This article is part of our Training Camp Notes series.
Several teams have now officially kicked off training camp. That means injury and depth chart news should really start to flow, in turn modifying rankings and draft decisions. Of course, an entirely different storyline has dominated the headline the last several days and that is where we will begin this edition of training camp notes.
• It'd be impossible to start anywhere but the continuing saga between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. After the betting market suggested over the weekend that Rodgers would retire, he and the team are now reportedly nearing a deal that would set 2021 up to be his last in Green Bay. If this turns out to be the final resolution, the most obvious consequence would be adding Rodgers back into the fold as a top-8 fantasy QB. However, the bigger impact may be on what his return would mean to the rest of the offense. Aaron Jones and Davante Adams have both seen their ADP drop with Rodgers' status up in the air, but the offense should be among the best in the league once again.
• Amari Cooper was placed on the PUP list last week due to an ankle injury. However, team president Jerry Jones said he expects Cooper to return to practice by mid-August while also making an appearance in preseason. That's clearly positive news, though it will still be a situation worth monitoring. Any type of setback could place Cooper's availability for the regular-season opener in doubt.
• The Colts delivered positive news regarding both Marlon Mack and Parris Campbell on Monday. Mack will be a full participant in training camp after suffering an Achilles injury Week 1 and missing the rest of the 2020 season. He figures to back up Jonathan Taylor and could wrestle some work away from Taylor if he proves fully healthy. Meanwhile, Campbell similarly will be fully healthy for training camp. Health has proven to be a significant hurdle for Campbell, as he's been limited to nine games in his first two professional seasons. The Colts' have a relatively ambiguous pecking order among their wide receivers, so Campbell could emerge with a relatively large role if he can stay on the field.
• In what can be considered unsurprising news, coach Sean McVay confirmed that a three-down role is possible for Darrell Henderson. However, McVay may have hinted at limiting Henderson's usage at times, stating that durability has been the primary thing holding back his production in the past. That could mean Henderson splits work in the backfield, though the Rams have an uninspiring and inexperienced depth chart behind him.
• Sticking in Los Angeles, rookie wideout Tutu Atwell was placed on the Covid-19 list Monday. Although he's in no danger of being cut due to a second-round investment, this could cost him some development in training camp. The fantasy impact shouldn't be particularly noticeable however, as the team signed DeSean Jackson to serve as the team's speedy deep threat — the same role Atwell projects to fill.
• Another unsurprising depth chart announcement came from Pittsburgh, where Najee Harris was listed as team's top running back. The team invested a first-round pick in him in the 2021 draft and Harris should see a tremendous amount of volume as both a rusher and receiver once the regular season gets underway.
• Joe Burrow was mentioned in Sunday's edition of the column, but there was additional information given regarding his health Monday. Burrow is not expected to play in preseason games. However, being cleared for 11-on-11 drills is enough to create optimism regarding his health heading into the regular season.
• There were a few signings worth noting, even if they aren't likely to provide tremendous fantasy impact. Chris Hogan signed with the Saints, as the team continues to try to build some depth in its wide receiver corps in the absence of Michael Thomas. Hogan has had trouble staying on the field, playing in 12 games his last two seasons. Having never surpassed 41 receptions, which came in 2014 , Hogan possesses little to no upside. Instead, he could stand in the way of younger receivers such as Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Kawaan Baker seeing expanded roles.
• Jesse James also latched on with the Bears. He served primarily as a depth and blocking option with the Lions the last two seasons. Almost certain to be behind Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham on the depth chart, James likely will serve as a peripheral member of the offense once again.
