Auction Watch: August 25, 2026

Today's auction-relevant signals, each with the player named and what it means for your bids. Verified from reputable reporting; values are projections, not guarantees.

Higgins tears his ACL and is done for the year

Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL during a joint practice against the Raiders and will miss the rest of the 2026 season, per ESPN, NFL.com and multiple other outlets. The second-year receiver was expected to take a real step forward in Houston's passing game this year. Cross him off your board entirely. Expect the rest of Houston's receiver room, especially whoever settles in behind Nico Collins, to see a bump in target share worth a few extra dollars at auction.

Love's high ankle sprain clouds his Week 1 outlook

Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is dealing with a high ankle sprain suffered in Arizona's preseason game against the Raiders, and head coach Mike LaFleur says he will not need surgery, per ESPN and NFL.com. Love is progressing but remains sidelined, with his status for the September 13 opener against the Chargers still uncertain. Do not pay Love's full preseason price until he is back on the field running. If Arizona has to lean on its other backs into Week 1, that is where the short-term value shows up.

LaPorta's hip injury adds risk to an already discounted price

Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is dealing with a hip injury that has the team holding him out of practice, and coach Dan Campbell says he does not yet know if it will affect LaPorta's Week 1 availability, per FantasyPros, theScore and multiple other outlets. LaPorta is also still working back from season-ending back surgery in 2025. Treat his price as a discount pick rather than a locked-in TE1 until Detroit confirms he is a full go, since a tight end carrying both a recent back surgery and a fresh hip injury into the season is a real risk, not a formality.

Gordon is winning the backup job behind Achane in Miami

Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II has been the best back on the field in each of Miami's first two preseason games, out-carrying and out-producing Jaylen Wright by a wide margin in the competition for backup reps behind De'Von Achane, per CBS Sports and multiple other outlets. Gordon did leave the second game early after landing hard on his elbow, though he walked off under his own power. If he checks out healthy, Gordon is the clear handcuff to own for Achane, worth a dollar more than Wright at the end of your draft.