This article is part of our Training Camp Notes series.
Here are the top fantasy headlines from Thursday.
-The 49ers and George Kittle signed a five-year, $75 million extension Thursday, and not long afterward the Chiefs agreed to a four-year extension with Travis Kelce that's believed to be worth between $14 million and $15 million per year. The best and second-best tight ends in the league in whatever order you prefer, the proximity of the two signings and similarity in the contract figures seems like an eerily orderly and reasonable outcome.
-Kittle and Kelce weren't the only standout tight ends in the headlines, though, as New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (foot) received notable praise from his coach and otherwise showed up in an encouraging video clip (click here) where he seemed to run and jump with ease. In addition to the encouraging clip, tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens offered enthusiasm for Engram in his recovery process from last year's Lisfranc injury. Engram's health is a major concern, but it's basically the only concern for the athletic former Mississippi star. With 4.42 speed to work with a hopefully ascending quarterback in Daniel Jones, a breakout season is well within reach for Engram despite the durability questions in the meantime.
-Speaking of durability questions, it appears Todd Gurley carried his from Los Angeles to Atlanta, as ESPN Falcons beat writer Vaughn McClure offered the observation that Gurley walked around practice this week with an obvious limp. Gurley and his problematic knee will carry a unique level of injury concern for the rest of his career, but even if McClure's otherwise concerning report he was quick to mention that, despite the limp, Gurley "showed speed and explosion" in team drills. If Gurley's knee were really so busted then it would be difficult to explain how the Falcons allowed him to pass a physical. While there's basically nothing guaranteed with Gurley and his knee, the Falcons are uniquely thin at running back with just Ito Smith, Brian Hill and Qadree Ollison behind him. If Gurley isn't at running back for the Falcons, then they don't have any reliable alternatives.
-Although just signed by the Patriots, Lamar Miller (knee) was placed on New England's PUP list Thursday. Making his way back from an ACL tear suffered in August of 2019, with any standard amount of luck Miller should be ready to practice some time relatively soon. With Sony Michel (foot) in uncertain standing and Damien Harris unproven following a mostly inactive 2019 rookie season, Miller will be a candidate to start for the Patriots if he can get into practice reasonably soon. Although he's the oldest of that trio at 29, Miller is easily the fastest Patriots running back.
