RADIO
Trae Young Healthy and Motivated Ahead of Camp
Washington Wizards point guard Trae Young (knee, quadriceps) is cleared for training camp and eager to push his way back into the league's star conversation, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "People think I'm just a ball-dominant person. It's hilarious to me," Young said, adding that the best version of his game may not mean the most points or assists. The four-time All-Star played only 15 games last season because of MCL and quadriceps injuries in his right leg, averaging 17.9 points and 8.0 assists, including five appearances after the January trade to Washington. His workload should climb now that he is healthy, but Anthony Davis (finger) and No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa give the Wizards more mouths to feed. Young's assists should still anchor his fantasy value, though a return to his career 25.1-point scoring pace may be tougher in this setup.
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Jordan James Off Fantasy Radar After Losing RB2 Role
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James was a healthy scratch in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. After battling rookie Kaelon Black in training camp, James appeared to lose the backup role and was inactive for the season opener in Melbourne, Australia. James has played only three games in his NFL career and has yet to record a stat. With him as the clear RB3 and the team's ability to use fullback Kyle Juszczyk and Deebo Samuel Sr. as emergency running backs, James does not appear likely to have a role this season unless both Black and star Christian McCaffrey are injured. Fantasy managers can safely drop the second-year back, with Black the clear backup in San Francisco.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Auston Matthews Looking "Amazing" in Pre-Camp Skates
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (knee) has been turning heads during pre-training camp skates, TSN's Mark Masters reports. Maple Leafs defenseman Christopher Tanev told reporters on Thursday that Matthews has looked "amazing" in the informal skates. Matthews has been hampered by health issues in recent years and underwent MCL surgery in March, which ended his 2025-26 campaign. He posted 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) in 63 games during a disappointing season. With him now fully healthy, Matthews could bounce back in style in 2026-27.
Source: Mark Masters
Source: Mark Masters
Jaren Jackson Jr. Steps Into Bigger Frontcourt Role
Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. spent most of the summer training in Salt Lake City after left knee surgery limited him to three games with the team following February's blockbuster trade, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. The former Defensive Player of the Year is expected to be a key frontcourt piece as Utah tries to move out of lottery mode. Walker Kessler's move to the Lakers should push Jackson into more center minutes, with Jusuf Nurkic also in the mix. That could help revive Jackson's shot-blocking after he dipped to 1.4 blocks per game last season, well below the 3.0 he averaged in 2022-23. The scoring outlook is less clean, with Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson all needing touches, so Jackson's fantasy value may lean more on blocks, rebounds, and efficiency than high-end usage.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
De'Zhaun Stribling Likely to Miss Time
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) will likely miss time, according to Ian Rapoport. Stribling limped off the field, went to the medical tent, returned, and then went down with a non-contact injury that appeared to be significant. The good news is that head coach Kyle Shanahan deemed it an ankle injury and that his Achilles tendon was intact. The rookie receiver was held without a target against the Los Angeles Rams but led the 49ers wideouts in snaps after three drives, playing more than Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Demarcus Robinson, all of whom scored touchdowns in Week 1. While we won't know the full diagnosis until the team returns to the States, fantasy managers shouldn't drop the young, talented receiver.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Kevin Fiala to Miss Start of Training Camp
Los Angeles Kings winger Kevin Fiala (lower leg) won't be available for the start of training camp next week. The Swiss forward has undergone follow-up surgery on the broken leg he sustained during the Olympics in February. Due to the injury, Fiala was limited to 56 NHL outings last season. He posted 18 goals and 40 points. It's uncertain if Fiala will be cleared to join training camp later. Fiala is a year removed from scoring a career-high 35 goals, and he would be sorely missed if the Kings have to start the season without him.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Hawks Sign Lamont Butler
The Atlanta Hawks signed guard Lamont Butler on Thursday after waiving Keyshawn Bryant. Butler is back for another stint with Atlanta after briefly joining the organization last fall, when he was waived before the season and later landed with the College Park Skyhawks. His first pro year never got going, as a torn left ACL and meniscus during the preseason process cost him the entire 2025-26 campaign. The former San Diego State and Kentucky guard averaged 11.4 points, 4.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 26.0 minutes during his lone season with the Wildcats. Terms were not disclosed, but the move appears procedural, with Butler likely headed back toward College Park if waived. CJ McCollum, Kingston Flemings, Ryan Nembhard, and Devin Carter leave him buried in Atlanta's backcourt, so there is no fantasy value here.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
Isiah Pacheco Droppable After Landing on Injured Reserve
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee/back) will enter the 2026 season on injured reserve. After a sprained MCL in early August, Pacheco dealt with a back injury that head coach Dan Campbell said was more concerning than the knee. With the former Chiefs' back set to miss at least the first four games of the season, fantasy managers in 10- or 12-team leagues should consider dropping him. He had 118 carries for 462 yards and one touchdown last season, averaging six half-PPR fantasy points per game. Once healthy, Pacheco will compete for a backup role behind star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Even if he suffers an injury, a committee with Sione Vaki or Jacob Saylors, or a free-agency move by the Lions, would be considered as well. There are more high-upside running backs on the waiver wire, and the injuries have set him back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braeden Bowman Inks Six-Year Extension With Golden Knights
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Braeden Bowman signed a six-year, $20.4 million contract extension on Thursday. He will have a cap hit of $3.4 million starting in the 2027-28 season. Bowman broke into the Golden Knights team last season, appearing in 54 games. He recorded eight goals and 26 points. The 23-year-old was a standout performer in the AHL, with 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 20 games. Bowman will look to cement his place on the team in 2026-27 and is a name fantasy managers should keep an eye on.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Hawks Waive Keyshawn Bryant
The Atlanta Hawks waived forward Keyshawn Bryant on Thursday, one day after adding him to the training camp roster. The move coincided with Atlanta signing guard Lamont Butler and appears procedural, with Bryant likely headed toward the College Park Skyhawks if he clears waivers. The former South Carolina and South Florida forward has three seasons of G-League experience, averaging 9.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 18.9 minutes across 40 career appearances. His best stretch came with the Windy City Bulls in 2025-26, when he averaged 12.0 points and 4.1 rebounds and dropped 41 points against Westchester. Bryant never had a clean path through an Atlanta wing group featuring Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins, so there is no fantasy impact here.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
Demarcus Robinson Gets TD Grab In Season Opener
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson had two receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown on Thursday night against the Rams. Even though he saw only three targets, Robinson spent a surprising amount of time on the field, finishing second behind Mike Evans in snap count and routes run. With Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., and De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) thought to be ahead of him on the depth chart, little was expected of Robinson before the season began. Depending on Stribling's injury status, Robinson may continue to see regular work, though his production relative to his snap share in Week 1 suggests he won't be a focal point on the offense. Robinson is capable of the occasional splash play, but it is hard to see him as a consistent source of fantasy points, even with the Dolphins on deck for Week 2.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Deebo Samuel Sr. Catches TD In Reunion With 49ers
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. was productive in his first game back with the team in their season opener against the Rams despite his limited role. Samuel entered the game from the bench and finished with six catches for 48 yards and one touchdown on seven targets. The versatile veteran also handled one carry for 12 rushing yards and two kickoffs for 74 return yards. Samuel ranked third in snap share among the 49ers' wide receivers behind Mike Evans and Demarcus Robinson, and likely would have finished behind De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) had the rookie not exited the game due to an injury in the second quarter. The vague receiver roles and frequent rotations make it hard to predict how and when Samuel will be used, but if Stribling misses time, he should see greater involvement. Samuel might be a flex play in Week 2, when the 49ers face off against the Miami Dolphins.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Mike Evans Scores TD In 49ers Debut
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans made good on the hype surrounding his signing in Thursday night's 27-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Evans brought in six of his seven targets for 49 yards and one touchdown in the season opener. Evans was involved early and often on pivotal plays, converting four third downs in the first half (three on the first drive alone). His lone missed target came on a third-and-three just before halftime. Evans' lone catch in the second half was a two-yard touchdown that helped the 49ers pull away. With his size and abilities as a receiver, it is easy to see Evans becoming a preferred target for quarterback Brock Purdy in the weeks to come. In Week 2, Evans will get a plum matchup against the Miami Dolphins at home.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Christian McCaffrey Has Modest Production In Lopsided Victory
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey led the team in rushing yards on Thursday night, gaining 68 on 10 carries. The versatile back also led the team in targets with eight, converting them into five receptions for 20 yards through the air. McCaffrey's 55% snap share on Thursday paled in comparison to his heavy usage in 2025. The 49ers involved second-stringer Kaelon Black early and often to spell McCaffrey, and the duo ended the game with the same amount of total touches. San Francisco scored 24 unanswered points following the Rams' second-quarter touchdown, providing the team the right script to be conservative with McCaffrey. Even if the 49ers make good on their talk of finding ways to preserve their star running back, McCaffrey's effectiveness when on the field will keep him in contention as one of the best at his position every week. In Week 2, McCaffrey will face the Miami Dolphins in the 49ers' home opener.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Davante Adams Held in Check as Rams Drop Season Opener
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams caught three of his six targets for 26 receiving yards during Thursday's Week 1 loss against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. The Rams' pass-catchers had a really frustrating outing in the season opener, and Adams was no exception. His 5.6 PPR points represent a massive decline from his average of 15.9 PPR points per game last season. Fantasy managers will hope that this game from Adams was an anomaly and can simply be chalked up to the nature of playing a game in Australia after arriving less than 24 hours earlier. Adams and his teammates will have plenty of time to return home and reacclimate to the conditions in the United States before returning to action in 11 days for a Week 2 contest against the New York Giants. He still ranks as a low-end fantasy WR2 for that game, but his floor is admittedly lower than before.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
