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Player News
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Eli Stowers Struggling in Camp, Difficult to Trust in Redraft Formats
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Sam Darnold Should Benefit From Second Season in Seahawks Offense
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Adley Rutschman Goes Deep Twice in Return From Injury
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Brooks Lee a Waiver-Wire Priority Amid Power Outburst
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Jayden Daniels Primed for a Bounce-Back Season in 2026
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Griffin Conine a Waiver Option Against Righties in Deeper Leagues
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Eli Stowers Struggling in Camp, Difficult to Trust in Redraft Formats
Philadelphia Eagles' second-round pick, Eli Stowers, out of Vanderbilt in the 2026 NFL Draft, has struggled in camp. He has faced heavy criticism and struggled to stand out as a receiver or blocker during practices, including a tough joint practice against the New England Patriots. Ultimately, the learning curve has been steep for him, and while he flashed some upside at the combine with his athleticism, recent reports from camp suggest he's not ready to play at the NFL level. He has also been slowed down by a hamstring injury, and Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice reported that he could be a healthy scratch on Sundays. During his senior season at Vanderbilt, he had 62 receptions, 769 yards, and four touchdowns. At this point, Stowers is a dynasty stash at best. RotoBaller ranks Stowers as the TE64 and 377th player off the board, making him undraftable in most standard-sized redraft formats. -
Sam Darnold Should Benefit From Second Season in Seahawks Offense
2025 Super Bowl-winning quarterback Sam Darnold enters his second season with the Seattle Seahawks with a chance to emerge as a high-end QB2, alongside star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the emergence of Rashid Shaheed, with a full offseason under his belt to build chemistry with Darnold. Shaheed was brought over to the Seahawks in Week 9 of the 2025 season. Darnold finished the 2025 season as the QB13, throwing for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. This was followed by a season with the Vikings in 2024, where he finished as the QB9. Although he lost his offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, who was brought on to be the head coach for the Raiders, RotoBaller currently ranks Darnold as the QB23 and the 140th player taken off the board. Fantasy managers in superflex formats could look to target Darnold as their QB2, as he has finished in the top 15 at the position in back-to-back seasons. -
Adley Rutschman Goes Deep Twice in Return From Injury
After missing the previous three games with an elbow injury, Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman broke a recent slump and returned with a bang on Thursday to help beat his former team, the Baltimore Orioles, by a score of 6-5 at Camden Yards. Rutschman went 2-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs and three RBI on the night to raise his season average to .240 and his OPS to .741. It was a much-needed turnaround for a player who has never really been able to hit his stride in 2026 due to injuries. The 28-year-old switch-hitter and former first overall pick in 2019 from Oregon State came into Thursday's series opener against Baltimore with a weak .237/.318/.400 slash line with a .718 OPS, only nine home runs, 51 RBI, and 35 runs scored in 300 at-bats. The three-time All-Star had been even worse in 15 games since being traded to the BoSox, going 9-for-59 (.170) with a homer, six walks, and 15 strikeouts. The Red Sox gave up a lot to secure Rutschman as their catcher of the future, and they are hoping his bat begins to heat up as they push to make the postseason. -
Brooks Lee a Waiver-Wire Priority Amid Power Outburst
Minnesota Twins infielder Brooks Lee is suddenly up to a career-high 22 home runs entering play on Thursday after homering again in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Athletics. In his last 11 games, the switch-hitting infielder has hit .319 (15-for-47) with a .930 OPS, four home runs, two doubles, 10 RBI, and eight runs scored to boost his overall 2026 slash line to .250/.299/.435 with a .734 OPS, 77 RBI, 62 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in his second full season in the big leagues. The 25-year-old former eighth overall pick from Cal Poly in 2022 has been much better as a lefty against right-handed pitchers, going 91-for-345 (.264) with 19 of his 22 homers, as opposed to a .218 average (34-for-156) with just three long balls as a right-handed hitter against southpaws. With eligibility at second base, third base, and shortstop, Lee is also valuable for his infield versatility in fantasy baseball, and he's available in 40% of Yahoo leagues with the playoffs approaching quickly. -
Jayden Daniels Primed for a Bounce-Back Season in 2026
Washington Commanders third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels, out of LSU, had a down season in 2025 after his rookie campaign, in which he finished as the QB5 while rushing for 891 yards and throwing for 3,568 yards, and led the Commanders to the NFC title game. His 2025 season was derailed by multiple injuries, and he played in only seven games. Daniels is healthy entering the 2026 season with an improved receiving group. The Commanders brought in Stefon Diggs over the Patriots, Chig Okonkwo from the Titans, and Terry McLaurin is healthy entering the season. Diggs remained efficient on a per-route basis with the Patriots last season, and McLaurin had a career year with Daniels in 2024, when he had 1,096 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 117 targets. Daniels still has elite rushing upside and should bounce back in a big way this season. RotoBaller ranks Daniels as the QB4 for the season and the 60th overall player off the board. -
Griffin Conine a Waiver Option Against Righties in Deeper Leagues
Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Griffin Conine is not flashy by any means, but he could help fantasy managers down the stretch in September as a left-handed-hitting outfielder against right-handed pitching in the right matchups in deeper leagues. Going into Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals, Conine entered play with a career-high 14 home runs and 32 RBI in 72 games (238 plate appearances) while hitting .254/.357/.488 with an .845 OPS. Conine has limited overall fantasy appeal because of his struggles against southpaws — he is hitting only .178 (8-for-45) in limited exposure against lefties. He was nothing special in August, either, going 18-for-80 (.225) in 26 games, although he did have five home runs and 11 RBI after hitting six homers in 25 games in July. The 29-year-old former second-rounder by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018 out of Duke also still strikes out a third of the time, although he is sporting a career-high 12.2% walk rate in 2026. At best, Conine is worth a look off the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues to close out the season. He is rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues. -
Jake Ferguson Restructures Contract With the Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys 27-year-old tight end Jake Ferguson restructured his contract with the Cowboys, turning his $7.25 million base salary into a signing bonus, and Ferguson's cap number will increase by $1.2 million, Todd Archer of ESPN reports. Archer also mentions that the adjustments are accounting tools and do not change how much the players are paid weekly. Ferguson finished the 2025 season as the TE5, hauling in 82 of his 105 targets for 600 yards and eight touchdowns. His 7.32 YPR was very modest, and the eight touchdowns were a career high for him. With Dak Prescott leaning mostly on his two stud wide receivers, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, it will be tough sledding for Ferguson to be a reliable fantasy asset if he experiences any sort of touchdown regression. RotoBaller ranks Ferguson as the TE16 for the season, and fantasy managers who decide to wait on the tight end position should look to target Ferguson based on the high-powered nature of this Cowboys offense. -
Kyle Stowers Leaves Early With Hamstring Tightness
Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) left Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals early with tightness in his left hamstring, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Before hitting the showers early, Stowers went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and two strikeouts before he was replaced at first base by Deyvison De Los Santos. Stowers has already been on the injured list this year due to hamstring issues, and he could be headed back to the shelf, depending on what tests show on Friday. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his first full season in Miami, slashing .288/.368/.544 with a .912 OPS, a career-high 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 117 games. Through 103 games this year going into Thursday's action, he has posted a .247/.331/.470 slash line, .801 OPS, 18 homers, 59 RBI, 48 runs scored, and one steal in 433 plate appearances. Stowers played in just 15 games in August due to injury and did not have a home run, but he did go 15-for-51 (.294) in 59 plate appearances. If he is forced back to the IL with another hamstring injury, it could be a wrap on Stowers' 2026 campaign. -
Jonah Coleman Could Be Between-the-Tackles Complement in Denver
Denver Broncos rookie running back out of Washington, Jonah Coleman, was drafted in the fourth round by the Broncos to work alongside J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. However, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic wrote about how Coleman could be involved between the tackles as a complementary piece to Dobbins to lessen Dobbins' rushing load with the aim of keeping him healthy throughout the season. Dobbins has a long injury history, having yet to stay healthy for a full season in his six-year career. Last season, Dobbins rushed for 772 yards (5.05 YPC) with four touchdowns before going down with an injury and playing in only 10 games. Coleman was a solid back at Washington, rushing for 25 touchdowns over his past two seasons and 1,053 yards during his junior season. Coleman has a receiving profile as well, as he saw 54 receptions in his final two seasons, but Harvey is expected to assume most of that work. RotoBaller ranks Harvey as the RB54 entering the season, but any injury to Dobbins would propel him into RB3 consideration. -
Alejandro Kirk a Viable Catching Addition for Final Month of the Season
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk got the day off on Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians, but it had nothing to do with his offensive performance of late. The 27-year-old missed over a month of action early in the first half of the season due to injury, but he has been back since June and just finished a highly productive month in August, slashing .341/.412/.534 with a .946 OPS, five home runs, two doubles, 20 RBI, nine runs scored, and a stolen base in 25 games played. It was by far Kirk's best month of the 2026 season as he rounds into form for the final month of the regular season as Toronto looks to sneak into a wild-card spot in the American League. The 27-year-old Mexican backstop is now hitting .271 (59-for-218) overall with eight long balls, 32 RBI, 18 runs scored, and a stolen base in only 63 games played this season. Kirk is the Jays' primary catcher and can help fantasy managers in two-catcher formats who are trying to win a championship. He is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he hit .282 with a career-high 15 home runs and 76 RBI in 130 regular-season games. Despite his red-hot month in August, Kirk is still rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues. -
Geno Smith is Voted Jets Captain
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith was voted as a captain by his teammates ahead of the 2026 season, according to the team's official website. Smith hasn't played in a regular-season game for the Jets since the 2016 season. He's back after having a resurgence with the Seattle Seahawks and Raiders over the last four years. We'll see what the 35-year-old still has left in the tank after throwing 17 interceptions with the Raiders last season. It's nice to see the Jets players respecting Smith enough to give him the captain status, even with this being his first year back in New York in over a decade. -
Max Clark a High-End Waiver-Wire Prospect Despite Up-and-Down Start
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has been hit or miss in his first 30 major-league games since making his debut on July 31 against the Athletics with a 3-for-4 performance with two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored. The 21-year-old former third overall pick in 2023 came into Thursday's slate with a .257 average (27-for-105) with two home runs, seven doubles, three triples, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored, a stolen base, nine walks, and 25 strikeouts in 118 plate appearances. The left-handed-hitting outfielder came into Wednesday's game against the division-rival Minnesota Twins with a .179 average over his previous 10 games, but he reminded us why he has plenty of upside to close out the 2026 campaign with a 3-for-4 performance with three doubles, an RBI, three runs scored, and two walks. Clark became the first Tigers player with three doubles in a game since Miguel Cabrera did it in 2018. The Tigers' top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has high-end power-speed potential and is only rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues. There will be growing pains, but fantasy managers should ride the upside. -
Bryce Young Working with New Play-Caller in 2026
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will be working with a new play caller this upcoming season. Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik will be taking over the play-calling duties from Dave Canales, according to Mike Kaye of ESPN. Idzik is entering his third season as the OC in Carolina. Young recently described the new play calling as aggressive, so we'll see what that means during the regular season. Young completed eight of 11 passing attempts for 67 yards during the preseason. The Panthers are limited in terms of offensive weapons, but Tetairoa McMillan could be in for a big year. -
Tyler Mahle a Waiver-Wire Priority After Strong Start With Atlanta
Right-hander Tyler Mahle went 3-9 with a 5.13 ERA (4.37 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 89 strikeouts and 37 walks in 94 2/3 innings and 18 starts to begin the 2026 season with the San Francisco Giants before the Atlanta Braves acquired him in a trade at midseason. Since the move to the first-place Braves, the 31-year-old veteran has looked like a different pitcher, going 2-1 with a 1.48 ERA (2.87 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and only five walks in 30 1/3 frames over five starts. Mahle has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his five starts so far for Atlanta, and he gave up only one earned run with no walks and a season-high nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings in his last outing on Sunday, Aug. 30, against the Colorado Rockies. He will have a pretty big test his next time out this weekend against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. In two starts already this year against the Phils, Mahle allowed five earned runs on nine hits while walking seven and striking out nine in 10 2/3 innings. Mahle will be a riskier fantasy streamer in that matchup, but regardless, he deserves more waiver-wire attention down the stretch. Mahle is currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues. -
Hornets Waive Kyle Mangas
The Charlotte Hornets waived guard Kyle Mangas on Thursday, one day after signing him, and replaced him with Jarkel Joiner on an Exhibit 10 contract. Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reported the corresponding move, which continues Charlotte's back-end roster churn ahead of training camp. Mangas is the third player the Hornets have rotated through that open offseason spot this week, following Josiah Allick and Trey Townsend. Greensboro acquired Mangas' returning rights in August, so the likely path is a Swarm stint tied to an Exhibit 10 bonus if he stays long enough. The 27-year-old averaged 16.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 35 G League games for Austin last season, but this move has no fantasy impact. -
Bo Nix Receives Praise From Patrick Surtain
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix recently received praise from his teammate, defensive back Patrick Surtain, Susanna Wier of the team's official website reports. Surtain talked about the growth in Nix and how he believes he'll take another step forward this upcoming season. He continued by saying Nix can bring all the guys together and that he's a tremendous leader. Both tight end Evan Engram and offensive tackle Garett Bolles also praised Nix for his leadership. Nix has made a full recovery after suffering a broken ankle during the AFC Championship Game last season. He threw a league-high 612 times this past season, so it wouldn't be shocking to see the Broncos attempt to run more this season. The 26-year-old should remain a top-10 quarterback this upcoming season. -
Malaki Branham Officially Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Magic
The Orlando Magic officially signed guard/forward Malaki Branham to an Exhibit 10 contract, one of two camp deals completed alongside JD Davison. Branham, a former Ohio State guard, finished last season with the G-League's Cleveland Charge after Charlotte waived him in February. Orlando has 13 guaranteed contracts plus Jamal Cain's non-guaranteed deal, leaving Branham and Davison to compete for a possible final standard roster spot under new head coach Sean Sweeney. The two-way path is already closed, with Izaiyah Nelson, Alex Morales, and Colin Castleton occupying those slots. Branham has a scoring pedigree, but Orlando's guard depth leaves him buried unless the roster picture changes. -
JD Davison Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Magic
The Orlando Magic signed guard JD Davison to an Exhibit 10 contract, one of two camp deals the team completed alongside Malaki Branham, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. Davison, the 2024-25 G-League MVP, was waived by Houston in August after the Rockets had converted him to a standard contract in April. His path into Sean Sweeney's rotation is close to blocked. Orlando has all three two-way spots filled by Izaiyah Nelson, Alex Morales, and Colin Castleton, while Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Anthony Black, Jevon Carter, and Jase Richardson crowd the guard rotation. Davison is likely competing for an Osceola role, not fantasy relevance. -
Tucker Kraft Trending Up as He Approaches Full Health
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) appeared to be running without any issues ahead of Thursday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports. Kraft continues to work his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in November of last year. He missed all of the preseason, but was able to take part during joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals last week. It seems that Kraft is trending in the right direction ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. He appears to be moving well and could very well be ready to go in time for the first game of the season. -
D'Andre Swift is Dealing with a Cramp
According to Adam Schefter, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (abdomen) left early during Thursday's practice due to a cramp. Swift was reportedly in significant discomfort when he was forced to leave due to abdominal cramping. This is not good news for the Bears, who are already without Kyle Monangai (knee) right now. The hope is that this is a day-to-day issue for Swift and that he'll be back before the season opener. If not, Roschon Johnson could be a popular waiver wire pickup over the next few days. Fantasy managers will need to stay tuned for more updates on Swift. -
Amen Thompson Agrees to Five-Year Extension with Houston
Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson agreed to a five-year, $208 million rookie-scale extension with the franchise, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal includes a 10 percent trade kicker and locks in one of Houston's core pieces after Thompson led the NBA in minutes last season. The 23-year-old logged 37.4 minutes per game across 79 starts while averaging career highs of 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals. That workload remains the fantasy hook. Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun will command touches, but Thompson's rebounding, defensive production, and ball-handling role keep him firmly valuable. The jumper is still the swing skill, so his ceiling rises only if the shooting catches up. -
Kyle Monangai Does Not Practice on Thursday
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (knee) missed another practice on Thursday, according to Zack Pearson of 247 Sports. Monangai suffered a hyperextended right knee in training camp practice on Aug. 16 and was deemed week-to-week earlier this week, but the good news is that the 24-year-old "looked good" while running on a side field on Wednesday, per starting RB D'Andre Swift. Monangai's status for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 13, is firmly up in the air, and with Swift suffering an undisclosed injury of his own in Thursday's practice, Chicago's backfield is banged up with the regular-season opener closing in. With the statuses of both Monangai and Swift now in question, Roschon Johnson is becoming a bit more popular for some potential short-term value in Chicago's offense against Carolina in Week 1. Monangai produced an impressive 783 rushing yards and five rushing scores on 169 carries as a rookie after being taken in the seventh round out of Rutgers, but when Swift is healthy, he will continue to be the clear RB2 with little pass-catching upside. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 42 fantasy RB for the 2026 campaign. -
Ben Johnson has More Praise for Caleb Williams
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has been liking what he has seen out of quarterback Caleb Williams as he prepares to take a step forward in his third NFL season in 2026, according to Larry Mayer of the team's official website. "I've seen a very composed person every time he steps into the building," Johnson said. "I think his teammates feel that as well. He's getting to the practice field early. He's making sure his part is taken care of. He's warmed up, he's ready to go. He stays after with the guys after practice on a regular basis. He's taking a lot of pride in his approach right now, and it trickles down to everyone around him. I think it's a great thing. He continues to grow up, and he's going to be a huge leader for us this year." The 24-year-old former first overall pick from USC has also been a more vocal leader after finishing as the QB8 in fantasy football after throwing for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions in 17 regular-season starts in 2025 after taking a league-high 68 sacks as a rookie. Williams has shown a flair for the dramatic late in games, and his ability to produce off-script has been a strength of his. Despite losing receiver DJ Moore in an offseason trade, Williams still has plenty of weapons around him, and if he cleans some stuff up, he could take the next step as a passer for an up-and-coming Bears squad. Williams has plenty of appeal as a midrange to low-end QB1 in fantasy drafts for managers who wait a bit on the position. -
Breece Hall Expected to be Ready for Week 1
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (groin) has been working his way back to full fitness after dealing with a groin injury in training camp this summer, and he is expected to be back and take his place in the starting backfield for Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 13, according to Jack Bell of NewYorkJets.com. The 25-year-old former second-rounder from Iowa State is coming off his first 1,000-yard season in 2025 and was rewarded with a three-year, $45.75 million contract extension in May to solidify his position to see the lion's share of the backfield work again in 2026 in a new offense led by veteran quarterback Geno Smith. Hall was seen running on a side field last week, and he should be back at practice with the rest of the team next week as they prepare for the season opener. If Hall has his snaps limited at all in Week 1, Braelon Allen would see a larger piece of the pie, but he will not be a realistic standalone fantasy starter. Hall is a do-it-all back who should see plenty of volume, but the less-than-ideal QB situation in NY makes him more of a high-end RB2 than a low-end RB1 in fantasy drafts. -
Shohei Ohtani Considered Day-to-Day
Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) as day-to-day, and further discussions will determine whether he is available off the bench in Thursday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals or as the designated hitter for Friday's series opener versus the visiting Washington Nationals, according to MLB.com's Sonja Chen. Roberts still views a stint on the injured list as unlikely for Ohtani, "but not impossible." The four-time MVP has not pitched since July 3 due to left-knee and right-biceps injuries, but he has stayed in the lineup as the team's primary DH. The Japanese superstar's health has been declining, though, and he was primarily feeling discomfort in the right biceps and neck areas while striking out four times in Wednesday night's loss to St. Louis, per Roberts. How quickly the 32-year-old returns to the starting lineup as a hitter remains to be seen, but as a pitcher, fantasy managers should not be as hopeful that he will return to the mound in September. Despite playing at less than 100% for a good chunk of the season, Ohtani is still batting .279/.381/.525 overall with a .906 OPS, 30 homers, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 steals in 499 at-bats. However, his production has declined over the last month, and he was noticeably wincing after swings on Wednesday evening. -
Nathan Eovaldi Throws Successful Bullpen Session
Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session on Thursday, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Eovaldi is working his way back slowly from inflammation in his right elbow that landed him on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 10, but he is making progress and should rejoin the Rangers' starting rotation before the end of September, barring a setback. However, time is running out for him to make an impact in fantasy baseball leagues. The 15-year veteran has been solid when healthy in 2026 in his fourth year with the team, going 10-9 with a 4.21 ERA (4.26 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 137 strikeouts and 32 walks in 132 2/3 frames over 22 starts. Despite time running out in the season, Eovaldi is rostered in just over 80% of Yahoo leagues. He has not been quite as good in just four second-half starts, posting a 5.06 ERA with six walks and 17 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings. -
Ben Brown Will Not Return This Season
Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (neck) has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season, according to Taylor McGregor of the Marquee Sports Network. This should not come as a huge surprise, since Brown has been sidelined on the injured list since June with a stress reaction in his neck, something that he has dealt with in the past. The 26-year-old former 33rd-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 will finish his 2026 campaign with a 4-2 record, a sharp 1.85 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP, one save, 65 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 68 innings pitched across 20 appearances (eight starts) for the Cubbies. Brown has good stuff and plenty of potential, but because he has been unable to stay healthy, his future could be as a full-time reliever in 2027 and beyond. In 25 outings (15 starts) last year for Chicago, Brown had a career-worst 5.92 ERA (4.08 FIP) but also 121 strikeouts and 32 walks in 106 1/3 innings pitched. Barring another setback with his neck injury, he should be ready in plenty of time for spring training in 2027, barring a league lockout. -
Shohei Ohtani Out Thursday With Ongoing Knee, Biceps Issues
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is not in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's game against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals due to ongoing left-knee and right-biceps injuries, per MLB.com. Outfielder Alex Call will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth against Cardinals left-hander Quinn Mathews. Manager Dave Roberts said it is unlikely that the Dodgers will completely shut Ohtani down and place him on the injured list, but clearly he is not himself at the plate after going hitless in six plate appearances with four strikeouts in Wednesday's loss to St. Louis. In fact, Ohtani hit .241/.322/.472 with a .795 OPS (his lowest of the season) with six homers, three doubles, two triples, 13 RBI, 16 runs, and four steals in 27 games in the month of August, and he has just one hit in 10 plate appearances in two games in September. Ohtani is clearly not himself right now, and he has not made a start as a pitcher since July 3. The Dodgers are holding out hope that the Japanese superstar will pitch again for the team this year, but with only several weeks left in the regular season, he is unlikely to help when it matters most in fantasy. If Ohtani cannot shake his knee and biceps injuries, the Dodgers may be forced to put him on the IL. After all, their primary goal is to have him 100% for the postseason run as the Dodgers look for an unprecedented third straight World Series title. -
Will Levis Tries Out With the Jets
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis tried out for the New York Jets on Thursday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Levis, a second-rounder by the Titans in 2023 from the University of Kentucky, was cut by Tennessee this summer after he failed to win the backup job over Mitchell Trubisky. The 27-year-old missed the entire 2025 campaign after having surgery on a right-shoulder injury that he suffered in 2024. In his 21 starts for the Titans in 2023 and 2024, Levis struggled for consistency, completing 61% of his 556 pass attempts for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He added 70 carries for an additional 240 rushing yards and just one touchdown on the ground. Levis also had a very strong arm, but questionable decision-making came with it in his limited time as the Titans' starter under center. If Levis latches on with the Jets, he would most likely be the QB3 option behind veteran Geno Smith and rookie Cade Klubnik. -
Saints Waive Injured Running Back Devin Neal
The New Orleans Saints waived running back Devin Neal (hamstring) on Thursday after they initially placed him on Injured Reserve for the start of the 2026 season, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Now that the 23-year-old has been waived, he will not be forced to miss the entire season if he latches on with another team. Neal suffered a hamstring injury in the team's preseason game on Aug. 22 against the Los Angeles Rams and will not be ready for the start of the season next week. The former sixth-rounder by the Saints in 2025 out of Kansas saw 57 rushing attempts for 206 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and two rushing touchdowns in 10 games played, adding 17 receptions on 19 targets for 104 yards as a receiver. New Orleans had some opportunity in the RB room behind newcomer Travis Etienne Jr., with veteran Alvin Kamara (knee) also banged up, but Neal was unable to take advantage and will now look for another opportunity in 2026. He is well off the fantasy football radar in all formats right now. -
D'Andre Swift Suffers Undisclosed Injury in Practice
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (undisclosed) left on Thursday in the final stages of the Bears' padded practice and appeared to be in "significant discomfort" as he went inside the tent, according to Dan Wiederer of The Athletic. Sean Hammond of The Chicago Tribune reports that Swift exited toward the end of a full team period after carrying the ball on the offense's own one-yard line. He came off the field apparently holding his midsection or core area. Head coach Ben Johnson will not meet with the media again until next week, so we may not have many details on Swift's injury until the Bears release their first official practice report next Wednesday in preparations for Week 1 of the regular season. When fully healthy, Swift is the clear lead back for a Bears offense on the rise, giving him clear high-end RB2 potential in fantasy football leagues. However, his injury on Thursday will make him a bit of a question mark until we learn the extent of his injury. Backfield mate Kyle Monangai (knee) is also week-to-week with a hyperextended knee and may not be available for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, potentially thrusting Roschon Johnson into the lead-back role if Swift cannot play. -
Rome Odunze Suffers Apparent Leg Injury in Practice
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (leg) exited Thursday's practice early with an apparent injury, according to Sean Hammond of The Chicago Tribune. Odunze came up hobbling during an install period at the start of practice and appeared to be favoring his right leg. He was not overly concerned and tried to stay on the field before trainers pulled him to the side. Head coach Ben Johnson will not meet with the media until next week, so we might not get much information on the specifics of Odunze's injury until the Bears' first official practice report is released next Wednesday. The 24-year-old's injury does not sound overly serious, but it is another thing to worry about for fantasy managers after the former first-rounder dealt with a foot injury for much of last year. Odunze finished the 2025 regular season with a 44-661-6 line in just 12 games played, but the good news is that he has not shown any ill effects this summer from his foot injury, which appears to be behind him. The former Washington Husky wideout has an opportunity for a bigger role in Chicago in 2026 with DJ Moore out of town, but injury concerns make him more of a WR3/flex target as he enters Year 3 in the NFL. Stay tuned for an update on Odunze's injury status early next week. -
Troy Franklin Could Be Facing a Reduced Role in Crowded WR Room
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin put together a pretty productive season in 2025, recording 65 catches for 709 yards and six touchdowns on 106 targets across 17 games (seven starts). However, the 23-year-old's production faded a bit down the stretch, as he averaged fewer than three catches and 30 receiving yards over his final seven games of the year (including the postseason). Franklin's place in the Broncos' wide receiver room is in question entering 2026. The team acquired star wideout Jaylen Waddle, who now looks like the clear WR1 in Denver. Veteran Courtland Sutton should be the team's WR2, and 2025 third-round pick Pat Bryant has drawn rave reviews for his work in Broncos camp this summer. As a result, Franklin may be facing a significantly reduced workload in Denver in 2026. -
Roschon Johnson Finishes Camp Strong, Could Play a Role in Chicago
Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor said that running back Roschon Johnson finished training camp strong and that the team can "trust him if someone goes down with an injury," per Zack Pearson of 247 Sports. Johnson appeared in just seven games in 2025 due to injury issues and has played a limited offensive role in his NFL career to this point, recording 519 rushing yards across 36 career games. However, he's excelled in short-yardage situations, which could lead to him stealing some touchdowns from Bears running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai (knee). Additionally, Monangai's status for the start of the regular season is unclear as he battles a hyperextended knee. In deeper leagues, Johnson could be worth stashing in a bench spot should Monangai miss time. -
Dak Prescott Well-Positioned for High-End Season with Elite WRs
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott put together one of the better seasons of his career in 2025, completing 67.3% of his pass attempts for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. While health has hampered Prescott at times in his career, he's topped 4,400 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in each of the last three seasons in which he's played at least 16 games. Entering 2026, Prescott might also be working with the league's best supporting cast of pass-catchers, including wide receivers CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Ryan Flournoy, as well as tight end Jake Ferguson. The 33-year-old Prescott is no longer much of a threat with his legs, but the Cowboys' passing game should be potent enough for him to put up solid fantasy numbers without being a high-end rusher. Given the talent around him in Dallas, Prescott remains a solid fantasy QB1 option entering 2026. -
Adley Rutschman Returns From Elbow Injury to Face Old Team
Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (elbow) is back behind the plate to catch left-hander Jake Bennett and will hit third in Thursday's series opener against his former team, the Baltimore Orioles, and right-hander Brandon Young, according to MLB.com. Rutschman is returning to action after missing the last three games with an elbow injury that also caused him to miss three games last week. It is an injury that the 28-year-old switch-hitter might have to battle for the remainder of the 2026 season, which is not what fantasy managers want to hear in what has already been a disappointing campaign for the former first overall pick from Oregon State. In 300 total at-bats this year, Rutschman is slashing .237/.318/.400 with a .718 OPS, nine home runs, 51 RBI, and 35 runs scored for the O's and Red Sox. The three-time All-Star has been even worse since being traded to Boston, going 9-for-53 (.170) with a homer, a double, four RBI, five runs scored, six walks, and 15 strikeouts in 15 games played. Fantasy managers may want to keep him benched until he shows signs of life at the plate. -
Sam LaPorta Poised for Resurgent Season with Improved Health Outlook
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta's 2025 campaign came to a premature end after he suffered a back injury in Week 10 that ultimately required season-ending surgery. The 25-year-old was productive before getting hurt, recording 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns on 49 targets across nine games played. LaPorta gave fantasy managers a scare when he suffered a hip injury that caused him to miss some time this summer. However, the young tight end was able to return to practice and looks to be on track to start the regular season fully healthy. Between wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, as well as running back Jahmyr Gibbs, LaPorta faces plenty of target competition in Detroit. Still, the Lions enter the year with questions on defense and a new-look offensive line, both of which could force them to turn to the air early and often in 2026. As long as LaPorta remains healthy, he could be poised for a bounce-back season. -
Ceddanne Rafaela Sitting With Quad Injury
Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) is out of the team's starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, per MLB.com. Rafaela will sit out at least one game after he was pulled in the seventh inning in Wednesday's contest with tightness in his quad muscle. For now, fantasy managers should consider the young outfielder to be day-to-day and check back on him to see if he is available for Game 2 of the series in Baltimore on Friday. Eli White will make the start in center field for the BoSox and will bat eighth against Orioles right-hander Brandon Young. The 25-year-old Rafaela has been a must-start in fantasy leagues as a first-time All-Star in 2026, as he entered Thursday's tilt with a .282/.317/.443 slash line with a career-best .760 OPS, 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored across 135 games and 569 plate appearances. Rafaela has been just as solid so far in the second half of 2026, hitting .285 (55-for-195) with eight homers, 10 doubles, 31 RBI, 26 runs scored, and five steals in 45 games. Hopefully, he will be back in Boston's lineup on Friday. -
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Rising Amidst Preseason Buzz in Jacksonville
After recording 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 112 carries across 11 games for the Washington Commanders in 2025, veteran running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. signed a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars for 2026. In Jacksonville, Rodriguez Jr. looks to be competing with second-year back Bhayshul Tuten for the team's RB1 role. While Tuten flashed more explosive upside during his rookie campaign with the Jags, recent reporting out of Jacksonville indicates that Rodriguez Jr. is playing well in practice. The 25-year-old profiles as the more physical runner of Jacksonville's top two backs, which could help earn the majority of the goal-line work. Rodriguez Jr. could also be the Jaguars' top pass-protecting back, particularly while third-down specialist LeQuint Allen Jr. (undisclosed) is sidelined by a soft-tissue injury. As a later-round pick in many drafts, Rodriguez Jr. could end up being a value selection for fantasy managers. -
Chris Olave Has a Clear Path to Massive Early-Season Target Share
After an injury-marred 2024 campaign, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave re-emerged as a high-end pass-catcher in 2025. Across 16 games, the 26-year-old recorded 100 catches for 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets. Olave finished the season on an absolute tear while playing alongside then-rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, recording 24 catches for 352 yards and four touchdowns across his final three games played. Entering 2026, Olave and Shough look well-positioned to continue building on the chemistry they formed at the end of last season. With Saints rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) starting the year on Injured Reserve, Olave also appears poised to dominate target share in New Orleans, at least early on. Particularly in PPR-scoring formats, Olave carries top-12 fantasy wide receiver upside into 2026. -
Jaylen Warren Should Still Have Significant Role in Pittsburgh
ESPN's Dan Graziano believes that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren will still have a "significant" backfield role in 2026 after the team signed Rico Dowdle to a two-year, $12.25 million deal in free agency. New head coach Mike McCarthy will not be shy about giving Dowdle most of the early-down carries, but Graziano reminds us that Warren caught 61 passes on 74 targets in his second year in the league in Pittsburgh in 2023. His 61 receptions that year are 22 more than Dowdle has ever had in a season, and last year's pass-catching back in the Steel City, Kenny Gainwell, broke out with 73 catches. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going to want to check the ball down some more to avoid sacks, and the recipient of those check-downs will be Warren in 2026. In his four-year NFL career, the 27-year-old Warren has 167 catches on 199 targets for 1,227 yards (7.3 yards per catch) and two touchdowns (both in 2025). He will be the team's primary pass-catching outlet, which will make him a PPR sleeper as an RB3/flex as he shares the backfield with Dowdle. -
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Primed to Begin WR1 Campaign on Wednesday Night
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a league-winner across all formats in the 2025 season. The former Ohio State standout smashed his ADP, finishing as the overall WR2, joining Puka Nacua as the only players at his position to average more than 20.0 PPR points per game. He would catch 119 of his 163 targets (fourth-most in football) for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. During the regular season, he would only fall below double-digit PPR points in one game (Week 13) and would eclipse the 25.0 PPR point mark in five contests. On Wednesday night, Smith-Njigba and the reigning Super Bowl champions will host the New England Patriots, whom they faced in last February's season finale. In this contest, Smith-Njigba was relatively quiet, catching only four of his 10 targets for a mere 27 yards. However, despite the modest effort, Smith-Njigba enters the 2026 season as the clear alpha of this WR room and should draw a massive target share against this New England defense. Smith-Njigba carries elite upside at his position, even though his matchup on paper is a bit tough, facing a New England secondary that allowed the ninth-fewest passing yards last season. He profiles as the definition of a must-start in all season-long formats and is a top play in all DFS single-game showdown competitions. -
Kemp Alderman's Stash Status Takes a Hit at the Wrong Time
Miami Marlins outfield prospect Kemp Alderman is slumping at the wrong time, going 6-for-35 (.171) over his last 10 games at Triple-A Jacksonville with just one extra-base hit (a double). Perhaps most concerning is the strikeout rate, though, which stands at a high 32.5 percent for the year but came in at a whopping 41.0 percent during the recent 10-game slump. The Marlins' eighth-ranked prospect has big-time raw power and has tallied 18 home runs in 94 games for the Jumbo Shrimp this season, but the 6-foot-3 slugger doesn't look like he's going to force his way to the majors this season unless he turns things around in a hurry. The home run potential makes him intriguing for fantasy, but he'd be a drain on batting average, and with a low likelihood of getting called up at this point, the 24-year-old is more of a desperation stash for managers looking for power production. -
Josue Briceno Firmly Off Stash Radar with New Injury
Detroit Tigers catcher/first base prospect Josue Briceno (undisclosed) was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Toledo with an undisclosed injury. He looked to have injured his ankle trying to get back to second base and subsequently had to leave the game this past Sunday, so it could be related to that. Regardless, it has all but guaranteed that the Tigers' fifth-ranked prospect will not debut in 2026. It has been a rough year anyway, with the left-handed hitter being limited to 42 total games due to injuries, only 15 of which came with the Mud Hens, where he hit .196 with zero home runs and a 32.2 percent strikeout rate. The 6-foot-4 slugger will hopefully be healthy to begin 2027 and could make a case for an MLB debut, but for now, the 21-year-old can be left on the waiver wire in redraft leagues. -
Parks Harber Not a Stash Candidate Amid Slump
San Francisco Giants infield/outfield prospect Parks Harber is mired in a terrible slump, and just when it looked like there was a glimmer of hope for an MLB debut in 2026, the recent stretch of futility at the plate has likely pushed any chances for a debut to 2027. The Giants' 13th-ranked prospect has collected just one hit in his last 26 at-bats, producing a .038 average during that time with a 30.0 percent strikeout rate. The slash line at Triple-A Sacramento is still good at .266/.363/.416 with five home runs in 39 games, and the 6-foot-3 slugger's future still looks bright, but look for Harber to have a fantasy impact next season, not this year. Fantasy managers who were mulling whether or not to stash him can safely leave the 24-year-old on the waiver wire. -
Max Anderson Could be Next Tigers Prospect to Debut
Detroit Tigers infield prospect Max Anderson is making a push for a late-season debut in the majors as he's produced a .340 average over his last 13 games for Triple-A Toledo, including three doubles and a home run, while drawing walks at a 14.8 percent clip during that time. It has pushed a slash line that was already solid even higher, to .306/.392/.492, with 14 home runs and nearly as many walks (48) as strikeouts (55). The former second-rounder boasts a low 12.9 percent strikeout rate (92nd percentile) and has enough power to barrel up extra-base hits, which would make him fantasy-relevant whenever he gets to the big leagues. He's not on the 40-man roster and won't challenge Kevin McGonigle or Gleyber Torres for playing time unless one of the two were injured, but the 2025 Arizona Fall League MVP could get a crack at third base or designated hitter. In anticipation of a late-season debut, fantasy managers in deeper 12+ team leagues could consider stashing the 24-year-old as a potential three- or four-category contributor. -
Luke Adams a Worthy Stash in OBP Leagues When Healthy
Milwaukee Brewers corner infield prospect Luke Adams returned from the injured list on August 22 and went 4-for-10 (.400) with seven walks compared to just two strikeouts during that time, leading to an amazing .667 on-base percentage in that limited sample. However, the Brewers' 13th-ranked prospect was placed on the IL again on August 30. A third and separate injured list stint earlier this season kept him out for over a month, so the right-handed hitter has been limited to just 67 games for the Sounds. In that time, he has produced a .251 average with 13 home runs along with a phenomenal .418 OBP thanks to a 14.3 percent walk rate that has seen him tally more walks (40) than strikeouts (39) thus far. With a low chase rate and plenty of hard contact, the former 12th-round draft pick could be intriguing for fantasy were he to have a minimum IL stint and earn a late-season promotion, so managers in deeper 12+ team leagues, especially those in OBP leagues, should monitor his progress. -
River Ryan a Speculative Stash While on Injured List
Detroit Tigers pitching prospect River Ryan (hamstring) remains sidelined with a hamstring injury that has prevented him from pitching in a game since mid June. The Tigers' fourth-ranked prospect came over in the trade that sent two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers, and although Zyhir Hope may have been the "headliner" in the deal, the right-hander immediately slotted in as the organization's top pitching prospect, so he is a highly regarded talent. He's also further along in age than most prospects, so the 28-year-old came over as a player who is ready to step into the big league rotation quickly. His career was derailed by Tommy John surgery, with the 6-foot-2 hurler making a brief debut in the majors back in 2024, but he was fully recovered and looking sharp before suffering the hamstring injury (22.2 percent K-BB%). The last update a couple of weeks ago was that he was throwing bullpen sessions, so he should be nearing a rehab assignment, and for those managers with eyes on the fantasy playoffs, there aren't many who are as big-league-ready as Ryan, so despite the injury, he's a worthy stash in hopes of a late-season call-up. -
Dodgers "Unlikely" to Shut Down Shohei Ohtani Completely
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) has not pitched in a game since July 3 against the San Diego Padres due to inflammation in his left knee and occasional flare-ups of right-biceps discomfort, but he has remained in the everyday lineup as the designated hitter. According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, manager Dave Roberts said he plans to talk with the four-time MVP and the team's training staff to gauge what is best for Ohtani going forward. The skipper said it is "unlikely" that the Dodgers will completely shut the Japanese superstar down and put him on the injured list, but he also left open the possibility that his stance could change. A day off could be coming for Ohtani, but Roberts does not think that an IL stint would guarantee that Ohtani can get back to 100% this season. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said this week that he still thinks Ohtani can pitch in a game this season, but fantasy managers hoping he can help them in the postseason should not be as optimistic. The reality is that Ohtani's health issues are now affecting him at the plate, as he posted a .795 OPS in August, the lowest mark in any month of his first three seasons with the Dodgers, and his worst since his opening month in the big leagues in 2022. Since Aug. 15, he is hitting .203 with a .742 OPS. In the extra-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, Ohtani went hitless in six plate appearances with four strikeouts. He is clearly not himself right now due to nagging injuries, so fantasy managers should expect him to see some rest here soon. -
Cole Carrigg Remains a Worthy Speed Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 280 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in early June, Colorado Rockies outfielder/shortstop Cole Carrigg is hitting .262/.341/.439 with six home runs, 37 RBI, 39 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. The 24-year-old's power upside is limited, as he's logged subpar barrel (5.3%) and hard-hit (34.0%) rates. However, Carrigg has emerged as Colorado's near-everyday center fielder and often hits in a premium spot in the team's lineup. Carrigg was also a high-end base stealer in the minor leagues, swiping 46 bags across 123 games at Double-A in 2025. While Carrigg has not been quite as aggressive early in his big-league career, six of his eight stolen bases this year have come since the All-Star break. Between his speed upside and his hitter-friendly home environment in Colorado, Carrigg carries clear waiver wire appeal. -
Henry Bolte Carries Five-Category Upside on the Waiver Wire
Since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte has hit the ground running. Across 376 plate appearances this year, the 23-year-old is hitting .274/.350/.389 with eight home runs, 30 RBI, 41 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases. Swing-and-miss is a potential red flag in his profile, as he's struck out in 27.4% of his plate appearances. However, Bolte hits the ball hard (47.2% hard-hit rate) and on the ground a ton (62.4%). When combined with his elite speed, Bolte's mix has allowed him to consistently run high batting averages on balls in play throughout his time in the A's system. After posting a .407 BABIP across 488 minor league plate appearances in 2025, Bolte's BABIP in the big leagues this year is .372. If he can continue to improve his strikeout rate while also raising his launch angle just a bit, Bolte has five-category breakout potential. In leagues where he remains available, Bolte should be a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers. -
TJ Rumfield Remains an Excellent Source of Batting Average
After winning an MLB job in Spring Training, Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield has been a revelation this season. Across 552 plate appearances, the 26-year-old is hitting .291/.384/.442 with 14 home runs, 64 RBI, and 57 runs scored. Rumfield does not profile as a typical corner infield power bat, as he's posted just a 4.7% barrel rate and a 28.1% hard-hit rate. However, he owns an elite plate approach, logging an 11.6% walk rate while striking out in just 13.9% of his plate appearances. Rumfield is also in the middle of a hot stretch, as he's riding an eight-game hitting streak entering play on Thursday. While Rumfield's production at the plate is obviously boosted by his hitter-friendly home environment in Colorado, he's also hit .290 away from Coors Field this season. For fantasy managers in need of batting average and solid run production, Rumfield carries clear waiver-wire appeal. -
Is Jackson Jobe Still Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire?
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jackson Jobe had his 2026 season debut delayed four-plus months as he worked his way back from elbow surgery. However, the 24-year-old returned to the big-league mound in early August and has now recorded a 1-2 record with a 4.67 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts across 23 1/3 innings (five starts). Once considered one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, Jobe hasn't quite figured out how to put all the pieces together against MLB competition so far. Still, he's averaging 97.8 miles per hour on his fastball and has generated a 51.4% ground ball rate this season, which is a decent starting point for improved numbers. Jobe also dominated minor league competition during his rehab outings this year, recording a 1.76 ERA and a 26.2% strikeout rate across 15 1/3 innings. Even amidst his early struggles this year, Jobe could still be worth targeting on the waiver wire in deeper leagues for his upside. -
Zack Gelof Emerging as a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target
Across 343 plate appearances in 2026, Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof is hitting .256/.324/.453 with 15 home runs, 39 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. The 26-year-old has had his season disrupted by two separate stints on the injured list due to hand and knee injuries. However, when healthy, Gelof has been highly productive. After posting a 45.5% strikeout rate across 101 plate appearances in 2025, Gelof has lowered his strikeout rate to a much more manageable 25.4% in 2026. He's also shown the ability to play second base, third base, and all three outfield spots, which helps keep him in the A's lineup every day and provides valuable multi-positional eligibility for fantasy managers. Gelof's barrel and hard-hit rates have come down a bit this year as he focuses on making more contact, but his hitter-friendly home environment in Sacramento helps prop up his power numbers. In any league where he's not already rostered, Gelof should be a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers. -
Pierre Engvall Good to Go for 2026-27
New York Islanders left wing Pierre Engvall (ankle) is at 100 percent ahead of the new NHL campaign, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports. The Swedish forward missed the entire 2025-26 season due to hip and ankle issues. Even with him now available, Engvall's future with the Islanders looks uncertain. He hasn't lived up to his seven-year, $21 million contract and spent part of the 2024-25 season in the AHL after being waived. With a healthy lineup, it's hard to see where he would fit. -
Kyle Palmieri Looking "Great" Ahead of Training Camp
New York Islanders right wing Kyle Palmieri (knee) has fully recovered from a right ACL tear, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports. "Kyle Palmieri's been skating all summer. He's been here all summer," Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said Wednesday. "He looks great, fully healthy." Palmieri injured his right knee in late November and played only 25 times in 2025-26. He tallied six goals and 12 assists. It remains to be seen how the injury affects Palmieri's performance. Before tearing his ACL, the veteran forward didn't miss a single game in back-to-back seasons, posting over 100 points. -
Semyon Varlamov Ready for Comeback Campaign
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (knee) is healthy and ready for training camp, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports. Varlamov has undergone two knee procedures and hasn't played since Nov. 29, 2024. "He's doing great, actually. It's almost a miracle," Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said Wednesday. "Well, it's not a miracle because he's really put in the work. He's been back here for at least a month. He's on the ice four to five times a week, no medication, no pain, anything like that." Throughout his 18-year career, Varlamov has been a solid netminder. He will compete with Vitek Vanecek for playing opportunities in 2026-27, with Ilya Sorokin firmly holding the starting role on Long Island. -
Jonathan Huberdeau Suffers Setback in Hip Surgery Recovery
Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau (hip) has suffered a minor setback in his recovery from hip resurfacing surgery, according to general manager Craig Conroy. "This is a major surgery so he had a little bit of a setback, maybe two weeks ago, with his skating," Conroy said during an appearance on QR770 on Monday. "We just want to make sure we do the right thing for him. If it's to take a little bit more time and have him 100% feeling good about the hip, that's what we're going to do." Huberdeau was shut down early last season, playing his final game on Feb. 4. He finished with 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 50 games. Conroy's update suggests Huberdeau may also miss time at the start of the new campaign. -
Devils Acquire Luke Evangelista
The New Jersey Devils have acquired right wing Luke Evangelista from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a conditional first-round pick and a second-round pick in the 2028 draft. Despite a very strong 2025-26 campaign, Evangelista apparently had no future in Nashville. The 24-year-old recorded a career-high 56 points (12 goals, 44 assists) in 81 games. Evangelista looks like a great pickup for the Devils, who averaged the sixth-fewest goals in the league last season. He could become an important piece at even strength and on the power play. -
Dean Wade Embraces Defensive Role with 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Dean Wade said his focus this season will be on playing hard, bringing energy, and making a difference defensively, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Wade joined Philadelphia on a four-year, $39 million deal after spending his first seven NBA seasons in Cleveland, where he averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 22.3 minutes across 59 games last season. With LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid ahead of him in the frontcourt pecking order, Wade is ticketed for a low-usage connector role. His fantasy appeal is limited to threes, rebounds, and defensive production unless injuries open extra minutes. -
Domantas Sabonis Emerges as Prime Trade Candidate in Sacramento
ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Anthony Slater report that the Sacramento Kings are not interested in extending forward/center Domantas Sabonis, leaving him positioned as a prime trade candidate. Sabonis has two fully guaranteed years and $94 million left on his deal, including $45.4 million this season and $48.6 million next season, which makes finding a trade partner the hard part. The three-time All-Star played only 19 games last season before left meniscus surgery, averaging 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Drafting Domantas Sabonis means buying elite rebounding with health and trade noise attached. Maxime Raynaud would be the main fantasy name to watch if Sacramento moves him, though Dylan Cardwell also remains in the backup-center mix. -
Kings Eyeing Jalen Duren in 2027 Free Agency
ESPN's Anthony Slater reports that Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry met with Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren in early July and explored a sign-and-trade concept involving Domantas Sabonis. Detroit balked at losing Duren for Sabonis, leaving the Kings with no clean path unless Duren accepts his $9.6 million qualifying offer and reaches unrestricted free agency in 2027. The 22-year-old is coming off an All-Star, Third-Team All-NBA season, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 65.0 percent shooting across 70 starts. His 2026-27 fantasy outlook stays tied to Detroit for now, where he projects as the starting center if he re-signs or plays on the qualifying offer. Sacramento's interest says more about Domantas Sabonis' uncertain future than Duren's immediate fantasy outlook. -
Gradey Dick Set to Join Clippers Soon
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the trade sending guard/forward Gradey Dick to the Los Angeles Clippers is expected to be finalized in the coming days after the NBA concluded its salary-cap circumvention investigation involving Kawhi Leonard. Dick is coming off a rough third season, averaging 6.0 points and 1.9 rebounds in 14.0 minutes across 76 games with Toronto. Los Angeles is not an obvious fantasy fix, with Bradley Beal, Max Strus, Kris Dunn, and lottery pick Keaton Wagler all part of a crowded guard-wing group. Dick can shoot his way into a role, but he is only a watch-list name until the depth chart settles. -
Brandon Ingram Expected to Join Clippers Soon
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the NBA has concluded its salary-cap circumvention investigation involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, clearing the way for the trade sending forward Brandon Ingram to Los Angeles to be finalized in the coming days. Ingram had heel spur surgery in early May and was projected to be ready for training camp, so his health remains the only short-term box to check. The two-time All-Star led Toronto with 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 33.8 minutes across 77 starts last season. In Los Angeles, he should step into heavy scoring usage next to Darius Garland, with Rui Hachimura and Derrick Jones Jr. also in the forward mix. If the deal is finalized, Ingram's shot volume should remain strong. -
Pistons Guarantee Paul Reed's Salary for 2026-27
The Detroit Pistons fully guaranteed center Paul Reed's $5.6 million salary for the 2026-27 season, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Reed's backup-center path looks cleaner after Detroit traded Isaiah Stewart to Memphis, and Jalen Duren remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Reed averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 13.9 minutes across 65 games last season, but his per-minute production popped when Detroit needed more. He averaged 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 13.0 minutes over five second-round games against Cleveland, shooting 24-for-34 from the field, and the Pistons went 8-3 in his 11 starts. If Duren signs, Reed is a useful reserve. If Duren's talks drag, Reed could open camp with a real minutes bump. -
Kyle Mangas Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets signed guard Kyle Mangas and waived Trey Townsend, according to the team. Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reported that Mangas received an Exhibit 10 contract, making this the second back-end roster swap for Charlotte in three days. The 27-year-old has never appeared in an NBA game, though he had a brief two-way stint with San Antonio last season. Mangas played 35 G-League games for the Austin Spurs, averaging 16.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 31.3 minutes. Greensboro acquired his returning rights in August, so the likely path is a Swarm stint tied to an Exhibit 10 bonus. This is roster paperwork, not a move with fantasy impact. -
Kawhi Leonard to Pay $700,000, Avoids Suspension
The Los Angeles Clippers were stripped of five first-round picks, fined $30 million, and had owner Steve Ballmer suspended for one year on Wednesday after the NBA completed its salary-cap circumvention probe tied to forward Kawhi Leonard. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Leonard must pay $700,000 but will not be suspended and will not have his contract voided. That is the key fantasy takeaway, since it could clear the way for his paused trade to Toronto. Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 65 games last season. If the deal is finalized, Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick would head to Los Angeles, while Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley would have to share touches with Leonard in Toronto. -
Stephen Curry Not Rushing Extension with Warriors
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry became eligible for a two-year, $136.7 million maximum extension on Saturday, but he told NBC Sports Bay Area's Dalton Johnson that he is not rushing the process. "There's no question I want to be here the rest of my career," Curry said. The contract is not the fantasy concern; his health is. Curry played 43 games last season while dealing with a knee issue but still averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.4 threes in 30.9 minutes. With Jimmy Butler III (knee) still without a firm return date, Curry and Brandin Podziemski should carry more early creation responsibility. Curry remains elite when active, but availability is the risk. -
Luguentz Dort Says Hawks Transition Has Been Smooth
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Luguentz Dort said he called Nickeil Alexander-Walker right away after learning of his July trade from Oklahoma City, according to Thunder Wire's Clemente Almanza. The two were high school teammates and longtime competitors, and Dort said Alexander-Walker has helped him adjust to Atlanta's style of play. Dort backed that chemistry Monday with 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting in Canada's 97-92 qualifying win over Argentina, while Alexander-Walker added 26. Still, Dort is coming off a quiet NBA season, averaging 8.3 points on a career-low 38.5 percent shooting. With Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels also in Atlanta's perimeter mix, Dort's fantasy value remains tied mostly to steals, threes, and defensive minutes. -
Nikola Jokic Plays Through Illness for Serbia
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic played through three days of sickness and multiple IV treatments in Serbia's 76-64 win over Italy in FIBA World Cup qualifying on Monday. Serbian head coach Dusan Alimpijevic said Jokic "rejected giving up and leaving his team alone," which helps explain the three-time MVP's quiet line of eight points, eight rebounds, and one assist. There is no immediate fantasy fallout with Serbia's next qualifying window set for late November, but managers will want this cleared up before training camp. Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists last season and remains the safest fantasy anchor when healthy. -
Nick Richards Enters Camp in Prove-It Mode
Miami Heat center Nick Richards said the teams that passed on him in free agency were wrong, and he plans to prove it in Miami. "There's a lot of teams that passed up on me that I felt like they should have given me more consideration," Richards told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Tuesday. The 28-year-old has spoken with Erik Spoelstra about bringing energy and physicality, but the path to minutes is tight behind Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and Nikola Jovic. Richards started 51 games for Charlotte in 2023-24, averaging 9.7 points and 8.0 rebounds, but he slipped to 14.6 minutes per game between Phoenix and Chicago last season. He needs a strong preseason to become more than emergency fantasy depth. -
Thanasis Antetokounmpo Leaves NBA for Aris BC
Aris BC of Greece signed forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a two-year deal with a team option for a third season, according to NBA correspondent Marc Stein. The 34-year-old spent six of the past seven seasons with Milwaukee and appeared in 34 games last season, averaging just 4.4 minutes per contest. Thanasis carried no fantasy value in that role, but his exit adds another marker to Milwaukee's post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era. Tyler Herro has the clearest path to scoring volume, while Kel'el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are the more interesting fantasy names to track from the trade return. -
Saint Thomas Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers signed forward Saint Thomas to an Exhibit 10 contract on Tuesday, according to Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice. Thomas is the most familiar of Philadelphia's three camp additions after spending last season with the Delaware Blue Coats. The 23-year-old wing went undrafted in 2025 out of USC and averaged 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 36 regular-season G-League games, including 21 starts. Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert already hold two-way deals, leaving Thomas to compete for Philadelphia's final open slot. For now, he is more of a system-depth piece than a fantasy target. -
Deni Avdija Misses FIBA Qualifiers at Blazers' Request
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija said in a social media post that the team did not clear him for Israel's August FIBA World Cup qualifying window. According to Aris Barkas of Eurohoops, Avdija called it a complex back injury, and earlier reporting traced it to a January rebound attempt. The first-time All-Star still finished 2025-26 with 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, but the lingering back concern is worth tracking before camp. Ja Morant and Damian Lillard add more on-ball competition in Portland, so Avdija's fantasy ceiling may hinge on health and how much creation he keeps under Micah Nori. -
Ziaire Williams Gets Defense-First Role with Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Ziaire Williams told the Southern California News Group that JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka have framed his role around being a "main defender, point-of-attack defender." The former No. 10 overall pick joined Los Angeles on a one-year, $3 million deal in July after averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals in 22.9 minutes for Brooklyn last season. Williams expects to cut, space the floor, and run in transition around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, which points to a low-usage role. Quentin Grimes projects ahead of him, while Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Dalton Knecht crowd the wing and forward mix, leaving Williams as a steals-dependent fantasy flier unless his jumper holds. -
Matthew Murrell Signs with Jazz
The Utah Jazz have signed guard Matthew Murrell, the team announced Monday, with terms undisclosed per club policy. The 24-year-old spent last season with the Salt Lake City Stars, Utah's G-League affiliate, averaging 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals across 31 regular-season appearances at a shade over 28 minutes per night. Efficiency was the sticking point, as he shot 36.2 percent from the field and struggled to carry his tip-off tournament three-point stroke through the full season. Utah's 15-man roster was already full before this transaction, so Murrell profiles as a training camp addition headed back to the Stars rather than a rotation candidate. Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, and Isaiah Collier control the backcourt minutes, and nothing about this signing disturbs that order. There is no fantasy angle here. -
Dennis Schroder Seals Germany's Overtime Win Over Poland
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Schroder led Germany past Poland 96-94 in overtime in Sunday's FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifier, finishing with 18 points, five assists, two rebounds, and one steal while shooting 5-for-11 from the field, 2-for-5 from deep, and 6-for-7 at the line. FIBA credited him with the game-winning free throws with 17 seconds left, a reminder that the 32-year-old can still manage late-game offense. Charlotte acquired Schroder from Cleveland in August after he averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 assists over 70 games last season, but his fantasy ceiling still depends on steady minutes in a crowded Hornets backcourt. -
Pelle Larsson Scores 23 Points in Sweden's Qualifying Loss
Miami Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson scored 23 points in Sweden's 84-69 loss to France on Sunday in Group L of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, getting to the line 16 times and converting 13, Spotrac's Keith Smith reports. The 25-year-old could not match France's frontcourt efficiency, as Victor Wembanyama posted 18 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while Maxime Raynaud added 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Larsson also dropped 31 points against Finland on Thursday, making the free-throw volume the best fantasy takeaway from his window. Miami's shooting guard minutes are more available after Tyler Herro went to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and Norman Powell signed with Chicago. Larsson started 54 games last season while averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 26.4 minutes. Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. are camp competitors, but Larsson has done enough to keep pressure on Miami's perimeter rotation. -
Maxime Raynaud Delivers 13 Points in France's Win Over Sweden
Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud scored 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting in France's 84-69 win over Sweden on Sunday in Group L of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The second-year big matched Victor Wembanyama's efficiency from the field, with the San Antonio Spurs star finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks as France moved to 7-1 atop the group. Rudy Gobert was unavailable, giving Raynaud a bigger frontcourt role, while Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson led Sweden with 23 points. Raynaud averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists as a rookie and enters his second Kings season penciled in behind Domantas Sabonis. The efficient summer minutes strengthen his fallback case if Sabonis misses time again, but Raynaud's fantasy value still depends on a clearer path to starts. -
Victor Wembanyama Powers France Past Sweden
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama needed only seven field-goal attempts to score 18 points in France's 84-69 win over Sweden on Sunday in Group L of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year added eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal while helping France close on a 20-4 run after trailing 65-64 with five minutes left. France moved to 7-1 atop Group L. Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud chipped in 13 points, while Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson led Sweden with 23. Wembanyama is not expected to be available for the November qualifying window with the Spurs' season underway, capping his summer mileage after averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.1 blocks across 64 games last season. Health is the only real concern, so the lighter international calendar is a fantasy-friendly note. -
Kevin Korchinski Signs Two-Year Deal With Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Kevin Korchinski has inked a two-year contract extension. He will earn $2.65 million over the next couple of campaigns. Korchinski was a restricted free agent. The Blackhawks have had high hopes for Korchinski, selecting him seventh overall in the 2022 draft. However, he has yet to make a significant mark in the NHL. The 22-year-old has recorded 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) and 109 blocks in 105 career regular-season games. Korchinski saw action in just 13 games for Chicago in 2025-26 and, with the Blackhawks' revamped blue line, looks likely to open 2026-27 as the seventh defenseman. -
Cale Makar Agrees to Record Extension
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has agreed to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension, Emily Kaplan of ESPN reports. It's the richest deal in NHL history, making Makar the first player to earn at least $20 million annually. He will have a cap hit of $20.4 million starting in the 2027-28 season. Makar will more than double his current $9 million per year salary. Colorado has seen Makar develop into one of the league's best defensemen, making this raise well earned. The deal includes a full no-movement clause and will keep Makar under contract through the 2034-35 season, when he will be 36 years old. -
Simon Nemec Eyes Major Role With Flames
Calgary Flames defenseman Simon Nemec hopes to play a major role with his new club. "It's a new challenge," Nemec said. "That was a good spot for me, for the team. I feel like they need a player like me. I can play a lot of minutes there. I can be part of the future there and be one of the leaders of the team." Nemec moved to Calgary this offseason following a modest three-year run with the New Jersey Devils. He notched a career-high 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 68 contests last season, but the former second-overall pick has the potential to make an even bigger impact. Speaking at the European Player Media Tour, Nemec said he wants to earn a spot on the Flames' top power-play unit, which would certainly boost his fantasy production. -
Macklin Celebrini Looks to Evolve as Player and Leader
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini is confident he can still improve after his spectacular 2025-26 campaign. The 20-year-old posted a new franchise record with 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 82 games, ranking fourth on the NHL's scorers' charts. "I still have a lot of space to grow. I think in my game and off the ice," Celebrini said. "Growing into myself as hopefully a leader for this team. We have a great group of vets that have been amazing and helped guide all of us young guys and gave us the best kind of role models as possible." Celebrini is a special talent, giving San Jose a player to build around. No doubt, he'll also lead many fantasy teams to success next season. -
Connor Hellebuyck Requests Trade From Jets
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is ready for a new chapter in his career, confirming that he has requested a trade. In a statement via his agent, Ray Petkau, Hellebuyck said he made the request privately several months ago and "tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options." The Jets drafted Hellebuyck in 2012, and he has been a cornerstone of the franchise, earning the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP in 2025. Hellebuyck has won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top netminder three times. He's looking to move on despite inking an eight-year, $59.5 million contract extension in October 2023. A change of scenery could do wonders for Hellebuyck's performance after he endured a career-worst year in 2025-26, finishing with a .895 save percentage. -
Matt Savoie Sits Out Training Camp
Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Savoie (undisclosed) has been ruled out of training camp. The 22-year-old is recovering from an offseason injury. According to TSN's Ryan Rishaug, Savoie might not be available until late October. This is a significant setback for Savoie, who had his rookie campaign in 2025-26. The former top-10 pick impressed with 18 goals and 37 points in 82 games. Once he's healthy, Savoie will compete for a top-six role. He would be an attractive fantasy option as a partner to either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. -
Mattias Janmark Unavailable for Training Camp
Edmonton Oilers forward Mattias Janmark (undisclosed) will not participate in training camp. Janmark underwent season-ending surgery in March, finishing the campaign with only 43 appearances. He contributed one goal and seven assists. Unfortunately, he's still on the mend, and it seems like the Swedish veteran might also be unavailable at the start of the new campaign. While fantasy managers won't lose out on much without Janmark, he's been an effective bottom-six grinder in the NHL. During his 10-year career, Janmark has been part of three trips to the Stanley Cup Finals. -
Frederik Andersen to Miss Training Camp
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Frederik Andersen (undisclosed) won't be available for training camp. The Danish veteran suffered an injury during offseason workouts. It's unfortunate news, especially since Andersen was also injured late last season and missed the end of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals due to a knee injury. TSN's Ryan Rishaug reports that Andersen could be out until late October. Due to health issues, Andersen hasn't played more than 35 games in any of the past four seasons. Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi will share the crease in Edmonton until Andersen is ready for action. -
Thatcher Demko Uncertain for Start of Training Camp
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (hip) is uncertain for the start of training camp, according to Thomas Drance of The Athletic. Demko appeared in only 20 games last season and was shut down in January for hip surgery. He is still recovering from the procedure ahead of the new campaign, casting doubt on his status for training camp. When healthy, Demko has proven he can be one of the best netminders in the NHL. Unfortunately, he has missed long stretches in each of the past two seasons and has made only 43 appearances. Even if he's good to go for the start of the 2026-27 season, the Canucks may want to limit Demko's workload to protect his health. That would boost Kevin Lankinen's fantasy value. -
Victor Hedman Feeling "Great" Ahead of Training Camp
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman is mentally and physically ready for the start of training camp. This is a very positive update, as Hedman's 2025-26 season ended early due to injury and personal reasons. "I'm happy it happened at this stage in my career where I know what I can do, I know what I can bring to the team, and I know what I can do on a daily basis when I'm healthy," Hedman said. "I have zero doubt in my mind. I haven't played a game since obviously March, but for me at this point I know what it takes to be good in this league. I've had a great summer and I feel great going into camp." Hedman will turn 36 in December and isn't the player he once was. However, he's still capable of producing significant fantasy value if he stays injury-free. -
Moritz Seider Looking to Improve Defensively
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider aims to become a better two-way player. After posting a career-high 60 points in 2025-26, Seider established himself as one of the top offensive defensemen in the league. Now, he wants to become more effective in the defensive zone. "I want to establish myself as a guy that people are not happy to see on the ice," Seider said. "I think that's one of the biggest compliments you could get is that people are not happy to see you — in a good way. I think that's where I see my challenge is to do everything I can to shut the best forwards down in every single game. And I think if I can approach that, I give our team a good chance to win." At 25, Seider should have room to improve. He is only entering his prime and is likely to be a fantasy stalwart for years to come. -
Avalanche "Confident" About Signing Cale Makar to New Deal
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has one season left on his contract, but he's unlikely to start the new season on an expiring deal. "We continue talking," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said over the weekend. "I'm pretty confident that he'll be signed before the season starts." Makar is expected to get a big raise from his current deal, which pays him $9 million annually. Colorado and fantasy managers alike have received plenty of value from Makar during his current contract, as he has led all defensemen in scoring since signing his extension in 2021. During the course of the deal, Makar has also won the Norris Trophy twice as the NHL's best defenseman. -
Pierre-Luc Dubois Ready for Training Camp
Washington Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois (hand) is healthy and appears to be at 100 percent ahead of training camp, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports. Dubois broke his hand late last season. Due to health issues, the 28-year-old's campaign was frustrating all around, as Dubois appeared in only 29 games. He notched five goals and 14 assists. Across the previous two seasons, Dubois hadn't missed a single game, so hopefully the injury troubles are behind him. Only a year removed from a career year, Dubois remains a name for fantasy managers to watch. -
Leon Draisaitl Healthy Ahead of New Season
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is healthy and raring to go ahead of the new NHL season, Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com reports. The German superstar was banged up during the playoffs and missed a significant chunk of the regular season. Limited to 65 outings, Draisaitl was unable to extend his streak of consecutive 100-point campaigns to five years. He has a chance to start a new run in 2026-27. Since the 2021-22 season, only Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon have recorded more points than Draisaitl. Although he'll be 31 in October, Draisaitl is still performing at his highest level. -
Elvis Merzlikins Undergoes Surgery
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery last week, general manager Don Waddell announced. "Elvis informed us a few weeks ago that he was experiencing some discomfort in his shoulder during his offseason workouts," Waddell said. "Following an MRI, it was determined that surgery was the best course of action. He'll be evaluated again in a few weeks at which time we'll have a clearer idea on when he will be back on the ice." Merzlikins faces a race to be healthy in time for the new season. Columbus opens its training camp on Sept. 16. Phoenix Copley appears poised to serve as the team's No. 2 if Merzlikins is unavailable at the start of the campaign. -
Canadiens Open to Trading Adam Engstrom
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Adam Engstrom could be on his way elsewhere, The Athletic's Arpon Basu reports. "It is no secret Engstrom's name is floating around out there," Basu wrote. "Teams have asked about him in trade discussions, and the Canadiens are open to those discussions." Engstrom is a highly rated defensive prospect who appeared in his first 15 NHL games last season. He didn't make a significant impact, but Engstrom also had a very limited role, averaging 13:03 of ice time. The Swedish blue-liner boasts impressive scoring numbers in the minors, with 61 points (15 goals, 46 assists) in 111 appearances. He's a pending restricted free agent, finishing a three-year, $2.69 million deal in 2026-27. -
Morgan Rielly Expects to Start Season in Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly expects to stay with the team for the start of the 2026-27 season, Dave McCarthy of NHL.com reports. Questions have lingered about Rielly's future after Toronto's miserable 2025-26 campaign. Yet he appears set to remain part of the team's core. The 32-year-old has spent his entire 13-year NHL career with the Maple Leafs. Next season, Rielly will aim for a bounce-back campaign after a mediocre 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 78 games. That was his lowest-scoring year since 2020-21. With Darren Raddysh in town, it may be hard for Rielly to reach his previous offensive levels. -
Sidney Crosby Expected to Discuss New Contract Before End of Offseason
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby is currently on track to enter the 2026-27 campaign with an expiring contract. But The Athletic's Josh Yohe reports that Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, has contract talks planned with the team before the offseason ends. "When I recently spoke with Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, he said he hadn't discussed the contract with Crosby yet, indicating he was letting his most famous client enjoy his summer before getting back to business," Yohe wrote. "Brisson said there's an understanding that they'll discuss the contract before summer is over. The Penguins' first preseason game is Sept. 21." Crosby signed his previous extension – a two-year, $17.4 million deal – in September 2024, shortly before training camp opened. The legendary forward is entering his 22nd NHL campaign and said at the end of last season that he wants to keep playing for "as many years as possible." -
Drake Batherson Seeking Eight-Year Extension
Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson hopes to sign an eight-year contract extension, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. The Senators have until Sept. 15 to sign Batherson to an eight-year deal. When the new collective bargaining agreement takes effect on Sept. 16, the maximum contract length for players signing with their current teams will drop to seven years. Garrioch reported last month that Batherson and the team aren't close to agreeing on a new deal. Batherson is a pending unrestricted free agent. The upcoming campaign will be the final season of his current six-year deal, worth $4.95 million annually. He is likely seeking a significant raise after becoming a 30-goal scorer and posting a career-high 71 points in 2025-26. -
Alexander Romanov Healthy After Shoulder Surgery
New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (shoulder) is healthy for training camp, Jon Lane of NHL.com reports. The Russian rearguard underwent shoulder surgery in November and played in only 15 games last season. But he has recovered in time for the new campaign. Romanov has averaged 1.9 blocks and 2.4 hits in his NHL career. The Islanders' defense will receive a big boost with him healthy. However, Romanov has never posted more than 22 points in a season, meaning he only has limited fantasy value.
