September 18, 2025
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said on Thursday that Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross "does not want to fire" head coach Mike McDaniel, who is firmly on the hot seat through two weeks of the 2025 season. Ross still likes McDaniel and believes in him, and Rapoport reports that the owner plans to be patient amid fan unrest. The Dolphins gave McDaniel a contract extension last year, and he still has two years and about $19 million left on it. Rapoport senses that "nothing is imminent" on McDaniel's future in Miami, even if the Dolphins lose on Thursday Night Football to the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Things can change quickly in the NFL, though, and Rapoport thinks Ross could have a change of heart if the fan base stops showing up to games on Sundays or if McDaniel loses the locker room. It will be a big storyline if the Dolphins continue to struggle.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 18, 2025
NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe said, based on people he's talked to, that a trade of Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Tyreek Hill is not a "consideration at this stage." There have been rumors floating around early this year that the Cheetah is a prime trade candidate, especially if the Dolphins continue to flounder. The 31-year-old eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro bounced back in a Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots with a 100-yard effort on six catches, but this is the first time in his career in which he has not found the end zone in the first two weeks. Hill expressed a desire to be elsewhere after the Week 18 regular-season finale in 2024, which alienated him a bit with his teammates. His chemistry with quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa is a work in progress, and the two have struggled to hook up for big gains down the field in the last year-plus. Hill's performance in Week 2 was a good sign, but it remains to be seen if that will continue if he stays in Miami.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
September 18, 2025
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder), who was limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week, said his turf-toe injury is a day-to-day thing, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "I'm happy with the progress I've been making with my foot, my toe. Gotta see at game time how I feel," Purdy added. The 25-year-old missed the Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints, but he appears to be in play to return as the starter under center this Sunday in a divisional clash against the 2-0 Arizona Cardinals. It's also possible that Purdy is active as
Mac Jones' backup in Week 3 if the 49ers want to play it safe. It could all depend on how much Purdy can do in the final practice of the week on Friday. With so much uncertainty surrounding Purdy's availability this week, fantasy managers are better off going in another direction.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
September 18, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Jauan Jennings (ankle, shoulder) was officially a non-participant on Thursday for the second straight day this week, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Jennings also missed the first two practices last week due to a shoulder injury before returning to practice on Friday and playing in the Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints. The 28-year-old looked much better than in the season opener, catching five of 10 targets for 89 yards and his first touchdown of 2025. Jennings could still play in Week 3 against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but he'll need to practice on Friday. He's trending as a shaky WR4/flex in fantasy once again while dealing with two injuries this week. Making him more dicey is the fact that the Niners don't play until the late window on Sunday. If Jennings is ruled out,
Ricky Pearsall will be the top option in the passing game for quarterback
Mac Jones, who is expected to make a second straight start in place of the injured
Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder).
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
September 18, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie right-hander
Roki Sasaki (calf, shoulder) is scheduled to pitch in relief with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday night while on his minor-league rehab assignment, according to manager Dave Roberts. It's pretty much been a lost first season in the big leagues for Sasaki, as he's missed most of 2025 due to a right-shoulder injury and has made only eight starts for the Dodgers. The 23-year-old Japanese star then injured his calf on Sept. 9 on his rehab assignment. With the regular season winding down, Sasaki basically has no chance to return to the Dodgers in a starting role, so they will take a look at him and consider him out of their bullpen in October for the postseason. Sasaki looked like an inexperienced rookie in his eight starts for the Blue before getting hurt, allowing 18 earned runs (4.72 ERA) while walking 22 and striking out 24 and giving up six homers in 34 1/3 innings.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
September 18, 2025
Los Angeles Angels third baseman
Yoan Moncada (ankle) remains sidelined for Thursday's contest in Milwaukee against the Brewers.
Luis Rengifo is making another start at the hot corner for the Halos and is hitting fifth against Brewers right-hander
Quinn Priester. Moncada injured his ankle on Sunday and has not played since. The oft-injured 30-year-old Cuban infielder continues to struggle with injuries in his first year in Anaheim, and he comes into Thursday's action having appeared in only 77 contests in 2025. The switch-hitter hasn't really been valuable in shallow-mixed fantasy leagues, as expected, with a .240/.343/.464 slash line, .807 OPS, 12 home runs, 34 RBI, and 39 runs scored in his 271 plate appearances. Rengifo has been pretty much the same player this year, with less power and modest speed (10 steals) in his 479 at-bats.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
September 18, 2025
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that "it does not seem" like anyone is trying to call the Atlanta Falcons to try and trade for veteran quarterback
Kirk Cousins after the first two weeks of the season. The Cincinnati Bengals just lost
Joe Burrow (toe) for at least three months, but they have not called anyone and seem content to roll with
Jake Browning under center for the time being. Cousins is a proven starting QB in the NFL and has a fully guaranteed $27.5 million salary for the 2025 season. If another team becomes interested in Cousins this year, they will have to pay some of his hefty salary and will have to give up a real draft pick in return. The Falcons are holding all the chips right now and are going to "drive a hard bargain" for any team that comes asking about Cousins. It's possible the Bengals become interested in Cousins if Browning falls flat over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 18, 2025
Seattle Seahawks running back
Zach Charbonnet (foot) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday due to a foot injury, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. Charbonnet is probably going to need to return to practice on Friday to avoid being ruled out altogether for a Week 3 matchup this Sunday versus the New Orleans Saints. Even if the 24-year-old practices on Friday and plays on Sunday, he could lose valuable backfield touches to
Kenneth Walker III in a good matchup at home against the 0-2 Saints. And if Charbonnet is out altogether, Walker will have RB1 upside in a likely workhorse role for Seattle.
George Holani would serve as the Seahawks' RB2 behind Walker if Charbonnet is inactive, although he would not have standalone fantasy appeal as a streamer. Check back on Friday for Charb's official Week 3 status.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Michael-Shawn Dugar
September 18, 2025
When discussing the Dallas Cowboys' offense with the media on Thursday, quarterback
Dak Prescott made it clear that he thinks they can do more. "There's meat left on the bone. There's a lot of plays out there that we can make. And when you're hungry like all of us are, you want to make every play. I'm not gonna put any limitations on (the offense). We can be very explosive. It's gonna be a fun offense to play in, if we just continue to be multiple, as we continue to marry the run game with the pass game, get those actions going even more. Yeah, it can be scary," Prescott said. Through two games, Prescott checks in as the QB21 in fantasy with 549 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception on 86 pass attempts. His 361-yard performance in the Week 2 overtime win over the Giants was his highest yardage total since Week 3 of 2024. A second straight big performance could be coming for Prescott against a banged-up Bears defense that just gave up 50-plus points to the Lions.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jon Machota
September 18, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) confirmed to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe that he is good to go for Thursday Night Football against the division-rival Buffalo Bills on the road to kick off Week 3 action. Waddle was trending toward playing on Thursday despite being given a questionable tag on Wednesday's final injury report. The 26-year-old didn't even need to test his shoulder in pre-game warmups, and he's expected to be a big part of Miami's offensive game plan as the team looks to win its first game of the season in a hostile environment. The Dolphins offense has carried over its disappointing ways from last year through the first two weeks of 2025, but Waddle and
Tyreek Hill should at least see plenty of volume in a game in which the Bills are favored by 11.5. Fire up Waddle as a volume-based WR4/flex.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
September 18, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder
Tommy Edman is out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers have been fairly cautious with Edman since he returned from the injured list. He normally only plays in second consecutive games before getting a breather. Edman has struggled against right-handed pitching this season, so it makes sense why he's taking a seat on Thursday. In his absence,
Miguel Rojas covers second base while
Andy Pages patrols center field against right-hander
Logan Webb on Thursday. Edman doesn't offer enough upside with the bat to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats right now.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
September 18, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Sal Frelick is headed to the bench ahead of Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. This seems like purely a matchup decision with left-hander
Yusei Kikuchi on the mound for the Halos. Frelick has been impressive with the bat lately as he carries a six-game hitting streak into this contest. He mashed a big three-run home run during Wednesday's contest. He figures to be back in the mix for Friday's contest. Frelick is someone that has hit well enough this season to warrant rostering in most formats for the fantasy playoffs.
Isaac Collins,
Blake Perkins, and
Jackson Chourio will cover the outfield for the Brewers on Thursday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
September 18, 2025
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Jose Soriano (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Thursday. Soriano was hit in the forearm by a line drive during his start on Wednesday. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative, so Soriano is only dealing with a contusion. Despite that, Soriano is going to miss the rest of the regular season. He'll finish the 2025 campaign with a 4.26 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 152/78 K/BB ratio across 31 starts. In a corresponding move, left-hander
Sam Aldegheri has been recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake. Aldegheri has pitched well in the minors this season and figures to take over Soriano's spot in the rotation for the rest of the season.
--Andy WebbSource: Rhett Bollinger
September 18, 2025
Baltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle (finger) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the New York Yankees. It was recently revealed that Mountcastle missed the last two games due to a minor finger injury. He appears to be fine now, so he won't require a stint on the injured list. He'll bat leadoff and serve as the designated hitter versus left-hander
Max Fried on Thursday. Mountcastle has seen his playing time dip down the stretch of the season. The O's seem committed to
Coby Mayo at first base, so Mountcastle could be a trade candidate this winter. At the moment, Mountcastle is nothing more than a deep league option.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
September 18, 2025
Denver Broncos tight end
Evan Engram (back) has missed both of the team's practices so far this week with a back injury, according to Aric DiLalla of DenverBroncos.com. Engram's availability for the Week 3 divisional tilt on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers is now firmly in question unless he can return to practice in some capacity on Friday. At best, the 31-year-old will probably be questionable for the weekend if he's able to practice on Friday. Lauded as potentially one of quarterback
Bo Nix's favorite targets after Denver signed him in the offseason in free agency, Engram has been quiet through two games, catching four of six targets for 33 yards. He's shaping up as a fadeable TE2 this week now that he's dealing with an injury. If Engram is out,
Adam Trautman would operate as Denver's TE1, although fantasy managers should be able to find better streaming options.
--Keith HernandezSource: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
September 18, 2025
New York Yankees infielder
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. This appears to be a rare rest day for Chisholm who last sat out on August 23. Chisholm has been a solid contributor lately, slashing .259/.283/.414 with three home runs, eight RBI, and five steals in September. The expectation is that he'll be back in the lineup on Friday. In the meantime,
Amed Rosario will take over at second base and bat fifth on Thursday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
September 18, 2025
Los Angeles Angels catcher
Logan O'Hoppe is out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. O'Hoppe made his return to the lineup on Tuesday after missing some time due to a concussion. He went hitless during his return and is now set to miss his second straight game on Thursday. There is no word on O'Hoppe still dealing with any lingering symptoms. This sounds like a matchup decision based on O'Hoppe's struggles against right-handed pitching this season.
Sebastian Rivero will bat eighth and do the catching versus right-hander
Quinn Priester on Thursday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
September 18, 2025
Updating a previous report, Green Bay Packers tight end
Tucker Kraft (knee) suffered a "little knee tweak" in practice on Thursday, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Kraft checked out OK after the injury scare. It's still a bit unclear if Kraft is in danger of missing the Week 3 contest this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, but it sounds like the Packers and Kraft's fantasy managers dodged a bullet. The 24-year-old broke out in the Week 2 win over the Washington Commanders last Thursday night with 124 receiving yards and a touchdown. If Kraft is available this weekend, he's a must-start, high-end TE1, especially with receivers
Jayden Reed (foot, collarbone) and
Christian Watson (knee) out. Through two weeks, Kraft is the fantasy TE1 with eight grabs for 140 yards and two scores. If he's out in Week 3,
Luke Musgrave would immediately become a TE1 streaming option against Cleveland.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
September 18, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver
Jalen Royals (knee) was able to upgrade to a full practice for the first time this year on Thursday after he was listed as limited in the first Week 3 practice on Wednesday, according to Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com. Royals missed the first two games of his rookie season with a knee injury, but his full practice on Thursday suggests he'll be active in Week 3 against the New York Giants as the Chiefs look for their first win of the year. How big a role the 22-year-old fourth-rounder has in KC's offense will depend on the status of
Xavier Worthy, who is attempting to play through a torn labrum in his shoulder that he suffered in the Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. However, even if Royals is active and Worthy misses a second straight game, the rookie wideout will probably be no better than the WR4 behind
Marquise Brown,
JuJu Smith-Schuster, and
Tyquan Thornton.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
September 18, 2025
New York Jets wide receiver
Josh Reynolds (hamstring) did not play in the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills due to a hamstring injury, and he has yet to practice this week, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Reynolds has one more day to return to the practice field on Friday, but as of right now, it's looking like he's going to miss a second straight game. Even if the 30-year-old veteran practices on Friday and plays on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he'll be an easy flex fade with veteran quarterback
Tyrod Taylor starting in place of the injured
Justin Fields (concussion). In the season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Reynolds wasn't involved much despite the team putting up over 30 points, as he caught just two of three targets for 18 yards. If Reynolds misses another game,
Tyler Johnson and
Allen Lazard should start next to
Garrett Wilson in three-wide sets.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini
September 18, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Noah Brown (groin, knee) missed another practice on Thursday and is trending toward missing Week 3 action this Sunday against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. Brown has not practiced at all since injuring his groin/knee in last Thursday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers. The 29-year-old has one more chance to practice on Friday, but at this point, it's not looking good for him playing this weekend. In the Week 1 win over the New York Giants, Brown recorded just two grabs on three targets for 27 yards, and he had one catch on four targets for a nine-yard gain in Week 2 before he was injured. Brown is a distant No. 3 in Washington's offense behind
Terry McLaurin and
Deebo Samuel Sr. and should probably be on the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues. If he sits in Week 3, rookie
Jaylin Lane,
Luke McCaffrey, and
Chris Moore will battle for WR3 targets.
--Keith HernandezSource: Commanders.com
September 18, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back
Bhayshul Tuten (shoulder) was seen wearing a non-contact jersey on the field during Thursday's practice, according to Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union. It means that Tuten was limited in practice for the second straight day this week after apparently picking up a shoulder injury in the Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The 23-year-old may need to upgrade to a full practice session on Friday if he wants to avoid a questionable tag heading into this weekend's divisional clash against the 0-2 Houston Texans. It could open rookie
LeQuint Allen Jr. up to the RB2 role behind starter
Travis Etienne Jr. Tuten got a big boost in his fantasy stock when the Jags traded
Tank Bigsby to the Eagles last week, and it showed immediately in an elevated workload last weekend, when he had eight carries for 42 yards and added two catches for 32 yards and a touchdown.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Florida Times-Union - Ryan O'Halloran
September 18, 2025
Houston Texans wide receivers
Christian Kirk (hamstring) and
Braxton Berrios (hamstring) were both limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Kirk and Berrios both missed the first two weeks of the season with their hamstring injuries, but they are both expected to make their season debuts this Sunday against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The 28-year-old Kirk is expected to operate as Houston's starting slot receiver when he's healthy, although he'll make for a pretty risky flex option for fantasy managers if he makes his team debut this weekend. Kirk's return will take a lot of attention away from stud WR1
Nico Collins, though, for a Texans offense that has not impressed early on. Rookies
Jayden Higgins and
Jaylin Noel will have a harder time contributing with Kirk in the fold.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
September 18, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Josh Jacobs (ankle) was limited in a second straight practice this week on Thursday as he manages an ankle injury ahead of the Week 3 matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. If Jacobs is unable to practice in full on Friday, he could carry a questionable tag into the weekend. There haven't been any indications that the 27-year-old is in danger of missing Sunday's game, so for now, fantasy managers should leave him in their starting lineups. Tight end
Tucker Kraft injured his knee in practice on Thursday, and if he's unable to play against Cleveland, the Packers could lean more on their ground game with Jacobs and backups
Chris Brooks and
Emanuel Wilson. Through the first two weeks in 2025, Jacobs is the RB11 in half-PPR scoring.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
September 18, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Darnell Mooney (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice after he was listed as limited on Wednesday due to a shoulder injury, according to Tori McElhaney of AtlantaFalcons.com. Mooney's shoulder injury kept him from playing in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he was able to play in last week's win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night while playing a healthy 86 percent of the offensive snaps. The 27-year-old was targeted only four times, though, and caught two passes for 20 yards. The Falcons' offense didn't have to open up the passing attack in an easy win over Minnesota, so none of their pass-catchers had a good day. Mooney should be available in a Week 3 divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers in another game in which he might not see much work. Fantasy managers should consider Mooney a low-upside WR4/flex in his second game of the year.
--Keith HernandezSource: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
September 18, 2025
Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said that rookie running back
RJ Harvey "got confused with some of the terminology" and blocked on a play where he was supposed to get the ball, per Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. For what it's worth, Stevens also relayed that Lombardi said the mistake was "not a recurring issue." Harvey has not seen a ton of involvement in the Denver offense through the first two games of his career, recording just 13 total touches so far. He's clearly behind veteran running back
J.K. Dobbins, and Harvey may even be in an RB2 timeshare with
Tyler Badie. Harvey should be stashed in a bench spot in all league formats for his upside, but he should not be counted on for consistent fantasy production in the short term.
--Will BradySource: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
September 18, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Xavier Worthy (shoulder) remained in a limited capacity during Thursday's practice session. This was his second-straight limited practice. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status on Friday as he could be cleared to return for their Week 3 match against the Giants. After suffering a torn labrum on the opening possession of their season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, Worthy was able to progress rather quickly and may only miss one contest. Worthy was in the mix to return last weekend but carried a doubtful tag before being ruled inactive. If Worthy can turn the corner in time for Sunday, fantasy managers should expect him to slot in as Kansas City's WR1. If he were to miss his second-straight game,
Marquise Brown,
JuJu Smith-Schuster, and
Tyquan Thornton would operate as the team's top wideouts.
--Andy SmithSource: Kansas City Chiefs
September 18, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey (biceps) is back at practice on Thursday after missing the team's Wednesday practice due to a biceps injury, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. It's not yet clear if McConkey was limited on Thursday or was able to practice in full, but it's a positive sign either way that he's trending in the right direction. McConkey and the rest of the Chargers' offense face a big test in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. The second-year wideout has recorded 11 catches for 122 yards on 14 targets through the first two games of the season. Assuming he's able to play, McConkey profiles as a high-end fantasy WR2 in Week 3. If he's unable to suit up, Chargers wide receivers
Keenan Allen and
Quentin Johnston would both be in line for an uptick in target volume.
UPDATE: McConkey was a full-go in Thursday's practice.--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
September 18, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. (wrist) logged a limited practice on Thursday. This is important to note as Thomas was able to participate in full during Wednesday's session. Following their Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the former first-round pick was said to be battling a minor wrist injury. While he appeared to be past this injury following Wednesday's practice, he may still be dealing with some lingering effects. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status following Friday's practice, as he may be in danger of missing Sunday's game if he is unable to upgrade to full participation. The LSU product has had a disappointing start to the season, catching just five of his 19 targets for 60 yards. If he were to miss Sunday's contest, rookie
Travis Hunter will likely see a significant workload in the passing attack.
--Andy SmithSource: Demetrius Harvey
September 18, 2025
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) is practicing on Thursday, per Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group. Inman also relays that 49ers general manager John Lynch said the team is monitoring to see how Purdy's injured toe and shoulder respond to the practice reps. Purdy missed Week 2 due to his injuries. The expectation remains that
Mac Jones will be the team's starting quarterback in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. Still, it's encouraging to see that Purdy is making progress and could be on track for a relatively swift return. Jones played well in his first start for San Francisco last week against the New Orleans Saints, and he profiles as a low-end QB2 in Week 3 against Arizona.
--Will BradySource: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
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