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Training Camp Notes: Dez makes unexpected debut

ESPNDespite Todd Archer of ESPN.com reporting that Dez Bryant would miss Saturday's preseason opener with a heel injury, the Cowboys' superstar ended up starting the contest. During his brief time in the game, he manhandled Coty Sensabaugh, as he had two catches for 28 yards and an acrobatic touchdown. Bryant could be a bit underrated with an average draft spot of 13, as many fantasy owners remember his injury-plagued 2015 season, and also feel that the team will be extremely run-heavy. Although they'll run the ball quite a bit, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan has a history of peppering his top receiving target with plenty of passes, and there are few better at getting the ball into the end zone than Bryant.

Continuing on with more preseason injuries news:

  • Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a hairline fracture in his ribs, and the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the team's hopeful he'll return before the preseason concludes. This may not have a big impact on him, as Sam Bradford is expected to open the season as the Eagles' starting quarterback, but if he's unable to practice over the next few weeks, missing valuable reps could hurt his chances of seeing the field anytime early in the regular season.
  • During Friday's preseason game, Isaiah Crowell suffered a shoulder injury, but Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal is reporting that x-rays were negative. Crowell downplayed the injury by saying he feels great, in which case he'll likely be able to play in the team's second preseason game. After rushing for 4.1 yards per carry and eight touchdowns as a rookie, he regressed a bit last year when his yards per carry fell to 3.8 while only finding the end zone four times. He's currently penciled in to be the early-down back for the team, though he'll need to earn the job during the rest of the preseason. He's currently being selected about 138 picks into fantasy drafts, and with him playing in offensive coordinator Hue Jackson's offense, he's a player who can easily out produce his ADP.
  • ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky is reporting that Jeff Janis has fractured his right hand and could miss the remainder of the preseason. This development will likely take him out of the competition to begin the year as the Packers' third receiver, especially since early training camp reports had stated that he struggled with consistency in practice. This is potentially good news for Davante Adams who may earn a prominent role as an outside receiver almost by default. Adams is coming off a terribly inefficient 2015, but if an ankle injury was the main reason for his struggles, he has legitimate potential to help fantasy teams.
  • Having passed through the league's concussion protocol, Zach Miller returned to practice after missing the team's first preseason game. After being out of the league for three years, he came back last year to post a career-year, which included 690 yards and five touchdowns. The 31-year-old is clearly the Bears' number one tight end, and his injury history has helped to give him a very attractive average draft position of pick 162. Pairing him up with a second tight end could work out quite nicely for fantasy owners.
  • The Eagles welcomed Wendell Smallwood back to practice after missing time with an injured quad. Although the rookie is behind Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles and Kenjon Barner on the current depth chart, he certainly should be able to earn a role as Mathews' primary backup if he plays well the rest of the preseason. He has definite appeal in fantasy drafts, as he's typically on the board when 170 selections have been made, and he may only be a Mathews' injury away from having a significant role in the offense.

Shifting gears, let's move to some situations from the preseason games that could impact regular-season playing time:

  • Anquan Boldin certainly didn't look like an aging player in his first game action with the Lions as their new slot receiver. He caught the only pass target thrown to him, as he found a vacated area in the defense and Matthew Stafford immediately identified him. However, vintage Boldin came out after the reception as he ran through the first defender before dragging a group of additional tacklers before finally going down after a 30-yard gain. Since the Lions are perennially among the league leader in passing attempts, the veteran certainly has a place on fantasy rosters as a backup receiver or flex option.
  • After reports had surfaced that Rashad Jennings would be the Giants clear-cut number one running back, he ended up sharing work with Shane Vereen when the first-team offense was on the field. Once he exited the contest, sideline reporter Howard Cross spoke with the veteran running back and indicated that the work load in the Giants' backfield would be shared, and Jennings didn't disagree with those comments. Although he got both of the red zone carries, he ended up with three touches to two for Vereen. It'll be important to watch how the team divvies up the touches over the next couple weeks, as this may be more of a two-man backfield than recently expected.
  • Before getting overly excited about the four-catch, 41-yard performance by rookie Laquon Treadwell, it should be noted that most of his playing time occurred with the second-team offense. Earlier reports have stated that he still has needs to make quite a bit of progress to overtake Charles Johnson to become a starter for Week 1. It'll be difficult for him to earn his average draft position, which is currently at about pick number 93, if he isn't going to be a starter the entire season, especially on the team that projects to be extremely run-heavy.