RADIO
Yaxel Lendeborg Questionable for Wednesday
Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg (foot) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. The rookie was icing his left foot after erupting for 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in Monday's 134-114 win over Denver. Lendeborg said he tripped over another player's foot and was told the issue should not be serious. He has quickly become a major part of Golden State's offense, averaging 21.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.0 steals through four games. If he sits, Brandin Podziemski could take on more scoring responsibility, while Gui Santos could see additional frontcourt minutes.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Justice Hill an Intriguing Handcuff Despite Pass-Catching Profile
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill has emerged as an intriguing handcuff option with some existing low-end standalone value in PPR leagues. Hill has played at least 42% of the snaps in each of his last three games, and he has 10 catches over his last four contests. None of his fantasy outputs have been truly explosive, but he has been relatively steady week over week. In fact, he has managed to rank as the overall RB46 in PPR scoring so far, which gets him closer to RB3/flex consideration. With that being said, regardless of the standalone fantasy value, Hill is an intriguing handcuff. While he is historically more of a pass-catching back, he has also shown that he is capable of handling a medium-sized rushing role, which would be necessary if Derrick Henry were to ever get hurt. A presumptive dual-threat role would immediately vault Hill to fringe top-24 running back territory if this hypothetical scenario were to happen. As a result, he's an intriguing handcuff to stash in 12+ team leagues, especially for managers who already have Henry on their roster.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Time to Consider Stashing De'Zhaun Stribling in Redraft Leagues
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) is an intriguing player to stash ahead of his projected return from injured reserve in December. Stribling, who has been sidelined since after Week 1, will have WR3/flex potential when he gets back on the field, so it would make sense for fantasy managers to add him before his activation, rather than get involved in the mad waiver wire scramble once he gets activated. Projecting an exact role and volume for Stribling is a bit difficult because he has yet to catch a pass at the NFL level, but his involvement back in Week 1 before he got hurt was encouraging. The 23-year-old won't pass Mike Evans or Deebo Samuel Sr. on the depth chart, but it seemed like he was perfectly capable of coexisting alongside those two receivers in the 49ers' volume-heavy offense. Stribling should be stashed on the IR in 14+ team leagues for now, and managers in 12-team formats should get in on the action relatively soon, too.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alec Pierce a Glaring Stash Ahead of Return, Teammate's Potential Trade
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) should be a priority stash in all fantasy football leagues ahead of the midway mark in the season. Pierce tried to play through injury for the first two weeks of the season before being placed on injured reserve, and he is now eligible to be activated whenever the Colts feel he is ready. Given that this move could happen at any time, Pierce is a strong stash option in redraft leagues. After all, there will be a mad scramble to add him when he's activated, so savvy managers should beat the rush and add him off waivers now. Plus, there's the potential for Pierce to carve out an even bigger role if teammate Josh Downs gets traded, as recent rumors have suggested. A Downs trade would strengthen Pierce's position atop the wide receiver depth chart, putting him in the WR2 range on a more consistent basis. The 26-year-old should be stashed on the bench in most 10+ team leagues ahead of his eventual return and potential increase in volume with Downs in trade rumors.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ty Johnson a Priority Handcuff to Target on the Waiver Wire
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson doesn't have much standalone value in fantasy football, but he remains one of the most intriguing handcuffs to roster because of his upside if James Cook III were to ever miss time. Johnson has carved out just a little standalone value this season, catching 12 passes across four games so far. Meanwhile, he has been nearly nonexistent in the rushing attack, which is where Cook and Josh Allen shine. With that being said, if Cook were to ever miss time, Johnson would have a steadier receiving workload while also handling more carries on early downs. Presumably, he and Ray Davis would share early-down work, while Johnson stays on the field almost exclusively for passing plays on later downs. Cook has missed just one game through nearly five years in the NFL, so rostering his handcuff admittedly requires patience and a willingness to be okay with never playing him. However, the upside is too good to pass up. Johnson should be added off waivers in 14+ team leagues going forward, especially by managers who already have Cook on their roster.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Austin Ekeler's Role Increases Coming Out of the Bye Week
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler should have a larger role on offense following the team's Week 7 bye. Ekeler has yet to play more than 27% of the snaps in any of these three games with the Commanders so far this year, but that could change in Week 8 as he steps into a larger role with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) officially landing on injured reserve. The 31-year-old is particularly worth monitoring in PPR leagues, given his long track record of catching passes out of the backfield at the NFL level. While Washington already had Rachaad White in a similar role, we wouldn't be surprised to see the Commanders give White more of Croskey-Merritt's vacated carries, and then, in an effort to keep White's workload in check, give more receiving volume to Ekeler. Whether it's enough to get him on the flex/RB3 radar remains to be seen, but at the very least, the veteran pass-catching back is on the streaming radar for the duration of Croskey-Merritt's absence.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Cuevas is Best Left on the Waiver Wire For Now
Baltimore Ravens rookie tight end Josh Cuevas has been more involved in the offense in the past three games, hauling in eight passes on 10 targets. Cuevas has season stats totaling 119 receiving yards, which does lead the Ravens' tight end room, and one touchdown. While the increase in production is encouraging, he should be left on the waiver wire until he sees more on-field opportunity. He sits behind both veteran tight end Mark Andrews and rookie Matt Hibner in snap percentage, averaging only 29% over these past three games. In addition to Cuevas having a low snap percentage, the Ravens rank 28th in pass attempts per game at 28.9 attempts. This leaves little room for his production to grow. It is unlikely that Josh Cuevas will see a fantasy-friendly role in the 2026 season, so he can remain on the waiver wire even in deep formats.
Source: Fantasy Points
Source: Fantasy Points
Chet Holmgren to Miss Second Straight Game
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks with right patellar tendinitis. It will be his second straight absence after averaging 12.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks through three games. Isaiah Hartenstein should continue to handle the bulk of the center minutes, while rookie Aday Mara is worth a look after posting 11 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 20 minutes against Phoenix. Kenrich Williams should also stay more involved in the frontcourt, but Mara's rebounding and shot-blocking give him the stronger short-term fantasy appeal.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Alperen Sengun Sidelined with Back Soreness Wednesday
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's road game against the Milwaukee Bucks with low back soreness. It will be his first absence of the season after averaging 24.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists on 58.1% shooting during Houston's 4-0 start. With Steven Adams (soleus) also sidelined, Clint Capela is in line for a much larger role at center, while Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. could pick up additional frontcourt work. Sengun's next chance to return comes Friday in Dallas.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Yves Missi Remains Sidelined Wednesday
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Denver Nuggets with a left knee bone bruise. Missi has been sidelined since injuring his knee Friday against Utah and remains without a return timetable. The 22-year-old opened the season with 13 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals against Indiana. Derik Queen has stepped up in his absence, finishing with 17 points and eight rebounds on 6-for-10 shooting Saturday in Denver. DeAndre Jordan should remain part of the center rotation, but Queen offers considerably more fantasy upside while Missi is sidelined.
Source: Rod Walker
Source: Rod Walker
Branden Carlson Available for Season Debut on Tuesday
Portland Trail Blazers center Branden Carlson (concussion) is available for Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers after missing the first two games of the season in concussion protocol. The 27-year-old signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with Portland this summer after averaging 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 11.6 minutes for Oklahoma City last season. Carlson finished that campaign with back-to-back double-doubles, but minutes could be difficult to find behind Portland's established frontcourt options. He may need an injury or rotation change before becoming relevant for fantasy purposes.
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Scoot Henderson Good to Go Against Lakers
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (ankle) is available for Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers after dealing with left ankle soreness. The 22-year-old has come off the bench through Portland's first two games, averaging 9.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 20.0 minutes while shooting 1-for-9 from three. Henderson averaged 14.2 points and 3.7 assists across 30 appearances last season, but a backcourt featuring Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, and Jrue Holiday leaves little room for a major fantasy role unless injuries open up more minutes.
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Anthony Edwards Sidelined Until December
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (knee) will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee and miss up to two months, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The news comes one night after Edwards erupted for 47 points in an overtime loss to Cleveland, bringing his season average to 33.3 points through four games. Minnesota reportedly hopes to have the 25-year-old back sometime in December. LaMelo Ball should take on more of the creation burden, while Jaden McDaniels and Jonathan Kuminga could see more shots. Ayo Dosunmu is a strong candidate to enter the starting five after averaging 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 24 games with Minnesota last season.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Red Sox Showed Interest in Zach Neto and CJ Abrams
The Boston Red Sox "checked in" on Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto and Washington Nationals shortstop/second baseman CJ Abrams during the 2026 season, per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. McCaffrey writes that the Red Sox ultimately determined that the asking prices for both players, which included top Boston shortstop prospect Franklin Arias and more, were too high. Still, it's noteworthy that the Red Sox could potentially be in the market for veteran infield help this winter. Boston got highly underwhelming production at shortstop in 2026 from Trevor Story, who has one year and $25 million remaining on his current contract. If the Red Sox feel that Arias is not ready to take over in 2027, they could look to make a move for a more established option. Both Neto and Abrams would likely see their fantasy value improved by a trade to Boston.
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Michael Pittman Jr. Could be Long-Term Stash Option
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) won't suit up for the Week 8 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Pittman will remain on the Injured Reserve, but he has a chance to return in Week 10. He won't play this weekend, and the Steelers have a bye during the following week. Fantasy managers willing to wait two weeks should consider stashing Pittman. Before going down, Pittman hauled in seven receptions for 89 yards in three games. He figures to be a significant part of the passing attack once he's back in the mix. Fantasy managers who are willing to be patient might get a nice payoff down the road once Pittman is back in the mix.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
