March 2, 2026
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (illness) won't be available for a third consecutive game on Monday night against the Vancouver Canucks. He continues to work his way back from illness and could be available for the second leg of a back-to-back on Tuesday against Calgary. Arttu Hyry will remain in the lineup on Monday, while Wyatt Johnston will continue to center the first line. On Monday, Johnston has a chance to record his second three-game multi-point streak of the season. He has tallied three goals and one assist in two games since play resumed after the Olympic break.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 2, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (illness) is a game-time decision for Monday's tilt against the New York Rangers, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. The star defenseman is dealing with an illness and may exit the lineup for the fifth time this season. Werenski ranks second among defensemen with 65 points (20 goals, 45 assists) in 54 games. Egor Zamula is expected to join the lineup if Werenski can't play. At the same time, Ivan Provorov is likely to see more ice time, while Denton Mateychuk may return to power-play duty.
--Taavi PailkSource: Aaron Portzline
March 2, 2026
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Washington Wizards guard
Trae Young (knee/quadriceps) is set to make his debut with his new team on Thursday against the Utah Jazz. The 27-year-old star guard has been out of action since Dec. 27 due to a right MCL sprain and a right quadriceps contusion. He sustained the injuries while still playing for the Hawks. Across 10 games this season, he has averaged 19.3 points, 8.9 assists, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 28.0 minutes per contest. Young will likely be on a minutes restriction in his debut, but once he gets fully acclimated and back to full strength, he should quickly reestablish himself as a high-end fantasy contributor.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
March 2, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny (undisclosed) is a game-time decision for Monday's matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs, TSN's Mark Masters reports. The Flyers could be without Konecny for only the second time this season. Konecny is on pace for a second consecutive 70-point campaign. He leads Philadelphia with 57 points (23 goals, 34 assists) in 58 games. If Konecny can't play, Owen Tippett may get a top-six role, with Nicolas Deslauriers likely to fill the void in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mark Masters
March 2, 2026
Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson (upper body) left Monday's 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators after the first period. He suffered an upper-body injury in the contest, saving 10 of 11 shots before his premature exit. Cam Talbot had 18 saves on 19 shots as Gibson's replacement. Injuries have been a consistent theme throughout Gibson's career, but he has performed well when available this season. The Pittsburgh native boasts a 23-12-2 record, a 2.57 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and four shutouts. Only Ilya Sorokin (6) has had more shutouts this season in the NHL.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 2, 2026
NBA reporter Marc Stein reports that Boston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) won't suit up against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. Brown is feeling under the weather and will miss the back end of a back-to-back after posting 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 38 minutes during Sunday's 114-98 win over Philadelphia. With Brown on the shelf, the Celtics will likely turn to
Payton Pritchard to take on a heavier workload. Pitchard finished with seven points, five assists and three rebounds across 27 minutes in his last outing versus the Bucks on Feb. 2.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Marc Stein
March 2, 2026
The Edmonton Oilers are acquiring defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a second-round draft pick, Sportsnet's Mark Spector reports. The Blackhawks will retain 50 percent of Murphy's $4.4 million cap hit. The Oilers, who have allowed 3.33 goals per game this season, hope Murphy will help improve their defense. From a fantasy perspective, he doesn't have a lot of value. In 60 outings with the Blackhawks this season, Murphy recorded 13 points (four goals, nine assists), 55 shots, 87 blocks, and 62 hits. The 32-year-old moved to Chicago in 2017 after being a first-round pick in 2011 by the Arizona Coyotes.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mark Spector
March 2, 2026
Los Angeles Angels shortstop
Zach Neto hit an RBI double off the base of the left-field wall in Cactus League action on Monday against the Kansas City Royals and is now hitting .400 with a 1.267 OPS in spring training, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The 25-year-old closed out his 2025 campaign on the injured list with a left-hand strain, but he's completely healthy now and has picked up where he left off. He finished 2025 with a .257/.319/.474 slash line, career-best .793 OPS, career-high 26 home runs, 62 RBI, 82 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases in 554 plate appearances over 128 games played. Neto ranked in the top 10% in xwOBA on contact and was also in the top 15% of the league in barrel rate and xSLG. He's proving to be the real deal, and he could improve even more if he lowers his strikeout rate and increases his walk rate. Over a full season, Neto has 30-30 potential as a clear top-10 fantasy shortstop.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
March 2, 2026
Los Angeles Angels right-hander
Grayson Rodriguez is happy with his slider and curveball in spring training, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. "This is the best those two pitches have ever been. So I've got that going for me. Heater is obviously there. The velocity is there. One big thing for me, and kind of what's been in the past, is working on command," Rodriguez said. The 26-year-old missed all of last year with the Baltimore Orioles due to elbow and lat injuries, but he appears to be fully healthy this spring as he enters his first season with the Angels. In his lone Cactus League outing last week against the San Francisco Giants, G-Rod allowed a run on one hit and three walks while striking out two batters in 1 2/3 innings. His command left a lot to be desired, but the primary takeaway is that Rodriguez is healthy. Durability is a question mark, but Rodriguez has displayed elite upside in the past, making him worth a late-round flier in mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
March 2, 2026
Former SMU safety Ahmaad Moses (back) will have spinal fusion surgery this week after an MRI exam at the NFL scouting combine last week showed a herniated disk, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. "The expectation is that the recovery will be six months, and Ahmaad will make a full recovery. He anticipates returning during the early part of the 2026 season," agent Joe DiBenedetto said. Specifically, Moses had a single-level spinal fusion. The young defensive back will most likely miss most of training camp and the preseason, making him a candidate to start his rookie season in the NFL on the Physically Unable to Perform list or Injured Reserve. Moses wasn't a high-end defensive back prospect to begin with, and his new injury will likely ensure he's a Day 3 pick. In his senior year at SMU in 2025, Moses had 104 tackles (54 solo), one sack, five interceptions (one returned for a TD), and 5.5 tackles for loss in 13 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
March 2, 2026
The Detroit Lions announced on Monday that they released offensive lineman Graham Glasgow. The move to cut Glasgow will save the Lions around $5.6 million in salary cap space for the 2026 season. The 33-year-old veteran was taken in the third round (95th overall) in 2016 out of Michigan by Detroit. He spent the first four years of his career with the Lions before joining the Denver Broncos from 2020 through 2022. Glasgow returned to the Lions in 2023 and spent the last three seasons with them. He played in 15 games (14 starts) a year ago but will now head to the open market. The veteran offensive lineman's best days are likely behind him at this point, but his experience alone should make him plenty attractive on the open market for team's looking for interior O-line depth.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit Lions
March 2, 2026
The Athletic's Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur say that San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Mac Jones doesn't have a very robust market so far this offseason. The 49ers also aren't looking to trade Jones, with general manager John Lynch saying last week that "we're a better team with him on it." The 27-year-old was expected to attract an offer of at least a third-rounder after playing well in
Brock Purdy's absence last year. The Minnesota Vikings and other teams that could need a QB "weren't so open" to the idea of Jones. Other teams expected to be in the market for a signal-caller this offseason include the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and maybe the Atlanta Falcons. All of them could prefer a dirt-cheap option this year over trading for Jones and signing him to an extension. Jones completed 70% of his passes in eight starts (five wins) in 2025, but "there are still some skeptics." In addition to Jones, QBs like
Anthony Richardson Sr.,
Kyler Murray,
Geno Smith,
Kirk Cousins, and
Tua Tagovailoa can all be had via either a trade or on the open market.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur
March 2, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Gavin Stone (shoulder) had a "setback" with his shoulder and is "paused" from throwing right now in camp, manager Dave Roberts told Jack Harris of The California Post. Roberts said Stone's surgically-repaired shoulder was bothering him after last week's Cactus League start and subsequent bullpen session. Harris adds that it "probably scuttles his chances for Opening Day." It's not good news for the 27-year-old hurler, who had surgery to fix a full capsule tear and partial tears of his labrum and rotator cuff. It caused Stone to miss the entire 2025 season, and he most likely will open on the injured list again in 2026. The former fifth-rounder in 2020 out of Central Arkansas debuted in 2023 (eight appearances) in the big leagues before going 11-5 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 116:37 K:BB in 25 starts (140 1/3 frames) in 2024. Even if Stone recovers to pitch this year, his fantasy upside will be limited with expected workload restrictions.
--Keith HernandezSource: The California Post - Jack Harris
March 2, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers impending free-agent linebacker Khalil Mack will play in 2026, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The 35-year-old is coming off a strong season in 2025 and will be one of the top edge rushers available in free agency, but he'll be a priority for the Chargers to try to re-sign. Rapoport writes that Mack is "back exploring all options." The nine-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, and former fifth overall pick in 2014 by the Raiders played in 12 games last year and had 32 tackles (19 solo), 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, and four forced fumbles for the Bolts. The aging linebacker has 11.5 sacks the last two seasons combined, but he's only two years removed from a career-high 17-sack season in 2023 in L.A. After signing a one-year, $18 million contract with the Chargers last March, he could be approached with a similar one-year pact to remain in Hollywood for a fifth straight season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 2, 2026
The Washington Commanders informed veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore (knee) that they are releasing him, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Lattimore will hit the open market after suffering a torn ACL in his knee last November. He was scheduled to make $18.5 million in 2026, including a $2 million roster bonus next week. The 29-year-old four-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year only played in nine games in D.C. last year before his knee injury, recording 27 tackles (16 solo), one interception, seven pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. Lattimore hasn't played in more than 10 games in a single season since 2021 with the New Orleans Saints, which was also the last time he was a Pro Bowler. Heading into his age-30 season, the oft-injured defensive back and former first-rounder might be greeted with a cold market as he recovers from his ACL tear.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 2, 2026
Lone'er Kavanagh got back in the win column by defeating former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. It could be said that Kavanagh had a masterful performance as he almost finished Moreno with punches in the second round and destroyed his lead leg with calf-kicks. The pace slowed dramatically in the fourth and the fifth round, but in the end, the judges scored the fight 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 in favor of Kavanagh. In 25 minutes of action, Kavanagh landed 97 significant strikes. With the win, Kavanagh improved to 10-1 as a pro and is now 3-1 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
March 2, 2026
The San Diego Padres agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent outfielder
Alex Verdugo on Sunday, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Verdugo appeared in only 56 games with the Atlanta Braves last year and was eventually designated for assignment over the summer after hitting just .239/.296/.289 with no homers, 12 RBI, and 21 runs scored in 213 plate appearances. The nine-year veteran is getting a late start in spring training and won't be guaranteed to make the Padres' Opening Day roster. If Verdugo did make the big-league squad out of camp, he'd most likely be a platoon option from the left side of the plate in a corner-outfield spot or at designated hitter. Most likely, Verdugo will offer the Padres some outfield depth at Triple-A El Paso to begin the 2026 regular season. In 149 games with the Yankees in 2024, Verdugo held a .233/.291/.356 slash line with 13 homers and 61 RBI in 621 plate appearances.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
March 2, 2026
San Diego Padres right-hander
Joe Musgrove (elbow) will start in the team's exhibition against Team Great Britain on Wednesday, his first appearance in a game since his 2024 Tommy John surgery that October, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Musgrove didn't pitch at all for the Padres in 2025 as the results of his surgery, but he has worked his way all the way back and will be part of SD's Opening Day starting rotation. The 33-year-old is not expected to have any workload restrictions, but it's fair for fantasy managers to wonder how effective he'll be in 2026 in his return. Musgrove was a first-time All-Star back in 2022 with the Friars, when he went 10-7 with a career-best 2.93 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 184:42 K:BB in 181 innings (30 starts), but that was the last time he went over 100 innings in a season. Expecting him to return to that All-Star form in 2026 is a lot to ask, but Musgrove is definitely worth a late-round flier in fantasy drafts as rotation depth.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell
March 2, 2026
Former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno suffered a unanimous decision loss to Lone'er Kavanagh in the main event of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Kavanagh dictated the fight early on, stunning Moreno with a flurry of punches and kicks in the second round. Moreno had more success in the third round, but Kavanagh took control with calf kicks. Ultimately, Moreno was light on damaging offense, while Kavanagh had a brilliant performance. In 25 minutes of action, Moreno landed 79 significant strikes. Moreno now finds himself in a rough spot as he's lost four out of his last six fights.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
March 2, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals are holding shortstop
Masyn Winn (arm) out of the Grapefruit League lineup on Monday against the Miami Marlins due to right-arm soreness, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Manager Oliver Marmol said that Winn is "fine" and that his soreness is the result of a "heavy" workload on Sunday. The 23-year-old is expected to return to spring training action later this week on Thursday or Friday, but he could also play in an exhibition game on Wednesday against Team Nicaragua. Through four Grapefruit League games, Winn has gone 2-for-8 at the plate with a stolen base. A knee injury that eventually required meniscus surgery last year may have been to blame for his disappointing offensive numbers. He had a .253/.310/.363 slash line .673 OPS, nine homers, 51 RBI, and nine steals in 129 games. Winn could bounce back some with better health, but with middling power and speed, there's limited upside here. He profiles better as a middle-infield option in mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
March 2, 2026
The Detroit Lions acquired offensive guard Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round pick, and a seventh-round pick on Monday from the Houston Texans in exchange for running back
David Montgomery, a source told Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Scruggs, 26, was originally selected 62nd overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Texans out of Penn State. He played in a career-high 17 games in 2025 in Houston, but he started just one game and wasn't very efficient on the offensive line for the Texans. In his new home in Detroit, Scruggs will most likely serve as offensive-line depth as he enters his fourth year in the league. Scruggs has started 20 of the 37 games he's appeared in over his first three seasons in the NFL in Houston.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
March 2, 2026
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (hip) is five weeks removed from hip surgery that will "prevent him from being a full participant in the offseason program," a source told Todd Archer of ESPN. Ezeiruaku is expected to be ready for training camp at the end of July. The 22-year-old former second-rounder last year out of Boston College should be ready for the start of the 2026 season this fall, barring a setback this offseason. He played in 17 games (nine starts) for the Cowboys in his first year in the NFL in 2025 and finished with 40 tackles (20 solo), two sacks, nine tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, and a forced fumble. Dallas will be hoping that Ezeiruaku will be able to take a step forward in his sophomore season once he's fully recovered from his hip injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
March 2, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers "have little if no intention of taking a quarterback with their top pick" in this year's NFL draft, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Dulac goes on to say that "it's more than likely it wouldn't be until the third round" when they would consider taking a signal-caller. It's unclear if future Hall of Famer
Aaron Rodgers even wants to play again next season, let alone return to the Steelers to reunite with head coach Mike McCarthy. The Steelers took
Will Howard in the sixth round in 2025, and Dulac writes that the Steelers will only take a QB in this year's draft if they think he has a higher ceiling than Howard. Pittsburgh met with Penn State's
Drew Allar, Miami's
Carson Beck, and Alabama's
Ty Simpson at last week's NFL scouting combine. The Steelers like Howard a lot, so if Rodgers doesn't return in 2026, it's very possible they're comfortable going into the regular season with Howard as their starter under center.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Gerry Dulac
March 2, 2026
Former bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera suffered a unanimous-decision loss to David Martinez in the co-main event of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Vera, who is known as a slow starter, didn't do much in the first and second rounds as Martinez used his speed and movement to frustrate Vera. In the third round, Vera was in desperate need of a finish, but Martinez managed to survive and avoid the danger. In 15 minutes of action, Vera landed 42 significant strikes. Vera is now 0-4 in his last four fights, marking the longest losing streak of his career.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
March 2, 2026
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer writes that he would "lean toward a Maxx Crosby trade happening maybe this week." It seems optimistic, as the Raiders are hoping to get something similar to the return that the Dallas Cowboys got for All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons last year, which included two first-rounders and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Most reports suggest that the Raiders are unlikely to get that type of return for Crosby, who is three years older than Parsons and is coming off a knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign early. The 28-year-old Crosby hasn't requested a trade and isn't expected to, but there have been plenty of reports floating around that suggest he's not interested in going through another rebuild in Vegas. There should be no shortage of suitors for Crosby if the Raiders are serious about trading him, and Breer mentions the Cowboys, Bears, Ravens, Bills, Patriots, Eagles, and Rams as teams that are "keeping tabs on his availability." Regardless of where Crosby is playing in 2026, he'll be a high-end starting defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
March 2, 2026
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday that he was told "it's 50/50" that the Indianapolis Colts will be able to get a deal done with impending free-agent quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) by Tuesday's deadline. If a long-term deal isn't done, Schefter thinks "the transition tag is in play here." If the Colts have to use the tag on Jones, it means that wide receiver
Alec Pierce could make it to the open market when the new league year begins. The 28-year-old Jones was in the midst of a career year in Indy in 2025 before he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts have made it clear that they want Danny Dimes back as their starter in 2026, but it remains to be seen if his injury will affect the length of a potential new contract. The next thing to focus on will be whether Jones will actually be 100% for the start of the regular season this fall after throwing for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in his 13 starts last year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 2, 2026
David Martinez extended his win streak by defeating former bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera via unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Martinez controlled the initial rounds, showcasing effective strategy and skill, while Vera, who is known as a slow-starter, started pushing the pace in the third round, but Martinez managed to stay out of harm's way. In 15 minutes of action, Martinez landed two takedowns and 71 significant strikes. This is by far the biggest win of Martinez's career. With the win, Martinez is now 3-0 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
March 2, 2026
The Washington Commanders and veteran offensive lineman Nick Allegretti agreed to a new two-year deal on Monday, a source told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Allegretti, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Kansas City Chiefs, started the last two games for Washington at center in 2025 in place of the injured Tyler Biadasz (ankle, knee), who is being released. The 29-year-old was originally selected withthe 216th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Chiefs out of Illinois. Allegretti played the first five years of his NFL career in Kansas City before joining Washington in 2024. He started only 13 of the 74 games he appeared in with the Chiefs, but he has started 21 of 33 games for the Commanders over the last two seasons. It looks like Allegretti will at least be competing for starting center duties this summer.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
March 2, 2026
Daniel Zellhuber suffered a second-round TKO loss to King Green on the main card of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Zellhuber was completely outclassed as Green kept on frustrating him with his striking and takedowns. In the second round, Green landed a thunderous right hand that wobbled Zellhuber, and after a few nasty shots on the ground, the referee decided to stop the fight with five seconds left in the second round. In 9:55 of action, Zellhuber landed only 17 significant strikes, compared to Green, who landed 86. After suffering three consecutive losses, Zellhuber absolutely has to win his next fight to stay on the UFC roster.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
March 2, 2026
The Cincinnati Bengals and offensive guard Dalton Risner agreed to a new, undisclosed contract extension on Monday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Risner started 11 games for the Bengals last season and fit in perfectly on their offensive line. Getting him back in the fold for 2026 and beyond was a priority for Cincy this offseason, and now it's done. The 30-year-old former second-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2019 out of Kansas State spent the first four years of his NFL career in Denver before playing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 and 2024. Risner has started 92 of the 101 games he's appeared in over his seven NFL seasons. He started 11 of the 14 games he was active for in 2025 with the Bengals. Risner's return is ultimately good news for Cincy's offense as they look to return to the postseason this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
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