RADIO
Juan Soto Back With the Mets
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list by the Mets on Saturday. The 27-year-old went through a full workout on Friday, and with that being a success, the decision was made to activate him on Saturday and insert him back into the lineup. In his first game back, he is batting second in the lineup and is serving as the team's designated hitter. It's unclear how often he will play in the field down the stretch, but the important part for fantasy purposes is that he is back and will be at the plate. Fantasy baseball managers should activate him as soon as they can and play him daily for the rest of the season without any concerns.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Running Back Corey Kiner Traded to Patriots
The Arizona Cardinals traded running back Corey Kiner to the New England Patriots on Saturday in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. Kiner, 24, logged significant playing time for the Cardinals in preseason play, with James Conner (ankle) working his way back from a season-ending injury and Jeremiyah Love (ankle) nursing a preseason sprain. He now joins a Patriots running back room that is thin behind Rhamondre Stevenson, with TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) injured in a preseason practice and Terrell Jennings (undisclosed) placed on injured reserve. However, Kiner's role at RB3 will likely be minimal if Henderson is healthy enough to play in Week 1. Kiner doesn't hold significant fantasy value for redraft leagues at this time, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on the health of the Patriots' backfield leading up to their drafts.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Shane van Gisbergen Qualifies Sixth As He Battles for Chase Berth
Saturday night's Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway is a big one for Shane van Gisbergen. Heading into the race, the Trackhouse Racing driver has a 31-point advantage over Ryan Preece for the final spot in this year's Chase, and with how unpredictable Daytona can be, nothing is guaranteed. SVG got off to a good start on Friday, though, as he qualified sixth for this weekend's big race--although Preece got off to a better start by qualifying fourth. As far as track history goes, Daytona has been a struggle for van Gisbergen thus far, as he has just one finish better than 30th in four career starts. That one result was a 16th-place finish in this race one year ago. It'll be fun to watch the battle for the Chase berth unfold at Daytona this weekend, but as far as DFS goes, it's probably best to stay away from Shane van Gisbergen ($6.2K on DraftKings), as his potential for negative Place Differential is super high.
Source: Motorsport
Source: Motorsport
Ross Chastain Wins Pole, Is an Easy Fade in DFS for Daytona
Ross Chastain won the pole for this weekend's Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, and for most race weekends, that would be a good thing in DFS. However, Daytona isn't like most races. The pole sitter at Daytona is actually at quite a major disadvantage in daily fantasy games, as the potential for massive negative Place Differential is sky-high. Although we have seen high-qualifiers score well in DFS at Daytona, the vast majority of the time, it's better to stay away from them. Chastain has made 16 career Cup Series starts at Daytona, and has yet to finish inside the top five. In fact, he has just two top-10 results to his credit thus far. He's an easy fade in DraftKings on Saturday night at his $7.5K salary.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Shohei Ohtani Unlikely to Pitch on Sunday
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (knee) isn't feeling 100% healthy, and as such, manager Dave Roberts said that he may not be able to pitch his scheduled one-inning outing on Sunday. In addition to his already injured knee, it's been made known that Ohtani's bicep continues to give him trouble, which is an issue that bothered him earlier in the season. The team is in the process of deciding what works best for him going forward, though the expectation is that he will pitch in a game at some point over the next week or two. With the MLB playoffs being the main concern for the Dodgers, and Ohtani's offense being a key part of that, it's fair to assume that the 32-year-old will not be pushed too hard or too fast, as any major injury could set the team back in October. As such, his pitching contributions should not be relied on down the stretch during the fantasy baseball playoffs.
Source: Katie Woo - The Athletic
Source: Katie Woo - The Athletic
Najee Harris Has 12 Touches in Giants' Preseason Debut
New York Giants running back Najee Harris had 11 carries for 39 rushing yards and added one reception for an additional 20 yards in Friday's 23-6 preseason win against the New York Jets. It was the first game the 28-year-old participated in since tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 3 of last year when he played for the Los Angeles Chargers. Harris is expected to play a significant role in the Cam Skattebo-led running back corps for the Giants, especially since Tyrone Tracy Jr. (neck) left Friday's preseason finale after being injured. The former Alabama product and 24th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 logged over 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons before last season's Achilles injury held him to just three games and 15 carries. RotoBaller ranks Harris at RB60 in the positional rankings, but he could end up being more valuable if Tracy or Skattebo are sidelined by injuries. Harris could offer fantasy managers insurance as an RB3 this season.
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Riley Greene Starting Rehab Assignment on Saturday
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (hamstring) is set to begin a rehab assignment on Saturday with Triple-A Toledo. The expectation is that he will serve as the team's designated hitter and bat leadoff on Saturday before returning to left field on Sunday. If that plan comes to fruition and there are no setbacks, Greene could very well be back with the Tigers on Monday when they begin an important three-game series at Minnesota. The 25-year-old will be a welcome addition to Detroit's outfield, as his 16 home runs put him in third place on the team. Fantasy managers should be prepared to immediately place him back in their lineups as soon as he is ready to return.
Source: Jason Beck - MLB.com
Source: Jason Beck - MLB.com
Konnor Griffin Starting Rehab Assignment on Sunday
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) is going to start a minor league rehab assignment on Sunday with Double-A Altoona. The 20-year-old had recently started swinging a bat at the Pirates' training facility in Florida, and it went well enough to warrant this next step. He is eligible to return on September 4, and Griffin himself has said that he is targeting that date for a return. As such, fantasy baseball managers should prepare to have him ready to be inserted back into their lineups for the stretch run here in September. Despite only playing in 59 games this season, Griffin has been impressive, hitting five home runs, stealing 20 bases, and posting a .278 batting average.
Source: Jason Mackey - MLB.com
Source: Jason Mackey - MLB.com
Alec Pierce Out for Colts' Preseason Finale
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) participated in warmups but won't play in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, Mike Chappell reported on Saturday. The fourth-year wideout came off the Physically Unable to Perform list last week and practiced with the team for the first time on Thursday since having offseason ankle surgery. Pierce is reportedly shooting for a Week 1 return as he looks to repeat his 2025 success, having set career highs with 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. The 26-year-old has the opportunity to capitalize on those numbers by inheriting a larger workload now that Michael Pittman Jr. has departed for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, fantasy managers should temper their expectations early in the season since it is unclear how long it will take Pierce to get up to speed after missing training camp. Pierce's fantasy stock is on the rise, but he should be considered a WR4/flex option until he's fully healthy.
Source: Mike Chappell
Source: Mike Chappell
J.J. McCarthy Projected to be Left Off 53-Man Roster
The Athletic's Alec Lewis is projecting Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) to lose out on the QB2 job to veteran Carson Wentz and to be left off the initial 53-man roster to begin the 2026 season. McCarthy struggled in last week's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, came out of it with a minor ankle injury, and was held out of the preseason finale on Friday against the Denver Broncos. Wentz made the start on Friday and appears to be in line to be the Vikings' backup behind starter Kyler Murray. McCarthy's "comfort (or lack thereof) with being the QB3 could dictate his future in Minnesota," Lewis writes. Max Brosmer's future with the organization is also in doubt after a poor preseason performance. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick from Michigan in 2024, missed his entire rookie campaign after having surgery to fix the meniscus in his knee. In his first go as a starter in the NFL last year, McCarthy flopped, playing in only 10 games due to injuries and throwing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. A trade out of town at this point might be the best thing for McCarthy's long-term fantasy value in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Jahan Dotson With a Solid Showing in Final Preseason Game
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson caught all three of his targets for 27 yards in Friday's 17-12 victory over the Dolphins. The former first-round draft pick played in just the first quarter with the other starters and appears to be locked in as the team's No. 2 wide receiver to begin the season behind Drake London, who did not play in the contest. We'll see how significant a role that will be under the new coaching staff in Atlanta, as last season that role was filled by Darnell Mooney, who fell well behind London, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson in the receiving pecking order. The 26-year-old's current RotoBaller ranking as the 87th overall wide receiver indicates he should be an afterthought in most fantasy drafts, with Atlanta's rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch actually ranked higher at RotoBaller despite likely starting the season as the team's WR3/4.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kendre Miller Handles 10 Touches in Preseason Finale
New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller was tied for the team lead in carries with nine and gained 42 yards (4.7 yards per tote) in the 27-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Friday night's preseason finale. Miller also caught his lone target as a receiver for a gain of 15 yards. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 from TCU should be a good bet to make the Saints' final 53-man roster with veteran Alvin Kamara (knee) banged up, and he could be the direct backup to starter Travis Etienne Jr. Miller has had trouble staying on the field in his first three NFL seasons, though, playing in just 21 games while rushing for 497 yards and three touchdowns on 127 carries (3.9 yards per carry), adding 20 receptions on 24 targets for 180 yards through the air. There is some potential for fantasy value if Kamara struggles to return from his knee injury, but in standard 12-team fantasy leagues, Miller should be going undrafted. Audric Estime, who had 46 rushing yards on only four carries on Friday, could cut into Miller's workload if Kamara continues to miss time.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Phil Mafah Busy in Preseason Finale But Could be Odd-Man Out
Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah was busy in the team's preseason finale on Friday night versus the visiting New Orleans Saints, which typically means a player is on the roster bubble. That is exactly the case with Mafah, who saw a team-high 12 carries for 46 yards (3.8 yards per carry) in the 27-24 loss, with Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, and Malik Davis all watching on the sidelines in street clothes. He was not targeted as a receiver. While the 23-year-old has not had a bad training camp, he looks to be the RB4 and on the outside looking in for a spot on the 53-man roster spot heading into Week 1 against the division-rival New York Giants on Sunday Night Football on Sept. 13. The former seventh-rounder in last year's draft from Clemson only appeared in one game for Dallas, carrying the ball five times for 18 yards and a touchdown and catching both of his targets for 11 yards in the passing game. Mafah is probably going to need an injury to one of the RBs above him on the depth chart to get a shot on game days in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Joe Milton III Throws for 92 Yards as QB2 Battle Continues in Dallas
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III started the team's preseason finale on Friday night against the New Orleans Saints and played the first half, going 8-for-15 passing for 92 yards without a touchdown or an interception in the 27-24 loss. Milton carried the ball twice for two yards. Sam Howell, who is competing with Milton for the backup job to starter Dak Prescott, went 12-for-18 for 155 yards and two touchdown passes, potentially earning himself the QB2 job over Milton going into the start of the 2026 regular season early next month. The 26-year-old Milton, a former sixth-rounder by the New England Patriots in 2024 from Tennessee, played in four games for the Cowboys last year, going 15-for-24 passing for 183 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He has yet to make a start in his two NFL seasons and looks primed to open his third year in the league as the QB3 in Dallas behind Prescott and Howell.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Buccaneers Expect Jalen McMillan to be Ready for Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Saturday that he expects wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 13, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. The team is hoping that fellow wideout Emeka Egbuka (toe) will also be ready, and they do not plan on carrying an extra receiver on the 53-man roster to offset their short-term injuries at the position. The 24-year-old McMillan sustained a knee injury earlier this month and was held out of all three preseason games. It sounds like his injury is not very serious, but McMillan could be facing snap-count limitations in the regular-season opener against Cincy. If Egbuka is out or limited as well, it could mean a lot of work for veteran Chris Godwin Jr. and tight end Cade Otton. McMillan is in line for a bigger role in a new offense in 2026 with Mike Evans gone, but the former third-rounder from Washington must stay healthy to capitalize. He played in only four games in 2025 due to a serious neck injury he suffered in the preseason. A 37-461-8 line in his rookie campaign shows the kind of upside McMillan has. He is a late-round dart throw for fantasy managers that will gain a boost if Egbuka misses the start of the season.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
