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Jaxon Wiggins Looking to Find Consistency at Triple-A
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins struggled in his latest start, giving up five runs in 2 2/3 innings for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. In his last five starts with Iowa, Wiggins has given up at least three earned runs in each start. Wiggins has been dealing with right elbow inflammation and it caused him to miss about two months of this season. The 24-year-old is the Cubs No. 5 overall prospect and has a 60-grade fastball with a 55-grade slider and a 50-grade changeup. Wiggins has struggled this season coming back from his elbow inflammation and is having a bit of a tough go lately with Iowa. Wiggins has major league stuff but he is looking to get into a rhythm after missing so much time. In Triple-A at age 24, it's a good sign for Wiggins and the Cubs, but he might need more time in the minors before he makes his MLB debut.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Josh Downs Dealing with Groin Injury
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (groin) is not practicing on Saturday due to a groin injury sustained during training camp last week. The fourth-year receiver is eyeing a breakout season, with many vacated targets after veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. With Alec Pierce (ankle) still on the PUP list and the next-best wide receivers on the roster, Ashton Dulin and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, the Colts need Downs to be healthy and produce in 2026. While it doesn't sound like a major injury, fantasy managers should monitor Downs' status over the next few weeks.
Source: Joel A. Erickson - FOX59
Source: Joel A. Erickson - FOX59
Luther Burden III Limps Off Field on Saturday
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (lower body) limped off the practice field on Saturday. Burden and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson were in a 1-on-1 drill when both players were injured. Burden, accompanied by a training staff member, limped to the locker room for further evaluation. The second-year receiver has been a terror at Bears' practices this summer, earning high praise from head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson stated that "it was his destiny to be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL" and compared him to Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and former Dolphins and Browns receiver Jarvis Landry. Fantasy managers will hope Burden left today's practice with only a minor injury, but we'll have to wait for an update and hope for the best.
Source: Courtney Cronin - ESPN
Source: Courtney Cronin - ESPN
Jared Goff Looks to Have a "Great Grasp" on New Offense
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff leads the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns over the past four seasons, so it should come as little surprise that he was listed among senior writer Tim Twentyman's 10 players who have impressed through the first two weeks of Lions training camp. Twentyman notes that the five-time Pro Bowler continues to wow with his ball placement and accuracy and appears to have "a great grasp of Drew Petzing's offense." Goff has one of the most feared surrounding casts in the league and a head coach unafraid to play to the final whistle, making his current ADP of QB16 all the more confounding following four straight top 10 fantasy finishes. In a year with a deep pool of quality options making it easier to wait at the quarterback position, Goff has week-winning upside and is a player to target in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Tim Twentyman
Source: Tim Twentyman
Cade Klubnik Leads Long Touchdown Drive in Team Scrimmage
With the New York Jets holding an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik looked sharp in simulated game action, leading a 50-yard touchdown drive against a unit made up mostly of Jets starting defenders. Klubnik connected with Jamaal Pritchett on a high fade into the corner of the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini, adding a highlight to what has been reported as an up-and-down training camp. The Jets spent a fourth-round pick on the former five-star recruit, and in a battle with Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe for the backup job behind 35-year-old Geno Smith, his appeal is evident in dynasty leagues, particularly should things go south for the Jets in 2026 and the team wants to see him in a starting role. At RotoBaller's dynasty QB46, Klubnik is not a player who needs to be actively targeted, but for managers who landed him in rookie drafts, he's a worthwhile stash.
Source: Rich Cimini
Source: Rich Cimini
Cam Ward Heating Up at Titans Camp
Tennessee Titans second-year quarterback Cam Ward has shown signs of growth throughout his second professional training camp. Titans senior writer Jim Wyatt reports that after what was potentially his best session of the summer on Thursday, the first overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft led a number of scoring drives during Friday night's scrimmage at Nissan Stadium. Ward saw his play improve throughout his rookie campaign, and with a new coaching staff and improved weaponry around him, he's a player who could take a sizable year two leap. At RotoBaller's QB25, he's regularly going undrafted outside of superflex leagues, but if he continues to take agency over an ascending offense, Ward could eventually play his way into the streaming conversation or more.
Source: Jim Wyatt
Source: Jim Wyatt
Tyjae Spears Doesn't Finish Titans' Friday Scrimmage
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (soreness) did not finish Friday's team scrimmage, with head coach Robert Saleh later telling reporters that the fourth-year back is dealing with soreness and irritation. While the early exit does not sound like a long-term concern, much of Spears' NFL career has been defined by injuries so a quick return to the field is of the utmost importance amid what has been reported as a strong training camp to this point. After making at least 45 catches in two of his three seasons, the passing game is an area where he has stood out throughout the summer, and a defined receiving role could lead to unexpected fantasy viability in 2026. Sharing a backfield with veteran Tony Pollard and fifth-round pick Nicholas Singleton, Spears is going largely undrafted as RotoBaller's RB71. Still, with unrealized sleeper potential, his status is worth monitoring throughout the rest of camp.
Source: Turron Davenport
Source: Turron Davenport
Cam Smith Seeing it Well in August, Homers Twice Against Padres
Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith kept his strong start to the month of August going in Friday's 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three runs scored, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .222 and his OPS to .686. Both of Smith's home runs on the night were of the solo variety, with his first one coming in the second inning off lefty starter Robbie Ray, and his second coming in the sixth frame off lefty reliever Yuki Matsui. It was Smith's second multi-homer performance of the 2026 season. The 23-year-old former 14th overall pick in 2024 from Florida State University has lowered his strikeout rate to 24.1% in his second MLB season, but the results haven't really followed. On the bright side, Smith is now up to 15 home runs on the year, and he is now 10-for-20 with two home runs, a double, four RBI, and five runs scored in a small sample size of six games to begin August. Fantasy managers desperate for some power in deeper leagues might want to look Smith's way if he stays hot this month. He's rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Makai Lemon Still Not Practicing
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) is once more absent from practice on Saturday, marking the fourth straight missed session as he deals with a hamstring injury. A first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the path was clear for him to immediately step into a sizable role following the departure of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, but as he continues to miss time, trade acquisition Dontayvion Wicks has reportedly built a strong case to begin the year as the Eagles' second receiver alongside DeVonta Smith. Lemon worked primarily out of the slot at USC and still has the potential to earn a similar role in Philadelphia. Still, without regular usage in two-receiver sets, he could struggle to consistently deliver for fantasy. Lemon is RotoBaller's WR50, and after being billed as part of a big three for much of the pre-draft process, he's fallen well behind Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson in 2026 redraft rankings.
Source: Eliot Shorr-Parks
Source: Eliot Shorr-Parks
Michael Soroka Expected to Return on Monday
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) threw four innings and 57 pitches for Triple-A Reno in a minor-league rehab game on Aug. 4, and he's expected to come off the 10-day injured list to start on Monday, Aug. 10, against the division-rival Colorado Rockies at home, according to MLB.com. Soroka has been sidelined since June 20 with a left-glute strain, but now that he's on the verge of a return, fantasy managers looking for rotation help should look his way. If the 29-year-old Canadian can return to his pre-injury form from this year, he'll be a real asset down the stretch for fantasy managers. In his 15 starts (82 innings pitched) in his first year in the desert, Soroka went 8-3 with a 3.07 ERA (2.92 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks for the Snakes. In back-to-back starts against the Rockies (one at home, one on the road) on May 17 and May 22, Soroka allowed only three earned runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out 10 in 11 2/3 innings with one win. He'll be very tempting in starting fantasy lineups in his return to start next week in Arizona against Colorado.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Angel Martinez Drives in Six, Heating Up in August
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez nearly accounted for all of the team's runs in their 8-2 victory on the road on Friday night against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. Martinez went 2-for-5 at the plate with a grand slam, a career-high six RBI, and a strikeout. The 24-year-old had a two-run single in the first inning and then hit a grand slam in the fifth inning. Martinez struggled upon his return from the injured list in July, going hitless in 19 plate appearances with no walks and four strikeouts in six games played. The 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter has flipped a switch so far in August, though, going 7-for-20 (.350) with a homer, two doubles, nine RBI, and three runs scored in six games played. Martinez is now batting .231/.266/.424 on the season with a career-best .690 OPS, 12 home runs, 42 RBI, 31 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 78 games and 284 plate appearances in his third year in the majors with Cleveland. He has a modest strikeout rate of 22.5%, but he has walked a career-low 2.8% of the time in 2026. If Martinez stays hot, he's worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues, and he's rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
The Tush Push Isn't Going Away for the Eagles in 2026
First-year Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is the fifth person to hold that title in as many seasons, but in speaking with reporters on Friday, he shared that the tush push would remain a part of the team's offensive system in 2026. One of the more unique and controversial plays in the game, the modified quarterback sneak has made Jalen Hurts one of the most efficient fantasy performers near the goal line since the Eagles popularized the play in 2022. After a failed campaign to ban the tush push ahead of the 2025 season, Hurts ran for a five-year low of eight rushing scores, and following a quieter offseason, the play remains legal for 2026. The high floor and ceiling provided by Hurts' usage around the goal line make him a top-tier target once more in 2026 drafts, and he comes into the year as RotoBaller's QB6.
Source: Tim McManus
Source: Tim McManus
Jack Kayil Stays Overseas with ALBA Berlin
New York Knicks second-round pick guard Jack Kayil will remain overseas next season after signing a new five-year deal with ALBA Berlin, while fellow second-rounder Tyler Nickel is "all in" on starting his pro career, according to Ian Begley. Kayil, whose draft rights New York acquired at No. 39, earned Bundesliga Best Young Player honors and should have time to develop in Germany. Nickel, acquired at No. 47, looks like a candidate for a two-way deal after shooting 40.0 percent from three as a senior at Vanderbilt. The defending champions have little need to rush either rookie, leaving both off fantasy radars unless Nickel quickly earns a real rotation path.
Source: Ian Begley
Source: Ian Begley
Garrett Wilson Displaying Clear Chemistry With Newest QB
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has never struggled to earn targets, though the quality of those looks has often left something to be desired from a fantasy perspective. A first-round pick in 2022, the start of his career did not align with quarterback Geno Smith's first stint with the Jets, but with the 35-year-old veteran now back with the team that drafted him, the two are making the most of their first training camp together and developing an obvious chemistry. While working on third-and-long situations on Friday, Smith was a perfect five of five when targeting Wilson in team sessions, and the ball has rarely touched the ground when he's gone that way throughout camp. With Justin Fields under center to begin 2025, Wilson started the year as the WR6 before a knee injury derailed his season after only five healthy games. Now, with the injury behind him and the potential beneficiary of improved quarterback play, he's being drafted as the WR19, making him one of the best potential values at the position in 2026 drafts.
Source: Amanda Vogt & Eric Allen
Source: Amanda Vogt & Eric Allen
Mavericks Hold Off on Klay Thompson Buyout
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is not currently discussing a buyout with the team, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Dallas is open to trading the four-time champion, but a buyout is not in play for now. Thompson is entering the final season of his deal at roughly $17.5 million, making him an easier trade chip than a long-term salary. The 36-year-old averaged a career-low 11.7 points in 21.7 minutes last season while still hitting 38.3 percent from three. He remains only a narrow fantasy target for threes, and his value likely depends on whether Dallas finds a trade.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
