kicker by making 33 of his 36 field goal-attempts and 24 of his 26 extra-point tries. He'll be a fringe fantasy kicker in drafts this fall.

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Mazi Smith May 25 11:20am ET
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