RADIO
Saquon Barkley Questionable to Return on Monday With Back Injury
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (back) is questionable to return in the second half of Monday night's game against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys due to a back injury, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. Barkley was questionable coming into Monday's game due to a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for the team's previous two games, but he was cleared to suit up. The 29-year-old came up gimpy after his first run of the game, though, and he was seen wincing on the sidelines throughout the game while mixing in occasionally in the backfield with Dameon Pierce. Barkley had only seven rushing attempts for 62 yards (8.9 yards per carry) and one touchdown despite playing through his hamstring injury. Coming out of halftime, Barkley was seen being stretched out on the sidelines while yielding most of the backfield work to Pierce. On a short week going into the Week 8 contest on Sunday night against the division-rival Washington Commanders, Barkley may have a tough time being cleared to play this weekend. If he is questionable again, he will once again be a pretty risky fantasy option with Philly's game coming on Sunday evening. If Barkley misses more time going forward, Pierce will have RB2 upside as the team's primary RB.
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Source: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
Dylan Sampson is Quickly Gaining Value
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson made his return to the field during the Week 7 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. He made his return after missing the last five games due to a knee injury. Sampson rushed the ball six times for 45 yards and hauled in all three of his targets for 32 additional yards in the win over the Titans. The 22-year-old is clearly the No. 2 back in Cleveland, but he has shown that he can be a solid contributor when healthy. The expectation is that his role will continue to grow as long as he keeps playing like this every week. Sampson is looking like an interesting stash option in 12-team formats ahead of the Week 8 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
James Conner Could Offer Deep-League Stash Value
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) has yet to take a snap this season, but it sounds like he could play at some point. Head coach Mike LaFleur recently said that Conner could potentially return to the field this season. The 31-year-old remains on the Injured Reserve and has yet to have his 21-day practice window opened. He's still working his way back from a foot injury that sidelined him for most of last season. Fantasy managers in deep leagues who can afford the roster spot should consider stashing Conner. He'll likely be a depth option once healthy, but he could still help fantasy managers at some point this season.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jonathon Brooks is Worth Stashing with Return Looming
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (abdomen) has not played since Week 2, but he'll hopefully get back on the field soon. Recently, head coach Dave Canales said Brooks was trending in the right direction. The 23-year-old remains on the Injured Reserve right now, so his chances of playing in Week 8 are slim. It wouldn't be shocking to see Brooks back within the next few games, given the fact that he is making progress. He figures to eat into Chuba Hubbard's playing time once Brooks is cleared to play. Fantasy managers who can afford to be patient should consider stashing Brooks, with his return hopefully coming soon.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kimani Vidal has Deep-League Streaming Value
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal has seen an expanded role in the backfield as of late. In Week 6, Vidal carried the ball seven times for 21 yards and hauled in three of his four targets for 19 additional yards. Vidal has seen five or more carries in three straight games and three or more targets in three of his last four contests. He appears to be gaining a steady role in the backfield, which could make him an interesting option against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8. There could be some deep league flex value from Vidal for this Week 8 contest.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Pat Freiermuth Could be Worth Stashing
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is coming off another lousy performance, but he's still a decent fantasy option. Over the last two games, Freiermuth has hauled in four receptions for 31 yards. It has been a struggle for the big tight end, but he's still the TE11 at the moment despite some lackluster performances. He has seen four or more targets in every game but one this season. He should continue to stay involved against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. Fantasy managers looking for an option with their tight end on a bye week should consider snagging Freiermuth. He has a good track record despite some sluggish performances as of late.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Remains an Appealing Running Back Stash
Across six games in 2026, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has recorded 39 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns. While the 26-year-old has seen a relatively consistent workload, he appears to be settling into a clear number-two role in the Jacksonville backfield behind fellow Jaguars back Bhayshul Tuten. Still, Rodriguez Jr. is a physical and effective short-yardage rusher who could continue to see opportunities at the goal line, and Jaguars head coach and play caller Liam Coen has orchestrated offenses that support fantasy production from multiple backs in the past. Even if Rodriguez Jr. is unable to establish standalone value, he carries significant upside if Tuten were to suffer an injury. All in all, Rodriguez Jr. profiles as a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers heading into Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chig Okonkwo a Breakout Candidate to Target on the Waiver Wire
Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo has largely been off fantasy radars so far in 2026, as he got off to a slow start to the season before missing time with a hamstring injury. However, the 27-year-old picked up his production in his final two outings before Washington's Week 7 bye, recording a combined 11 catches for 129 yards on 13 targets. The Commanders will also be down a significant weapon for the remainder of the season, as they lost star wide receiver Terry McLaurin (knee) to a season-ending knee injury in Week 6. For fantasy managers in need of tight end help, Okonkwo profiles as an intriguing player to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DeMario Douglas Still Carries Clear Streamer Appeal on the Waiver Wire
New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas put up a dud in his team's Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears, recording three catches for 23 yards on four targets. However, the 25-year-old had been playing very well coming into the game, logging 11 receptions for 151 yards and three touchdowns on 13 targets across his last two contests. Despite the setback against Chicago, Douglas should still have a window to contribute in the New England passing game. Patriots wide receivers Romeo Doubs (shoulder) and Mack Hollins (calf) are both currently on Injured Reserve. The Patriots also have a favorable schedule on paper, with matchups against the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Lions over the next three weeks. Even off the disappointing week, Douglas carries clear appeal on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
MLB Testing Out Restricted Outfield Shifts
Major League Baseball is experimenting with restricting the positioning of outfielders on every at-bat in the Arizona Fall League, according to ESPN.com. The goal is to boost the game's sluggish offense by making outfielders play straight up, instead of adjusting for individual hitters' tendencies, which will in theory lead to more doubles and triples. Outfielders will look up at a small video board that can tell a player where they are in the field and will either generate an "X" if he is incorrectly positioned or an "O" if he is in a defensively acceptable spot. "The hardest part is cutting off doubles in the gap, and they're even turning into triples," Minnesota Twins prospect Kyle DeBarge said. "That's what they told us they wanted in the beginning. So it works." A recent game saw Scottsdale beat Salt River 15-8 in a game that featured five triples, which was an AFL record.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Malik Washington Remains a Viable PPR Streamer Despite Quiet Week 7
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington had a quiet game in Week 7, recording just three catches for 27 yards on three targets in his team's win over the New York Jets. However, Washington has been the most consistent target earner in Miami this season, hauling in 26 catches for 289 yards on 39 targets across six games. Washington may not have high-end upside as a downfield or red zone target, but he's been a reliable security blanket in the short and intermediate areas of the field for Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis. If the recent injury return of rookie wideout Caleb Douglas can help put more pressure on opposing defenses over the top, Washington could have even more success as an underneath target going forward. In PPR leagues, Washington profiles as a high-floor wide receiver streamer to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Taylor Moton to Have Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
Carolina Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton (ankle, leg) will have season-ending ankle surgery while also recovering from a fractured fibula in his left leg, head coach Dave Canales told ESPN's Mike Kaye on Monday. "He's got a fracture in his fibula, up high, below the knee," Canales said. "It was really the ankle that got damaged the most with ligaments and all that. So, he'll have a procedure, and that'll put him out for the rest of the year." The 32-year-old veteran offensive lineman was carted off the field in the third quarter on Sunday in the 43-13 blowout loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was Moton's second game back from offseason blood-clot treatment, which sidelined him from the start of training camp through the first four games of the regular season while on the Non-Football Injury list. Replacement Monroe Freeling allowed three QB pressures in 22 passing sets after replacing Moton on Sunday. With Moton now out for the year, Rasheed Walker will stay at left tackle despite giving up three sacks and seven total pressures against the Bucs.
Source: ESPN.com - Mike Kaye
Source: ESPN.com - Mike Kaye
Mike Washington Jr. a Top Add Ahead of Potential Breakout in Las Vegas
Across seven games in 2026, Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. has recorded 206 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 43 touches. The 23-year-old has reached 10 touches in just two of his seven games played, a trend that could continue as long as Raiders RB1 Ashton Jeanty remains healthy. However, Jeanty has had major issues as a rusher in 2026, as he's averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and has not reached 30 rushing yards in a game since Week 4. Washington Jr. has been significantly more efficient on the ground (4.9 yards per carry) and could start to steal early-down work from Jeanty. Additionally, Washington Jr. carries major upside in the event of an injury to Jeanty. Coming out of Week 7, Washington Jr. profiles as a high-end handcuff running back for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cameron Johnson to Miss Second Straight Game
Denver Nuggets forward Cam Johnson (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Golden State Warriors with a right ankle sprain. Johnson will miss his second straight contest after exiting the season opener against Oklahoma City, and the 30-year-old also dealt with right ankle inflammation late last season. Bryce Hopkins started in his place Saturday, but Trevon Brazile made the stronger case for an extra run with 17 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench. With Alpha Diallo (wrist) also sidelined, Brazile should stay firmly in Denver's rotation while Johnson is out.
Source: Denver Nuggets
Source: Denver Nuggets
Keaton Mitchell Could Be Worth Stashing Given Backfield Uncertainty
Across six games in 2026, Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell has recorded 191 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 42 touches. Coming into the year, the 24-year-old was expected to play a backup role behind fellow Chargers back Omarion Hampton. However, Los Angeles has recently shifted to a three-way backfield committee that features Hampton, Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal. Mitchell saw very minimal usage in the Chargers' final game before their Week 7 bye, recording two carries for four yards in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, the Chargers' uncertain backfield roles could create an opportunity for Mitchell to break through as the team's preferred option. In deeper leagues, Mitchell could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
