RADIO
Terry McLaurin Won't Practice on Wednesday
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that wide receiver Terry McLaurin (hamstring) will not practice on Wednesday, but he will work off to the side, according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic. McLaurin tweaked his hamstring in practice last week and was unable to play in the blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London on Sunday. The 31-year-old will have two more chances to return to practice on Thursday and Friday, but as of now, he is very much up in the air to play in Week 5 at home against the division-rival New York Giants. If Scary Terry misses a second straight game, Antonio Williams will be a sneaky deep-league WR streamer against the G-Men, especially if quarterback Jayden Daniels makes a return from a dislocated left elbow that he suffered in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. McLaurin had only four total catches for 64 yards in the first two games of the season, but he rebounded in the Week 3 upset win over the Seattle Seahawks with six catches on nine targets for 77 yards and his first touchdown of the season. He will need to return to practice in the next few days to have a chance at returning this weekend.
Source: The Athletic - Tashan Reed
Source: The Athletic - Tashan Reed
Adonai Mitchell Still Considered Week-to-Week
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger) is still considered week-to-week with his finger injury, head coach Aaron Glenn told The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt on Wednesday. Mitchell suffered a finger injury last week during practice and was inactive in the Week 4 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. In the 23-year-old's absence, Isaiah Williams played 90% of the offensive snaps but was targeted just twice by quarterback Geno Smith. It sounds like Mitchell is not a lock at all to practice on Wednesday or return to play this Sunday versus the visiting Cleveland Browns. Despite potentially missing multiple games, Mitchell is a worthy bench stash at WR for his elevated role in New York's passing attack when healthy. The former second-rounder by the Indianapolis Colts in 2024 from Texas caught nine of his 15 targets for 123 yards in the first two games of the season as the clear WR2 behind Garrett Wilson in an improved Jets offense. Mitchell might not play again this weekend, but he is still an intriguing upside stash in 2026, especially in PPR leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Keith Mitchell Looks Set for Another Strong Finish in Japan
Keith Mitchell put together a very steady 2026, recording just three missed cuts to go along with six top-25 finishes through 23 events. He now looks to keep it going at the Baycurrent Classic. His statistical profile matches his strong results, ranking 32nd in total strokes gained (+0.641 strokes per round), fourth off the tee (+0.646), 64th on approach (+0.184), and 67th in total driving. His short game is where he struggles, ranking 105th around the greens and 107th in putting. His most recent start at the FedEx St. Jude Championship was one of his best putting performances of the season, gaining +1.66 true strokes with the flat stick. Given how solid he has been all year, combined with his T10 at Yokohama Country Club last year, and Mitchell is set up for another strong performance this week.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Breece Hall Still Considered Week-to-Week
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (quadriceps) is still considered week-to-week, head coach Aaron Glenn told Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Hall missed the Week 4 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday due to a quad injury, and the 25-year-old is trending toward missing a second straight contest this weekend when the Jets take on the visiting Cleveland Browns. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Hall's practice status from Wednesday to Friday, though. If he misses a second straight game in Week 5, backup Braelon Allen would once again be at least on the flex radar in fantasy football as New York's primary ball-carrier. With Hall out last weekend, Allen played all but two of the team's offensive snaps and saw a season-high 14 rushing attempts for 59 yards while also catching both of his targets for eight yards as a receiver. If Hall returns to face the Browns, he will be extra risky as an RB2 who is in danger of losing key backfield touches to Allen. After his first 1,000-yard season in 2025 and a big contract extension in the offseason, Hall has averaged just 3.2 yards per carry for 163 yards and one touchdown on the ground through three games in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Chris Brooks Won't Practice on Wednesday
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday, head coach Matt LaFleur told Weston Hodkiewicz of the team's official website. Brooks was set to undergo tests on his ankle earlier this week after getting injured in the Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The 26-year-old has had a bigger backfield role through the first four weeks of the season with Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list, but it has not amounted to much production while sharing touches with MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson. Brooks has seen 15 carries through four games for 70 yards and has caught three of his five targets for 24 yards in the passing game. He will obviously need to get back on the practice field on Thursday or Friday to have a shot at playing in Week 5 against the division-rival Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Even if Brooks is cleared to play this weekend, he will not have any realistic standalone fantasy value as a flex play, even in deeper leagues, with Lloyd and Johnson being the better upside plays in a struggling Packers offense.
Source: Packers.com - Weston Hodkiewicz
Source: Packers.com - Weston Hodkiewicz
Josh Jacobs' Stash Value Continues to Fall as Absence Continues
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner's exempt list after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property in a case stemming from a May domestic-violence incident, and although his time on the exempt list could equal time served in any potential suspension from the NFL, the 28-year-old's stash value in fantasy football leagues continues to fall with each passing day he is not with the team. Green Bay's running game has struggled mightily in Jacobs' absence through the first four weeks of the 2026 season, as they rank dead last in the NFL with just 58.0 rushing yards per game. They have gone with a committee approach involving MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, and Chris Brooks (ankle), but nobody has really stood out so far. Jacobs, who has four 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his seven years in the league, cannot be outright dropped in most fantasy leagues, but managers are surely losing patience as he wastes a bench spot. Right now, he is rostered in 74% of Yahoo leagues, and he is fully expected to return to lead-back duties in Green Bay whenever he is allowed to rejoin the team.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Miguel Rojas Not Worried About Back/Hip Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers veteran infielder Miguel Rojas (back, hip) said he felt some tightness in his left lower-back/hip area during a swing in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday against the hosting Atlanta Braves before he was pulled mid at-bat, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. However, Rojas was not concerned about his availability for the rest of the series and going forward. Rojas probably will not be in the Dodgers' starting lineup for Game 4 of the series on Wednesday at Truist Park against Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle, but it sounds like he should be available off the bench. The 37-year-old Venezuelan infielder has made two starts so far in the NLDS against the Braves and has gone 1-for-4 with a double and a strikeout. He was hitless in three at-bats with a strikeout in Tuesday's Game 3 win before being replaced at second base by Tommy Edman. Rojas has mostly been a bench player for the Dodgers in his 13th year in the league (fourth with L.A.) in 2026, but he proved in last year's World Series that he is still capable of coming through in the clutch when needed. He hit .267 (60-for-225) with four homers and 23 RBI during the regular season.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Lamar Jackson Has Outside Chance to Play in Week 5
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) has only an outside chance to play Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Ian Rapoport reported that Jackson is dealing with a sprained ankle and could miss multiple games depending on how his rehab progresses. The injury is considered unusual, with Rapoport describing it as neither a traditional high nor low ankle sprain. Jackson left Sunday's 24-18 win over Tennessee after the first half and did not return, finishing 15 of 20 for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Huntley completed eight of nine passes for 63 yards in relief and would start if Jackson cannot go. Baltimore has not ruled Jackson out, but fantasy managers should be preparing another option with his Week 5 availability looking increasingly doubtful.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Chase McLaughlin Will Kick on Thursday Against Dallas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker Chase McLaughlin (groin, hip) will kick on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Todd Bowles told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. McLaughlin popped up on the Week 5 injury report with groin and hip injuries on Tuesday and did not practice with the rest of the team, but he is apparently fine and is not dealing with a significant injury. He has been a top-10 fantasy kicker through the first four weeks of the 2026 season, making all nine of his field-goal attempts and all seven of his extra-point opportunities for the winless Bucs. The problem with McLaughlin's short-term fantasy appeal is that it will not be nearly as high with starting quarterback Baker Mayfield (thumb) on the sidelines and undrafted rookie signal-caller Jalon Daniels making his second career start this week in Dallas. In the first game without Mayfield this past Sunday in the loss to the Green Bay Packers, McLaughlin only managed to put up two points for his fantasy managers, and he will have another low ceiling against the Cowboys this week. Fantasy managers are better off looking for better upside options at the position.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Dameon Pierce Promoted to Eagles' 53-Man Roster
Philadelphia Eagles running back Dameon Pierce is being promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, according to Jeremy Fowler. Philadelphia needed another healthy back after Tank Bigsby was placed on injured reserve, while Saquon Barkley is considered week to week with a hamstring injury. Pierce signed with the Eagles during the offseason but did not make the initial roster, returning on the practice squad after final cuts. He has yet to appear in a regular-season game this year, though he rushed for 44 yards on four carries in his lone preseason appearance. Will Shipley was the only healthy running back left on the active roster before the move. Pierce could now be needed against Jacksonville if Barkley remains sidelined, though there is no indication yet that he would move ahead of Shipley for the larger share of the backfield work.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Riley O'Brien Looking to Add Muscle After Fading Down the Stretch
St. Louis Cardinals right-handed closer Riley O'Brien was a first-time All-Star in 2026 in his first full season as the team's closer, and he ended the year tied with San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller for the National League lead in saves (38) with a 4.08 ERA across a career-high 64 innings pitched. O'Brien also set a career high in appearances (66) in his first full year as a big-leaguer. He did not allow an earned run in his first 13 appearances of the year and ended the first half with a 3.43 ERA and a 7.9% walk rate in 39 1/3 frames. O'Brien had 24 saves in his first 28 opportunities. But in 27 appearances after the All-Star break, O'Brien had a 5.11 ERA in 24 2/3 innings, and his walk rate rose to 14.4% while he went 14-for-18 in save chances. Three of his blown saves in the second half came in September, and five of his losing decisions came in his final 13 outings. The 31-year-old said he experienced "fatigue" in the closing days of the season and that his legs have "been feeling heavy compared to how they felt early in the year," according to Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. As he tired, the velocity of O'Brien's pitches suffered. To be able to maintain velocity through the entire season, O'Brien said he plans to focus on putting on "as much muscle as I can."
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Daniel Guerrero
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Daniel Guerrero
Rashod Bateman Losing Fantasy Appeal as Targets Disappear
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has made a couple of big plays this season, but the weekly volume is becoming the problem. His best game came with Zay Flowers out in Week 2, when Bateman caught seven of nine targets for 88 yards and a touchdown. Flowers returned the next week, and Bateman has seen only five targets over the two games since, finishing with two catches in each. He still has 171 yards through four games, so this is not about Bateman suddenly losing the ability to make plays. There just is not much to work with when the targets dry up. Lamar Jackson's ankle injury does not help matters heading into Atlanta, either. RotoBaller currently has Bateman around WR48 for Week 5 after listing him as a drop in most leagues entering Week 4. In standard 10- and 12-team leagues, managers can move on if a more dependable waiver option is available. He is easier to hold in deeper formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Curtis Mead the Favorite to Start at Second Base Next Year
Boston Red Sox infielder Curtis Mead is considered the favorite to open next season as the team's starting second baseman, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. The Red Sox acquired Mead from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline this summer, but he ended up playing in only one game for Boston due to a fractured wrist that he suffered in his second at-bat with the team. The 25-year-old will now have all offseason to heal up, and he will enter spring training as the team's primary option at the keystone as they attempt to get back to the playoffs in 2027. The Australian native was having a breakout 2026 campaign with the Nationals before being traded to Boston, and he finished the year with a .253/.353/.498 slash line with an .851 OPS, 17 home runs, 48 RBI, 49 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 285 at-bats in 88 combined games with Washington and Boston. "That would be, I would say, broadly our plan," said manager Chad Tracy when asked about second base. "He was acquired for a reason. You see the numbers that kind of project at least toward a 30-home run season. And adding that, we were really excited about that."
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Walker Buehler to Start Game 4 of NLDS Against Brewers
The San Diego Padres announced that veteran right-hander Walker Buehler will make the start in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday night at Petco Park against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Buehler will make his first postseason appearance this year after going 9-6 with a 4.63 ERA (4.51 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 131 strikeouts and 57 walks in 153 2/3 innings pitched across his 32 starts for the Padres in his first season with the team. The 32-year-old is no longer the high-end ace that he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he does have plenty of postseason experience, posting a 3.04 ERA (3.21 FIP) with 114 strikeouts and 36 walks in 94 2/3 innings pitched. Buehler's last start came on Sept. 26 against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks, when he allowed four runs (three earned) with a walk and three strikeouts in just 3 2/3 innings for a no-decision. He picked up a win in his only outing against Milwaukee in 2026, giving up just one earned run with two walks and five strikeouts in six innings at Petco Park back on Aug. 11. Buehler will most definitely be on a short leash in a must-win game for San Diego if he is not on his game early on.
Source: Padres PR
Source: Padres PR
Caleb Odom Has Top-10 Upside In Week 6
Ole Miss tight end Caleb Odom has top-10 tight end upside in Week 6 against Vanderbilt. Odom missed the Rebels' Week 2 matchup against Charlotte, but in the team's other 3 games, he has caught 13 of 16 targets for 201 yards and one touchdown. From a fantasy perspective, Odom has been one of the more reliable tight ends, averaging 10.9 PPR fantasy points per game, which has him as the TE9 in fantasy points per game. Odom has been hyper-efficient despite his low 11.1% target share. Vanderbilt's pass defense has been average, allowing 214 passing yards per game. Although they allow only 23.6 receiving yards to tight ends, they allowed 80 receiving yards to Georgia's tight ends in Week 5. Odom is ranked as RotoBaller's TE10 for Week 6, and he should be started in all 10 team leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
