RADIO
Jefferson Rojas Homers in First Two Games at Triple-A
New York Mets infield prospect Jefferson Rojas continued his ambush of Triple-A pitching on Wednesday, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a walk, two singles, a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored for Syracuse, a day after he went 2-for-5 with a home run in his first game at Triple-A. The right-handed slugger has been terrific since coming over from the Cubs in early August in the Clay Holmes trade, but has been particularly good as of late, going 12-for-26 (.462) over his last six games, including three doubles and three home runs. For the season, the Mets' top prospect is slashing .278/.343/.510 with 26 home runs and 20 steals. The 21-year-old Dominican is looking like a strong candidate to make his major league debut early next season, and with a nice blend of contact, power, and speed, there's plenty of reason to like him for fantasy, both in dynasty and eventually in 2027 redraft leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Luther Burden III Proves Breakout Case With Strong Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III was one of the most popular second-year breakout candidates at the receiver position going into the 2026 season. Burden backed up that hype in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Carolina Panthers, playing a team-high 73% of the offensive snaps while catching all five of his targets for 63 yards. The 22-year-old also had one carry for a gain of just two yards. It actually might have been a little disappointing that Burden did not have a bigger game, with the Bears putting up a whopping 59 points in the win over Carolina. It is also worth noting that second-year tight end Colston Loveland did not have a single catch in this one. The Bears' passing game was not really needed against the Panthers, but that could change quickly in their Week 2 divisional clash against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Burden is definitely going to have some monster games in his second year in head coach Ben Johnson's offense, and he should be in all starting fantasy lineups this weekend as a WR2/3.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Mike Sirota Could Start Next Season at Triple-A
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Mike Sirota celebrated a phenomenal regular season with a home run in a 2-for-5 day at the plate in Game 1 of Double-A Tulsa's playoff loss on Tuesday. The effort put an exclamation point on a productive campaign in which the Dodgers' second-ranked prospect hit .306 with 17 home runs and 13 steals across two levels. He also recorded a superb .459 on-base percentage thanks to a 19.7 percent walk rate, recording an amazing 72-game streak of getting on base at least once at one point during the year. The former third-rounder appears destined for Triple-A next season and has a shot at making his major league debut, though the outfield in L.A. is crowded and the organization has other outfield prospects vying for debuts next year, including James Tibbs III, Kendall George, and perhaps Eduardo Quintero, among others. Still, with the all-around skill set Sirota put on display this year, he remains a highly regarded dynasty asset who may be the first non-debuted prospect name called to Los Angeles next year.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Tre' Harris Could Have Bigger Opportunity With Teammate Injured
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris and the Chargers' offense surprisingly struggled to move the ball consistently in their Week 1 season-opening upset loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Harris caught half of his six targets on the day for just 20 yards and was held out of the end zone in the first game of his sophomore season in 2026. The good news for the former second-rounder from Mississippi is that he played a healthy 75% of the offensive snaps (just two fewer than Quentin Johnston). The 24-year-old pass-catcher has become an interesting waiver-wire option at receiver heading into a Week 2 divisional tilt against the Las Vegas Raiders, primarily because top wideout Ladd McConkey (rib) is currently questionable after missing Wednesday's practice. If McConkey is not cleared to play this weekend, Harris will have a significantly bigger role alongside Johnston and could be worth a flex play in deeper fantasy leagues. Harris caught 30 passes for 324 yards and one touchdown on 43 targets in 17 games as a rookie in 2025.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Michael Penix Jr. Splitting First-Team Reps Again
Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Cooper Rush both threw to starters in the routes-on-air drill on Thursday during the media-viewing portion of Thursday's practice, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) missed a second straight day of practice, so it looks like it will come down to either Rush (for a second straight) starting or Penix starting under center in Week 2 against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Penix was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice, but both he and the Falcons are taking it slow as he continues to recover from a partially torn ACL late last year. Penix missed most of training camp and the entire preseason. In both the short and long term, the Falcons plan on using Penix as their starting QB after he was drafted eighth overall in 2024 out of the University of Washington. If Rush makes a second straight start to begin the 2026 season, he will be a desperation QB2 in superflex leagues after throwing for 143 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Jesus Baez Continues Success in Double-A Postseason
St. Louis Cardinals infield prospect Jesus Baez helped carry Double-A Springfield to a win in their first game of the Texas League playoffs on Tuesday, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a walk, three RBI, and two runs scored in the contest. It was a continuation of his phenomenal 2026 season, one in which began at High-A for 54 games and then finished at Double-A for 59 games. The Cards' 15th-ranked prospect posted a .789 OPS at High-A, but somehow improved to a 1.034 OPS while at Springfield against stiffer competition. The right-handed hitter maintained a 16.0 percent strikeout rate between both stops, and blasted 39 home runs in all, second-most in the minor leagues. The 21-year-old could open next season at Triple-A and find himself ranked well within the organization's top 10 by then. The 2026 breakout put him on the dynasty map, and once he's knocking on the door to the majors next year, his prodigious power will put him on the redraft radar.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Joe Burrow Shows Encouraging Signs of Participation
One day after popping up on the injury report and logging a limited practice with back tightness, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (back) was seen during the media-accessible portion of Thursday's practice going through his pre-practice throwing routine in full shoulder pads and helmet. With signs pointing toward a return to full participation, Burrow will look to move past what has become a traditionally slow start to the season. He threw for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Bengals' Week 1 win over the Buccaneers, but he faces a Texans defense on Sunday that is still viewed as one of the league's fiercest units despite allowing a QB2 performance to Josh Allen in the season opener. Burrow is RotoBaller's QB9 this week in a game with a 22-point implied team total.
Source: Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: Paul Dehner Jr.
TreVeyon Henderson Says He's "Ready to Go"
New England Patriots second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) missed the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl rematch last Wednesday night, but he was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and said on Thursday that he is "ready to go," according to Evan Lazar of the team's official website. The Patriots could still ease the former Ohio State star back into their backfield, but it is looking very likely that he will make his season debut in the Week 2 tilt at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. When both Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson are healthy, they are expected to split New England's backfield in half, which makes them both basically RB3/flex options every week when they are both healthy. Henderson's impending return is definitely bad news for Stevenson, who averaged just 2.8 yards per carry on 18 rushing attempts in last week's loss to the Seahawks. Henderson is already rostered in 93% of Yahoo leagues after he had 911 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in his first NFL season in 2025.
Source: Patriots.com - Evan Lazar
Source: Patriots.com - Evan Lazar
Judge Denies Request to Seal Evidence in Josh Jacobs Case
A Wisconsin judge has rejected a proposed order to permanently seal evidence in the case against Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, according to Michael Gross and Fox 11 News. Jacobs was convicted last week on two misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident in May, and his ex-girlfriend petitioned the court to seal evidence in the case, including home security footage. Although the motion was denied, Judge Marc Hammer will continue to review the issue. Jacobs is currently on the Commissioner's Exempt List, and the NFL is attempting to obtain video from the investigation. In his absence, the Packers split work close to evenly between Chris Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd in a Week 1 loss to the Vikings.
Source: Michael Gross - Fox 11 News
Source: Michael Gross - Fox 11 News
Ceddanne Rafaela Hitting Off Trajekt Machine
Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) is with the Triple-A Worcester Woo Sox on Thursday and will hit off a Trajekt machine as he recovers from a strained right quad that landed him on the 10-day injured list, according to Tommy Cassell of TGS Sports. Rafaela has been sidelined for over two weeks, so the Red Sox may want him to play in a few minor-league rehab games before the minor-league season comes to an end soon. It is unclear exactly when Rafaela might return to the BoSox's major-league lineup as they continue to battle for a wild-card playoff spot down the stretch. Despite the 25-year-old's late-season injury, he is still rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues in the midst of his first All-Star season. When Rafaela returns, he will be coming back to a nice .282/.317/.443 slash line with a .760 OPS, a career-high-tying 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored across his 135 games and 569 plate appearances in 2026.
Source: TGS Sports - Tommy Cassell
Source: TGS Sports - Tommy Cassell
Alec Pierce Absent from Thursday's Practice
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (undisclosed) did not practice on Thursday after logging a full participation on Wednesday. It is unclear whether this was a planned rest day or a setback after missing most of training camp while recovering from offseason ankle surgery. The Colts' number one receiver was able to suit up for the season opener and caught four of his six targets for 61 yards, but he was clearly still limited, running fewer routes than both Josh Downs and Keenan Allen, as well as tight end Tyler Warren. The Colts face the Chiefs on Sunday night, making it all the more important for fantasy managers to have a pivot plan if Pierce is unavailable for Week 2; his status will need to be monitored when the team releases its official injury report later in the day.
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Tua Tagovailoa Missing Another Practice on Thursday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was not seen at practice on Thursday, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Tagovailoa tweaked his oblique muscle in practice last Thursday and was inactive in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, and he is trending in the wrong direction to play this Sunday against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Veteran backup Cooper Rush made the start in Week 1 with both Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) unavailable. Penix was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, but it remains to be seen if the Falcons will clear him to make his 2026 debut this weekend. Tagovailoa has not been ruled out yet for a second straight week, but it is looking more unlikely that he will start for the Falcons against Carolina. The 28-year-old former fifth overall pick was cut by the Miami Dolphins and was hoping to turn things around in Atlanta, but injuries have reared their head again, on top of Tagovailoa struggling mightily as a passer for the Falcons during training camp. Once Penix returns from the partially torn ACL he suffered late last year, it is possible that the Falcons will cut Tagovailoa.
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Zay Flowers Not Practicing Thursday
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) was not seen during the media accessible portion of Thursday's practice after logging a DNP on Wednesday. Flowers had one of the most impressive performances of Week 1, posting a career-high 150 receiving yards on only 11 routes run, but he exited at the end of the first half with a hamstring injury after missing time near the end of training camp with a similar issue. The Ravens placed rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) on injured reserve earlier this week with a wrist injury, and with Flowers looking doubtful for Week 2 against the Saints, veteran Rashod Bateman could be forced into the number one wide receiver spot. Rookie Elijah Sarratt is also expected to make his NFL debut after being a healthy scratch in Week 1.
Source: Jamison Hensley
Source: Jamison Hensley
Michael Pittman Jr. Not Spotted at Thursday's Practice
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) was not seen during the media accessible portion of Thursday's practice after being listed as limited with a foot issue on Wednesday. Pittman caught all three of his targets for 58 yards in his team debut, but saw less involvement than initially projected in a surprisingly downfield-heavy game plan. The Steelers face the Patriots on Sunday, who boast one of the league's strongest secondaries but can be beaten in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, with a thin core of linebackers better suited to play downhill than in coverage. If Pittman is able to suit up in Week 2, he could provide sneaky value from the flex, but his status will need to be monitored as he appears to be trending in the wrong direction. UPDATE: SteelersNow.com's Alan Saunders reports that Pittman was officially a DNP on Thursday, putting his status in question for Week 2 against the Patriots.
Source: Alan Saunders
Source: Alan Saunders
Willi Castro Won't Return This Year
Colorado Rockies utility man Willi Castro (heel, knee) will not return this season, he announced on Wednesday. Castro is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left heel and also soreness in his right knee, and he was placed on the 10-day injured list back on Sept. 5. The Rockies have nothing left to play for this season, so Castro has elected to get an early start on his rehab for the offseason. The 29-year-old Puerto Rican switch-hitter will finish his first season in Denver with a .260/.331/.417 slash line, a .748 OPS, 15 home runs, 56 RBI, 65 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 120 games played and 477 plate appearances in his eighth year in the majors. Castro's 15 long balls are a new career high. He should be healed in plenty of time before spring training in 2027, assuming there is no lockout, and will return to the Rockies as a versatile defender with a modest power/speed profile. The best thing about Castro in fantasy is that he is eligible at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
