RADIO
James Johnson Returns to Pacers on Exhibit 9 Deal
Forward James Johnson is returning to the Indiana Pacers on a training camp deal, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. The IndyStar reports that the contract is a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 deal. The 39-year-old sat out the 2025-26 season after appearing in just 39 games across three previous seasons with Indiana, averaging 6.3 minutes. Johnson remains valued more for his veteran presence than his on-court production. Indiana is only about $2.2 million below the first apron, and keeping Johnson on a veteran minimum deal would cost roughly $2.4 million against the cap. That makes his chances of sticking on the opening-night roster slim, and he remains off the fantasy radar.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Stars Sign Sam Steel to Four-Year Extension
Dallas Stars forward Sam Steel has landed a contract extension ahead of the new season. He will be on a four-year, $14.8 million contract heading into the 2027-28 campaign. Steel earned a significant raise from his current deal, which pays him $2.1 million annually. While his numbers don't jump out, Steel has been a consistent contributor for the Stars, bagging a career-high 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 73 contests last season. At 28, he's in his prime years, and significant improvement isn't anticipated moving forward
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Fred VanVleet to Skip Back-to-Backs Early in Season
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) will not play in back-to-backs initially this season, head coach Ime Udoka said Tuesday. The good news is that VanVleet "looks good" and is taking part in full-contact, five-on-five work as he returns from the torn ACL that cost him all of 2025-26. The 32-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals on 37.8 percent shooting in his last healthy season. Reed Sheppard should have more opportunities to handle the offense whenever VanVleet rests, while Marcus Smart gives Houston another veteran option in the backcourt.
Source: Jackson Gatlin
Source: Jackson Gatlin
Austin Ekeler Working Out for the Panthers
Free agent running back Austin Ekeler is set to work out for the Carolina Panthers later on Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Ekeler has been a free agent for the entire 2026 season and has not stepped onto an NFL field since Week 2 of the 2025 season. In his last NFL game, Ekeler sustained a serious Achilles tear, which cut his season short. However, the veteran back is attempting to make a comeback to the NFL. Ekeler would be a necessary addition for the Panthers, as Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network recently reported that Jonathon Brooks is set to undergo core muscle surgery, which will keep him out for at least six weeks. In the 2024 season, Ekeler played a key role in Washington's run to the NFC Championship Game, taking 77 carries for 364 yards and four scores and catching 35 passes for another 356 yards. If Ekeler were to join the Panthers, he would likely take some third-down opportunities, away from the workhorse Chuba Hubbard.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Jonathon Brooks to Undergo Core Surgery, to Miss at Least Six Weeks
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (core) is set to undergo core muscle surgery, which will place him on the injured reserve. Per Rapoport, the young running back is expected to miss at least six weeks, but should be able to contribute down the stretch. This is a tough blow for Brooks, who has dealt with many serious injuries throughout his career. He joined the Panthers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft but has appeared in only five regular-season games in his career, two of them being this season. In Week 1, Brooks took only four carries but made a splash in the receiving game, catching one pass for 48 yards. In Week 2, Brooks took only five carries before exiting early. With Brooks now in line to miss nearly half of the season, Chuba Hubbard should operate as the clear workhorse and carry weekly RB2 upside given his projected workload.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Adam Scott Makes Yet Another Presidents Cup Appearance
Adam Scott will be playing in his 12th Presidents Cup at the age of 46. The Australian golfer had qualified in 10 of his previous 11 appearances. Behind a very good 2026 season on the PGA Tour, Scott qualified yet again for the event at Medinah Country Club. Scott did not win in 2026 but had three top-10 results. He brings a ton of experience to an International squad seeking to turn the tide against Team USA. His approach to the green saw him gain 0.523 strokes (14th) in 2026. The bigger key may be putting, where Scott has been average in 2026 (122nd in putts per round at 29.35). It is the largest concern when it comes to Scott in match play and a big reason why he is under .500 at the Presidents Cup (20-28-6).
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Patrick Cantlay's Match-Play Record at Presidents Cup Speaks for Itself
Patrick Cantlay may not have had the best 2026 on the golf course. The American golfer, however, was picked for the 2026 Presidents Cup on the strength of his 10-4 overall record at the event. Cantlay, most notably, went 4-1 at Royal Montreal in 2024 as Team USA won for the 10th time (18.5 to 11.5). He has also won every Singles match (3-0). Cantlay did not win a single event in 2026 but did have five Top 10 results. His closest brush to victory came at the BMW Championship, where Cantlay finished runner-up to Wyndham Clark. Cantlay tends to putt better in match play, and his 1.01 strokes gained overall still ranked 11th in 2026, which makes him a potential factor at the Presidents Cup.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Russell Henley Seeks Bigger Stage at Presidents Cup
Russell Henley was picked to compete in his first Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal in 2024. The American golfer qualified for the event at Medinah Country Club with an excellent 2026. Henley won a playoff at the Charles Schwab Challenge in May, had six Top 10 results, and had five Top 20 results over his final six events of the 2026 season. Henley's all-around game is highlighted by his putting (0.481 strokes gained -- 12th). He went 2-1 at Royal Montreal in 2024 and won his only match at singles, defeating Sungjae Im 3&2. It will be intriguing to see how Captain Brandt Snedeker utilizes the golfer as he could be a potential DFS factor in Foursomes as well.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Collin Morikawa Gains Automatic Presidents Cup Spot
Collin Morikawa navigated a solid 2026 that saw him win at Pebble Beach and finish back up near the top 10 in the World Rankings. The American golfer had seven Top 10 results and heads into the Presidents Cup at Medinah ready to make an impact. His 6-2 record at the Presidents Cup includes excelling in the pairs format. After qualifying in 2024. Morikawa won four of his five matches at Royal Montreal. He is 3-0 in his last three singles matches as well. Match play is always a different animal, but the Presidents Cup does not hold the same pressure as the Ryder Cup. Morikawa, behind a T4 at the BMW Championship and a solid finale at the TOUR Championship, could be a surprising betting factor in favor of Team USA.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Cam Ward Playing Clean Football with Touchdown Upside
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward is off to an impressive start this season, stringing together back-to-back turnover-free performances for just the third time in his young career. Ward has yet to surpass 183 passing yards in a single game this season, but his decent touchdown upside and rushing ability have vaulted him onto the fantasy radar in Year 2. Specifically, the 24-year-old rushed for two scores in last week's contest against a solid Eagles defense. Fantasy managers would surely like to see higher passing yardage totals, but it's hard to complain about a stat line that includes three touchdowns and zero turnovers through two games. Ward ranks as the QB19 in fantasy football this season, but he has fringe top-12 upside heading into Week 3 against a Giants team that is limping on both sides of the ball.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
High Volume Makes Geno Smith an Appealing Waiver-Wire Target
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith is far from a flashy name in fantasy football, but his high passing volume and mistake-free streak put him on the radar as a solid waiver wire target. Smith threw 41 times in Week 2, completing 27 passes for 247 yards, one touchdown, and zero turnovers. He took four sacks, but he also logged 17 rushing yards. Smith has only one touchdown through two weeks, but it's also worth noting that he doesn't have any turnovers so far. He has been a steady presence at quarterback for the Jets, leading drives and supporting the fantasy stocks of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Now, he's getting on the fantasy radar himself, albeit as a QB2. The Jets will likely have to throw the ball a lot again in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions, so Smith's projected high volume gives him top-16 upside in fantasy football.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kerby Joseph Hits a Snag in Recovery
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (knee) continues to rehab his knee injury, but the process has taken longer than anticipated. Head coach Dan Campbell discussed his status on Tuesday, noting that Joseph won't return until after fellow safety Brian Branch (knee) is back. Joseph and Branch are both on the PUP list, and while the latter could return as soon as he's eligible to be activated on October 5th, it doesn't sound like that's the case for the former. Campbell stopped short of saying Joseph had a true setback, but he did admit that "there was a time there where we weren't able to do everything we needed to do." He said that Joseph won't play until his knee has returned to its maximum strength and he feels confident in the body part, presumably while running and making cuts. Joseph has spent all four of his pro seasons with the Lions, and he was a First-Team All-Pro in 2024 after picking off nine passes that season. Last year, he had 18 tackles and three interceptions before the knee issue cut his campaign short.
Source: Detroit Lions
Source: Detroit Lions
Brian Branch Getting Closer to a Return?
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (Achilles) appears to be making progress in his recovery, even though a return isn't imminent. Head coach Dan Campbell fielded questions about his injured safeties Tuesday, saying that Branch is closer to returning than Kerby Joseph (knee). That doesn't necessarily narrow down the timeline, but it's worth noting that Branch is eligible to be activated from the PUP list as early as October 5th. Thomas Harper and offseason addition Chuck Clark have filled in at safety in the meantime. The Lions would welcome a Branch return with open arms, as the former first-round pick made the Pro Bowl in 2024 before registering 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and five tackles for loss in 2025.
Source: Detroit Lions
Source: Detroit Lions
Seahawks Leaving the Door Open for Sam Darnold to Play in Week 3
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) continues to recover exceptionally well, and the team isn't ready to rule him out for Week 3 against the Washington Commanders. Darnold will return to practice on Wednesday, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com didn't shut down the possibility of Darnold playing this week. Specifically, he said that we may see Drew Lock at quarterback for one more game, but that it wasn't certain. The fact that the door is even somewhat open for Darnold to play this week is remarkable, given that he's less than two weeks removed from suffering a pulled muscle against the Patriots on the opening night of the 2026 NFL season. Right now, it seems like the safe bet would be that Darnold returns in Week 4. However, he's already so far ahead of schedule in his recovery that it wouldn't completely shock us to see him get ready in time for Week 3, either. Managers should stay tuned to the Seahawks' injury reports for more clarity.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Ceddanne Rafaela Set to Return From Injured List on Wednesday
The Boston Red Sox plan to activate second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Rafaela should be back in the starting lineup for Boston in Game 2 of the series against the Cleveland Guardians. He has been out since Sept. 6 with a strained right quad but did not play in a minor-league rehab game. The 26-year-old continues to contribute across most fantasy baseball categories, but he could be a little rusty upon his return to the big leagues as the Red Sox try to get him going again before the wild-card series against the division-rival New York Yankees begins next week. Rafaela made the All-Star team for the first time in his career in 2026 and will return to a nice .282/.317/.443 slash line, a career-high .760 OPS, 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored across 135 games played. If Rafaela hits a home run by the end of the weekend, he will have a new career high in home runs in his fourth year in the majors.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
