February 27, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans guard
Dejounte Murray (Achilles) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. The Pelicans are going to play it safe and rest Murray during the first game of this back-to-back set. The expectation is that Murray will be back in the mix for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Murray made his season debut versus the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. He missed the first 58 games of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles. He finished with 17 points, nine assists, and four steals during Thursday's game. Murray should offer strong upside once he's back to full speed.
Bryce McGowens,
Jordan Poole, and
Jeremiah Fears should all see increased playing time with Murray out on Saturday.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 27, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Trey Murphy III (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. This will mark the fifth game in a row that Murphy has missed due to a right shoulder contusion. He is being ruled out a full day in advance, so he's probably not close to returning. The Pelicans haven't given a clear timetable on his return yet. His absence should mean
Bryce McGowens and
Jordan Poole continue to see increased run. Poole is inconsistent at times, but his scoring upside makes him worth rostering in most fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 27, 2026
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on MLB Network on Thursday that designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez will see time in left field this season. Espada discussed how Alvarez enjoys playing left field, so the skipper believes it's important to get him some time on defense. It also allows the Astros to get some other players looks in the DH spot. It's unclear if it will be enough to give the Cuban left-handed slugger outfield eligibility in fantasy leagues, but if it is, it will make Alvarez even more attractive as a potential bounce-back candidate after his injury-plagued 2025 season. The 28-year-old three-time All-Star and former American League Rookie of the Year only played in 48 games and hit .273/.367/.430 with a career-worst .797 OPS, six home runs, 27 RBI, and 17 runs scored. Durability is the issue for Alvarez, but if he can stay healthy, he could easily post his fifth 30-homer season.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB Network
February 27, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Caleb Martin (back) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This sounds like a minor issue, so hopefully Martin will return for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavs are banged up with
P.J. Washington (ankle),
Cooper Flagg (foot), and
Klay Thompson (rest) all absent on Friday. That means
Khris Middleton,
Brandon Williams, and
Max Christie should all see increased playing time. Honestly, all three of them are suitable streaming options with the Mavs thin on depth right now.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 27, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard
Klay Thompson (rest) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Unsurprisingly, the Mavs have decided to rest the veteran guard in the second leg of the back-to-back set. The expectation is that Thompson will be back in the mix for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The absence of Thompson should mean an uptick in fantasy value for
Brandon Williams,
Max Christie, and
Miles Kelly. Among the three, Williams is the most consistent streaming option ahead of Friday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 27, 2026
The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs thinks the Chicago Bears would most likely need a "second-round pick or two picks equaling that value" to make it worth their while to trade backup quarterback
Tyson Bagent this offseason. Biggs also questions whether any team would actually offer a second-rounder for Bagent, who has only made four starts (all in his rookie season in 2023) in his three years in the NFL. The Arizona Cardinals have been rumored as a team that could potentially trade for Bagent, and the New York Jets are another organization that might look to save money at the QB position in 2026. It's just hard to imagine any team, no matter how desperate, wanting to give up much for Bagent before they make moves in free agency and the upcoming NFL draft. If Bagent is traded, he wouldn't be guaranteed a starting role going into Week 1 and would have to win a QB competition in training camp.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
February 27, 2026
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Khalil Shakir, who signed a four-year, $60.2 million contract with the team in February of last year, is a player "likely taking on a bigger role" next season, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. New head coach Joe Brady called Shakir "one of the team's best football players" and noted his ability to play both inside and outside. The 26-year-old has mostly operated out of the slot in his four years in Buffalo, but it sounds like Brady has more ideas of how to get him the ball in 2026. The former fifth-round pick in 2022 out of Boise State had 72 receptions on 95 targets for 719 yards and a career-high-tying four touchdowns in 16 regular-season games last season. Shakir also contributed 124 punt-return yards on special teams during the regular season. Shakir's involvement next year will also depend on any offseason additions on offense. It feels like the 6-foot, 190-pounder's ceiling was probably his 821-yard, 76-catch 2024 campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
February 27, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
P.J. Washington (ankle) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He was tagged as questionable, but has now been downgraded to out due to a left ankle sprain. Washington will sit out both games of the back-to-back set after sustaining an ankle injury on Tuesday. His next chance to play will come on Sunday versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, so fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of that game.
Khris Middleton figures to see an expanded role in the rotation once again with Washington out on Friday. He finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 33 minutes of action on Thursday. Middleton is worth a look as a streaming option while Washington is sidelined.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 27, 2026
The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane thinks that the Philadelphia Eagles will decide on whether they'll trade wide receiver
A.J. Brown "in the next 10 days" before the start of the legal tampering period. Brown had his fourth straight 1,000-yard receiving season in 2025, but the Eagles' offense was downright ugly at times, and Brown openly complained about his role while not being on the same page with head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback
Jalen Hurts. The 28-year-old had seven touchdowns for the third straight year, but he was more volatile from a fantasy perspective and averaged a career-low 12.9 yards per catch. A trade out of Philly could help Brown become more consistent, and teams such as the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills could be potential landing spots. If Philly were to trade Brown before June 1, it would result in over $40 million in dead cap.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane
February 27, 2026
Texas Rangers third baseman
Josh Jung (hamstring) is expected to make his return to the lineup on Sunday or Monday, according to Shawn McFarland. Jung was pulled from Thursday's lineup as a precaution due to a hamstring issue. He was initially expected to return on Friday, but the team is giving him a few extra days to rest. It's early in camp, so teams are usually going to be extremely cautious with players, even with minor issues. When healthy, Jung has good upside, but keeping him on the field has been a struggle. Last season, Jung slashed .251/.294/390 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI in a career-high 131 games. The 28-year-old could be worth a look as a late-round option due to his power upside.
--Andy WebbSource: Shawn McFarland
February 27, 2026
Chicago White Sox outfielder
Andrew Benintendi (side) was scratched ahead of Friday's Spring Training contest versus the Texas Rangers. Benintendi was pulled out of the lineup due to right-side soreness. For now, Benintendi is considered day-to-day, so hopefully, he has avoided any significant issues. The 31-year-old is coming off a decent campaign with the White Sox in 2025. He slashed .240/.307/.431 with 20 home runs and 63 RBI in 116 games.
Darren Baker took over in left field on Friday and could see an expanded role until Benintendi returns.
--Andy WebbSource: James Fegan
February 27, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher
Orion Kerkering (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. This will mark the first time that Kerkering has thrown since suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain earlier this month. If everything goes well, Kerkering should progress to facing live hitters. After that, Kerkering should get back to pitching in live games. The right-hander has plenty of time to ramp up at his own pace before Opening Day. Last season, Kerkering posted a 3.30 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and a 65/27 K/BB ratio across 69 games with the Phillies. He figures to be an important late-inning option, but his fantasy value is limited due to the lack of save opportunities.
--Andy WebbSource: Charlotte Varnes
February 27, 2026
New York Mets infielder
Grae Kessinger (knee) is reportedly getting imaging done after suffering a left knee injury during Friday's Grapefruit League contest against the St. Louis Cardinals. Mets manager
Carlos Mendoza said the injury didn't look too good, but the team will wait until the MRI comes back before they decide the next step. Normally, Kessinger's presence wouldn't be a huge factor, but he's currently in the running for the starting shortstop gig.
Francisco Lindor (hand) is uncertain for Opening Day, so the Mets might need to pivot once again if Kessinger misses significant time. The 28-year-old was unlikely to make a big impact on the Mets, given his .131/.243/.213 career slash line. However, the injury to Kessinger gives the Mets less depth going forward.
--Andy WebbSource: SNY Mets
February 27, 2026
The National Football League informed its clubs in a memo on Friday that the salary cap number for the 2026 season is $301.2 million per team, which is up $22 million from last year. It's the first time in the history of the NFL that the salary cap has topped $300 million. The cap has increased 40% in just five years since it dropped coming off the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Teams must be under the new salary cap by March 11, which is the first day of the new league year. The biggest year-to-year increase in the salary cap was $31 million from 2023 to 2024. The wide receiver position is the second-most lucrative franchise tag at $27.3 million. Quarterback sits at $43.9 million.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 27, 2026
The Denver Broncos told agent Deryk Gilmore this week that they will place a second-round restricted free-agent tender on nickel cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian, which comes with a $5.77 million salary, according to Mike Klis of 9 News. It's a big raise for the ball-hawking defensive back, as he made $1.03 million in 2025 as a third-year player. He led the team with three interceptions (61 return yards) and two forced fumbles while leading all secondary players with four sacks as well. If an interested team wants to try to pry McMillian away from Denver, they'd have to give up a second-round draft pick and also sign him to an extension. The former undrafted free agent out of East Carolina University also had 56 tackles (40 solo) and nine pass breakups last year in his fourth year in the league. McMillian will be a key piece of the Broncos' secondary again in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: 9 News - Mike Klis
February 27, 2026
Houston Astros outfielder
Jake Meyers (back) was scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Friday's Grapefruit League game versus the Washington Nationals. It's early in camp, so teams are going to play it safe even with minor issues. It sounds like Meyers is dealing with back spasms, so he should be considered day-to-day. This injury shouldn't be something that impacts his status for Opening Day. Meyers is looking to build off his breakout campaign in 2025. He slashed .292/.354/.373 with three home runs, 24 RBI, and 16 steals in 104 games with the Astros last season.
Kellen Strahm figures to see more time in center field until Meyers is ready to return.
--Andy WebbSource: Brian McTaggart
February 27, 2026
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza said that he had a "fantastic meeting" with the Las Vegas Raiders at the NFL scouting combine on Friday, according to Levi Edwards of Raiders.com. Mendoza also called head coach Klint Kubiak and his coaching staff "football savvy." Barring something totally out of the blue, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner will go first overall to the Raiders in April in the 2026 NFL draft after he led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and the national championship. Mendoza can do it all on the football field and should start on Day 1 in his rookie season in the NFL. He completed over 70% of his 379 pass attempts last year for a career-high 3,535 passing yards, an NCAA-high 41 touchdown passes, and only six interceptions in 16 games last year. Mendoza will be the consensus No. 1 overall pick in rookie-only drafts this fall, and he could be on the radar in two-QB superflex fantasy leagues in 2026 as well.
--Keith HernandezSource: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
February 27, 2026
San Francisco Giants outfielder
Harrison Bader (thumb) was removed early during Friday's Cactus League game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bader was taken out of Friday's contest after his lone at-bat due to a right thumb contusion. It's unclear how Bader suffered the injury, but there should be more information later. At the moment, fantasy managers should consider Bader as day-to-day, but the organization should give another update on him soon. He signed a two-year, $20.5 million deal with the Giants in the offseason to be the everyday option in center field.
Will Brennan or Jerar Enarnacion could see more at-bats if Bader misses any time.
--Andy WebbSource: Justice De Los Santos
February 27, 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs could be a team to monitor in the market for Seattle Seahawks impending free-agent running back
Kenneth Walker III this offseason, with Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer saying that KC "looms as an interesting suitor" for the Super Bowl LX MVP. The Houston Texans are another team that has already been tied to Walker, and the Denver Broncos also seem like a good bet to be interested. Coming off his impressive postseason run to help the Seahawks lift the Lombardi Trophy, Walker figures to be one of, if not the best, RB available on the open market come next month. Seattle is not expected to place the franchise tag on Walker. The 2025 season was the first time Walker played all 17 games, and he ran for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns on 221 carries.
Kareem Hunt and
Isiah Pacheco are both free agents for the Chiefs, so if Walker were to sign in KC, he'd be in line for an RB1 role as the team looks to bounce back from missing the postseason in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
February 27, 2026
The Athletic's Josh Kendall writes that Atlanta Falcons tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr. is expected to "play this season on the franchise tag," which Atlanta officially put on him on Tuesday. The Falcons can still attempt to sign Pitts to a long-term deal, "but that's not the vibe" the team is giving when it comes to the tight end. "I just felt (the franchise tag) was best to give us some time to evaluate," new general manager Ian Cunningham said. Pitts had 68 catches for 1,026 yards as a rookie in 2021, but then had three straight years where he averaged 542 receiving yards before bouncing back in 2025 with a career-high 88 receptions for 928 yards. The Falcons are basically telling the 25-year-old former fourth overall pick that he needs to do it again in 2026 before they seriously consider inking him to a long-term extension. Pitts certainly has the skills to be a high-end TE1 again in fantasy, but the quarterback situation might not do him any favors with
Michael Penix Jr. coming off a serious knee injury and facing pressure to prove he's the franchise QB.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
February 27, 2026
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (knee) will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. According to Friedman, Dallas filed paperwork declaring Seguin out for the rest of the regular season and playoffs. This will give the team full relief from Seguin's $9.85 million cap hit. The veteran forward underwent ACL surgery on his right knee on Dec. 19. Seguin will finish his 16th NHL campaign with 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 27 games. Dallas has also just lost Mikko Rantanen (lower body), opening the door for Mavrik Bourque and Sam Steel to take on expanded roles.
--Taavi PailkSource: Elliotte Friedman
February 27, 2026
The New England Patriots are expected to be in active trade discussions for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown, one league source told Chad Graff of The Athletic. The Patriots most likely won't give up their first-round pick, but at the right price, Brown "would fit what the Patriots are looking for." If the Patriots cut receiver
Stefon Diggs to save salary cap space, they are expected to look at wideouts
Mike Evans or
Alec Pierce (if he's available) before potentially making a trade for Brown. If they whiff on both the free-agent and trade markets, they could look to take a receiver early in this year's NFL draft. The 28-year-old Brown may have worn out his welcome in Philly after airing frustration with his role in the offense last year. The three-time Pro Bowler still had his fourth straight 1,000-yard season. Brown played for Pats head coach Mike Vrabel in Tennessee and could definitely have a higher fantasy ceiling while working with young quarterback
Drake Maye.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chad Graff
February 27, 2026
Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) could return to action on Friday against the Florida Panthers, Justin Alpert of Sabres.com reports. Benson skated Friday morning, and Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff hasn't ruled him out for the game. However, Ruff suggested Benson's return is more likely to come on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Benson has missed three games with an upper-body injury. He has contributed seven goals and 19 assists in 42 appearances this season. If Benson doesn't return on Friday, Peyton Krebs will continue to have a larger role.
--Taavi PailkSource: Justin Alpert
February 27, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys officially placed the franchise tag on impending free-agent wide receiver
George Pickens on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Now the two sides will try to work out a long-term contract extension before the July 15 deadline, with executive vice president Stephen Jones saying that the team isn't putting any timeframe on it. Rapoport said he does not expect Pickens to report to the team's facilities "unless and until there is a long-term deal." Rapoport also wonders if there is a team out there that would be willing to give up a premium draft pick and sign Pickens to a long-term deal themselves to try to pry the 24-year-old away from Dallas for 2026 and beyond. If Dallas and Pickens are unable to reach a long-term deal by July 15, and he's not traded, he'd play the upcoming season on a one-year, fully guaranteed $28 million contract. All signs point to the former second-rounder playing in Dallas again in 2026, where he had a career-best 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. Pickens is a locked-in WR1 in fantasy for this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 27, 2026
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (illness) will be in the lineup on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports. The power forward didn't play in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Philadelphia after waking up ill. Wilson will be part of the second line with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor McMichael, with Hendrix Lapierre scratched for the contest. It's safe to say Wilson has been Washington's best player this season, racking up 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) and 132 hits in 50 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sammi Silber
February 27, 2026
Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (lower body) will remain out for the team's upcoming back-to-back set, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports. Washington faces Vegas on Friday and Montreal on Saturday. Carlson missed his fifth game of the season on Wednesday night against Philadelphia. Declan Chisholm entered the lineup on Wednesday and will remain part of the defensive group for Friday's game. Although Chisholm hasn't been very productive this season, he contributed an assist in Wednesday's 3-1 win. The 26-year-old didn't record any defensive stats but finished with a plus-one rating over 15:08 of action.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sammi Silber
February 27, 2026
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (not injury-related) is expected to return to the crease for Friday night's action against the Anaheim Ducks, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports. Winnipeg started Eric Comrie between the sticks in its first post-Olympics game on Wednesday, giving Hellebuyck some extra rest after he helped Team USA win gold in Milan on Sunday. Hellebuyck had a great tournament with the U.S., but it's been a different story for him with the Jets this season. Across 36 starts, Hellebuyck has posted a 13-16-7 record. He hasn't yet registered a single shutout and holds a 2.79 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner has allowed at least three goals in each of his last five starts, going 1-3-1.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mitchell Clinton
February 27, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Samuel Girard (lower body) didn't practice on Friday. The team announced that Girard is being evaluated for a lower-body injury. Girard, who was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche at the start of the week, just made his Penguins debut. He logged 17:53 of ice time in Thursday's 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils, finishing with one shot on goal and four blocks. The Penguins face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, and Girard is traveling with the team. This suggests he might be available for the contest. If Girard can't play, the Penguins will use Ilya Solovyov or Ryan Graves as his replacement.
--Taavi PailkSource: Pittsburgh Penguins
February 27, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder
Hyeseong Kim rebuilt his swing from the ground up in the offseason after struggling with big-league pitching in his first year in the league in 2025, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Hitting coach Aaron Bates said Kim's swing last year was too "twisted," and his inability to adjust to breaking pitches made him vulnerable. Dodgers coaches worked to get the 5-foot-10 South Korean native to use the "ground to generate more of his power and stability," and they also made subtle adjustments to keep him "squared up to the ball longer." In his first four Cactus League games, Kim has gone 6-for-13 with a home run. The 27-year-old has really impressed this spring, putting him in position for a more prominent role in 2026. Kim didn't make the Opening Day roster last year. He finished with a .280 batting average, but it came with a .699 OPS and 30.6% strikeout rate. With
Tommy Edman (ankle) set to start on the injured list, Kim has made a strong case to open the year in a utility role on the big-league roster.
--Keith HernandezSource: The California Post - Jack Harris
February 27, 2026
Minnesota Twins right-hander
Bailey Ober was bothered by a hip injury last spring, and it lingered all season long, leading to "compromised mechanics, decreased velocity, and a career-worst 5.10 ERA in 146 1/3 innings." Ober has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game in spring training, instead "ramping up with live bullpen sessions," according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. "Physically, I'm feeling good," Ober said. "I'm throwing more bullpens this year, just making sure everything mechanically is lined up." The 30-year-old veteran also worked with a hip specialist in the offseason and is hoping to bounce back for the Twins in 2026. Before he battled injuries last year, Ober had three straight seasons with a sub-4.00 ERA, and he also had a career-high 191 punchouts in 178 2/3 innings over 31 starts in 2024. With better health and increased velocity, Ober could return to form and be a great value pick late in fantasy baseball drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
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