RADIO
Consistency is Key for Mark Bowman
USC tight end Mark Bowman is RotoBaller's 13th-ranked tight end as the Trojans prepare to face Washington on Saturday evening. Bowman is off to a solid start to the 2026 campaign, having recorded 21 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns through his team's first five games of the year. In Week 5, Bowman is projected to score 6.4 fantasy points as he goes up against a Huskies defense that allowed the Minnesota passing game to find the end zone three times in Week 4. This past week, he recorded a six-reception, 44-yard performance in a loss to Oregon. Bowman has at least three receptions in every game this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kalif Raymond Can Be a Solid Pickup in Larger Role
Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond led the team with 91 receiving yards on six receptions in Week 3 against the Eagles, and the 10-year veteran from Holy Cross continues to get off to a fast start in his first season with the Bears. Raymond has caught 19 of 21 targets in his three games this season, and he has at least five catches and five targets in each game. Raymond has shown big-play potential throughout his career as a kick returner, and now that he's in a more regularly involved role in the offense, he continues to bring a high ceiling. For as long as he stays in this role, Raymond will be a sleeper FLEX play in the Bears' high-scoring offense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rob Dillingham Waived by Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are waiving guard Rob Dillingham just one day after acquiring him from Chicago for Buddy Hield and cash, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The former No. 8 pick will become a free agent if he clears waivers, though he cannot return to the Bulls. Dillingham saw his role expand after landing in Chicago last February, averaging 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.9 steals in 21.5 minutes across 30 games while shooting 30.0 percent from three. Charlotte already has plenty of guards in the mix, so his departure doesn't change much for fantasy. Dillingham's outlook will come down to where he lands next and whether that team can give him steady minutes with the ball in his hands.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Sabres Place Mattias Samuelsson on Injured Reserve
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) has been placed on Injured Reserve. He was labeled week-to-week last Wednesday, and it's now clear he will miss at least a couple of games. Samuelsson suffered a lower-body injury in a preseason game when a puck struck him. With Samuelsson sidelined, Louis Crevier will get a big opportunity to impress on the first defensive pairing. The Sabres acquired Crevier in June from the Chicago Blackhawks after his first full NHL season. The 25-year-old demonstrated strong two-way play, recording 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists), 95 blocks, and 124 hits in 78 outings.
Source: Sabres.com
Source: Sabres.com
Josh Giddey Enters Camp with No Restrictions
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey says he has no restrictions entering training camp, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. The 23-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle in May after hamstring and ankle issues limited him to 54 games last season. Giddey still posted career highs of 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game. Chicago added Norman Powell and Nicolas Claxton during the offseason, giving Giddey another proven scorer and a capable interior target. If his ankle stays healthy, Giddey should remain the primary engine of the Bulls' offense under new head coach Tiago Splitter.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Bryan Rust Out Week-to-Week
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (upper body) is considered week-to-week, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports. He was placed on Injured Reserve Monday. With Rust out, the Penguins can't count on the services of a player who has posted back-to-back 65-point campaigns. The Penguins' forward group is dealing with other injuries as well, giving players like Ville Koivunen a chance to take on more responsibility. Koivunen heads into the season opener with high expectations, having signed an eight-year, $32 million extension this offseason despite just 39 career games.
Source: Michelle Crechiolo
Source: Michelle Crechiolo
Jake DeBrusk Expected to Play in Season Opener
Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk (lower body) is expected to be fine for Tuesday's season opener against the Edmonton Oilers, Postmedia's Ben Kuzma reports. DeBrusk missed Monday's practice, initially leaving his status questionable for Tuesday night. However, he traveled with the team and will likely play. DeBrusk was slow out of the gate last season but finished with a respectable 42 points (23 goals, 19 assists) in 81 games. Fantasy managers know what to expect from DeBrusk, who has tallied at least 40 points in five consecutive campaigns.
Source: Ben Kuzma
Source: Ben Kuzma
Case Keenum Can Be an Emergency Option from the Waiver Wire
Chicago Bears quarterback Case Keenum showed he can still be a productive option for the Bears by stepping in on Monday and leading the team to a 27-7 win over the Eagles. Keenum threw for 247 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns, and he ran for a third score on four carries for six yards. The 38-year-old was a solid fantasy option in this game, but it isn't clear if he'll get another start now that Tyson Bagent will have a full week of preparation after clearing the NFL Concussion Protocol. Whoever starts will be in a tough matchup against Aaron Glenn's New York Jets defense. Keenum would be a low-end QB2 if he gets another start, so watch the situation closely to see what quarterback coach Ben Johnson turns to in Week 4.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brock Faber Moved to Injured Reserve
Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber (upper body) will not be available for the season opener against Nashville on Oct. 1 after being placed on Injured Reserve, retroactive to Sept. 25. Faber took a puck to the left side of his head in a preseason game last week. He initially carried on playing, making it look like it wasn't a serious injury. However, it will keep Faber sidelined for at least one game. As a result, Quinn Hughes faces a massive workload, and the rest of the blue line must also be ready for additional duties. In 2025-26, Faber averaged 24:41 of ice time per game and recorded a career-high 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 80 appearances.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Morez Johnson Jr. Limited Early in Mavericks Camp
Dallas Mavericks forward Morez Johnson Jr. (undisclosed) has been limited early in training camp but is getting closer to full participation, according to Grant Afseth of the Dallas Sports Journal. Head coach Dusty May said the rookie is "working his way back" and is "close" without revealing what has been limiting him. The No. 9 overall pick averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 3.0 blocks across two Summer League games before an illness sidelined him for the final three. Dereck Lively II (foot) and Santi Aldama (knee) have also been limited in camp. May expects Johnson to work his way into the rotation, but his role in a crowded Dallas frontcourt is still taking shape.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Luther Burden III Clicks with Third-String QB
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III had a great showing in Week 3 against the Eagles while working with third-string quarterback Case Keenum. Burden led the team with 11 targets and seven catches, racking up 61 receiving yards and his first touchdown of the season. He added a seven-yard rush as well. While Rome Odunze has run more routes and Kalif Raymond has more receiving yards, Burden leads the team in targets, and he should continue to be an effective option in coach Ben Johnson's offense, regardless of whether Keenum starts again, Tyson Bagent steps in, or Caleb Williams returns. Burden can be viewed as a strong WR3 with WR2 upside going forward, and he's a great addition with a high ceiling if you can target him in a trade.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Blue Jackets Acquire Matthew Knies
The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired winger Matthew Knies in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. He was part of a six-player deal that also sent Columbus defenseman Emil Andrae, winger Steven Lorentz, and a second-round draft pick. Knies had a productive 2025-26 season (66 points in 79 games), but his name often surfaced in trade rumors. Now, the American winger will start a new chapter in his career in Columbus. Knies could see more ice time with the Blue Jackets, boosting his fantasy appeal.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Rome Odunze Has Another Quiet Game
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze didn't put up a huge game despite his team finding plenty of success against the visiting Eagles. With Case Keenum stepping in as the starting QB, Odunze caught three passes on six targets for a total of 44 receiving yards. Both Kalif Raymond and Luther Burden III had more catches, receiving yards, and targets than Odunze, and each found the end zone, while Odunze is still looking for his first score of the season. He only has eight catches in his first three games and seems to be playing a reduced role. While he leads the team in routes run, he only has a 14.4% target share, which caps his upside going forward in the short term, as the Bears take on the Jets in Week 4.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Miller Out for First Half of Season
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Jordan Miller (shoulder) is expected to miss the first half of the season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn left rotator cuff. The 26-year-old underwent the procedure in late August and is scheduled to be re-evaluated six months later. Miller was coming off his best NBA season, averaging 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.8 steals in 22.1 minutes across 60 games before signing a three-year, $15.3 million deal in July. With Brandon Ingram (Achilles) also sidelined, Kobe Sanders should get a better chance to crack the rotation, while Gradey Dick could see additional wing minutes early.
Source: Law Murray
Source: Law Murray
Elvis Merzlikins Moves to Toronto
Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder) was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. The Columbus Blue Jackets included Merzlikins in a six-player trade centered around Kirill Marchenko and Matthews Knies. The Latvian netminder spent seven years in Columbus, suiting up for nearly 300 regular-season games. His future going forward is murky. Due to a shoulder injury, it's unclear when Merzlikins will be available for selection, and he's in the final season of his five-year, $27 million contract. The Maple Leafs have Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz ahead of Merzlikins on the depth chart.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
