RADIO
Aday Mara Stays Perfect in 22-Point Outing Against Bucks
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara scored 22 points on perfect 10-for-10 shooting in Wednesday's 128-126 preseason loss to Milwaukee, adding six rebounds, two assists, and one block in 25 minutes. With Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle) and Chet Holmgren (quadriceps) sidelined, the rookie drew another start and worked well around Oklahoma City's playmakers. Mara is now 15-for-15 from the field through two exhibitions with 15 rebounds and four blocks. The production has been impressive, but Oklahoma City's crowded frontcourt still makes his regular-season minutes difficult to project.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Lamar Jackson Dealing with a "Rare" Ankle Sprain
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) isn't dealing with a high-ankle sprain or a low-ankle sprain, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Instead, he's dealing with a "non-traditional" ankle sprain, which is what makes it tricky to put an exact timeline on his return. Jackson did not practice at all on Wednesday, but if he's able to practice on Thursday, there is still a chance he will play in Week 5 against the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday Night Football. If Jackson isn't able to practice on Thursday, it will likely be Tyler Huntley who gets the start in that contest after completing eight of his nine pass attempts for 63 yards and adding 16 rushing yards on four carries in the second half against the Titans last week. Keep a close eye on Thursday's practice report as you plan your strategy for Sunday regarding any of the Ravens' offense.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Damian Lillard Scores 15 Points in Preseason Return
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard scored 15 points in 19 minutes during Wednesday's 123-118 preseason win over the Golden State Warriors, his first game since tearing his left Achilles in April 2025. The 36-year-old shot 5-for-11 from the field and 3-for-8 from three, with all three triples coming in the first quarter. Lillard started alongside Ja Morant and finished with just one assist, but it's too early to read much into that. Sharing playmaking duties with Morant could trim the 7.1 assists Lillard averaged in 2024-25, while his shooting volume still looks intact.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Chris Godwin Jr. Is a Drop Candidate in Most Leagues
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. is coming off his busiest game of the season, but things aren't looking great for the veteran wide receiver for the next several weeks. Godwin caught a season-high six passes in Week 4 against the Packers but only totaled 31 yards. QB Jalon Daniels only threw for 148 total yards on 27 attempts in that game, and his inexperience as an undrafted rookie limits the upside of the offense while Baker Mayfield (thumb) is out. Mayfield is expected to miss about six to eight weeks, which puts his return in November. While Godwin may still have PPR value due to getting plenty of targets, his ceiling is limited until Mayfield returns. With so many rising receivers on the waiver wire in most leagues, Godwin is a drop candidate in standard leagues if you can't just hold him until Baker gets back.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Cameron Boozer Drops 16 Points Against Magic
Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer scored 16 points in 22 minutes during Wednesday's 122-118 preseason loss to the Orlando Magic, adding six rebounds and two assists. The No. 3 overall pick shot 4-for-7 from the field, 2-for-3 from three, and 6-for-7 at the line. Boozer has now totaled 27 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists through his first two exhibitions. Zach Edey (ankle) also returned Wednesday, but Boozer still found plenty of offense next to him. Seven free-throw attempts in limited minutes were another encouraging sign for the rookie's scoring potential.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Brian Thomas Jr. Is Playing a Smaller Role in Jacksonville
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and racked up 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, but he has fallen into a smaller role in coach Liam Coen's offense for the last two seasons and has become a drop candidate in standard-sized fantasy leagues. Thomas has only totaled nine catches for 105 yards and a touchdown through the first four games of the season, playing well behind WRs Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers and ranking fourth on the team in targets behind TE Brenton Strange as well. Thomas only had three targets in the last two weeks combined, and his reduced role makes him hard to trust unless there is an injury or he is traded to a new team with more targets available. He still has the skills to give him upside and is on the field, but he's not getting enough targets right now to be an option you have to hold on to in standard-sized leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ty Jerome Scores 17 Points in Preseason Loss to Magic
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome scored 17 points on 7-for-14 shooting in Wednesday's 122-118 preseason loss to the Orlando Magic, adding four assists and one rebound in 19 minutes. Through two exhibitions, the 29-year-old has 29 points and nine assists in 34 minutes. With Ja Morant now in Portland, Jerome has emerged as the early favorite for Memphis' starting point guard job, with Scotty Pippen Jr. his main competition. Jerome averaged 19.7 points and 5.7 assists in just 22.6 minutes across 15 games last season, so a bigger role gives him plenty of fantasy appeal.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Malik Nabers Expresses Visible Frustration with Lack of Targets in Victory
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) is dealing with soreness in his surgically repaired right knee and is uncertain if he'll be able to play this week against the Commanders. Nabers said, "We'll see how the next day goes," when asked about his availability after practice on Wednesday. He also discussed his frustrations on the sideline in Sunday's win over the Cardinals. Nabers said, "I felt like I didn't get targeted much after halftime," which is why he was waving his arms at the Giants' sideline and yelling to the coaching staff several times during the game. He did only get three targets in the second half, but it remains to be seen if coach John Harbaugh and his staff will allow Nabers to behave this way or if it will get him any more work. If he does overcome his knee issues and plays this week, he will be a solid WR3, according to RotoBaller's rankings, where he is the No. 26 WR for Week 5.
Source: Pat Leonard
Source: Pat Leonard
LaMelo Ball Hands Out Seven Assists Against Indiana
Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball recorded 14 points, seven assists, and four rebounds in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 123-112 preseason loss to the Indiana Pacers. He shot 5-for-9 from the field and 4-for-6 from three. Through two exhibitions with Minnesota, Ball has totaled 25 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, and six threes in just 37 minutes. The 25-year-old averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists across 72 games with Charlotte last season. His early chemistry with Anthony Edwards has been encouraging, especially for Ball's chances of maintaining strong assist production.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Tyrese Haliburton Shakes Off Rust in Preseason Return
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) recorded seven points, six assists, two blocks, and one steal in 16 minutes during Wednesday's 123-112 preseason win over Minnesota. It was his first game since tearing his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Haliburton shot 3-for-8 and admitted afterward that he was playing too fast, but six assists against one turnover was an encouraging sign. He played only in the first half as Indiana eases him back into game action. Jarace Walker added 10 assists off the bench, giving the Pacers another useful secondary creator.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Mark Bowman, Trent Mosley Questionable for Week 6
USC tight end Mark Bowman (undisclosed) and wide receiver Trent Mosley (right knee) are among the players listed as questionable for the team's Week 6 game against Penn State. Across five games played, Bowman has 21 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns. He has six catches in two of the past three contests and has 30 or more yards in four straight games. Mosley has made 13 receptions so far, accounting for 255 yards and four touchdowns across just three games. He has at least one touchdown grab in each contest, and had 118 and 104 yards in his first two games. If Bowman or Mosley cannot play, the Trojans could utilize wide receivers Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Zacharyus Williams, Corey Simms, Tanook Hines, Tron Baker and Ethan Feaster, plus tight end Carson Tabaracci more.
Source: Adam Rittenberg - ESPN
Source: Adam Rittenberg - ESPN
Sean Payton Takes Over Some of the Offensive Play-Calling Duties
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has begun to take over some of the play-calling duties from first-year offensive coordinator Davis Webb, according to former NFL wide receiver and current Denver Sports 104.3 contributor Brandon Stokley. He noted that Payton began the process of getting more involved with play-calling in last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and he'll be even more involved in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. At this point, it's unclear whether Payton will assume full control of the offense, but at the very least, his influence will be substantial. "I'm hearing he's taking over the majority if not all of the play calling," Stokley wrote on X. The shift in coaching duties makes sense, as Denver's offense has ranked sixth-worst in total yards under Webb this year. They've also ranked fourth-worst in rushing yards and sixth-worst in offensive points scored. Those are unacceptable numbers from a unit with Bo Nix, Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, and a three-headed backfield of J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, and Jonah Coleman (ankle, IR). Perhaps Payton's expanded play-calling role and a matchup against the 0-4 Chargers will be an opportunity for this Broncos offense to get back on track.
Source: Brandon Stokley
Source: Brandon Stokley
Quentin Johnston Logs a Limited Practice Session on Wednesday
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (chest) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, according to the team's official injury report. The 0-4 Chargers continue to be the bearers of bad news, listing a whopping 18 players on their injury report, including three receivers: Johnston, Ladd McConkey (foot, did not practice), and Brenen Thompson (quadricep, limited). Johnston has been incredibly disappointing in his fourth NFL season, catching just seven passes for 108 yards and zero touchdowns through four games. After posting a career-best WR34 finish in PPR leagues last year, he has plummeted to WR88 in scoring so far this season. The only good news is that he has maintained a snap share of at least 75% every week. If McConkey is inactive against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, Johnston's fantasy appeal will increase slightly, but he's pretty tough to trust in most leagues right now. Plus, he'd need to clear injury hurdles of his own as he works to overcome this chest ailment.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Joe Alt Not Expected to Play in Week 5 Against Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt (neck) is expected to miss Sunday's Week 5 contest against the Denver Broncos, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. Alt initially suffered the injury in last weekend's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and although he won't be placed on injured reserve, the star lineman will miss at least a little time. This is brutal news for the Chargers, who have endured an ugly 0-4 start and cannot afford to lose their Pro Bowl right tackle for any amount of time. Quarterback Justin Herbert took a season-high four sacks last week, and he could endure even worse protection this week with Alt sidelined. His absence will presumably bump fourth-round rookie Travis Burke, a Memphis product, into the starting right tackle role against Denver.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Zach Charbonnet Limited in Practice as Potential Activation Lingers
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday as the team begins preparing for Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, according to John Boyle of the team's official website. Charbonnet tore his ACL in the playoffs last year, and he didn't quite recover in time for the season opener, so the Seahawks placed him on the PUP list to start the year. Now that he has missed the minimum four games, he's eligible to be activated. The Seahawks definitely don't have to activate him this week if they don't think he's ready, but it's worth noting that Seattle is actively looking to improve its backfield. After placing rookie Jadarian Price (chest) on injured reserve last week, the Seahawks tried to sign Joe Mixon to their practice squad, but the deal didn't progress beyond a physical. Getting Charbonnet back from injury would help answer the running back questions for Seattle, which gave a total of 32 touches to Emanuel Wilson and George Holani last week. Upon his return, Charbonnet would occupy the lead-back role, ranking as an RB2 in fantasy football.
Source: John Boyle
Source: John Boyle
