January 25, 2026
Seattle Seahawks tight end
Elijah Arroyo (knee) has been activated from injured reserve, but it's unlikely that he'll have a major role in his return to action against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. In his last five regular-season games before getting hurt, the rookie had caught just two passes for 10 yards, and he played fewer than half of the offensive snaps on all five occasions. Seattle remains encouraged about his long-term value, especially after spending a second-round pick on him, but we don't expect him to be a major threat in the NFC Championship game. Instead, we expect to see a consistently heavier dose of
AJ Barner. Barner had 12 targets and two touchdowns over his final three regular-season games, and in his last outing against the Rams, he exploded for 10 catches and 70 yards. DFS players can avoid Arroyo this week, and bettors can expect him to remain in a minimal role.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 25, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks D/ST has been playing phenomenally, but the unit will get a tough matchup in the form of the Los Angeles Rams during Sunday's NFC Championship game. It should be an exciting divisional battle between arguably the best offense and the best defense in the NFL. Seattle's defense ranked first in fantasy points during the regular season, allowing the 12th-fewest yards and the fewest points. The Seahawks also intercepted 18 passes, good for the fifth-most. On the other side, the Rams had the most total offense, as well as the most touchdowns and the most total points. This offense has given the Seahawks some trouble in the past, dropping 21 points on them in Week 11 and 37 points in Week 6. Seattle's defense will impose its will, but its trend of allowing 10 or fewer points in each of its last three games may come to an end on Sunday. As it stands, the Seahawks D/ST ranks second among four teams in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for this weekend.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 25, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Spencer Arrighetti (elbow) doesn't appear to be dealing with any lingering problems from his elbow issues from last season. Arrighetti was sidelined in September due to elbow inflammation, but it didn't require surgery. The right-hander said he's had a fairly normal offseason and feels good right now. Arrighetti believes he'll have no problem being ready for the beginning of Spring Training. This is good news for the Astros, who only got seven starts from Arrighetti last season. The organization is hopeful they can get a full season from the 26-year-old in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Leah Vann
January 25, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard/forward
Zach LaVine (back) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against Detroit after being added late to the injury report with low back soreness. His status is a key swing factor for Sacramento's rotation. If LaVine sits,
Malik Monk would be in line for a sizable usage bump after averaging 18.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.0 rebounds over his last four games while shooting 54.0 percent from the field.
Dennis Schroder would also see expanded minutes, but remains a volatile, matchup-driven option.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 25, 2026
The New England Patriots D/ST will be tasked with slowing down a Denver Broncos offense led by
Jarrett Stidham during Sunday's AFC Championship game. After
Bo Nix (ankle) was ruled out for the playoffs, Denver named Stidham its starter, even though he didn't attempt a pass during the regular season. By all accounts, Stidham is one of the better backup quarterbacks in the NFL. However, there's no denying that this quarterback change should offer a major boost to the Patriots D/ST in DFS and betting formats. Not only could Stidham be more turnover-prone than Nix, but his lack of NFL game experience this year could weaken his ability to dissect defenses and make adjustments mid-play. We could see a slight uptick in turnovers and, even though
J.K. Dobbins (foot) was ruled out, the Broncos will likely run the ball more. New England's defense is certainly no joke, either. The unit ranked 10th in fantasy points among D/ST units during the regular season, and it picked off
C.J. Stroud four times last weekend. The Patriots D/ST ranks first among four teams in the latest RotoBaller fantasy football rankings for this weekend.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 25, 2026
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. won't be making a positional change this upcoming season. The Braves have confirmed that they have no plans to move Acuna out of the outfield. There was some speculation that the Braves could move Acuna to shortstop, given
Ha-Seong Kim (finger) is expected to miss multiple months. That won't be the case as the Braves are likely to keep Acuna in right field for the foreseeable future. The Braves are just hopeful to keep Acuna healthy as he's only played over 100 games in a single season twice over the last five seasons.
--Andy WebbSource: Mark Bowman
January 25, 2026
Denver Broncos quarterback
Bo Nix (ankle) is expected to be sidelined for 12 weeks as he recovers from surgery on his broken ankle, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Nix suffered the injury during last week's Divisional Round win overthe Buffalo Bills and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs. The second-year signal-caller finished the regular season with a 63.4% completion rate, 3,931 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 356 yards and an additional five scores. Nix didn't take a very big leap during his second season in the league, but that was partly because he already had such an impressive rookie year. While he won't be available for the AFC Championship against the Patriots or the Super Bowl, should Denver qualify, Nix will be healthy and ready for training camp. In the meantime, Jarett Stidham will step up as the Broncos' starter.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
January 25, 2026
Golden State Warriors guard
Stephen Curry (knee) and guard
De'Anthony Melton (rest) are both questionable for Sunday's rescheduled matchup in Minnesota, with the Warriors now staring at a Sunday-Monday back-to-back. Curry logged 38 points in his last outing, but could get a maintenance day with knee soreness lingering, while Melton may also be managed after heavy recent usage. Any absence would open extra ball-handling and wing minutes for
Brandin Podziemski,
Pat Spencer,
Gary Payton II, and
Will Richard, with Podziemski offering the safest short-term fantasy floor if rotations thin.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 25, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Oneil Cruz has reportedly worked hard this offseason to improve his body and the issues he had last season. Cruz said there was no time to relax and immediately got back to work when he got home. The 27-year-old wants to focus on getting better, which is exactly what the Pirates want to hear from Cruz, who struggled last season. In 2025, Cruz posted a .200/.298/.378 slash line with 20 home runs, 61 RBI, and 38 stolen bases in 135 games. Before that, Cruz was a 2.5 WAR player during the 2024 campaign. The Pirates are hopeful that Cruz and bounce back and return to the type of production that he was giving during the 2024 season.
--Andy WebbSource: Jason Mackey
January 25, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward
Peyton Watson (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's matchup in Memphis after sitting out Friday while managing soreness in both ankles. Given how thin Denver is up front, his status has clear fantasy implications.
Zeke Nnaji would be the primary beneficiary if Watson remains out after posting 11 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks in 37 minutes against Milwaukee.
Julian Strawther would likely stay in the starting group but remains a fringe option, while
Spencer Jones offers volatile, minutes-driven appeal. Watson's outlook is shaky as Denver continues to deal with multiple injuries.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 25, 2026
Denver Nuggets center
Jonas Valanciunas (calf) is questionable for Sunday's matchup in Memphis after sitting out Friday following a brief return from an extended absence. His status bears close watching, as another scratch would suggest ongoing management rather than routine rest. If Valanciunas sits,
Zeke Nnaji would step in as the primary frontcourt fill-in after posting 11 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks in 37 minutes against Milwaukee, making him a viable short-term streamer.
DaRon Holmes II could also re-enter the rotation in a limited role. Valanciunas carries a clear risk for fantasy managers, while Nnaji is best viewed as a situational play tied to matchups and minutes.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 25, 2026
San Francisco Giants pitcher
Hayden Birdsong is reportedly excited heading into Spring Training after making some mechanical adjustments during the offseason. Birdsong is happy about how he's throwing, and he even received praise from his teammate,
Logan Webb. The 24-year-old came into the league with some hype after posting strong numbers in the minor leagues. Since making his debut in 2024, Birdsong hasn't quite performed as well as the Giants had hoped. Last season, Birdsong posted a 4.80 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and a 68/37 K/BB ratio across 21 games (10 starts) with the Giants. The hope is that these adjustments will help Birdsong be a more productive option for the Giants in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Susan Slusser
January 25, 2026
Denver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against Memphis as he manages right hamstring and left hip inflammation. A potential absence would again thin Denver's backcourt and open short-term fantasy value.
Jalen Pickett has stepped into a larger role with
Christian Braun (ankle) already sidelined and would see another bump if Murray sits. Pickett logged 13 points, seven assists, and one steal in 34 minutes last time out, giving him short-term value for assists with some scoring help.
Bruce Brown's role would remain steady, while Murray still carries a clear risk of unavailability.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 25, 2026
Houston Astros pitcher
Hayden Wesneski (elbow) is reportedly feeling good heading into Spring Training. Wesneski reportedly threw from 90 feet as he continues to work his way back from injury. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in May of last year. He's aiming to throw off the mound in April. Given the long road ahead of him, Wesneski is hopeful to make his return to the big league mound after the All-Star break. He'll hopefully serve as a nice second-half boost for this Astros pitching staff. Before going down last season, Wesneski posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 29/6 K/BB ratio across six starts.
--Andy WebbSource: Leah Vann
January 25, 2026
Detroit Pistons guard
Cade Cunningham (wrist) is listed as probable for Sunday's matchup against Sacramento after returning Friday from a brief absence. The designation appears precautionary, and he is expected to handle his normal workload if cleared. Cunningham logged 12 points, eight assists, two steals, and one rebound in 38 minutes in his return, a reminder that his usage remains secure despite a recent dip in scoring efficiency. If active, Cunningham's presence pushes
Daniss Jenkins back into a limited bench role after the rookie posted 17 points, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in 26 minutes as a spot starter.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 25, 2026
Miami Marlins starting pitcher
Eury Perez is reportedly fully healthy heading into the regular season. In a recent interview, Perez said he had a healthy off-season and is feeling good heading into Spring Training. This is good news for the Marlins, who only got 20 starts from Perez last season. The 22-year-old has a ton of potential, but staying healthy on the mound has been the biggest problem. He made 19 starts in 2023 and then missed all of the 2024 campaign due to injury. When healthy, Perez was sharp on the mound last season. He posted a 4.25 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 105/32 K/BB ratio across his 20 starts. Both the Marlins and fantasy managers are hopeful for a full season from Perez in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Kevin Barral
January 25, 2026
San Antonio Spurs guard/forward
Devin Vassell (adductor) is available for Sunday's game against New Orleans, officially ending a 13-game absence tied to a strained left adductor. His minutes are expected to be monitored in his first action since late December, adding some short-term risk. Vassell has averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 31.9 minutes this season when healthy. His return reshapes the wing rotation and likely trims
Julian Champagnie's role after the hot-shooting forward averaged 15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 4.0 three-pointers over his last five games.
--Brian DailisanSource: Paul Garcia
January 25, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward
Austin Reaves (ankle) is trending toward a return after taking part in a scrimmage Saturday. He still needs to clear another full-contact practice before being available. His earliest chance to suit up comes Monday in Chicago, with optimism that he rejoins the lineup at some point on the road trip. Reaves' eventual return reshapes the backcourt rotation, trimming the short-term fantasy appeal of
Marcus Smart, who has averaged 14.2 points, 2.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 28.6 minutes over his last five starts. Smart shifts back to a secondary role once Reaves is active.
--Brian DailisanSource: Dan Woike
January 25, 2026
Denver Nuggets guard/forward
Christian Braun (ankle) will miss Sunday's matchup with Memphis, marking his ninth straight absence and leaving his return timeline unclear. His continued unavailability has kept
Jalen Pickett in the starting lineup, where the young guard has focused more on facilitating than scoring. Pickett has averaged 7.8 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 29.8 minutes over his last five starts, making him a low-ceiling helper. His fantasy outlook improves if
Jamal Murray (hamstring) sits, while Braun remains a deep-league stash.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 25, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Santi Aldama (knee) will sit out Sunday against Denver, marking his third straight absence and keeping his status uncertain for Monday in Houston. His continued absence has opened steady frontcourt minutes, with
Jock Landale capitalizing as the primary beneficiary. Landale delivered 24 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 32 minutes on Friday and has remained productive with expanded usage.
GG Jackson II,
Vince Williams Jr., and
John Konchar continue to absorb secondary minutes, though their fantasy value stays matchup dependent.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 25, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) will miss Sunday's game against Toronto, while guard/forward
Alex Caruso (adductor) also remains sidelined. Mitchell's second straight absence and Caruso's continued inactivity thin Oklahoma City's perimeter rotation and push minutes to secondary options.
Cason Wallace has offered the safest fantasy floor, posting 10 points, five rebounds, and two steals in 30 minutes in his last start.
Luguentz Dort continues to log heavy minutes but brings volatile scoring, while
Isaiah Joe profiles as a streaky deep-league streamer tied to shooting efficiency.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 25, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder center
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will remain sidelined Sunday against Toronto, extending his absence to 15 straight games with no firm return date. His continued absence keeps the Thunder thin up front and creates situational fantasy openings.
Kenrich Williams has flashed usefulness when his minutes climb, posting 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 28 minutes last time out, but his production has come in a limited sample and remains volatile.
Jaylin Williams continues to fill a rotation role, offering rebounds, passing, and the occasional block with modest scoring. Both remain fringe fantasy options, offering value only in favorable matchups or expanded roles.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 25, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard
Devin Booker (ankle) will not play Sunday against Miami after exiting Friday's loss on crutches, and the situation carries multi-game risk. His absence funnels fantasy value to the backcourt.
Grayson Allen has been steady, averaging 19.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over his last five games with strong three-point volume.
Collin Gillespie has also delivered, posting 15.8 points and 5.0 assists in that span while logging starter minutes.
Jordan Goodwin remains a deeper-league option, but his production has swung night to night. Booker should be treated as doubtful for Tuesday.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 24, 2026
The New York Mets have signed free-agent relief pitcher
Craig Kimbrel to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. It feels odd seeing Kimbrel sign a deal with a team that already has an established late-inning option. Kimbrel is one of the most successful relievers of all time with 440 career saves, which puts him fifth on the leaderboard. The 37-year-old isn't the same pitcher who earned four straight All-Star appearances. Kimbrel can still be a viable option in the bullpen, and his veteran presence and leadership alone are enough to sign him to an MLB deal. He most recently posted a 2.25 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 17/7 K/BB ratio across 14 games with the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros in 2025. The expectation is that Kimbrel could serve as a late-inning option with occasional save chances when
Devin Williams needs a breather. That's assuming Kimbrel makes the team, as he'll need to compete for a roster spot during camp.
--Andy WebbSource: Jon Heyman
January 24, 2026
Houston Astros infielder/outfielder
Jose Altuve will mostly play second base in 2026. Astros manager Joe Espada said Altuve will mainly be at second base, but will occasionally play in left field as well. The long-time second baseman made the switch to the outfield last season. The Astros quickly realized that having a five-foot-six-inch outfielder with below-average arm strength might not be the best decision. They've decided to put Altuve back in his primary position, which is the best move for everyone involved. At his age, Altuve is best served playing second base or getting reps at designated hitter.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
January 24, 2026
Utah Jazz center
Jusuf Nurkic (illness) will play on Saturday against Miami. He popped up on the injury report because of an illness, carrying a questionable tag. Nurkic has amassed two-straight triple-doubles, most recently finishing with 17 points, 14 assists, and 11 boards in Thursday's loss to the San Antonio Spurs. While it's hard to imagine he'll maintain that same level of production, he has an excellent chance to continue exceeding his usual fantasy expectations in a projected high-scoring contest. With Nurkic on the floor, it should mean less work for
Kyle Filipowski.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 24, 2026
Houston Astros infielder
Isaac Paredes will reportedly get reps at second base during Spring Training. Paredes is primarily a third baseman, but will get some playing time at the keystone in camp. This isn't a completely foreign position to Paredes, as he's played 67 games at second base during his pro career. During his first season with the Astros last season, Paredes saw time only at third base and designated hitter. The Astros could be attempting to shift Paredes over to second base to give
Jose Altuve more time in left field and at DH. Paredes isn't known for his defensive abilities, but a move to second base might help him on defense.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
January 24, 2026
Houston Astros infielder
Brice Matthews will reportedly take some reps in the outfield during Spring Training. According to Chandler Rome, Matthews is going to see some playing time in center field during camp. Until this point, Matthews has almost exclusively played in the infield during his pro career. He did play nine games in center field during his time in Triple-A Sugar Land last season. The Astros need another outfielder with
Jesus Sanchez,
Jake Meyers,
Cam Smith, and
Jose Altuve as the main options. Matthews appears to be ready for the big league level after posting impressive numbers in the minors last season. His best path to playing time might be moving to the outfield.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
January 24, 2026
Houston Astros outfielder
Yordan Alvarez will reportedly play some left field this upcoming season. According to Chandler Rome, Alvarez will see time in left field, but will mostly serve as the designated hitter. This isn't shocking news, given Alvarez was limited to 48 games due to injuries last season. The Astros keeping Alvarez as the DH is the best way to protect him from injury. Alvarez played 15 games in left field in 2025 and 53 games in the outfield during the 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old isn't exactly known for his defensive ability, so keeping him at DH for the majority of the games makes sense. He's an elite player when healthy, so hopefully, fantasy managers will get a full season from Alvarez in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
January 24, 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Rashid Shaheed was largely responsible for putting last week's Divisional Round rubber match with the 49ers out of hand from the jump, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown in a game that was never close. The play marked Shaheed's third special teams score since being acquired from the New Orleans Saints via a mid-season trade, but his impact has been felt less on offense. After playing his first half of the season in New Orleans on a 17-game pace of 83 receptions for 943 yards and four touchdowns, that pace has fallen drastically to 26 catches for 320 yards and zero receiving touchdowns since his trade to Seattle. Over the past four games, he's caught two passes for ten yards. Even against a Los Angeles defense that has been beatable through the air, Shaheed carries very little value outside of fantasy playoff leagues that reward return yards and touchdowns.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
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