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Falcons Starting QB Job for the Taking for Michael Penix Jr.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has a chance to win the starting job, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport said the Falcons' goal was to have veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa start the season right away, but Tagovailoa's lackluster play in training camp and the preseason opens the door for Penix to start. "This is Michael Penix's job for the taking." Penix was the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and completed under 60% of his passes for 2,719 yards, with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in 12 games. Penix tore his ACL late last season and was recently cleared to participate in 11-on-11 drills at practice. If Penix surges late and Tagovailoa continues to struggle, watch for the Falcons to start the 2026 season with the third-year quarterback.
Source: Ian Rapoport - ESPN/NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - ESPN/NFL Network
Allen Robinson Announces Retirement from NFL
Former Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson has announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons. Robinson was drafted in the second round by the Jaguars in 2014, totaling 2,848 yards and 22 touchdowns in 43 games with the team. After four seasons in Jacksonville, Robinson signed with the Bears, where he played four seasons and caught over 95 passes for 1,150 yards in two of those seasons. Robinson spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Detroit Lions from 2022 to 2024. Robinson totaled 565 receptions for 7,058 yards and 43 touchdowns in 139 games in his NFL career.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
James Wood Throws Out to 120 Feet, Hits Off Tee
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (oblique) threw out to 120 feet and hit off a tee on Monday, according to Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post. Wood is not quite on the verge of a return from a strained left oblique, but the 23-year-old All-Star is making notable progress. If he requires a minor-league rehab assignment, Wood probably will not be an option to return to the big-league roster before the calendar flips to September early next week. Still, he should be held in all fantasy baseball leagues for the potential damage he could do in the final month of the regular season. The former second-rounder by the San Diego Padres in 2021 is one of the best young power/speed assets in the league, and he'll eventually be returning to a .265/.393/.535 slash line with a .928 OPS, 30 home runs, 73 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 100 runs scored. Wood still carries a high 28.6% strikeout rate in his third year in the big leagues, but he makes up for it by hitting the ball as hard as anyone when he does make contact at the plate.
Source: The Washington Post - Danielle Allentuck
Source: The Washington Post - Danielle Allentuck
Bryan Woo 100 Percent Confident he Can Start on Wednesday
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (shoulder) is "100% confident" that he can make his scheduled start on Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Seattle Times' Adam Jude. Woo had his last start on Aug. 16 cut short due to soreness in his right shoulder, and the Mariners skipped his last scheduled start over the weekend against the Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday, though, and thinks he will be cleared to toe the rubber this Wednesday. Fantasy managers will want to be cautious with his start this week while coming off an injury, although he will be on extra rest. Woo allowed 10 earned runs with four walks and 13 strikeouts in 10 innings in his final two starts of July against the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, but he's rebounded in three starts in August against the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Astros, allowing just two earned runs with three walks and 15 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched. He is 9-8 in 2026 with a 4.10 ERA (3.29 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 137 strikeouts and only 29 walks in 138 1/3 innings across his 24 starts on the year in his fourth year in the majors.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Colt Emerson to Have Season-Ending Wrist Surgery on Wednesday
Seattle Mariners rookie infielder Colt Emerson (wrist) is scheduled to have season-ending wrist surgery on Wednesday, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. There was a lot of excitement around Emerson, one of the team's top overall prospects, making his major-league debut in 2026, but it did not last long. The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting infielder struggled with big-league pitching in his first 69 games and 241 plate appearances, slashing .190/.246/.335 with a .581 OPS, eight home runs, six doubles, a triple, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored, three stolen bases, 15 walks, and 83 strikeouts. It was not what Emerson, his fantasy managers, or the Mariners expected, but the good news is that the young infielder is expected to be ready for the start of spring training early in 2027. Barring a setback with his wrist injury, Emerson is still in line as the club's starting shortstop over the long term, so fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues should be looking to buy low on the shortstop prospect this winter. Brock Rodden is starting at the 6 on Monday for the M's, but veteran J.P. Crawford (wrist) could come off the injured list as early as Tuesday to regain starting shortstop duties.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Giants Place Willy Adames on Injured List With Elbow Sprain
The San Francisco Giants placed shortstop Willy Adames (elbow) on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a sprained left elbow, according to Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. Adames was injured in Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox while sliding into home plate. He had missed some time last week with a recurring back injury as well, but his elbow injury will cause him to miss at least the next 10 days for the Gigantes. Christian Koss will most likely see most of the playing time at the 6 for the Giants while Adames is out, starting in Monday's series opener at home against the Cincinnati Reds. The 30-year-old Adames still has plenty of pop and has provided 21 home runs in his second season in the Bay Area, but he has also hit just .230 (107-for-465) with a .289 on-base percentage in 121 games across 505 plate appearances. With the Giants well out of playoff contention this year, the team will not be in any rush to bring Adames back for the final month of the regular season if he is not making great progress in his rehab.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
Bryson Stott Returns for Series Opener on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryson Stott (foot) is starting at third base and will bat sixth in Monday's series opener against the hosting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert, according to MLB.com. X-rays came back negative on Stott's foot on Sunday after he was forced from the game early, and he was diagnosed with a right-foot contusion. He will not have to miss any games because of it, although fantasy managers may want to keep him on their benches as he works through a rough patch offensively. Stott is hitting .294 (20-for-68) with a homer, four doubles, 10 RBI, five stolen bases, and 13 runs scored in 21 games so far in August, but he has gone hitless in his last 13 plate appearances over his last four games. Overall, the left-handed-hitting former first-rounder in 2019 from UNLV is slashing .259/.337/.406 with just nine home runs, 59 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases across his 433 at-bats in 2026. After the Phillies picked up Luis Arraez at the trade deadline, Stott moved across the diamond as the team's regular third baseman. He is hitting .429 with a 1.071 OPS and an RBI in just seven career at-bats against Gilbert.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Alec Bohm Back From Hamstring Injury to Face Mariners
Philadelphia Phillies corner infielder Alec Bohm (hamstring) is starting at first base and will bat fifth for the Phils in Monday's series opener on the road in Seattle against Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert, according to MLB.com. Bohm is returning to action to begin the new week after he was rested in Sunday's series finale versus the St. Louis Cardinals due to tightness in his hamstring/groin. Given how hot the right-handed slugger has been at the dish lately, fantasy managers who have Bohm rostered will want to get him back into their starting lineups on Monday. The 30-year-old veteran is currently hitting .378 (28-for-74) with a .947 OPS, a homer, six doubles, one triple, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored, and a stolen base in 20 games across 81 plate appearances in the month of August. The strong last few weeks have boosted the former first-rounder's season slash line to .248/.305/.390 with 14 home runs, 75 RBI, and 49 runs scored in 464 at-bats. In 10 career at-bats against Gilbert, Bohm has picked up three hits and has a .600 OPS.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Luis Arraez Returns to Phillies' Lineup on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Luis Arraez (hamstring) is back at second base and is hitting cleanup for the Phillies in Monday's series opener against the hosting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert, per MLB.com. Arraez did not start Sunday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals due to hamstring cramping, but he entered the contest late and is now back in the starting nine. The 29-year-old four-time All-Star and three-time batting champion is not a great source of power (he only has six home runs), but he continues to hit for average, entering the week with a .322 average (159-for-494) with 54 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in his eighth year in the big leagues. Since being acquired at the trade deadline by the Phillies, Arraez has gone 23-for-74 (.311) with two home runs, 11 RBI, and 11 runs scored in 18 games played for his new club. Despite hitting just .167 with a homer and two RBI in 12 career at-bats against Gilbert, fantasy managers should be looking to get Arraez back into their starting lineups for the new week.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ketel Marte Expected to be Activated Next Tuesday
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (knee) is tentatively expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list next Tuesday, when the team opens a series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, according to Francys Romero. Marte started rehabbing his injured knee on Monday at the team's spring training complex in Arizona. The team placed Marte on the restricted list last Monday after he did not show up to Fenway Park for the series opener against the Boston Red Sox, but it turned out he was headed back to Arizona to have an MRI exam on his bothersome left knee. It was a bizarre situation for the D-backs' coaching staff last week, but the good news for fantasy managers is that they should have the All-Star second baseman back in the fold early next week, barring a setback. The 32-year-old Dominican switch-hitter will be returning to a .249/.314/.446 slash line with 21 homers, 67 RBI, 65 runs scored, and four steals as a must-start in traditional fantasy leagues when he is active. Marte has struggled so far in the second half, hitting .225 (22-for-98) with a .712 OPS, four homers, four doubles, 13 RBI, 14 runs scored, 12 walks, and 20 strikeouts in 26 games played.
Source: Francys Romero
Source: Francys Romero
Chiefs Non-Committal on Patrick Mahomes' Week 1 Status
Everything has gone as planned this summer for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) after recovering from a torn ACL and LCL that he suffered late last season, but head coach Andy Reid was non-committal on Mahomes' status for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night on Sept. 14, according to Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star. "He's doing great," Reid said. "We'll just see. I'm literally taking it day by day. There are no predictions here on anything. But if the doctors and the trainers and everybody that are involved with this give him an OK -- and then most of all, if he feels like he can, then we'll address that when we get there." Mahomes did not see the field in either of the team's first two preseason contests, even though the star signal-caller had been hoping to see some action. Based on the fact that Mahomes has been full-go for all of the team's training camp practices, it would be a bit surprising if KC held him out in Week 1, especially against a big division rival. With Mahomes' mobility potentially being compromised early in 2026, he has fallen to more of a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 target in 2026 fantasy football drafts as the Chiefs look to bounce back and get back to the playoffs.
Source: The Kansas City Star - Pete Sweeney
Source: The Kansas City Star - Pete Sweeney
Northwestern Names Aidan Chiles As Starting Quarterback
Northwestern has named Michigan State transfer Aidan Chiles as its starting quarterback. Chiles and West Virginia transfer Nicco Marchiol were in competition for the starting job held by Preston Stone in 2025. Chiles threw for 1,392 yards and 10 touchdowns with only three interceptions last season for the Spartans. He also ran for 227 yards and six more touchdowns. Chiles was replaced by Alessio Milivojevic last November, prompting his transfer to Evanston. Chiles is a legitimate dual-threat quarterback who made great strides last season. Paired with RB Caleb Komolafe, Northwestern's ground game is worth monitoring in fantasy leagues in 2026.
Source: Pete Thamel on X
Source: Pete Thamel on X
Theo Johnson Suffers Undisclosed Injury on Monday
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (undisclosed) left training camp practice early on Monday with an undisclosed injury, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Duggan described it as an "odd scene," with Johnson going down while blocking and trainers immediately coming out onto the field. Johnson then walked off, slammed his helmet, ripped his gloves off, and pulled his hood over his head. He walked directly off the field toward the locker room and was walking briskly while not being accompanied by a trainer. It does not sound like a significant injury for the 25-year-old, but we will have an update on the specific nature of his injury when those details emerge. The former fourth-rounder in 2024 from Penn State is set to operate as New York's TE2 behind newcomer Isaiah Likely in his third NFL season in 2026, leaving little fantasy upside in single-TE leagues. Johnson took a step forward in his sophomore campaign in 2025, catching 45 of his 74 targets for 528 yards and five touchdowns after posting a 29-331-1 line in 12 games as a rookie. RotoBaller has Johnson ranked as the No. 41 fantasy TE.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Justin Jefferson Impressed With his New QB
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson always knew about quarterback Kyler Murray's athleticism, but he told The Athletic that he has come away impressed with his new QB's arm talent. "But his throwing ability is also something that has really, really surprised me. While he was in Arizona, I didn't really keep track and pay attention to his arm talent. And seeing the different type of throws he's making, where he's throwing the ball, it's been really, really surprising me," Jefferson said. The 27-year-old All-Pro wideout will be working with a new signal-caller for the fourth straight season, but Murray arguably has the most talent at the position, and he and Jefferson have been clicking and building chemistry all offseason. Jefferson had a down year in 2025, but he still managed 84 receptions for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games played. Murray should give Jefferson and the rest of Minnesota's offense more stability, and he clearly has the arm strength to hit the four-time Pro Bowler deep down the field. In his seventh NFL season, Jefferson has the potential to finish as the overall WR1 in 2026 if everything goes right.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
Oscar Delp Dealing With Hamstring Injury
New Orleans Saints rookie third-round tight end Oscar Delp (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury in training camp, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. The severity of Delp's hamstring injury is unclear, but he has several weeks to recover before the Week 1 regular-season opener. If healthy, the 23-year-old Georgia product figures to open up his first year in the NFL as the Saints' TE3 behind Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant, which will not endear him to fantasy managers in single-year leagues in 2026. Delp has considerable size at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, but his production in his four years with the Bulldogs does not exactly stand out, as he finished with 854 total yards and nine touchdowns on 70 receptions in 55 total games. Delp never had more than 284 receiving yards or four touchdowns in a single season and will be fighting an uphill battle for playing time in New Orleans as a rookie. He profiles as a dynasty/keeper stash at the TE position and not much else.
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
Source: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
