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De'Zhaun Stribling Out Around 10 Weeks After Ankle Surgery
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) underwent surgery Wednesday and is expected to miss around 10 weeks, according to Cam Inman. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers are still hoping Stribling can make it back before the season ends. The rookie had already been placed on injured reserve after suffering a deltoid sprain in the season-opening win over the Rams, but the original outlook was considerably shorter before surgery became necessary. Stribling played 21 offensive snaps in his NFL debut and did not draw a target before leaving. San Francisco used the 33rd overall pick on him in April, so the long-term interest hasn't gone anywhere, but most redraft managers don't need to wait through a 10-week absence. He remains an easy hold in dynasty leagues while the 49ers hope to get him back late in the season.
Source: Cam Inman
Source: Cam Inman
Joe Burrow has Back Tightness, Expects to Play in Week 2
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (back) said he is dealing with some back tightness and soreness from the Week 1 season-opening win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Burrow said that he will be fine and expects to play. On the idea that he would not play in Week 2 against the Houston Texans out of precaution, Burrow said, "That's ridiculous." The star signal-caller did not do much throwing during practice on Wednesday and also did not stretch with the rest of the team, which was the first sign that he was dealing with something. He will most likely be listed as limited on Wednesday's injury report. As long as Burrow does not get worse over the next couple of days, he should be fine to suit up this weekend on the road in a difficult matchup against a Texans team that took the Buffalo Bills to the wire in Week 1. The 29-year-old three-time Pro Bowler threw for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the 33-27 Week 1 win over Tampa, and he will be a must-start in fantasy lineups as long as he is active this Sunday. UPDATE: Burrow was officially listed as limited in Wednesday's practice.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Jadan Baugh Faces First Real Test
Florida running back Jadan Baugh will face the first real test of his junior season in Week 3 against a stout Auburn defense. Through two weeks, Baugh is the RB3 in fantasy points, averaging 29.8 fantasy points per contest. Baugh has been extremely efficient, turning his 28 carries into 296 yards and five touchdowns, albeit against FAU and Campbell. The Gators begin their SEC schedule with Auburn in Week 3, and Auburn has allowed only 76.5 rushing yards per game in the first two weeks of the season. In Week 1, Auburn faced Baylor, which had 43 designed rush attempts, and the Auburn defense held them to only 125 rushing yards, per PFF. Baugh has the talent to produce against the defense, but fantasy owners shouldn't expect him to dominate at the same level in Week 3. RotoBaller has Baugh ranked as RB5 in Week 3, and he should be started in all leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kyler Murray to be Limited on Wednesday
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion) will be a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, according to Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Murray played only 11 snaps in his Vikings debut in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday before suffering a scary concussion in the first quarter. He was quickly ruled out and placed in the concussion protocol, putting his status up in the air for Week 2 this Sunday against the division-rival Chicago Bears. Murray was in good spirits in the team's locker room after Sunday's game, and a limited first practice of the week is a good sign, but it does not guarantee that the former Arizona Cardinals QB will return this weekend. Veteran Carson Wentz did an admirable job leading Minnesota to a come-from-behind victory over the Packers while throwing three touchdowns, so O'Connell could be content to give him a start and let Murray rest up for another week. Murray will almost certainly need to upgrade to a full practice this week to be cleared from the league's concussion protocol.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Dane Mizutani
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Dane Mizutani
Ja'Kobi Lane Placed on Injured Reserve
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) is being placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport. Lane fractured his wrist in Sunday's win over Indianapolis and will now miss at least four games. The rookie had worked his way into Baltimore's No. 3 receiver role before the injury and caught one of three targets for 11 yards in his NFL debut. He also had a touchdown wiped out by a holding penalty. The Ravens are expected to promote Chris Moore from the practice squad to take Lane's roster spot, while Devontez Walker and Elijah Sarratt are also candidates for more work while he is out. Lane is worth keeping in an IR spot in dynasty and deeper leagues, but redraft managers without one do not need to hold him through the absence.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Colson Montgomery Leaves Early With Wrist Contusion
Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery (wrist) left Wednesday's game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians with a left-wrist contusion, according to the team. Montgomery is being further evaluated after he was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning. In addition to being hit by a pitch, the 24-year-old left-handed slugger walked before being replaced at third base by Miguel Vargas, who moved over from first base. Munetaka Murakami entered the game to play first base. Montgomery, the 22nd overall pick in 2021, will likely undergo X-rays to rule out a fracture in his wrist. A significant injury at this point in the season could make Montgomery unavailable for the postseason next month, which would be a big loss for the Pale Hose. Montgomery came into Wednesday's contest hitting just over the Mendoza Line in his first full season in the majors, but he has also contributed 31 home runs and 84 RBI in his 144 games. The young infielder has 51 homers in his first 214 big-league games, making him a must-roster player for his power from the left side. If his injury is not serious, Montgomery could return as soon as Thursday's series opener against the division-rival Detroit Tigers.
Source: Chicago White Sox
Source: Chicago White Sox
Sam Darnold Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, according to James Palmer. Head coach Mike Macdonald also said the Seahawks still have no plans to place Darnold on injured reserve. Seattle has described the issue as an unusual soft-tissue injury, but the hip joint itself is unaffected and the team considers the injury short-term. Darnold lasted only five plays in the opener against New England, completing one of two passes for 13 yards before leaving. Drew Lock took over and went 16-of-22 for 187 yards and a touchdown in the 13-10 comeback win. He is in line to start Sunday while Darnold continues to recover. There is still no firm date for Darnold's return, but keeping him off injured reserve leaves open the possibility that he could be back within the next few weeks.
Source: James Palmer
Source: James Palmer
Wyatt Young Has WR1 Upside In Week 3
Oklahoma State wide receiver Wyatt Young has a high floor in the Week 3 matchup against Murray State. The junior wide receiver transferred to Oklahoma State alongside quarterback Drew Mestemaker from North Texas in the 2026 transfer portal. Last season, Young finished as WR6, and so far this season he's averaged 16.6 fantasy points per game on 16 targets, 13 receptions, 205 yards, and one touchdown. Young proved he can put up big numbers against any defense in Week 2 when he had five receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown. In Week 3, Young faces a Murray State defense that allowed Valpo 249 passing yards in Week 2. As long as Young has a gunslinger like Mestemaker, he will remain a low-end WR1. Young is ranked as RotoBaller's WR7 in Week 3, and fantasy owners should feel confident in starting him.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ladd McConkey Misses Wednesday's Practice
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (ribs) did not practice Wednesday, according to Alex Insdorf. McConkey is still considered day-to-day after getting hurt during Sunday's loss to Arizona, when he caught five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the third quarter. Earlier reporting indicated the injury was not believed to be significant, but sitting out the first practice of Week 2 leaves his availability against Las Vegas unsettled. McConkey and Quentin Johnston remain the Chargers' starting receivers, with Tre' Harris among the options behind them. Los Angeles is already without Keandre Lambert-Smith, who landed on injured reserve Tuesday. There is still plenty of time for McConkey to get back on the field before Sunday, so Wednesday's absence alone isn't reason to panic. His status Thursday and Friday should give fantasy managers a much better idea of whether he can play in Week 2.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Demond Claiborne Suddenly Becomes a Top Fantasy Stash
Minnesota Vikings running back Demond Claiborne was a healthy scratch in Week 1, but his fantasy situation changed quickly this week. Jordan Mason is headed to short-term injured reserve with a fractured thumb after handling 15 carries in Sunday's win over Green Bay, leaving a meaningful chunk of the backfield workload up for grabs. Claiborne was already the only running back listed behind Aaron Jones Sr. and Mason on Minnesota's Week 1 depth chart, and the Vikings traded up to select him in the sixth round this spring. There is no guarantee those missing carries immediately become his. DeeJay Dallas dressed ahead of Claiborne in the opener, and Minnesota could lean on the veteran while the rookie works his way into the offense. The opening is still much larger than it was a few days ago. Claiborne went from being buried behind two established backs to having a realistic path toward offensive touches, making him one of the more interesting fantasy stashes coming out of Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emil Morales Finishes 2026 Campaign on High Note
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop prospect Emil Morales showed over the final month of the High-A season why he's one of the top offensive prospects in the Dodgers system, going 21-for-50 (.420) with four doubles, four home runs, two steals, and a 6:9 BB:K over a 12-game stretch before cooling off over the final three games (1-for-13). The Dodgers' fourth-ranked prospect began the year at Single-A and earned a promotion after 36 games, then went on to post a .281/.380/.534 slash line with 20 home runs in 81 games at High-A. The 6-foot-3 slugger has produced at every stop since entering professional baseball at the age of 17 in 2024, showing off his big power along the way, although he does have a propensity to strike out (25.6 percent K% in '26). So long as he keeps that under control, the native of Spain should continue to quickly climb the organizational ladder, with eyes potentially on a debut in 2028.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Aaron Jones Sr. Now the Clear RB1 for Vikings After Teammate's Injury
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. will head into the Week 2 divisional clash against the Chicago Bears this weekend as the team's unquestioned RB1 after the news that Jordan Mason is heading to the short-term Injured Reserve due to a fractured thumb. The 31-year-old veteran took a back seat to Mason in the season-opening loss to the division-rival Green Bay Packers in Week 1, handling 12 rushing attempts for only 40 yards (3.3 yards per carry), although he was able to find the end zone. Jones did not corral his only target in the passing game. In addition to Jones, rookie Demond Claiborne will have an elevated role as the backup to Jones for however long Mason is out. Jones, a former fifth-rounder by the Green Bay Packers in 2017 from Texas-El Paso, had his fourth career 1,000-yard season in his first year in Minnesota in 2024, adding five rushing touchdowns. However, he dropped to 548 yards and just two rushing TDs in 12 starts in 2025 while being banged up. With Mason out of the picture for at least four games, Jones will have some RB2 upside in fantasy.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Franklin Arias Continues to Produce at Triple-A
Boston Red Sox infield prospect Franklin Arias has been on a tear at Triple-A Worcester of late, going 20-for-49 (.408) with four doubles, a home run, two steals, and a 5:4 BB:K over his last 11 games there. It has pushed his slash line to .331/.392/.503 with five home runs in 38 games at Triple-A, all while being one of only a handful of 20-year-olds who have performed at that level this season. Boston's top-ranked prospect has moved up all the way to the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball per MLB.com, and is showing that he's not overmatched there with just a 15.1 percent strikeout rate; as hot as he is, there's still a chance for a late-season cameo in the big leagues. Even if that doesn't come to fruition, the 5-foot-11 Venezuelan looks like he'll be in the mix for a starting role on the infield early next year, and with a strong blend of contact and power, he could quickly become fantasy-relevant. He should be stashed away already in dynasty leagues, but redraft managers had better familiarize themselves with the name.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jordan Mason Heading to Short-Term Injured Reserve With Thumb Fracture
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Wednesday that running back Jordan Mason (thumb) has a small fracture in his thumb, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Mason's thumb has been fixed, but he will head to the short-term Injured Reserve, which will cause him to miss at least the next four games. The earliest that Mason will be able to return will be on Oct. 25 against the Indianapolis Colts. With Mason now sidelined, Aaron Jones Sr. will be a much more attractive starting RB for fantasy managers, with rookie Demond Claiborne being elevated into the RB2 role in Minnesota. In the Week 1 season-opening loss to the division-rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday, the 27-year-old Mason handled 15 carries for 59 yards and his first rushing touchdown of the year as the primary backfield option for the Vikings. Mason will be back in the fold this year for Minnesota, making him stash-worthy in an IR spot until he can make his return. He is currently rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Joe Burrow's Status Worth Watching After Not Throwing
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow did not take part in the team stretch before practice on Wednesday, according to Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer. He also did not throw a pass of any significant purpose to any player, but instead was doing handoffs in a helmet and jersey. It is unclear right now if Burrow is dealing with any sort of injury or if the Bengals are just taking it easy on their star QB after their Week 1 season-opening win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, in which Burrow went 25-for-35 passing for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. We will know more about the 29-year-old's status going into a Week 2 contest on the road against the Houston Texans after the media speaks with Burrow after practice. If everything is fine with Burrow, he will continue to be a must-start in fantasy this weekend, even in a tough matchup against the Texans' defense. If Burrow is indeed dealing with an injury and is up in the air to play this weekend, veteran backup Joe Flacco could be called into action.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
