RADIO
Romeo Doubs Returns to Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs returned to practice on Friday, with team reporter Karen Guregian noting that his absence from the last two practices was personal in nature and not injury-related. After signing a four-year, $68 million contract this offseason, Doubs had gotten off to a slow start in his first training camp with the Patriots but was picking up momentum in more recent, and more physical, padded practices. The fifth-year receiver has acknowledged that Josh McDaniels' offense is unlike any he was a part of in Green Bay, but having made obvious strides before his absence, he'll look to pick things back up where he left them. At RotoBaller's WR53, Doubs could provide excellent late-round value as the WR2 in an offense that scored the third most touchdowns in 2025 and appears to have only gotten better in year two under McDaniels and quarterback Drake Maye.
Source: Karen Guregian
Source: Karen Guregian
Garrett Crochet Unlikely to be Stretched Out by End of September
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder, lat) stretching out to six innings by the end of September is "probably not feasible," according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. "If he's healthy and right, and he looks like Garrett Crochet, I think we'd be foolish not to consider that," Tracy said when asked if Crochet could be used as a reliever. The Red Sox plan on getting the 27-year-old two-time All-Star back before the end of the regular season, but it could come as a reliever instead of a starter, which is bad news for fantasy managers who have been stashing him in single-year formats. After finishing second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year in Boston, Crochet has made only six starts in 2026 and allowed 23 runs (21 earned) while walking 11 and striking out 37 in 30 innings pitched. Even if Crochet makes it back as a starter in the final month of the regular season, he won't have much time to help fantasy managers, and he'll have an extremely limited ceiling if he's not stretched all the way out.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Chase Meidroth Hits Two Long Balls in Extra-Inning Loss to Boston
Chicago White Sox infielder Chase Meidroth broke out in a big way in Thursday's wild 12-11 loss at Fenway Park to the Boston Red Sox by going 3-for-5 out of the leadoff spot with two home runs, four RBI, two walks, and one strikeout to boost his season batting average to .275 and his OPS to .757. Both of Meidroth's homers were two-run shots, one in the third inning off lefty Ranger Suarez, and the other in the 10th inning off lefty Aroldis Chapman. It was nice to see from the 25-year-old, who was 4-for-21 in his last seven games. The 25-year-old former fourth-rounder from the University of San Diego is now hitting .275/.352/.405 with 11 home runs, 44 RBI, 67 runs scored, and two stolen bases across his 407 at-bats in 2026 in just his second year in the big leagues with the Pale Hose. So far in August, Meidroth has been hot, going 6-for-17 (.353) with two homers, four RBI, and five runs scored, making him a waiver-wire consideration for infield depth in deeper leagues. He's rostered in just 34% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kenny Gainwell Not Practicing Friday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell is not practicing on Friday, as indicated by Pewter Report. Gainwell has drawn praise from the local beat as a training camp standout, with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson recently telling reporters, "He is super versatile, and he is great with the ball in his hands," adding, "we will continue to find out where we can put him in the best spots." Gainwell's 73 receptions were the fourth most by a running back in 2025, and assuming his absence is not a prolonged one, he could step seamlessly into Rachaad White's vacated pass-catching role that has allowed for at least 50 receptions in three of the last four seasons. How much additional work he sees on the ground remains to be seen, but at RotoBaller's RB36, Gainwell is a potential late-round sleeper who could thrive in Robinson's wide zone offense.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Isaiah West Pushing Bo Jackson for Starting Role
Ohio State running back Isaiah West, who finished fourth on the team in rushing yards (310) last season, is pushing Bo Jackson for the starting role, according to On3's Spencer Holbrook. West took the majority of first-team reps during Ohio State's first training camp practice, while Jackson worked with the second team. This comes as somewhat of a surprise after Jackson led the Buckeyes with 1,090 rushing yards a season ago. As with any Ohio State position group, there is no shortage of talent in the backfield, and the two sophomores are likely to split touches in Arthur Smith's offense in 2026. However, this is a top position battle to watch as training camp progresses ahead of Ohio State's Week 1 meeting with Ball State in Columbus.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Ronald Acuna Jr. Extends Hit Streak With Two-Homer Game Against Marlins
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. could be in the midst of coming alive offensively after what was a disappointing and injury-plagued first half of the season. In the team's 11-3 blowout win over the division-rival Miami Marlins at Truist Park on Thursday, Acuna went 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs and three RBI to extend his current hitting streak to a modest five games. It was the 28-year-old's second multi-homer game of the season and the 16th time in his career. During his five-game hitting streak in August, Acuna has gone 6-for-21 (.286) with three home runs, four RBI, and five runs scored. Since returning from his second stint on the injured list this year with hamstring issues, Acuna has hit .205 (8-for-39) with a .792 OPS, four homers, five RBI, eight runs scored, three walks, and 12 strikeouts in just 10 games played. The former MVP still has the talent to be a difference-maker down the stretch, but it's a bit worrisome that he hasn't been running yet since his return. Acuna is now slashing .244/.358/.436 on the season with a .794 OPS, 11 homers, 27 RBI, 15 steals, and 39 runs scored in his 234 at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Gideon Davidson Begins Camp as Clemson's Lead Back
Clemson running back Gideon Davidson is in the starting role heading into fall camp, according to head coach Dabo Swinney. Davidson finished second on the team in rushing yards as a freshman while working behind Adam Randall, tallying 260 rushing yards on 60 carries. He also caught 11 passes for 93 yards. With Randall off to the NFL, the RB1 role is his to lose. "It starts with Gideon," Swinney said. "He's done a great job." Behind Davidson, SMU transfer Chris Johnson Jr., who rushed for 479 yards and four touchdowns last season with the Mustangs, should see touches. Under returning offensive coordinator Chad Morris, the Tigers are likely to operate in a split backfield, but based on early-camp buzz, Davidson has the slight leg up and will see the most touches.
Source: Chapel Fowler - The State Newspaper
Source: Chapel Fowler - The State Newspaper
Jaylin Noel Activated from NFI
Houston Texans second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel has been activated from the Non-Football Injury list and should soon resume practicing after missing the start of training camp with a finger injury that did not allow him to catch passes. With former third-round pick Tank Dell recently taking part in his first padded practice since his season-ending 2024 knee injury, the Texans have seen a sudden influx of talent in the receiver room, with fellow second-year receiver Jayden Higgins drawing headlines for his standout play throughout training camp and two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins remaining one of the league's most unheralded superstars. After splitting slot work with veteran Christian Kirk in 2025, Noel is in line for additional snaps in year two, and at RotoBaller's WR78, he could provide a usable fantasy floor from the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Houston Texans
Source: Houston Texans
Mac McClung Signs in Spain
Guard Mac McClung has signed with Spanish club Basquet Girona, according to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. The three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion heads overseas after another huge G-League season with the Windy City Bulls, where he averaged 31.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists. McClung won his second G-League MVP, became the first two-time winner of the award, passed Renaldo Major as the league's all-time leading scorer, and dropped a career-high 59 points against Birmingham. The 27-year-old has played only 17 NBA games, including eight with Chicago last season, so this move keeps him off NBA fantasy radars unless he works his way back stateside.
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Ashton Dulin Working as Wide Receiver Only
After seeing extensive special teams work throughout his first six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, veteran wide receiver Ashton Dulin is working exclusively with his position group, with beat reporter Zach Hicks noting that he has not been given his normal special teams reps. The change in usage could indicate how the team feels about his place on the depth chart as he battles Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for the third receiver spot alongside Alec Pierce and Josh Downs. With Pierce missing training camp practices while on the PUP list following offseason ankle surgery, there could also be an element of preservation in what is already a thin receiver room, but for the time being, cornerback Johnathan Edwards has served in Dulin's usual gunner role with the punting unit.
Source: Zach Hicks
Source: Zach Hicks
Hornets See Brandon Miller as Core Piece
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller and the team have discussed a potential rookie-scale extension, with president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson saying the Hornets want him around "for a very long time," via Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. The former No. 2 pick looks central to the Hornets' reset after the franchise traded LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges this offseason, though Peterson has avoided putting the face-of-the-franchise label on any one player. Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 38.3 percent from three across 65 games last season. His usage could climb with Coby White handling more point-guard work, but the shoulder recovery keeps some risk attached. If healthy, Miller's scoring and three-point volume should keep trending up.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Seth McGowan Taking Advantage of RB2 Duties
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Seth McGowan came into training camp competing with second-year runner DJ Giddens for the primary backup role behind the newly extended Jonathan Taylor, and with Giddens recently missing time with a hamstring injury, Colts beat reporter Zach Hicks has been impressed by what he's seen from McGowan in the RB2 role. Taylor recently praised the seventh-round pick, telling reporters, "Everybody thinks he's just like a big power back, but Seth has some moves... If you look at his feet, he reminds me of like a David Montgomery." While unlikely to force the type of committee role Montgomery has been part of in recent seasons in Detroit, McGowan has the opportunity to seize the all-important handcuff role to Taylor, raising his value as a dynasty stash and making him a player to at least keep tabs on in deep redraft leagues.
Source: Zach Hicks
Source: Zach Hicks
Pistons Weigh Ausar Thompson Extension
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson is in line for a long-term extension, but talks appear tied to the team's unresolved negotiations with restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Thompson led the NBA with 2.0 steals per game last season and earned All-Defensive First Team honors while averaging 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. The offensive limitations remain clear, but his role beside Cade Cunningham and Duren gives him steady fantasy appeal through steals, rebounds, assists, and defensive stats. A deal in the low-to-mid $30 million annual range has been floated, though nothing appears imminent until Detroit gets more clarity on Duren.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Daniil Miromanov Returns to Russia
Defenseman Daniil Miromanov has signed a two-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg. He will spend the next couple of seasons in the KHL after struggling to earn a regular role in the NHL. Despite making his NHL debut five years ago, Miromanov appeared in just 94 games, registering 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) and 110 blocks. In 2025-26, Miromanov made only one NHL appearance with the Calgary Flames. That contest might end up being Miromanov's final NHL outing, as he will turn 30 next year. Before moving to North America, Miromanov played in the KHL with HC Sochi.
Source: KHL
Source: KHL
Dereck Lively II Talks Extension with Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II and the team have held early-stage talks on a possible rookie-scale extension, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, via Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. The number is tough to project after the 22-year-old played only seven games last season before undergoing season-ending right foot surgery. When healthy, Lively has been a high-efficiency rim runner and shot blocker, with career averages of 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 72.5 percent from the field. His lob finishing and rim protection fit cleanly alongside Cooper Flagg, but Dallas has reason to remain patient under Masai Ujiri, especially with Daniel Gafford still in the frontcourt picture. Lively carries blocks-and-boards upside, though his recovery is the swing factor.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
