RADIO
Chris Sale Being Pushed Back, Will Not Start This Weekend
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale's next scheduled start is being pushed back, per Jesus Cano of The Athletic. Cano reports that the veteran left-hander is "not dealing with anything" and that there is "no need to panic." Still, it appears that Sale's next scheduled start will now be next Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds instead of this upcoming weekend against the Houston Astros. Sale has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2026, recording a 14-9 record with a 2.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 190 strikeouts across 157 innings (26 starts). He was effective in his most recent outing on September 11, allowing three earned runs while recording six strikeouts across seven innings pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies. Still, with the Braves locked into a playoff berth, it looks like the team is prioritizing having Sale as fresh as possible in October.
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Bucky Irving is Rising After Strong Opener
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving did a little bit of everything on the field during the season opener. Irving rushed the ball eight times for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in all seven of his targets for 48 yards and another score during the Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Irving was highly efficient on the ground with 5.6 yards per carry, while being a huge factor in the receiving game. The Bucs clearly trust Irving to make plays on the ground and through the air. The presence of Kenny Gainwell does not appear to be making an impact on the value of Irving. Fantasy managers should consider Irving a high-end RB2 for the upcoming matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Joshua Baez "Day-to-Day" After Leaving with Side Tightness
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Joshua Baez (side) is considered day-to-day after exiting early from his team's loss to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday with side tightness, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Baez was hitless in four at-bats before leaving the game. Across 108 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in mid-August, the 23-year-old is hitting .230/.278/.510 with seven home runs, 18 RBI, 18 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Baez hit 34 home runs across 410 plate appearances at Triple-A this season and has posted impressive barrel (12.5%) and hard-hit (48.4%) rates in the big leagues. However, he's also struck out in 30.6% of his plate appearances while logging just a 3.7% walk rate. If Baez ends up missing time, Cardinals outfielder Bryan Torres could be in line for an increase in at-bats.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Juwan Johnson is Absent on Wednesday
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (illness) did not participate during Wednesday's practice session, according to Jeff Nowak. Johnson is feeling under the weather, so he sat out of practice to begin the week. Fantasy managers should consider Johnson day-to-day with a good chance of suiting up for the Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The 30-year-old hauled in three of his seven targets for 54 yards and a touchdown during the Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions. If healthy, Johnson is an interesting starting option for Week 2. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday for another update on Johnson.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
Jackson Holliday Placed on 10-Day Injured List with Left-Wrist Inflammation
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday (wrist) has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation. Infielder Jose Barrero was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take Holliday's place on the team's active roster. While Holliday could technically return to the Orioles before the end of the regular season, his 2026 campaign may be over. Across 354 plate appearances this year, the 22-year-old hit .229/.300/.340 with seven home runs, 30 RBI, 45 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Holliday's season got off to a rough start, as he suffered a broken hamate bone in Spring Training that delayed his 2026 debut until mid-May. The young infielder has struck out in 23.7% of his plate appearances while also posting the worst hard-hit rate of his career (33.1%). With Holliday sidelined, Orioles infielder/outfielder Jeremiah Jackson will likely see an increase in playing time at second base.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Mikey Matthews Out for Week 3
UCLA wide receiver Mikey Matthews (undisclosed) is out for the Bruins this weekend against Purdue. Matthews was sidelined early during his team's Week 2 win over San Diego State, when he went down with an apparent leg injury. Matthews started the season strong with a four-reception, 88-yard performance against Cal, but his 2026 campaign has now been disrupted due to the recent ailment. He is coming off a quality year with UCLA, as he finished 2025 with 33 receptions for 348 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Without Matthews last week, Bruins wide receiver Semaj Morgan led the way with six receptions for 73 yards.
Source: Big 10 availability report
Source: Big 10 availability report
Tory Horton is a Full Participant During Wednesday's Practice
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (hamstring) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice session, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. Horton appears on track to play in Week 2 after missing the season opener due to a hamstring injury. Horton has been battling this issue during training camp, but he finally appears to be getting healthy again. Barring any setbacks, Horton should be active for the Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Fellow wideout Cooper Kupp (back) was limited during Wednesday's practice session. Horton might be asked to take on a larger role if Kupp is downgraded during the week. Fantasy managers should check back for an update on both players later in the week.
Source: Brady Henderson
Source: Brady Henderson
Kyle Bradish Battling Sports Hernia, Surgery on the Table?
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said that starting pitcher Kyle Bradish (abdomen) has been diagnosed with a sports hernia and is "going through the potential options," per Jake Rill of MLB.com. Bradish was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday, and his 2026 season is now almost certainly over. Across 155 innings (29 starts) before the hernia issue, Bradish recorded a 7-15 record with a 4.12 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 142 strikeouts. The 30-year-old's production faded in the second half, as he posted a 16.7% strikeout rate and a 5.29 ERA across 47 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. If Bradish has been pitching through discomfort over the last few months, it could explain the downturn in his numbers. Assuming he's ready to go for the start of the 2027 season, Bradish could be an under-the-radar bounce-back candidate for fantasy managers.
Source: MLB.com -Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com -Jake Rill
Makhi Frazier Questionable vs. LSU
Ole Miss running back Makhi Frazier (undisclosed) is questionable to suit up for the Rebels as they take on LSU in an SEC rivalry matchup on Saturday night. Frazier has yet to play a significant role for the Rebels' offense this season, recording just nine carries for 38 yards through two games. This week, Ole Miss has a tough matchup with a stingy LSU defense, as the Tigers have allowed just 18 yards rushing per game, including giving up -4 yards on the ground to Louisiana Tech last week. Even if he is healthy enough to play, Frazier is not a reasonable play for fantasy managers in this game against LSU.
Source: SEC availability report
Source: SEC availability report
Kyle Williams Likely to See More Playing Time
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams is expected to see an expanded role in the offense, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. Williams didn't see a target during the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He only played 11 offensive snaps, but the 23-year-old is expected to see more of the field now. The Patriots placed superstar wideout A.J. Brown (ankle) on the Injured Reserve this week. Brown is set to miss at least the next four games due to a high-ankle sprain. The second-year wideout should have a path to more targets with Brown sidelined. He showed flashes during his rookie season and has the speed to be a legit threat on the field. Fantasy managers should expect more balls to be thrown his way during the Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Blake Snell Exits Early on Wednesday with Groin Tightness
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (groin) exited early from his start against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday due to groin tightness. The 33-year-old pitched a scoreless inning before leaving the game. Injuries have limited Snell to just 38 2/3 innings (eight starts) in 2026, as he's also battled elbow and shoulder ailments. The veteran has been highly effective when on the mound, pitching to a 1.86 ERA with four wins and 52 strikeouts. However, Snell has thrown just 100 total innings since the start of the 2024 season and may now be facing even more missed time. It's not yet clear whether Snell's groin injury will require another trip to the injured list, but the Dodgers will surely be cautious with him in order to try to have him on the mound in the postseason.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Raheim Sanders to Take on Bigger Role
Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders will have the opportunity to see an expanded role in the offense, according to Scott Petrak of BrownsZone. Sanders will move up the depth chart to the No. 2 role with Dylan Sampson (knee) going down in the season opener. The Browns placed Sampson on the Injured Reserve, so he'll be forced to miss at least the next four games. Sanders rushed the ball once and hauled in three receptions for 25 yards during the season opener. He could emerge as an interesting handcuff for fantasy managers going forward. He could offer some value in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that allowed over 100 rushing yards last week.
Source: Scott Petrak
Source: Scott Petrak
Ashton Bethel-Roman Questionable Against Kentucky
Texas A&M wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman (undisclosed) is questionable to play on Saturday as the Aggies take on Kentucky on the road. Bethel-Roman has just two receptions for 13 yards through the first two weeks of the season but was a key piece of the team's passing attack in 2025. A year ago, Bethel-Roman finished with 24 receptions for 503 yards and five touchdowns. Many projected Bethel-Roman to be a breakout candidate in 2022, but that has yet to come to fruition. Kentucky gave up 188 yards passing during a loss to Alabama last week, as Crimson Tide wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks led the way with five receptions for 54 yards. Four players recorded receptions of 23 yards or more during Alabama's victory, so Bethel-Roman's big-play ability could be of use for the Aggies in this matchup against the Wildcats.
Source: SEC availability report
Source: SEC availability report
Cooper Kupp is Limited with Back Issue
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (back) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session, according to Bob Condotta. It appears the veteran wideout tweaked his back during last Wednesday's win over the New England Patriots. He finished the game with two receptions on three targets with 35 receiving yards. Barring any setbacks, Kupp should be ready to go for the Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Fantasy managers should check back later in the week, but it sounds like Kupp should be fine moving forward. He'll be on the flex radar for this upcoming divisional matchup.
Source: Bob Condotta
Source: Bob Condotta
Isaac Brown Probable vs. SMU
Louisville running back Isaac Brown (undisclosed) is probable entering Saturday's game against SMU. If he indeed gives it a go in Week 3, he has a good opportunity in front of him against a vulnerable Mustangs' run defense. SMU gave up 199 yards rushing to Florida State in Week 1. During a 27-24 win over the Seminoles, FSU averaged 4.4 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns via the ground game. Brown is coming off a 61-yard effort against Villanova, during which he averaged 4.7 yards per carry. He is RotoBaller's RB49 and is projected to score 11 fantasy points if he is healthy enough to play against SMU.
Source: ACC availability report
Source: ACC availability report
