RADIO
Igor Chernyshov to Be Out For "a Little Bit"
San Jose Sharks winger Igor Chernyshov (upper body) is set to miss time after being hurt in Thursday's win over Ottawa, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said Chernyshov will be out for "a little bit." Chernyshov made his first 28 NHL appearances last season and was expected to kick on in 2026-27. Yet he has struggled to make an impact. In 11 games, Chernyshov has contributed two goals and two assists. With Chernyshov unavailable, Mason Marchment could get a look on the first line, though his fantasy production has been disappointing this season.
Source: Sheng Peng
Source: Sheng Peng
Rico Dowdle Listed as Questionable to Play in Week 7
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (knee) is listed as questionable to play in Week 7's matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Dowdle was limited in all three days of practice this week due to an apparent knee injury, despite not appearing to be injured in the 26-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6. Last week, Dowdle returned from a toe injury that cost him three games, had seven carries for 40 yards, and added three receptions for nine yards. While Jaylen Warren has firmly cemented himself as the lead back in this offense, Dowdle, if healthy, will still have a role, even after Warren's elite production in Dowdle's absence. Fantasy managers should monitor the team's Saturday elevations and Dowdle's status on Sunday morning, especially in a weaker matchup against the struggling Saints run defense.
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Puka Nacua Believed to Have Suffered Minor Calf Injury
Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua (calf) is believed to have suffered a minor injury during Thursday's practice ahead of their Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said that Nacua's calf injury was "minor compared to anything else, but not precautionary, and it's not nothing." Nacua has dealt with a hip/groin injury throughout the early part of the season, but it has not hindered his production, with the fourth-year receiver totaling 428 yards and two touchdowns in four games. With Davante Adams (hamstring) expected to miss more than six weeks, the Rams are thin at the position. Fantasy managers will need to check the Friday practice report to determine whether Nacua will miss Week 7 with this calf injury. If Nacua is out, Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, and the tight ends will be the main beneficiaries.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Pavel Mintyukov Out for Rest of Road Trip
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (lower body) has returned home from the team's road trip. The Ducks have been traveling along the East Coast, but they were without Mintyukov on Thursday night against New Jersey. He will also miss Saturday's matchup with the Philadelphia, which will mark the final game of the team's four-game trip. Mintyukov has registered two assists and 16 blocks in nine outings this season. Nick Jensen entered the lineup as Mintyukov's replacement on Thursday, but he's a non-factor in fantasy.
Source: Anaheim Ducks
Source: Anaheim Ducks
Steven Adams Could Miss Second Straight Game
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (calf) is questionable for Friday's matchup with San Antonio in Austin, per the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar. The 33-year-old missed Wednesday's opener after developing right calf tightness following a practice earlier in the week. Houston also plans to sit Adams for one leg of back-to-backs early in the season, with another game Saturday in Atlanta. He averaged 8.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes last season. If Adams remains out, Clint Capela should continue backing up Alperen Sengun, though Capela logged only eight minutes in the opener.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
Reed Sheppard Questionable Against Spurs
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (knee) is questionable for Friday's matchup with San Antonio due to a left knee contusion and bone bruise, per the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar. The 22-year-old is coming off a quiet opener against Dallas, scoring three points on 1-for-6 shooting from deep with three turnovers in 16 minutes. Marcus Smart played 26 minutes off the bench, while Fred VanVleet's return has tightened Houston's backcourt rotation. If Sheppard sits, Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic could see additional work. Sheppard averaged 13.5 points, 2.8 threes and 1.5 steals last season.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
De'Aaron Fox Iffy for Friday
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (wrist) is questionable for Friday's matchup with Houston due to a right wrist sprain. The two-time All-Star played 32 minutes in Tuesday's season opener, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal on 6-for-9 shooting. San Antonio visits Dallas on Saturday to complete a back-to-back, giving the Spurs another reason to be cautious with Fox. If he sits Friday, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle should take on more playmaking responsibility, while Julian Champagnie could move into the starting five.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
Keldon Johnson Questionable for Friday
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (mouth) is questionable for Friday's game against Houston in Austin, per Matt Guzman. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year needed three stitches for a deep cut inside his right cheek after Tuesday's 116-104 loss to Oklahoma City but still finished with 10 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 20 minutes. With Tobias Harris (calf) also out, Julian Champagnie could take on a larger wing role if Johnson sits, while Harrison Barnes and Carter Bryant may also pick up minutes.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
Santi Aldama Misses Second Straight Game
Dallas Mavericks forward Santi Aldama (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's road game against Indiana, per Dallas Sports Journal's Grant Afseth. It will be his second straight absence to open the season as he works back from right knee surgery, though head coach Dusty May said earlier this week that Aldama was "getting very close." Dallas brought the 25-year-old over from Memphis in July after he averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 three-pointers last season. Once healthy, his ability to stretch the floor should keep him firmly in the frontcourt rotation.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Dereck Lively II Ruled Out Against Indiana
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's matchup with Indiana, keeping him sidelined after his last appearance came Nov. 21, 2025. Lively underwent right foot surgery in December and remains without a clear return timeline. Team president Masai Ujiri recently said the 22-year-old has progressed to shooting and is working toward running, while head coach Dusty May described his return-to-play plan as somewhat unique. Lively was limited to seven games last season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes. With Lively and Santi Aldama (knee) both unavailable, rookie Morez Johnson Jr. should have a chance to stay involved in the frontcourt rotation.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Rhamondre Stevenson Rumbles for Long TD in Loss
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed six times for 22 yards and caught five passes for 93 yards and a touchdown (five targets) in a 30-24 loss to the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. Stevenson led New England's backfield in carries and was the most efficient RB on Thursday, but he made most of his hay in the receiving game, posting a career-high in yards. The sixth-year pro's new personal best was aided in large part by a spectacular catch-and-run in the waning seconds of the first half. Stevenson caught a dump-off on the right side on a play that looked like he was supposed to pitch it back. However, he scampered up the sideline and cut back against the grain, untouched for a 48-yard touchdown. While New England's backfield may be a mess right now, Stevenson is getting most of the snaps and has the most stable role in the receiving game. He'll look to keep this momentum in a divisional clash with the Miami Dolphins in Week 8.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Colston Loveland Leads Bears in Targets Thursday
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland caught seven passes for 69 yards and a touchdown on a game-high 12 targets in Thursday's 30-24 win over the visiting New England Patriots. Now that's more like it. Loveland built on a strong performance from a week ago in quarterback Caleb Williams' return from a three-game absence and was again a featured part of the game plan. It's the former first-round pick's second straight game with at least six catches, 65 yards, and a touchdown, as Chicago's offense is rounding into form under Williams' direction. Wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III will undoubtedly get more involved at times, but things are looking up for Loveland after a string of solid production. Chicago's offense will be put to the test their next time out when they line up against a stingy Seattle Seahawks defense on the road.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
D'Andre Swift Cruises to Another Strong Performance
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift totaled 78 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in Thursday's 30-24 home win over the New England Patriots. He added 12 yards on four receptions. Swift had another inefficient day on the ground, but he scored for the fourth time in three appearances and still got a decent target share (four). Stats aside, Swift looked spry and is a nice fit in Chicago's outside zone scheme. It doesn't seem likely the 27-year-old will see many more 20-plus-carry games, especially with backfield mate Kyle Monangai (toe, thumb) due back eventually. However, the former doesn't need workhorse volume to remain effective for fantasy when he's an ever-present threat to cash in on a touchdown. Swift and the Bears will face stiffer competition on the road their next time out against the Seattle Seahawks.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Caleb Williams Keeps Rolling in Bears' Win
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed 22 of 33 pass attempts for 308 yards and two touchdowns in his team's 30-24 win against the New England Patriots in Week 7. Williams and the Bears' offense were on the attack from their very first drive, and they might have scored another TD had the signal-caller not missed wide receiver Kalif Raymond on third down before settling for a field goal. Regardless, it was another strong effort for the 24-year-old, as he threw for 300-plus yards in consecutive games for the first time in his career. It'd be nice to see Williams use his legs a bit more, but fantasy managers won't have qualms about his output when he looks this comfortable from the pocket. Additionally, that part of his game could return as he's further removed from a hamstring injury. Chicago will face another formidable opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, in Week 8. Williams will again be a solid fantasy play, even with the unfavorable draw.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Drake Maye has Another Superb Effort in TNF Defeat
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye tossed for 321 yards and two touchdowns while throwing one interception in Thursday night's 30-24 loss to the Chicago Bears. He added 26 yards and an additional score on four rushes. It was another impressive, efficient (77% completion rate) outing for the former North Carolina Tarheel, as he's scored at least three total touchdowns in four straight games following a less-than-savory start to the campaign. Over the stretch, Maye has posted a stellar 12:1 TD:INT ratio while averaging 299.5 passing yards per clip. Moreover, he's done well to stay on his feet, taking just four total sacks during his hot streak. Up next for New England is a divisional bout with the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. He'll be among the top fantasy options at his position once again.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
