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Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal All in Chargers' Weekly Plans
Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel does not sound interested in choosing just one backup behind Omarion Hampton. According to Alex Insdorf, McDaniel said he plans to use Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal in every game. The team's first unofficial depth chart, released Sunday, still lists Hampton as the starter, with Mitchell or Vidal in the top backup spot. Hampton rushed for 545 yards and four touchdowns in nine games as a rookie, while Vidal stepped in for 643 rushing yards and three scores. Mitchell brings a different element after averaging 5.8 yards per carry on 59 attempts for Baltimore last season. McDaniel's comment should not be read as a three-way split, but it does make the backfield a little less clean for fantasy. Hampton remains the clear lead option, while Mitchell and Vidal both have paths to weekly touches. That makes the backup picture worth watching rather than assuming one of them will simply disappear.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
George Springer Back in Monday's Lineup Against Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (shoulder) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox and right-hander Sonny Gray, per MLB.com. Springer was held out of the final two games of the series over the weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies due to a left-shoulder injury, but he's back in the starting nine to begin the new week against a pitcher with whom he is very familiar. The 36-year-old has hit .296 with a .943 OPS, two home runs, and five RBI in 27 career at-bats against Gray. Fantasy managers are hoping that will help Springer get out of a funk at the plate. In his first nine games in August, he's gone 6-for-27 (.222) with a .633 OPS, zero home runs, a double, a triple, two RBI, three runs, one steal, three walks, and five strikeouts in 30 plate appearances. The four-time All-Star turned back the clock in 2025 with 32 homers, 84 RBI, and 18 steals during the regular season, but he has come back to Earth in 2026 with a .234/.317/.396 slash line, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and eight steals in 88 games played.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kristian Campbell Heating Up at Triple-A, Could be Nearing a Return to Boston
Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Kristian Campbell has been heating up at Triple-A Worcester and could be on the verge of returning to the big-league roster for the first time since his rookie season in 2025. Campbell, a fourth-rounder in 2023 from the Georgia Institute of Technology, hit .223/.319/.345 with a .664 OPS, six homers, 21 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 67 games as a rookie last year after being signed to an eight-year, $60 million extension last April. The 24-year-old struggled in spring training this year, though, and has spent the entire 2026 season at Worcester, where he has hit .250/.377/.351 with a .728 OPS, five home runs, 38 RBI, five stolen bases, and 39 runs scored in 90 games across 384 plate appearances. After recording three hits for the WooSox on Sunday, Campbell is batting .269 (7-for-26) with a homer and five RBI in seven games so far in August. With eligibility at second base and the outfield, Campbell is a stash candidate in deeper fantasy baseball leagues ahead of his potential return to the big leagues for the last month and a half of the regular season.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Evan Engram Showing More Confidence in Year 2
Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram is playing faster and with more confidence now that he has a full season in Sean Payton's offense, according to Chris Tomasson. Payton pointed to Engram's familiarity with the system as a reason for the difference entering his second year in Denver. Engram caught 50 passes for 461 yards and one touchdown across 16 games last season after signing with the Broncos to fill a versatile mismatch role in the passing game. He has also flashed during camp, including a touchdown from Bo Nix during two-minute work Saturday. The production in his first Denver season was relatively modest, but Payton's comments suggest Engram is operating with a better feel for what the offense is asking from him this summer.
Source: Chris Tomasson
Source: Chris Tomasson
Adley Rutschman Traveling With Boston, Won't Return on Monday
Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) will travel with his new team to Toronto for a series against the division-rival Blue Jays, according to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. However, he will not be activated from the 10-day injured list on Monday. Rutschman will run through a series of workouts with the team, and the club will assess the next steps from there. The 28-year-old switch-hitting backstop has yet to debut with his new team after the BoSox acquired him in a blockbuster trade last Monday from the Baltimore Orioles, but he's nearing a return from the IL. He started a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Saturday and has gone 1-for-5 at the plate with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored in his two games. Depending on how his workout goes on Monday, Rutschman could make his debut as Boston's primary catcher as early as Tuesday at the Rogers Centre. Rutschman has been battling injuries the last two years and only has eight home runs with a .251 average (62-for-247) in 2026, but he will be a massive upgrade at the catching position in Boston and could finish out the year strong for fantasy managers if he's completely healthy. He's rostered in just over 70% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Dyami Brown's Strong Camp Hasn't Cleared a Path to Targets
Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown has made enough plays in camp to stay in the conversation, including a touchdown from Jayden Daniels during Monday's competitive period. The problem is that Washington's receiver room changed around him. The Commanders signed Stefon Diggs last week, and their first unofficial depth chart lists Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey and Diggs atop the three receiver spots, with Brown behind McLaurin. Dan Quinn quickly dismissed that chart as little more than a preseason snapshot, so it should not be treated as final. Brown still has work to do to turn practice flashes into fantasy volume. He caught just 20 passes for 227 yards and one touchdown on 37 targets in 14 games for Jacksonville last season, playing 31% of the offensive snaps. Brown can still earn a rotational role, but Diggs is already getting more work with Daniels and the target competition is only getting tougher. His camp is worth tracking, but the path to consistent redraft value remains narrow.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J.K. Dobbins Dealing With Soft-Tissue Issue
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins left Monday's practice because of a soft-tissue issue, head coach Sean Payton said, according to Parker Gabriel. Payton did not identify the affected area or provide a timetable for Dobbins' return. He also acknowledged concern over the number of muscle injuries Denver has dealt with during training camp and said the team added a warm-down period at the end of practice as part of its response. The update gives some clarity on why Dobbins left the field with trainers earlier Monday, but there still is not enough information to determine whether he will miss additional practice time. UPDATE: Per Aric DiLalla of the team's official website, Dobbins is expected to be fine.
Source: Parker Gabriel
Source: Parker Gabriel
Cody Bellinger Taking Batting Practice, "Feeling Good"
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (hamstring) took on-field batting practice on Aug. 5, his first time doing so since he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain on July 27, per MLB.com. "I'm feeling good," Bellinger said on Aug. 8. "I feel like I'm right on track." Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 26. It's unclear when the 31-year-old veteran will be reinstated to the major-league roster, but he has also been doing running and throwing as he recovers from his hamstring injury. The initial expectation was that the left-handed slugger would miss four to six weeks, so barring a setback as he continues to ramp up, he could return to the Yankees before the end of August. A short minor-league assignment will probably be necessary because of his extended absence. Bellinger's return will be much-anticipated for the Bronx Bombers, even though the three-time All-Star has been a bit of a disappointment in 2026 with a .259/.350/.420 slash line, 11 home runs, 53 RBI, 10 steals, and 52 runs scored across his 102 games and 434 plate appearances in his second year with the Yanks.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chris Brooks Returns to an Unsettled Packers Backup Battle
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (hamstring) returned to practice Sunday after missing the first week and a half of training camp. He opened camp on the non-football injury list after straining his hamstring during the summer break, an awkward absence with the backup job behind Josh Jacobs still unsettled. Brooks handled only 27 carries for 106 yards last season, adding 13 catches for 91 yards, but Green Bay values him for more than touches. At 6-foot-1 and 219 pounds, he has earned praise for his pass protection and special-teams work. The timing of his return matters because Jacobs has been out with a groin injury, while MarShawn Lloyd took most of the first-team reps in Jacobs' absence on August 6. Pierre Strong Jr. also mixed in. Brooks is healthy enough to rejoin the competition now, but he has catching up to do after missing the opening stretch of camp. RotoBaller ranks him 248th overall in half-PPR. For now, Brooks is more of an insurance-back watch than a late-round priority.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Diamondbacks Designate Reliever Paul Sewald for Assignment
The Arizona Diamondbacks designated veteran right-handed reliever Paul Sewald for assignment on Monday, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. Sewald started the year strong by converting 17 of his 18 save opportunities while striking out 29 and walking just seven in 26 1/3 innings pitched in his first 29 relief outings, but he fell out of favor quickly in the desert in the back of the bullpen with a 12.79 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, and eight home runs allowed in his last 12 2/3 innings pitched. The 36-year-old 10-year veteran was removed from Arizona's closer role, and now he's off the roster completely. The D-backs are back to a full-on closer-by-committee setup going forward, involving Brandyn Garcia, Kevin Ginkel, and Juan Morillo. Ginkel picked up the team's most recent save on Sunday, and he has the most experience with 17 career saves in his eight years in the majors. Sewald, who is 2-5 in 2026 with a 6.23 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 24 saves, and a 44:9 K:BB in 39 innings, could be an interesting waiver pickup for a team looking for veteran depth in their bullpen to close out the season.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Cooper Kupp No Longer Offers Reliable Weekly Volume
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp was still on the field plenty last season, but the opportunities weren't there often enough for fantasy managers. He played more than 72% of Seattle's offensive snaps across 16 games and finished with 47 catches for 593 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had taken over the passing game by then, piling up 119 catches and an NFL-high 1,793 yards. Kupp remains a starter on Seattle's current depth chart and has shown he can still make plays in camp, including a pair of touchdowns during recent red-zone work. The 33-year-old isn't disappearing from the offense. The issue is whether that role produces enough targets to trust him every week. Last season suggests it probably won't. RotoBaller has Kupp at WR76 in its August 10 half-PPR rankings. He can still give fantasy managers a useful week here and there, but at this point he makes more sense as bench depth than someone to draft expecting a regular starting role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Harrison in Line to Make his Next Start on Tuesday in SD
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison (calves) is expected to make his next start on the road in San Diego against the Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday, according to Hunter Baumgardt of FOX Sports 920 Milwaukee. Harrison was up in the air to make his next start after being pulled from his last outing early on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates with bilateral calf cramps. The 24-year-old southpaw was still able to help fantasy managers who started him, as he threw five shutout innings with just one hit allowed, one walk, and 10 strikeouts. It was the third time this year that Harrison had double-digit strikeouts, and it was an encouraging first outing back from the injured list due to a left-forearm injury. Harrison will carry a little more risk going into Tuesday's outing, but the matchup is a good one against the Padres at Petco. In his first meeting with the Friars in Milwaukee on May 14, Harrison tossed five shutout innings with no walks and seven strikeouts for his fourth win of the year. Fantasy managers who have Harrison rostered should keep him locked into their lineups this week.
Source: FOX Sports 920 Milwaukee - Hunter Baumgardt
Source: FOX Sports 920 Milwaukee - Hunter Baumgardt
Tyler Glasnow Goes Just 2 2/3 Innings in Second Rehab Start
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow (back) went just 2 2/3 innings in his second minor-league rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing an earned run on one hit while walking one and striking out two. Going into the outing, the Dodgers were hoping for Glasnow to throw three innings or 45 pitches. The hard-throwing 32-year-old threw 26 of his 47 pitches for strikes. Fantasy managers should expect Glasnow to make at least one more rehab start before the Dodgers consider reinstating him from the 60-day injured list. Barring a setback, he should be back in L.A.'s starting rotation before the end of August. Despite continued health issues, Glasnow should be rostered in most fantasy baseball leagues, even though he's made only seven starts in 2026. In his 39 2/3 innings pitched with the Dodgers, he's gone a perfect 3-0 with a 2.72 ERA (3.24 FIP) and 0.83 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 13 walks. Glasnow's strikeout upside can be a difference-maker down the stretch in fantasy rotations.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Jordan Love Better Drafted as an Upside QB2
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been a better real-life quarterback than fantasy starter over the past two seasons. He completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions in 15 games last year, adding 199 rushing yards without a score. That left him QB21 on a per-game basis after a QB16 finish in 2024, well below the QB7 pace he posted in 2023. The supporting cast is in better shape now. Tucker Kraft is back on the field after last year's torn ACL, and Matthew Golden has been one of Green Bay's biggest playmakers in camp, including a 57-yard touchdown from Love on Family Night. Love still doesn't add enough rushing production to cover for quieter passing weeks, so another QB1 season will require more through the air. His current ADP is 128.0, while RotoBaller ranks him QB18. That's a reasonable spot to take him as a QB2 with upside rather than counting on a full return to his 2023 fantasy level.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shohei Ohtani to Play Catch Again on Monday
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is expected to play catch again on Monday, manager Dave Roberts told Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The timeline for when Ohtani could throw a bullpen session is to be determined, though, and Roberts said they are taking things "day by day." The four-time MVP has not made a start on the mound since July 3 against the San Diego Padres due to a nagging left-knee issue and a minor right-biceps injury, but he was able to play catch from 90 feet on Saturday after being shut down from throwing for around two weeks. The 32-year-old Japanese native continues to serve as the Dodgers' regular designated hitter, though, and his injuries are not believed to be very serious. The Dodgers are being extremely cautious with Ohtani as a pitcher, with their primary goal for him to be 100% ready to go by the postseason in October. Our best guess is that Ohtani won't start another game on the mound for L.A. until sometime in September in the final month of the regular season. We'll have a more concrete idea on his timetable for a return to the Dodgers' rotation once he resumes throwing off a mound and facing live hitters.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
