Training Camp Updates with Fantasy Football Impacts: Eli Stowers Falls Behind, Josh Downs Flashes Versatility and More News

Not only does the Hall of Fame game kick off tonight, but there are plenty of newsworthy reports flooding social media throughout training camp, directly affecting fantasy in the process. Below is a list of some of the top headlines for Aug. 6, including a breakdown of how they may impact fantasy football rankings leading up to your drafts.

Training Camp Updates for Fantasy Football

Jahmyr Gibbs and Jonathan Taylor Extensions

It was payday for a pair of the best running backs in the NFL on Thursday. Jahmyr Gibbs did a good job of waiting for Bijan Robinson to get his payday, as Gibbs one-upped the player joining him at the top of the draft with a three-year, $75.75M contract extension that makes Gibbs the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Gibbs is the consensus 1.01 in our rankings, and it's because of his consistency and youth (age-24). And he's pretty good with the football in his hands, totaling 3,768 scrimmage yards and 38 TDs in the past two seasons. 

Also joining Gibbs and Robinson in the $20M club for running backs is Jonathan Taylor, who signed his second extension with the Colts, a two-year, $44M deal that could be worth up to $47M with incentives. Taylor has been a workhorse in his six years in the NFL, three times totaling 300+ carries in a season. He hit 20 TDs last season for the second time in his career, finishing as the RB2 in 0.5 PPR scoring. He's going off the board at the 1.10 in our consensus rankings.

Eli Stowers Placed on the Back Burner

Per Inside the Birds pod, Eagles 2026 second round pick Eli Stowers has stumbled down the depth chart, sitting firmly behind Johnny Mundt as the TE3. His lack of team reps have strengthened that claim, labeling Stowers as a “2027 guy."

In regard to fantasy, avoid wasting any draft capital on Stowers with hopes of hitting a goldmine as a flier in the later rounds. In dynasty, Stowers is a taxi squad stash at best—or worth skipping over in dynasty drafts at his current ADP if you have pressing needs elsewhere.

Josh Downs Expected to Receive a Larger Workload

After trading away Michael Pittman while Alec Pierce is rehabbing his offseason surgery, Josh Downs is expected to shoulder a heavier workload while expanding his role in the Indianapolis Colts offense. Throughout training camp, Downs has been lining up at multiple spots across the line, flashing his versatility on the outside and in the slot.

His utilization on the outside is certainly eye-opening, sending him off in pre-snap motion to help create space and get him out in the open field. If Downs can continue to expand on his role, he will see a bump in his targets, making him a name worth monitoring throughout training camp.

There's also the possibility that Pierce gets off to a slow start while shaking off the rust, forcing Daniel Jones to lean heavier on Downs to keep their offense afloat. When healthy, the Colts offense was efficient last season, leading the league in DVOA before eventually stumbling down the board after Jones suffered a season-ending leg injury.

Jaylen Waddle Spotted Limping in Practice

After being sent off the field yesterday, Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle was spotted limping in practice today while wearing a sleeve on his left leg. Even while noticeably dealing with an injury, it was encouraging to see Waddle go through rehab drills, signaling there is no long-term damage, and he will be good to go by Week 1.

HC Sean Payton has also fanned the flames surrounding Waddle’s injury, labeling it as a strain and saying he'll be back in four or five days. It has also been reported that Payton “can’t stop raving” about Waddle’s talent, cementing him as the WR1 in an offense that is desperate for an injection of talent.

Even if Waddle ends up as the focal point of the Broncos offense, his ceiling will be handicapped by Bo Nix’s play under center, an arm that ranked 33rd out of 36 qualified QBs in air yards per reception and 28th in CPOE. If Nix can take a step forward, expect Waddle to potentially compete with the top of the position.

De’Zhaun Stribling Returns From Injury

With a stunning 20 players listed on the 49ers injury report, it was welcoming to see De’Zhaun Stribling make his return to the field. The much-hyped second-round draft pick gives the San Francisco offense some depth at WR. Even after signing Deebo Samuel, Stribiling is projected to still play a role in their offense, making him worth a look in dynasty as a potential future asset.

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