RADIO
Alvin Kamara Does Not Participate in Saints Practice on Wednesday
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) was among the players who did not participate in practice on Wednesday, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Kamara is currently battling a sprained MCL, and his availability for the Saints' Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions is in question. The veteran running back missed the final six games of the 2025 season due to a separate MCL sprain, making his current injury all the more concerning. Kamara averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per touch across 11 games last season and is expected to play a minimized role in the Saints' offense in 2026 following the team's offseason acquisition of running back Travis Etienne Jr. If Kamara misses the start of the year, Etienne Jr.'s early-season workload outlook could be significantly improved.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Justin Tucker Works Out for Jets
Free-agent kicker Justin Tucker was part of a group workout with the New York Jets on Wednesday, according to Tom Pelissero. The Jets are continuing to look at their options at kicker despite claiming Blake Grupe off waivers earlier this week and bringing Jason Sanders back on the practice squad. Tucker has not kicked in a regular-season game since 2024, when he made 22 of 30 field-goal attempts in his final season with Baltimore. The seven-time Pro Bowler served a 10-game suspension last season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Grupe currently has the roster spot and made all 11 of his field-goal attempts during a five-game stint with Indianapolis late last season. Tucker's workout doesn't mean another move is coming, but the Jets are clearly still evaluating the position.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Charlie Kolar a Deep-League Sleeper Target Following Strong Camp
After spending the first four years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, veteran tight end Charlie Kolar is entering his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2026. Kolar saw very limited usage as a receiver during his time in Baltimore, recording just 30 receptions and four touchdowns across 47 games. In Los Angeles, Kolar could play a similar role as the blocking complement to the Chargers' receiving-focused tight ends Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku. However, Kolar has drawn strong reviews for his work in training camp, and he could be carving out a sizable role in his new team's offense. Given Kolar's extremely limited pass-catching track record, it's too early to prioritize him in fantasy drafts. Still, managers may want to consider him as a deep-league sleeper name to monitor entering 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Monangai Still Not Practicing
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (knee) remained out of practice Wednesday, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. Monangai has not practiced since hyperextending his right knee during an Aug. 16 session, when he got tangled with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Head coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday that Monangai remains week-to-week, so his continued absence is not unexpected. The second-year back rushed for 783 yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries as a rookie, adding 18 catches for 164 yards. Chicago opens the season Sept. 13 at Carolina, leaving Monangai less than two weeks to get back on the field. His Week 1 status remains uncertain, and D'Andre Swift would be in line for a heavier workload if Monangai can't go.
Source: Jason Lieser
Source: Jason Lieser
Malik Nabers Handles Individual and Team Drills Wednesday
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) took part in individual drills and team work Wednesday, head coach John Harbaugh said, according to Connor Hughes. Nabers is still working his way back from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season after four games. He had 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns before going down. Tuesday brought another encouraging sign when Harbaugh said Nabers handled most of the team reps after spending the early part of practice with the training staff. Wednesday's work keeps that progression moving, but Nabers has not committed to being ready for Week 1. The Giants open Sept. 13 against Dallas, leaving more than a week for his workload to build before a decision has to be made.
Source: Connor Hughes
Source: Connor Hughes
Michael Soroka to Pitch in Sim Game on Friday
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (shoulder) will pitch in a simulated game on Friday at the team's spring training complex in Arizona, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Soroka is scheduled to go four innings and/or 60 pitches in the outing, and he could be an option to return from the 15-day injured list next week during the team's series in Kansas City against the Royals. The 29-year-old Canadian could end up spending the minimum of 15 days on the IL after landing on the shelf last week with inflammation in his right shoulder. The D-backs are right in the thick of the hunt for the final wild-card spot in the National League, so getting Soroka back as a starter down the stretch could be huge. He has had a resurgent 2026 season in the desert for the Snakes, going 8-4 with a 3.40 ERA (2.95 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 24 walks in 95 1/3 frames across his 18 starts in his seventh year in the majors. Soroka has only made three starts since the All-Star break due to injuries, though, and he has posted a 5.40 ERA with seven walks and 12 K's in 13 1/3 innings over those three starts. He could be a sneaky streaming option in the last few weeks of 2026.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Isaac TeSlaa Still Has Lions' Trust After Quiet Summer
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa had a rough summer, but the team isn't backing away from him. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery said he is "not too concerned" about TeSlaa's camp and preseason. Detroit intentionally gave the second-year receiver more work against top cornerbacks, and he remains the No. 3 option behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. TeSlaa caught just 16 passes for 239 yards as a rookie, but six of those catches went for touchdowns. He also finished the year with eight receptions for 119 yards and two scores over the final three games. His preseason opener against Cincinnati was ugly, including a drop that turned into an interception, but Detroit hasn't let one uneven month change its plans. TeSlaa still has a bigger role waiting for him in Year 2.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Source: Detroit Free Press
Garrett Crochet Likely to Throw a Bullpen This Weekend
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder, lat) will likely throw a bullpen session this weekend, interim manager Chad Tracy told Marcos Grunfeld of ElEmergente.com. Crochet is ready to take the next step in his throwing program after playing catch off the mound at Fenway Park on Tuesday. With the Red Sox still in the hunt for a playoff spot in September, they have not shut down Crochet, who has been sidelined since late May with shoulder and lat issues. Once the 27-year-old southpaw returns -- he will likely need a short minor-league rehab assignment first -- he is expected to be used in a relief role, which will pretty much kill what little remaining fantasy value he has left. Crochet finished second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year in Beantown after going 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 255:46 K:BB in 32 starts, but he has managed to start only six games in his second year with the BoSox. In those six games, he posted a 6.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 37:11 K:BB in 30 innings. Crochet is still rostered in 77% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: ElEmergente.com - Marcos Grunfeld
Source: ElEmergente.com - Marcos Grunfeld
Mike Evans Back at Practice
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (groin) returned to practice Wednesday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Evans had been sidelined since leaving an Aug. 18 joint practice with the Chargers early and was later listed with groin tightness. Kyle Shanahan said earlier this week that Evans was ahead of schedule in his recovery and could get back on the field before the team left for Australia. That happened Wednesday, although it remains to be seen how much work Evans handled. The 33-year-old signed a three-year deal with San Francisco this offseason after spending his first 12 seasons in Tampa Bay. He was limited to eight starts last year, catching 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Getting Evans back into practice is a good step with the 49ers set to open the season against the Rams on Sept. 10.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Griffin Jax Activated Ahead of Wednesday's Start
The Tampa Bay Rays announced that they activated right-hander Griffin Jax (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Alex Cook to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Jax is set to start Wednesday night's game against the New York Mets. The 31-year-old veteran ended up making just one minor-league rehab start and will rejoin Tampa's starting rotation for the first time since going on the IL in early August with discomfort in his right elbow. He started the year as the favorite for saves at the back end of Tampa's bullpen, but he was quickly moved to a starting role. In 29 total appearances (18 starts) this year, the former third-rounder by the Minnesota Twins in 2016 from Air Force Academy has gone 6-9 with a 3.63 ERA (3.94 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with a career-high 100 strikeouts and 30 walks in 91 2/3 innings pitched in his first year with the Rays. Despite the layoff, Jax will be an intriguing fantasy streamer against the Mets in his return to action. In four of his last five starts before going on the IL, Jax allowed exactly one earned run, and he combined for 18 strikeouts and only three walks in his last two appearances.
Source: Rays Communications
Source: Rays Communications
Tetairoa McMillan in Line for More Slot Work
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could see more time in the slot this season, according to Sheena Quick. Head coach Dave Canales has talked about moving McMillan around more heading into Year 2, and the Panthers used him inside at times during his rookie season as well. McMillan doesn't need much help getting involved after starting all 17 games and catching 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He went on to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Giving him more snaps from the slot would add another wrinkle to a passing game already built heavily around him and could create some different matchups for Bryce Young to attack. McMillan will still see plenty of work outside, but Carolina appears interested in making his alignment less predictable this season.
Source: Sheena Quick
Source: Sheena Quick
Adley Rutschman Sitting Out Another Day With Elbow Injury
Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (elbow) will miss another game on Wednesday against the visiting Seattle Mariners, per MLB.com. Connor Wong will do the catching for left-hander Patrick Sandoval and will hit out of the nine spot in the batting order against Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller. It will be the third straight missed game for Rutschman, who has played in just three of the team's last nine games due to a hyperextended right elbow that he suffered on a swing early last week. It has been that kind of year for the former first overall pick from Oregon State. Rutschman only has 300 at-bats in his fifth year in the league and is slashing .237/.318/.400 with a .718 OPS, nine home runs, 51 RBI, and 35 runs scored in 82 games with the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles. He has not been able to get on track offensively amidst his injuries in 2026, and he has gone just 9-for-53 (.170) with a homer, a double, four RBI, five runs scored, six walks, and 15 strikeouts in 15 games since joining the BoSox in a blockbuster trade in early August. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday to see if Rutschman is ready to rejoin the lineup for the series opener at Camden Yards against his former team, the Orioles.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Omar Cooper Jr. Rebuilds Momentum Late in Camp
New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. needed a strong finish to camp after Isaiah Williams had started to pull ahead for slot work, and the rookie gave the Jets one. Cooper caught the touchdown that finished Geno Smith's two-minute drive on Aug. 24, with Aaron Glenn saying afterward that the first-round pick was improving every day. He followed that up with four catches from Smith during the final open practice, trailing only Adonai Mitchell and Garrett Wilson among Smith's targets that afternoon. Cooper also finished the preseason with three catches for 40 yards, including a 26-yard gain against Tampa Bay. The role is not settled. New York's current depth chart still has Cooper behind Wilson, while Mitchell and Williams remain ahead of him on the other side, and RotoBaller currently ranks Cooper WR79 in half-PPR. Still, the late-camp work with Smith matters. Cooper looked a lot more involved at the end of August than he did in the middle of it, giving his redraft stock a needed push before Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Notre Dame Defense Looking to Start Strong in Week 1 Against Wisconsin
The Notre Dame defense will look to open the season with a bang while facing Wisconsin on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Fighting Irish allowed 313.5 yards and 17.6 points per game a season ago, and could be in store for even better marks as the defense returns several starters and playmakers. Chris Ash is the defensive coordinator for a second straight season, so that's another reason to expect more out of the unit this season. Wisconsin had one of the worst offenses in the country a season ago, averaging just 253.1 yards and 12.8 points per game, but there are a lot of new faces and personnel in place now, so things could look different. The fourth-ranked Fighting Irish are favored by multiple scores, but in a game that could be a bit lower-scoring, the defense might not deliver the best fantasy score. Fantasy owners should proceed a bit cautiously with the Notre Dame defense in this Week 1 matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ty Johnson Absent for Another Practice
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (leg) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Johnson suffered a lower-leg injury in early August and has been out of action since, although he resumed running and sprinting last week. The 28-year-old's status is still up in the air for the Week 1 season opener against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 13, which could leave the Bills' backfield depth a little thin behind starter James Cook III. If Johnson is unable to play in Week 1, Ray Davis would see a bigger change-of-pace role behind Cook. Johnson, a sixth-rounder by the Detroit Lions in 2019 from Maryland, had 50 carries for 200 yards and a career-high three rushing scores in 2025 in his seventh year in the NFL, adding 24 receptions on 33 targets for 263 yards and two receiving touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues can avoid Johnson until further notice. We should have a better idea of Johnson's Week 1 status when the Bills release their official practice reports next week.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
