RADIO
Caleb Williams Looking "Pretty Good" for Week 6
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show that it looks "pretty good" for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring) to return in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Head coach Ben Johnson has been non-committal on when the starting signal-caller will be able to return after he suffered a Grade 2 strained right hamstring in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. The 24-year-old former first overall pick from USC returned to practice last week and was listed as questionable to play in Week 5 against the division-rival Green Bay Packers, but he was ultimately held out on Sunday. If he can get in a full practice this week, it will look even better for Williams to make his return this weekend, when he would be back on the fantasy radar as a QB1. Third-stringer Case Keenum beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, and backup Tyson Bagent won a start as well for the Bears with Williams out, but Chicago's offense will be in much better shape when Williams returns to the field. Keep a close eye on Williams' practice status this week from Wednesday through Friday.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Jauan Jennings Could be Hot Name on the Trade Market
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday that there are a lot of trade conversations going on around the NFL right now, and a name that he has been wondering about is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Rapoport expects Jennings' name to heat up over the next couple of days and weeks, especially after the San Francisco 49ers lost another receiver in veteran Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The Niners let the 29-year-old Jennings walk in free agency last offseason, but they could be interested in a reunion with the former seventh-rounder because of all of the injuries to their WR corps early in the 2026 season. Even with star Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson missing Week 4 due to an ankle injury, Jennings has had a very minimal impact with the Vikes through four contests, catching two of five targets for only nine yards. A move back to the Bay Area might be the only thing that will get Jennings back on the fantasy football radar this year. Stay tuned. He had a career year in 2024 with San Francisco, posting a 77-975-6 line in 15 regular-season games, and he followed that up with a career-best nine touchdowns in 2025.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Michael Mayer Remains in the Streaming Conversation
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer caught only one pass for two yards in the team's Week 5 blowout loss to the Patriots, and he could hit waiver wires in Week 6 as a reactionary drop. While by no means an every-week starter, Mayer remains fantasy viable while still holding rare insurance value at the position. The Patriots came into the week as one of the most difficult fantasy matchups for tight ends and were able to limit Mayer more than All-Pro Brock Bowers, who has been used more as a large wide receiver through his three healthy games. That said, Mayer is still in the top 20 in targets and receiving yards among tight ends and will remain a streaming option against more favorable opponents. He is RotoBaller's TE23 ahead of a Week 6 matchup with the Bills.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kimani Vidal a Stash-Worthy Waiver Target Whose Role Continues to Expand
After a Week 4 touchdown reception against the Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal recorded his first score on the ground in a Week 5 loss to the Broncos, and he has legitimate stash appeal on this week's waiver wire. For the second week in a row, the Chargers deployed a near-even three-way split between Vidal, Omarion Hampton, and Keaton Mitchell, with Vidal actually leading the group with 28 offensive snaps. His 42-yard touchdown run helped him to finish with 57 rushing yards and a 7.1-yard-per-carry average on his eight attempts. While he still isn't seeing enough work to be a reliable weekly start, Vidal has been the team's most efficient runner on a limited sample size, racking up yards after contact. With Hampton disappointing through five weeks, and Vidal possessing multiple potential paths to an expanded workload, he's become a player worthy of an end-of-bench stash in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drew Rasmussen Allows Two Homers in Otherwise Strong Start
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen allowed two earned runs on eight hits (two home runs) while walking none and striking out seven in six innings pitched in a no-decision on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians in a 7-3 loss in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Rasmussen was not quite as good as he was in his start in the AL Division Series against the division-rival New York Yankees, when he tossed eight shutout innings with just one hit and 10 strikeouts, but he did enough to put the Rays in position to take the first game of the best-of-seven series. Rasmussen allowed solo shots to outfielder Chase DeLauter in the sixth inning and to catcher Patrick Bailey in the seventh inning. He has been great for Tampa in his two starts so far this postseason, posting a 1.29 ERA with 17 strikeouts and only two walks in 14 innings. Rasmussen has only made five playoff appearances in his career, but he has allowed only five earned runs with two walks and 22 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings pitched.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Fasusi Close to Returning
Oklahoma offensive lineman Michael Fasusi (shoulder) is "just about ready" to play, according to head coach Brent Venables. The coach still said Fasusi had to clear a couple more hurdles, but also said he was excited to get him back soon. Oklahoma is trending up after upsetting Texas last week, and now possibly getting a top o-lineman back, the Sooners could keep surging in the second half of the season. The Sooners' offense could use more help, as they are averaging just 304.6 yards and 23 points per game so far. Fasusi played 11 games for the Sooners as a freshman, but has been limited to one contest so far this year.
Source: Colton Sulley - The Oklahoman
Source: Colton Sulley - The Oklahoman
Rams Moving on From Harrison Mevis After Overtime Miss
The Los Angeles Rams are moving on from kicker Harrison Mevis, according to NFL Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Mevis missed both of his field goal attempts in Monday night's overtime loss to the Bills, including a potential game-winner that was blocked by Greg Rousseau. Mevis has now missed four of nine field goal attempts, and with the Rams falling to 2-3, the team is signing fourth-year veteran Blake Grupe off the New York Jets' practice squad. Splitting time between the Saints and Colts in 2025, Grupe was perfect on nine field goal attempts and 25 extra points.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Danny Scudero May Not Return in Week 7
Colorado wide receiver Danny Scudero (lower body) might not be on the field for the team's Week 7 matchup against Utah, according to head coach Deion Sanders. Scudero has appeared in two games so far, catching five passes for 24 yards and rushing twice for 14 yards. He starred at San Jose State in 2025, catching 88 passes for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns, so he was expected to be a big part of the Colorado offense. Without Scudero around, just three Colorado pass catchers are over 10 receptions. Wideout Joseph Williams leads the team with 454 yards and five scores across 32 receptions. Wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. has 18 grabs for 242 yards and a touchdown, while wideout Quannell Farrakhan Jr. has 12 catches for 148 yards. Utah will be a tough matchup for whoever plays for Colorado - the Utes' defense have allowed 13 points and 285 yards per game to this point of the season.
Source: Brian Howell - On3
Source: Brian Howell - On3
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has Forgettable Game 2 Start in Milwaukee
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto did not have the kind of start that the Dodgers needed from him in the Game 2 loss to the hosting Milwaukee Brewers on Monday in the National League Championship Series. Yamamoto surrendered three earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out only one in 2 2/3 innings pitched in a no-decision. It was one of the Japanese hurler's worst showings in his postseason career, especially after he threw a seven-inning gem with one walk, one run allowed, and 10 strikeouts in the Game 3 win over the Atlanta Braves in the NL Division Series on Oct. 6. Yamamoto did not have his swing-and-miss stuff working in this one, which was the shortest playoff outing of his career. He could certainly bounce back if the Dodgers extend the series, but they will certainly have to win Game 3 of the NLCS back in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Yamamoto now has a 2.47 career ERA in the playoffs with 59 strikeouts and 15 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched in 12 outings (11 starts) for the Dodgers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Keaton Mitchell Remains a Long-term Stash Despite a Quiet Week
Despite modest results in a Week 5 loss to the Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell remains heavily involved in what has been arguably the league's most disappointing offense, pointing to potentially brighter days ahead. For the second week in a row, the Chargers leaned on a three-way backfield split, with Mitchell, Omarion Hampton, and Kimani Vidal all seeing the field for at least 20 snaps, and each seeing at least nine opportunities. Vidal, while still the least utilized, has been the team's most efficient runner, but Mitchell remains the designated passing back, with his 14 targets through five weeks more than doubling the combined total of the other two. While the current split makes none of the Chargers' backs a reliable weekly start, Mitchell's big-play ability, coupled with multiple paths to an expanded workload, makes him a must-roster player and a waiver stash to target wherever he's still available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaac Wilson Starting over Julian Lewis in Week 7
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders announced that Isaac Wilson will start over Julian Lewis at quarterback in Week 7 against Utah. Wilson is a transfer from Utah, and has appeared in three games so far. He's completed 56.3% of his passes for 443 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for 31 yards across 22 attempts. Lewis has played in four games, completing 64.2% of his passes for 733 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions - he's rushed for a touchdown, but not much else on the ground. Wilson's matchup against his old team is a very tough one, as the Utes have allowed just 13 points and 285 yards per game to this point of the season.
Source: Brian Howell - On3
Source: Brian Howell - On3
William Contreras Ignites Brewers Offense in Game 2 Win
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras continued to be a star offensively for the Brew Crew in the team's Game 2 win over the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series on Monday. Contreras went 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, three RBI, and a walk to help Milwaukee take a commanding 2-0 series lead, with the teams heading to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Venezuelan backstop continues to be one of the best all-around catchers in the game, and he is showing the world this postseason. The three-time All-Star hit .270/.341/.417 with a .758 OPS, 18 home runs, a career-high 94 RBI, 82 runs scored, and a stolen base in 147 games and 640 plate appearances during the regular season. Contreras has been even better in the playoffs, going 9-for-23 (.391) with three home runs, five RBI, four runs scored, and four walks in six games against the Dodgers and San Diego Padres. He will look to keep it up in Game 3 in L.A. on Wednesday as the Brewers look to put a stranglehold on the Dodgers in the series.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Phillip Daniels Expected to Return for Big Week 7 Clash
Ohio State right tackle Phillip Daniels (lower body) is expected back in the lineup for the team's showdown with Indiana on Saturday. He suffered the injury against Texas, so Ohio State has been without a big piece of their o-line for the past four games. Daniels is in his third collegiate season after spending 2024 with Minnesota before coming over to Ohio State. He's logged 27 games so far and will be a welcomed addition for a stiff test against Indiana. The Hoosiers have allowed just 263.5 yards and 11.8 points per game defensively, but the Buckeyes' offense has plenty of talent, and should be even better with Daniels back out there.
Source: Spencer Holbrook - On3
Source: Spencer Holbrook - On3
Dodgers Consider Benching Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of NLCS
The Los Angeles Dodgers will contemplate benching two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, even with the team down two games to none, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal. "He doesn't feel great. I think for me, it's having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what's best for him, what's best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it," manager Dave Roberts said. The four-time MVP has dealt with knee and biceps issues since the start of the second half of the regular season and has not looked like himself at the plate for a while now. If the Dodgers sit Ohtani on Wednesday, rookie outfielder Josue De Paula would be the top candidate to take his spot as the designated hitter. Ohtani went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the Game 2 loss to Milwaukee on Monday, lowering his playoff average to .150 and his postseason OPS to .411. He has not homered since Aug. 18 and has driven in just one run since Aug. 19, going 14-for-90 in that stretch. Ohtani has clearly not been himself and is still likely not 100% physically, but it is still unfathomable to think the Dodgers might actually bench the superstar for Game 3 in L.A. on Wednesday.
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal
Kaelon Black Potentially in Line for an Expanded Role
As injuries continue to mount for the San Francisco 49ers, rookie running back Kaelon Black could soon be tasked with handling a heavier workload, adding modest flex appeal to his potentially week-winning insurance value. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), who has carried the ball nine times on the year, is the latest Niners player to succumb to injury, now expected to miss a handful of games with a hamstring injury. Through five weeks, Black has handled a 36.2% running back rush share, but with San Francisco's receiver room stretched so thin by injury, there is added potential for Black and Christian McCaffrey to share the field more frequently, with the latter split out wide. With four NFL teams on bye in Week 6, Black becomes a desperation flex option in deeper leagues and needs to be rostered in all formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
