RADIO
Cowboys Remain "Hopeful" That George Pickens Will Play Sunday
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) is hopeful to play in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. Pickens has been battling shoulder and hamstring injuries, but he practiced on Wednesday and Thursday and is expected to play on Friday, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer. After his breakout 2025 season, Pickens has regressed, totaling 39 receptions for 533 yards and two touchdowns in eight games, averaging 10.6 half-PPR fantasy points per game. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says the team needs to get Pickens the ball more in Week 9, and a favorable matchup against the Indianapolis secondary should put him in a smash spot if healthy. Fantasy managers should monitor Pickens' Friday practice status. If he's able to play, he should be started in all formats in Week 9.
Source: Tommy Yarrish
Source: Tommy Yarrish
Nate Schmidt Sustains Upper-Body Injury Thursday
Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (upper body) didn't finish Thursday's contest against the Montreal Canadiens. Schmidt logged an assist just 1:42 into the game, but an upper-body injury limited him to 3:59 of ice time. The 35-year-old has been ever-present in the Mammoth lineup, recording four points (one goal, three assists), 17 SOG, 14 blocks, and 20 hits in 17 games. He must recover by Saturday to avoid missing his first game of the season. Utah must turn to Artem Duda if Schmidt isn't available. In his previous two appearances this season, Duda hasn't done anything to warrant fantasy consideration.
Source: Utah Mammoth PR
Source: Utah Mammoth PR
Enticing Matchup Awaits Rhamondre Stevenson in Week 9
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson has been a serviceable RB2 in his lead-back role this season, and he should continue to be a borderline must-start fantasy running back in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers. He has shouldered the workload in New England this season with TreVeyon Henderson (illness) battling injuries, poor performance, and now an illness. Stevenson ranks as the overall RB17 so far in PPR leagues with 367 rushing yards, 212 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. This week, he gets a very enticing matchup against the Packers, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points and the second-most rushing touchdowns to running backs in 2026. Stevenson, who had 19 carries and three receptions last week, should continue to be heavily involved on the ground and through the air, especially if Henderson, who has missed back-to-back practices, isn't able to play in Week 9. He ranks as the overall RB17 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sandro Mamukelashvili Questionable Against Portland
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili (illness) is questionable for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The 27-year-old has played in all nine games this season, averaging 9.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists off the bench. He is coming off a quiet two-point effort against Sacramento but scored a season-high 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting in his first meeting with Portland. If Mamukelashvili sits, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia could see a little more run, while Adou Thiero is also available to make his season debut.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Cam Skattebo Trending Towards Missing Sunday's game
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (hamstring) is trending towards missing the Week 9 divisional clash against the Philadelphia Eagles. Skattebo suffered a hamstring injury on his final big run in Week 7 against the Houston Texans and, despite a bye week to recover, doesn't appear likely to play on Sunday. In six games, excluding his benching in Week 6, Skattebo has totaled 98 carries for 418 yards and two touchdowns, along with 11 receptions for 76 yards. With the second-year back trending in the wrong direction and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (hamstring) already on injured reserve, veteran Devin Singletary is expected to handle the bulk of the work against Philadelphia. With Skattebo day-to-day and working off to the side at practice, fantasy managers should expect his return in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Deshaun Watson Not Expected to Play Sunday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is not expected to play in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. After finishing the Week 8 game, Watson was placed in concussion protocol on Wednesday and has not practiced this week. With Watson not expected to suit up against the Saints, second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders is slated to start. In seven career starts, Sanders has completed 116 of 196 passes for 1,353 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions, along with 20 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown. While this slightly affects the Browns' top playmakers, including KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, and Harold Fannin Jr., who didn't practice on Thursday, Sanders should still be able to use these weapons against a struggling Saints defense. If Watson is out in Week 9, fantasy managers should expect him to return in Week 10 against his former team, the Houston Texans.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Jaylin Williams Set to Miss Second Straight Game
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Jaylin Williams (back) has been ruled out for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Memphis Grizzlies with lower-back spasms. Williams also missed Wednesday's win over Cleveland and will now sit for a second straight game. The 24-year-old is averaging 2.9 points and 4.1 rebounds this season. With Chet Holmgren (knee) and Jalen Williams (leg) facing lengthy absences, Aday Mara should remain heavily involved after averaging 6.4 points and 5.6 rebounds so far. Kenrich Williams and Micah Peavy should also continue seeing extra minutes while Oklahoma City works through its depleted frontcourt.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Devin Cooley Activated From Injured Reserve
Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley (lower body) has been activated from Injured Reserve ahead of Friday's contest against the Anaheim Ducks. He has missed the last four games while nursing an upper-body injury. Dustin Wolf has played well in Cooley's absence, so he may remain between the sticks on Friday night. But the Flames will be delighted to have Cooley back in the mix. The 29-year-old has won four of his last five starts, posting a 4-3-0 record for the season. He has a 2.69 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Chris Olave's Fantasy Value Trending Down After Recent Struggles
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has slipped down the fantasy ranks after three-straight lackluster performances. In seven games this season, Olave has hauled in 49 of 71 targets for 636 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 14.3 half-PPR fantasy points per game. However, since Week 5, Olave has recorded only 14 receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown, a steep decline from his incredible four-game stretch to begin the season. Now, rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is ramping up toward a return, which could reduce Olave's target share moving forward. Tyson had an incredible training camp, and with his high draft capital and immense talent, he will take targets away from Olave. While the fifth-year receiver is sure to continue amassing fantasy points, his struggles, along with Tyson's eventual return, should negatively affect Olave's value moving forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dennis Schroder Iffy for Friday
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Schroder (thigh) is questionable for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics. Schroder played through a foot issue last week before moving to the bench Monday after Coby White returned, logging 23 minutes against Detroit. The 33-year-old is averaging 10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists this season. If Schroder sits, White should take on more ball-handling duties, while Charlotte may have to dig deeper into its guard rotation, with Kon Knueppel (hamstring) also sidelined.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Filip Gustavsson Set to Join Wild for Road Trip
Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (hip) is expected to travel with the team on its three-game road trip next week. The Swedish netminder appears to be nearing his season debut. He's been out of action so far because of an offseason hip injury. Gustavsson racked up more than 100 wins in the Wild crease over the past four seasons, making him highly valuable in fantasy. However, he may struggle to earn playing time in 2026-27, with Jesper Wallstedt ahead of him on the depth chart and looking sensational. Wallstedt is tied for the league lead in wins (10), helping Minnesota post the best defensive record (2.24 GAA).
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brian Robinson Downgraded to Out for Week 9
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 9's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. After being listed as a limited participant in Wednesday and Thursday's practices, Robinson was ruled out and will miss his third straight game due to a hamstring injury. In six games this season, Robinson has totaled 53 carries for 211 yards and four touchdowns, along with five receptions for 30 yards. With Robinson out, third-string back Khalil Herbert will take on a larger workload behind star back Bijan Robinson. With the former Commanders and 49ers back at practice ahead of Week 9, fantasy managers should expect Robinson to return in Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Source: Marc Ralmondi - ESPN
Source: Marc Ralmondi - ESPN
Max Christie Expected Back Friday Versus the Jazz
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Max Christie (hip) is probable for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Utah Jazz after missing Wednesday's loss to San Antonio. Christie left Monday's game against Sacramento after eight scoreless minutes and had started all seven of his appearances before the injury. He is averaging 7.1 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting just 27.0% from three this season. Zaccharie Risacher started in his place Wednesday but scored only two points in 18 minutes, so Christie has a good chance to return to the first unit. He'll need to get closer to last season's 40.4% mark from deep to offer much fantasy value.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Brock Faber Returns to Practice
Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber (skull) returned to practice on Thursday, joining his team on the ice for the first time since fracturing his skull in a preseason game. He has been ruled out for the next two games, but Faber is scheduled to join the Wild for next week's three-game road trip. While any team would miss a player of Faber's quality, the Wild have enjoyed a great start to the season, sharing the top spot in the Western Conference and allowing a league-low 2.24 goals per game. Their run of form is even more impressive given that the defense has also been without Jared Spurgeon (lower body) for three games. The Wild captain is also expected to travel next week..
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Derrick Henry Denies Plans to Leave Ravens Before Trade Deadline
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry denied trade rumors following the 33-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. When asked postgame about a possible trade for the veteran running back, Henry said, "I have not mentioned me going anywhere else. I'm saying, 'Let's go back to work. Let's try to get better and turn this thing around.'" Speculation has grown since Lamar Jackson's injury. Jackson was placed on injured reserve and cannot return until Week 14 at the earliest. Henry had just 17 carries for 57 yards and no touchdowns in Week 9 and has not surpassed 60 total yards in a game since Week 5. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor rumors surrounding Henry, but with the Ravens still in the mix at 4-5, it's hard to imagine they would move on from one of their best offensive players.
Source: Jeff Zrebiec - The Athletic
Source: Jeff Zrebiec - The Athletic
