Fantasy Football Insider

## Yesterday’s (July 27, 2025) Training Camp Headlines and Fantasy Implications

Yesterday’s NFL training camp buzz centered on injuries, holdouts and unexpected camp standouts that are already shifting Daily Fantasy Football (DFS) lineups. From marquee backs exiting practice to surprise receivers pushing up rankings, the latest news demands keen attention from DFS managers preparing for Week 1 contests on DraftKings and FanDuel. Below is a detailed breakdown of the top stories and the strategic takeaways for your DFS rosters.

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### Running Back Room Shakeups

• **Joe Mixon (Foot) — Out Multiple Weeks**
Bengals’ Pro Bowl back Joe Mixon will miss significant practice time with a lingering foot issue, delaying his training camp return and heightening concerns for his Week 1 availability. According to FTN Fantasy, the timeline continues to slip as Mixon “is now expected to miss most, or all, of training camp,” prompting fantasy managers to seek alternatives at the position ([ftnfantasy.com](https://ftnfantasy.com/nfl/mclaurins-ankle-mixons-foot-and-palmer-turning-heads)).
• **Antonio Gibson (Hamstring) — Limited**
Washington’s Gibson, coming off a fractured shin last season, is now dealing with a hamstring strain. Coach Ron Rivera emphasized that Gibson’s absence is purely precautionary, yet the Redskins’ backfield three-way committee—including J.D. McKissic and Brian Robinson—creates significant volatility in his early-season snap share ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/article/nfl-training-camp-news-and-notes-july-27-64871)).
• **J.K. Dobbins (Knee) — Gradual Return**
After a preseason knee injury, Ravens sophomore J.K. Dobbins has been limited to on-field drill work, with no clear timetable for full contact. Even if he returns before Week 1, his ADP has already slipped outside the top-20 RBs, making him a potential value in deeper DFS formats should he return to form ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/article/nfl-training-camp-news-and-notes-july-27-64871)).

**DFS Strategy:** With Mixon sidelined for camp and Gibson’s role uncertain, pivot your RB allocations toward high-upside alternatives. Consider rostering Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Kansas City Chiefs) or Alexander Mattison (Minnesota Vikings) at mid-tier price points. In tournaments, stacking Nick Chubb (if health permits) and Dalvin Cook in game-stack combinations could pay dividends, given their workloads and favorable early-season matchups.

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### Key Wide Receiver Developments

• **Terry McLaurin (Ankle Hold-In) — PUP List**
Commanders’ veteran McLaurin reported to camp on the active/PUP list after citing an ankle tweak—widely viewed as leverage in his contract negotiations. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed ongoing talks but sees no long-term issue. McLaurin’s absence carries little fantasy risk for managers holding him as a mid-round pick, but monitoring his practice status remains prudent ([ftnfantasy.com](https://ftnfantasy.com/nfl/mclaurins-ankle-mixons-foot-and-palmer-turning-heads)).
• **Michael Thomas (Ankle) — Returns to Practice**
Saints’ Michael Thomas made his first full practice appearance since his 2023 Achilles tear, moving fluidly without support braces. While his Week 1 status looks secure, uncertainty around rust and snap counts suggests drafting him outside the top-30 receivers, at least until he reestablishes his elite form ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/article/nfl-training-camp-news-and-notes-july-27-64871)).
• **Joshua Palmer — Emerging Sleeper**
In Buffalo, third-year receiver Joshua Palmer has drawn praise from QB Josh Allen for his catch radius and route running. FTN Fantasy notes that Palmer “might just lead Bills receivers in snaps” in drills, with his low ADP making him a high-upside sleeper in DFS cash games and best-ball contests ([ftnfantasy.com](https://ftnfantasy.com/nfl/mclaurins-ankle-mixons-foot-and-palmer-turning-heads)).

**DFS Strategy:** With McLaurin’s practice snaps limited and Thomas still easing back, allocate salary savings to in-form units. Roster Brandon Aiyuk (49ers) or DeVonta Smith (Eagles) in cash lineups for consistent targets, and use Palmer or rookie Malik Nabers (Saints) as GPP (tournament) punts. Tiered exposure to multiple mid-range WRs can offset the volatility at the top of the boards.

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### Quarterback Quicks (Handcuffs and Emerging Stars)

• **Justin Fields — Back to 7-on-7 Drills**
After carting off with a toe dislocation, Jets’ dual-threat QB Justin Fields resumed limited 7-on-7 work on Saturday, with HC Aaron Glenn hinting a full return to contact may be imminent. Fields’ rushing floor remains one of the most valuable elements in fantasy, preserving his high-ceilings, especially on DraftKings for point-per-first-down leagues ([ftnfantasy.com](https://ftnfantasy.com/nfl/mclaurins-ankle-mixons-foot-and-palmer-turning-heads)).
• **Deshaun Watson vs Jacoby Brissett — Snap Share**
Cleveland’s QB situation remains unsettled, with Watson and Brissett splitting reps amid looming discipline questions for Watson. Fantasy managers have derated Watson outside the top-15 QB tier at ADP, while Brissett is garnering interest as a two-QB league stash if Watson’s suspension materializes ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/article/nfl-training-camp-news-and-notes-july-27-64871)).
• **Matthew Stafford (Back) — Week-to-Week**
Rams’ veteran Stafford will miss another week of camp due to back soreness, though Sean McVay emphasizes the rest is precautionary ahead of Week 1. His absence opens practice repetitions for Baker Mayfield, boosting Mayfield’s rapport with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, an angle worth monitoring for early-season DFS value ([ftnfantasy.com](https://ftnfantasy.com/nfl/mclaurins-ankle-mixons-foot-and-palmer-turning-heads)).

**DFS Strategy:** Maintain exposure to Fields in tournament builds for his rushing upside, but cap his ownership in cash games until his practice status stabilizes. Monitor Watson’s legal developments daily; if he’s suspended into Week 1, shift salary to Brissett’s GPP appeal. Stafford’s situation reinforces the case for stacking Mayfield with his pass-catchers on teams with strong offensive lines.

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### Breakout and Value Plays

• **Evan Engram — High-Volume Upside**
Broncos’ TE Evan Engram is thriving in Denver’s “contagious” locker room culture, per Engram’s own comments. With improved O-line play and new coaching emphasis, Engram projects as a top-10 tight end who can consistently draw 6–8 targets per game, making him a viable mid-range TE option on both DK and FD ([ftnfantasy.com](https://ftnfantasy.com/nfl/mclaurins-ankle-mixons-foot-and-palmer-turning-heads)).
• **Breece Hall — Committee Chatter**
Jets’ Breece Hall enters camp with a “chip on his shoulder” amid talk of a committee backfield. While his draft stock is sliding into RB2 territory, Hall’s pass-down usage and explosive play profile still merit RB2 consideration in DFS as a contrarian pick ([ftnfantasy.com](https://ftnfantasy.com/nfl/mclaurins-ankle-mixons-foot-and-palmer-turning-heads)).

**DFS Strategy:** Prioritize Engram in single-TE formats where the position is otherwise thin, and consider Hall in tournaments at low ownership, particularly in matchups against weaker run defenses.

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### Key Takeaways for Daily Fantasy Football

1. **Injury-Driven Pivoting:** With Joe Mixon sidelined and Gibson limited, target high-volume backups like Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Alexander Mattison in cash formats, and leverage contrarian plays on Dobbins if he returns by Week 1.
2. **Salary Savings via Holdouts:** Leverage the absence of McLaurin and Thomas to allocate funds toward dual-threat QBs (Fields) or high-upside TEs (Engram).
3. **Game Stack Emphasis:** Stack quarterbacks with their most reliable pass-catchers (e.g., Fields plus Garrett Wilson or Mayfield plus Nacua) to maximize scoring correlations.
4. **Sleeper Exposure:** Add Joshua Palmer and Evan Engram in GPP builds as low-cost, high-ceilings plays, benefiting from increased roles in their offenses.

By incorporating these June 27 developments into your DFS models—adjusting for salary, matchup, and game script—you’ll be positioned to exploit inefficiencies and capture upside on both DraftKings and FanDuel this fantasy season.