RADIO
Chase DeLauter Exits Early on Sunday With "Mild Hamstring Tightness"
Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) exited Sunday's series finale against the visiting San Diego Padres early with "mild left-hamstring tightness," according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. DeLauter was removed in the third inning after going hitless in his lone plate appearance. He was replaced in right field by Angel Martinez. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger will have a scheduled day off on Monday, with his next chance to return to Cleveland's starting lineup coming in Tuesday's series opener at home against the San Francisco Giants. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. DeLauter came into Sunday's tilt against the Padres with a strong .286/.358/.443 slash line with an .801 OPS, 13 home runs, 57 RBI, 49 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across his 106 games and 452 plate appearances in his first year in the big leagues. It would be a shame for him to miss time the way he's been hitting, as he went 19-for-55 (.345) with a .919 OPS, two home runs, two doubles, six RBI, 11 runs scored, and three steals in 13 games in August going into Sunday's shutout loss to the Friars.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Alec Pierce to Miss All of Training Camp
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (left ankle) will miss all of training camp as he continues to recover from left ankle surgery, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. The surgery occurred in April, and while the Colts remain confident that he'll be ready for the regular-season opener on Sept. 13, it would have been nice to see Pierce get some preseason reps beforehand. He's still at least a week away from handling a normal practice workload, which could potentially have an impact on the number of snaps he plays in Week 1. If Pierce isn't at 100 percent for the season opener, we'd expect to see Daniel Jones distribute more targets to Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, as well as standout tight end Tyler Warren. As it stands, the newly extended Pierce ranks as the overall WR46 in RotoBaller's latest redraft fantasy football rankings.
Source: James Boyd
Source: James Boyd
Dylan Sampson a Top Handcuff Despite Browns' Question Marks?
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson possesses value in redraft leagues despite his role as the backup to Quinshon Judkins. Sampson could have some standalone value as a pass-catching option behind Judkins, but more importantly, he's a top handcuff running back in fantasy football. Sampson had at least 10 carries in each of the three games that Judkins missed last year, and he was even more impactful in the passing game with 4.7 targets per game that Judkins missed. We're not very high on the Browns' offense with Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders under center, but Sampson could still become a volume-based RB2 option if Judkins were to miss time in 2026. He currently has an ADP of 162, which lines up with the 14th round of fantasy drafts and makes him the 52nd running back off the board. That's in line with the experts' opinions on Sampson, who ranks as the RB55 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dansby Swanson to Go on Injured List With Oblique Injury
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Sunday that shortstop Dansby Swanson (oblique) will go on the 10-day injured list with a left-oblique injury, according to Taylor McGregor of the Marquee Sports Network. The severity of his oblique injury is not yet determined, and Swanson will undergo an MRI exam on Monday. The 32-year-old shortstop had to be pulled from Sunday's loss to the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals early after swinging at the first pitch he saw on the day. Even if Swanson's oblique injury isn't severe, fantasy managers should expect him to miss more than 10 days and possibly up to a month or more. With Swanson going on the shelf, expect the Cubs to move second baseman Nico Hoerner over to the 6, with Pedro Ramirez and James Triantos as options to see playing time at the keystone in Chicago. Swanson is two homers and three steals away from his second straight 20-20 campaign, but he also came into Sunday's series finale with a career-low .216 average (87-for-403) and a .704 OPS in 118 games played. For his power/speed abilities at a premier position, Swanson should be stashed in most fantasy leagues while he recovers.
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
Courtland Sutton Available at a Discount in Fantasy Drafts?
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton remains one of the team's top pass catchers heading into the 2026 season. He caught three passes for 60 yards in Week 1 of the preseason, operating as the No. 1 receiver with Jaylen Waddle (leg) sidelined. It's encouraging that Sutton played this well with Jarrett Stidham as his quarterback -- albeit in a preseason game -- because he should remain productive once Bo Nix (ankle) returns to the offense. Teaming up with Waddle could actually be advantageous for Sutton this year, because it could shift some of the opposing teams' cornerbacks away from him and onto the ex-Dolphin. The Waddle addition has drastically changed Sutton's price tag in redraft leagues, as he now carries an ADP of 72. That makes him a sixth-round pick and the 35th receiver off the board in drafts. There's value to be had, as Sutton still projects as a key pass-catching option in a very potent Broncos offense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz Backs Dusty May for NBA Jump
Dallas Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz backed first-time NBA head coach Dusty May during a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan, pointing to May's climb from video work to assistant coach, college head coach and national champion as preparation for the job. May inherits a Dallas roster built around Cooper Flagg, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals across 70 starts while winning Rookie of the Year. The Mavericks already ranked fourth in pace last season, and May's push for a more entertaining style should keep Flagg in a strong counting-stats environment. Kyrie Irving is the key swing piece after missing all of last season with a torn left ACL, as his return would ease Flagg's creation burden but likely lower his assist ceiling.
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Should Fantasy Managers Fade Isaiah Davis?
New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (knee) continues to be a massive question mark, and he missed the team's preseason opener on Friday due to a knee injury. While it's tough to knock Davis' fantasy stock for a relatively minor injury, we can't ignore the fact that his absence might have hurt his standing in the running back room, especially since teammate Braelon Allen was active on Friday and broke off a 31-yard touchdown run. Allen might have an early leg up on the competition to be the Jets' No. 2 running back behind Breece Hall, leaving Davis in an unfavorable third-string role. If that's the case, he'll have trouble carving out any sort of fantasy value as long as Hall and Allen are healthy. With that being said, a lot can change between now and Week 1 of the regular season, so dynasty managers should keep Davis on the back end of their rosters if they have the space. He's an unappealing option in redraft leagues, though.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Olave a Flashy Option in Saints Offense Trending Upward
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is trending up ahead of the 2026 season. Last year was pivotal for Olave, who needed to prove that he could both produce and stay healthy over a full season. He ended up having a great year as he caught 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns across 16 games. All three of those statistics represented career highs, and he ended up finishing as the overall WR6 in PPR leagues. Although Olave is not a lock to replicate his top-six campaign from last year, he's still worth drafting at his ADP of 25.1. He's being drafted as an early third-round pick in most fantasy drafts, and he is typically the 11th receiver off the board. That falls in line with his ranking as the WR11 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings for 2026. We're intrigued about the possibility of drafting Olave, who is the top pass-catching option in an offense trending upward. Tyler Shough is due for a big Year 2 at quarterback, and the addition of Jordyn Tyson and Travis Etienne Jr. should help elevate this offense to the next level. Olave is a very strong WR1 for fantasy managers who choose to spend their first 1-2 picks on a running back or tight end.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cooper Flagg Draws Offseason Praise from Mavericks GM
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg has earned offseason praise from general manager Mike Schmitz, who discussed the reigning Rookie of the Year's development during a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan. The 19-year-old averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals as a rookie, becoming the first first-year player since Michael Jordan to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Kyrie Irving, nearing a return from his ACL tear, should ease some creation burden, but Flagg's scoring, rebounding, and defensive production keep him locked in as an early-round fantasy anchor.
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Dereck Lively II Making Progress in Foot Recovery
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II is making progress in his recovery from season-ending right foot surgery, with general manager Mike Schmitz saying Lively has been "working his tail off" and staying locked in around the facility. The 2023 No. 12 pick said in June that he was out of the boot and crutches and back in normal shoes, but later reports noted he still had not progressed to running. Lively appeared in only seven games last season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He remains a high-upside rim runner and shot blocker when healthy, but Daniel Gafford is the safer fantasy bet until Lively's timeline gets clearer. Morez Johnson Jr. adds another frontcourt body if the ramp-up drags.
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Haywood Highsmith Remains Backburner Option for Heat
Free-agent forward Haywood Highsmith could eventually draw a look from the Miami Heat, though the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman framed any reunion as a backburner scenario. Highsmith spent parts of four seasons in Miami before being traded to Brooklyn last summer, waived by the Nets in February and later signed by Phoenix. A right knee meniscus tear limited him to seven games with the Suns, where he averaged 5.4 points in 13.0 minutes before being waived this month. Winderman noted Miami's bigger need is frontcourt size, preferably someone who can also play center, not another 6-foot-5 combo forward. Gabe Vincent is a similar long-shot reunion name, but neither carries meaningful fantasy value right now.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Anthony Edwards Backs Timberwolves' Retooled Roster
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is confident the team's retooled roster can get past the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, the teams that ended Minnesota's last two playoff runs. "Against those two teams, I think we're going to beat them," Edwards told ESPN during a visit to Manila. The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 61 games in 2025-26, carrying heavy scoring responsibilities before Minnesota added LaMelo Ball and moved Julius Randle to Brooklyn. Ball's arrival may trim Edwards' playmaking volume, but it should also ease defensive pressure and keep him in the first-round fantasy mix.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Emanuel Wilson Dealing with Hamstring Injury
Seattle Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (hamstring) did not play in the team's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday. His absence was likely caused by a hamstring injury that he suffered in a scrimmage during practice on Tuesday. The good news is that head coach Mike Macdonald said Wilson's injury "is a short-term thing," so we should see him back on the field relatively soon. Prior to the hamstring ailment, the 27-year-old had been running with the first-team offense. Zach Charbonnet (knee) continues to recover from an ACL tear, so Wilson projects to start at running back when the Seahawks take the field in Week 1 of the regular season against the New England Patriots. As long as Charbonnet is sidelined, Wilson ranks as a low-end RB2 or high-end RB3 in fantasy football.
Source: Gregg Bell
Source: Gregg Bell
Von Miller Expected to Sign with Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to sign free-agent linebacker Von Miller, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Presumably, it'll be a one-year deal for the veteran defensive standout. Miller is an eight-time Pro Bowler, but he hasn't earned the honor since 2019. Nevertheless, he has remained productive deep into his career. Last year with the Commanders, he played in 17 games, amassing 26 tackles, nine sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and six tackles for loss. Now 36 years old, the Texas A&M product and Texas native heads to Dallas for a homecoming of sorts. He should offer depth in a linebacker room that is headlined by Rashan Gary, Dee Winters, DeMarvion Overshown, and Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Raiders Sign Noah Brown to a One-Year Deal
The Las Vegas Raiders have signed wide receiver Noah Brown to a one-year deal. Brown spent last season with the Commanders, but injuries limited him to just four games. During that span, he caught five of 10 targets for 83 yards and zero touchdowns. The veteran receiver reached his fantasy peak as the WR61 back in 2022, and his productivity has declined ever since. It's unlikely he'll return to his 2022 form in Vegas, so fantasy managers should avoid him in drafts. With that being said, he could immediately compete for a role in a relatively thin receiver room that is headlined by Jack Bech, Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, and Dont'e Thornton Jr.
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
