RADIO
Jerry Jeudy is Interesting Stash Option
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is someone worth looking at on the waiver wire ahead of Week 6. This past weekend, Jeudy hauled in three of his seven targets for 19 yards during the loss to the New York Jets. The seven targets were a season-high for Jeudy, who has struggled to get involved at times. The Browns could be looking his way more frequently with KC Concepcion (concussion) uncertain for the Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. According to Jordan Schultz, the Browns are attempting to move Jeudy ahead of the trade deadline. The 27-year-old is an intriguing stash option, given a possible bigger role or move elsewhere soon.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Walker Kessler Set to Make Preseason Debut Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (finger) will make his preseason debut Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas, head coach JJ Redick confirmed, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha. The 25-year-old missed the first three exhibitions after jamming his left pinky on the backboard during training camp. Kessler also played only five games last season before undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 2024-25, and the Lakers have missed that kind of rebounding and rim protection while he's been sidelined this preseason. If he gets through Tuesday without a setback, he should be on track to start the Oct. 21 opener against Golden State.
Source: Jovan Buha
Source: Jovan Buha
Dylan Cardwell Sidelined at Least Two Weeks
Sacramento Kings forward/center Dylan Cardwell (calf) will miss at least two weeks with a left calf strain, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The second-year big man developed soreness after the Oct. 8 preseason game against the Lakers, and imaging confirmed the injury. With Maxime Raynaud (knee) also sidelined, Sacramento will be short on center depth for its Oct. 21 opener against the Clippers. Cardwell averaged 5.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 20.6 minutes across 44 games as a rookie. Domantas Sabonis should soak up most of the center minutes early, while Precious Achiuwa figures to see more time up front and could help on the boards in the short term.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Payton Pritchard Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Celtics
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has agreed to a two-year, $44.2 million contract extension with a mutual option for 2029-30, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The new deal begins in 2028-29 because Pritchard still has two years remaining on his current contract. The 2025 Sixth Man of the Year is coming off career highs of 17.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across 79 games, including 50 starts. His Opening Night role remains unsettled after Boston brought him off the bench in its first near-full-strength preseason lineup. Still, Jaylen Brown's departure leaves more offense available, and Pritchard should remain heavily involved whether he starts or leads the second unit.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Authorities to Delay Release of Josh Jacobs Video
The Hobart-Lawrence Police Department announced on Tuesday that they are delaying the release of video evidence in Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs’ case, according to WBAY. Jacobs was accused of assaulting his girlfriend during a fight back in May. A Brown County Court judge lifted an order in September that temporarily kept evidence in the Jacobs case from public view. The decision came after Jacobs' ex-girlfriend filed a request to permanently seal evidence related to the criminal case against Jacobs. The 28-year-old pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges, and the NFL placed him on the commissioner's exempt list, where he remains. The NFL has been trying to obtain video from the May 23 altercation between Jacobs and his girlfriend, which it would use to continue its investigation. Jacobs remains on the commissioner's exempt list until further notice, with MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson splitting the workload in Green Bay's backfield in the meantime. The good news for fantasy managers who have been holding Jacobs is that his time spent on the exempt list (five weeks so far) may count as time served if the NFL eventually issues a suspension.
Source: WBAY
Source: WBAY
Patrick Surtain II Trending Towards Missing Week 6
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (ankle) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) have not practiced yet this week and are trending towards not playing on Thursday Night Football in Week 6 against the visiting Seattle Seahawks, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Surtain tweaked his ankle in the Week 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and was held out of Sunday's Week 5 victory over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. Hufanga, meanwhile, left Sunday's game in L.A. with an ankle injury of his own and did not return. It looks like Denver's secondary will be short-handed without both Surtain and Hufanga on a short week, which is bad news against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks and star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (ankle). The good news is that neither Surtain's nor Hufanga's ankle injuries are considered long-term issues, so they could be back and ready for the Week 7 game on Sunday, Oct. 25, against the Arizona Cardinals on the road. Starting cornerback Riley Moss (ribs) might also be unavailable on Thursday against Seattle.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Rams Left Tackle Alaric Jackson Suspended Two Games
Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson has been suspended without pay for two games on Tuesday by the NFL for punching Buffalo Bills defensive end Bradley Chubb after the Week 5 overtime loss to the Bills on Monday Night Football, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. If the 28-year-old appeals his suspension, he could be allowed to play this weekend against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. If the league upholds Jackson's two-game suspension, he will miss this weekend's game against the Cardinals and a Week 7 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. "It's just emotions, you know what I mean? Emotional game. It was a close game," Chubb told The California Post in the Bills locker room. "And you know, they always catch the second guy. So, I let him swing. And then my teammates held me back, and I just chilled." Losing Jackson for two games will be a downgrade for a Rams offense, but they should be just fine against the Cardinals and Raiders.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Chase Brown's Workload to Shrink in Bengals' Offense?
The Cincinnati Bengals shifted to a higher rate of shotgun, downhill runs in the Week 5 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. The shotgun formation fits backup running back Samaje Perine's skill set better, and his powerful running style resulted in 4.9 yards per carry on 14 attempts. Perine's 57.1% success rate tied for the most of any back in the NFL last weekend. Brown, meanwhile, saw 13 carries for only 39 yards (3.0 yards per attempt) while catching three of his four targets for 21 yards as a receiver. Perine had one more carry than he had in the first four games combined, and he had one more rushing attempt than Brown. There have been 182 runs of at least 14 yards in the NFL so far this year, but the Bengals are the only team without one. "I think we'll continually assess how that touch share between (Perine) and Chase Brown should play out," offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said. "Every game's different." Brown will continue to have a major role in Cincy's backfield, but how opponents play the Bengals could determine how the Bengals dictate the usage of Perine versus Brown. He should continue to be a must-start in all fantasy lineups, especially when considering that his 24 catches are the second-most of any RB in the NFL through five weeks.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Still Listed as Limited on Tuesday
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (ankle) was listed as a limited participant in practice for the second straight day this week on Tuesday, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. The 24-year-old reigning Offensive Player of the Year had his ankle taped up heavily during Sunday's Week 5 loss to the division-rival San Francisco 49ers, but it did not really slow him down at all, as he played 84% of the offensive snaps and caught five of his eight targets for 102 yards and his seventh touchdown of the season. Smith-Njigba has just 14 targets over the last two games after seeing 36 targets in the first three games of 2026, but he continues to produce as an elite WR1 for fantasy managers. The two-time Pro Bowler currently leads the league in receiving yards (583), touchdowns (seven), and yards per game (116.6) going into a short week this Thursday night against the hosting Denver Broncos. Broncos star cornerback Patrick Surtain II (ankle) is expected to miss a second straight game, so Smith-Njigba should eat yet again in primetime. There have been no indications that JSN's ankle injury will slow him down or keep him from playing to kick off Week 6.
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Cowboys Re-Sign Running Back Emari Demercado
The Dallas Cowboys re-signed running back Emari Demercado on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Running back depth has been a problem this year for the Cowboys behind starter Javonte Williams, but Demercado will return to Dallas alongside Tyler Goodson for now as the team heads into a Week 6 battle on Sunday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The 27-year-old Demercado was a healthy scratch for the Cowboys for two games earlier this season before he was waived last week. The former undrafted free agent from TCU is only worth adding off the waiver wire as a handcuff for Williams in the deepest of fantasy leagues. Demercado has just five carries this year with Dallas for 15 yards and has not been targeted at all in the passing game. He is averaging a healthy 6.4 yards per carry in his three-plus seasons in the NFL (three years with the Arizona Cardinals), but Demercado has just 131 rushing attempts and 50 receptions on 70 targets since he debuted in 2023.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Chargers Work Out JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday
The Los Angeles Chargers worked out free-agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Quentin Johnston (chest) missed the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sunday, and although Ladd McConkey (foot) was active, he was only available in an emergency situation and did not play a single offensive snap. Injuries to the wideout position continued in Sunday's loss, too, as Tre' Harris left with a hamstring injury and did not return. He is considered week-to-week with a Week 7 divisional tilt on the road coming this Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs. With all of the injuries at the position, tight end Charlie Kolar led the Bolts in receiving in the 23-17 loss to Denver. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Theo Wease Jr. were forced into significant snaps last weekend and could be forced to do so again if Harris and Johnston do not play. The 29-year-old Smith-Schuster continues to look for another chance to play in 2026, and it could come in L.A. The former Pro Bowler in 2018 played in 17 games (12 starts) with the Chiefs last year and caught 33 of 45 targets for 345 yards and one touchdown. Smith-Schuster becoming fantasy-relevant in standard 12-team fantasy leagues is likely a long shot if he lands in L.A.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
James Cook III in Danger of Losing Carries
Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady said on Tuesday that star running back James Cook III could be in danger of losing carries in the backfield if his ball-security issues continue, according to Bills insider Alex Brasky. "We're putting the ball in harm's way. It's negating all the positive. I have confidence in him. At some point there has to be consequences. It's gotta improve or the carries are gonna decrease," Brady said. The 27-year-old had a big night in the overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night in Week 5, carrying the ball 10 times for 121 yards and a touchdown while adding one catch for seven yards, but he put the ball on the ground twice, losing one in overtime that luckily did not cost the Bills the game. Cook continued to pick up chunk gains on the ground for Buffalo against an underperforming Rams defense, and he is already up to five rushing TDs through five games after scoring 28 times on the ground in the last two years. He has three straight 1,000-yard seasons and already had reached the 100-yard mark in three of five games in 2026. Cook is a must-start RB1 in fantasy, but Ty Johnson and Ray Davis could steal more work away if the fumbles continue to happen.
Source: Alex Brasky
Source: Alex Brasky
Mike Matheson Misses Tuesday's Action
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (lower body) is day-to-day and won't play on Tuesday against Buffalo, Sportsnet's Eric Engels reports. Montreal will also be in action on Wednesday night against Washington, so Matheson may have to sit out multiple games. While Matheson has contributed only one assist offensively in five games this season, he will be a big miss for the Canadiens. The veteran blue-liner averages the second-most ice time on the squad with 24:09 per game. Center Owen Beck will take the vacant spot in the lineup on Tuesday, signaling Montreal's plan to go back to six defensemen.
Source: Eric Engels
Source: Eric Engels
Luke Evangelista Out Against Red Wings
New Jersey Devils winger Luke Evangelista (illness) won't suit up on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports. He played through an illness on Monday against Ottawa but didn't travel with the team to Detroit. Stefan Noesen will replace Evangelista in the lineup. The veteran forward has been a disappointment for the Devils since the start of last season, collecting only seven points (three goals, four assists) in 40 games. He is not expected to play a significant role against Detroit. At the same time, Dawson Mercer should draw more fantasy attention as Evangelista's replacement in the top six.
Source: Amanda Stein
Source: Amanda Stein
Jacob Markstrom Unavailable Tuesday
Florida Panthers goaltender Jacob Markstrom (undisclosed) is day-to-day and won't dress for Tuesday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site. Markstrom was pulled from Monday's loss to Buffalo after the first period because he "tightened up." Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said after the game that Markstrom had not sustained an injury, but the team will be without its No. 1 for at least one contest. Akira Schmid will start against the Blue Jackets, who are averaging 3.00 goals per game. Cooper Black will serve as his backup.
Source: Jameson Olive
Source: Jameson Olive
