Joint-practice notes between Houston and Carolina offered early-season fantasy cues. C.J. Stroud led two Texans scoring drives, including a red-zone TD to Nico Collins after finding Hutchinson and rookie Jaylin Noel. Stroud’s next series folded into a near-pick in red zone, with Carolina’s secondary disrupting routes and hinting at improved defense. On the Texans, Christian Kirk emerged as Stroud’s reliable late-game option during two-minute scenarios, giving him a real-life-Game feel. Derek Stingley Jr. showcased why referencing him as a defensive playmaker matters, picking Young on a back-shoulder attempt and highlighting the Texans’ perimeter coverage. Carolina’s offense looked sharper, with Bryce Young threading Legette, Tremayne, and Evans across multiple drives, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders? ending a drive with a red-zone TD. Will Anderson Jr. pressed the issue for Houston, delivering two sacks and signaling a work-in-progress but high-ceiling defense. Overall, the session painted a balanced picture: Houston’s offense showing flashes under Stroud, Carolina’s system appearing incrementally more cohesive, and both teams parsing out depth and fit ahead of the season.

Will’s look at 2025 sophomore WR busts flags five players who could underdeliver relative to their ADP and rookie-season production. Marvin Harrison Jr. is forecast for a modest leap but remains a high-variance, TD-reliant option in Arizona, not a slam-dunk WR2. Keon Coleman, a big bodied target for Buffalo, could struggle to carve a steady role with the offense's limited short-to-intermediate usage and a crowded room. Jalen McMillan lands in a similarly crowded Tampa Bay group, where TD regression and competition cap his upside. Xavier Legette in Carolina showed tantalizing pedigree but limited target share and efficiency, making a large jump unlikely. Devaughn Vele in Denver faces a revamped offense with more pass-game talent and schedule pressure, reducing his path to a significant target share. These picks echo the season’s sophomore traps—hype can outpace opportunity, so savvy fantasy managers fade these names as cost rises.

In the Carolina Panthers’ preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, a heated exchange led to the ejection of wide receiver Xavier Legette and safety Rayshawn Jenkins in the first quarter. The confrontation began during a Panthers touchdown drive when Legette blocked Jenkins on a play that resulted in a loss for running back Chuba Hubbard. Following some shoving, Legette threw punches at Jenkins, who retaliated by removing Legette's helmet. The incident escalated until both players were sent to their locker rooms after offsetting fouls were called.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette made a controversial entrance into the preseason with a disqualification after multiple hits on safety Rayshawn Jenkins of the Cleveland Browns. The incident occurred during an extended block on a run play, where Legette reportedly unleashed four swings, leading to his early exit from the game. This incident has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about player conduct and the implications for Legette's rookie season.

The Cleveland Browns kicked off their season with a heated match against the Carolina Panthers that quickly turned physical. In the first quarter, Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins was ejected after engaging in a fight with Panthers' Xavier Legette, a former first-round draft pick. Both players received unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, highlighting Jenkins' aggressive introduction to Browns fans.

This incident raises questions about Jenkins' fitness for the roster, especially as the team navigates a crowded defensive backfield. With Jenkins now facing competition for his spot, his actions could have lasting repercussions as the Browns aim to solidify their defensive strategy for the season.