RADIO
Deshaun Watson Expected to be Inactive Sunday, Should Return in Week 10
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson cleared concussion protocol on Saturday, but he is still expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that Watson is expected to return in Week 10. The Browns are presumably making Watson inactive this Sunday because he was in concussion protocol all week long, which means that he didn't get a chance to practice and prepare for the Saints. Projected starter Shedeur Sanders and backup Dillon Gabriel, on the other hand, went through a full week of practice and were able to prepare for the packages that we might see in Sunday's game. Watson will get back to a full level of participation in practice on Wednesday, putting him on track to play in Week 10 against the Houston Texans.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Sandis Vilmanis Expected to Miss Time
Florida Panthers left wing Sandis Vilmanis (undisclosed) will miss at least two games, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports. The Latvian forward was injured on Saturday when Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson sent him head-first into the boards. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said Vilmanis will be properly evaluated when the team returns home from its three-game road trip. Florida will make its second stop on Sunday against Boston. Vilmanis has notched seven points (three goals, four assists) in 16 games this season. His absence will open a top-six spot, and Florida must also adjust its second power-play unit.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Drake Powell Called Up by Brooklyn on Saturday
Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Drake Powell was recalled from the G-League's Long Island Nets on Saturday after being assigned there earlier in the week. The Nets also exercised the 21-year-old's 2027-28 team option in late October. Powell averaged 6.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in 20.9 minutes while shooting 40.2% from the field as a rookie, but he has struggled to crack Brooklyn's rotation this season and did not play Saturday against Atlanta. With several young guards competing for opportunities, Powell will need to earn consistent minutes before becoming much of a fantasy factor.
Source: Erik Slater
Source: Erik Slater
Yves Missi Remains Out for Sunday
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (knee) is out for Sunday's road matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers as he continues to recover from a bone bruise suffered Oct. 23 against Utah. The 22-year-old has resumed some on-court work but is still not 100 percent. Missi opened the season with 13 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks against Indiana, showing the fantasy upside he can provide when healthy. In his absence, Derik Queen has carved out a larger role and is averaging 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds, while Karlo Matkovic has also become a regular part of the center rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Anton Lundell Questionable Sunday
Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (undisclosed) is questionable for Sunday's matinee against the Boston Bruins, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports. Lundell's status is uncertain after he missed his first game of the season on Saturday against Washington. He was labeled day-to-day before the game, so Lundell isn't expected to be out long-term, and his absence could be limited to one game. Lundell recently scored a hat trick, bringing his season total to six points. He has four goals and two assists in 16 games, making him a low-end fantasy contributor.
Source: George Richards
Source: George Richards
Nic Claxton Carries Questionable Tag for Sunday
Chicago Bulls center Nic Claxton (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. A left hamstring strain has sidelined him for all eight games since Chicago acquired him from Brooklyn in June. Asked Friday whether Claxton would play, head coach Tiago Splitter said "probably," per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, while noting a minutes restriction is likely. The 27-year-old averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks last season. Splitter plans to test Claxton alongside Jalen Smith (finger), so Smith's value may not take as big a hit as expected.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jaylen Wright Won't Play Sunday Against the Lions
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (quad) is not expected to play in Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Detroit Lions, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Wright is officially listed as questionable after logging back-to-back limited practices. The 23-year-old has been very disappointing this season, even after De'Von Achane (knee) was ruled out for the rest of the season. Through six games this year, Wright has just 41 rushing yards on 22 carries, and he has failed to haul in either of his two targets. Ollie Gordon II has been the primary ball-carrier, and he remains the only Dolphins running back worth starting or rostering in fantasy football. Kaytron Allen (quadriceps, questionable) and Carlos Washington will round out the depth chart behind Gordon on Sunday, but they're both avoidable in all leagues.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Jalen Smith Listed as Probable for Sunday
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable for Sunday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith left Wednesday's loss to the Knicks after seven minutes when he landed awkwardly on his injured left hand. According to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, Smith expects to play Sunday. Before that shortened outing, the 26-year-old was averaging 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists as Chicago's starting center. The bigger concern for Smith's fantasy value is Nic Claxton (hamstring), who is questionable and could make his Bulls debut Sunday, potentially pushing Smith back to the second unit.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kyle Monangai Won't Play Sunday, Expected to Return in Week 11
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (thumb, toe) will not play in Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, he is expected to return in Week 11, following the Bears' bye week. Once Monangai is confirmed as inactive on Sunday, he will have officially missed five consecutive games. The Bears left the door open for him to suit up this week, but it was always going to be a longshot after he missed two consecutive practices, followed by a limited session on Friday. The Bears will continue to lean on D'Andre Swift, who ranks as the overall RB4 in PPR leagues this season and is averaging a whopping 20.9 touches per game this season. He also has 10 touchdowns, which ties his previous career high, despite the fact that we're not even halfway through the 2026 season yet. Swift has been impressive, but we do expect Monangai to carve out a meaningful role as a fantasy RB3/flex upon his return. Before he got injured, the Rutgers product was averaging 15 carries per game, although that number was somewhat skewed by a 30-carry effort in Week 4.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Joel Embiid Expected to Play Sunday in Chicago
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (foot) is probable for Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Chicago Bulls as he continues to manage a plantar fascia issue. Embiid has sat the second leg of both Philadelphia back-to-backs this season but is trending toward playing Sunday. The 32-year-old followed a 26-point, 15-rebound effort against Detroit with an 0-for-9 shooting night Friday in Cleveland, and he is just 3-for-28 from deep this season. With Adem Bona (neck) ruled out, the Sixers are thin behind him at center, though Embiid's workload remains worth watching after he was limited to 25 minutes against Chicago last Monday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Keegan Murray Carries Questionable Tag Versus Miami
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Miami Heat, according to FOX40's Sean Cunningham. Murray has not played since Oct. 23 after soreness and stiffness developed in the ankle that required surgery in May, with the issue later diagnosed as capsulitis. The 26-year-old averaged just 7.0 points and 3.0 rebounds on 29.4% shooting through his first two games. If cleared, Murray will likely have his minutes monitored. Precious Achiuwa has filled in effectively, averaging 10.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks, but his workload figures to shrink as Murray works his way back into the rotation.
Source: Sean Cunningham
Source: Sean Cunningham
Lamar Jackson Out 6-9 Weeks, Plans to Return Later This Season
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (thumb) has told teammates that he plans to return later this season, according to Ian Rapoport of ESPN.com. "Just stay alive" was Jackson's message to teammates in the aftermath of the thumb injury he suffered in Week 8, Rapoport notes. The Ravens fell to 4-5 this past Thursday with Joe Fagnano at quarterback, and the team could be destined for some more ugly losses with Jackson sidelined and backup Tyler Huntley (toe) expected to miss the remainder of the season. While Jackson currently expects to return before the end of the year, we wouldn't be shocked to see the team shut him down if the Ravens are eliminated from playoff contention before he's healthy enough to play again. The 29-year-old was diagnosed with a fractured and dislocated thumb on his right hand, and with a six-to-nine-week recovery timeline, Jackson probably won't play again until Week 15, at the earliest.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Amon-Ra St. Brown Will Play in Week 9
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is "good to go" for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Miami Dolphins, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. He had been listed as questionable after logging three limited practices this past week. St. Brown, who has missed just two games through six seasons in the NFL, will continue to operate as Jared Goff's No. 1 option in the passing game. The Lions may have to throw a little less than usual against this one-win Dolphins squad, but we also know that head coach Dan Campbell has a tendency to run his typical, aggressive offense deep into the game. St. Brown remains a must-start WR1 for fantasy football, looking to deliver his 10th consecutive double-digit performance (PPR) dating back to last year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emeka Egbuka Expected to Play in Week 9
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (foot) is expected to play in Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Chicago Bears despite being listed as questionable, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Egbuka is set to return from a two-game absence after recovering from a concussion and a foot injury. The 24-year-old has posted mixed results when healthy last year, but he'll look to pick up where he left off, as he caught 13 of 25 targets for 86 yards and one touchdown between Weeks 5 and 6. He is averaging 8.2 targets per game this season, and he should continue to see similar (or even more) volume in a potential negative game script environment against the Bears. Egbuka is firmly established as Baker Mayfield's favorite target, making him a fringe top-25 fantasy receiver for Week 9.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Emmett Johnson a Promising Bench Stash
Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson is a worthy bench stash as we head into the back half of the fantasy season. Johnson has been used sparingly as a rusher this year behind workhorse teammate Kenneth Walker. However, when given the opportunity, he's flashed his ability as an impact player. Most recently, the rookie came alive in a big way in the team's Week 8 loss to the Broncos. The Minneapolis, Minnesota native hauled in all five of his targets for a staggering 128 yards and a touchdown on the back of a 73-yard catch-and-run. Owners can't rely on that kind of volume from Johnson every week, though it's worth noting he's been a strong option when called upon and ranks third on the team in receiving yards (237) on minimal opportunities. Johnson is unlikely to turn the Chiefs' backfield into a committee, but he could siphon off more work moving forward. Head coach Andy Reid is notorious for making rookies earn their stripes. The 23-year-old is one of fantasy's most critical handcuffs.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
