RADIO
Braden Smith Nears Two-Way Deal with Pacers
Indiana Pacers guard Braden Smith is in line for a two-way deal after the team waived Ethan Thompson from his two-way contract, according to Spotrac's Keith Smith. Thompson's exit allows him to join Partizan in Serbia and clears a roster path for Smith, the No. 38 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The former Purdue guard left college as the NCAA's all-time assists leader after averaging 14.3 points and 8.8 assists as a senior, and he flashed his passing in Las Vegas with a nine-assist Summer League finale. The fit is developmental, though. With Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell ahead of him, Smith projects for heavy Noblesville Boom minutes and stays off the fantasy radar.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Tre Mann Heads to Cavaliers
Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Dennis Schroder and cash, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Mann gives Cleveland a younger, cheaper backcourt piece, but the fantasy path is narrow with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell controlling most of the guard usage. The former Florida standout averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 12.6 minutes across 53 games last season while shooting 36.0 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from three. Cleveland's guard room leaves him buried for now, so Mann stays off the fantasy radar barring injuries ahead of him.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Trey Lance Has Roller-Coaster Performance in Preseason Opener
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance completed 12 of 20 pass attempts for 164 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception in his team's 27-7 preseason victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday. Lance also had three carries for 27 rushing yards. The 26-year-old was given the starting role for the Chargers' preseason opener, as the team decided to rest Justin Herbert and other key players. Lance had highs and lows during his six-drive performance by showing flashes of his athleticism and shaky ball security before handing the reins to DJ Uiagalelei to finish the game. The two are competing for the QB2 spot to be Herbert's backup for the 2026 season. Lance has the slight edge in the quarterback battle, and having familiarity with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's system helps his case. However, Uiagalelei will be pushing him for the spot every week until the end of the preseason.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dennis Schroder Lands in Charlotte
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder was traded to the Charlotte Hornets along with cash in exchange for Tre Mann, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 32-year-old lands with the 12th team of his NBA career and gives Charlotte a veteran option behind Coby White. Schroder split last season between Sacramento and Cleveland, averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game. He should slot ahead of Christian Anderson Jr. as the primary backup point guard, which trims the rookie's early runway. Schroder can provide assists in short bursts, but he is only a low-end fantasy option if injuries open more minutes.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
DeMarcus Lawrence Entering his Final Season in 2026
Seattle Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein that the 2026 season "will be my last year." The 34-year-old is entering his 13th NFL campaign and is coming off a productive first year in Seattle that ended with him lifting the Lombardi Trophy. Lawrence also made the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in his career by recording 53 tackles (24 solo), six sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries (two returned for touchdowns) in 16 regular-season starts. It was a nice bounce-back season for the former second-rounder by the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 from Boise State after he played in a career-low four games in 2024 due to injury in his final year in Dallas. "It was a tough process," Lawrence said. "But through the grace of God, I'm able to play another year and soak it all up one more good time before I hang it up." Lawrence hasn't recorded double-digit sacks since 2018, but he's recorded 67.5 sacks in his 12-year career.
Source: Yahoo Sports - Jori Epstein
Source: Yahoo Sports - Jori Epstein
Michael Mayer Caps Off First Drive with a Touchdown
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer had a fast start to the preseason despite the 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Quarterback Kirk Cousins ended the first drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Mayer, who ended up with two receptions for 19 yards and that touchdown. With Raiders' TE1 Brock Bowers playing a single snap to start the game, Mayer had the opportunity to score. If Bowers were to miss any time this year, Mayer might have the best opportunity of his career to find success in what should be the best passing offense he has been a part of since entering the NFL. As RotoBaller's TE32 overall, Mayer likely won't be a major factor in redraft leagues but could prove to be an upside stash in dynasty leagues with this being the final year of his contract in Las Vegas.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Fernando Mendoza Shows Glimpses of Greatness in First NFL Showing
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza showed some promising traits during the 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night. While completing 10 of his 16 pass attempts for 97 yards and a touchdown, Mendoza also flashed his willingness to run with two carries for six yards. His touchdown pass went to sophomore wide receiver Jack Bech, whom he hit on a quick slant that split two defenders with perfect ball placement for the six-yard score. Mendoza showed confidence and decisiveness on most plays, but also left room for improvement in his first preseason game. As RotoBaller's QB29 overall, it's only a matter of time before Mendoza gets a true chance to exceed expectations in Las Vegas.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Washington Jr. Erupts for 53-Yard Run in NFL Debut
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. flashed in his preseason debut, although the Raiders lost 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals. Washington Jr. turned six carries into 63 yards, no touchdowns, and failed to bring in his lone target on the night. A 53-yard scamper in which he followed his blocks, stayed square to the line of scrimmage, and exploded for the longest run of the night helped him get to 10.5 yards per carry in his debut. With teammate Ashton Jeanty firmly holding the RB1 spot, Washington Jr. could still have some upside in a change-of-pace role as RotoBaller ranks him at RB67 overall entering the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ketel Marte Pulled With Knee Soreness on Friday
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (knee) was pulled from Friday's game early against the Atlanta Braves with soreness in his left knee, the team announced. Marte appeared to injure himself on defense in the bottom of the first inning and was pulled in the second inning. Ildemaro Vargas moved from first base to second base, with Tim Tawa moving from center field to first base, and Jorge Barrosa entering the game to play center field. We should have more details on the severity of Marte's knee injury after the game. Until then, fantasy managers should consider the All-Star second baseman to be day-to-day. The 32-year-old switch-hitter entered the day hitting .252/.315/.449 with a .765 OPS, 21 home runs, 67 RBI, 64 runs scored, and four stolen bases across his 465 at-bats in 2026. Marte continues to be one of the more productive fantasy second basemen, but he entered the day hitting only .231 (9-for-39) with two homers, two doubles, five RBI, six runs, eight walks, and eight strikeouts in 11 games in the month of August.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Shohei Ohtani Throws Bullpen Session on Friday
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) is throwing a bullpen session at Dodger Stadium on Friday, his first in more than three weeks, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. A nagging left knee injury has kept Ohtani from starting a game on the mound since July 3 against the division-rival San Diego Padres. The four-time MVP has continued to serve as the team's regular designated hitter, though, so it obviously isn't a serious knee injury, and the Dodgers continue to be overly cautious with the Japanese sensation. L.A.'s primary goal is to have the 32-year-old six-time All-Star at 100% as a pitcher by the start of the postseason in October. They will continue to slowly ramp him up as a pitcher, with the expectation that he'll eventually return to the starting rotation sometime in September in the final month of the regular season. Ohtani has gone 8-2 on the mound in his 14 starts, with a sharp 1.79 ERA (2.59 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 95 strikeouts and 26 walks in 85 2/3 innings pitched. Despite having not pitched since early July, Ohtani is being stashed in 97% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Blue Jays Strongly Considering Promoting Pitching Prospect Ricky Tiedemann
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly strongly considering promoting left-handed pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann to the big-league roster, and it could happen as soon as Saturday, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Due to ongoing injuries, the 23-year-old southpaw has only appeared in seven games (two starts) in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and at Single-A Dunedin and Triple-A Buffalo, but he hit 96.7 mph earlier this month at Buffalo and could be joining the Blue Jays' bullpen for the remainder of the 2026 season. Tiedemann, who was once one of the team's top overall prospects, has struggled to stay healthy as a pro and had Tommy John surgery on his elbow in 2024. He'll be making his major-league debut whenever he gets into a game, but the Jays will most certainly handle him with great care, and he's unlikely to have any fantasy baseball appeal in what will likely be a low-leverage role out of the bullpen. To keep Tiedemann healthy going forward, the Blue Jays might keep him in a relief role permanently.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Chase Bisontis Suffers Torn MCL, Could Miss Entire Season
Arizona Cardinals second-round rookie offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (knee) suffered a torn MCL in his left knee in the team's preseason contest on Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders that will require surgery, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Only Bisontis' MCL will be repaired. He will be out for most of, if not all, of the 2026 season. Head coach Mike LaFleur said on Thursday night that the 22-year-old's knee injury looked pretty serious, and he was right. The 34th overall pick out of Texas A&M had to be helped off the field in Vegas. It's a big blow to the Cardinals' offensive line, as Bisontis had been one of the team's more promising players during training camp this summer and figured to push Isaiah Adams for the starting spot at right guard this year. Bisontis has the skills to be a solid interior offensive lineman for Arizona, but that could have to wait until 2027.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Mike Vrabel Expects Christian Gonzalez to be Ready for Week 1
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel expects star cornerback Christian Gonzalez (undisclosed) to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in a Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks, according to Chris Mason of MassLive.com. Gonzalez was not present for the team's joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts or on the sideline for their preseason opener on Thursday night against Indy as he works on a contract extension, but Vrabel suggests that's because he's dealing with a physical injury. The 24-year-old former 17th overall pick from the University of Oregon should be all healed up with a new contract in hand before the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. Going into his fourth NFL season, Gonzalez has quickly become one of the best shutdown corners in the NFL, and he had a big hand in leading the Pats to the Super Bowl last season. Gonzalez was named a Pro Bowler for the first time in 2025 and finished with a career-high 69 tackles (54 solo) and 10 pass breakups in 14 regular-season starts.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Mason
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Mason
Marcus Mariota Suffers Knee Injury in Preseason Opener
Washington Commanders veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) was pointing to his right knee when athletic trainers came out to check on him during Friday's preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Mariota was sent to the blue medical tent and was replaced by Sam Hartman at QB. The 32-year-old signal-caller played in 11 games and made eight starts in 2025 in his second year in Washington, with starter Jayden Daniels only starting seven games. Mariota went 2-6 in his eight starts, throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his 11th year in the NFL. The Commanders' QB depth behind Daniels would be in serious trouble if Mariota is dealing with a major knee injury, as they only have Hartman and rookie Athan Kaliakmanis on the QB depth chart behind Mariota. He almost certainly will not return to Friday's game against Miami, even if his knee injury turns out to be minor.
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Brice Turang Missing Second Straight Game With Knee Injury
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (knee) will miss a second straight game against the hosting Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday due to pain in his left knee, according to MLB.com. David Hamilton is making another start at the keystone and will hit eighth against Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Turang's knee issue could eventually turn into an injured-list situation, but for now, the Brewers are considering him day-to-day. Fantasy managers should check back to see if he's in the starting nine for Game 3 of the series in L.A. on Saturday night. The 26-year-old has been one of the most consistent offensive producers at the second base position in fantasy for the second straight season in 2026, slashing .268/.360/.450 with an .810 OPS, 16 long balls, 16 stolen bases, 76 RBI, and 74 runs scored in his 451 at-bats for the first-place Brewers. Turang's knee injury could be plaguing him in 12 August games, though, as he's hit .245 (12-for-49) with no homers, three doubles, eight RBI, three runs, and a steal.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
