RADIO
Brandon Aiyuk Still Not an Option for Banged-Up 49ers
When asked if wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is an option amidst all of the team's injuries at the receiver position, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said, "No," according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Going into the Week 2 game against the Miami Dolphins, the 49ers had already lost receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) for the entire season and rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) for around 10 weeks. In Sunday's blowout victory over Miami, veteran Mike Evans left with a hip injury, and Demarcus Robinson suffered what is believed to be a high-ankle sprain. Still, Aiyuk, who missed all of last year after having surgery to fix a torn ACL and MCL in his knee, remains on the left-team list and is not an option to play for the organization going forward. The former first-rounder is likely healthy enough to play, but they have moved on from Aiyuk after he failed to attend mandatory rehab sessions and meetings last year. Aiyuk must formally apply for reinstatement with the NFL to force a release from the Niners, which does not appear to be happening anytime soon. Evans is expected to be fine, but with Robinson likely missing around a month, Jacob Cowing, KhaDarel Hodge, and Jordan Watskins will be asked to step up behind Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. moving forward.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
AK Dear, Noah Rogers Available Against South Carolina
Alabama running back AK Dear (leg) and wide receiver Noah Rogers (knee) will both be available Saturday against South Carolina, head coach Kalen DeBoer announced Monday. Neither has played this season, though both dressed and warmed up before the Crimson Tide's win over Florida State. Dear has been out since suffering a lower-leg injury during Alabama's first fall scrimmage. He rushed for 140 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries as a freshman last season. Rogers has been working back from the knee injury he suffered during A-Day in April after transferring from NC State, where he caught 33 passes for 441 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. Both now have a chance to make their Alabama season debuts, though their initial workloads remain unclear.
Source: Pete Nakos
Source: Pete Nakos
DeSean Bishop Expected to Play Against Texas
Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop (hip) is expected to play Saturday against Texas, according to Pete Nakos of On3. Bishop suffered a hip injury in the Vols' 42-9 win over Kennesaw State, returned for two carries in the third quarter, then did not play again. He finished with nine carries for 42 yards and a touchdown. Bishop has rushed for 286 yards and four scores on 43 attempts through three games, including 147 yards and two touchdowns at Georgia Tech. His expected return is important for Tennessee's SEC opener, though Daune Morris has earned continued work after rushing for 214 yards over the past two games. How much Bishop handles against the Longhorns is still worth watching coming off the injury.
Source: Pete Nakos
Source: Pete Nakos
Optimism That J.K. Dobbins Will Play in Week 3
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (hamstring) has a slight hamstring issue, sources told James Palmer of the NFL Network. There is optimism that Dobbins will be back on the field on Sunday night against the visiting Los Angeles Rams in Week 3. Dobbins carried the ball 10 times for 36 yards in the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars before suffering a minor hamstring injury. With RJ Harvey (hamstring) inactive, it thrust rookie fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman into the lead-back role in Denver. After playing just 6% of the offensive snaps in his NFL debut in the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, Coleman played 40% of the snaps on Sunday and tied for the team high with 10 carries for a team-leading 39 rushing yards and the first touchdown of his career. The University of Washington product also caught all three of his targets for 19 yards as a receiver. Even though Dobbins' hamstring injury is not believed to be serious, his lengthy injury history and Harvey's hamstring injury should make Coleman one of the more popular waiver-wire targets going into Week 3.
Source: NFL Network - James Palmer
Source: NFL Network - James Palmer
Caleb Williams Avoids Major Injury, Could Play in Week 3
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring) avoided a major injury in Sunday's loss to Minnesota, according to Tom Pelissero. Tests on Monday confirmed there was no major damage, and the Bears are not ruling him out for next Monday night's game against Philadelphia. Williams suffered the injury on a non-contact scramble in the fourth quarter and was unable to finish the game. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards with one interception and added 42 rushing yards before leaving. There is still no firm timetable for his return, but having a chance to play in Week 3 is an encouraging development after how the injury initially looked.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Kaelon Black Keeps a Useful Role Behind Starting RB
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black remains a strong Week 3 waiver target despite a quieter showing against Miami. Black carried seven times for 25 yards after handling 14 carries for 65 yards in the opener, and he played roughly one-third of the offensive snaps Sunday. Christian McCaffrey remains the clear lead back and handled both goal-line touchdowns, so Black's standalone value is still somewhat dependent on game script. Even so, San Francisco has given the rookie 21 carries through two games, which is enough to make his role worth taking seriously. RotoBaller currently recommends adding Black in 10-team leagues and deeper, viewing him as one of fantasy's better handcuffs with some standalone appeal. He does not need to be forced into lineups every week, but the combination of regular rushing work and the upside he would carry if McCaffrey missed time makes Black a worthwhile waiver add rather than a bench-only lottery ticket.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Gains Waiver Appeal After Tight End Injuries
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden has become a much more interesting Week 3 waiver option after injuries thinned out the position Sunday. David Njoku was carted off with a knee injury and did not return, while Charlie Kolar later left with a forearm injury and was also unable to come back. Gadsden caught both of his targets for 18 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown from Justin Herbert. The volume was still modest, so this is not a must-add situation in every league yet. The opportunity could change quickly, though. Gadsden caught 49 passes for 664 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie last season, and he could move into a much larger role if Njoku or Kolar misses time. Through two games, he has caught all four of his targets for 50 yards and a score. Gadsden is a strong add in 12-team leagues, with his Week 3 value depending heavily on the injury updates ahead of him.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emmett Johnson Remains a Strong Long-Term Stash
Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson remains a strong stash heading into Week 3, even though Kenneth Walker continues to control the backfield. Johnson played only 14 snaps against Indianapolis, but he made good use of them, carrying the ball twice for 15 yards and catching both of his targets for 20 yards. Through two games, the rookie has 10 carries for 39 yards and four catches for 64 yards while playing 36.2% of Kansas City's offensive snaps. That is not enough standalone work to trust in a starting lineup, especially with Walker established as the lead back. Johnson has still done enough to separate himself as the Chiefs' clear No. 2, and his involvement as a receiver gives him more appeal than a traditional handcuff. RotoBaller currently lists him among its secondary running back waiver options. Fantasy managers with room on the bench can view Johnson as a long-term stash with considerable upside if Walker ever misses time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jesus Luzardo Cleared to Throw on Sunday
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo (shoulder) was cleared to begin a throwing program on Sunday, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Luzardo played catch with bullpen catcher Hector Rabago for around 10 minutes, which was the first time he had a full catch session in nine days. "Ready to go," president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. Luzardo has not pitched in a game since Sept. 7 due to inflammation in his left shoulder, and with the regular season coming to an end this weekend, he might not have enough time to get fully ramped up to rejoin the Phillies in a starting role if they make the postseason. Luzardo's next big test will be when he throws a bullpen session off a mound. He is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list for the final regular-season game, but the Phillies do not expect him to pitch in that game. Gelb writes that "all signs point" to the Phillies treating Luzardo as a reliever to begin the postseason. Getting Luzardo back at all next month would be a big boost to the Phillies' pitching staff, as the 28-year-old was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2026, going 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 221 strikeouts in 178 2/3 innings across his 29 starts.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Garrett Crochet Throws Two-Inning Side Session on Saturday
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) threw a two-inning side session on Saturday that consisted of around 20 pitches, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. Crochet topped out at 92 mph. If he does not have any ill effects from that session, Boston is hopeful that Crochet can face hitters at Fenway Park this week, perhaps multiple times during the team's final homestand in the lead-up to the postseason in early October. The 27-year-old southpaw was the runner-up for the American League Cy Young Award in 2025 in his first season with the BoSox, but he has managed to make only six starts (30 innings) in his second year with the team due to shoulder and lat issues that have sidelined him since May. Crochet was not on his game before he landed on the injured list either, allowing 23 runs (21 earned) while walking 11 and striking out 37. Because he does not have enough time to get all the way stretched out in a starting role, the Red Sox are expecting to use Crochet out of the bullpen in the playoffs if he is cleared to pitch.
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
Tank Bigsby Becomes a Top Handcuff After Week 2
Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby has become one of the more interesting handcuffs on the Week 3 waiver wire. Saquon Barkley left Sunday's win over Tennessee with a stinger and is scheduled for an MRI Monday, leaving his status for next week uncertain. Bigsby took advantage of the added work, carrying 13 times for 33 yards and a three-yard touchdown while catching two passes for five yards. Will Shipley was involved too and actually played more snaps, so Bigsby should not be viewed as a guaranteed three-down replacement if Barkley misses time. Still, Bigsby led Philadelphia in carries and rushing yards after Barkley went down, and RotoBaller currently lists him as the preferred Eagles handcuff. With Barkley able to return briefly in the second half, Bigsby is better viewed as a top stash than a must-add everywhere for now. His value would rise quickly if Monday's MRI reveals an injury that could cost Barkley time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trent Grisham Not Expected to Return This Week
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) is not expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list before the end of the regular season this weekend, manager Aaron Boone told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. However, it is still possible that Grisham will be on the playoff roster. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger has been sidelined since early September with a strained hamstring, and he will take this week to continue rehabbing in hopes of being included on the playoff roster in October. The two-time Gold Glover did not live up to his breakout season in the Bronx in 2025, when he hit a career-high 34 home runs and drove in 74 runs, as he will finish his 2026 campaign with a .211/.308/.395 slash line, 18 home runs, 59 RBI, 67 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 121 games across 484 plate appearances. Grisham will likely operate as New York's center fielder against right-handed pitchers in the postseason if he gains clearance from his hamstring injury.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Denzel Boston Looks Like a Must-Add After Week 2
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston has moved beyond speculative-stash territory after another productive game. The rookie caught five of seven targets for 95 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-19 win over Tampa Bay, giving him 154 yards and two scores through his first two NFL games. Boston also led Cleveland in routes, targets and receiving yards in Week 2, which makes the performance more interesting than simply chasing his 55-yard touchdown. He drew only four targets in the opener, so the jump to seven is another encouraging sign. There is still some uncertainty with a rookie playing in an offense that may not support big receiving numbers every week, but Boston has already started both games and his role grew in Week 2. RotoBaller currently lists him as its top wide receiver waiver pickup and calls him a must-add. Fantasy managers in leagues where Boston remains available should treat him as a priority claim rather than a long-term stash.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shane McClanahan Won't Return During Regular Season
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (forearm) will not return to pitch this week for the final week of the 2026 regular season, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Manager Kevin Cash said that McClanahan had a "good" throwing session on Friday, but he has been out since Sept. 4 with tightness in his left forearm, and he has run out of time to return to the major-league roster before the end of September. All in all, the 29-year-old two-time All-Star had a positive season in his return from Tommy John surgery that kept him out for each of the last two seasons. McClanahan ended up making 24 starts (118 innings) for the Rays this year and went 10-7 with a 3.36 ERA (3.50 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 39 walks. The Rays are still hoping that McClanahan can return for their postseason run next month, but because he does not have time to get all the way built back up as a starter, he is expected to pitch out of the bullpen for Tampa in October.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Saquon Barkley Likely Avoided a Serious Injury
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (stinger) missed a portion of Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Tennessee Titans. According to Ian Rapoport, the injury is not believed to be serious, but he will still undergo an MRI on Monday as a precaution. Barkley exited during the first half of the victory, and while he did return later on, the team limited his workload. He finished Week 2 with just 20 scrimmage yards on five total touches, ceding work to Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley. So far, it seems like Barkley merely suffered a stinger, which is an uncomfortable but non-serious injury that occurs when a player pinches a nerve. Stingers rarely require players to miss extended time, so if the MRI rules out any structural damage, we'd expect to see Barkley back in his every-down role next week against the Chicago Bears.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
