RADIO
Juwan Johnson Primed for Early-Season Target Volume in New Orleans
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson put together the most productive season of his career in 2025, recording 77 catches for 889 yards and three touchdowns on 102 targets across 17 games. Alongside star Saints wideout Chris Olave, Johnson spent much of the year as the clear second option in the New Orleans passing game. With Saints rookie first-round wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on Injured Reserve to begin the year, Johnson appears to be in a similar situation in New Orleans to open 2026. Across his final 11 games of 2025, Johnson topped double-digit PPR fantasy points seven times. For as long as Tyson remains sidelined, Johnson carries top-12 fantasy tight end upside and should likely be rostered across most league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Terrance Ferguson Well-Positioned for a Second-Year Breakout in 2026?
A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson recorded 11 catches for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 25 targets across 14 games (three starts) as a rookie last season. While the 23-year-old flashed high-end talent, the depth of the Rams tight end room prevented him from playing a high-volume role. Entering 2026, Los Angeles once again fields a deep tight end room that features veterans Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, and Davis Allen as well as rookie second-rounder Max Klare. However, Ferguson reportedly had a strong camp and profiles as the team's highest-upside receiving option at tight end. If he can work his way into consistent playing time this season, Ferguson has the talent to be a breakout candidate. In deeper league formats, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Ferguson through the early portion of the year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Out With Thumb Injury on Wednesday
New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (thumb) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's contest against the visiting Colorado Rockies, per MLB.com. Chisholm will sit out after being pulled from Tuesday's series opener in the Bronx early due to a right-thumb injury that he suffered on a slide into second base. Jose Caballero will make the start at the keystone on Wednesday and will hit out of the nine-hole against Rockies right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. As of now, fantasy managers should consider Chisholm to be day-to-day and check back on him on Thursday to see if he is available to return for the series finale against Colorado. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger and two-time All-Star is one of the best power/speed options in fantasy at the second base position, but he also has third base eligibility in Yahoo leagues. The seven-year veteran enters play on Wednesday with a .232/.312/.403 slash line, .715 OPS, 19 home runs, 55 RBI, a league-high 40 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored across his 134 games and 520 plate appearances. Chisholm's power has been down after hitting a career-high 31 homers in 2025 in his first year in the Bronx, but he has made up for it by tying his career high with 40 thefts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Caleb Douglas Could Be Poised for Heavy Usage in Miami
A third-round pick out of Texas Tech in the 2026 NFL Draft, Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas could have a chance to play a significant role in his team's offense right away. The Dolphins appear to have plenty of targets and playing time available on the outside, as underwhelming veterans Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington are the team's most experienced wide receivers. Douglas also drew positive reviews for his work in training camp and then saw minimal usage throughout the preseason, which could indicate that the team is planning to feature him heavily once the regular season begins. The Dolphins' passing game has plenty of question marks to open the year in quarterback Malik Willis' first season as the team's starter, so fantasy managers may not want to rely on Douglas for immediate production. Still, Douglas' season-long upside makes him a worthy stash target going into Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Byrum Brown Bounce Back In Week 2?
Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown had a disappointing debut in Week 1 against Baylor, scoring only 16.06 fantasy points compared to his 34.1 fantasy points per game average in 2025 at USF. Brown completed 74% of his 35 pass attempts for 259 yards and three interceptions. He added 21 carries for 27 yards and one touchdown. The Baylor defense put Brown under constant duress in Week 1 with 13 pressures and five sacks. Auburn responded by calling more quick passes, which is reflected in Brown's 7.4 YPA and 7.9 ADOT, both of which are his lowest marks since his freshman season. Brown's rushing and passing upside make him a potential league winner in any week, but the SEC may expose his passing inaccuracies. Brown is ranked as QB27 by RotoBaller for Week 2, and fantasy owners should hold off on putting him back into their lineups until he shows he can produce at the SEC level.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Michael Mayer a Top Tight End Streamer Following Injury to Teammate
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer's pass-catching production has been limited over the past two seasons thanks to the presence of superstar Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee). However, the Raiders announced on Wednesday that Bowers recently had a meniscus trim and is now expected to miss the first one or two games of 2026. As a result, Mayer should operate as the Raiders' TE1 to begin the year. Across the four games he played in 2025 when Bowers was sidelined by injury, Mayer recorded 18 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets. The Raiders should have a more stable offensive environment in 2026 with Kirk Cousins at quarterback and Klint Kubiak calling plays. Ahead of a relatively favorable matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, Mayer could be a worthy tight end streamer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chase DeLauter Returns From Wrist Sprain on Wednesday
Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (wrist) is starting in right field and will bat second on Wednesday against the hosting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Shane Baz, according to MLB.com. DeLauter is returning to the diamond on Wednesday after missing each of the last four games due to a sprained right wrist that he suffered late last week. Surprisingly, the rookie left-handed-hitting outfielder avoided a stint on the injured list and will be back in action at Camden Yards on Wednesday. Fantasy managers are hoping that the 24-year-old is not slowed down at the plate at all by his recent wrist injury. The former first-rounder has been one of the most consistent rookie hitters this year, slashing .294/.365/.458 with an .823 OPS, 13 home runs, 60 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored across 445 total at-bats. DeLauter is coming off an excellent month of August, too, in which he hit .363 (29-for-80) with a .977 OPS, two home runs, four doubles, two triples, nine RBI, 17 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 22 games. Get him back into your starting lineup against Baz and the O's on Wednesday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brock Bowers to Miss "a Game or Two" After Meniscus Trim
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) underwent a meniscus trim on Tuesday and is now expected to miss "a game or two," per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that Bowers got banged up "a little" in training camp and that the surgery was scheduled last week. While the initial return timeline for Bowers sounds relatively positive, this surprise surgery is still a worrying development for fantasy managers. The star tight end's 2025 production was down across the board after he suffered a PCL sprain in his left knee in Week 1. Bowers attempted to play through the injury for much of the season before eventually being placed on Injured Reserve in December. It appears the Raiders are being a bit more proactive this time around, which could help Bowers get back to full strength more quickly. Still, fantasy managers may want to downgrade their expectations for his production, at least initially upon his return. With Bowers sidelined, Raiders tight end Michael Mayer will likely play a larger role in the Las Vegas passing game.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Devaughn Vele Could Grab the No. 2 Job Early
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele has a real early-season opening with rookie Jordyn Tyson on injured reserve. Vele is listed with the first-team offense, and there is at least some evidence he can make use of the extra work. After Rashid Shaheed was traded last season, Vele caught 20 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown on 29 targets over his final five games before a shoulder injury ended his year. That stretch matters more than the full-season line of 25 catches for 293 yards. Chris Olave is still the clear top receiver, while Barion Brown and Juwan Johnson will compete for targets too, so calling Vele the automatic No. 2 option would go too far. The opportunity is there, though. Tyson must miss at least four games, and Vele already showed late last season that his production can climb when the Saints give him more to do. He has a chance to turn this early window into a much steadier fantasy role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Masyn Winn Scratched From Wednesday's Lineup With Thumb Soreness
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (thumb), who was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, was scratched from Wednesday's game against the San Francisco Giants with more soreness in his left thumb, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Thomas Saggese made the start at the 6 for St. Louis and was hitting seventh against Giants right-hander Blade Tidwell. It appears that Winn is not fully recovered from the fractured left thumb that caused him to miss over two weeks recently. If the Cardinals place him back on the IL, Winn will almost certainly miss the rest of the 2026 season. The 24-year-old has been a disappointment for fantasy managers in 2026 in his fourth year in the big leagues, as he is currently hitting .236/.312/.323 with a .635 OPS, only five home runs, 51 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 49 runs scored across 123 games and 494 plate appearances. The former second-rounder has been really poor in the second half, hitting just .218 (26-for-119) with a homer, 15 walks, and 35 strikeouts in 36 games and 137 plate appearances.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Malik Nabers Is "Ready to Go," But "We'll See Sunday Night"
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) practiced in full Wednesday, another significant step in his return from last season's torn ACL. Head coach John Harbaugh said afterward, "I think he's ready to go," according to Art Stapleton, but stopped short of confirming Nabers will play Sunday night against Dallas. Harbaugh indicated that competitive advantage is part of the reason for keeping the final call open and said the Giants will see how Nabers responds as the week goes on. Nabers played four games last season before the injury, catching 18 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns. He has steadily increased his workload over the past few weeks, and Wednesday was his first full practice of game week. The Giants are still leaving the final decision for Sunday.
Source: Art Stapleton
Source: Art Stapleton
Jonathon Brooks Expected to Play Against Chicago
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) is expected to play in Sunday's season opener against Chicago. Brooks was back in uniform and pads at Wednesday's practice after spending recent sessions working off to the side with trainers because of general soreness, although he was officially a limited participant. After practice, head coach Dave Canales said he is "very confident" Brooks will play, according to Joe Person. That's a significant step forward after Canales was taking Brooks' status day by day earlier in the week. The third-year back missed all of 2025 following his second right ACL tear but returned this summer and played in two preseason games. Carolina has never connected the recent soreness to a specific body part. With Brooks back in pads and Canales sounding confident afterward, he appears set to join Chuba Hubbard in the Panthers' backfield against the Bears.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
Garrett Crochet Throws Around 20 Pitches in Side Session
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) threw around 20 pitches during a side session of mostly fastballs on Tuesday, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. It was Crochet's second side session in five days. "Looked good," said interim manager Chad Tracy. "I just briefly talked to him. He felt good too. So, looked good and felt good. Good step in the right direction. I don't know the next steps yet. Probably another side sometime this weekend." In a very frustrating 2026 season, Crochet had been shut down from throwing for nearly three months due to a left-shoulder and lat injury. He could start facing live hitters at some point next week, but given the time of the year, he is unlikely to have time to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, with Triple-A Worcester's season ending on Sept. 20. There is a slim chance that Crochet goes from throwing live batting practice to pitching for Boston very late in the regular season, but even in that scenario, he will be returning as a reliever out of the bullpen and not a starter. But that is far from guaranteed, and there is even the possibility that he does not make the postseason roster if the BoSox make the playoffs.
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
Malik Washington Gets His Shot in Miami's Starting Lineup
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington enters 2026 with a much better opportunity than he had a year ago. Miami's current depth chart lists him with the first-team offense alongside Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, giving Washington a real chance to turn a part-time role into something more useful for fantasy. He caught 46 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns last season and also added 110 rushing yards and another score on 17 carries. The receiving efficiency was modest, but the situation around him has changed. Washington also built some chemistry with new starting quarterback Malik Willis during camp, including multiple downfield connections and a late-camp touchdown. Being listed with the starters doesn't guarantee a big target share, especially with Douglas and Bell both pushing for work. Still, Washington has moved from rotational depth into a legitimate starting opportunity. If the routes and targets follow, his fantasy value could rise quickly.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pete Fairbanks Returns From Injured List on Wednesday
The Miami Marlins announced on Wednesday that they reinstated right-handed closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Bradley Blalock to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Fairbanks only missed the required 15 days on the IL for his second trip to the IL this year due to medial nerve irritation in his right pitching hand. He will return to Miami's bullpen without going on a minor-league rehab assignment, so the Fish could ease him back into the fold in lower-leverage situations upon his return. The 32-year-old veteran has been Miami's primary ninth-inning option this year when healthy, but he has been a headache for fantasy managers, as he has gone 4-5 with a 6.02 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in addition to his 18 saves in his 40 1/3 innings pitched. Fairbanks may not see many closing opportunities the rest of the way, if any at all, even though he appears to have recovered from his hand injury. Fairbanks is only rostered in 60% of Yahoo leagues with the fantasy playoffs underway in most leagues.
Source: Miami Marlins
Source: Miami Marlins
