RADIO
Alvin Kamara Questionable for Week 1
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that veteran running back Alvin Kamara (knee) is questionable to play in Week 1 on Sunday versus the Detroit Lions on the road, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Kamara missed most of training camp this summer due to a sprained MCL in his knee, and he also missed the end of the 2025 season with a knee injury. The 31-year-old veteran saw his fantasy football value plummet this offseason after the Saints brought in Travis Etienne Jr. to be their RB1. Kamara briefly considered retirement, but he chose to return for a 10th NFL season in the Big Easy, where he figures to primarily operate on passing downs in Moore's offense when he is active. The five-time Pro Bowler will merely be a shaky RB3/flex option for fantasy managers if he gets the green light to suit up in the season opener in Motown. If Kamara is held out against Detroit, Kendre Miller is the most likely option to serve in a change-of-pace role behind Etienne, with Audric Estime also banged up.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Darren Waller Ready to Go But Still Up in the Air for Sunday
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that tight end Darren Waller is ready to go, but he stopped short of saying whether he will be active on Sunday for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. Waller is not on the injury report in Week 1, but the 33-year-old continues to ramp up his conditioning after joining the Panthers in the middle of training camp. He said earlier this week that he was preparing to play this Sunday against the Bears, but even if he is active, Waller will be a tough sell for starting fantasy lineups in single-TE leagues. After retiring in 2024, the former sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 from Georgia Tech made a return last year to play for the Miami Dolphins, where he played in only nine games and caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns. Waller is still an intriguing red-zone tight end because of his size when he's active, but with a likely short leash if he plays this weekend, we would caution against throwing Waller out there right away if he plays against Chicago.
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed
Cardinals Expect Jeremiyah Love to be a Game-Time Decision on Sunday
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur expects rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) to be a game-time decision this Sunday for the Week 1 season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reported earlier on Friday that Love is expected to play, but the Cardinals are going to play a little gamesmanship and pretend that he might not be available. The 21-year-old Notre Dame product was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday after he suffered an ankle injury in the first week of the preseason and was then held out for the rest of the summer. The Cardinals have already lost Trey Benson (knee) for the season, and James Conner (foot) is starting on Injured Reserve, but Love might still be the RB2 in Arizona out of the gate if he is active on Sunday. Veteran Tyler Allgeier is expected to see the majority of backfield work against the Bolts, even if Love plays, which will make Love a volatile low-end RB2 choice for fantasy managers in Week 1. Making things more difficult this weekend is that Love and the Cardinals do not play until the late window on Sunday.
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Michael Penix Jr. Had No "Real Chance" to Start in Week 1
When asked if there was any chance that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) could start on Sunday in the Week 1 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said, "No." Stefanski said that Penix will be ready when he is ready. It remains to be seen if Penix will be ready for the team's Week 2 contest next Sunday, Sept. 20, versus the division-rival Carolina Panthers, as the Falcons are now in a bit of a bind at the QB position following Tua Tagovailoa's oblique injury in practice on Thursday that will sideline him this weekend. With Penix already ruled out, the Falcons are forced to turn to veteran backup Cooper Rush in the season opener against Pittsburgh, with undrafted rookie Jack Strand backing him up. It might be just one week of Rush, though, since Penix has been listed as a full participant in practices this week. With Tagovailoa now potentially being cut after another injury, Penix's path to a full-time starting role has cleared up, making him much more attractive for the 2026 season in two-QB superflex leagues after he partially tore his ACL last year.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Jonathon Brooks Will Have "No Limitations" on Sunday
After fully participating in Friday's practice, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) has been cleared for Sunday's season opener against the Bears, and head coach Dave Canales says he will face "no limitations" in terms of rep count. Brooks missed the entirety of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL for the second time in December of 2024, but it was a groin issue that limited him to begin the week. With both injuries seemingly behind him, he will suit up for his first regular-season game in over 21 months, and he projects to split time with veteran Chuba Hubbard. The first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks has carried the ball only nine times in his professional career, but with neither he nor Hubbard carrying an injury designation into Sunday, Canales told reporters, "This is a tandem we've been thinking about for a very long time, and I'm excited to see those guys get out there and help our team." Still facing a difficult-to-predict Week 1 workload, Brooks is RotoBaller's RB32 for the week.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
Sean Tucker to Be Listed as Doubtful for Sunday
After returning to practice as a limited participant on Thursday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Friday that running back Sean Tucker (hamstring) will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's season opener against the Bengals. Tucker recently agreed to a reworked deal to stick with the Buccaneers for his fourth season, but a hamstring injury that occurred late in training camp now threatens his Week 1 availability. After leading the team with seven rushing touchdowns in 2025, Tucker was in play for a goal-line role despite a return to health from Bucky Irving and the free-agent acquisition of veteran Kenny Gainwell. With Tucker unlikely to suit up on Sunday, Irving should see a usage bump and now ranks as RotoBaller's RB20 for Week 1.
Source: Greg Auman
Source: Greg Auman
Xavier Isaac Showing Off Skills at Triple-A Durham
Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Xavier Isaac is 22 years old and progressing nicely through the minor leagues. His latest stop is at Triple-A Durham where he already has three homers and four RBI in 11 games and is hitting .308. Isaac spent most of the season at Double-A Montgomery where he hit .255 with 24 homers and 71 RBI in 99 games. The left-handed hitter is the No. 18 prospect of the Rays and has 60-grade power and 45-grade speed, but just a 35-grade hit tool. It looks like Isaac could be a detriment to the overall batting average of fantasy teams. But the power appears to be a plus and makes him worthy of a dynasty format stash. It could be a year or two before he makes his MLB debut but fantasy managers will still want to get a hold of him in dynasty leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Tua Tagovailoa Ruled Out for Sunday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) has been ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers after popping up on Thursday's injury report with an oblique injury, as reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Tagovailoa signed a one-year, veteran minimum deal with the Falcons after being released by the Dolphins. Following a rocky training camp and preseason that began with back spasms, he was recently named the Week 1 starter, as 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. (knee) continues to work his way back from the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season. Penix, who is still listed as the fourth quarterback on the team's unofficial depth chart, has been a full practice participant to begin the week, so there is a chance he could now step into the Week 1 starting role. If not, the Falcons will begin the year with either Cooper Rush or undrafted rookie Jack Strand under center. A report from The Palm Beach Post's Joe Schad (citing Pro Football Talk) suggests that there is a "strong possibility" that Tagovailoa is released if/when he is replaced as the starting QB. Now that more injury issues have popped up for the former first-rounder, he might not even end up taking a single snap in a regular-season game for Atlanta.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Jake Maikkula, Ryan Fodje Returning From Injuries and Likely to Start
Oklahoma offensive linemen Jake Maikkula (knee) and Ryan Fodje (knee) are both expected to return from injuries and start in Week 2 against Michigan. With Maikkula getting the start at center, that will move Noah Best to right guard; Best started at center last week. Fodje's return comes at a good time, as last week's left tackle starter Michale Fasusi (shoulder) will miss this week's game with an injury of his own. The additions to the Oklahoma offensive line should be viewed as a positive for the team, but the shuffling of several guys could also lead to some struggles, especially early on. The Sooners will need to be at their best, as the Wolverines are a much tougher test than UTEP was in Week 1.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Theo Gillen Is Adjusting Nicely To Life at Double-A
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Theo Gillen has fared well at Double-A Montgomery since his promotion in mid-July, hitting .287 with 10 homers and 46 RBI with 43 runs scored and 16 stolen bases. Gillen has showed off all his skills at his new level of the minors and continued to be a big threat on the base paths after he had already stolen 28 bases for High-A Bowling Green, giving him 44 total stolen bases this season. The 20-year-old, left-handed hitter is the No. 2 overall prospect for the Rays and has a 55-grade hit tool with 55-grade power and 60-grade speed. The overall skill-set is elite for Gillen, but it still could be a few years before he makes his impact at the MLB level. Nonetheless, dynasty league managers will want to claim Gillen and wait for his five-tool skill set to hit the major-league level.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Chris Bell Looks Good Heading into His First Career Start
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell fell to the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft and missed most of his first training camp while rehabbing from the ACL tear that ended his collegiate career, but since his return, he has made headlines with his instant acclimation to the Dolphins offense. Bell has already been named a starter for Miami's season-opening matchup with the Raiders, and on Friday, beat reporter Joe Schad shared that he stood out during the media accessible portion of practice, catching passes in the end zone from quarterback Malik Willis. Bell saw action in only one preseason game, but he was targeted five times in roughly 10 minutes of game action, as the team wasted no time getting him up to speed. As RotoBaller's WR74 for Week 1, he's a difficult play given the unknowns and the low expectations surrounding Miami's offense. Still, for fantasy managers already coming into Sunday as heavy underdogs, he represents a big swing who could be featured heavily in his first career game against a less-than-formidable opponent.
Source: Joe Schad
Source: Joe Schad
Nate Bennett to Make First Career Start in Week 2
Baylor quarterback Nate Bennett is expected to start in place of the injured DJ Lagway (ankle) in the team's Week 2 clash with Prairie View A&M. He has attempted just nine passes over his first two seasons with the Bears. Bennett has completed six of the passes for 53 yards, and doesn't have a touchdown or interception. Lagway is dealing with a high ankle sprain, but isn't expected to be out long-term. Bennett has a decent outlook against the Panthers in Week 2. Prairie View A&M is 1-1 on the season after losing 49-30 to Tarleton State and winning 52-14 over Texas Southern. There's probably some better fantasy quarterbacks out there to try instead of Bennett, especially with him only likely to make one start for the Bears.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Eli Willits Makes Debut At Double-A Harrisburg
Washington Nationals 18-year-old shortstop prospect Eli Willits made his debut at Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday and has gone 1-for-8 in his first two games at his new minor league level with an RBI in each of his first two contests. Willits is known as a speedster and has 60 stolen bases combined between three levels of the minors. The switch hitter also has 13 combined home runs with 72 RBI and 100 runs scored. Willits was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and is top prospect in the Nationals system. He has the looks of a future league winner in the category of stolen bases. His stolen base prowess alone makes him worth a dynasty addition . He has a 60-grade hit tool and a 60-grade run tool with 50-grade power. The speed is off the charts and he looks like a future fantasy difference maker.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Cubs Planning to Activate Dansby Swanson Next Weekend
The Chicago Cubs are planning to activate shortstop Dansby Swanson (oblique) for next weekend's series in Cincinnati against the division-rival Reds, manager Craig Counsell told Patrick Mooney of The Athletic on Friday at Wrigley Field. Swanson will first complete a short minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa. He is getting close to returning to the big-league roster for the first time since being shut down with a Grade 2 strained left oblique in the middle of August. The 32-year-old veteran will help the Cubs in their final playoff push for the final nine games or so of the regular season, so he obviously will have a limited impact the rest of the way in fantasy in September. Swanson will be returning to a .216/.300/.404 slash line with a .704 OPS, 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 78 runs scored in his 403 at-bats this year. The two-time All-Star has been a disappointment in pretty much everything but stolen bases, and he has hit just two home runs in the second half of the season for the Cubbies.
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Arjun Nimmala With Four Homers In Last Four Nights
Los Angeles Angels shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala hit two home runs in Thursday's game for the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas, bringing his total to four homers in the last four games. Nimmala came over to the Angels from the Toronto Blue Jays organization at the trade deadline and has been at Double-A ever since with the Angels. At Rocket City, Nimmala has seven homers and 15 RBI while hitting .240 in 25 games. With Double-A New Hampshire, in Toronto's organization prior to the trade, Nimmala was hitting .279 with four homers and 11 RBI in 33 games. Nimmala checks in as the Angels' top prospect with a 45-grade hit tool, 60-grade power, and 50-grade speed. Nimmala looks like one of many future shortstop stars in the league and is well worth a dynasty-league addition. At age 20, he could still be a few years away from the majors.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
