RADIO
Arch Manning Has Tough Matchup in Week 4
Texas faces a challenging tilt against SEC opponent Tennessee on Saturday, which Longhorns' quarterback Arch Manning enters as RotoBaller's 38th-ranked quarterback. Manning recorded a modest performance of 161 yards passing and a couple of touchdowns to go with 10 carries for 53 yards during a win over UTSA in Week 3. But in Week 4, he will take on a taller task in a Volunteers pass defense that has allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for just 151 yards passing per game. This past week against Kennesaw State, Tennessee held quarterback Rickie Collings out of the end zone, while the Owls' signal caller averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt during a lopsided contest. Manning is projected to score 19.2 fantasy points this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Vikings Sign Jaret Patterson to Practice Squad Amid RB Injuries
The Minnesota Vikings plan to sign free-agent running back Jaret Patterson to their practice squad, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Patterson, who spent last year with the Los Angeles Chargers, will provide depth for the Vikings' backfield after they placed Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve. Veteran Aaron Jones Sr. handled the bulk of backfield work in the Week 2 win over the division-rival Chicago Bears on Sunday, but they do not want to put too much on his plate, and they also do not think that rookie Demond Claiborne is quite ready for an expanded role as an RB2. The only other option on their current 53-man roster is veteran DeeJay Dallas. The 26-year-old Patterson, a former undrafted free agent from Buffalo, had 41 rushing attempts for 159 yards and one touchdown while adding three catches for eight yards in six games (one start) for the Bolts last year. Patterson will be a long shot for any fantasy relevance this year, even with Mason currently on IR.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Kenny Minchey Coming Off Strong Performance
After performing well during a tough matchup with Texas A&M last week, Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey will have a much simpler task in Week 4. The Wildcats will face South Alabama on Saturday, a team that has allowed 210.7 yards passing per game. During a win over Ohio this past week, the Jaguars gave up a combined 234 yards passing and four touchdowns to two different Bobcats quarterbacks, Levi Davis and Matt Vezza. With Minchey coming off a 252-yard passing, two-touchdown effort against the Aggies, he's a strong play as RotoBaller's QB44. He could very well exceed his projected total of 18.4 fantasy points this weekend.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Xavier Edwards Still Sidelined Against Cubs
Miami Marlins middle infielder Xavier Edwards (thumb) remains out of action for Tuesday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, according to MLB.com. Jared Serna will make the start at the keystone for the Fish on Tuesday and will bat ninth against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga. Edwards is missing a second straight start after he injured his thumb on Saturday in San Diego against the Padres. The Marlins are eliminated from postseason contention, but the hope is that Edwards will be able to return during the final week of the 2026 regular season. In his fourth season in the big leagues with the Marlins, the 27-year-old has had another strong season, hitting .280/.360/.371 with a .730 OPS, a career-high six home runs, 52 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 61 runs scored in 142 games played and 595 plate appearances. Edwards is more of a contact-oriented slap hitter, but he now has three straight seasons with 20-plus stolen bases while being eligible in Yahoo leagues at both second base and shortstop.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Darian Mensah Faces Stingy Pass Defense in Week 4
After beginning the 2026 season red-hot, Miami quarterback Darian Mensah is RotoBaller's sixth-ranked quarterback as he and the Hurricanes square off with a stingy pass defense in Week 4. Miami will take on a Central Michigan team that has allowed just 154.3 yards passing per game and intercepted Wyoming quarterback Tyler Hughes twice last week. Mensah has recorded no fewer than 220 yards passing and three touchdowns in a game this season, averaging 291 yards passing and 3.6 touchdowns per contest while adding 31 yards rushing on just five carries. He is projected to score 27.5 fantasy points against the Chippewas.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jeremiah Smith Hopes to Get Back on Track
Coming off a quiet performance, at least by his standards, against Kent State, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith hopes to get back on track as the Buckeyes take on Illinois in Week 4. Smith finished this past week's matchup with the Golden Flashes with eight receptions for 85 yards, which was his least productive outing this season. Each of the previous two games, Smith recorded over 150 yards receiving and at least one touchdown. This week, Smith will face a fairly favorable matchup against a Fighting Illini pass defense that has allowed 217.7 yards passing per game. Smith is RotoBaller's WR11 and is projected to score 16.4 fantasy points this weekend.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malachi Toney Looks to Keep it Rolling
Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney has been one of the top performers in all of college football this season, regardless of position. Entering Week 4, Toney is RotoBaller's third-ranked player and second-ranked wide receiver as he and the Miami Hurricanes prepare to square off against Central Michigan. Toney has averaged 148 yards receiving per game through Week 3, recording at least 96 yards receiving in each of the Hurricanes' first three games. He is coming off a 12-reception, 114-yard performance against Wake Forest that included a touchdown reception. This week, he will face Central Michigan, whose defense has been pretty solid against the pass, allowing just 154.3 yards passing per game. Still, Toney is projected to score 28.5 fantasy points on Saturday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jayden Reed Missing Another Practice
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (neck, back) was listed as a non-participant in practice on Tuesday for the second straight day on a short week as the team prepares to play on Thursday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, according to the team's official website. Per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman, Reed is back in Green Bay after staying overnight in the New Jersey area on Sunday due to a back/neck injury that he suffered in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets. All signs are pointing to Reed missing Thursday's game, but we are awaiting word from head coach Matt LaFleur on how much time he might have to miss. The 26-year-old former second-rounder from Michigan State caught his only target for four yards before leaving on Sunday and had three receptions on seven targets for 20 yards in the season-opening loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Reed's injury should only strengthen the Year 2 breakout case for former first-rounder Matthew Golden going forward, especially with Green Bay's WR room very thin behind Golden and Christian Watson.
Source: Packers.com
Source: Packers.com
Broncos Try Out Three Running Backs Amid Roster Injuries
The Denver Broncos tried out running backs Jaden Nixon, Sam Scott, and Marcus Yarns on Tuesday, per Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. With Broncos backs RJ Harvey (hamstring) and J.K. Dobbins (leg) both dealing with injuries that have their status for Week 3 in question, it appears the team is looking to add some depth at the position. None of the three -- Nixon, Scott, or Yarns -- has recorded an NFL carry to this point in their careers. If Harvey and/or Dobbins are unable to play in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams, rookie back Jonah Coleman and pass-catching specialist Tyler Badie would likely handle Denver's backfield duties. Still, the fact that the Broncos hosted a running back workout on Tuesday may indicate that the team has some concern over the status of Harvey, Dobbins, or both.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Andy Green Becomes Full-Time Manager, Agrees to Three-Year Contract
In a surprise move, the New York Mets announced on Tuesday that they agreed to a three-year contract with Andy Green to make him their full-time manager. The Mets have elected to remove Green's interim tag, and he will now be with the team through the 2029 season. Since taking over for previous manager Carlos Mendoza at the end of June, the Mets have gone 37-38. "Andy has connected with and pushed our players to perform, despite the disappointment of the season," owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. "Over the last several months, he has brought discipline, accountability and positivity to the clubhouse, attributes we were seeking in our next manager." Green was previously the Mets' vice president of player development before becoming the interim manager in New York. He managed the San Diego Padres for almost four seasons from 2016 to 2019 and went 274-366.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Pat Freiermuth an Under-the-Radar Waiver-Wire Target Ahead of Week 3
Across his first two games of 2026, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has recorded nine catches for 78 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. The 27-year-old's numbers regressed across the board in 2025, but he appears to be re-emerging as the TE1 in Pittsburgh under a new coaching staff in 2026. In Week 3, Freiermuth has a favorable matchup on paper against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati allowed 14 targets to Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz in Week 2, and Freiermuth recorded six catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets across two games against the Bengals last season. Especially if Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) remains sidelined, Freiermuth could be a worthy tight end streamer for fantasy managers in Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cade Cavalli Done for the Year
Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli is done for the year and will not make another start in the final week of the 2026 season, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Cavalli is healthy, but the Nationals will shut him down given all of his innings and where they are in the standings with no hope of a playoff berth. The 28-year-old former first-rounder in 2020 from the University of Oklahoma had a breakout 2026 campaign in his first full year in the big leagues in D.C., going 13-5 with a 3.02 ERA (3.25 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP with a career-high 200 strikeouts and 48 walks in 169 2/3 innings pitched across his 32 starts. Going into the year, Cavalli had only made 11 starts and had missed all of 2023 after having Tommy John surgery. Washington recently rewarded the rising young arm with a four-year, $47 million contract extension last week. Cavalli will be an intriguing starting-pitching target in all fantasy formats next year after raising his strikeout rate to a career-high 28.3% in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Jacoby Brissett Back in the Streaming Conversation Heading into Week 3
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett had a rough game in his team's Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, completing 17 of 28 pass attempts for 95 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. However, the 33-year-old was far more productive in Arizona's Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, recording 277 passing yards and a touchdown. Perhaps most encouragingly for fantasy managers, Brissett has averaged 39.2 pass attempts per game since taking over as the Cardinals' QB1 early in the 2025 season. With that type of pass volume, Brissett could bounce back with a productive game in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers. In his lone start against San Francisco last season, Brissett threw for 452 yards and two touchdowns on 57 pass attempts. For deeper-league fantasy managers who may have lost a quarterback to injury in Week 2, Brissett could be a worthy streamer to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon Nimmo Returns From Illness on Tuesday
Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (illness) is starting in right field and batting fifth on Tuesday against the visiting New York Mets and left-hander Sean Manaea, according to MLB.com. Nimmo is feeling good enough to play on Tuesday against his old team after a scheduled day off on Monday. The 33-year-old has not lived up to expectations in his first season with the Rangers in 2026, slashing .260/.325/.407 with a .732 OPS, 14 home runs, 61 RBI, 61 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across his 570 at-bats after reaching the 20-homer mark in his final three seasons with the Mets, including a career-high 25 round-trippers in 2025. The former first-rounder in 2011 has slumped in the final month of the regular season, too, going 15-for-66 (.227) with zero home runs, four doubles, eight RBI, five runs scored, six walks, and 22 strikeouts in 17 games in September. Nimmo will attempt to turn things around in the final week of the season and try to help Texas win the American League West division. He has actually hit much better against lefties this year, going 59-for-179 (.330) against them with five of his 14 homers on the year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chris Brooks Still Worth Stashing Despite Underwhelming Production?
Across the first two weeks of the 2026 season, Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks has recorded 55 yards from scrimmage on 12 touches. While Brooks' numbers are underwhelming, he's led the Green Bay backfield in snaps in both of the team's games so far and appears to be locked in as the preferred option on passing downs. The Packers haven't exactly gotten inspired production from fellow running backs Kaleb Johnson and MarShawn Lloyd, which could lead to Brooks seeing a few more opportunities on the ground. Green Bay also has a favorable matchup on paper in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. For as long as Packers running back Josh Jacobs remains on the NFL Commissioner's Exempt list, Brooks could be worth stashing off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
