2026 NFL OTA Week 1 Update: Rice Out, Mahomes Ahead, Skattebo Ready
OTA Week 1 delta covering May 17–20: Rashee Rice misses all OTAs and minicamp after a probation violation stacks on top of knee surgery; Mahomes is "way ahead of schedule" for the May 26 return; Cam Skattebo declares himself Week 1 ready; Broderick Jones suffers a neck fusion setback with his fifth-year option declined. Participation snapshot for 10 teams plus fantasy verdicts throughout.
A mid-week delta from May 17–20 — not a full weekly roundup. The previous issue covered the full offseason through May 17. This one picks up where that left off, covering the first three days of the 2026 OTA calendar.
Ten teams kicked off organized team activities on May 18–19, giving fantasy managers their first real on-field signals of the 2026 season.1 The other 22 teams begin May 26 or later. Here is what changed in this three-day window — and what it means for your roster.
Rashee Rice: jail time stacks on top of knee surgery
The biggest fantasy story of the week does not involve a pulled hamstring. Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice violated his felony probation by testing positive for marijuana and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.2 He will miss all Kansas City OTAs and mandatory minicamp, which runs through June 16.3 A note on the legal context: marijuana is legal in Kansas City, Missouri — but Rice is serving felony probation for the March 2024 multi-car crash in which he drove at nearly 120 mph, and any violation during that probation triggers consequences regardless of the substance's legal status.
What makes this worse for dynasty managers is that the jail sentence and a knee procedure are separate, compounding events. One week before the jail sentence was announced, Rice underwent cleanup surgery on his right knee to remove loose cartilage causing inflammation — a procedure that on its own would sideline him roughly two months per Adam Schefter.4 Stack the two absences together and Rice realistically misses all of OTAs, mandatory minicamp, and the first significant stretch of training camp. If the NFL investigates the probation violation — it concluded a separate inquiry in April and declined additional discipline, but this new development could reopen scrutiny — the suspension risk beyond training camp is real.
Fantasy verdict: Dynasty trade value is in freefall. There is no market right now, so holds cannot meaningfully sell. The Chiefs' remaining wide receiver room — Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and rookie additions — absorbs the target share in the near term. Rashee Rice is not a 2026 redraft pick at any reasonable cost.
Patrick Mahomes: "way ahead of schedule," OTAs begin May 26
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach used the phrase that fantasy managers have been waiting to hear: Mahomes is "way ahead of schedule" in his recovery from the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, suffered in December 2025.5 Kansas City's OTAs begin May 26, and Mahomes is expected to participate — though likely in a limited form, with the medical staff managing stress on the joint.
The strongest external signal came from the NFL schedule itself. The league placed the Chiefs at home against the Denver Broncos in a Monday Night Football Week 1 opener.6 Adam Schefter interpreted that as a vote of confidence: the league does not typically put a team's season-opener in prime time if it expects that team to be starting a backup at Week 1.
"The feeling right now within the organization is that he is tracking to be ready for that Monday night game against Bo Nix, who is coming off his own surgeries on his ankle, and the Denver Broncos in Kansas City." 7
Kansas City signed Justin Fields from the Jets as a bridge insurance option and also added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to reduce the pressure on an offense that may rely more on quick completions and designed runs while Mahomes rebuilds full lateral mobility.
Fantasy verdict: Mahomes remains the QB1 ceiling in 2026 fantasy drafts. His ADP (average draft position in fantasy leagues) will likely be discounted by the injury history, which creates value if the recovery holds. Justin Fields is a must-roster handcuff in redraft leagues. Monitor May 26 OTA participation closely — it will be the first live read on his mobility.
Cam Skattebo declares Week 1 ready
Giants running back Cam Skattebo spoke at a team event at the Beacon Theatre on May 19 and delivered the clearest possible timeline statement: "I'll be ready to go. Week 1, I'll be ready to go."8 That landing date — September 13 vs. the Cowboys — is roughly 16 weeks from now. The injury he is returning from was severe by any measure: a dislocated ankle, broken fibula, ACL tear, and meniscus damage, suffered in a late October 2025 game against the Eagles.
Skattebo acknowledged the psychological dimension of the comeback: "The mental battle has been the hardest part: making sure that I trust it fully."8 That kind of public honesty about the mental side is, oddly, a positive indicator — it suggests he is doing the actual psychological work of trusting the repaired leg rather than just projecting confidence.
The roster context supports the optimism. New York did not draft a running back in 2026 — the only RB addition is undrafted free agent Damon Bankston — which means Skattebo enters training camp as the uncontested RB1.9 FantasyPros lists him among the top five second-year breakout targets for 2026, noting that before the injury he accounted for 92% of the team's red-zone carries and 100% of the goal-line carries, while posting a PFF receiving grade of 82.7 (sixth among all running backs).10
Fantasy verdict: The dynasty buy-low window is closing with each positive update. In redraft, Skattebo projects as an RB2 with legitimate RB1 upside — the Giants' offensive line upgraded with first-round tackle Francis Mauigoa, and the target share is his to lose.
Broderick Jones: neck fusion setback, 5th-year option declined
Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones suffered a setback in his recovery from spinal fusion surgery performed in March 2026.11 Jones is present at OTAs but "obviously limited" in what he can do, per GM Omar Khan.12 The team will examine him this week to determine whether he is on track for training camp.
The Steelers compounded the uncertainty by declining Jones's fifth-year option (a one-year contract extension teams can trigger for first-round picks before their fifth NFL season) — worth $19.1 million — making 2026 a contract year for the 24-year-old.12 That combination of a setback and a declined option typically signals a team hedging against an uncertain return.
This update is most relevant for IDP managers and those tracking offensive line health for quarterback or running back projections. Aaron Rodgers (signed to a one-year $22 million deal) was immediately on the practice field at Steelers OTAs per Yahoo Sports — if Jones misses significant time early, Rodgers's pocket protection becomes a legitimate week-to-week variable.13
Falcons QB room: Penix progressing, but Tua holds the edge
Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons, QB) is cleared for individual drills and 7-on-7 work at OTAs but has not yet been cleared for 11-on-11 team drills.14 Penix tore his ACL on November 16, 2025 against the Panthers — his third ACL injury across his career — and has been throwing since March. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said: "His main focus is getting healthy, and he's doing that. With that, he's able to do more and more football at the direction of our medical staff."15
The important correction from earlier reporting: Penix is competing with Tua Tagovailoa (signed by Atlanta in the offseason after his release from Miami), not Jacoby Brissett. Brissett is Arizona's starting quarterback — and is currently holding out of Cardinals OTAs seeking a contract extension.3 Tua enters camp healthy with the experience advantage.
Stefanski said the team will be "very intentional" about rotating first-team reps between the two quarterbacks each day.15 Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is rotating QBs by period.
Fantasy verdict: Tua Tagovailoa is the better late-round redraft target right now — he is healthy, experienced, and participating in full team drills. Penix is a deep dynasty stash only: three ACL surgeries across a career is a structural red flag, and he will need to win a competition against a proven starter before redraft value materializes.
Lamar Jackson's absence: not a fantasy alarm
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson skipped the team's first voluntary OTA on May 19.16 New head coach Jesse Minter downplayed it immediately:
"Lamar has been one of our leaders of the offseason program. He had a couple things to tend to these last couple days. I do expect him back very soon. We've had great communication — I know when he'll be back and I'll keep that between Lamar and myself."17
Jackson attended the team's voluntary workouts in April under Minter. His absence on May 19 reportedly cost him $750,000 in workout bonuses per Sportskeeda, though the team did not confirm that figure. His contract runs through 2027 with a no-franchise-tag clause for 2028; no extension has been reached.18 His OTA attendance has been inconsistent throughout his career, and he is far from alone — Kyle Hamilton (minor injury), Marlon Humphrey, Rashod Bateman, and Calais Campbell were also absent from the first session.
Fantasy verdict: No change to Jackson's dynasty status. He remains an elite QB1 in all formats. Missing a voluntary OTA practice in May has no bearing on September availability.
OTA participation snapshot: 10 teams, May 18–19
The table below covers notable status updates from the teams that began OTAs this week. All sessions were non-contact under 2026 NFL rules (helmets permitted; no pads except knee and elbow braces).1
| Player | Team | Position | OTA status | Fantasy note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton Kincaid | Bills | TE | Full participation | "Best I've felt in my career" — fully recovered from 2025 knee injury 19 |
| Josh Allen | Bills | QB | Full participation | Fully healthy, confirmed by HC Joe Brady 19 |
| Terrel Bernard | Bills | LB | Limited (injury recovery) | Targeting training camp return 19 |
| Brock Bowers | Raiders | TE | Recovering, not yet in team drills | PCL injury ended 2025 early; role shifts under new OC Klint Kubiak to more inline TE alignment; CBS Sports projects him TE2, Round 2 ADP 20 |
| Maxx Crosby | Raiders | DE | Not yet in team drills | Torn meniscus ended 2025; Ravens trade fell through after failed physical in March 20 |
| Derrick Henry | Ravens | RB | Full participation | Brief knee-to-knee collision scare; stayed down momentarily, returned to practice — no injury 18 |
| Nnamdi Madubuike | Ravens | DT | Absent | Neck surgery; absence expected 18 |
| Kyle Hamilton | Ravens | S | Sideline (minor injury) | Watching from sideline — not IR, characterized as minor 18 |
| Tucker Kraft | Packers | TE | Ahead of schedule | GM Gutekunst: "a little bit of a freak" in terms of recovery speed; expected back early in the season 21 |
| Micah Parsons | Packers | EDGE | Ahead of schedule | Expected back early in 2026; PUP (physically unable to perform list — players on PUP at camp start miss the first 4 weeks of the regular season) risk remains possible per Gutekunst 21 |
| Billy Bowman Jr. | Falcons | DB | Walkthrough only | Achilles tear; not cleared for team drills 14 |
| Bralen Trice | Falcons | OLB | Full (7-on-7, 11-on-11) | No restrictions 14 |
| Bucky Irving | Buccaneers | RB | Limited | Shoulder surgery; GM Licht says he should be ready for training camp 3 |
| Deshaun Watson | Browns | QB | Full participation | Named starter over Shedeur Sanders for training camp; fully recovered from two Achilles tears that cost him all of 2025 13 |
| Jacoby Brissett | Cardinals | QB | Absent (holdout) | Seeking new contract; currently on a 2-year $12.5M deal coming off a career year 3 |
Also worth noting
Malik Nabers (Giants, WR) underwent a second knee procedure — a cleanup surgery to remove scar tissue causing stiffness — roughly late April/early May. The Giants say the procedure was not expected to affect his overall recovery timeline from October 2025 ACL surgery, and the organization remains hopeful he will be ready for Week 1.21 This is a notable development but not a panic signal given that scar-tissue cleanups after ACL repair are relatively routine.
Derrick Henry was more quotable than injured after his collision scare at Ravens OTAs: "The ground felt like a bed for a second. I saw everybody was hot and bored, so I gave them something to write articles and tweet about."18 He resumed practice and finished the session.
What's still missing — 22 teams begin May 26
The teams with the most fantasy-relevant rosters — Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, and most NFC West teams — have not yet started OTAs as of this writing. The Cowboys begin June 1; the Rams and Commanders start May 26–27.1 No confirmed injury updates are available for CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, Puka Nacua, Jayden Daniels, or the 25-plus players on the tracking list whose teams have not yet taken the field. The next full update will cover the May 26 OTA wave.
Cover image: Rashee Rice (Chiefs #4) in game uniform, running with football. Image sourced from ESPN reporting on the probation situation.
References
- 1
- 2
- 3Fantasy Points: 2026 NFL OTA News Tracker
fantasypoints.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Bleacher Report: New Patrick Mahomes Rumors on Injury Return Timeline
bleacherreport.com
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11Steelers Depot: How Much Will Broderick Jones Participate In OTAs?
steelersdepot.com
- 12
- 13Yahoo Sports: NFL news, live updates — OTAs kick off
sports.yahoo.com
- 14AtlantaFalcons.com: Practice report — Michael Penix Jr.'s health status
atlantafalcons.com
- 15
- 16
- 17BaltimoreRavens.com: Lamar Jackson Expected Back Soon at OTAs
baltimoreravens.com
- 18
- 19BuffaloBills.com: OTA Notebook
buffalobills.com
- 20
- 21Fox Sports: 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz
foxsports.com
This story was produced automatically by a channel. One sentence is all it takes for Neodrop to keep producing for you.