RADIO
Tyler Mahle Past his Abdominal Issue, Ready for Game 4
Atlanta Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle (abdomen), who is lined up to start Game 4 of the National League Division Series in Atlanta against the Los Angeles Dodgers, called his abdominal pull before his Wild-Card start against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies a non-issue, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. Mahle has not felt it since, and it did not bother him in the start against the Phillies or during his bullpen session since. The 32-year-old veteran felt something in his abdomen before his start against the Phillies on Sept. 30, when he allowed just one earned run on six hits while walking one and striking out six in a no-decision in seven innings of work. It clearly did not affect Mahle much in that start, so it should not be much of an issue against the Dodgers on Wednesday at Truist Park. Mahle went 7-10 in 2026 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 137 strikeouts in 149 innings across 27 regular-season starts with Atlanta and the San Francisco Giants. His lone start against the Dodgers came on April 22, when he was still with San Francisco, and he tossed seven shutout innings in a win while walking two and striking out five in the Bay Area.
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Dillon Gabriel Eligible to Return to Practice
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (back) is eligible to return to practice after spending the first four games on injured reserve. Daniel Oyefusi reported Tuesday that Cleveland has opened Gabriel's 21-day practice window, giving the Browns three weeks to activate him to the 53-man roster or leave him on injured reserve for the rest of the season. Gabriel's back issue surfaced after the preseason finale against New England, when he completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns. He was placed on injured reserve at roster cutdown with a designation to return. Cleveland currently has Deshaun Watson atop the depth chart, followed by Shedeur Sanders and rookie Taylen Green, so Gabriel's return creates more of a roster decision than an immediate fantasy opportunity.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Jauan Jennings Not a Priority Waiver Add for Week 5
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings got exactly the kind of opportunity fantasy managers were waiting for in Week 4, and almost nothing came of it. Justin Jefferson (ankle) was out, Kyler Murray attempted 37 passes, and Jennings finished with one catch for eight yards. T.J. Hockenson caught 13 passes for 119 yards and Jordan Addison added four catches for 52, which says plenty about where Jennings currently sits in this passing game. He now has only two receptions for nine yards in three appearances since joining Minnesota. Jefferson's status for Week 5 against New Orleans is still worth tracking, but even another absence would not make Jennings easy to trust after what happened Sunday. The Vikings also head into their bye immediately after this matchup. RotoBaller has Jennings down at WR74 in its early Week 5 half-PPR rankings. He is not a priority waiver add in standard leagues and is better left for deeper formats where managers can afford to wait for his role to change.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shohei Ohtani Drops to Five-Hole Against Tough Lefty
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is serving as the designated hitter (as usual) but is being dropped to fifth in the batting order on Tuesday for Game 3 of the National League Division Series in Atlanta against the Braves and left-hander Chris Sale, according to MLB.com. Against Sale, one of the toughest southpaws in baseball, left-handed-hitting position players Max Muncy and Tommy Edman are out of the starting nine. This will be Ohtani's lowest lineup position since joining the Dodgers. The four-time MVP has gone 1-for-4 at the plate in the first two games of the NLDS against Atlanta. The 32-year-old Japanese superstar hit .275 (144-for-523) with 30 homers, 81 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in the regular season, but he missed time late in the year with biceps and knee injuries, which limited him offensively. Ohtani has played in only eight games since the start of September and has gone 6-for-30 (.200) with zero homers and one RBI in 36 plate appearances. He did hit .274 with 12 of his 30 homers against lefties, but Sale will surely be a difficult matchup for a power hitter looking to get back into a groove.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hunter Henry Back on the Streaming Radar for Week 5
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry had been pretty quiet to open the season, but Week 4 was at least a reminder that he can still matter when the Patriots need him. The veteran tight end caught all five of his targets for 62 yards against Buffalo after totaling just 71 yards over the first three weeks. New England is also a little thin right now. A.J. Brown (ankle) is still on injured reserve, and Mack Hollins left Sunday's game with a calf injury. That does not suddenly make Henry a priority waiver claim, especially with no touchdowns through four games, but the matchup with Las Vegas puts him back in play for anyone scrambling at tight end. RotoBaller has Henry at TE14 for Week 5 and recommends him as an add in 12-team leagues. He makes more sense as a short-term streamer than someone fantasy managers need to hold onto once better options become available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nick Martinez to Start for Rays in Game 3 of ALDS
The Tampa Bay Rays are planning to start right-hander Nick Martinez in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday on the road against the division-rival New York Yankees, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. He will be opposed by veteran southpaw Max Fried. Martinez will be looking to put the nail in the coffin as the Rays look for a three-game sweep in the best-of-five series. The 36-year-old veteran will be making his first postseason start this year for Tampa after going 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 109 strikeouts in 180 innings pitched over his 31 starts. He only went 2 2/3 frames in his final regular-season start on Sept. 27 at the Philadelphia Phillies, when he allowed four earned runs on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. Martinez knows the Yankees well, having faced them three times already this year. He was strong against the Bombers, posting a 2.16 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and five walks in 16 2/3 innings pitched. In 11 1/3 career postseason innings (one start), Martinez has allowed five runs (four earned) with two walks, 11 strikeouts, one loss, and three holds.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Carlos Rodon Lined Up for Game 4 If Yankees Stave Off Elimination
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Monday that it will probably be left-hander Carlos Rodon starting Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday if they win Game 3 on Wednesday in the Bronx, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Left-hander Max Fried is starting Game 3, and right-hander Gerrit Cole could be a bullpen option at some point as the Yankees attempt to win three straight to advance to the AL Championship Series. Rodon will definitely be well-rested, as his last start came on Sept. 22 against the same Rays, when he struck out eight over eight shutout innings. Injuries impacted the 33-year-old veteran's season (not a surprise), but he was excellent when available, going 7-3 for the Yankees with a 2.67 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts in 84 1/3 innings across 16 starts. Rodon had a nice 2.08 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and 11 walks in 39 innings over seven starts in 2026, but he will be on a short leash if he struggles early with the Yankees' backs up against the wall.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Darius Cooper Has a Window to Stay Involved
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper made the most of his expanded opportunity in Week 4, catching three of seven targets for 33 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams. He was on the field for 90% of Philadelphia's offensive snaps, a major jump with DeVonta Smith sidelined by a hamstring injury. Cooper now has three touchdowns over his last three games, although the five catches for 59 yards on the season show why fantasy managers should keep expectations reasonable. The immediate appeal depends heavily on Smith's availability. If Smith misses another game, Cooper should again have a path to significant snaps when Philadelphia faces Jacksonville in Week 5. RotoBaller currently ranks him 42nd among all waiver options and recommends adding him in 12-team leagues. Cooper is worth a short-term claim, but his role could shrink quickly once the Eagles get healthier.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Fried Getting the Nod in Game 3 of ALDS
New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried will get the ball to start Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, manager Aaron Boone told Chelsea Janes of SNY. Fried will be tasked with keeping the Yankees' season alive after they dropped the first two games of the best-of-five series over the weekend in Tampa. If the Yankees survive on Wednesday, left-hander Carlos Rodon is expected to start for New York. Fried will be fully rested for the matchup against the Rays, who had the best record in the American League in 2026. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw went 5-5 with a 2.80 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 104 strikeouts in 112 2/3 innings across his 20 starts during the regular season. Fried dealt with some elbow issues along the way, but when he was out there, he was money. He went 0-1 with a 4.30 ERA with two walks and 10 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings in his two starts against the Rays this year, which include his final start of the regular season last week, when he allowed four earned runs with two walks and four strikeouts in a loss in 6 2/3 innings.
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Malachi Fields an Upside WR Stash After Scoring in Week 4
New York Giants rookie third-round wide receiver Malachi Fields was a popular late-round flier in deeper fantasy leagues going into his first year in the NFL, with fellow wideout Malik Nabers (knee) entering the 2026 season coming off a torn ACL in 2025. The 23-year-old has caught exactly two passes in each of his first four games in the league on 15 targets for 126 yards and his first career touchdown reception, which came in the Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals. There is a lot to like about the Notre Dame product in the long term, but as New York's WR3 behind Nabers and veteran Darnell Mooney, consistent fantasy production might be hard to come by. Additionally, starting quarterback Jaxson Dart (knee) is out for the year, so the Giants are down to veteran Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy at the position. Fields' upside makes him a worthwhile stash in deeper fantasy leagues, and he could potentially have WR2 upside if Nabers or Mooney miss any time with an injury. Fields is rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Adonai Mitchell a Worthy Receiver Stash Despite Being Injured
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger) remains stash-worthy as receiver depth in fantasy football leagues despite missing the last two games due to a finger injury. With Mitchell out for a second straight game this past Sunday in the Week 4 loss to the Chicago Bears, Isaiah Williams played 90% of the offense's snaps but drew just two targets on the day. WR1 Garrett Wilson saw most of the looks from veteran quarterback Geno Smith. The 23-year-old Mitchell was looking like the clear No. 2 receiver for the Jets in the first two weeks of the 2026 season before he suffered a finger injury that has kept him sidelined for the last two weeks. Mitchell had nine catches on 15 targets through two games for 123 yards (13.7 yards per catch). It is unclear exactly when he might return, but it could be as soon as this week versus the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 11. Mitchell should have WR3/flex appeal as soon as he returns to action in an improved Jets offense. He is rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ladd McConkey Now Considered Day-to-Day
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh called wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) day-to-day on Tuesday, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. It comes a day after McConkey was considered week-to-week after aggravating a foot injury and being pulled from Sunday's Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 24-year-old gave his fantasy managers a donut over the weekend, failing to catch either of his two targets in Seattle before leaving the contest and not returning. McConkey's foot injury is not serious, but it remains to be seen if he will be able to do enough in practice this week to receive the green light to suit up this Sunday at home against the division-rival Denver Broncos. And if the former first-rounder from Georgia does play in Week 5, he could have his snaps managed, making him a risky option in starting fantasy lineups. McConkey had five catches for 82 yards and his first touchdown of the year in the season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but he has caught only seven passes on 11 targets for 101 yards in the last three games combined. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on McConkey's practice participation this week.
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Durham Smythe Suffers Season-Ending Torn Achilles
Baltimore Ravens tight end Durham Smythe (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles tendon on Sunday in the Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans and will now miss the rest of the 2026 season, an MRI exam confirmed, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Smythe, who has always been a blocking-first tight end, was not on the fantasy radar in his ninth season in the league. In four games in his first year with Baltimore, he caught just one of two targets for four yards. Mark Andrews will continue to be the Ravens' primary pass-catching tight end, but with Smythe now done for the year, rookies Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas will be forced into bigger roles behind Andrews. The loss of Smythe for the season does not move the fantasy needle at all, but it could hurt All-Pro running back Derrick Henry and the Ravens' rushing attack the rest of the way. Smythe, a former fourth-rounder in 2018 from Notre Dame by the Miami Dolphins, has only 137 catches for 1,257 yards and three touchdowns in his nine seasons in the NFL.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Eagles Planning to Keep Jalen Hurts Under Center
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is committed to keeping quarterback Jalen Hurts under center despite the team's early struggles with play action, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. When Mannion was asked if the Eagles will continue to keep Hurts under center, even though they have been among the worst in the NFL at it, the OC said that Hurts "can do it" and that "we believe in it." Through the first four weeks of the 2026 campaign, the 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowler is outside of the top 10 in overall fantasy points at the position, throwing for 713 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions while adding 21 carries for 105 yards and one score on the ground. Hurts ranks 31st out of 38 qualifying QBs in adjusted yards per attempt on passes while under center, and he has a putrid 18% success rate under center. The Eagles' offense was stuck in the mud in Sunday's loss to a tough Los Angeles Rams defense, and it did not help that both star running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) were injured. If both Smith and Barkley miss the Week 5 game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hurts should be viewed as more of a high-end QB2 than a legitimate QB1 for fantasy lineups.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane
Joe Mixon Remains a Free Agent Following His Physical with Seahawks
In a surprising turn of events, the Seattle Seahawks have decided not to sign two-time Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon to their practice squad after receiving his physical results. Mixon missed the entire 2025 season with a mysterious foot injury, and according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the physical he underwent with the team revealed enough for the Seahawks to change course, and Mixon will remain a free agent. Mixon has racked up nearly 10,000 yards and 74 touchdowns over an eight-year career, but given the latest news, it now seems unlikely we'll see him on a football field again.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
