February 26, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Zaccharie Risacher (hip) will play on Thursday versus Washington. He was listed on the injury report because of a hip contusion after amassing nine points and nine boards when these clubs met on Tuesday night. With
Jalen Johnson (hip) and
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (foot) both ruled out, Risacher has an excellent opportunity to get more involved against one of the worst defensive squads in the National Basketball Association. Still, his volatility throughout the campaign makes him hard to trust.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports that Indiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard (back) will suit up against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. Nembhard previously carried a questionable tag, but he is now good to go. In his last outing, he collected 23 points and three assists in 28 minutes during Tuesday's loss to the Sixers. The 26-year-old should continue to see minutes in the high-20s, and he remains a viable streaming option going into tonight's tilt.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Dustin Dopirak
February 26, 2026
Atlanta Hawks guard
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (foot) won't play in Thursday's rematch with Washington. The Hawks are also down
Jalen Johnson (hip), meaning there will be plenty of shots up for grabs. There are several directions head coach Quin Snyder can go regarding the starting lineup. However,
CJ McCollum,
Onyeka Okongwu, and
Jonathan Kuminga may be the most productive from a fantasy standpoint no matter who gets the start. Kuminga looked fantastic in his first game in Atlanta, amassing 27 points, seven boards, and two steals in 24 minutes.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Atlanta Hawks
February 26, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) threw his first bullpen session this spring on Thursday since undergoing thoracic outlet surgery on Sept. 23 of last year, which involved the removal of a rib, according to Corey Seidman of Sports Illustrated. Wheeler felt great after throwing 21 fastballs on Thursday. When asked if Wheeler could be ready to pitch in a big-league game six weeks from Thursday, manager Rob Thomson said, "Possibly." It's also possible that he could pitch in a Grapefruit League game, but it's still unclear. Barring soreness or a setback, Wheeler should be expected to throw another bullpen on Sunday. Wheeler will begin the 2026 season on the injured list, but if he continues to progress at this pace, it's possible he could make his season debut in April. Still, the 35-year-old veteran isn't a lock to return to his ace form, which is why he's dropped in the starting pitching rankings to No. 48 overall at RotoBaller.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Corey Seidman
February 26, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Obi Toppin (foot) will suit up on Thursday versus Charlotte. He had played in only three games this season before suffering a stress fracture in his right foot. Prior to the injury, the 2020 No. 8 overall pick appeared to be well on his way to having the best year of his career, averaging 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. With that said, Toppin will be on a minutes restriction for the remainder of the season, likely making him irrelevant for fantasy purposes.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Dustin Dopirak
February 26, 2026
Tyler Smith of IndySportsLegends.com reports that Indiana Pacers forward/center
Pascal Siakam (wrist) is unavailable for Thursday's matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. Siakam was considered doubtful previously, but he's since been ruled out due to a left wrist sprain and will miss his second game in a row. The Pacers will be provided with some relief as
Obi Toppin (foot) is set to suit up. However, his minutes will likely be limited, giving
Ben Sheppard and
Micah Potter plenty of frontcourt scoring opportunities.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Tyler Smith
February 26, 2026
New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect
Nolan McLean was dominant in his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday against the Houston Astros, allowing no runs on one hit, one walk, and six strikeouts in four innings pitched, according to MLB Pipeline. The No. 6 overall prospect in all of baseball picked up where he left off after posting a 2.06 ERA in eight starts for the Mets last year in his MLB debut. McLean retired 12 of the 14 batters he faced on the day and topped out at 97.9 mph on the radar gun with his fastball. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Oklahoma State University should be considered a top-100 overall fantasy player going into his first full year in the big leagues. In addition to his 2.06 ERA in New York in 2025, McLean had a 1.04 WHIP, 57 strikeouts, 16 walks, and a 61.1% ground-ball rate in 48 innings. McLean already has an advanced arsenal with multiple offspeed pitches that can also generate swings and misses. He's one of the most attractive young arms in the game.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB Pipeline
February 26, 2026
St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway (ankle) will return to work on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. He has missed 23 of the last 24 games due to a right high ankle sprain. The injury has been one of many challenges for Holloway during a testing campaign. A year after a 63-point season, he has contributed just eight goals and nine assists in 34 games. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect an improvement from Holloway, as the Blues are bound to finish among the worst teams in the league. For Thursday's game, Holloway is expected to be paired with Pius Suter and Jonatan Berggren on the third line. He will also have a spot on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (back) will return from his three-game absence on Thursday versus Houston.
Tristan da Silva had been starting while Suggs was on the shelf, most recently amassing 13 points, six rebounds, and two steals in Tuesday's 110-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Although it's realistic to assume Suggs might see less work than usual in his first game back, his presence should eliminate nearly all of da Silva's streaming appeal. The same can be said for
Jett Howard and
Jevon Carter, who were sporadically productive while Suggs was out of commission.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jason Beede
February 26, 2026
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (lower body) is poised to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators after being activated from Injured Reserve. A lower-body injury kept him out of action for seven games before the Olympic break. Edvinsson has drawn praise for his steady play this season, recording 17 points (six goals, 11 assists), 57 shots, 104 blocks, 63 hits, and a plus-six rating in 48 games. The Swedish blue-liner will rejoin his usual partner, Moritz Seider, on the first defensive pairing and will grab a spot on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (lower body) will play on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before the Olympic break, Fox missed 13 consecutive games and has been available for just three of the last 30 games. When in the lineup, Fox has been top-class, recording 28 points (four goals, 24 assists), 56 shots, and 45 blocks in 30 appearances. The Flyers allow over three goals per game (3.16) and have a .884 save percentage this season, making it a favorable fantasy matchup for Fox and the Rangers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com, Los Angeles Lakers forward
Rui Hachimura (illness) won't suit up against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday due to an illness. The 28-year-old is averaging 11.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 29.5 minutes per contest across 47 outings this season. With Hachimura on the shelf, a sizable amount of minutes could be available for players like
Luke Kennard or Jack LaRavia. Luke Kennard has had most success recently draining at least one three-pointer in eight of his last nine appearances.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Dave McMenamin
February 26, 2026
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (lower body) will be back in the net on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Russian netminder hasn't played since Jan. 5 due to a lower-body injury. Although the Rangers sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Shesterkin has had a fine campaign. He has posted a 17-12-4 record across 34 starts, with a 2.45 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage, and one shutout. On Thursday, Shesterkin will go up against the league's 22nd-ranked offense, which has produced 2.86 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (foot) will return to the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. While Pittsburgh has just lost Sidney Crosby (lower body), the team will get a big defensive piece back. Letang missed the final four games before the Olympic break with a fractured foot. The 38-year-old has recorded 25 points (three goals, 22 assists), 196 shots, 64 blocks, and 67 hits in 50 outings this season. Letang will be part of the second power-play unit and will have a new partner on the second defensive pairing, with the recently acquired Samuel Girard expected to skate with him.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
Former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who is projected to be a potential top-five pick this April, believes he's the best defender in this year's draft class, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. "I feel confident every time I stepped on the field," Downs said. "If I would say I walked on the field and thought anybody was better than me, yeah, that's not true." He was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 and also won the Thorpe Award, which is awarded to the country's top defensive back. If Downs is taken in the first five picks, he'll be the first defensive back to do that since Eric Berry was taken fifth overall in 2010. Downs was at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State, where he helped the Buckeyes win a national championship in 2024. In 14 games in his junior season in 2025, Downs had 68 tackles (45 solo), one sack, two interceptions, and five tackles for loss.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
February 26, 2026
Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle (illness) is a game-time decision for Thursday's tilt against the Detroit Red Wings. The German star is dealing with an illness and missed the morning skate. Stutzle entered the Olympic break with a five-game goal streak and has totaled 61 points (28 goals, 33 assists) in 57 games this season. Shane Pinto and Lars Eller will likely have larger roles in Thursday's game if Stutzle doesn't play. Pinto is the more attractive fantasy option, though he has been inconsistent since his hot start to the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 26, 2026
Carolina Panthers general manager and president of football operations Dan Morgan said on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that he hasn't talked to any teams "about a trade, but if the possibility did come up, I would talk to Andy." ESPN's Adam Schefter reported this week that the Panthers have been getting calls on the availability of veteran quarterback
Andy Dalton. While the Panthers may not be looking to trade Dalton at this moment, it sounds like Morgan isn't opposed to it, especially after telling McAfee that the organization wants to "get a little younger and more athletic" at the backup QB position. The 38-year-old is going into the second year of a two-year, $8 million contract he signed with Carolina in February of 2025. At best, Dalton could be a veteran bridge QB for a team that loses out in free agency and is desperate at the position.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pat McAfee Show
February 26, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward
Patrick Williams (quad) was downgraded from doubtful to out for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers. Williams will join
Jalen Smith (calf) on the sidelines, leaving lots of playing time and usage for
Guerschon Yabusele,
Nick Richards, and
Leonard Miller. Yabusele and Richards each have double-double potential in the favorable matchup. Yabusele will likely start in place of Smith, giving him and especially high ceiling due to his multi-category upside against Portland, and without Williams, Miller may have to step more into the mix off the bench.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (not injury-related) will return to action on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News reports. MacKinnon didn't play in Wednesday's 4-2 road victory over Utah, taking a bit of extra rest after the Olympic tournament. The Avalanche leader sits third in scoring in the NHL, recording 40 goals and 53 assists in 55 appearances. He's had multiple points in 10 of his last 19 outings. MacKinnon's return will bump Brock Nelson to the second line, but he will continue to be heavily involved in the offense.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dylan Loucks
February 26, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Malik Monk (ankle) is dealing with ankle soreness and may not be available when his team finishes their back-to-back in Texas with a game against the Mavericks. Monk only had seven points in 19 minutes on Wednesday, but had double-digit points in five straight before that.
Russell Westbrook (thigh) and
Keegan Murray (ankle) are already out, so if Monk joins them on the sidelines,
Devin Carter and
Killian Hayes will get plenty of run in the backcourt, while
Nique Clifford,
Precious Achiuwa, and
Maxime Raynaud will have to carry more of the scoring load in the offense.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Arizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (knee) appeared to have a golden opportunity to emerge as a workhorse rusher once fellow Cardinals back
James Conner (ankle) suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3 of the 2025 season. Unfortunately, Benson suffered a knee injury the very next week that landed him on Injured Reserve and ultimately ended his year. A third-round pick in 2024, Benson has been an efficient rusher in a small sample through his first two NFL seasons, averaging 4.9 yards per rush attempt on 92 career carries. Provided Benson can get back to full health, 2026 may be the year that he emerges as the RB1 in Arizona. While Conner is technically under contract for 2026, Arizona could release him and save over $7 million against the cap this offseason. Even if Conner remains with the team, he will be in his age-31 season and coming off a serious ankle injury. At the same time, Benson remains a largely unproven player with durability concerns of his own, and the Cardinals will have a new coaching staff in place in 2026 that may be looking to add fresh blood in the backfield in either free agency or the upcoming draft. Still, Benson should have an opportunity to prove himself next season and could be a player worth targeting in dynasty formats, even coming off a lost year.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Russell Westbrook (thigh) was listed as out for the second night of his team's back-to-back due to a bruised right thigh. He played 25 minutes on Wednesday against the Rockets and had 22 points against his former team. Without him on Thursday against the Mavericks, more time and opportunities will be available for
Devin Carter, especially if
Malik Monk (ankle) does not play through his questionable tag. Recent addition
Killian Hayes could also get more playing time without Russ on Thursday night.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
In his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, tight end
Jonnu Smith recorded 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 54 targets across 17 games played. The 30-year-old's numbers dropped precipitously from his breakout season with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, when he hauled in 88 catches for 884 yards and eight scores. In Pittsburgh, Smith's upside is limited by a crowded tight end room that also includes
Darnell Washington and
Pat Freiermuth. Additionally, 2025 Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who is known for favoring formations that feature multiple tight ends, is no longer with the team. As a result, Smith may face an even more difficult path to playing time in Pittsburgh in 2026. Outside of 2024, Smith has just one other season in his nine-year NFL career with at least 50 catches and 500 receiving yards. It seems likely that his 2024 season will stand out as an outlier relative to his overall production, and Smith's dynasty value should be fading heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (ankle) will not play on Thursday after aggravating his sprained ankle in Wednesday's loss to the Rockets. Murray missed 20 games with an injury to the same ankle from Jan. 6 to Feb. 11, but the team hasn't given an update on any timetable for him to return this time. Without him on Thursday,
Nique Clifford will likely play a more active role, while
Daeqwon Plowden and Patrick Baldwin will also have more work coming off the bench. The Kings are already short-handed, so without Murray, even more value will be available to those fringe contributors.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will not play Thursday night in the late game against Minnesota. He is dealing with soreness in his left ankle and will remain day-to-day going forward. He played 33 minutes in Sunday's loss to Orlando, finishing with 37 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, but he'll miss Thursday's game, leaving more time and usage for the rest of the rotation. The main players who will need to step up are
Kobe Sanders and
Jordan Miller, who are each interesting options for DFS and streaming purposes in expanded roles against Minnesota.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Across 17 games in 2025, Tennessee Titans tight end
Chig Okonkwo recorded 56 receptions for 560 yards and two touchdowns on 79 targets. The 26-year-old has established himself as a solid real-life player, as he's logged at least 50 catches in three straight seasons and has never missed a game in his NFL career. However, Okonkwo's fantasy upside has never quite materialized, as he's never reached 80 targets or topped three touchdown catches in a season. Okonkwo is now set to hit free agency and could be with a new organization for the first time in 2026. A change of scenery could be a positive development for Okonkwo's fantasy outlook, as Tennessee has fielded a miserable offense overall in recent seasons and also has a rising young tight end in
Gunnar Helm. Still, Okonkwo has demonstrated a limited production ceiling to this point in his career, and there's no guarantee he will land in a true TE1 role with a new team. His fantasy value in dynasty formats is slowly declining heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Rams running back
Jarquez Hunter played an extremely minimal role in all phases as a rookie. The 23-year-old was active for just five games and did not record a single touch on offense. Hunter's path to playing time is blocked in Los Angeles, as the Rams have arguably the best running back combination in the NFL in
Kyren Williams and
Blake Corum. In 2025, Williams and Corum combined for over 2,300 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns. The pairing has also missed just one game combined over the past two seasons, and both are under contract through at least 2027. As a result, Hunter may need a change in scenery to work his way into a fantasy-relevant role. Even if one of Corum or Williams were to suffer a significant injury, the other is capable of taking on more of a workhorse role, which could still leave Hunter on the outside looking in for touches in Los Angeles. It's hard to say that Hunter can't eventually emerge as a productive NFL running back, as he's had no opportunity to prove himself either way. However, his fantasy value in dynasty formats is virtually non-existent heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
After topping 570 scrimmage yards in each of his first two NFL seasons, Denver Broncos running back
Jaleel McLaughlin's production took a step back in 2025. Across eight games, the 25-year-old recorded 214 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 41 touches. McLaughlin was a healthy scratch on game day for much of the first half of the season, as he was stuck behind
J.K. Dobbins (foot),
RJ Harvey, and
Tyler Badie on the Broncos' running back depth chart. McLaughlin got more opportunities to play down the stretch after Dobbins went down in Week 11 with a foot injury. Dobbins is now set to hit free agency, which could open up a path to playing time for McLaughlin in Denver. However, Harvey emerged as the team's lead back in 2025 after Dobbins went down and looks like the Broncos' clear RB1 of the future. For his career, McLaughlin is averaging fewer than seven touches per game and looks more like a complementary, change-of-pace back than a fantasy-relevant workhorse.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
Across 14 games in 2025, Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Dontayvion Wicks recorded 30 receptions for 332 yards and two touchdowns on 46 targets. It was a disappointing year overall for the 24-year-old, as he posted the lowest receiving yards per game (23.7) and receptions per game (2.1) marks of his three NFL seasons. While Wicks has flashed upside at different points in his career, he's struggled to carve out a consistent role in Green Bay's equal-opportunity passing game. However, the Packers' pass-catching depth chart could get thinner in 2026. Wide receiver
Romeo Doubs is set to hit free agency, and tight end
Tucker Kraft (knee) could miss the start of the season as he recovers from a torn ACL. Still, Wicks would be competing with Packers wideouts
Christian Watson,
Jayden Reed, and
Matthew Golden for playing time. Based on his inability to differentiate himself in 2025, Wicks' fantasy value in dynasty formats is trending in the wrong direction.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 26, 2026
Houston Rockets guard
Amen Thompson (quad) missed Wednesday night's matchup with the Kings due to left quadriceps tendinitis, but he is not on the injury report and should be ready to return on Thursday against the Magic. Thompson will continue to play through the issue as he has for at least a few weeks. It seems to be slowing him down a little on offense, but he's still playing huge minutes and contributing on the defensive end. He did show a little offensive spark with 20 points on Monday against the Jazz, though, and he always brings a high ceiling with his multi-category potential. He can be used in your fantasy lineups as you normally would for Thursday's contest, while
Reed Sheppard will return to his normal role after getting extra work on Wednesday and dropping 28 points in 32 minutes against Sacramento.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
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