RADIO
Has Ryan Blaney Finally Figured Out Richmond?
Ryan Blaney will start on the pole for Saturday night's Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, his fourth pole in the last five races and his second career pole at this particular track. The last time Blaney started first at Richmond was back in 2022, where he led 128 laps en route to a seventh-place finish. Last year at this track, he rallied from a 20th-place starting spot to finish third at the end of the night. Those are really Blaney's only two noteworthy finishes at this track, though, as he has just two single-digit results in 18 career attempts at Richmond. Can he finally break through this weekend, though? As mentioned before, Blaney will start from the pole on Saturday night, and the No. 12 Ford was one of, if not the best car in practice on Friday as well. Short, flat tracks are where Blaney and Team Penske excel at the most, and if has finally figured out how to race Richmond, the competition could be in for a long 400 laps on Saturday night.
Source: Speedway Digest
Source: Speedway Digest
Shedeur Sanders Will Start in Browns' Second Preseason Game
ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi reports that Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start in Thursday's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Todd Monken announced that Deshaun Watson and Sanders will split first-team reps during joint practices with the Bills. Additionally, Monken plans to let Sanders play the first half with Watson playing the third quarter, and Dillon Gabriel playing the fourth quarter. Watson looked sharp in his preseason start by completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. In Sanders' limited action, he completed six of 11 passes for 79 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. The two remain in a close competition for the starting job that has a chance to be decided after the second preseason game.
Source: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
Aaron Donald's Target for Decision to Return Shifts
ProFootballTalk reported that retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald's target date for a decision to return to the Los Angeles Rams continues to shift. Speculation about Donald's return first spread across the league after the blockbuster trade that sent the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, to the Rams. In early August, Donald was spotted at the team's facility for an official training camp workout. Even as Donald pushes his decision timeline back, the Rams do not seem inclined to set any deadlines. If he decides to return, the Rams would have one of the best defenses in history on paper as they attempt to win another Super Bowl in 2026.
Source: ProFootballTalk
Source: ProFootballTalk
Texans Starters Will Play in Next Preseason Game on Thursday
ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reported that the Houston Texans will play their starters in next Thursday's preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach DeMeco Ryans told Bien-Aime that everyone healthy will play in the game. The team decided to rest almost all of their primary starters, including C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, and Dalton Schultz, during their 27-7 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Ryans has not officially announced a plan or official playing times for their second game yet. However, he will likely make his decision public closer to Thursday's day game.
Source: ESPN - DJ Bien-Aime
Source: ESPN - DJ Bien-Aime
Jordan Romano Is Still Too Available
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jordan Romano has 12 saves this season, including eight since the Rockies selected his contract on July 4. He converted his latest chance Wednesday against Arizona, working around a two-out walk in a scoreless ninth to finish a 6-4 win. Romano has gone eight-for-nine in save opportunities with Colorado and owns a 3.09 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings for the club. The walks are still something fantasy managers have to live with. Romano has issued seven of them during his Rockies stint, contributing to a 1.54 WHIP, but Colorado keeps handing him the ninth. RotoBaller currently lists the bullpen as solid with Romano on top, and he sits 25th in its Week 21 closer rankings. Even so, Yahoo has him rostered in just 12% of leagues. Romano fits best as an add in 15-team formats, especially for managers who need another steady path to saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Demond Claiborne Leads Vikings In Rushing Saturday
Running back Demond Claiborne of the Minnesota Vikings earned a team-high 12 carries for 34 yards in the club's preseason opener against the New York Giants. Playing mostly behind the Vikings' backups on the offensive line, Claiborne still showed some juice despite limited space to run, including a nine-yard burst that gained a first down to set up Minnesota's lone touchdown. The rookie will begin the season behind Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason, though his impressive speed and receiving potential give him a chance to win playing time in a backfield with two veterans on expiring deals. Claiborne, a sixth-round pick, has serious long-term potential in dynasty formats, but he also could be a high-priority waiver candidate in redraft leagues if either Jones or Mason misses extended time.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Mason Sharp In Limited Action
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason continued a strong summer on Saturday against the New York Giants with 17 yards on three carries in the first-team offense's only drive of the day. The second-year Viking has been impressive in training camp as the club appears to be headed for a split backfield that includes veteran Aaron Jones Sr. With just 28 receptions in his past three seasons -- and Jones still the Vikings' top choice on passing downs -- Mason's ceiling will be somewhat limited by his lack of passing game work, particularly in PPR leagues. A popular choice for the zeroRB strategy, however, Mason has 1,000-yard potential and a pathway to regular goal-line touches on a talented offense, all from a mid-round ADP.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Hogan Harris Is the Athletics' Closer to Roster
Athletics relief pitcher Hogan Harris worked a scoreless ninth Friday, August 14, to finish an 8-3 win over the Texas Rangers. It wasn't a save situation, but the usage keeps him at the front of a bullpen that has bounced around much of the season. Harris has 11 saves, including back-to-back conversions in Boston on August 8 and 9, and RotoBaller currently lists him as the Athletics' closer. There are rough edges. Harris has walked 34 batters in 53 innings and carries a 1.55 WHIP, but he's also struck out 70 with a 3.57 ERA. That's enough swing-and-miss to keep him useful while he gets the bulk of the ninth-inning work. Harris is rostered in only 13% of Yahoo leagues, even though RotoBaller ranks him 23rd among closers for Week 21. He's best suited for 15-team leagues, but anyone digging for saves should know the job is leaning his way.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Myles Price Making Push For Bigger Receiving Role?
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Myles Price logged an impressive preseason debut by catching all four of his targets for 51 yards and a touchdown on Saturday against the New York Giants. An undrafted free agent from Indiana, Price made the Vikings' 53-man roster last season and finished third in the NFL in kick return yards. The second-year pro is now competing with Tai Felton and Jeshaun Jones for a secondary receiving role in the Vikings' offense, and Price's team-best 28-yard reception and acrobatic touchdown catch on Saturday certainly helped his cause. Still firmly behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings, Price won't factor into most standard formats, but he's a name worth knowing in formats that score return yards and deeper dynasty leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Evans Returns to Team Drills
San Francisco Chronicle's Noah Furtado reports that San Francisco wideout Mike Evans (quad) returned to team 11-on-11 drills and caught a rope from Brock Purdy. Evans suffered a quadriceps strain early in training camp that has forced him to miss practices and the 49ers' preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. The 49ers have dealt with various injuries up to this point that have caused multiple receivers to miss some time in training camp. Evans is projected to be the WR1 in the offense and will be the No. 1 option in the red zone through the air. With Evans returning to team drills, he is on track to be available for Week 1. Evans is being drafted as a fringe WR2 and carries immense touchdown upside for 2026.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Noah Furtado
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Noah Furtado
Taylor Ward Remains Out With Quad Tightness
Seattle Mariners outfielder Taylor Ward (quad) remains out of the starting lineup Saturday against the Houston Astros. Ward has been dealing with quad tightness and was already held out Thursday before missing Friday's series opener in Houston as well. The Mariners have not placed him on the injured list, but the continued absence makes his status something fantasy managers will need to watch heading into Sunday's series finale. Seattle acquired Ward from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline and had been using him regularly since his arrival. For now, he should remain on fantasy benches until the Mariners either get him back into the lineup or provide a clearer update on the quad issue.
Source: Seattle Mariners
Source: Seattle Mariners
Steven Cruz Is Taking Over the Ninth
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Steven Cruz picked up his fourth save Friday, August 14, working a scoreless ninth in a 7-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Cruz allowed one hit and struck out one, freezing Mike Trout for the final out. It was another ninth-inning chance for the right-hander, who has now recorded all four of his saves over his last 15 appearances. Cruz has been much better than his 4.17 season ERA suggests lately, posting a 2.40 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across those 15 outings. Alex Lange has moved into lower-leverage work, while Cruz has been getting the ninth more often. The job isn't completely secure yet, but Cruz is clearly the arm to chase from this bullpen right now. Yahoo managers haven't moved much yet, either, with Cruz rostered in just 6% of leagues. He's worth grabbing in deeper formats for anyone looking to add saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian Watson Being Drafted as a WR3 Despite Intriguing Upside
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson is heading into the 2026 season with a clean bill of health and a new four-year contract worth up to $110.5 million. The 27-year-old has had a roller-coaster career up to this point of his career due to multiple hamstring injuries and a significant ACL injury. However, when healthy, Watson is a strong fantasy producer and has had stretches of dominance in fantasy football. In his final eight games, Watson scored over 18 PPR points four times, averaged 14 points per game, and finished as the WR13. Watson is heading into 2026 with an opportunity to establish himself as the No.1 receiver in Green Bay. The team traded Dontayvion Wicks and let Romeo Doubs walk in free agency. Watson could see a higher snap percentage and more targets with a condensed receiver room. Additionally, with Josh Jacobs facing a possible suspension, the team may opt to be more pass-heavy this season. Watson is currently a value in redraft leagues and carries WR1 upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joey Logano Should Have Another Good Points Day at Richmond
The Summer of Joey Logano continues this weekend at Richmond Raceway, as the Team Penske driver looks to have one of the best long-run cars in practice for the upcoming Cook Out 400. Logano is a two-time Richmond winner and a constant top five threat. He started back in 38th-place in last year's race and ended up finishing fourth, and this weekend his crew chief, Paul Wolfe, says that the No. 22 Ford is even better this time around. Could we see another Logano win coming? Don't be surprised if we do. When it comes to DFS this weekend, Joey Logano ($10.5K on DraftKings) looks like a great pick, as he has some place-differential upside (starting 10th) as well as dominator and race-winning potential. As he continues his charge to solidify his Chase berth, it looks to be another strong race for Logano coming up.
Source: ifantasyrace
Source: ifantasyrace
Kodai Senga Has Become a Saves Target
New York Mets relief pitcher Kodai Senga earned his second save in five days Friday, tossing a scoreless ninth in a 4-1 win over Washington. He allowed one hit and struck out one, and the usage was notable after Daniel Duarte handled the eighth. Senga also converted a save Monday in Atlanta and has now put together four straight scoreless relief appearances. His season numbers are still rough at a 7.95 ERA and 1.68 WHIP, so there is obvious risk attached. But Devin Williams (shoulder) is on the 15-day injured list and isn't expected back until September, leaving save chances up for grabs. Senga has gotten two of them already, and Friday's ninth-inning assignment only adds to the intrigue. Yahoo still has him rostered in just 16% of leagues. Managers chasing saves in deeper formats should have him on the radar while the Mets sort out the back end.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
