Good morning. Smile. Smile like Bill Belichick when Chris Berman walks into the press room.

The rumour mill was hot yesterday and we've got even more Michael Pittman & George Pickens hype.

But first: Ron Rivera says Brian Robinson is “doing well” and after visiting with him it was “kind of a relief.” Rivera said “there is no timeline” for Robinson’s return but sounds optimistic. “He’s a heck of a young man.”

All great news for Robinson. Hoping for a speedy recovery.

Market Watch

Rumour Mill

Alexander Mattison: A backup no more?

Over the next 24 hours, NFL rosters must be cut down to 53 active players. This will be telling for players like Ronald Jones, who shouldn't matter but kinda do. In other news:

Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers agreed to a restructured one-year deal keeping him in San Fran. The contract contains no-trade and no-tag clauses. But Dan explains:

The no-trade clause gives Jimmy a say in where he goes if they do decide to deal him, while making his contract more appealing to other teams. The league's highest paid backup, Jimmy G is guaranteed $6.5 million with up to $10m in bonuses. His prior cap number was $26.95m.

• Guaranteed $6.5 million to play backup QB - the best position in football. Must be f***ing nice.

BTW - a girl (Rita) is drawing Jimmy G every day until he gets traded. She's on day 209 (with many more to go). Yesterday:

The Dolphins released RB Sony Michel yesterday, per @jjones9. In similar, slightly irrelevant news, the Jags traded WR Laviska Shenault to the Panthers. The Giants received trade inquiries on WR Darius Slayton, per @AdamSchefter's sources.

Treat those players like your New Years resolutions: forget about them.

After drafting rookie RB James Cook to help out in the passing game, Bills RB Zack Moss is "primed to be dealt." - @RyanTalbotBills

Hype

The George Pickens Hype Train

Rookie George Pickens quickly entrenched himself in our hearts and minds, and as a top-3 WR for the Steelers. Here's why Pickens will be an immediate fantasy asset (video). I’ve never seen anyone make Trubisky look this good:

Michael Pittman is the next NFL Fantasy Football Breakout WR. His red zone targets (14), and yards per route run (2.12) suggest a 3rd year breakout is inbound. Per Reception Perception:

• 96th percentile success rate vs. press

• Pittman won 262 routes last season, good for 3rd in the NFL

• His route win rate of 51% ranked 4th in the league

• Looks like a legit No. 1 WR

Texans coach Lovie Smith (still an NFL coach) was unwilling to say whether rookie RB Dameon Pierce will be the starter. The good news: Lovie says just he's trying to keep it from their first opponent on Sept. 11. Better news: Pierce's ADP won't skyrocket from a starting role.

Darren Waller's absence might not be injury-related. He's negotiating a new contract and his current contract isn't even guaranteed until Week 1. Would be insane to risk anything. - @adamlevitan.

Josina Anderson reported the Raiders TE "has had a deal in discussion that would make him the highest paid at his position in terms of at least the new money APY (average per year) metric at $16M/year."

Great news for Waller owners, as Waller was licking his chops for some single coverage lining up next to Adams and Renfrow.

And don’t forget Justin Fields:

Falling: Najee's Workload

Steelers RB Najee Harris had a "sprained lisfranc during camp," an injury that normally carries a 4-6 week recovery. "He's at 4 weeks right now." - @JRown32. You can read a full report here, but grab Benny Snell in the last round of drafts.

Overtime

Quick Slants

• Bill Belichick says Ty Montgomery is "doing alright" - @KenLairdWEEI. Thanks for nothing, Bill.

• Matt LaFleur says "it's a little early" to say whether Robert Tonyan has a chance to play Week 1, but the TE got his first team reps yesterday. A big step for him coming off the torn ACL. - @ByRyanWood

• Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson were full participants today, per McVay.

• This is one of the best pods of the summer: The Biggest Fantasy Football Ranking Debates Of The Season: Evan Silva vs. Sigmund Bloom (Episode 426)

• The best of Kyle Pitts from Falcons training camp (video)

Tweet of the Day

That’s you, right?? Trade for Pierce before it’s too late.

- Jake, Eddie, Matt & Coach Wehler.