February 26, 2026
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (lower body) will be back in the net on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Russian netminder hasn't played since Jan. 5 due to a lower-body injury. Although the Rangers sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Shesterkin has had a fine campaign. He has posted a 17-12-4 record across 34 starts, with a 2.45 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage, and one shutout. On Thursday, Shesterkin will go up against the league's 22nd-ranked offense, which has produced 2.86 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (foot) will return to the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. While Pittsburgh has just lost Sidney Crosby (lower body), the team will get a big defensive piece back. Letang missed the final four games before the Olympic break with a fractured foot. The 38-year-old has recorded 25 points (three goals, 22 assists), 196 shots, 64 blocks, and 67 hits in 50 outings this season. Letang will be part of the second power-play unit and will have a new partner on the second defensive pairing, with the recently acquired Samuel Girard expected to skate with him.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
Former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who is projected to be a potential top-five pick this April, believes he's the best defender in this year's draft class, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. "I feel confident every time I stepped on the field," Downs said. "If I would say I walked on the field and thought anybody was better than me, yeah, that's not true." He was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 and also won the Thorpe Award, which is awarded to the country's top defensive back. If Downs is taken in the first five picks, he'll be the first defensive back to do that since Eric Berry was taken fifth overall in 2010. Downs was at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State, where he helped the Buckeyes win a national championship in 2024. In 14 games in his junior season in 2025, Downs had 68 tackles (45 solo), one sack, two interceptions, and five tackles for loss.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
February 26, 2026
Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle (illness) is a game-time decision for Thursday's tilt against the Detroit Red Wings. The German star is dealing with an illness and missed the morning skate. Stutzle entered the Olympic break with a five-game goal streak and has totaled 61 points (28 goals, 33 assists) in 57 games this season. Shane Pinto and Lars Eller will likely have larger roles in Thursday's game if Stutzle doesn't play. Pinto is the more attractive fantasy option, though he has been inconsistent since his hot start to the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 26, 2026
Carolina Panthers general manager and president of football operations Dan Morgan said on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that he hasn't talked to any teams "about a trade, but if the possibility did come up, I would talk to Andy." ESPN's Adam Schefter reported this week that the Panthers have been getting calls on the availability of veteran quarterback
Andy Dalton. While the Panthers may not be looking to trade Dalton at this moment, it sounds like Morgan isn't opposed to it, especially after telling McAfee that the organization wants to "get a little younger and more athletic" at the backup QB position. The 38-year-old is going into the second year of a two-year, $8 million contract he signed with Carolina in February of 2025. At best, Dalton could be a veteran bridge QB for a team that loses out in free agency and is desperate at the position.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pat McAfee Show
February 26, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward
Patrick Williams (quad) was downgraded from doubtful to out for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers. Williams will join
Jalen Smith (calf) on the sidelines, leaving lots of playing time and usage for
Guerschon Yabusele,
Nick Richards, and
Leonard Miller. Yabusele and Richards each have double-double potential in the favorable matchup. Yabusele will likely start in place of Smith, giving him and especially high ceiling due to his multi-category upside against Portland, and without Williams, Miller may have to step more into the mix off the bench.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (not injury-related) will return to action on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News reports. MacKinnon didn't play in Wednesday's 4-2 road victory over Utah, taking a bit of extra rest after the Olympic tournament. The Avalanche leader sits third in scoring in the NHL, recording 40 goals and 53 assists in 55 appearances. He's had multiple points in 10 of his last 19 outings. MacKinnon's return will bump Brock Nelson to the second line, but he will continue to be heavily involved in the offense.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dylan Loucks
February 26, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Malik Monk (ankle) is dealing with ankle soreness and may not be available when his team finishes their back-to-back in Texas with a game against the Mavericks. Monk only had seven points in 19 minutes on Wednesday, but had double-digit points in five straight before that.
Russell Westbrook (thigh) and
Keegan Murray (ankle) are already out, so if Monk joins them on the sidelines,
Devin Carter and
Killian Hayes will get plenty of run in the backcourt, while
Nique Clifford,
Precious Achiuwa, and
Maxime Raynaud will have to carry more of the scoring load in the offense.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Arizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (knee) appeared to have a golden opportunity to emerge as a workhorse rusher once fellow Cardinals back
James Conner (ankle) suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3 of the 2025 season. Unfortunately, Benson suffered a knee injury the very next week that landed him on Injured Reserve and ultimately ended his year. A third-round pick in 2024, Benson has been an efficient rusher in a small sample through his first two NFL seasons, averaging 4.9 yards per rush attempt on 92 career carries. Provided Benson can get back to full health, 2026 may be the year that he emerges as the RB1 in Arizona. While Conner is technically under contract for 2026, Arizona could release him and save over $7 million against the cap this offseason. Even if Conner remains with the team, he will be in his age-31 season and coming off a serious ankle injury. At the same time, Benson remains a largely unproven player with durability concerns of his own, and the Cardinals will have a new coaching staff in place in 2026 that may be looking to add fresh blood in the backfield in either free agency or the upcoming draft. Still, Benson should have an opportunity to prove himself next season and could be a player worth targeting in dynasty formats, even coming off a lost year.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Russell Westbrook (thigh) was listed as out for the second night of his team's back-to-back due to a bruised right thigh. He played 25 minutes on Wednesday against the Rockets and had 22 points against his former team. Without him on Thursday against the Mavericks, more time and opportunities will be available for
Devin Carter, especially if
Malik Monk (ankle) does not play through his questionable tag. Recent addition
Killian Hayes could also get more playing time without Russ on Thursday night.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
In his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, tight end
Jonnu Smith recorded 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 54 targets across 17 games played. The 30-year-old's numbers dropped precipitously from his breakout season with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, when he hauled in 88 catches for 884 yards and eight scores. In Pittsburgh, Smith's upside is limited by a crowded tight end room that also includes
Darnell Washington and
Pat Freiermuth. Additionally, 2025 Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who is known for favoring formations that feature multiple tight ends, is no longer with the team. As a result, Smith may face an even more difficult path to playing time in Pittsburgh in 2026. Outside of 2024, Smith has just one other season in his nine-year NFL career with at least 50 catches and 500 receiving yards. It seems likely that his 2024 season will stand out as an outlier relative to his overall production, and Smith's dynasty value should be fading heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (ankle) will not play on Thursday after aggravating his sprained ankle in Wednesday's loss to the Rockets. Murray missed 20 games with an injury to the same ankle from Jan. 6 to Feb. 11, but the team hasn't given an update on any timetable for him to return this time. Without him on Thursday,
Nique Clifford will likely play a more active role, while
Daeqwon Plowden and Patrick Baldwin will also have more work coming off the bench. The Kings are already short-handed, so without Murray, even more value will be available to those fringe contributors.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will not play Thursday night in the late game against Minnesota. He is dealing with soreness in his left ankle and will remain day-to-day going forward. He played 33 minutes in Sunday's loss to Orlando, finishing with 37 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, but he'll miss Thursday's game, leaving more time and usage for the rest of the rotation. The main players who will need to step up are
Kobe Sanders and
Jordan Miller, who are each interesting options for DFS and streaming purposes in expanded roles against Minnesota.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Across 17 games in 2025, Tennessee Titans tight end
Chig Okonkwo recorded 56 receptions for 560 yards and two touchdowns on 79 targets. The 26-year-old has established himself as a solid real-life player, as he's logged at least 50 catches in three straight seasons and has never missed a game in his NFL career. However, Okonkwo's fantasy upside has never quite materialized, as he's never reached 80 targets or topped three touchdown catches in a season. Okonkwo is now set to hit free agency and could be with a new organization for the first time in 2026. A change of scenery could be a positive development for Okonkwo's fantasy outlook, as Tennessee has fielded a miserable offense overall in recent seasons and also has a rising young tight end in
Gunnar Helm. Still, Okonkwo has demonstrated a limited production ceiling to this point in his career, and there's no guarantee he will land in a true TE1 role with a new team. His fantasy value in dynasty formats is slowly declining heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Rams running back
Jarquez Hunter played an extremely minimal role in all phases as a rookie. The 23-year-old was active for just five games and did not record a single touch on offense. Hunter's path to playing time is blocked in Los Angeles, as the Rams have arguably the best running back combination in the NFL in
Kyren Williams and
Blake Corum. In 2025, Williams and Corum combined for over 2,300 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns. The pairing has also missed just one game combined over the past two seasons, and both are under contract through at least 2027. As a result, Hunter may need a change in scenery to work his way into a fantasy-relevant role. Even if one of Corum or Williams were to suffer a significant injury, the other is capable of taking on more of a workhorse role, which could still leave Hunter on the outside looking in for touches in Los Angeles. It's hard to say that Hunter can't eventually emerge as a productive NFL running back, as he's had no opportunity to prove himself either way. However, his fantasy value in dynasty formats is virtually non-existent heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
After topping 570 scrimmage yards in each of his first two NFL seasons, Denver Broncos running back
Jaleel McLaughlin's production took a step back in 2025. Across eight games, the 25-year-old recorded 214 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 41 touches. McLaughlin was a healthy scratch on game day for much of the first half of the season, as he was stuck behind
J.K. Dobbins (foot),
RJ Harvey, and
Tyler Badie on the Broncos' running back depth chart. McLaughlin got more opportunities to play down the stretch after Dobbins went down in Week 11 with a foot injury. Dobbins is now set to hit free agency, which could open up a path to playing time for McLaughlin in Denver. However, Harvey emerged as the team's lead back in 2025 after Dobbins went down and looks like the Broncos' clear RB1 of the future. For his career, McLaughlin is averaging fewer than seven touches per game and looks more like a complementary, change-of-pace back than a fantasy-relevant workhorse.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
Across 14 games in 2025, Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Dontayvion Wicks recorded 30 receptions for 332 yards and two touchdowns on 46 targets. It was a disappointing year overall for the 24-year-old, as he posted the lowest receiving yards per game (23.7) and receptions per game (2.1) marks of his three NFL seasons. While Wicks has flashed upside at different points in his career, he's struggled to carve out a consistent role in Green Bay's equal-opportunity passing game. However, the Packers' pass-catching depth chart could get thinner in 2026. Wide receiver
Romeo Doubs is set to hit free agency, and tight end
Tucker Kraft (knee) could miss the start of the season as he recovers from a torn ACL. Still, Wicks would be competing with Packers wideouts
Christian Watson,
Jayden Reed, and
Matthew Golden for playing time. Based on his inability to differentiate himself in 2025, Wicks' fantasy value in dynasty formats is trending in the wrong direction.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
Houston Rockets guard
Amen Thompson (quad) missed Wednesday night's matchup with the Kings due to left quadriceps tendinitis, but he is not on the injury report and should be ready to return on Thursday against the Magic. Thompson will continue to play through the issue as he has for at least a few weeks. It seems to be slowing him down a little on offense, but he's still playing huge minutes and contributing on the defensive end. He did show a little offensive spark with 20 points on Monday against the Jazz, though, and he always brings a high ceiling with his multi-category potential. He can be used in your fantasy lineups as you normally would for Thursday's contest, while
Reed Sheppard will return to his normal role after getting extra work on Wednesday and dropping 28 points in 32 minutes against Sacramento.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that the team is "holding out hope" that if right-hander
Merrill Kelly (back) can ramp up his throwing "sooner than later," that he'll have time to get ready to pitch in the second series of the season and "avoid the injured list," according to The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro. It was believed that the 37-year-old would open the 2026 season on the IL, and that's still likely to be the outcome, with the D-backs probably preferring not to rush the veteran hurler back early in the year. When healthy, Kelly is a top-of-the-rotation arm for Arizona, even though his fantasy baseball value is limited due to his lack of strikeouts (22% career strikeout rate). Kelly opened the 2025 season with the D-backs before being traded to the Rangers at midseason. He finished with a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 167:48 K:BB in 184 innings (32 starts). An aging pitcher with an injury concern heading into the season isn't exactly a strong late-round fantasy target.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
February 26, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jalen Johnson (hip) was initially questionable for Thursday's game against the Wizards, but has been downgraded to out. He tweaked his hip in Tuesday's win over Washington and will miss the rematch Thursday. Without him, new Hawks addition
Jonathan Kuminga will carry a large workload. In his Hawks' debut on Tuesday, Kuminga impressed with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three three-pointers in 25 minutes. In the same matchup on Thursday, Kuminga has a very high ceiling.
Zaccharie Risacher (hip) could also get extra work if he plays through his own questionable tag in this favorable spot
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Washington Wizards center
Tristan Vukcevic (hip) was questionable with a hip impingement, but he'll be able to play on Thursday against Atlanta. Vukcevic has been dealing with a hand injury in addition to his hip issue, but he should be ready to roll on Thursday. He had five points, six rebounds, and one assist in 22 minutes on Tuesday in the first game of this two-game series in Atlanta. He and
Anthony Gill have been sharing the minutes at center with Alex Sarr (hamstring) sidelined. If Vukcevic is limited at all, Gill could get more run, but for now, it looks like each will limit the upside of the other.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Updating a previous report, Baltimore Orioles catcher
Samuel Basallo (abdomen) left Thursday's Grapefruit League game with right-side abdominal discomfort, the team announced. Basallo was injured when he reached out to tag
Matt Vierling out on a play at the plate. The 21-year-old Dominican backstop eventually walked off the field under his own power, and he should be considered day-to-day for now. After making his MLB debut last year, the left-handed hitter is expected to see plenty of playing time behind the dish in Baltimore if he's healthy in 2025, allowing
Adley Rutschman to play first base or serve as the designated hitter. Basallo hit only .165/.229/.330 with a .559 OPS over a small sample size of 31 games played last year, but he's a rising young catching talent who should be considered a high-end No. 2 fantasy catcher as long as this injury isn't serious.
UPDATE: Manager Craig Albernaz said Basallo's exit was "precautionary" and that he could have stayed in the game. He is not expected to undergo additional testing.--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
February 26, 2026
Washington Wizards forward
Kyshawn George (knee) was downgraded from questionable to out for Thursday night's matchup against the Hawks. George has been effective when available but has been in and out of the lineup with a variety of injuries. Now he's dealing with a left knee contusion, possibly suffered on Tuesday in a loss to the Hawks in the first game of this two-game set in Atlanta. Without him on Thursday, the Wizards will likely give more playing time to
Justin Champagnie,
Will Riley, and
Jamir Watkins, who has his two-way contract converted to a standard deal earlier in the day.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal said on Foul Territory on Thursday that it looks like Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect
Konnor Griffin is "trending toward being" the team's Opening Day shortstop. It was seen as a bit of a stretch going into spring training, since Griffin is only 19 years old and has played just 21 games in the minors above High-A. However, he's the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball, and Rosenthal says the Pirates think he can be the hitting version of a "unicorn" that right-hander
Paul Skenes is. It puts a lot of expectations and pressure on Kriffin, but despite still being a teenager, he is "put together physically," is mature beyond his years, and has a good head on his shoulders. Rosenthal thinks it's possible that Griffin can be one of those rare players like Alex Rodriguez,
Albert Pujols, Ken Griffey Jr.,
Mike Trout, and
Juan Soto that can immediately come to the big leagues and succeed. The hype is real and will continue to inflate his ADP going into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
February 26, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (ankle, hip) will not play Thursday after spraining his right ankle and suffering a right hip impingement during Wednesday's practice. His status is not surprising since the Jazz are being so cautious with their best players, and Markkanen could be headed for an extended absence, depending on the results of the MRI he had on Wednesday. Without him against the Pelicans on Thursday, other Jazz forwards like
John Konchar,
Brice Sensabaugh, and
Kyle Filipowski will pick up more work and could have fantasy value in a favorable matchup.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (groin) was a late addition to his team's injury report on Thursday afternoon and is questionable for the team's game in Philadelphia due to right groin soreness. He missed time just before the All-Star break due to an illness, but he has played three games since the break and scored 26 points in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee. With
Davion Mitchell (illness) also questionable, there could be lots of work in Miami's backcourt for
Kasparas Jakucionis,
Pelle Larsson, and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. alongside
Tyler Herro, who is still playing limited minutes after his recent return.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report.
February 26, 2026
Washington Wizards forward
Jamir Watkins has been getting good playing time lately, and the two-way player has played his way into a standard contract. The 24-year-old has played seven of the Wizards' last eight games, averaging 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 28 minutes per game. Watkins should continue to get good playing time now that the team doesn't have to manage his days with the NBA team. He's a bargain DFS option or a deep league streamer to consider when the Wizards are short-handed, as they will be on Thursday against the Hawks.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
February 26, 2026
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who is giving up offensive play-calling this year, said that quarterback
Bryce Young will "increasingly be able to change plays at the line" when he recognizes mismatches with the opposing defense, according to Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com. "I love the strides we've taken in terms of the operation, how he gets us up there, makes great calls, fixes our protection problems, finding solutions in areas where we've talked about to take advantage of coverages, takes advantage of different fronts for run plays, and just wanting Bryce to continue to grow in the ownership of those things," Canales said. It's the next step in the former first overall pick's development as he heads into his fourth year in the league. The 24-year-old showed improvement in 2025, completing a career-high 63.6% of his passes for 3,011 yards and 23 touchdowns, which were also career-highs. Young will need to take another step forward in 2026 to be thrown into the QB1 conversation in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Panthers.com - Kassidy Hill
February 26, 2026
The Minnesota Twins scratched third baseman
Royce Lewis (side) from Thursday's Grapefruit League game after he experienced tightness in his right side after running the bases before the game, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Lewis was scratched "out of an abundance of caution." It makes sense for the Twins to proceed cautiously with the 26-year-old, who has a lengthy history of injuries. The former first overall pick in 2017 played in a career-high 106 games for the Twins last year but disappointed offensively, slashing .237/.283/.388 with a career-low .671 OPS, 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, and a career-high 12 stolen bases in 403 plate appearances. Lewis missed over a month of the season last year due to a strained left hamstring he suffered in spring training. He has played in only 70 games in his first two years in the big leagues due to injuries. Lewis' power is well above-average at third base, but durability concerns make him a risk/reward as a top-15 fantasy third baseman.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
February 26, 2026
Seattle Seahawks impending free-agent running back
Kenneth Walker III is a name that "I've heard floated around" as a player the Houston Texans may target in free agency, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. The Seahawks don't plan to use the franchise tag on Walker, who was the Super Bowl MVP, but that doesn't mean he won't re-sign with the organization. Coming off a strong postseason showing that led to a championship, Walker is expected to be one of the best available RBs on the open market if he makes it to free agency. He's projected to make somewhere between $12 million to $14 million per year and would likely sign a three- or four-year contract. The 25-year-old finally was able to stay healthy all year in 2025 and finished with 1,027 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season while splitting time with
Zach Charbonnet. If he were to land in Houston, Walker would split time with second-year back
Woody Marks.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
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