RADIO
Texas A&M Defense Desperate for Rebound Performance
The Texas A&M defense has struggled the past two weeks, allowing 31 or more points in lopsided defeats at the hands of Kentucky and LSU. This past week, against the Tigers, the Aggies allowed a whopping 506 total yards, including 312 yards passing to LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt. Still, Texas A&M is RotoBaller's eighth-ranked defense this week as the Aggies square off with an inferior opponent in Arkansas. The Razorbacks have averaged just 23 points per game but are coming off their highest scoring output of the season, a 34-point effort in a blowout win over Tulsa last week. Texas A&M is projected to score 8.1 fantasy points against Arkansas.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alex Ovechkin Assures He'll Be in Lineup for Season Opener
Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin (lower body) told reporters Wednesday that he will be fine for Friday's season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes. The veteran star missed the start of training camp due to a lower-body injury and didn't see any action in preseason games. He predicts it's "going to be hard the first couple of games." On Wednesday, Ovechkin practiced on a line with Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard. Washington also plays on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, making it a tough start for Ovechkin's crew.
Source: Tom Gulitti
Source: Tom Gulitti
Drake Maye Practices in Full, Listed With Shoulder Injury
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (shoulder) is on the team's injury report for the first time this season on Wednesday with a right-shoulder injury, but he was a full participant, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. It is something worth monitoring given the 24-year-old's rough start to the 2026 season, but it will not keep him from suiting up this weekend against the division-rival Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 4. The former third overall pick from North Carolina had an amazing first full season as the Pats' starter in 2025, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance while throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 17 regular-season games. Maye struggled in the postseason, though, and that has continued in his first three starts of 2026, as he has thrown for 585 yards, one TD, and six interceptions. It did not help that Maye lost his new WR1 in A.J. Brown (ankle) in the season opener to a high-ankle sprain. Brown is not on the verge of a return anytime soon, and Maye has quickly dropped into low-end QB1 territory in fantasy amidst his disappointing start.
Source: MassLive.com - Mark Daniels
Source: MassLive.com - Mark Daniels
Tennessee Defense a Solid Play
The Tennessee defense has been one of the stoutest in the country through Week 4, allowing just 15.5 points per game and 282.3 total yards per contest. Last week, the Volunteers fell at the hands of No. 1 Texas, but it wasn't because of their defense, which allowed the Longhorns to score just 20 points and record 262 yards of total offense. Tennessee is RotoBaller's ninth-ranked defense in Week 5 and is projected to score 7.9 fantasy points against Auburn, which has averaged 30 points per game but managed just 21 in a slim win over Vanderbilt a week ago.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bucky Irving Limited With Glute Injury on Wednesday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (glute) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday due to a glute injury, according to the team's official website. Irving missed the team's last two offensive drives in Sunday's Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and now we know why. Despite head coach Todd Bowles saying that Irving would not be on this week's injury report, the team held him out of a full practice on Wednesday. The Buccaneers do not seem too concerned with the 24-year-old's status, though, so he should be available this weekend as the Bucs look for their first win of the year against the visiting Green Bay Packers at home. If Irving is limited at all against Green Bay, though, pass-catching back Kenny Gainwell could finally see more involvement on offense. Even though Irving should play against the Packers, his weekly fantasy upside will take a big hit with quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) out. Through the first three games, Irving has averaged 4.5 yards per carry for 180 rushing yards and a touchdown on 40 carries, adding 13 receptions for 61 yards through the air as the team's preferred RB1.
Source: Buccaneers.com
Source: Buccaneers.com
Cleveland Browns D/ST Hard To Trust Vs. Steelers
The Cleveland Browns D/ST is hard to trust to put into a starting fantasy lineup for Thursday's Week 4 matchup at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Steelers will be without starting running back Rico Dowdle, they still have plenty of firepower in the backfield with Jaylen Warren. Warren is a threat on the ground with 216 rushing yards already this season and is a big threat to catch the ball out of the backfield from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Warren has 10 catches for 110 receiving yards so far this season. At wide receiver, Roman Wilson is starting to emerge and the Steelers still have DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. At tight end, Pat Freiermuth has a touchdown catch so far this season and is a threat over the middle. The Browns cornerback group will have its hands full with Rodgers and the passing game after Rodgers is coming off of a good game in a Week 3 win over the Bengals, with three passing touchdowns. The Browns D/ST has two interceptions on the season, but has not been able to create a ton of turnovers and sacks which is good for fantasy points. Expect more of the same from Cleveland against a very capable Pittsburgh offense.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Joel Edmundson Ready to Go Against Avalanche
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Joel Edmundson (undisclosed) will play in Wednesday's season opener against the Colorado Avalanche. He dealt with an undisclosed health issue in training camp, but Edmundson has been cleared for action ahead of the first game of the season. The veteran blue-liner will link up with Brandt Clarke on the second defensive pairing. Edmundson registered a career-high 23 points (two goals, 21 assists) in 82 games last season. With the Kings' backline fully healthy, Erik Gustafsson will start the season as a healthy scratch.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Houston Defense Faces Intriguing Matchup
The Houston defense is RotoBaller's 11th-ranked defense entering Week 5, as the Cougars look forward to a matchup with UCF on Saturday afternoon. The Knights earned a big win over TCU last week, but did so behind a strong defensive effort, while the UCF offense struggled to get going, finishing with just 266 total yards in the win. The Houston defense had an up-and-down day this past week against Georgia Southern, allowing Eagles quarterback Max Johnson to throw for 284 yards passing and three touchdowns. The Cougars did a nice job against the run, slowing Georgia Southern's ground game while allowing 2.5 yards per carry throughout a 42-28 win. Houston is projected by RotoBaller to score 7.6 fantasy points against UCF.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Moving Around Well in Practice
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was moving around well at the team's practice on Wednesday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Waddle was seen wearing a walking boot after the Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, but he is fine and should be a full-go for another tough matchup this Sunday on the road against the 3-0 San Francisco 49ers. The 27-year-old was listed as a full participant on Wednesday, per Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. Waddle took over the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars with eight catches on 10 targets for 138 yards, but in the other two games against the Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, he was virtually non-existent, catching a combined three passes on 10 targets for just 12 yards. Denver's offense looked better in the second-half comeback against L.A., but Waddle's lack of involvement early in the year has been a frustrating development for fantasy managers who were expecting him to be Denver's clear WR1 in 2026. There is still time for the speedy wideout to gain more chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix, and he should be left in starting lineups against the Niners this weekend.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Blake Lizotte Cleared to Play Wednesday
Pittsburgh Penguins center Blake Lizotte (upper body) has been activated from Injured Reserve and will be available to play in Wednesday's season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers. Lizotte serves as the Penguins' fourth-line center. He recorded 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 55 appearances last season. While Lizotte lacks fantasy value, he's done a good job in a limited role for the Penguins and will be a valuable addition to the squad for the Battle of Pennsylvania.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Puka Nacua Returns to Practice on Wednesday, Expected to Play in Week 4
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that he expects wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) to play in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Nacua returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday after missing each of the Rams' last two games with a groin injury. However, it appears as though he's trending in the right direction and could be active this week. The 25-year-old recorded five catches for 74 yards on nine targets against the San Francisco 49ers in his lone appearance of 2026 so far. Nacua was arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in 2025, hauling in 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns on 166 targets across 16 games. As long as he's active in Week 4, Nacua profiles as a must-start WR1 option for fantasy managers against Philadelphia.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
LSU Defense Coming Off Strong Effort
The LSU defense put forth an outstanding effort during a 35-6 blowout win over Texas A&M a week ago. The Tigers limited the Aggies to just 197 yards of total offense while recording four sacks and two takeaways. LSU is RotoBaller's 19th-ranked defense in Week 5, when it will go up against an inferior opponent in McNeese. The Tigers are projected to score seven points against the Cowboys, who recorded 412 yards of total offense in a win over East Texas A&M last week. In that win, McNeese quarterback Jake Strong threw for 202 yards and a touchdown, while lead running back Omari Wiggins ran for 116 yards rushing and a touchdown on just 12 carries. LSU has allowed just 226.8 total yards and 15.5 points per game this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Godwin Jr. Does Not Practice on Wednesday Due to Ankle Issue
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (ankle) did not participate in his team's practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, per Scott Smith of buccaneers.com. The veteran wideout has gotten off to a slow start to the 2026 season, recording 10 catches for 111 yards on 11 targets across three games. The severity of Godwin Jr.'s ankle issue is not yet clear, but it appears that his status for Tampa Bay's Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers could be in doubt. Godwin Jr. missed time in 2024 with a dislocated ankle and dealt with lingering effects of the injury into the 2025 season, so this is a potentially worrying sign for fantasy managers. Even if Godwin Jr. is able to play against Green Bay in Week 4, his fantasy value is in question with Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) set to miss time due to a dislocated thumb.
Source: buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Source: buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
KC Concepcion Jr. Not Yet Fantasy Worthy Against Steelers
Cleveland Browns rookie first-round wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. got nine targets in Week 3's win over the Carolina Panthers but only managed to turn those nine targets into two catches for nine yards. So far this season, Concepcion has 12 catches for 80 yards, good for 6.7 yards per catch. He is not producing enough explosive plays and is being used mostly as an underneath threat. He's getting decent volume in terms of number of targets but just isn't turning those catches into anything memorable. Pittsburgh's secondary is a bit beat up with Joey Porter Jr. out and Jalen Ramsey nursing a broken wrist. This would be the game for Concepcion to break out, but it's hard to count on the rookie from Texas A&M until we see him do more with his catches and see him produce more in the passing game, including scoring a touchdown. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson looks Concepcion's way but needs to start targeting him further down the field. Concepcion's slight frame isn't allowing him to get downfield receptions. Look for a decent game against Pittsburgh, but he shouldn't be counted on as a starting fantasy receiver.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Harold Fannin Jr. Continues to See Targets Climb
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is getting harder to ignore. His target total has climbed every week, from three in the opener to six in Week 2 and nine against Carolina on Sunday. Fannin turned that latest workload into seven catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns, including the 14-yard score that put Cleveland ahead for good late in the fourth quarter. He now has 14 catches for 126 yards and two scores through three games. The targets are the part that matters most here. Fannin already showed as a rookie that he could handle steady volume, finishing 2025 with 72 catches for 731 yards and six receiving touchdowns. Cleveland has gone back to him more often each week, and Week 3 was the first time that increased involvement came with a big fantasy payoff. The Browns' passing game can still be uneven, so there will be quieter weeks. Even so, Fannin's volume is headed the right way as he prepares for Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
