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Training Camp Notes: Bears Scuffle and Hamstring Injuries Galore

  • Who doesn't love a good training camp fight? In the heat of early-August, tempers tend to flare -- which was exactly the case at Bears camp Monday afternoon. Tight end Martellus Bennett was apparently displeased with how rookie Kyle Fuller brought him down, so he got right back up and took Fuller to the ground with him. Bears brass didn't seem too thrilled about this, responding with a fine and indefinite suspension. After Bennett, Chicago is looking at the likes of Dante Rosario and Zach Miller on the depth chart, so the team shouldn't be without their starter for too long. There's a good chance this becomes an afterthought at the start of the season, but until then, it might be wise to take Dennis Pitta, Jordan Reed and Kyle Rudolph before him in fantasy drafts. Here's a quick hit of what went down Monday:

https://imgur.com/gallery/MCfGyh4

  • In slightly less exciting news, Jeremy Maclin has missed consecutive days of practice due to minor leg soreness, but still expects to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Bears. It sounds like typical aches and pains for a player coming off a major knee injury, so it doesn't appear to be worth stressing over. With Riley Cooper also dealing with a foot injury, rookie Jordan Matthews could warrant a longer look in Friday's exhibition game. As it currently stands, Maclin is looking at an ADP or roughly round five or six, which seems completely reasonable.
  • Peyton Hillis left Tuesday night's practice with what the Giants are calling a sprained ankle, although the degree of severity has yet to be disclosed. Rashad Jennings still remains the man in the Meadowlands, but the draft stock of Andre Williams continues to rise considerably. With this new development, a 10-12 round flier on the rookie doesn't sound all that crazy.
  • Pierre Garcon sat out Tuesday's practice with a hamstring ailment, and he seems to have been getting regular days off so far early in camp. It doesn't seem to have reached a concerning status just yet, as I fully expect the wideout to return and flirt with another 100-catch season. Many seem to think that the addition of DeSean Jackson hurts the stock of Garcon, but one could also argue that Jackson on the outside will free up more space and less double-teams. A healthy RGIII also won't hurt the cause.
  • In other wide receiver hamstring news, Odell Beckham still hasn't been cleared to practice in full. He was out running with his teammates a bit Tuesday night, but still appears to be some time away from participating in 11-on-11 action. As DVR and I discuss on Tuesday's Fantasy Football Podcast, Beckham likely lies in a tier of rookie receivers below the Watkins/Evans/Benjamin/Cooks set.
  • The Cleveland Browns released a preliminary depth chart today, which features Brian Hoyer in the No. 1 spot and Johnny Manziel as a backup. This should come as no surprise to anyone that's been following them over training camp, but a tidbit had to included here to help satisfy the insatiable hunger for all things Johnny Football. In other Browns news, Ben Tate is ahead of Terrance West on the depth chart, while Josh Gordon -- who is awaiting a ruling on his suspension appeal -- is also listed as a No. 1 receiver.
  • Daniel Thomas might miss multiple Dolphins practices due to a hamstring issue, leaving Lamar Miller as the top healthy back in camp. With Knowshon Moreno not progressing as expected, Miller has a seemingly clearer path to becoming the No. 1 back in Miami to start the year, and his ADP may soon start to reflect that.
  • David Ausberry is set to undergo some sort of "procedure" on his knee Wednesday. The team is being vague about exactly what's being done, but any time a player goes under the knife due to a knee issue, it's a cause for concern. Mychal Rivera should see first-team reps in his absence, but hopefully fantasy owners aren't putting themselves in a position to rely on Raiders' tight ends this season.
  • Adrian Peterson & Frank Gore expect to see few (if any) carries this preseason. No surprises here, as the fantasy community pretty much knows what to expect from these players at this stage in their careers. Peterson is still the No.3 (non-PPR) overall player in most fantasy circles, but Gore perhaps risks Carlos Hyde cutting into his carries this season, causing his ADP to descend to the 25-30 area.