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Pete Fairbanks to Undergo Surgery
Miami Marlins relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (hand) will undergo surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. Fairbanks landed on the Injured List on Tuesday with nerve irritation in his right hand. Now, the right-hander will undergo surgery to treat the injury. Fairbanks is done for the season, and he could miss part of the 2027 season as well while he recovers from surgery. Fairbanks posted a 6.31 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 57/22 K/BB ratio with 19 saves in 46 appearances with the Marlins this season. Calvin Faucher and Michael Petersen are the favorites to see save chances down the stretch in Miami.
Source: Christina De Nicola
Source: Christina De Nicola
Ravens Relying on Rashod Bateman to Step into a Larger Role
The Baltimore Ravens are "looking for" wideout Rashod Bateman to "step up" in the midst of injuries to the team's wide receiver corps, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley. Bateman was targeted once and did not record a catch in Baltimore's Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. However, Ravens rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) has been placed on Injured Reserve, and star Ravens wideout Zay Flowers (hamstring) is doubtful to play in Baltimore's Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. As a result, Bateman profiles as the clear leader of an extremely unproven group of Ravens pass-catchers outside of veteran tight end Mark Andrews. Bateman's most productive season came in 2024, when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns on 72 targets. If Flowers is sidelined in Week 2, Bateman carries flex appeal for fantasy managers.
Source: ESPN - Jamison Hensley
Source: ESPN - Jamison Hensley
J.K. Dobbins Looking for More After Quiet Start
Running back J.K. Dobbins led the Denver Broncos' backfield during a Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but his performance didn't amount to much. Now, he looks ahead to a Week 2 matchup with a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that allowed Cleveland Browns running backs to manage a measly 34 yards rushing on just 2.6 yards per carry in Week 1. Dobbins was solid against the Chiefs, carrying the ball a team-high eight times for 36 yards. But that was all she wrote, as running back RJ Harvey was the Broncos' first option in the passing game. Harvey is listed as questionable to play this week with a hamstring injury, and if he's out, that could open the door for Dobbins to get even more work. Dobbins recorded four fantasy points last week and is RotoBaller's RB29 entering the game against Jacksonville. He is worth flex consideration on Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Weathers Unlikely to Return During Regular Season
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Friday that pitcher Ryan Weathers (forearm) is unlikely to pitch again before the end of the regular season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. Weathers is currently working his way back from a forearm flexor strain that has sidelined him since late August. The Yankees were hopeful that Weathers could return in a bullpen role, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards anymore. There is still a chance that Weathers returns in time to help the Yankees during the postseason. He probably won't have enough time to build up to become a starter, but something is better than nothing. Fantasy managers in redraft formats who are still holding Weathers can safely move on.
Source: Bryan Hoch
Source: Bryan Hoch
Aaron Donald Set to Make 2026 Debut in Week 2
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is set to make his return to the field on Monday night in his team's Week 2 matchup against the New York Giants, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Donald retired from the NFL following the 2023 season, but he announced in late August that he would be returning to the Rams. Donald did not play in Los Angeles' season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, and it's unclear how many snaps he will play against the Giants. However, assuming Donald still has some gas left in the tank, the 35-year-old has the ability to impact a game on any given play. Across 10 NFL seasons, Donald has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards and been named a first-team All-Pro eight times. With Donald on the field, life will be a little bit harder for Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart in Week 2.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Jazz Chisholm Jr. to Return During Homestand
According to Bryan Hoch, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed on Friday that second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (thumb) is expected to return during their upcoming homestand. It sounds like Chisholm is doing well in his recovery from a right thumb strain that has sidelined him since early September. Boone didn't give an exact timetable, but more information should be known following the weekend series in Arizona. It sounds like fantasy managers still in the playoff picture might be able to get something out of Chisholm before the end of the season. There should be more information on his status as he continues to ramp up his activities.
Source: Bryan Hoch
Source: Bryan Hoch
Bo Nix a Risky Play in Week 2
The season opener did not go as planned for quarterback Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. There will be no rest for the weary in Week 2, as Denver now takes on a talented Jacksonville Jaguars team. Nix finished Week 1 against Kansas City with just 131 yards passing and a touchdown along with an interception, while he was sacked four times and recorded just five fantasy points. The Jacksonville defense is coming off an outstanding performance against a lowly Cleveland Browns offense, allowing 10 points and just 272 yards of total offense a week ago. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson finished the game 16 of 22 passing with a touchdown and an interception. Nix is RotoBaller's 19th-ranked quarterback, making him an option for fantasy managers in two-quarterback leagues at best.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cavaliers Promote Brandon Weems to General Manager
The Cleveland Cavaliers are promoting Brandon Weems to general manager under president of basketball operations Koby Altman, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Weems replaces Mike Gansey, who left in May to become Philadelphia's president of basketball operations, after serving as Cleveland's assistant GM since 2022. The promotion maintains continuity after an offseason that reshaped much of the Cavaliers' supporting cast. Peyton Watson (hamstring) is one of the most notable additions and projects as the fifth starter alongside Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals with Denver last season, giving him fantasy appeal if his defensive production carries over into a steady role.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Pelle Larsson Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Heat
Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson has agreed to a four-year, $60 million extension with a mutual option for 2030-31, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The deal keeps the 25-year-old out of restricted free agency next summer after he averaged 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 26.4 minutes across 70 games, including 54 starts. Larsson shot an efficient 49.6 percent from the field but just 32.3 percent from three. Miami added Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. to provide more shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, creating more competition for perimeter minutes. Larsson's playmaking and efficiency should keep him involved, but a crowded rotation could limit another jump in fantasy value.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Zach Charbonnet Getting Close to a Return to Practice?
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said on Friday that the team is getting close to being able to set a date for when running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) will begin practicing again, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. Charbonnet missed all of training camp this summer and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the 2026 season, which means he will be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of the season after he had reconstructive knee surgery to fix a torn ACL in February. Even though Charbonnet's 2026 debut is a ways off, he should be stashed in leagues that feature an IR spot while he recovers. When the 25-year-old former second-rounder from UCLA returns, he will most likely be eased in, but eventually, he is expected to see a large share of Seattle's backfield touches after seeing a career-high 184 carries for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 regular-season games. He also snagged 20 receptions for 144 yards as a receiver, and Charbonnet has scored 20 total times on the ground in the last two years with Seattle. Right now, he is rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Ausar Thompson Agrees to Five-Year Extension with Pistons
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson has agreed to a five-year, $155 million rookie-scale extension, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The fully guaranteed deal follows a season in which Thompson earned All-Defensive First Team honors and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The 23-year-old averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks across 73 games while shooting 52.5 percent from the field. His 6-for-24 mark from three and 57.1 percent free-throw shooting remain fantasy concerns, but Thompson's elite steals production gives him considerable value even without much scoring. More minutes would only raise his defensive-stat ceiling.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
TreVeyon Henderson Officially Cleared for Week 2
New England Patriots second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) practiced in full all week and was not on the team's final injury report on Friday, clearing the way for him to make his season debut on Sunday in a Week 2 matchup against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, per the team's official website. The 23-year-old former Ohio State star RB was held out of the Week 1 season-opening loss last Wednesday to the Seattle Seahawks due to an ankle injury that he suffered late in training camp. He has made great progress this week, though, and is ready to rejoin a backfield that also includes Rhamondre Stevenson. The Patriots' coaching staff still has plenty of trust in Stevenson, but he averaged a paltry 2.8 yards per carry last week, and they will surely welcome Henderson and his explosive backfield abilities back into the fold. In what should be a near-even timeshare between Stevenson and Henderson, Henderson should not be much more than an RB3/flex option for fantasy managers in his 2026 debut.
Source: Patriots.com
Source: Patriots.com
Cam Whitmore Lands Two-Way Deal with Nuggets
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Denver Nuggets are signing forward Cam Whitmore to a two-way contract. The 22-year-old has already joined the team for workouts after Cleveland waived him following an August multi-team trade. Whitmore averaged 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes across 21 games with Washington last season before a blood clot in his right shoulder ended his year. He posted 12.3 points per game as a Houston rookie, so the scoring upside is there. DeMar DeRozan gives Denver a proven second-unit scorer, leaving Whitmore to fight for spot minutes. He is worth monitoring but needs a regular rotation role before carrying fantasy value.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Trey McBride Good to Go for Week 2
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (back) was a full participant in Friday's final practice of the week and has been cleared to play in Week 2 against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, according to the team's official website. McBride was given the day off on Wednesday to rest a back injury that turned out not to be serious at all after he practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday. The 26-year-old is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the game, and he has developed some excellent chemistry with veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett since the start of the 2025 season. The former second-rounder from Colorado State got his season started strong in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Los Angeles Chargers, catching nine of his 13 targets for 95 yards and his first touchdown of the year. McBride is a must-start in traditional fantasy lineups anytime he is active. In two games against Seattle last year, McBride caught 16 of his 24 targets for 179 yards and a touchdown.
Source: AZCardinals.com
Source: AZCardinals.com
Keyonte George Agrees to Five-Year Extension with Jazz
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George has agreed to a five-year, $157.5 million rookie-scale extension, ESPN's Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon report. The deal includes no player or team options. The 22-year-old earned the payday after averaging career highs of 23.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.1 steals across 54 games while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from three, and 89.2 percent at the line. His usage could take a hit with No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson joining Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ace Bailey, but George's playmaking and strong free-throw shooting should help preserve his fantasy value even if his scoring dips.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
