March 8, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard/forward
Grayson Allen (knee) won't play on Sunday night against the Charlotte Hornets. He was listed as probable on the initial injury report, but the team has downgraded Allen to out ahead of tip-off. In Allen's absence, guys like
Ryan Dunn and
Amir Coffey could see more minutes off the bench. That said, the two don't look particularly attractive from a fantasy standpoint, and Phoenix must lean a lot on the starting group in Sunday's game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal could continue pitching with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic tournament. The original plan was for Skubal to pitch against Great Britain and then return to the Tigers camp. After Saturday's start, Skubal expressed interest in continuing to pitch with Team USA after feeling great emotion when pitching for his home country. Skubal would need approval from both his agent and the Tigers organization to continue playing in the WBC. It would be a huge boost for Team USA if the superstar southpaw is allowed to continue pitching with the team.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
March 8, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Nelson Velazquez appears to have a legitimate chance at landing a spot on the 26-man roster. The Cardinals are looking for an option in left field with
Lars Nootbaar (heels) still sidelined. Nootbaar is still recovering from surgery on his heels, so it doesn't sound like he'll be ready for Opening Day. Velazquez has looked good at the plate during his six Grapefruit League games. He's looking to rebound after posting a .200/.274/.366 slash line with eight home runs and 27 RBI in 64 games with the Kansas City Royals last season. He joined the Cardinals as a non-roster invitee, so they'd need to drop someone off the 40-man roster to keep Velazquez for Opening Day.
Nathan Church and
Thomas Saggese are also competing for the starting left field gig. The Cardinals lineup could use a slugger from the right side, such as Velazquez, but we'll see if he can earn the spot.
--Andy WebbSource: Derrick Goold
March 8, 2026
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher
Porter Hodge (elbow) will begin the 2026 season on the injured list, according to manager Craig Counsell. Hodge has been diagnosed with a right flexor tendon strain and will be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks. That decision will end Hodge's chances of making the 26-man roster to start the season. Before the injury, Hodge wasn't helping himself with seven walks and yielding seven earned runs in two innings of Cactus League play. The 25-year-old posted excellent rookie numbers in 2024, but couldn't get anyone out last season. He was once viewed as a possible closing option in Chicago, but
Daniel Palencia has run away with that job.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
March 8, 2026
Team Venezuela manager Omar Lopez said that Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Jackson Chourio (hand) is "ready" and should be back in the lineup for the World Baseball Classic contest against Nicaragua on Monday, according to Kevin Barral of FishOnFirst.com. A left-hand injury has caused Chourio to miss Venezuela's first two games of the WBC, but it's not a serious injury, and he'll be back in action next week after injuring his hand in an exhibition game last Wednesday when he was hit by a pitch. The 21-year-old will be ready for Opening Day at the end of this month and will look to continue improving as one of the league's best young outfielders after slashing .272/.317/.463 with a .781 OPS, 52 home runs, 157 RBI, 168 runs scored, and 43 stolen bases in 1,162 plate appearances over his first 279 regular-season games. Chourio is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 8 overall fantasy outfielder going into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Fish on First - Kevin Barral
March 8, 2026
The Texas Rangers have claimed outfielder
Dairon Blanco off waivers from the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. Blanco quickly finds a new home after being designated for assignment by the Royals earlier in the week. Blanco figures to have a legitimate shot at claiming a 26-man roster spot. The 32-year-old is a solid contact hitter with elite speed. Blanco has recorded 59 steals over parts of four seasons with the Royals. He could be a potential platoon option in the outfield, but his fantasy value will be dependent on his playing time.
--Andy WebbSource: Kansas City Royals
March 8, 2026
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton (forearm) is "fine" after he was removed from Friday's World Baseball Classic game for Team USA against Brazil after being hit by a pitch on his right forearm in the fifth inning, according to Team USA manager Mark DeRosa. X-rays came back negative on Buxton's arm. He initially stayed in the game in the WBC opener on Friday before being replaced in the outfield by Chicago Cubs outfielder
Pete Crow-Armstrong. It's great news for the injury-prone two-time All-Star and for the Twins, with the start of the 2026 regular season less than three weeks away. It's also great news for Team USA, which is without Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (hand) due to a fractured hamate bone that required surgery last month. Buxton didn't start in Saturday's win over Great Britain, but he's not expected to miss much time.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Ryan Kelapire
March 8, 2026
Texas Rangers catcher
Kyle Higashioka (back) is expected to return to the lineup on Monday, according to manager Skip Schumaker. Higashioka has been sidelined since being scratched from Saturday's lineup due to back spasms. Luckily, it sounds like a minor issue that is only going to sideline Higashioka for a few days. The expectation is that Higashioka will split up the playing time behind the plate with
Danny Jansen. Last season, Higashioka slashed .241/.291/.403 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI across 94 games. The fact that he's going to be in a platoon situation doesn't bode well for his everyday fantasy value.
--Andy WebbSource: Evan Grant
March 8, 2026
The Denver Broncos and tight end
Adam Trautman agreed to an undisclosed three-year deal on Sunday to keep him off the open market next week, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Trautman will stick around in Denver in 2026 for his third year with the team after also playing for head coach Sean Payton with the New Orleans Saints in the first three years of his NFL career. The 29-year-old former third-rounder by the Saints in 2020 out of Dayton will not be on the fantasy radar again this fall after catching 20 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown on 23 targets in 17 regular-season games for the Broncos in 2025. Trautman has provided Denver with valuable tight end depth, but he's caught only 55 passes on 80 targets for 587 yards and six touchdowns in his 51 games with the team over three seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
March 8, 2026
The Indianapolis Colts re-signed kicker
Blake Grupe to a one-year deal worth up to $1.4 million on Sunday, league sources told James Boyd of The Athletic. Grupe was cut by the New Orleans Saints last year after starting the year 18-for-26 on his field-goal tries and making all 15 of his extra-point attempts through 11 games played. The 27-year-old Notre Dame product then latched on with the Colts and kicked for them for five games, going a perfect 11-for-11 on field goals and 10-for-10 on his extra points. The strong finish to the 2025 season led to Grupe getting another shot as Indy's starting placekicker to begin the 2026 campaign this fall. Grupe has made 81.9% of his 105 career field-goal attempts (19-for-27 from 50-plus yards out) over three NFL seasons with the Saints and Colts. Fantasy managers in standard 12-team leagues should have better options at the kicking position this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - James Boyd
March 8, 2026
CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones thinks it would be a surprise if the Jacksonville Jaguars traded wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. this offseason, considering how the Jaguars' offense flourished down the stretch last year. There have been rumors that the Jags could look to move Thomas after a very disappointing sophomore season in 2025, but the team still values the 2024 first-round pick. The 23-year-old former 23rd overall pick out of LSU made a name for himself immediately in his rookie year and was a Pro Bowler, catching 87 of 133 targets for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. Thomas only caught 48 passes in 2025 for 707 yards and two touchdowns on 91 targets in 14 regular-season games. If he stays in Jacksonville, Thomas could be a rebound candidate for fantasy managers in 2026, although it won't be easy with
Jakobi Meyers,
Parker Washington, and former Heisman Trophy winner
Travis Hunter (knee) taking targets away in the passing game.
--Keith HernandezSource: CBS Sports - Jonathan Jones
March 8, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs impending free-agent tight end
Travis Kelce appears "motivated to return" for a 14th NFL season, based on conversations that The Athletic's Dianna Russini has had with several teams. The Chiefs are "very much" in the mix to re-sign the three-time Super Bowl champion and four-time All-Pro tight end. The 36-year-old veteran has contemplated retirement for the second straight offseason, and although nothing is official, all signs have pointed towards Kelce returning in 2026, most likely back in KC. The 11-time Pro Bowler was the TE4 in half-PPR scoring in his 13th NFL season last year with 76 receptions on 108 targets for 851 yards and five touchdowns in 17 starts. Kelce has not had 1,000 receiving yards since 2022, but he proved last year that he can still be very valuable for fantasy football purposes, even if his ceiling isn't as an elite high-end TE1 anymore.
UPDATE: Kelce's representatives are "expected to talk to multiple teams" when the legal tampering period begins on Monday, per The Athletic.--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
March 8, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (ankle) is available to play ahead of Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Giddey will shed the questionable tag and return to action after missing Thursday's game. Given he only missed one game, Giddey isn't expected to operate under a minutes limit. Since the All-Star break, Giddey is averaging 13.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds across 27.1 minutes per game. Fantasy managers should get Giddey active in their lineups ahead of tip-off. Both
Rob Dillingham and
Collin Sexton should see reduced roles with Giddey returning.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals and two-time Pro Bowl running back
James Conner (foot) agreed to a restructured contract on Sunday that will keep him with the team in 2026, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Conner played only three games in 2025 due to a foot injury that required season-ending surgery, but he'll be back with the Cardinals this year at age 31.
Trey Benson (knee) also missed most of the year due to injury, which gave more opportunities to both
Michael Carter and
Emari Demercado. Carter led the team with only 333 rushing yards and one touchdown on 92 rushing attempts over 13 games, while Demercado had 312 yards and no touchdowns on the ground in 13 games. Conner could be the favorite for RB1 duties again in 2026, but on the wrong side of 30 in an offense that could have issues at the quarterback position, the upside for Conner probably won't really be there.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
March 8, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward
Matas Buzelis (ankle) is available to play ahead of Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Buzelis will shed the questionable tag and return to the mix after missing Thursday's game due to an ankle issue. The second-year forward has been on a nice run lately. Over the last five games, Buzelis is averaging 19.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across 29.4 minutes per game. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Buzellis active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Deni Avdija (back) will return to the lineup on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports. Avdija will be on a minutes restriction after missing six games due to a lower back injury. It's unclear how much Avdija will play, but his return is good news for Portland and fantasy managers alike. With Avdija back,
Scoot Henderson will probably have to settle for a bench role. This might actually be beneficial for the young guard, as Henderson has struggled in recent games as a starter.
--Taavi PailkSource: Danny Marang
March 8, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Ajay Mitchell (ankle, abdomen) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Denver Nuggets. Mitchell is set to return following a 20-game absence due to an abdominal strain and sprained left ankle. He's expected to operate under a minutes limit, given Mitchell hasn't played since mid-January. His return to the rotation should mean reduced roles for
Jared McCain,
Isaiah Joe, and
Cason Wallace. Mitchell could be worth snagging for the fantasy playoffs, but it'll likely take him a few games to ramp up.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks forward
Kyle Kuzma (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's tilt against the Orlando Magic. Initially, he was listed as questionable for the game due to a back injury.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) will also depart the lineup on Sunday, and
Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) remains out, leaving Milwaukee short-handed for this contest. As a result,
Bobby Portis,
Ryan Rollins, and
Cam Thomas will be expected to do most of the work on the offensive end.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren (illness) is considered questionable for Monday's meeting with the Denver Nuggets. The Thunder have already ruled out
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) for the game and may also be without Holmgren, who is battling the flu. With the two big men sidelined,
Jaylin Williams and
Isaiah Joe started on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. Both performed well and are likely to keep their spots in the first unit if Holmgren is ruled out. In the absence of Holmgren and Hartenstein,
Kenrich Williams and
Aaron Wiggins have also seen an uptick in playing time.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder center
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) has been ruled out for Monday's contest against the Denver Nuggets. He will sit out a second consecutive game due to a left calf contusion. With
Chet Holmgren (illness) questionable,
Jaylin Williams could once again have a heavy workload as a starter in the frontcourt. The 23-year-old has averaged 10.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 blocks in the starting unit this season.
Kenrich Williams and
Aaron Wiggins could also be more involved in the action.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard
Egor Demin (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Demin will miss his fifth game in a row due to a lingering foot injury. He continues to be ruled out a full day in advance, which doesn't bode well for his game status on Tuesday. Fantasy managers should check back for another update, but Demin should be considered highly questionable for Tuesday's game.
Nolan Traore,
Terance Mann, and
Ziaire Williams should all see increased roles while Demin is out. Both Mann and Williams are worth looking at as streaming options while Demin is sidelined.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Denver Nuggets point guard
Jamal Murray (ankle) is listed as questionable for Monday's fascinating matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Murray sprained his left ankle on Friday night against the Knicks, playing only 18 minutes. Fortunately, he appears to have avoided a major injury, but the Canadian star may still have to miss some time.
Julian Strawther started the second half in Murray's place against the Knicks. Considering Strawther failed to make a significant impact, the Nuggets could consider starting
Tyus Jones on Monday if Murray can't play. There would also be additional minutes available for
Bruce Brown and
Tim Hardaway Jr.--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Brooklyn Nets forward
Michael Porter Jr. (rest) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Porter will take a seat for the front end of this back-to-back set. The expectation is that he'll return to the court for Tuesday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Without Porter available,
Danny Wolf,
Ziaire Williams, and
Ochai Agbaji are all candidates to see increased playing time. Among the three, Williams is the best streaming option without Porter on the court. He finished with 23 points, four rebounds, and knocked down five three-pointers during Friday's contest. He's worth a look in deep leagues at the minimum, while Porter is out.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers guard
VJ Edgecombe (back) is listed as questionable for Monday's clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The rookie has missed a pair of games with a back problem, but he could be back in action on Monday night. The 76ers could certainly need some help after losing
Tyrese Maxey (finger) to injury this weekend. Philadelphia also remains without
Joel Embiid (oblique) and
Paul George (suspension). Due to the injury situation, Edgecombe could play a very important role in Monday's contest if he returns. If he can't make it back,
Quentin Grimes will continue to have additional fantasy value as his replacement in the starting lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Orlando Magic forward
Jonathan Isaac (knee) is ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Isaac will miss his third straight game due to left knee soreness. Given his injury history, it's not shocking to see the Magic being extremely cautious with Isaac. His absence from the rotation should mean more minutes for
Noah Penda,
Tristan da Silva, and possibly
Goga Bitadze. Penda has been mostly quiet since being recalled from the G-League earlier this month. He's a decent dynasty stash, but isn't consistent enough to warrant streaming in most formats right now.
--Andy WebbSource: Orlando Magic
March 8, 2026
Orlando Magic guard
Anthony Black (back) won't play on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks. He injured his back in Saturday's loss to Minnesota and has been ruled out for Sunday's action after initially being considered questionable.
Tristan da Silva is set to rejoin the starting lineup in Black's absence, while
Jevon Carter may see increased minutes off the bench. This season, da Silva has averaged 10.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 20 starts.
--Taavi PailkSource: Orlando Magic
March 8, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward
DeMar DeRozan (illness) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bulls. He was absent from the initial injury report, but he must've picked up an illness throughout the day. Fantasy managers should consider DeRozan as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Indiana Pacers. His absence should open up playing time for
Nique Clifford,
Daeqwon Plowden, and
Doug McDermott. Among the three, Clifford is likely going to be the most useful streaming option. He figures to have a sizable role on Sunday and is worth starting while DeRozan is out.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Washington Wizards center
Alexandre Sarr (hamstring) will be limited to 16-20 minutes on Sunday against New Orleans, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports. The French big man has missed 10 games due to a right hamstring strain, and the team will monitor his workload to prevent the risk of reinjury. Sarr has averaged 28.2 minutes per game for the season, posting 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 blocks.
Julian Reese, who nearly recorded a 20-20 game on Thursday against Utah, should continue to see significant playing time while Sarr remains on a minutes restriction, boosting his fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: Josh Robbins
March 8, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks guard
Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) will miss a third consecutive game on Sunday against the Orlando Magic. He is dealing with a knee issue and has given up his spot in the starting lineup to
Ryan Rollins. Since returning to the first unit, Rollins has posted back-to-back double-doubles. He missed a triple-double by just two assists in Saturday's win over Utah. On Sunday, Rollins is expected to carry a huge offensive load, as the Bucks will also be without the services of
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf).
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 8, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) won't be in the lineup on Sunday against the Orlando Magic. He will sit out the second game of a back-to-back after tallying 27 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals in 27 minutes in Saturday's win over Utah.
Bobby Portis is the most likely candidate to start in Antetokounmpo's spot. Across nine previous starts this season, Portis has averaged 15.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. Antetokounmpo's absence could also increase responsibilities for
Kyle Kuzma (back), though he is considered questionable for Sunday's game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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