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Alexandre Pantoja Returns At UFC 331
Former flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will attempt to reclaim the flyweight title when he takes on Joshua Van in the main event of UFC 331 on Saturday. Pantoja was last seen in action in December at UFC 323, where the bout ended after 26 seconds when Pantoja injured his arm while trying to brace for a fall. Prior to that, he was on an eight-fight winning streak and has defended the flyweight title four times. DraftKings sees Pantoja as a slight underdog with a salary of $7,900.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Harrison Butker Looking To Keep Streak Alive Against Colts
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night in Week 2. Butker was perfect on his kicks in Week 1, nailing all five of them. He accounted for seven of the Chiefs 31 points in last week's blowout win over the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs offense was rolling so Butker only had one field goal attempt for 28 yards away and he made it with ease. His four other kicks in the contest were extra-point attempts that he drained. Butker will look to continue his streak of perfection against the Colts. The Baltimore Ravens just scored 41 points against the Colts in Week 1, so if the Chiefs match that performance, Butker will be a busy man on Sunday. Butker is ranked K8 in our RotoBaller Week 2 rankings, making him a kicker worth starting this weekend.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Travis Kelce Will Try To Find Pay Dirt In Week 2
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught three passes for 71 yards in the 31-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 1. Most of those yards came on the back of one big play that went for 59 yards. The veteran tight end caught the ball in the middle of the field with blockers ahead of him and he was off to the races. Despite the long catch-and-run, Kelce was unable to find the end zone. While he did lead the team in receptions and receiving yards, the passing volume for Kansas City was low due to the excellent performance of running back Kenneth Walker. Walker and the run game carried the offense and the pass catchers did not have to do much in the blowout win. If this is the recipe for Chiefs success moving forward, Kelce will have to score touchdowns to be considered a viable fantasy option. It could happen against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2, since the Colts defense just surrendered 41 points to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Kelce is ranked TE11 in our RotoBaller Week 2 PPR rankings, making him a low-end TE1 option this week.
Source: NFL - Twitter
Source: NFL - Twitter
Puka Nacua Misses Practice on Friday
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (undisclosed) is not practicing on Friday afternoon, according to Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register. It is unclear why Nacua is not practicing in the team's second practice of the week as they prepare to take on the New York Giants in Week 2 on Monday night. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see the official reasoning for Nacua's absence, but they will be keeping their fingers crossed that it is nothing serious. The 25-year-old did not appear to get injured at all in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the division-rival San Francisco 49ers last Thursday in Australia, when he put up five receptions on nine targets for 74 yards and no touchdowns. The former fifth-rounder from BYU is a must-start in all fantasy leagues when he is healthy, but if his reason for missing practice on Friday is serious enough to keep him out in Week 2, Davante Adams would be the new WR1 for the Rams in a perfect bounce-back spot after his quiet season opener.
Source: The Orange County Register - Benjamin Royer
Source: The Orange County Register - Benjamin Royer
Xavier Worthy Hoping To Break Off Big Plays Against Colts
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night in Week 2. Worthy, like fellow receiver Rashee Rice, had a down game as the Chiefs offense was centered around running back Kenneth Walker. Walker exploded for 191 total yards, leaving Worthy with just three catches for 18 yards. The encouraging news is that Worthy was tied with Walker for the most targets on the team in Week 1, so maybe the second-year wideout can convert those opportunities into big plays against the Colts. The Colts defense was just trounced by the Baltimore Ravens to the tune of 41 points in Week 1. If Kansas City can marry the pass game with the run game in Week 2, Worthy may be able to make some things happen as the defense is focused on stopping Walker. Worthy is ranked WR54 in our RotoBaller Week 2 PPR rankings, making him a deep league WR3 option with a low floor heading into Sunday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Joshua Van Set For His Second Title Defense
Flyweight champion Joshua Van is scheduled for his second title defense against former flyweight title-holder Alexandre Pantoja in the main event of UFC 331 on Saturday. Van made his first successful title defense in his last fight, finishing Tatsuro Taira via fifth-round TKO. Before that fight, Van became the champion when when Pantoja snapped his arm while posting to brace for a fall. DraftKings sees Van as a slight favorite with a salary of $8,300.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Mauricio Ruffy Set For UFC 331 Co-Main Event
Mauricio Ruffy will look for his third consecutive win when he takes on Arman Tsarukyan in the co-main event of UFC 331 on Saturday. Ruffy last fought in June at UFC Freedom 250, where he destroyed Michael Chandler to win by first-round TKO. Before that, he stopped Rafael Fiziev via second-round TKO. Since signing with the leading promotion, his only loss in the UFC came to Benoit Saint Denis. DraftKings sees Ruffy as the underdog with a salary of $7,100.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Arman Tsarukyan A Favorite At UFC 311
Arman Tsarukyan will aim to extend his win streak and become the next title challenger when he takes on Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event of UFC 331 on Saturday. Tsarukyan was last seen in the Octagon almost a year ago at UFC Qatar, where he extended his win streak by submitting Dan Hooker in the second round. Since then, he's had 12 grappling/wrestling matches. DraftKings sees Tsarukyan as the favorite with a salary of $9,100.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Alec Pierce Officially Cleared to Play in Week 2
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) practiced in full on Friday and will not carry an injury designation into his team's Week 2 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old was held out of practice on Thursday due to a heel issue, but it appears the injury is not serious enough to keep him off the field on Sunday. In the Colts' Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Pierce recorded four catches for 61 yards on six targets. The talented wideout is expected to play a larger role in his team's offense in 2026. However, Indianapolis has other capable target-earners in wide receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen, as well as tight end Tyler Warren. The Colts also face a tough matchup against the Chiefs defense, which dominated the Denver Broncos' passing game in Week 1. All in all, Pierce profiles as a borderline flex option for fantasy managers in Week 2.
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Dansby Swanson Activated And Starting on Friday
Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (oblique) has been activated from the 10-day injured list, with third baseman BJ Murray Jr. being optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. Swanson is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Friday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Chase Burns, per MLB.com. He will make his first start since being sidelined in mid-August with a Grade 2 left-oblique strain. Swanson will return as Chicago's primary shortstop, pushing Nico Hoerner back to second-base duties. Without going on a rehab assignment, fantasy managers should not be surprised if Swanson struggles at the plate upon his return. The 32-year-old veteran is returning to a .216/.300/.404 slash line with a .704 OPS, 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 78 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in his 403 at-bats this season. Hitting in the nine-hole against Burns will definitely not endear him to any DFS managers on Friday.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Dooho Choi Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Fan-favorite Dooho Choi will look to extend his win streak when he faces off against former two-division Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull on the main card of UFC 331 on Saturday. Choi was last seen in the Octagon in May at UFC Vegas 117, where he extended his win streak by finishing Daniel Santos via second-round TKO. He is currently on a four-fight unbeaten streak. DraftKings sees Choi as the favorite with a salary of $8,900.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Rashee Rice Off Injury Report, Looking To Increase Production In Week 2
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was listed on the injury report with the knee injury that he's been rehabbing since last season, but had no issues practicing fully all week and is no longer listed on the report heading into the weekend. Rice had a disappointing Week 1 performance in the win over the Denver Broncos. Rice had just two catches for 19 yards and a touchdown in last week's contest. The touchdown came on a bit of a broken play where two Broncos defenders missed their tackles and Rice had a free run to the end zone. It was encouraging to see the wideout score, but his usage in the passing game was underwhelming. Kansas City leaned on running back Kenneth Walker heavily, and it paid off big time as the Chiefs ended up winning by 21 points. While the identity of the offense may have shifted to run-heavy, quarterback Patrick Mahomes will still need to pass the ball to keep defenses honest, and Rice should be the primary target. Rice will look to get things right this Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts defense looked lost as the Baltimore Ravens scored 41 points on them in Week 1. The Chiefs offense should be capable of putting up similar production against a beatable defensive unit. Rice is ranked WR23 in our RotoBaller Week 2 PPR rankings, making him a low-end WR2 heading into this week's matchup.
Source: Chiefs.com
Source: Chiefs.com
Carson Wentz In Superflex Territory Against Bears
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz is a playable option with a favorable matchup Sunday at Chicago now that Minnesota has ruled out starter Kyler Murray (concussion) from returning in Week 2. The veteran backup played well in relief last week against Green Bay, recovering from a few poor throws early to connect on three touchdowns as the Vikings rallied to beat Green Bay. Now, Wentz will face a Bears defense that ranks 29th in air yards allowed and surrendered 156 yards after the catch last week. The journeyman naturally comes with the risk of turnovers and the inability to avoid sacks that have plagued him most of his career, but he's still facing a shaky defense and throwing to a corps of pass catchers led by receiver Justin Jefferson. As one of RotoBaller's top 24 QB options this week, Wentz is startable in formats that play more than one quarterback.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emmett Johnson Will Look To Expand His Role Sunday Night
Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson displayed his elusiveness and pass-catching ability in Week 1. Johnson rushed eight times for 24 yards and caught two passes for 44 yards. Both of his catches led to explosive plays, one for 19 yards and the other for 25 yards. The rookie showed that the Chiefs really found something in the back out of Nebraska and his role may increase if he continues to impress. Johnson's next opportunity to show off will be against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night. The Colts just gave up 202 rushing yards to the Baltimore Ravens, so even if fellow back Kenneth Walker goes off there should still be enough chances for Johnson to perform. The 22-year-old's upside will be capped running behind Walker, but he should be more and more involved if he continues to do well with his limited touches. Johnson is ranked RB49 in our RotoBaller Week 2 PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option in deep leagues. Johnson remains a better bench stash than an option to plug into lineups for Week 2.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Potential For Aaron Jones Sr. As Backfield Leader At Bears
Now that Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (finger) will miss at least four games on injured reserve, fellow running back Aaron Jones Sr. is a solid RB2 option as the Vikings prepare to play Chicago in Week 2. What certainly looked to be a backfield split that slightly favored Mason is now a backfield that features Jones, journeyman DeeJay Dallas, and rookie Demond Claiborne, who was inactive in Week 1. While Jones may not be a workhorse any longer, his fantasy prospects have certainly improved in time to face a shaky Bears defense that ranks 29th in yards per carry allowed, 29th in air yards allowed, and missed nine tackles last week. Even without starting quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion), Jones' receiving ability and control of the backfield are appealing. As RotoBaller's No. 20 running back this week, Jones should draw serious consideration in most formats against Chicago.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
