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Garrett Crochet's Status for AL Wild-Card Series Remains Uncertain
The Boston Red Sox currently remain undecided on left-hander Garrett Crochet's (shoulder) status for the American League Wild-Card Series against the New York Yankees, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Crochet has not pitched since late April due to shoulder and lat issues. However, the 27-year-old has been making progress toward a return and could potentially work out of the bullpen for Boston against the Yankees. Crochet was one of the very best pitchers in all of baseball in 2025, recording an 18-5 record with a 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 255 strikeouts across 205 1/3 innings (32 starts). He also has experience working as a reliever, as he pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the Chicago White Sox in the 2021 and 2023 seasons. If Crochet is included on Boston's Wild Card roster, he could be an impact arm in the postseason.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Adonai Mitchell Offers Intriguing Stash Value
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger) was inactive for the Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. The hope is that Mitchell will be back for the Week 4 matchup against the Chicago Bears. If he's active, Mitchell could be an interesting streaming option this upcoming weekend. In Week 2, Mitchell hauled in six of his 12 targets for 63 yards in the loss to the Green Bay Packers. The expectation is that Mitchell would once again see heavy usage if he can play in Week 4. The Jets are without Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle) and Mason Taylor (thumb) at the moment. Given the lack of options, Mitchell could see plenty of opportunities in the coming weeks for this Jets offense.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
AJ Blubaugh Set to Open Game 1 of AL Wild-Card Series for Astros
Houston Astros right-hander AJ Blubaugh will be the opener in a projected bullpen game in Game 1 of his team's American League Wild Card Series matchup against the Chicago White Sox, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Blubaugh was effective in a multi-inning relief role for the Astros this year, recording a 5-3 record with a 3.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts across 96 innings (64 games). Because Houston did not clinch the American League West title until the final day of the regular season, ace Hunter Brown will likely get the ball for Game 2 of the Wild Card Series on Wednesday. As a result, the team will be hoping Blubaugh can get them through at least an inning or two to begin the game on Tuesday.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Hagen Smith Set to Start Game 1 of Wild-Card Series Against Astros
Chicago White Sox left-hander Hagen Smith will be his team's starter in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Houston Astros on Tuesday, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Smith worked almost exclusively as a reliever after making his MLB debut on August 9, so he will likely be the first man up in a bullpen game for Chicago. The 23-year-old was extremely effective for the White Sox during the regular season, recording a 3-3 record with a 1.29 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts across 28 innings (18 games). Smith posted an elevated 14.5% walk rate, but he also struck out 37.3% of the batters he faced. Throwing Smith as the opener assures that Astros lefty slugger Yordan Alvarez has a tough at-bat in his first plate appearance of the game, which is likely a big part of the strategy for Chicago.
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Keaton Mitchell a Worthy Waiver-Wire Target Following Solid Week 3
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell had his best game of the 2026 season in Week 3, recording 47 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 11 touches in his team's 24-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Mitchell has recorded 95 scrimmage yards on 21 touches across the Chargers' first three games of the season, and his production upside is limited by the presence of Los Angeles RB1 Omarion Hampton. However, Mitchell's usage has scaled up each week, and he played just three fewer snaps than Hampton in Week 3. While Hampton should be expected to remain the Chargers' lead back, Mitchell clearly has a role in his team's offense and could work his way into standalone fantasy value in deeper leagues. Obviously, Mitchell also offers significant upside for fantasy managers in the event of an injury to Hampton. In PPR-scoring leagues with 12 or more teams, Mitchell profiles as a worthy waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pat Freiermuth Remains a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth had a quiet game in his team's Week 3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, recording two catches for 30 yards on four targets. However, the 27-year-old has played a steady role in the Steelers' passing game so far this season, recording 11 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets across the first three weeks of 2026. Freiermuth has proven he can be productive when he sees consistent target volume, recording 65 catches for 653 yards and seven touchdowns on 78 targets in 2024. Given his current role in the Pittsburgh offense, Freiermuth profiles as a worthy waiver wire target in deeper fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 4 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Karl-Anthony Towns to Remain Hub of Knicks Offense
New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns will remain a central part of the offense this season, with head coach Mike Brown saying the scheme will continue to run through him while evolving over time. The six-time All-Star averaged 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists across 75 games last season before taking on more playmaking responsibility during the playoffs. Towns averaged 6.6 assists through the first two rounds before that number fell to 3.1 over the final nine games. If the Knicks keep using him as a facilitator from the elbow, even a modest assist increase would add another layer to an already strong fantasy profile.
Source: Kristian Winfield
Source: Kristian Winfield
Ben Kohles Playing Well Heading to Bank of Utah Championship
Ben Kohles has been a different golfer since the middle of June. The American golfer has eight consecutive Top 30 results including a T-15 at the Biltmore Championship. Only a final round 73 kept Kohles out of the Top 10. The question is can the veteran put together four rounds of high-birdie golf? Kohles needs to improve his ball-striking as he was 15.6 off the field average in Asheville. Again, the golfer has made 11 out of 13 cuts and can get results. It is for that reason alone that Kohles becomes a solid DFS choice heading into Thursday and Friday especially. During the break, he even played a few events on the Korn Ferry Tour to maintain his form. Finally, Kohles is even worth a Top 20 wager perhaps.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Khaman Maluach Draws Strong Praise Ahead of Camp
Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach has made a noticeable jump heading into his second season, according to Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports. Devin Booker said the 20-year-old has made "the biggest leap" of any Suns player he saw this summer and called him "way ahead of the curve." Maluach averaged just 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 8.9 minutes as a rookie before posting 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game in Summer League. With Mark Williams (shoulder) sidelined for several months, Maluach and Oso Ighodaro are in line for increased center minutes. If Maluach earns the larger share, his rebounding and shot-blocking could quickly put him on the fantasy radar.
Source: Kellan Olson
Source: Kellan Olson
T.J. Hockenson Could Be Poised for Expanded Role in Minnesota
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has not produced much value for fantasy managers so far in 2026, recording nine catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets across three games. However, the 29-year-old could be poised for a larger role in the Minnesota passing game going forward. Superstar Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) suffered an ankle injury during the team's Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jefferson reportedly avoided a serious injury and could even be active for Minnesota's Week 4 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Still, if Jefferson is unable to play, Hockenson could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a tight end streamer ahead of Week 4.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon Ingram to Miss Start of Season with Partially Torn Achilles
Los Angeles Clippers forward Brandon Ingram (Achilles) will miss the start of the 2026-27 season after doctors discovered and addressed a partially torn Achilles during his heel surgery in May. Interim president of basketball operations Trent Redden said Monday that there is no firm timetable and that Ingram will be reevaluated around the start of the season. The 29-year-old averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 77 games with Toronto last year. His absence should leave Darius Garland with plenty of creation duties, while Rui Hachimura and rookie Keaton Wagler could see more offensive opportunities. With no return date yet, Ingram carries considerably more draft risk.
Source: Tomer Azarly
Source: Tomer Azarly
Rasmus Hojgaard Struggled Mightily in Asheville
Rasmus Hojgaard only played one round in Asheville. The Norwegian golfer ended up with a 78 and withdrew before the second round at the Biltmore Championship. Hojgaard lost 8.92 strokes in a mere 18 holes. Little went right as even driving distance was right around average (0.6 yards above). Combine that with being 11% below average in driver accuracy and that got Hojgaard off on the wrong foot. It makes one wonder where his head is at this week. Usually he stays in Europe but he wanted to play more PGA events. The concern is the opening round where Hojgaard averages 30.37 putts per round (157th). That puts a lot of pressure on the golfer to putt better. In Utah, Hojgaard expects to not be a betting viable option again.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Jalen Hurts Cleared to Return on Monday Night After Concussion Scare
Updating a previous report, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been cleared of a concussion and will return to his team's Week 3 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. The 28-year-old was briefly forced to exit the game after taking a big hit along the sidelines. However, Hurts was cleared of a potential concussion. Hurts' brief absence was costly for the Eagles, as backup quarterback Andy Dalton threw an interception in a goal-to-go situation while Hurts was being checked out in the blue medical tent.
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Jalen Hurts Removed from Monday Night Football for Concussion Check
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (head) was removed from his team's Week 3 contest against the Chicago Bears after taking a big hit along the sidelines. Hurts went into the blue medical check and appeared to be evaluated for a concussion. Before exiting the game, the 28-year-old completed five of his seven pass attempts for 46 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Hurts was replaced by veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, who would likely finish the game for Philadelphia if Hurts is unable to return.
Source: Chicago Tribune - Sean Hammond
Source: Chicago Tribune - Sean Hammond
Tyrese Haliburton Says He Has No Restrictions
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) said Monday that he is 100 percent healthy and will have no restrictions entering the season. "There is no source. I am the source," Haliburton told reporters at media day after missing all of 2025-26 while recovering from a torn right Achilles. Head coach Rick Carlisle was slightly more cautious, saying the Pacers will monitor Haliburton's workload but do not anticipate many limitations. Haliburton averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in his last healthy season. His return should restore him as Indiana's primary playmaker, while Andrew Nembhard could see some of last year's 7.7-assist workload shift back toward Haliburton.
Source: Tyler Smith
Source: Tyler Smith
