April 17, 2026
Charlotte Hornets center
Moussa Diabate (hip) is available to play ahead of Friday's Play-In game against the Orlando Magic. Diabate will shake the questionable tag and suit up for this elimination contest. The big man finished with eight points and 14 rebounds during the first Play-In victory over the Miami Heat. He played 36 minutes during that game and figures to have a similar role during Friday's game. DFS players should take a look at Diabte as a possible double-double threat against the Magic.
Ryan Kalkbrenner and
Grant Williams will see backup minutes behind him, but they won't be as appealing DFS options.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Ayo Dosunmu (calf) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's playoff contest against the Denver Nuggets. Dosunmu missed the regular season finale due to a calf issue, but he appears to be fine now. The Wolves are glad to have Dosunmu back for the beginning of this series. Over the last 10 games, Dosunmu is averaging 18.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. It's unclear if he'll start or come off the bench, but regardless, Dosunmu should play an important role for the Wolves during the postseason.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that right-hander
Kutter Crawford (wrist, forearm) is still sore and will probably have more tests done, according to Chris Henrique of the Boston Sports Journal. Crawford was pulled from his minor-league rehab assignment on Wednesday with a sore wrist/forearm. It's obviously not good news for the starting pitcher, especially after he missed all of last year after having right-wrist surgery. The 30-year-old former 16th-round pick out of Florida Gulf Coast University in 2017 lost a league-high 16 games in his last season with the BoSox in 2024, also posting a 4.36 ERA (4.65 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 175 strikeouts and 51 walks in 183 2/3 innings over his 33 starts. Crawford also led the league in home runs allowed (34). Even if Crawford manages to avoid another surgery, his return doesn't look to be close at all. You can continue to ignore him in mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Boston Sports Journal - Chris Henrique
April 17, 2026
San Diego Padres catcher
Freddy Fermin (head) is out once again for Friday's series opener in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels, according to MLB.com.
Luis Campusano will catch for right-hander
Matt Waldron, who is making his 2026 season debut, and hit ninth for the Friars against Angels right-hander
Jose Soriano. Fermin was removed from Wednesday's win over the Seattle Mariners with a head injury after he was hit by a foul tip in his catcher's mask. This will be his second straight missed game, although Fermin is believed to have cleared the league's concussion protocol since he was active off the bench on Thursday in the series finale against the M's. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Saturday to see if Fermin is back in action. Campusano is hitting .310 (9-for-29) with a homer, six RBI, and five runs scored so far this year, but his lineup placement makes him a poor DFS option. He's faced Soriano twice in his career and has one hit with a 1.000 OPS.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 17, 2026
Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever
Andrew Kittredge (shoulder, personal) is resuming his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk after going on paternity leave recently, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Right-shoulder inflammation was responsible for putting Kittredge on the 15-day injured list before Opening Day, but if he continues to progress on his rehab assignment, he could be reinstated to make his 2026 season debut at the end of April or in early May. In his three rehab outings for Norfolk, the 36-year-old veteran has given up a run on three hits while walking one and striking out five in 2 2/3 innings pitched.
Ryan Helsley has worked out well so far as Baltimore's ninth-inning man, so when Kittredge is ready to return, he'll be in more of a late-inning setup role for the O's. Kittredge has 21 career saves in nine MLB seasons, but he'll be more of an asset in holds leagues when he's back in Baltimore.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
April 17, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Anthony Edwards (knee) is questionable for Saturday's Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets. Due to a knee issue, Edwards played in only three of the last 14 regular-season games, and it looks like he still hasn't fully recovered. Minnesota would be in serious trouble against the Nuggets if Edwards can't play.
Mike Conley,
Ayo Dosunmu, and
Bones Hyland all benefited from Edwards' ongoing health issues late in the regular season and could now also get extra work during the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander
Kyle Harrison (knee, wrist) is expected to make his next start during the series against the Detroit Tigers, which starts next Tuesday, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Harrison suffered a collision while attempting to cover first base in his last outing on Saturday against the Washington Nationals, so he's a little beat up, but it's nothing serious and won't send him to the 15-day injured list. Pitching prospect
Coleman Crow will make his big-league debut in place of Harrison on Friday against the Miami Marlins. Harrison looked reinvented by the Brew Crew in his first three starts of 2026, posting a 3.07 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 15 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings pitched, but he'll be more risky for fantasy managers coming off his two injuries and in a matchup in Detroit. The Tigers currently rank 12th in the big leagues in team OPS (.711).
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
April 17, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Jackson Chourio (hand) progressed to taking swings for the first time in his rehab on Friday, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Chourio is recovering slowly from surgery to fix a broken left hamate bone in his hand, but Friday's step is definitely notable as he tries to work his way back for his 2026 season debut. It was a surprise out of nowhere, right before Opening Day late last month that the Brewers announced the 22-year-old Venezuelan was dealing with a broken hamate bone. Chourio is an absolute must-stash in all fantasy baseball formats, with his season debut hopefully coming in early May. He's one of the best young, power/speed threats in fantasy after slashing .272/.317/.463 with a .781 OPS, 42 home runs, 157 RBI, 43 stolen bases, and 168 runs scored in 279 games in his first two major-league seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
April 17, 2026
Orlando Magic forward
Jonathan Isaac (knee) will miss Friday's Play-In Tournament Game against the Charlotte Hornets. The team has downgraded his status from questionable to out. Isaac is struggling to overcome a left knee sprain, having last played on March 12. That said, the Magic can cope just fine with his absence. During the regular season, Isaac averaged only 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Multiple people around the NFL that ESPN's Jordan Raanan has spoken to in the past few days said that Notre Dame running back
Jeremiyah Love was their "top-graded player." The question now is where NFL teams place Love on their draft board given the position he plays and their individual needs. Running backs haven't typically been top-10 picks in the first round of the draft, but Love could just be special enough to go within the top five picks in 2026. The Arizona Cardinals, who don't really have a huge need at the position, have been rumored to be considering the Fighting Irish alum with the No. 3 overall pick, and both the Tennessee Titans (No. 4) and New York Giants (No. 5) would make sense as landing spots in this year's draft. It's hard to imagine Love making it past the G-Men at fifth overall. In fantasy, even in single-year leagues, Love should be in play as an early-round consideration. In his junior season at Notre Dame, Love had 1,652 scrimmage yards and a whopping 21 total touchdowns in just 12 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
April 17, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen (knee) will suit up for Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. Allen returned from a right knee injury late in the regular season, but the team elected to keep him out of the final two games.
Evan Mobley (calf), who was rested for the regular-season finale, will also be back. Cleveland's twin towers face a big battle against
Jakob Poeltl,
Sandro Mamukelashvili, and
Collin Murray-Boyles. Allen faced the Raptors only once during the regular season and struggled, settling for six points and eight rebounds in a 126-113 loss on Nov. 13.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors. The seven-time All-Star sat out Cleveland's last two regular-season games to manage an ankle injury. Mitchell has built a reputation as an outstanding postseason performer, averaging 28.3 points through 63 career playoff games. However, things might not go smoothly for him in the first-round series, as Toronto did a good job defensively against him during the regular season. In two games against the Raptors, Mitchell made only 34.2 percent of his field-goal attempts, averaging 24.0 points.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
New York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) will be in the lineup on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks. He didn't play in New York's final two regular-season games to manage an ankle injury. Robinson has done a good job as a backup big man all season, and Atlanta knows firsthand how effective he can be. The 28-year-old made two appearances against the Hawks during the regular season, notching 7.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals in 19.0 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
New York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby (ankle) will play in Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. He hurt his left ankle during the final week of the regular season and sat out Sunday's loss to Charlotte. Fortunately, Anunoby won't have to miss the postseason opener, as the team hasn't included his name on the injury report. In three regular-season clashes, Anunoby posted two double-doubles against the Hawks, averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.7 steals. This matchup seems to suit Anunoby, and he could be one of the stars of the series.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
New York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson (ankle) will be active on Saturday in Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks. The star guard has managed an ankle injury late in the season and didn't play in Sunday's loss to the Charlotte Hornets, but the team has removed him from the injury report ahead of the playoff opener. During the regular season, Brunson struggled to make three-pointers against the Hawks but was still productive on offense, averaging 29.3 points and 7.7 assists across three meetings. The three-time All-Star has regularly elevated his game in the postseason, and the Knicks will go as far as he takes them in the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Thomas Bryant (calf) will remain out on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. He suffered a left calf strain late during the regular season and won't be in the lineup for a fifth consecutive game. Bryant has practiced in a limited capacity this week, so it's possible he can return later in the series. With Bryant unavailable,
Larry Nance Jr. returned to the rotation for the final few regular-season games, but he isn't expected to see much action in the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Toronto Raptors point guard
Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday's playoff opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He exited Toronto's regular-season finale early due to a tight right hamstring. The team considers him day-to-day. If Quickley isn't available on Saturday,
Jamal Shead and
Ja'Kobe Walter will compete for a starting role. Between the two, Shead has been more productive as a starter, recording averages of 11.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 1.3 steals this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) is expected to play on Friday against the Phoenix Suns, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The Latvian veteran remains questionable on the injury report, but he appears ready to play through right ankle soreness. After struggling late during the regular season, Porzingis opened the Play-In Tournament with a strong performance on Wednesday, notching 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal in 28 minutes against the Clippers. Due to his ankle issue, Porzingis might have a lighter workload on Friday night, leaving more playing time for
Al Horford and
Gui Santos.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Slater
April 17, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (abdomen) has been officially ruled out for Sunday's Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, The Athletic's Tony Jones reports. "I'm just worried about Sunday, and I know he's not playing in that one. So I'm just trying to put together a great game plan for Sunday," 76ers head coach Nick Nurse told reporters on Friday. Embiid hasn't played since April 6, missing the last three regular-season games and one Play-In Tournament game after undergoing an appendectomy.
Adem Bona finished the regular season as Philadelphia's starting center, while
Andre Drummond also had an expanded role.
--Taavi PailkSource: Tony Jones
April 17, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander
Richard Fitts (lat) underwent season-ending surgery to address the right-lat strain that put him on the injured list in the minor leagues recently, president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom told Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Fitts is expected to be fine in the long-term, but he'll obviously miss the rest of this year and can be dropped in any single-year fantasy leagues. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2024 and went 2-5 with a 3.97 ERA (5.02 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 23 walks in 65 2/3 innings in 15 appearances (14 starts) in 2024 and 2025 in Beantown. Depending on how Fitts' rehab goes, there's the potential for him to be delayed early in the 2027 season, too. He came to St. Louis in the trade that sent veteran righty
Sonny Gray to Boston. Fitts, who probably needs to add to his fastball/slider arsenal, is probably a back-end starter for St. Louis down the road, at best.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Daniel Guerrero
April 17, 2026
After topping 1,500 scrimmage yards in 2024, Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron Jones Sr. struggled through a down year in 2025. The 31-year-old missed five games due to injury and finished the year with just 747 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 160 touches. While Jones Sr. was still Minnesota's nominal starter in the games he was healthy for, the team largely split carries between him and
Jordan Mason. At this point in their respective careers, Mason profiles as a more reliable short-yardage back, which could leave Jones Sr. limited to third-down and pass-catching duties. Jones Sr.'s production should benefit from the Vikings' offense having more overall stability in 2026 after the signing of veteran quarterback
Kyler Murray. Still, Jones Sr.'s dynasty value is firmly trending in the wrong direction, given his age and the split backfield in Minnesota.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) will play on his minor-league rehab assignment on Friday night, according to Craig Mish of Sports Grid. The team's medical staff will talk with Stowers after the game to see how he feels, but it sounds like his return could be imminent if all goes well. Stowers, who was Miami's lone All-Star representative in 2025, has yet to play in 2026 due to a right-hamstring strain that he suffered late in spring training in March. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger has just two hits in 15 at-bats with six strikeouts and no walks in his three rehab games to this point, but fantasy managers shouldn't really be concerned with that. When reinstated from the IL, Stowers will operate as the Marlins' starting left fielder. If he's somehow available on your league's waiver wire, scoop him up immediately. Stowers hit .288/.368/.544 with a .912 OPS, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 117 games last year in his first full season in the majors.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Grid - Craig Mish
April 17, 2026
After spending the first four years of his career with the Green Bay Packers, wide receiver
Romeo Doubs signed a four-year contract with the New England Patriots as a free agent this past March. The 26-year-old posted solid but unspectacular numbers with the Packers in 2025, recording 55 receptions for 724 yards and seven touchdowns on 85 targets. With New England, Doubs profiles as the team's WR1 and could have a chance to break 100 targets for the first time in his career. The Patriots have other quality wideouts in
Kayshon Boutte,
Mack Hollins, and
Kyle Williams, but Doubs figures to be locked into every-down playing time, given the team's sizable investment in him. He may not carry high-end fantasy upside, but Doubs has established a solid production floor, and his dynasty value is rising after the move to New England.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Tyler O'Neill (concussion) will not be activated from the seven-day injured list in the next day or two, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Manager Craig Albernaz said that O'Neill still has some boxes to check before he rejoins the major-league roster. O'Neill is still in the league's concussion protocol and will not be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible on Saturday. Hopefully, he can rejoin the team at some point early next week. With both O'Neill and first baseman/designated hitter
Ryan Mountcastle (foot) out with injuries, both
Dylan Beavers and
Leody Taveras have seen more playing time for Baltimore. Beavers, a 24-year-old former first-rounder in 2022 out of Cal, is the better long-term fantasy play over Taveras. Beavers is hitting .233 (10-for-43) with a homer and five RBI in his first 14 games in 2026. When healthy, O'Neill is a lineup regular for Baltimore and has power upside left after clubbing 31 long balls in 2024 with the Boston Red Sox in 113 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
April 17, 2026
Veteran running back
Isiah Pacheco had a disastrous year in his final season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025. Across 13 games, the 27-year-old recorded 563 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 137 touches. Pacheco signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions in free agency, where he will serve as the RB2 behind star Lions back
Jahmyr Gibbs. Pacheco's star has fallen quite a bit in recent seasons, as he's failed to average four yards per carry since 2023 and has missed 14 games over the past two years due to injury. Still, Detroit is a solid landing spot for his fantasy value. Former Lions back
David Montgomery scored 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons in a role similar to the one Pacheco will likely fill in 2026. Additionally, any injury to Gibbs would immediately vault Pacheco into the RB1 role in Detroit. In dynasty formats, Pacheco could be a decent buy-low target for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
Colorado Rockies infielder
Willi Castro (hand) remains out for Friday's series opener at Coors Field against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, per MLB.com.
Edouard Julien will start at second base again and bat leadoff for Colorado versus Dodgers right-hander
Tyler Glasnow. Castro has not played since being pulled from Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand. The good news, though, is that X-rays came back negative, and he's considered day-to-day for now. Castro could be back in the lineup as early as Game 2 of the series in Denver on Saturday. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican switch-hitter could be in danger of losing more playing time to Julien at the keystone for the Rockies after starting the year with a .214/.279/.339 slash line, one home run, eight RBI, four walks, and 24 strikeouts in 621 plate appearances over 16 games played. In his career against Glasnow, Julien is hitting .200 with a .533 OPS in just five at-bats.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 17, 2026
Veteran running back
Rico Dowdle had a standout year with the Carolina Panthers in 2025, racking up 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches across 17 games. The 27-year-old parlayed his strong season into a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he will likely share lead running back duties with Steelers back
Jaylen Warren. Dowdle is the stronger short-area and goal-line back between the two, which could lead to him earning a larger role in the red zone. However, Warren is a standout pass-catcher, which might lead to a drop-off in Dowdle's fantasy value in PPR formats. Dowdle was able to thrive while paired with Panthers back
Chuba Hubbard in 2025, so he's proven the ability to provide fantasy production in a split backfield. Still, dynasty managers may want to value Dowdle more as an RB3/flex option than a no-doubt starter at the running back position.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Adley Rutschman (ankle), who is on the 10-day injured list with left-ankle inflammation, is running and going through drills and said he's feeling "a lot better," according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Rutschman is pleased with how he's progressing, but he also isn't sure how soon he could be back. He's eligible to return on Tuesday in Kansas City against the Royals. Until Rutschman can return, young catcher
Samuel Basallo will do most of the catching for the O's. Rutschman, a 28-year-old switch-hitting catcher, didn't hit a home run in his first 10 games in 2026 before going on the shelf, but he was batting .294 (10-for-34) at the time of his injury with three stolen bases and three runs scored in 39 plate appearances. He needs to be held onto in all fantasy leagues while he heals up as he looks to bounce back from his worst statistical season in 2025 since he entered the majors in 2022. Young outfielder
Dylan Beavers should continue to see regular at-bats at DH with both Rutschman and
Ryan Mountcastle (foot) injured.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
April 17, 2026
After being acquired from the New Orleans Saints at the 2025 trade deadline, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Rashid Shaheed's production fell off a cliff. Shaheed recorded 15 receptions for 188 yards and zero touchdowns across nine games with Seattle, compared to 44 receptions for 499 yards and two touchdowns across nine games with the Saints. Shaheed saw fewer than three targets per game as a member of the Seahawks and was utilized almost exclusively as a downfield deep-ball threat. Still, Seattle re-signed Shaheed to a three-year contract in free agency. The team could either have larger plans for him in 2026, or it could be satisfied with the production Shaheed provided last season. Star wideout
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is firmly entrenched as Seattle's WR1, leaving Shaheed to fight with wide receivers
Cooper Kupp and
Tory Horton for targets. Shaheed's big-play ability allows him to maintain some fantasy upside, but his dynasty value is fading now that he's out of New Orleans.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
Washington Commanders quarterback
Marcus Mariota saw more playing time than his team probably would have preferred in 2025, thanks to Commanders QB1
Jayden Daniels' myriad injury issues. Across 11 games (eight starts), Mariota completed 61.2% of his pass attempts for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 32-year-old also impacts the game with his legs, recording 297 rushing yards and a score on 50 attempts. When he gets the chance to play, Mariota's dual-threat ability makes him an appealing streamer option for fantasy managers. Daniels should be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season, which will relegate Mariota to backup duties. Still, Daniels' considerable injury track record could make Mariota worth rostering as a handcuff quarterback in deep dynasty formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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