RADIO
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Entrenched as Commanders' RB1
Even though Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White's stock is up after an impressive joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, Bleeding Burgundy & Gold suggests that Jacory Croskey-Merritt is firmly entrenched as the RB1 right now because he is such a great fit in the team's new outside zone scheme. Croskey-Merritt has had some huge runs in the offense, and the Commanders are hoping that the second-year back takes a Year 2 leap in 2026. The 25-year-old has reportedly improved this offseason in the passing game, although White's pass-catching chops most likely will give him a leg up on third downs in his first year in D.C. The seventh-rounder last year out of the University of Arizona had 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries as the team's leading rusher a year ago, adding only nine catches for 68 yards. As long as he keeps improving, JCM is in line to be the Commanders' lead back while also seeing most of the goal-line work, making him the more attractive RB3/flex target in standard-scoring leagues over White.
Source: Bleeding Burgundy & Gold
Source: Bleeding Burgundy & Gold
Jaren Jackson Jr. Excited for First Jazz Offseason
Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. opened up about his trade from Memphis and his first offseason in Utah during a recent podcast appearance. "I'm really excited, honestly. I've been in Utah a lot this summer," Jackson said, per KSL Sports. The former Defensive Player of the Year arrived in a February blockbuster but played only three games for Utah before a PVNS growth in his left knee required season-ending surgery. With Walker Kessler now in Los Angeles, Jackson should have a major frontcourt role next to Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic, while rookie guard Darryn Peterson gives the Jazz another creator. Jackson's points, threes, and blocks remain fantasy-friendly, but his knee updates will matter before draft day.
Source: KSL Sports
Source: KSL Sports
Rachaad White's Stock Up After Joint Practice
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White's stock is trending up after Wednesday's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins, according to Bleeding Burgundy & Gold. The chemistry has been evident between White and quarterback Jayden Daniels, and White has been the QB's "easy button." He had a huge outside zone run where he ran through contact and showed good contact balance on Wednesday. The caveat is that second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is still "firmly entrenched" as the RB1 in Washington right now because he's a great fit in the outside zone scheme. The 27-year-old White averaged just 3.9 yards per carry on the ground in his four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he caught 205 passes for 1,450 yards and 11 touchdowns as a pass-catcher in 67 games played. The Commanders are giving JCM every opportunity to earn more of a three-down role in their backfield in Year 2, but White isn't going away and should have a key role, at least on third downs. Fantasy managers should be looking to target him as an RB3/flex sleeper in PPR formats.
Source: Bleeding Burgandy & Gold
Source: Bleeding Burgandy & Gold
Haywood Highsmith Waived by Suns
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Phoenix Suns have waived forward Haywood Highsmith. The 3-and-D wing had $1 million partially guaranteed on his roughly $3 million salary for 2026-27, which Phoenix will carry unless another team claims him on waivers. The Suns added Highsmith in February after Brooklyn released him, but an August right knee meniscal tear and surgery wiped out most of his season. He appeared in seven regular-season games for Phoenix, logging 91 total minutes. Highsmith owns career averages of 5.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 37.9 percent shooting from three across six seasons. He remains off the fantasy radar.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Russell Westbrook Retires After 18 NBA Seasons
Guard Russell Westbrook has retired after 18 NBA seasons, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 2017 MVP walked away on his own terms despite offseason offers from the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards, closing one of the most productive careers in NBA history. Westbrook retires as the league's all-time triple-double leader, a nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA selection, NBA 75th Anniversary Team member, and 2012 Olympic gold medalist. He averaged 20.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 6.9 rebounds across 1,301 regular-season games. Westbrook spent his final season in Sacramento, posting 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds in 64 games. He was already off the fantasy radar in a reduced-role scenario, and retirement officially closes the book.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Lakers Set for $12.5 Billion Sale to Josh Kushner, Bob Iger
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to be sold to businessman Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger for a record $12.5 billion, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. The ownership change does not create an immediate fantasy ripple, as Luka Doncic remains the clear offensive engine in Los Angeles after averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds last season. The 27-year-old is the centerpiece of a rebuilt roster featuring Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, and a boardroom change will not alter his elite usage. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, Doncic is locked in as the primary ball-handler and should carry another massive offensive workload.
Source: Ramona Shelburne
Source: Ramona Shelburne
J.J. McCarthy Wants to Stay in Minnesota After Losing QB Competition
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy said losing the QB competition to Kyler Murray was "out of my control" and that he wants to stay with the organization, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. With veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz also on the roster, a trade could become a possibility. "This is the place I want to be," McCarthy said. "And I love every single person in this building. I love the state. I love the fanbase. And I'm going to continue to just do whatever I can for this team and this organization." The Vikings drafted McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Michigan. He missed his entire rookie season after having knee surgery, and he started only 10 games last year while dealing with injuries. Murray was the heavy favorite to win the QB job in Minnesota this year after McCarthy threw 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions last season. If Murray stays healthy and rebounds in the Vikings' offense, McCarthy's best path back to fantasy relevance might be a trade out of town.
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
Darren Waller Reaches Agreement With Panthers on One-Year Deal
Former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller and the Carolina Panthers reached an agreement on Wednesday on an undisclosed one-year deal, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Waller, 33, will join a TE room in Carolina that already includes Ja'Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble, and Mitchell Evans. The former sixth-round pick out of Georgia Tech came out of retirement (after not playing in 2024) to play in nine games last year with the Miami Dolphins, catching 24 of 34 targets for 283 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-foot-6 and 238 pounds, Waller has always been a problem for defenses in the red zone, and he has 26 total touchdown catches in his nine years in the NFL. However, injuries were an issue for most of his career, and he missed time in 2025 with hip, groin, and pectoral issues. It's unclear right now how much of a role Waller will have with the Panthers, but his addition cannot be good news for Sanders' fantasy value. At best, Waller will be a touchdown-dependent, TE2 option in two-TE leagues in 2026 if he can actually stay on the field.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Max Meyer Receives Cortisone Shot, Could Resume Throwing Soon
Miami Marlins right-hander Max Meyer (neck, rib) received a cortisone shot in the rib area with the hope that it alleviates discomfort so that he can resume throwing soon, per Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Meyer was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 20 with a neck strain, but apparently he's also been dealing with a rib injury that required an injection. Because the 27-year-old has been delayed in his return to a throwing program, it seems unlikely that he'd be able to rejoin the Marlins' starting rotation before the end of this month. However, we'll have a better timeline for his return once he resumes throwing off a mound. The former third overall pick in 2020 from the University of Minnesota was an All-Star this year in his fourth MLB campaign and was having an excellent season before his injury, going 9-1 with a career-low 2.68 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 121 strikeouts and 41 walks in 111 innings over his 20 starts. With a return expected this year, Meyer is being held in 76% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Willy Adames Suffers Back Injury, Unlikely to Land on Injured List
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (back) was pulled from Wednesday's game early against the Houston Astros due to a back injury that has been bothering him recently, according to Justice delos Santos of the San Jose Mercury News. Adames' back appeared to tighten up on him when he turned a double play in the seventh inning of the series finale at Oracle Park. Manager Tony Vitello said he doesn't think Adames will need to go on the injured list, but he'll sit in the series opener on Friday against the division-rival Colorado Rockies. Adames went 1-for- 3 at the plate with a walk in Wednesday's eventual 2-1 loss before being replaced at shortstop by Christian Koss, who moved over from third base. The 30-year-old Dominican hasn't hit for average all year, and he came into Wednesday's contest hitting .200 (7-for-35) with a homer, a double, three RBI, two runs, a stolen base, six walks, and 10 strikeouts in 10 games in August. Unless Adames goes on a power binge to close out the year, he will not have a third straight 30-homer campaign in his ninth year in the big leagues.
Source: San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Source: San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Jadarian Price Returns to Team Drills on Wednesday
Seattle Seahawks rookie first-round running back Jadarian Price (lower body) returned to team drills in training camp practice on Wednesday for the first time in five practices, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. It should be noted that Wednesday was a walkthrough session as the team gets ready to face off against the Dallas Cowboys in their preseason opener this Saturday. The 22-year-old is in line for a key role immediately in his first year in the NFL in Seattle as the Seahawks look to replace Kenneth Walker. Along with Price, George Holani and Emanuel Wilson will be involved until Zach Charbonnet (knee) returns from a torn ACL that he suffered last postseason. While Price will certainly have a role early on, fantasy managers will want to be careful not to overvalue the Notre Dame product in a backfield that could change significantly once Charbonnet returns. Price has a wide-open opportunity to become the favorite for early-down work in Seattle, but he likely won't see enough weekly work to be much more than a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex.
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Terrance Ferguson Stands Out in Joint Practice With Cowboys
Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson is gaining hype heading into the 2026 season, and that continued with a strong day in Tuesday's joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed multiple passes to Ferguson, including a big gain on a deep crosser on what looked to be a busted coverage. Ferguson also shook defender Donovan Ezeiruaku in drop coverage on a wheel route for a big gain. The 23-year-old second-rounder from the University of Oregon last year had a big day, but it should be noted that star receiver Puka Nacua left early with a groin injury, which opened up additional targets. Still, Ferguson is a rising young TE who averaged 21 yards per catch on his 11 catches over 14 regular-season games in 2025 as a rookie. Even though L.A.'s TE room is crowded, Ferguson might have the most long-term upside of the group, and he should have an expanded role in an explosive Rams offense in Year 2. Target Ferguson as an upside TE2 in upcoming drafts.
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Nick Harris
Travis Kelce Says he Can Still "Play at a High Level"
In what could be his final NFL season in 2026, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce thinks he can still "play at a high level," according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. "I've still got a lot of love for this game," Kelce said Wednesday. "I want to go out there and prove to myself that I can play at a better level than I did last year. That's probably the biggest thing for me, is making sure I'm accountable to the guys in this [locker] room and every single play that I'm out there." The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year, $12 million deal to return to KC back in March after leading the team in targets (108), receptions (76), yards (851), touchdowns (five), and receiving first downs (45) in 2025. Despite his age, Kelce still managed to finish as a top-five fantasy football TE in half-PPR scoring last year. Kelce will still have fantasy value in 2026 in what could be his last season in the league, but he's no longer a top-flight TE1 and is ranked as the No. 12 TE at RotoBaller.
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Deshaun Watson to Start Browns' First Preseason Game
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken informed the QBs on Wednesday afternoon that quarterback Deshaun Watson will start the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Monken plans to start Shedeur Sanders in the team's second preseason game at home against the Buffalo Bills next Saturday. While Watson starting the team's first preseason game could mean he's in the lead over Sanders in Cleveland's QB competition this summer, it also might mean absolutely nothing. Watson and Sanders have been splitting first-team work during training camp, with no clear leader having emerged yet. How the two signal-callers perform in preseason action could be the deciding factor for who will start in Week 1 of the regular season in September. Regardless of who wins the competition for the Browns' starting QB job, they should be avoided in all single-QB formats and considered a low-end QB2 with limited upside and a short leash in two-QB superflex formats.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Jordon Davison Avoids Serious Injury
Updating from a previous report, Oregon running back Jordon Davison fully practiced on Wednesday and avoided serious injury. Zachary Neel of Ducks Wire initially reported that the sophomore was set to miss extended action, including regular-season time, but that was ultimately a false alarm. Davison, who rushed for 15 touchdowns last season and led Oregon in rushing with 667 yards, remains one of the top ball carriers to watch in 2026. As part of one of the best offenses in college football, he could contend to lead the nation in touchdowns.
Source: Zachary Neel - Ducks Wire
Source: Zachary Neel - Ducks Wire
