August 18, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Brian Robinson Jr. will not play in Monday night's preseason game against the Bengals. The decision was reportedly mutual between Robinson and the team as trade discussions heat up ahead of 53-man roster cuts. Robinson has been Washington's lead back, but uncertainty surrounding his future clouds his fantasy outlook. If he remains with the Commanders, Robinson should retain the bulk of the carries, making him a potential RB2. However, the risk of a trade or role change makes him a volatile option in drafts, likely pushing him down draft boards until his situation stabilizes.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Mike Garafolo
August 18, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver
Jalen Royals (knee) will not practice Monday due to knee tendinitis. The fourth-round pick is expected to begin the season in a reserve role but could earn more opportunities as the year progresses. With
Marquise Brown also battling injuries this preseason, Royals may be positioned for an increased role if he can stay healthy. The Chiefs' offense ranked just 16th in total yards last season and is searching for playmakers to complement
Travis Kelce and
Xavier Worthy. Royals is best left on waivers in redraft but is worth a mid-round dynasty stash.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Nate Taylor
August 18, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Quinshon Judkins will not face legal charges following his recent incident, but the NFL's ongoing investigation has delayed contract negotiations. The second-round pick remains unsigned as camp nears its close, raising concerns about his Week 1 availability. With Judkins sidelined,
Jerome Ford and rookie
Dylan Sampson could see expanded opportunities in the backfield. Judkins flashed explosive playmaking ability in college and still carries late-round fantasy appeal, but his uncertain status makes him a risky stash. Managers should monitor developments closely before investing in drafts.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Adam Schefter
August 18, 2025
Free-agent wide receiver
Gabe Davis is set to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday as he looks for a new home ahead of the 2025 season. The former Bills and Jaguars wideout caught just 20 of 42 targets for 239 yards and two touchdowns in Jacksonville last year, but he previously flashed big-play ability in Buffalo's explosive offense. Pittsburgh remains thin at receiver beyond
DK Metcalf, and Davis could bring size and vertical speed to stretch defenses. Fantasy managers should view Davis as a late-round flier with boom-or-bust upside if he signs with the Steelers.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Adam Schefter
August 18, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Marquise Brown (foot/ankle) returned to practice Sunday after missing Friday's preseason game against Seattle. The veteran is expected to start opposite rookie
Xavier Worthy in the Chiefs' high-powered offense. Brown has struggled with durability in recent seasons, playing only two games last year and recording nine catches for 91 yards. If he can stay on the field, Brown should have plenty of opportunities with
Patrick Mahomes distributing the ball. Fantasy managers can consider Brown a late-round flier with upside in deeper formats, though his injury history makes him a risky investment.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Matt McMullen
August 18, 2025
The Cleveland Browns are naming veteran
Joe Flacco as their Week 1 starting quarterback against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. This doesn't come as much of a surprise, as this was always expected to be the case, especially after
Kenny Pickett suffered a hamstring injury early in training camp. The 40-year-old veteran has been taking most of the first-team reps in practices this summer, although he has not played in either of the team's two preseason games with the rest of the Browns' QB room banged up. Flacco led the Browns to the playoffs two seasons ago, but he's going to be on a short leash in 2025 and will most likely continue to put the football in harm's way often down the field. The Bengals defense was a great matchup last year, so Flacco could have some sleeper appeal in DFS in Week 1 of the season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
August 18, 2025
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that the New Orleans Pelicans and free agent forward
Jalen McDaniels have agreed to a deal on Monday. McDaniels has posted averages of 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.7 steals while shooting 44.9 percent from the field. He's recorded 252 career regular-season outings during six NBA seasons spent with Charlotte, Philadelphia, Toronto, and, most recently, with Washington last season. The 27-year-old is not a player that should be on fantasy managers' radar going into the upcoming campaign.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
August 18, 2025
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Wilyer Abreu (calf) is likely to miss the team's two-game series against the Baltimore Orioles as he deals with tightness in his right calf. It doesn't appear Abreu will land on the 10-day injured list, though, as he plans to return to the lineup on Thursday to start a four-game set against the New York Yankees. Abreu suffered the injury on Sunday and had to leave early in a 5-3 loss to the Miami Marlins. After going 2-for-3 with a homer in that game, the 26-year-old is slashing .253/.325/.486 with 22 HRs, 69 RBI, 52 runs scored, and six stolen bases over 395 plate appearances.
UPDATE: Manager Alex Cora said Abreu is feeling better on Monday, but the team continues to take it day to day, and he isn't out of the woods for a trip to the injured list.--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
August 18, 2025
Michael Scotto of USA Today reports that restricted free-agent center
N'Faly Dante and the Atlanta Hawks agreed to a two-way deal worth $4.5 million for two seasons. The 23-year-old made four appearances last season for the Rockets, posting averages of 6.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per contest. He also shot 76.9 percent from the field during 12.8 minutes. Dante spent the majority of the 2024-25 campaign in the G League with Rio Grande Valley, leading the team with 2.2 blocks per contest.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Michael Scotto
August
18,
2025
Los
Angeles
Rams
quarterback
Matthew
Stafford
(back)
has
returned
to
practice
on
Monday
at
training
camp,
according
to
Ari
Meirov
of
The
33rd
Team.
The
Rams
never
provided
an
update
on
Stafford's
scheduled
workout
on
Saturday
before
read more...
August 18, 2025
The Chicago Cubs have optioned right-hander
Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa and recalled lefty
Luke Little, according to Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network. Assad missed the first four-plus months of the season with an oblique strain and finally returned Aug. 12 to make two starts. The 28-year-old combined for eight frames in those outings and went 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA, 13 hits allowed, and five strikeouts against two walks. After Assad threw four innings of one-run ball in a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, the Cubs are sending him down as
Jameson Taillon (calf) prepares to come off the 15-day injured list and rejoin the rotation.
--Connor ByrneSource: Andy Martinez - Marquee Sports Network
August 18, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kendrick Bourne (leg) will not practice this week or play in the preseason finale on Thursday against the New York Giants, according to head coach Mike Vrabel. Bourne had his leg rolled up on during practice back on Aug. 1 and has not practiced or played since. The 30-year-old's spot on the 53-man roster is now no longer guaranteed because of the fact that he might not be ready to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener. Bourne had a career-high 800 receiving yards in 2021 in his first year with New England, but he has disappointed ever since and played in 20 combined games due to injuries the last two seasons. In 2024, he had only 28 catches on 38 targets for 305 yards and one touchdown in 12 games (nine starts). Bourne hasn't been the same since tearing his ACL back in 2023.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
August 18, 2025
The Milwaukee Brewers announced that they have reinstated outfielder
Isaac Collins (personal) from the paternity list and optioned infielder
Tyler Black to Triple-A Nashville. Collins is back after missing the Brewers' weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds, but he is not in the lineup for Game 1 of a doubleheader versus the Chicago Cubs on Monday.
Christian Yelich is in left field, Collins' typical spot, and hitting cleanup in a meeting with right-hander
Cade Horton. The 28-year-old Collins has emerged as one of many standouts for a Milwaukee team that owns the majors' best record (78-45). He has slashed .288/.384/.448 with eight homers, 41 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases in 331 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: Milwaukee Brewers
August 18, 2025
According to Michael Scotto of USA Today, point guard
Dru Smith (Achilles) agreed to a three-year, $7.9 million deal with the Miami Heat. Smith has played in 28 regular-season games across three NBA campaigns, mostly with Miami. In 2023-24, his season was cut short due to a torn ACL after just nine outings. His injury woes continued into last season as he had surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon. The 27-year-old played in 14 games, averaging 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals during 19.1 minutes per contest before suffering the injury. Once available to suit up, Smith will likely make a minimal impact on fantasy as he will have to battle for minutes with
Davion Mitchell,
Terry Rozier, and rookie
Kasparas Jakucionis.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Michael Scotto
August 18, 2025
Colorado Rockies right-handed reliever
Zach Agnos (elbow) hopes to begin playing catch on Monday, but there's still no clear timetable for his return from the 15-day injured list. Agnos went on the IL on July 27 with a flexor strain, and with time running out on the Rockies' season, he may not pitch again this year. The 25-year-old got off to a superb start through May, boasting a 1.13 ERA over 16 innings, but his season went haywire after that. Agnos allowed at least one earned run in 12 of 14 appearances between June 1 and his placement on the IL. Thanks to that awful stretch, his ERA skyrocketed to 6.98 with a 1.58 WHIP and 17:16 K:BB in 29 2/3 innings.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
August 18, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Romeo Doubs (back) returned to training camp practice on Monday, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Doubs injured his back in practice last Tuesday but will finally return to the field for the final week of the preseason. The Packers also got quarterback
Jordan Love (thumb) back, although it's unclear if either Doubs or Love will play in the preseason finale this Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. Barring setbacks, both players should be available for the Week 1 regular-season opener. The 25-year-old Doubs caught 46 of his 72 targets for 601 yards and four touchdowns in 13 regular-season games (12 starts) in 2024 in his third year in the league. Doubs did have career-highs in yards per catch (13.1), yards per target (8.3) and yards per game (46.2), but he remains a mediocre WR target in a crowded receivers room.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
August
18,
2025
New
Orleans
Saints
head
coach
Kellen
Moore
said
that
tight
ends
Taysom
Hill
(knee)
and
Foster
Moreau
(knee)
are
not
close
to
a
return
to
the
field.
Until
one
or
both
read more...
August 18, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman/outfielder
Brendan Donovan (foot/groin) will sit out Monday's series opener against the Miami Marlins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Donovan hasn't played since last Wednesday as he continues to deal with pain in his left foot that has caused soreness in his groin. The Cardinals do not intend to place Donovan on the 10-day injured list, though, and are holding out hope that he'll return to the lineup on Tuesday. In nine games this month, Donovan has gone just 7-for-34 with one extra-base hit (a double), three RBI, five strikeouts, and a walk. The first-time All-Star has taken 476 trips to the plate this season and slashed an above-average .279/.348/.402 with nine homers, 45 RBI, and 57 runs scored.
--Connor ByrneSource: Derrick Goold - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
August 18, 2025
Green Bay Packers quarterback
Jordan Love (thumb) returned to training camp practice on Monday, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. Love was doing hand-offs and throws, while backup
Malik Willis took the first snaps of th day. The 26-year-old will ultimately go down as a limited participant, but it's still good news that he's back on the field after having minor surgery on his left (non-throwing) thumb. He had his thumb heavily taped in a soft cast and will not return to 11-on-11 drills this week. It's unclear when he'll be able to return to a full workload, and Green Bay will probably hold him out of their preseason finale on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. It shouldn't have a negative impact on Love's fantasy value for upcoming drafts. For fantasy purposes, managers should consider him more of a low-end QB2 with upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
August 18, 2025
Houston Astros designated hitter/outfielder
Yordan Alvarez (hand) has a chance to return from the 60-day injured list later this week, according to general manager Dana Brown. Alvarez, out since May 2 with a fractured right hand, will begin a rehab assignment at the Double-A level on Tuesday. He'll get Wednesday off and then try to play in back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday. If the three-time All-Star isn't back in the majors by this weekend, he should be in the Astros' lineup for the start of a series against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 26. Alvarez hit just .210/.306/.340 with three home runs and 18 RBI in 121 plate appearances before he suffered his injury, but he was an elite hitter from 2021-24. Based on his track record, the 28-year-old slugger should provide a boost to the Astros and fantasy managers during the last several weeks of the season.
--Connor ByrneSource: Chandler Rome - The Athletic
August 18, 2025
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver
Kyle Williams (head) will not practice on Monday, per ESPN's Mike Reiss. Williams left early from the team's preseason game on Saturday after taking a hard hit to the head. A third-round pick out of Washington State, Williams is competing with
Mack Hollins,
Kayshon Boutte, and others for the WR3 role in New England alongside
Stefon Diggs and
DeMario Douglas. He has reportedly shown flashes of brilliance but has largely been inconsistent in training camp. As such, missed time for Williams could set him back in the race for playing time in New England. The 22-year-old has clear upside as a downfield threat, but he's unlikely to factor in fantasy in 2025.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Mike Reiss
August 18, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs (knee) is "ahead of schedule injury-wise," according to Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. Diggs tore the ACL in his right knee last October and has yet to play in the preseason. However, the 32-year-old has been a consistent participant in training camp practices and looks like he'll be ready to go for Week 1. Diggs had 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games before getting injured in 2024, and should be the top target for Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye heading into 2025. He profiles as a low-end WR3/flex option in fantasy with a fairly high floor but limited upside.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Chad Graff
August 18, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown (hamstring) is not practicing on Monday, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Brown has already missed multiple weeks of practice due to this ongoing hamstring injury. However, recent reports indicate that the team does not believe it to be a major concern. Hamstring issues tend to linger, so this is definitely a situation to monitor until Brown is back on the field and fully cleared. The 28-year-old profiles as a low-end WR1 in fantasy, and now might be a good time to draft him at a discount if other managers are nervous about his injury status. If Brown were to miss any time, Eagles wideout
DeVonta Smith's fantasy value would skyrocket.
--Will BradySource: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Dave Zangaro
August 18, 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks
Michael Penix Jr. and
Kirk Cousins will not play in the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Dallas Cowboys, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Neither of the team's top two signal-callers has played at all in preseason action.
Easton Stick has been Atlanta's most-used quarterback through the team's first two preseason games and figures to get most of the reps against Dallas. With fourth-stringer
Emory Jones (head) in concussion protocol, Schefter reports that the team has signed quarterback
Ben DiNucci.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
August
18,
2025
Richard
Childress
Racing's
Austin
Dillon
was
one
of
the
top
drivers
from
Saturday
night's
Cook
Out
400
at
Richmond
Raceway.
Dillon
began
the
race
from
11th
place,
but
quickly
showcased
that
he
had
one
of
the
fastest
cars
on
longer
green
read more...
August 18, 2025
Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron finished 12th after a hard-fought day at Richmond Raceway for the Cook Out 400 on Saturday night. Byron started 14th during Saturday's race, and also finished there at the end of the first stage. Byron continued to experiment with pit strategies throughout the first two stages to gain track position in the long term. Still, he also became involved in a multicar accident on lap 190, resulting from being sent back into the pack due to the various pit stops. Byron was able to continue and finish the second stage in the ninth position, gaining two stage points. Although he would run as high as fifth in the final stage, Byron did not muster up the right pit strategy and did not have the car to finish in the top 10 at Richmond. Byron's 12th-place run, however, was enough for him to clinch the regular-season championship and 15 additional playoff points at the start of the 2025 Cup Series playoffs.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
August 18, 2025
New England Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson "might already be the Patriots' most reliable offensive player" and is earning more touches with each week of camp that goes by, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. Henderson has been one of the stars of the preseason, recording 50 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on eight total touches. He also returned a kick for a touchdown in New England's first preseason game. Henderson figures to split time with veterans
Rhamondre Stevenson (undisclosed) and
Antonio Gibson when the season begins, assuming Stevenson makes it back from an undisclosed injury that has held him out of recent training camp practices. Even still, Henderson profiles as an RB2 in fantasy due to his explosiveness and receiving ability. If he can ever seize a true lead role in the New England backfield, his potential is sky-high.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Chad Graff
August 18, 2025
Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing had an up-and-down performance during Saturday night's Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Hamlin began the race from the fourth position, and even after green-flag pit stops, Hamlin finished the first stage of the race in third to earn stage points. In the second stage, Hamlin would fall outside of the top 10 and finish the stage in 12th after being involved in a multi-car accident on Lap 190, and slow pit stops during the stage itself. The theme of slow pit stops continued into the final stage with Hamlin. Despite having one of the fastest cars on the track, Hamlin barely finished the entire race in the top 10 and placed 10th at the end. This marks Hamlin's sixth top-10 finish in seven races at Richmond since 2022.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
August
18,
2025
Team
Penske's
Joey
Logano
struggled
through
most
of
the
weekend
at
Richmond
Raceway
for
the
Cook
Out
400,
but
he
ended
up
climbing
his
way
to
success
by
the
end
of
Saturday
night's
race.
Logano
started
the
race
from
the
38th
read more...
August 18, 2025
Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports finished sixth during Saturday night's Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. It was not an easy feat for the No. 5 Chevrolet driver to accomplish, as he began the race from the 30th position. Larson progressed from 30th to 16th by the end of the first stage and then made it up to 10th by the end of the second stage. He also briefly held the lead during green-flag pit stops in the second stage. In the final stage, Larson ended up leading a few more laps over the course of green-flag pit stops, but ended up running inside the top 10 for most of the stage. He fell just short of finishing in the top five, placing sixth and gaining a top-10 finish at Richmond for the third consecutive race at the site.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
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