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TreVeyon Henderson Could Be Headed for 50-50 Backfield Split
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson could be headed for a fairly even workload split with Rhamondre Stevenson in 2026. Chad Graff of The Athletic believes the backfield may settle close to 50-50, with Stevenson handling more early-down and short-yardage work while Henderson is used to create explosive plays. Pass protection remains the biggest thing standing between Henderson and more obvious passing-down work. His issues in blitz pickup limited him in those situations as a rookie, even though he still led New England with 215 touches, 1,132 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns. Stevenson took back the lead role during the postseason, playing 70.1% of the offensive snaps compared to Henderson's 31.4%. The Patriots also currently list Stevenson first on their unofficial depth chart. Henderson should still have plenty of opportunities in Year 2, but this looks much more like a two-back approach than a full takeover.
Source: Chad Graff - The Athletic
Source: Chad Graff - The Athletic
Bucky Irving Will Play Against Chiefs on Saturday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that his starters, including running back Bucky Irving, will dress and play in the team's second preseason game on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Irving and the rest of the starting offensive unit were held out of the preseason opener on Friday against the New York Jets. The Bucs let Rachaad White walk in free agency in March, but they added pass-catching dynamo Kenny Gainwell to their backfield to replace him. The 23-year-old Irving should continue to be Tampa's go-to option on early downs and near the goal line, but Gainwell figures to eat into valuable pass-catching opportunities out of the backfield as the team tries to keep Irving healthy after he played in just 10 games in 2025. Irving had 1,514 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games as a rookie in 2024. Because of the lack of clarity in Tampa's backfield between Irving and Gainwell in a new offensive scheme, fantasy managers should target Irving as more of a low-end RB2.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Caleb Douglas Briefly Leaves Monday's Practice
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas briefly left Monday's practice and went inside, according to David Furones. Douglas was walking fine when he left and returned to the field before practice was over. He put his helmet back on but did not participate in the final period. There has been no injury announced or explanation given for why the rookie stepped away. Douglas has been one of Miami's more consistent performers this summer, with head coach Jeff Hafley recently saying he had earned his spot on the team's initial depth chart. The third-round pick also made his presence felt in Friday's preseason opener against Washington, catching one pass for 28 yards and leading Miami in receiving yardage. Monday's brief exit is something to note, but Douglas returning to the field before the end of practice is at least an encouraging sign.
Source: David Furones
Source: David Furones
River Ryan Nearing Injury Return and Could Be a Candidate for MLB Roster
Detroit Tigers pitching prospect River Ryan is recovering from a right hamstring strain that he suffered before he was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Tigers in the Tarik Skubal trade. He has been on the IL and rehabbing with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. Ryan could make a return and potentially pitch for the Tigers. Or the Tigers could leave him at Toledo and give him more work in the minors. It is a little bit of a risky dilemma for fantasy managers. Should they take a chance on Ryan who already made his major league debut with the Dodgers? With Oklahoma City, in the Pacific Coast League, Ryan was 3-1 this year with a 4.46 ERA and 1.29 WHIP to go with 43 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings pitched. Ryan is 28 years old and has brief MLB experience back in 2024. The Tigers could give him another look at the end of this year. Fantasy managers will want to pay attention.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Grade 2 Oblique Strain for Dansby Swanson, Could Miss 4-6 Weeks
ESPN's Jesse Rogers is hearing that Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (oblique) suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain, which carries a normal timetable of four to six weeks. It would leave him ready for the postseason, but fantasy managers might be without him for the rest of the 2026 regular season. The 32-year-old veteran is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list before Monday's series opener against the Chicago White Sox after he injured himself on his first swing of the day in Sunday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should not feel the need to keep Swanson stashed, as he might not be back until mid-September in a best-case scenario. In the meantime, the Cubs will slide Nico Hoerner from second base to shortstop, with Pedro Ramirez most likely to see most of the playing time at the keystone going forward. In his fourth year with the Cubs, Swanson has hit a career-low .216 (87-for-403) but has 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 78 runs scored in his 119 games played and 458 plate appearances.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Tank Dell on "His Own Plan," Preseason Status Remains Uncertain
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) still does not have a clear preseason game plan as he works back from the serious knee injury that cost him the entire 2025 season. Asked Monday whether Dell will play in an exhibition game, head coach DeMeco Ryans said the receiver is on "his own plan," according to Aaron Wilson. "Whatever that entails, geared toward what's best for Tank Dell," Ryans added. Dell has made progress in camp, including taking team-drill reps for the first time on August 10 and catching a pass from Davis Mills during that session. Houston has been careful with his workload throughout the process, and Ryans' latest comments make it clear the team is not setting a preseason deadline for him. Dell suffered a dislocated left kneecap, torn ACL and additional damage in December 2024. For now, getting him ready at the right pace matters more than forcing him into an exhibition game.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Parks Harber Making Case For MLB Promotion at Age 24
San Francisco Giants third base prospect Parks Harber is having a solid age 24 season in the minors but could need some more seasoning before getting an MLB debut. After starting the season in Double-A, Harber was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento on July 17. With Sacramento, Harber totaled 104 at bats and hit .317 with five homers and 22 RBI along with a .917 OPS showing off his on-base skills. In all, between two teams, Harber hit .294 with 17 homers and 69 RBI. The right-handed hitter is the No. 13 prospect for the Giants and has 55-grade power and a 45-grade hit tool. The 6-foot-3, 217 pounder has the looks of a future major league regular but it is unknown if the Giants will decide to call him up before the end of this season or wait until next year to have him debut at the beginning of the 2027 season. Redraft managers will have to make a similar decision whether to take a risk on Harber.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Buccaneers Unsure if Emeka Egbuka Will be Ready for Week 1
Updating a previous report, FOX Sports' Greg Auman reports that there is not a lot of clarity right now on Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka's toe injury and how long he will be sidelined. Head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that Egbuka is "day-to-day, week-to-week," and when asked if the injury could impact his availability for Week 1 in 27 days, Bowles said he was "not sure at this time." The 23-year-old's status for the 2026 regular-season opener on Sept. 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals could be in question, which will make him a much riskier WR2 target in upcoming fantasy football drafts. Even if Egbuka is ready to go for Week 1, the Bucs could ease him back into a prominent role. Fellow wideout Jalen McMillan also has not practiced in nearly two weeks while nursing a knee injury in camp. If both Egbuka and McMillan are not 100% early on, Chris Godwin Jr. could be in line for a big target share, with rookie Ted Hurst and Tez Johnson potentially seeing the field more as well. Stay tuned for more updates on Egbuka's toe. He almost certainly will not play in the second preseason game this Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs with the starters.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
EJ Crowell Expected to be Ready for Week 1
Alabama running back EJ Crowell (lower body) missed practice again on Monday after missing last week's scrimmage with a lower-body injury, but offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said he expects the freshman to be ready for Week 1. "EJ is doing great. Sooner than later, he'll be back," Grubb said. "Definitely not season-ending. Fully expect him to be ready for the first football game." Crowell is competing for immediate playing time with Daniel Hill and Trae'shawn Brown. Veteran running back AK Dear (ankle) is expected to miss the start of the season after suffering an ankle injury in Thursday's scrimmage. With Dear sidelined, the Tide could open the year with Crowell as the lightning to the 240-pound Hill's "Thunder."
Source: Mike Rodak - Bama247
Source: Mike Rodak - Bama247
Xavier Worthy Limited to 7-on-7 Work Monday
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) remained limited Monday as he works back from a shoulder sprain. Worthy took part in 7-on-7 drills but was held out of 11-on-11 work, according to Pete Sweeney. The injury dates back to August 1, and Worthy missed several practices before returning in a limited capacity on August 10. He has been getting more involved since then, including catching passes during offensive periods last Thursday, but Kansas City still isn't putting him through full-team work. Worthy appeared in 14 games last season while dealing with multiple injuries, finishing with 42 catches for 532 yards and one touchdown. Monday was another step forward, just not a full return. The next notable benchmark will be Worthy getting back into 11-on-11 drills as the Chiefs continue to manage the shoulder.
Source: Pete Sweeney
Source: Pete Sweeney
Houston Managing Conner Weigman's Reps in Camp
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman has not thrown during the last two days of fall camp, according to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle. This is part of a load management plan ahead of the start of the regular season, so it sounds like it's nothing to be concerned about. "We've thrown the ball a lot to start camp." offensive coordinator Slade Nagle told Duarte. "Just managing his throws and number of throws." Weigman transferred to Houston last season after three years at Texas A&M, and he was one of the better quarterbacks in the Big 12. Overall, he completed 65.2% of his passing attempts for 2,705 yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He was also a dynamic runner, posting 700 rushing yards and 11 more touchdowns. With star wideout Amare Thomas back in the fold, Weigman is primed for a big, productive season in his final year in college.
Source: Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle
Source: Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle
Trea Turner Back for Monday's Series Opener
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (knee) is back at shortstop and is batting second for Monday's series opener at home against the division-rival Miami Marlins and right-hander Janson Junk, per MLB.com. Turner fouled a ball off his right knee on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins and was held out of the series finale on Sunday at Target Field as a precaution. The veteran shortstop is ready to begin a new week and should be returned to starting lineups in traditional fantasy formats. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger winner is hitting only .247 (122-for-493) after batting a league-high .304 last year, but he's three home runs and three stolen bases away from the fourth 20-20 season of his MLB career in his 12th year in the majors. Turner has gone 13-for-53 (.245) with a .675 OPS, only one home run, three doubles, four RBI, and seven runs scored so far in 13 games in August. He is searching for his first hit against Junk but has only had three career at-bats against him going into Monday's contest.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jaylen Waddle Returns to Practice Monday
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (leg) returned to practice Monday after missing nearly two weeks with a muscle strain, according to Parker Gabriel. Waddle was involved throughout the non-padded session, his first real work since leaving practice early on August 5. Head coach Sean Payton initially expected him back within four or five days, but the absence ended up lasting longer than that. Waddle also missed Denver's preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons. The Broncos acquired the 27-year-old from Miami in March after he caught 64 passes for 910 yards and six touchdowns last season, and he is currently listed as a starter on Denver's unofficial depth chart. Monday was a positive development after the extended layoff. Waddle still has time to get more work with Bo Nix and the rest of the offense before the regular season begins.
Source: Parker Gabriel
Source: Parker Gabriel
Michael Hawkins Jr. has Lead in West Virginia Quarterback Competition
West Virginia quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. impressed in the team's fall scrimmage on Saturday and holds a lead in the QB1 battle against Scotty Fox Jr., according to On3. Hawkins spent the last two years with the Oklahoma program backing up Jackson Arnold and John Mateer, completing 91 of his 147 passing attempts for 950 yards and six touchdowns. He added 262 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He's a true dual-threat quarterback capable of running a dynamic Rich Rodriguez offense. Fox played in 10 games last year for the Mountaineers, tallying 1,477 total yards and 10 total touchdowns. For now, it's Hawkins' job to lose.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Oneil Cruz Activated From the 60-Day Injured List
The Pittsburgh Pirates are activating outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) from the 60-day injured list on Monday and are optioning outfielder Ronny Simon to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move, according to Danny Demilio of PGH Sports Now. Cruz will not be in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener at home against the visiting Detroit Tigers and left-hander Framber Valdez, but he will be the team's starting center fielder the rest of the way. The 27-year-old Dominican left-handed hitter should immediately be reinserted into all starting fantasy lineups as he returns from a fractured left hand that kept him out since June 7. Before his injury, Cruz was slashing .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 45 runs scored across 64 games and 283 plate appearances. In six minor-league rehab games with Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona, Cruz went 3-for-22 at the plate with a stolen base. Cruz is rostered in 95% of Yahoo leagues for his ability to contribute across all categories when he is healthy.
Source: PGH Baseball Now - Danny Demilio
Source: PGH Baseball Now - Danny Demilio
