January 29, 2026
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin signed a three-year, $96 million contract just before the start of the 2025 season and then had the worst season of his career in his seventh year in the NFL. McLaurin missed valuable time with injuries and played in a career-low 10 games, catching 38 of his 60 targets for 582 yards and three touchdowns. It broke a string of five straight 1,000-yard seasons from McLaurin, who was a third-round pick by Washington in 2019 out of Ohio State. It was indeed a scary year for McLaurin's fantasy managers. The 30-year-old veteran never had a 100-yard performance. It didn't help that starting quarterback
Jayden Daniels only started seven games due to various injuries. With better health, McLaurin should be able to bounce back in 2026, but you shouldn't consider him a lock to return to 1,000 yards with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury no longer around.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Malik Monk (ankle) will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers after the team downgraded him from questionable to out. Sacramento's backcourt will also be without
Russell Westbrook (foot), putting
Dennis Schroder and
Keon Ellis in a position to shine. Schroder will start the contest in Westbrook's place. Monk's next chance to return will be on Friday against the Boston Celtics.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Thursday against the Sacramento Kings. He will make a second consecutive appearance after initially having a probable tag on the injury report. Embiid has turned back the clock recently, averaging 32.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over his last five outings. The Kings likely won't do much to stop him, as only Washington has given up more fantasy points to centers this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Philadelphia 76ers
January 29, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Quentin Grimes (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the Sacramento Kings. He was initially given a questionable tag on the injury report, but Grimes isn't ready to return from a right ankle sprain, missing a second consecutive game. Due to Grimes' injury,
Jared McCain has earned a new opportunity in the rotation and will carry some momentum into Thursday's contest after contributing 17 points on 5-for-6 three-point shooting in Tuesday's win over Milwaukee.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Paul George (knee) will play on Thursday against the Sacramento Kings. The team has upgraded George's status on the injury report from probable to available. George will look to gain further momentum on Thursday after opening the week with a 32-point performance against the Milwaukee Bucks. Only two teams have a worse defensive rating than Sacramento, so there should be plenty of scoring opportunities for George and his crew.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Jayden Reed's third season in the NFL was marred by a broken collarbone and a foot injury that limited him to only seven games played. In his seven games, Reed caught 19 of his 22 targets for 207 yards and only one touchdown. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2023 out of Michigan State had 119 catches for 1,650 yards and 14 touchdowns on 169 targets in his first two seasons, adding 31 carries for 282 yards and another three TDs. Fantasy managers hoping for more of that production were sorely disappointed, but Reed should bounce back in 2026 with better health as a key piece of Green Bay's offense. The Packers' receiving corps is crowded with
Christian Watson and
Matthew Golden in the mix, but
Romeo Doubs could depart in free agency. Savvy fantasy managers will want to keep Reed's name in mind as a WR sleeper this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard
Jalen Green (hamstring) won't play on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons, missing a third consecutive game. He initially carried a questionable tag on the injury report, giving hope that Green can return to the court soon. With no
Devin Booker (ankle) either, the Suns' offense will continue to rely more on
Dillon Brooks,
Grayson Allen, and
Jordan Goodwin. Additionally, the backcourt injuries have opened up a spot in the rotation for
Jamaree Bouyea.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Washington Wizards forward/center
Alexandre Sarr (illness) will play against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. Due to illness, Sarr couldn't practice on Wednesday, and Washington listed him as questionable on the initial injury report. Sarr had a big performance last time out against the Portland Trail Blazers, finishing with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks. He could have another field day against a Bucks team that is without
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and sits 23rd in defensive efficiency.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Arizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (knee) very well could have had a Year 2 breakout season in 2025 had he not injured his knee early on. Benson ended up playing in only four games in his second year in the NFL, carrying the ball 29 times for 160 yards and no touchdowns while catching 13 of 16 targets for 64 yards. Primary RB
James Conner suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 3. Conner is under contract for one more season, so if the 23-year-old Benson is healthy in 2026, he'll likely operate as the RB2 in the desert. Benson never had a major role behind Conner in his rookie campaign, totaling 63 rushing attempts for 291 yards and only one touchdown in 13 games played. On top of Benson's injury concerns -- he also had a major knee injury in college -- the Cardinals will have an entirely new coaching staff next season, and it's unclear what direction they'll go in at quarterback.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks point guard
Cole Anthony (illness) will be active against the Washington Wizards on Thursday. He was initially listed as questionable for the game due to illness. Following
Kevin Porter Jr.'s (oblique) exit from the lineup, Anthony recently returned to the rotation. He has notched 12.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 18.3 minutes per game over the last three contests. With
Gary Harris (hamstring) out on Thursday, Anthony may see additional action off the bench in a favorable fantasy matchup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward
Gary Harris (hamstring) won't play on Thursday against the Washington Wizards. He will miss the contest due to a sore left hamstring. With the Bucks taking several injury hits, Harris' workload has increased lately, and the team has even used him as a starter. However, Harris was limited to only 14 minutes in Tuesday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and finished scoreless.
Gary Trent Jr. could get more action due to Harris' absence on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jalen Johnson (calf) won't play on Thursday against the Houston Rockets. Atlanta's rising star was initially listed as questionable on the injury report due to left calf tightness, but it has now been confirmed that Johnson won't be available for the second leg of a back-to-back.
Onyeka Okongwu (face) also won't play, while
Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) and
Zaccharie Risacher (knee) remain out, meaning
Christian Koloko,
Corey Kispert, and
Mouhamed Gueye will see additional action in the rotation. Meanwhile,
Nickeil Alexander-Walker,
CJ McCollum, and
Dyson Daniels are expected to lead the offense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 29, 2026
Cleveland Browns running back
Quinshon Judkins (ankle, leg) got a late start to his rookie season in the NFL due to a legal matter and ended the year on Injured Reserve due to a fractured right fibula and dislocated right ankle, but when he was healthy, he showed why he was so coveted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Judkins quickly took over RB1 duties in Cleveland and ran for 867 yards and seven touchdowns on 230 carries over 14 starts. He was the RB26 overall in half-PPR scoring and added 26 catches for 171 yards as a pass-catcher. The 22-year-old Ohio State product has intriguing long-term upside because of his combination of power and speed, and all reports suggest he should make a full recovery from his injuries before the start of the 2026 campaign. Judkins might be a popular Year 2 breakout candidate, although Cleveland's quarterback situation could hold him back.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is set to rejoin the lineup on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. The veteran has played in just three of the last 36 games, missing each of the last 15 due to a lower-body injury. When in the lineup, McDonagh has made a mark at both ends of the ice, recording eight points (four goals, four assists) and 29 blocks in 18 appearances. On Thursday, McDonagh will join Erik Cernak on the second defensive pairing, and his return will also be a boost for Tampa Bay's penalty kill. Maxim Groshev will exit the lineup to make room for McDonagh.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 29, 2026
The Philadelphia Eagles are hiring Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach
Sean Mannion as their new offensive coordinator, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The 33-year-old was drafted in the third round in 2015, and he spent four years with the Rams, three seasons with the Vikings, and one year with the Seattle Seahawks. In 14 career appearances, he made three starts and threw for 573 yards, one touchdown, and three picks. Mannion got his coaching start in the NFL as an offensive assistant under Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, and he was promoted to QBs coach in 2025. He's credited with the development of backup
Malik Willis in Green Bay, and now he'll be asked to help fix an Eagles offense that went stagnant in 2025. It's unclear if head coach Nick Sirianni will leave Mannion in charge of play-calling duties.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 29, 2026
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (upper body) won't play in Thursday's contest against the Detroit Red Wings and is considered day-to-day. Thompson had his mask knocked off by a shot on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. He remained in the game but will sit out Thursday's action due to an upper-body injury. Thompson saw a lot of success early in the campaign and holds an 18-16-4 record. He has allowed 2.46 goals with a .912 save percentage and two shutouts. Charlie Lindgren, who is 7-6-3 for the year, will start on Thursday, while Clay Stevenson has been summoned from the minors to serve as the backup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 29, 2026
Utah Mammoth winger Dylan Guenther (lower body) will be sidelined for a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The talented forward exited the lineup at the start of the week due to a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day. It's possible that Guenther, who leads Utah with 24 goals and has 45 points in 52 games, will be able to end his absence on Saturday against the Dallas Stars. Logan Cooley (lower body) is also nearing his return after rejoining practice this week. In the meantime, Barrett Hayton will continue to center the second line, while Kailer Yamamoto will be on third-line duty against Carolina.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 29, 2026
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Josh Downs followed up a solid second season in the NFL with his worst yet in Year 3. Downs had career-lows in receptions (58), targets (88), and receiving yards (566) while scoring four touchdowns in 16 games played. The 24-year-old pass-catcher also had a career-low 9.8 yards per catch as he operated as the team's No. 3 receiver behind
Alec Pierce and
Michael Pittman Jr. Even with quarterback
Daniel Jones having a career resurgence before his season-ending torn Achilles tendon in the second half, Downs was unable to take advantage. He never clicked with Jones in the passing attack, and it didn't help that rookie tight end
Tyler Warren caught 76 passes for 817 yards. Unless Indy releases Pittman this offseason to give Downs a clearer path to consistent targets, he won't be much more than a late-round dart throw with limited upside in 2026 fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body) will return from a five-game absence on Thursday night against the Utah Mammoth. He will join Alexander Nikishin on the third defensive pairing and jump on the first power-play unit. Gostisbehere has had an impressive year with the Hurricanes, posting 32 points (six goals, 20 assists) in 35 outings. 10 of his points have come with the man advantage. Unfortunately, injuries have robbed Gostisbehere of 17 games. With the Mammoth's penalty kill operating at a mediocre 80 percent efficiency, Gostisbehere has a good chance to make a significant impact in his return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 29, 2026
Tennessee Titans tight end
Chig Okonkwo never really became all that interesting in fantasy football in his fourth year in the NFL in 2025 in a Titans offense that struggled with consistency under rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward. Okonkwo played in all 17 games for the fourth straight year and had career-highs in receptions (56), targets (79), and receiving yards (560) while finding the end zone only two times. In addition to the Titans' offense being one of the worst in the league, Okonkwo shared valuable targets with rookie TE
Gunnar Helm, who finished his rookie season with 44 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns on 55 targets. Both of Okonkwo's touchdowns came late in the year, but Helm also saw more involvement in the passing game in the second half of 2025. For fantasy purposes, Okonkwo would be better off going elsewhere in free agency, with Helm likely only becoming more of a factor on offense in Tennessee in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 29, 2026
Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (upper body) will skip Thursday's tilt against the St. Louis Blues. The Finnish forward suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday's matchup against the Utah Mammoth. Initially, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice expected Lundell to be fine for Thursday's action, but he will miss at least one game due to the ailment. Lundell is considered day-to-day and could be back on the ice on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets. Luke Kunin will replace Lundell in the lineup against Philadelphia, while Cole Schwindt will join Eetu Luostarinen and Brad Marchand on the third line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 29, 2026
Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said that quarterback
Cameron Ward (shoulder) is "doing well" as he rehabs a right-shoulder injury that he suffered in the Week 18 regular-season finale, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. It's unclear yet if Ward will be ready for the start of organized team activities in the spring after the 23-year-old suffered an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Barring some sort of setback, though, he should be fully recovered well before training camp, the preseason, and the 2026 regular season. The first overall pick in last year's draft started all 17 games in his rookie season and completed 59.8% of his passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions to finish as the QB22 in fantasy. Ward added 159 yards and two TDs on the ground while also fumbling a whopping 11 times (seven lost) and taking a league-high 55 sacks. The Miami product must improve his accuracy, but working with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll should be seen as a plus. Consider him a low-end QB2 with upside going into his second year in the NFL.
--Keith HernandezSource: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
January 29, 2026
Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (upper body) won't play in Thursday's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers. He suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday's win over the Nashville Predators and is considered day-to-day. The Bruins are set to promote Fraser Minten to the top line. The 21-year-old bagged an assist against Nashville and has collected 11 of his 26 points this season across 13 January appearances. As a result of Lindholm's exit from the lineup, Matthew Poitras will make his first appearance of the campaign on the third line. Poitras has flashed potential in previous years, but his 2025-26 campaign hasn't gone too well. In 39 AHL outings, Poitras has contributed eight goals and 16 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 29, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (undisclosed) will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Russian star appeared to have been injured in Sunday's win over the Vancouver Canucks, but he won't miss any time. On Sunday, Malkin scored in a third consecutive game. He has tallied 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 10 outings since returning from an upper-body injury. Malkin will remain on the second line against Chicago, while Justin Brazeau will replace Bryan Rust (suspension) on the first line. Rutger McGroarty has been recalled from the minors to join the third line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 29, 2026
Baltimore Ravens running back
Derrick Henry had some issues with ball security and inconsistency in 2025, but overall he remained a highly productive player. Across 17 games, Henry recorded 307 carries for 1,595 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Going into 2026, Henry will be entering his age-32 season with more than 2,800 career regular-season touches under his belt. Traditional aging curves indicate that Henry is long overdue for a decline in production. Additionally, his PPR fantasy value remains limited by his lack of production as a receiver, as he recorded just 15 receptions for the season in 2025. However, Henry may be enough of a physical outlier that he can continue to stave off father time. He will also presumably get the benefit of playing a full season next to Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson, who missed time in 2025 due to multiple injuries. As long as he makes it through the offseason healthy, Henry profiles as a high-end running back option for 2026. In dynasty formats, Henry's long-term outlook is murkier due to his age.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
New York Jets wide receiver
Adonai Mitchell is coming off an up-and-down 2025 season. A second-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2024 NFL Draft, Mitchell recorded just 32 catches over the first 25 games of his career with Indy. However, he was seemingly rejuvenated by a midseason trade to New York, where he finished the season by hauling in 24 receptions for 301 yards and two touchdowns on 58 targets across eight games played. The Jets afforded Mitchell his first chance at extended playing time, as he played at least 80% of the team's offensive snaps in six of his eight contests. Heading into 2026, star Jets wideout
Garrett Wilson's (knee) return from injury will push Mitchell down the depth chart. However, Mitchell appears to be in the mix for the team's WR2 role, depending on the additions made by New York in free agency and the draft. It's worth noting that Mitchell remained an inefficient pass-catcher even after being acquired by the Jets, as he averaged just 5.2 yards per target. Still, he's a talented young player with a possible playing time runway who should be on the radar of fantasy managers in both dynasty and redraft formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
As his team's first first-round wide receiver selection since 2002, Green Bay Packers wideout
Matthew Golden entered the 2025 season with plenty of hype. However, the 22-year-old failed to carve out a consistent role as a rookie, finishing the year with 29 receptions for 381 yards and zero touchdowns on 44 targets across 14 regular-season games. From Week 9 onwards, Golden played fewer than 50% of Green Bay's offensive snaps in every game but two. With another offseason to develop chemistry with Packers quarterback
Jordan Love and earn the trust of his coaching staff, Golden could be in line for a significantly larger role in 2026. However, Green Bay will likely still roster plenty of competition for playing time at the wide receiver position, even with veteran wideout
Romeo Doubs set to hit free agency. Between
Christian Watson,
Jayden Reed, and
Dontayvion Wicks, Golden will have to fight for playing time with three wide receivers who were all ahead of him on the team's depth chart at different times in 2025. While he remains an intriguing long-term prospect, Golden's value to fantasy managers in dynasty leagues has taken a hit relative to where it was this time last year.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Chimere Dike flashed upside throughout his rookie season. Across 17 games played, the 24-year-old recorded 48 receptions for 423 yards and four touchdowns on 74 targets. Dike also improved as the season progressed, earning at least five targets in five out of his last seven games of the season and scoring three touchdowns in that stretch. Heading into 2026, Dike figures to be in the mix for a starting role in Tennessee. However, the Titans will also have a new coaching staff in place, and could look to bring in additional talent at the position through both the draft and free agency. Still, Dike showed enough encouraging signs as a rookie that he will likely be in the organization's plans in some capacity. Dike may be a player worth stashing in dynasty leagues coming off a solid rookie campaign in 2025.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell was one of the more surprising breakout players of the 2025 season, recording 1,023 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 187 touches across 17 games played. Gainwell emerged as one of the favorite targets of Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, as he hauled in 73 receptions for 486 yards and three scores on 85 targets. Coming off the best season of his career, Gainwell is now set to hit unrestricted free agency. If retained by Pittsburgh, Gainwell would likely remain in a playing time split with Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren. However, the Steelers have moved on from 2025 offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and may bring in a new quarterback for the 2026 season as well. As such, a return to Pittsburgh would not necessarily guarantee Gainwell the same role he enjoyed this past season. Fantasy managers should closely monitor Gainwell's free agency, as his next team will likely play a significant factor in his value going forward.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
Atlanta Falcons veteran quarterback
Kirk Cousins has two years left on his deal, but he's expected to be released in early March after the Falcons restructured his contract so that he'll be owed $68 million if he's on the roster on March 13, according to The Athletic's Josh Kendall. Cousins could be released and re-signed on a less-expensive contract as the Falcons look for insurance at the position behind
Michael Penix Jr. (knee). The 37-year-old QB started the final seven games in 2025 after Penix tore his ACL in Week 11. Cousins ranked 37th in the NFL in EPA per dropback and threw for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions in his 10 games (eight starts). Even though new head coach Kevin Stefanski has a previous working relationship with Cousins from their time together with the Vikings in 2019, the feeling is that Atlanta is ready to move on from him this offseason. Penix's recovery this offseason could be the determining factor in whether Atlanta brings Cousins back in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
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