RADIO
Vikings Expect J.J. McCarthy to be on the Week 1 Roster
Minnesota Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley said on Wednesday that he expects quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle), who has practiced in full the last two days, to be on the Week 1 roster, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. However, Teasley would not discuss whether McCarthy would be the backup to starter Kyler Murray over veteran Carson Wentz. The 23-year-old former 10th overall pick from Michigan in 2024 injured his ankle in the second preseason game and then was held out of the preseason finale, leading to speculation that the Vikings might cut McCarthy altogether if they could not find a trade partner for him. Not only will he be on the Week 1 roster, but McCarthy could still win the backup job now that he appears to be recovered from his ankle injury. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season after having knee surgery, and he flopped as the full-time starter in 2025, throwing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in only 10 games while dealing with multiple injuries. His dynasty/keeper stock is at an all-time low going into the start of the 2026 season.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Zay Flowers Does More Work on the Side on Wednesday
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (lower body) was on the field doing sprints and a workout on Wednesday, but he did not practice with the rest of the team, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Flowers has not practiced since last week due to a lower-body injury, but CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reports that Flowers is expected to be a full-go next week, which would put him in line to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13. The 25-year-old enters his fourth year in the NFL with potentially the highest fantasy football ceiling he has ever had, which is saying a lot after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2024 and 2025 with nine combined touchdowns. The former first-rounder from Boston College had a career-best 1,211 yards and five touchdowns on 86 receptions last year, even with quarterback Lamar Jackson missing some time with various injuries. As long as Flowers is active next weekend, he will be a must-start in all fantasy leagues as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Blake Corum "Could Emerge as the 1A" in Rams' Backfield
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum saw his workload increase over the back half of the 2025 season, and there was a case to be made that he was a more explosive runner than veteran Kyren Williams. With both backs again healthy heading into the 2026 season, there is an expectation that they could share something closer to a 50/50 workload split, and while ESPN's Dan Graziano acknowledges that Williams is likely to begin the year in a nominal lead back role, he believes that if Corum can improve as a pass protector, he could emerge as the Rams' 1A to William's 1B by year end. Both players performed as top 17 fantasy running backs over the final six weeks of the regular season, so there is obvious room for both to succeed, but with Corum going nearly six rounds later in 2026 drafts, he would prove to be a league-winner should Graziano's prediction bear out.
Source: Dan Graziano
Source: Dan Graziano
No Timeline for Isiah Pacheco's Return
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes said that he does not want to put a timeline on running back Isiah Pacheco's (back) return after the team placed him on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. "He's doing everything that he can to get back. He's steadily feeling better," Holmes said. Pacheco's fantasy stock continues to fall because of injuries after he was brought to Detroit in free agency to handle change-of-pace duties behind stud All-Pro back Jahmyr Gibbs. The 27-year-old will miss at least the first four games in 2026, and possibly more if he is not ready by then. With Pacheco now injured, Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors will battle for RB2 scraps behind Gibbs, who is one of the few elite workhorse backs left in the NFL. Pacheco, a former seventh-rounder in 2022 from Rutgers, had 1,765 combined rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his first two years with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 and 2023, adding 57 receptions for 374 yards and two more TDs as a receiver. But he played in only 20 games the last two years and finished with 772 rushing yards and two touchdowns and 31 catches for 180 yards and a score.
Source: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
Source: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
Fernando Mendoza to Serve as Raiders QB2
The Las Vegas Raiders named veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as their Week 1 starter on Wednesday, and while some late training camp rumblings hinted at Fernando Mendoza potentially starting his career as the third quarterback behind Aidan O'Connell, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft will serve as the team's primary backup, according to The Athletic's Sam Warren. Mendoza appeared in all three of the Raiders' preseason games, turning in a mixed bag on his way to a 56.5% completion percentage and two interceptions to his one touchdown. The Raiders face a daunting schedule to begin the year, a fact that could lead to early calls from fans to put the rookie on the field, but also a landmine that the coaching staff must navigate with the ultimate goal of setting Mendoza up for long-term success. Equipped with the tools and mindset to eventually become the face of the franchise, Mendoza is RotoBaller's QB29 and not a player who needs to be drafted as anything more than a third quarterback in 2026 superflex leagues.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
LeQuint Allen Jr. Likely a Game-Time Decision for Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said on Wednesday that he will be "pleasantly surprised" if running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (undisclosed) plays in the Week 1 regular-season opener, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN. Allen will likely be a game-day decision for Sunday, Sept. 13, versus the Cleveland Browns. The 22-year-old has been dealing with an undisclosed soft-tissue injury and might need more time to recover. If Allen is unavailable to kick off the season, both Bhayshul Tuten (illness) and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will have higher fantasy ceilings against Cleveland. Rodriguez, in particular, will be a sneaky starting fantasy option in point-per-reception leagues as an RB3/flex, as he has looked like the better pass-catching option this summer over Tuten. When healthy, Allen figures to be Coen's preferred third-down back after he caught 10 of 11 targets for 54 yards in 17 regular-season games in 2025 as a rookie. He also had just 23 carries for 94 yards on the ground behind Tuten and Travis Etienne Jr.
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Panthers "Very Optimistic" Jonathon Brooks Will Be Available in Week 1
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (undisclosed) spent Wednesday's practice working with trainers on a side field for the second day in a row, but head coach Dave Canales told reporters he was "very optimistic" about Brooks' availability for Week 1 against the Bears. A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks has appeared in only three career games, re-tearing the right ACL that ended his collegiate career after handling only 12 touches as a rookie. While Canales' update offers reassurance about his availability, questions about his role still make Brooks a difficult fantasy start to begin the year, as conflicting reports out of training camp have painted a muddied picture of how he might split work with veteran Chuba Hubbard in 2026. The talent that made Brooks the first running back off the board in 2024 is still apparent, and with the higher-upside case among Carolina's backs, he is well worth taking a shot on later in drafts as RotoBaller's RB33.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
C.J. Stroud Unlikely to Open 2026 Season With a New Deal
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is "prepared to play out this season without a new deal," despite the Texans making what they considered a competitive offer, according to several people with knowledge of the situation. The current sentiment is that Stroud will "most likely not end up with a new deal" before Week 1. However, Fowler's understanding is that the Texans are prepared to put Stroud in "what it feels is a strong place among the 12 QBs in the $50 million club." If Stroud bets on himself and has a strong 2026 bounce-back campaign, he can "let an exploding QB market do the work for him." The former second overall pick out of Ohio State had a strong training camp this summer and has plenty of talent around him (even with receiver Jayden Higgins (knee) done for the year), making him a popular rebound candidate as a QB2 with upside for fantasy football purposes. If Stroud does not ink a new deal with Houston before Week 1, he will have plenty of incentive to turn his game around after two straight disappointing seasons.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Kenneth Walker a Full Participant at Wednesday's Practice
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker (foot), who dealt with a minor foot injury late in training camp, was present for Wednesday's practice and participated without limitation in all sessions, according to beat writer Pete Sweeney. The Super Bowl MVP signed a three-year, $43 million deal to join the Chiefs in free agency, and he is expected to handle a three-down role in an offense looking to rebound from a pair of down years. All signs point to the Week 1 availability of quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) after an ACL tear ended his 2025 season, but as he ramps up in his recovery, Walker could see a sizeable early-season workload and is one of a handful of running backs going near the one-two turn with a realistic chance to crack the top three. Following a hype-filled training camp, RotoBaller's RB8 has the feel of one of the safest running backs to build around in 2026.
Source: Pete Sweeney
Source: Pete Sweeney
Ollie Gordon II Practicing in a Non-Contact Jersey on Wednesday
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II (ribs) suffered a minor rib injury during the team's second preseason game, and he is practicing in a red non-contact jersey on Wednesday. The 2025 sixth-round pick ran for 199 yards on 70 carries while appearing in all 17 games as a rookie, and he could see a larger role in year two with the Dolphins in need of playmakers outside of starting running back De'Von Achane. Along with Achane and third-year player Jaylen Wright, Gordon was one of three running backs to make the initial 53-man roster, excluding undrafted rookie fullback DJ Herman. Once viewed as one of the most promising backs in the nation after a Doak Walker Award-winning season in 2023, Gordon has failed to live up to expectations and is unlikely to factor into the fantasy landscape in 2026 as RotoBaller's RB87.
Source: Alain Poupart
Source: Alain Poupart
JJ Wetherholt Receives Cortisone Injection in his Wrist
St. Louis Cardinals rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt (wrist) received a cortisone injection on Tuesday for his right-wrist tendinitis, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. After some rest, Wetherholt will attempt to resume baseball activities as he tries to make it back for the conclusion of what has been a very strong first year in the big leagues in 2026. Right now, it is unclear if he has a realistic chance of being ready to return to the major-league roster when he is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list on Sept. 9. In his first full season with the Cardinals, the former seventh overall pick from West Virginia in 2024 has hit .242/.343/.370 with a .713 OPS, 17 home runs, 48 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 88 runs scored across 130 games and 586 plate appearances. The left-handed-hitting infielder has struggled in the second half, though, perhaps while battling his wrist injury, and has slashed just .201/.313/.305 with a .618 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, four doubles, 30 runs scored, five steals, 23 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 40 games played. Despite being on the IL and struggling in the second half, Wetherholt is rostered in 89% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Todd Bowles Remains Cautious Regarding Emeka Egbuka's Week 1 Status
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is still a bit cautious about wide receivers Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) as far as playing in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. "Headed in the right direction. I don't know how fast. I'll have a better gauge next week. They're moving forward every day," Bowles said. Egbuka got some work in on a side field with trainers on Wednesday, but he has not been a full go with the rest of the team for a while after spraining his toe, and he is a true question mark right now for the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13. Like Bowles said, fantasy managers will have a better idea of the 23-year-old's Week 1 status next week, when the Bucs start to release official practice statuses. If both Egbuka and McMillan are limited or out in Week 1, it will mean more targets for both Chris Godwin Jr. and Ted Hurst III. Egbuka's case as a legitimate WR2 in fantasy in Year 2 has been tempered this summer due to his toe injury, and he is currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 23 fantasy WR. The former first-rounder from Ohio State had a solid rookie season in 2025 with a 63-938-6 line on 127 targets in 17 games played.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Raiders Officially Name Kirk Cousins the Week 1 Starter
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has officially named veteran Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Despite a training-camp push by first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders have decided to let the 38-year-old veteran open the 2026 campaign as the starter under center. The expectation all along was that Cousins would open the year as the starter to give Mendoza more time to adapt to the NFL game and get used to playing under center. In 30 offensive snaps during the preseason, Cousins went 13-for-17 for 101 yards with one touchdown. Cousins could have some low-end QB2 sleeper appeal in the season opener against Miami in what should be an improved Raiders offense, but with Mendoza looming as the long-term option at the position, he makes for an unintriguing two-QB superflex option in season-long formats as he heads into his 15th NFL season.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Aidan Armenta Named Starting Quarterback for UL Monroe
UL-Monroe named Aidan Armenta its starting quarterback for Week 1, which is a tough test against Mississippi State. The teams will meet at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday evening. Armenta has thrown 21 touchdowns, but has also been intercepted 18 times over the past two seasons with ULM. Last season, Armenta completed 58.5% of his passes for 1,629 yards and 12 touchdowns, but was picked off eight times; he rushed for just 57 yards on 60 attempts, while scoring twice. Mississippi State is coming off a 5-8 season in which it went just 1-7 in SEC play, but ULM isn't the caliber of those teams, so expect the hosting Bulldogs to top Armenta and the visiting Warhawks. ULM went 3-9 last season, getting demolished 73-0 by Alabama early in the season. Don't expect Mississippi State to win by that much, but it should be a comfortable opening victory for the hosts.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Klint Kubiak Optimistic About Ashton Jeanty's Week 1 Status
When asked if he was optimistic about second-year running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) being able to play in the Week 1 season opener versus the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said, "Yes," with a sly grin, according to Levi Edwards of the team's official website. Jeanty has not practiced with the team since suffering what is believed to be a low-ankle sprain in training camp practice on Aug. 23, but he worked off to the side with trainers on Tuesday and is apparently making progress. If the former first-rounder from Boise State can avoid setbacks going into next week's practices, it looks like he will have a good shot at suiting up on Sunday, Sept. 13. With that said, the 22-year-old could have his workload limited against Miami if he is active, with the Raiders saying that they expect rookie Mike Washington Jr. to have a key role early on, even if Jeanty is available. Going into his second year in the NFL, Jeanty should be viewed as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 for fantasy purposes after scoring 10 total touchdowns (five rushing, five receiving) and finishing as the RB13 in half-PPR scoring as a rookie in 2025.
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
Source: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
