RADIO
Rome Odunze Missing From Monday's Practice
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (leg) was the only player missing from Monday's brisk, 50-minute practice, according to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune. Odunze is still not back on the practice field after leaving Thursday's practice early with a right-leg injury. The 24-year-old's status will be closely monitored heading into the team's Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. We should have a better read on the former first-rounder's status for this coming weekend once the Bears release their first official practice report of the season on Wednesday. But for now, Odunze's status is firmly up in the air. If he is limited or out against the Panthers, receivers Luther Burden III (groin), Kalif Raymond, and Zavion Thomas could all see extra targets, as well as tight end Colston Loveland. Odunze regressed with 44 catches and 661 receiving yards in his sophomore season in 2025 while playing in just 12 games due to a foot injury, but he also had a career-high six receiving touchdowns, and he is expected to have a bigger role in 2026 with DJ Moore out of the picture. As of right now, Odunze is shaping up as a shaky WR3/flex in Week 1 in fantasy because of his leg injury.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Zyhir Hope Has All the Tools To Be a Future Fantasy Stud
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Zyhir Hope is off to an excellent start to his career in the Tigers system after a trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tarik Skubal deal. Hope has been off to a red-hot start with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, with five homers and 20 RBI in 25 games in Erie to go with a .263 batting average and 16 runs with six stolen bases. The 20-year-old left-handed hitter is the No. 2 prospect in the Tigers system behind only Max Clark and was the headliner coming back in the Skubal trade. Prior to the trade, Hope had 23 homers and 87 RBI for Double-A Tulsa in the Dodgers' system with 18 stolen bases and a .283 batting average. Hope has elite five-category skills and is graded out with a 50-grade hit tool, 60-grade power, and 55-grade speed. While he might be a year or two away from the big leagues, Hope looks like a future fantasy stud.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
D'Andre Swift Returns to Practice on Monday
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (abdomen) was back at practice on Monday, according to The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs. The Bears held a brisk, 50-minute practice session, but it was good to see both Swift and Kyle Monangai (knee) back on the field. Swift was pulled from last Thursday's practice early with abdominal cramps, so the 27-year-old should be just fine for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Monangai's status is a bit more uncertain after he suffered a hyperextended knee back on Aug. 16 in training camp. If Monangai is out or limited, Swift could see an even larger piece of the backfield pie to kick things off against Carolina this weekend, making him a must-start low-end RB1/high-end RB2 option as Chicago's starting RB. Swift finished as the RB14 in half-PPR scoring last year, producing 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 223 carries while adding 34 receptions for 299 yards and another score through the air in 16 regular-season games. Swift could have an even better year in 2026 if the Bears' offense can take another step forward in head coach Ben Johnson's second season in the Windy City.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Sebastian Walcott Showing Fantasy Superstar Potential
Texas Rangers top shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott has hit three homers in his last five games with Double-A Frisco and is off to a red-hot start to September in what has largely been an injury-plagued season. The 20-year-old has recovered from a right elbow UCL tear and was activated from the 60-day IL in July. In 136 at-bats between two levels of the minors this season, Walcott is hitting .324 with nine homers and 19 RBI to go with 43 runs scored and nine stolen bases. The right-handed hitter is one of the best prospects in baseball and profiles as an elite shortstop in the future with a 55-grade hit tool, 65-grade power, and 50-grade speed. Look for Walcott to reach the Rangers' big-league club in 2027, with a start out of the gate in the majors not out of the question. This is a future fantasy superstar with five-category statistical skills to boot.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Kyle Monangai Back at Practice on Monday
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (knee) was back at Monday's practice, according to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune. It was a brisk, 50-minute practice, but it is notable that Monangai was back on the field. Backfield mate D'Andre Swift said that Monangai "looked good" while doing some running before last Wednesday's practice following a hyperextension of his right knee in training camp practice back on Aug. 16. The 24-year-old was being considered week-to-week as early as last week, so although he has returned to practice on Monday, it is not a guarantee that he will be active for Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Carolina Panthers. But with Swift also returning to practice on Monday, the Bears' backfield is looking much healthier entering the season opener. When fully healthy, Monangai, a seventh-rounder last year, will continue to be the primary change-of-pace option behind Swift after he recorded 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries in 2025 as a rookie. If Monangai is active on Sunday, he should be viewed as an RB4/flex option at risk of being on a snap count. If Monangai is inactive against Carolina, Roschon Johnson is expected to serve as the backup to Swift.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Max Anderson Hitting Well in Minors, Hopes For Promotion
Detroit Tigers infield prospect Max Anderson has had a very consistent 2026 season in the minors, hitting .303 between Triple-A Toledo and Single-A Lakeland. Anderson missed some time in April with an undisclosed injury but has combined between the two minor league levels to hit 16 homers with 56 RBI with 64 runs scored in 389 at bats. The 24-year-old is the No. 11 prospect in the Tigers system and has a 50-grade hit tool with 50-grade power. The Tigers recently called up infielder John Peck ahead of Anderson so it is still a question mark whether Detroit will turn to Anderson prior to the end of this season. He has largely proven himself in the minors this year and would be a good addition to fantasy teams in terms of batting average and runs scored plus a little bit of pop in his bat.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Darren Waller Looking "Big and Fast"
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller walked into practice on Monday with a helmet and uniform, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Per The Associated Press' Steve Reed, Waller added on Monday that he is practicing as if he will make his Panthers debut in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Chicago Bears. The Panthers have eased the 33-year-old veteran into the fold as he continues to work his way into playing shape in 2026. When asked how Waller has looked, head coach Dave Canales said, "Big and fast." The former sixth-rounder by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 from Georgia Tech really took off after joining the Raiders, posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020 with 197 receptions, 2,341 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 32 games played. After retiring in 2024, Waller resurfaced to join the Miami Dolphins last year, posting a 24-283-6 line on 34 targets in only nine games played. Durability is a major concern, but when healthy and active, Waller is expected to be the top pass-catching TE for quarterback Bryce Young, potentially giving him some early-season waiver-wire appeal if he produces. Waller is only rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
River Ryan Could Make Tigers Debut Late This Season
Detroit Tigers pitching prospect River Ryan (hamstring) continues his rehab process with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens and has yet to pitch for the Tigers organization since his trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tarik Skubal deal. Ryan continues to work his way back from a right hamstring injury and hopes to join the Tigers big league club once fully healthy. The 28-year-old pitched to a 3-1 record with Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to the trade, with a 4.46 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 43 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings pitched. Ryan checks in as the No. 4 prospect in the Tigers system and features a 65-grade fastball with a 60-grade slider and a 55-grade curveball. Ryan has brief major league experience with the Dodgers back in 2024 but has not pitched in the majors since then. Look for Ryan to be a decent stash candidate in hopes that he makes a start or two with Detroit this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Jacob Saylors, Sione Vaki to Split RB2 Role in Detroit
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said on Monday that the team's RB2 role behind starter Jahmyr Gibbs will be by committee, according to Brad Galli. Campbell thinks that both Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki will be ready when Gibbs needs a breather. The head coach sees Vaki getting carries, but knows that Saylors will contribute on offense and special teams. The news makes it hard for fantasy managers in deeper leagues to pinpoint the preferred handcuff option for Gibbs. For what it is worth, Vaki is not currently rostered in any Yahoo leagues, while Saylors is rostered in just 2% of leagues. Vaki, a former fourth-rounder from Utah in 2024, has seen only seven carries for 18 yards and has three catches for 37 yards in 27 games (zero starts) in his first two NFL seasons. Saylors, a former undrafted free agent out of East Tennessee State, ran the ball twice for 11 yards last year and was not targeted as a receiver. Neither RB will have any standalone fantasy appeal as long as Gibbs is healthy, and if Gibbs misses time with an injury, Vaki and Saylors would likely split the backfield down the middle.
Source: Brad Galli
Source: Brad Galli
Jonathon Long Makes For Stash Play in Deeper Leagues
Miami Marlins first base prospect Jonathon Long is coming off a two-homer game on Friday night and has had a pretty good statistical spell with the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp since he was traded to the Marlins from the Chicago Cubs. In 24 games in Jacksonville, Long has three homers and 16 RBI to go with 23 runs scored and a .259 batting average. Long, who mostly plays first base, is the No. 19 prospect for the Marlins with a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade power. Long had a nice season in the Cubs farm system prior to the trade with 12 homers and 62 RBI for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs with a .283 batting average. The 24-year-old could see a promotion in Miami late in the season with more likelihood than he had in the Chicago system. Long could be a sneaky stash play down the stretch in deep fantasy leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
DJ Lagway's Status for Week 2 is Unclear
Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway (ankle) is viewed as day-to-day after suffering an ankle injury in the one-point loss to Auburn on Saturday, according to head coach Dave Aranda. His status for Week 2 against Prairie View A&M is unclear early in the week. Despite the injury, Lagway had some bright moments against the Tigers, completing 27 passes for 333 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He had a costly fumble on a potential scoring drive in the first half, though. Still, Lagway had a chance to win the game near the end of the fourth quarter, but the Bears fell less than a yard short on a two-point conversion to take the lead with under 10 seconds to play. He could have a monster game if he can play in Week 2, but the program might opt to be cautious with him. Sophomore Nate Bennett is No. 2 on the depth chart.
Source: Pete Nakos
Source: Pete Nakos
Tee Higgins Seen Practicing on Monday
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (heel) was back on the practice field on Monday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway. In addition to Higgins, star wideout Ja'Marr Chase (knee) was also participating in the portion of practice open to the media. Both wideouts could be limited, but the fact that they are both practicing early in the week bodes well for their availability in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach Zac Taylor said early last week that Higgins was dealing with a minor bruised heel, so the 27-year-old has never really been in danger of missing the start of the 2026 campaign this weekend. The former second-rounder was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025, catching 59 of his 98 targets for 846 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns in only 15 games played. Higgins also had 10 TDs the year prior, and he will be a must-start in all fantasy football formats this Sunday against the Bucs if he is active, as is expected. Fantasy managers will want to check back in on Cincy's first official practice report of the year on Wednesday for a better idea of Higgins' status.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Ja'Marr Chase Practicing on Monday
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (knee) was back at practice on Monday as the team prepares for its regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13, versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Fellow wideout Tee Higgins (heel) was also seen practicing on Monday, so quarterback Joe Burrow figures to have both of his top pass-catchers available to kick off the 2026 campaign. The 26-year-old Chase, who is the consensus top overall fantasy receiver, hyperextended his left knee in practice on Aug. 25 while trying to come down with a pass and was held out of action last week as a precaution. Thankfully, the star wideout avoided a serious injury that would sideline him for the start of the upcoming season, and he should be active as a must-start in all fantasy football leagues against the Bucs. The Bengals will release their first official practice report of the year on Wednesday, at which point we should have a clearer picture of Chase's Week 1 status. For now, though, fantasy managers should have him locked into starting lineups until further notice.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
"Hard to Imagine" That TreVeyon Henderson Plays in Week 1
New England Patriots second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) was not at practice again on Monday and has not practiced since Aug. 24, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN on The Pat McAfee Show. Schefter adds that "it's hard to imagine" that Henderson will be active for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks in a Super Bowl rematch. The 23-year-old also did not take part in practice over the weekend as the Patriots get set for their Week 1 clash on Wednesday. We will continue to keep a close eye on New England's official practice report over the next couple of days, but if you have Henderson rostered, you should already be preparing to have him on your bench as he starts his sophomore season in the NFL. The 23-year-old former second-rounder from Ohio State had a successful first year in the league in 2025, carrying the ball 180 times for 911 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season while adding 35 catches for 221 yards and a touchdown as a receiver. Henderson's fantasy ceiling is limited, though, as long as he continues to share the backfield in a near-even split with Rhamondre Stevenson, especially since he does not figure to be a major weapon in the passing game.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Greg Dulcich Profiles as Miami's Top Receiving Option in an Interesting Tight End Room
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich is the lone veteran in the room after the team drafted Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore in the 2026 NFL Draft and claimed rookie Justin Joly off waivers following his release from the Denver Broncos. In breaking down the position group in a recent appearance on NFL Spotlight with Ari Meirov, Dolphins reporter Kyle Crabbs highlighted the early buzz already surrounding Kacmarek as one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, while pointing out that Dulcich should work as the primary pass-catcher of the group. With Miami profiling as a run-first offense, Kacmarek has the potential to lead the team in tight end snaps. However, the prevalence of 12- and 13-personnel in today's NFL should still help Dulcich find the field regularly, and at RotoBaller's TE29, he has the chance to enter the streaming conversation early in the year as a reliable option in an offense looking for contributors outside of Pro Bowl running back De'Von Achane.
Source: Kyle Crabbs
Source: Kyle Crabbs
