RADIO
Aroldis Chapman "Not Worried At All" About Lat Strain
Boston Red Sox left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman (lat) said he is "not worried at all" about his lat strain that made him unavailable to pitch in Thursday's late-inning comeback win over the Texas Rangers, according to Sean McAdam of MassLive.com. Chapman said he has felt improvement since it first popped up on Tuesday, and he is confident he will pitch again before the end of the 2026 regular season. While the 38-year-old veteran southpaw appears to have dodged a bullet, it is unclear how quickly he might be available to pick up another save for fantasy managers playing for a championship late in the season. If Chapman misses more time, right-hander Garrett Whitlock, who picked up his fourth save of the year in Texas on Thursday, is expected to get the first crack at more save opportunities. Chapman continues to defy Father Time in 2026 and has been great with a 1.95 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 34 saves, and 68 strikeouts in his 50 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in his second year in Boston. Last year, Chapman had a 1.17 ERA and 32 saves.
Source: MassLive.com - Sean McAdam
Source: MassLive.com - Sean McAdam
Deshaun Watson Not Worth a Fantasy Start in Week 2 Vs. Bucs
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is not a start-worthy quarterback option for fantasy teams in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Watson struggled in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and his matchup is not much better at the Buccaneers. Against the Jaguars, Watson was 16-for-22 passing for 205 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Tampa Bay limited Joe Burrow and the explosive Bengals passing attack to 245 yards passing and intercepted him one time and returned it for a touchdown. Watson should struggle against the Bucs pass defense on the road at Tampa Bay. The Bucs feature cover cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison with safeties Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. Watson could also be under pressure from Vita Vea and the Bucs defensive line. Watson is hardly worth a roster spot in most fantasy leagues and this week should not do much to change that. He is a low-end quarterback among those who will be starting in Week 2. Look beyond Watson for a fantasy quarterback in Week 2.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Darien Porter Ruled Out as Raiders Defense Preps for Uphill Week 2 Battle
The Las Vegas Raiders have ruled out cornerback Darien Porter (foot) for Week 2, which could have ramifications for the defense ahead of a road battle against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Silver and Black haven't defeated the Bolts since 2023 and don't have a win against them at SoFi Stadium since 2020, with the Chargers putting up 31 points when the teams last met in Southern California in November 2025. Justin Herbert connected on 62.9% of his passes for 209 yards with one touchdown in Week 1, though he also threw an interception in the second half of a 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Even with wide receiver Ladd McConkey (ribs) ruled questionable to play on Sunday, Las Vegas' defense will be challenged to contain a Chargers offense that has outplayed them at home in recent years. RotoBaller ranks the Raiders defense 20th ahead of an uphill battle in Week 2.
Source: Raiders.com
Source: Raiders.com
Joshua Baez Lands on Injured List With Oblique Strain
The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Friday that they placed rookie outfielder Joshua Baez (oblique) on the 10-day injured list with a left-oblique strain and recalled infielder Cesar Prieto from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Baez will most likely miss the rest of the 2026 season for the Cardinals after injuring his oblique during Wednesday's contest against the San Francisco Giants. The 23-year-old, who is ranked as the team's No. 3 prospect at MLB Pipeline, hit three home runs against the division-rival Chicago Cubs in his major-league debut on Aug. 15 and ended up hitting .230 (23-for-100) with seven home runs, seven doubles, 18 RBI, two stolen bases, 18 runs scored, four walks, and 33 strikeouts in his first 29 games MLB games across 108 plate appearances. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder will have breakout potential in 2027 for his pure power upside, but fantasy managers might also have to be pretty patient with his high strikeout rate.
Source: St. Louis Cardinals
Source: St. Louis Cardinals
Hunter Goodman Returns From his Thumb Injury on Friday
Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman (thumb) is doing the catching for right-hander Gabriel Hughes and is hitting cleanup for the team in Friday's series opener at Coors Field against the Seattle Mariners and right-hander Bryan Woo, according to MLB.com. Goodman is back in action to begin the weekend after missing four of the previous five games with a right-thumb injury that has been bothering him recently. It has affected the power-hitting catcher at the plate, as he has gone 6-for-42 (.143) with two home runs, two doubles, a triple, eight RBI, six runs scored, three walks, and 12 strikeouts in 11 games in September. Still, the 26-year-old former fourth-rounder from Memphis should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups as the best power-hitting catcher in the game. Goodman is returning to a .245/.312/.529 slash line, an .841 OPS, 38 home runs, 81 RBI, 80 runs scored, and even five stolen bases in 482 at-bats in 2026. He has never faced Woo in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Mayer a Strong Streaming Option on Sunday vs. Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer has big shoes to fill yet again in Week 2 against the host Los Angeles Chargers. With Brock Bowers (knee) doubtful to play on Sunday, Mayer inherits the TE1 role against a Bolts pass rush that allowed just 179.9 passing yards per game in 2025. Mayer was efficient in Week 1, catching six of seven targets and converting three first downs against the Miami Dolphins, though he logged just 32 yards and no touchdowns. Injuries have peppered the Notre Dame product's NFL career, and he has yet to play a full season since entering the league in 2023. However, his chemistry with new starting quarterback Kirk Cousins could lead to even more targets in Week 2. This is Mayer's opportunity to boost his production in Bowers' absence, making him a viable streaming option.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Colson Montgomery Back in the Lineup Against Tigers
Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery (wrist) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Friday's contest against the division-rival Detroit Tigers and left-hander Andrew Sears, per MLB.com. It is good news to see Montgomery back in Chicago's starting lineup after he was pulled from Wednesday's game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians following being hit by a pitch on his left wrist. Thankfully, the 24-year-old avoided any fractures in his wrist and has returned following a scheduled day off on Thursday. Fantasy managers will want to get Montgomery back in their lineups this weekend for the stretch run, despite the fact that he has not hit a home run in his last 10 games. The former 22nd overall pick in 2021 is hitting only .203 (109-for-536) in his first full big-league season in 2026, but he has done damage with 31 home runs and 84 RBI across his 144 games played and 604 plate appearances for the ChiSox. However, he hit an even .200 (20-for-100) in 26 games in August and has gone just 5-for-49 (.102) with two homers, seven RBI, six walks, and 26 strikeouts in 15 games so far in September.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
George Kittle Officially Cleared for Week 2
As expected, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and was not on Friday's final injury report, according to David Furones of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Kittle tore his Achilles tendon in a playoff game in January, but he made enough progress to be active in the Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia, although he played only 46% of the offensive snaps and caught two of his five targets for 12 yards. The 32-year-old veteran had a quiet season opener, but that was to be expected in his first game back from a season-ending injury late last season. In Week 2 at home against the visiting Miami Dolphins, Kittle should see more of the field, especially since fellow TE Jake Tonges (knee) has been ruled out for the year. The seven-time Pro Bowler might not be totally back to himself yet, but he should be a more acceptable low-end TE1/high-end TE2 play in fantasy lineups in a cushy matchup.
Source: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Source: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Puka Nacua Misses Practice Due to Hip Injury
Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua (hip) did not practice on Friday due to a hip injury, according to Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register. There is no word on the severity of Nacua's hip injury, but hopefully we will be able to find out more when the media talks to head coach Sean McVay on Saturday. The good news is Nacua and the Rams have an extra day before their Week 2 game on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants. The 25-year-old did not come away from the Week 1 season-opening loss in Australia last Thursday against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers with an injury after catching five of his nine targets for 74 yards. If Nacua does not practice in full on Saturday, he could head into Monday's action with a questionable tag. Nacua is obviously a must-start when he is active in all fantasy football formats. Fellow wideout Jordan Whittington (quadriceps) could also be questionable this week, which could severely thin out L.A's pass-catching group to veteran Davante Adams and an inexperienced group consisting of Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, and CJ Daniels.
Source: The Orange County Register - Benjamin Royer
Source: The Orange County Register - Benjamin Royer
RJ Harvey Questionable for Week 2 With Hamstring Injury
Denver Broncos second-year running back RJ Harvey (hamstring) is listed as questionable to play in Week 2 against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, according to the team. Harvey did not practice on Wednesday before putting in limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. He could be considered a game-time decision on Sunday, so fantasy managers should check back this weekend for a status update. If Harvey does not get the green light to play this weekend, rookie fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman would see a boost in role, as would starter J.K. Dobbins. In the 31-10 blowout loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night in the season opener, Harvey and Dobbins combined for 11 carries and 54 yards on the ground, with Harvey catching all four of his targets for 23 yards in the passing game. On the ground, Harvey saw just three carries for 18 yards (6.0 yards per carry). He was efficient, but until the Broncos emphasize more of their ground game, it will be hard to trust Harvey as much more than a low-upside RB3/flex.
Source: Denver Broncos
Source: Denver Broncos
Jac Caglianone Out With Hand Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (hand) is out of Friday's starting lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to a hand injury that he suffered on Thursday night, manager Matt Quatraro told Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg. "It was in the dugout after one of the at-bats. It was my decision to not play him today," Quatraro said. Nick Loftin is making the start in right field for the Royals and will bat eighth in the order against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes. For now, fantasy managers should consider Caglianone to be day-to-day and check back to see if he is available to play as the series continues in the Steel City on Saturday. The 23-year-old former sixth overall pick from Florida has had a great first full season in the big leagues in 2026, hitting .277/.328/.483 with an .811 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 484 at-bats. However, he has been banged up lately and is limping to the finish line. Cags has gone 4-for-27 (.148) with four RBI, a walk, and 11 strikeouts in 10 games so far in September.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
Jakobi Meyers Will Play in Week 2 in Denver
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (thumb) was limited in practice all week, but he does not carry an injury designation on Friday's final injury report and will play in Week 2 on Sunday in Denver against the Broncos, per The Florida Times-Union's Ryan O'Halloran. Meyers, who was a bit of a forgotten man during the summer in training camp, caught both of his targets for 40 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening win over the Cleveland Browns. The 29-year-old dealt with a thumb injury late in training camp, but it was nothing serious, and he was able to play in the season opener. Now that he is officially cleared for Week 2, Meyers should be considered a WR3/4 in his second game of the 2026 season as he competes for targets with Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. In last year's 34-20 win over the Broncos in Denver in Week 16, Meyers caught four of his eight targets for 45 yards.
Source: The Florida Times-Union - Ryan O'Halloran
Source: The Florida Times-Union - Ryan O'Halloran
Jalen Nailor Not Worth the Risk vs. Chargers in Week 2
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor has to leap off the stat sheet in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers after an almost non-existent start to the season. The former Minnesota Viking entered the 2026 season with plenty of fanfare after signing a three-year, $35 million contract in the offseason. However, he was stymied in the season opener against the Miami Dolphins, catching three of five passes for just 27 yards. The game plan didn't help Nailor's case in Week 1, with Las Vegas leaning on the run game and new starting quarterback Kirk Cousins preferring short passes to running back Ashton Jeanty and targeting young receiver Jack Bech. Plus, the door hasn't completely closed on Nailor yet since Brock Bowers' (knee) absence for a second straight week could lead to more targets. While things could turn around for Nailor, fantasy managers should sit him until he shows legitimate production.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brian Thomas Jr. Cleared to Play in Week 2
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) was limited in practice all week but does not carry an injury designation on Friday and is cleared to play in Week 2 on Sunday against the hosting Denver Broncos, according to Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union. Thomas returned from a shoulder injury in the Week 1 season-opening blowout win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, but he finished with only three catches for 40 yards while seeing both Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers find the end zone. There is bounce-back potential for the former first-rounder in 2026, but in Jacksonville's crowded WR room, Thomas is going to continue to be more of a WR4/flex option for fantasy managers, especially coming off a shoulder injury last week. In a late-season game in 2025 in Denver, Thomas did not do much, catching two of three targets for only 18 yards in a 34-20 victory.
Source: The Florida Times-Union - Ryan O'Halloran
Source: The Florida Times-Union - Ryan O'Halloran
Tre Tucker Has Flex Appeal in Week 2 vs. Chargers
The door is open for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker to be a more active participant in Week 2 as his team travels to face the Los Angeles Chargers. Tucker could see an increase in targets now that tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is doubtful to play on Sunday, though Tucker also has to overcome a very quiet season-opening performance. The 25-year-old was expected to be a top target for Kirk Cousins in the home opener against the Miami Dolphins, especially since Bowers was sidelined. However, Tucker finished Week 1 with just two catches for 27 yards and no touchdowns. The fourth-year wideout played all 17 regular-season games in 2025, logging 57 receptions for 696 yards and five touchdowns. He has 14 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns over six career games against the Chargers, tallying both of those TDs when the Raiders last beat the division rival in 2023. Tucker has the potential to add receiver depth on the road and has flex upside in Week 2.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
