Fantasy Football 2023: Training Camp Updates on Cooper Kupp and Jonathan Taylor

Football is back!

Training camps are in full swing, and the preseason kicked off Thursday with the Browns beating the Jets, 21-16. There wasn’t much to decipher from that game from a fantasy standpoint, but camp reports can certainly affect a player’s value -- positively or negatively. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the biggest news items of the week and how they can impact your fantasy drafts.

Cooper Kupp dealing with injured hamstring
Kupp is dealing with a bum hamstring and could be out for a few weeks, according to reports. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says there’s a chance Kupp will be ready to go for Week 1, however, so I wouldn’t push him down rank lists just yet.

The one concern for Kupp has been injuries, as he missed a good portion of last year with an injured ankle and is now dealing with a bum hammy. I still have him ranked third at wideout, behind Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase, but I could see moving Tyreek Hill ahead of him, too, if you have any Kupp concerns.

In Kupp’s absence, Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell, rookie Puka Nacua and Demarcus Robinson will see more reps. Nacua, who has been running as the Rams’ No. 3 wideout, could be worth a late flier in larger leagues.

Jonathan Taylor’s status remains in question
Taylor has been placed on the active/PUP list due to an injured ankle, making his status for the start of the season a major issue. He’s also unhappy with his current contract situation, which has been in the news, and other reports suggest he hurt his back while working out on his own. Taylor denies this report.

Regardless, this situation has become enough of a mess that it’s causing concern in fantasy circles. If Taylor and the Colts remain combative and the team is unwilling to trade him, this standoff could last a while. The problem for Taylor is that if he misses enough regular-season games it could affect his unrestricted free-agent status for 2024. ADP data on NFFC (National Fantasy Football Championships) and Fantasy Calculator have not shown a decline for Taylor yet, but he’s a risk.

In fact, I’ve moved Taylor down to eighth at running back and wouldn’t draft him in the first round. Heck, I might pass on him in the first half of the second, too. The Colts backfield could be a problem, as backup Zack Moss is injured too.

As it stands, Deon Jackson, Jake Funk and rookie Evan Hull are the top options for coach Shane Steichen. Taylor’s story is obviously one that needs to be monitored, but for now it’s tough to consider him a first-rounder in most redrafts.

Notes

• Saints running back Alvin Kamara met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell earlier this week in regard to an off-field incident in Las Vegas last year. NFL Media reporter Ian Rapoport reports Kamara will be suspended, but how long remains to be seen. He’s currently the RB31 based on NFFC data, and that could rise or fall based on the length of the ban.
• Ravens coach John Harbaugh is unsure of when J.K. Dobbins will return from his “undisclosed” injury. The runner is also unhappy with his contract, which seems to be contagious among the position these days. When you also consider Dobbins’s past knee problems, and he’s becoming a player you might want to avoid as more than a flex starter in drafts.
• Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson has been getting most of the first-team reps at Colts camp and appears to be in line to be their Week 1 starter. A dynamic player who could make a major fantasy impact due to his mobility and athletic skills, Richardson has low QB1 upside in his first season.
• Broncos running back Javonte Williams (knee) is expected to see some work in preseason games. That’s good news, as the talented runner is progressing well from the torn ACL and LCL he suffered last season. Barring any setbacks, Williams looks like he’ll be ready for Week 1. He looks like a safer flex starter in the majority of fantasy redrafts.
• Seahawks rookie running back Zach Charbonnet made a surprise return to practice on Thursday, just days after coach Pete Carroll said he would be “out indefinitely” with a shoulder injury. Kenneth Walker III, who is dealing with an injured groin, remained sidelined. Whether or not this becomes a true committee remains to be seen, but it’ll be tougher for Walker to hold off the rookie if he’s on the sidelines. This is a situation to monitor.