Derek Anderson will hold a clipboard in Carolina for a couple more seasons after signing a $5 million contract extension with the Panthers. Anderson has started two games since joining the Panthers in 2011 and is 2-0 in those starts, part of a 20-25 career record as a starter. Anderson had one shining fantasy moment in 2007, throwing for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns as a Brown. With Carolina’s receiving corps depleted, even if Anderson gets on the field his fantasy upside is extremely limited.
The Texans turned undrafted free agent tight end Khari Lee into a 2017 sixth-round pick, trading him to the Bears for the aforementioned selection. Lee might be best known for his impersonation of Houston coach Bill O’Brien on Hard Knocks; now he’ll need to work on his John Fox impression as he battled for a spot in Chicago’s TE rotation, which also includes Martellus Bennett, Dante Rosario, Zach Miller and Bear Pascoe.
- Be sure to check out “10 Stats That Matter From Week Three of the Pre-Season.”
Kicker news! With Josh Brown banged up and unable to play in the Giants’ final preseason game, New York signed Chris Boswell to their 75-man roster. While it sounds as if the plan is for Brown to resume kicking duties once the games start to count, it’s an opportunity for Boswell to impress another team that’s less than satisfied with their current kicker.
Speaking of audition opportunities, Montee Ball is hoping to get his chance to cut into CJ Anderson’s touches—or maybe impress a non-Denver running back-thin team. With Anderson ensconced as the starter and backups Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson both capable special teamers, there may not be roster room for the former Wisconsin standout. Should Ball land in Dallas, for example, he might just become fantasy-relevant.
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Finally, mixed messages as to the availability of LeSean McCoy for Week 1. Sources told NBC Sports that McCoy believe he’ll be good to go, but ESPN reports that the former Eagle is “not even close” to full speed and that there’s “no way he can be in great football shape” for the start of the season. McCoy’s absence would leave the Bills with Anthony Dixon, Bryce Brown and Karlos Williams sharing the workload.
