RADIO
Emmett Johnson Remains a Priority Handcuff Back to Target
Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson has seen very limited usage in his team's offense to this point in 2026, recording 19 carries for 62 yards and nine catches for 109 yards on 11 targets. The Chiefs have given almost all of their backfield work to superstar RB1 Kenneth Walker, who currently leads the NFL in both yards per rush attempt and rushing yards per game. As long as Walker remains healthy, Johnson is highly unlikely to provide fantasy managers with consistently relevant production. However, Walker is also currently on pace to log nearly 400 touches this season, which may be an unsustainable workload. If Walker were to get injured, Johnson could assume a three-down role in Kansas City and would immediately vault into must-start territory for fantasy managers. In leagues where he remains available, Johnson profiles as a priority waiver wire handcuff stash.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kendrick Bourne Inherits a Bigger Role After Cardinals Injury
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Kendrick Bourne just inherited a bigger role, with Jalen Brooks (wrist) announcing Monday that he will miss the remainder of the season. With Marvin Harrison Jr. traded to the Houston Texans and Brooks requiring season-ending wrist surgery, Bourne is positioned as the Cardinals' No. 2 wide receiver behind Michael Wilson. The production already backs it up: he has drawn 22 targets over Arizona's past three games and turned them into 13 catches for 126 yards, even after three receptions for nine yards Sunday. Brooks played 52 offensive snaps and drew six targets in the 30-16 loss to the Denver Broncos, compared to Bourne's 45 snaps and six targets. Tight end Trey McBride remains the offense's primary receiving option after commanding 13 targets against Denver, but Bourne now faces far less competition for opportunities. Add him in 12-team PPR leagues as a potential flex option heading into Arizona's Week 8 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zach Edey Available Against Jazz on Monday
The Memphis Grizzlies announced that center Zach Edey (ankle) is available for Monday's matchup against the Utah Jazz. Edey sat out Sunday's contest against Sacramento for injury management purposes as Memphis continues to manage his return following offseason ankle and elbow surgeries. The 24-year-old has played fewer than 23 minutes in each of his first two appearances this season. While his playing time could remain limited in the short term, Edey offers solid fantasy upside in rebounds and blocks as his workload increases.
Source: Grizzlies PR
Source: Grizzlies PR
Lamar Jackson Still Uncertain for Week 8 Return
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) is a coin flip for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Jesse Minter said Monday that Jackson should be "in a decent spot" health-wise heading into Week 8, according to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner. Minter declined to explain why Jackson was ruled out Saturday and stressed he will play only if he performs at his usual level. Jackson missed his third consecutive game in Sunday's 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 4. He returned to limited practice in Week 7 but acknowledged Friday that running remained painful. Plan around Tyler Huntley, who stays Baltimore's starting quarterback if Jackson can't go against Buffalo.
Source: Jonas Shaffer
Source: Jonas Shaffer
Samaje Perine Scores Again as His Role Shrinks
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine scored again Sunday, but the touchdown hides a role that shrank sharply after the Week 6 bye. His one-yard fourth-quarter punch-in made it two consecutive games with a score in the 35-13 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, yet he finished with 16 rushing yards on four carries and no targets. The snaps tell the story: Perine played 12 offensive snaps to Chase Brown's 40, down from Week 5, when he logged 14 carries for 68 yards and 33 snaps against the Miami Dolphins. Brown reclaimed the backfield with 11 carries for 39 yards and four catches for 19 more. Perine has scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown in his past two appearances, but limited playing time leaves him without a reliable standalone fantasy role. Add him as a handcuff in 12-team leagues, particularly if you roster Brown, ahead of Cincinnati's Week 8 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chet Holmgren Sidelined on Monday
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns due to right patellar tendinitis. His next opportunity to return comes Wednesday against the Mavs. With Holmgren sidelined, Isaiah Hartenstein is expected to take on an expanded frontcourt role. Hartenstein posted 12 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, and one steal across 27 minutes in Sunday's 108-101 win over the Clippers. The veteran big man should see increased minutes and rebounding opportunities, making him a valuable fantasy option while Holmgren is unavailable.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Ja'Kobi Lane's Role Makes Him a Waiver Stash
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane has earned a stash in 12-team leagues, with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley throwing to him in both contests. The rookie has drawn five targets in each of his two games since returning from a fractured wrist. The production lags: three catches for 25 yards in Sunday's 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals made his two-game totals seven receptions for 65 yards. That makes him a stash, not an immediate starter. The role is what you're buying. Lane's offensive snap share climbed from 54% in Week 6 to 69% (46 snaps) in Week 7, even as Rashod Bateman's jumped from 30% to 73%, and only Zay Flowers' 11 targets topped Lane's five Sunday. Week 8 is the next test: the Ravens visit the Buffalo Bills and Lamar Jackson (ankle) could return, giving Lane his first full game with the Ravens' starting quarterback.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Suggs Diagnosed With Mild Knee Bone Bruise
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (knee) has been diagnosed with a mild bone bruise in his right knee and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Suggs avoided any major structural damage, per Charania. The 25-year-old was helped to the locker room late in Sunday's matchup against the New York Knicks after grabbing his right knee following a transition play, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. He finished with four points, six rebounds, and six assists before leaving the game. Suggs also missed time last season with an MCL contusion in the same knee. With Suggs sidelined and Paolo Banchero (ankle) already out, Anthony Black could take on a significantly larger playmaking role, boosting his fantasy value.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Anthony Edwards Questionable on Monday
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Edwards is dealing with right knee discomfort after scoring a game-high 26 points in Minnesota's blowout win over Toronto in Sunday's home opener. The 25-year-old appeared to favor his right knee during the contest. If Edwards sits out the second leg of the back-to-back set, Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. could see expanded roles, boosting their fantasy upside.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alec Pierce Unlikely to Return to Practice This Week
When asked if wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) will have his Injured Reserve practice window opened this week, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said, "most likely not," according to Jake Arthur of Sports Illustrated. Pierce has already spent the required four games on IR, but the 26-year-old is not close to a return for the struggling Colts. He aggravated his surgically-repaired left heel in the team's Week 2 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and has not played or practiced since. It is getting harder to hold the big-play wideout in shallow fantasy football leagues without a firm timetable for a return, and it is fair to wonder how effective he will be whenever he returns to the team. The former second-rounder led the NFL in yards per catch in both 2024 and 2025, but he was only able to catch five of seven targets for 72 yards and no touchdowns in his two games for the Colts this year before landing on the shelf. With tight end Tyler Warren (groin) missing the last two games, Indy has struggled to move the ball without relying on running back Jonathan Taylor. Josh Downs has been a non-factor, which has led to veteran Keenan Allen being quarterback Daniel Jones' go-to guy in recent weeks. Pierce is now rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jake Arthur
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jake Arthur
Jalen Brooks Suffers Season-Ending Wrist Injury on Sunday
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jalen Brooks (wrist) said on Monday that he will miss the rest of the 2026 season after suffering a wrist injury in Sunday's Week 7 loss to the visiting Denver Broncos that required emergency surgery, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. It is a tough break for Brooks and the Cardinals' offense, especially after the team recently traded former first-round receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans. The 26-year-old former seventh-round selection by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2023 NFL Draft from South Carolina caught just one of his six targets for a season-high 35 yards in the 30-16 loss to the Broncos on Sunday, and he will finish his fourth year in the NFL with five catches on 17 targets for 81 yards. Brooks played a season-high 52 of the team's 81 offensive snaps in Week 7. His injury is good news for Kendrick Bourne, who should be the team's unquestioned WR2 going forward behind Michael Wilson with both Harrison and Brooks out of the picture. Reggie Virgil and Simi Fehoko will be battling for WR3 duties going forward in Arizona.
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Treylon Burks in Line for Uptick in Playing Time in Washington
Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks should be in line for an uptick in playing time going forward after Terry McLaurin suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Monday night. Burks played 55.2% of the offensive snaps against the 49ers and caught four of his six targets for a season-high 66 yards in the 23-17 loss. The 26-year-old's receptions and targets were also season highs in the same game that McLaurin went down with an injury, which is not a coincidence. Veteran Stefon Diggs should operate as quarterback Jayden Daniels' go-to passing-game target, but both Burks and rookie Antonio Williams should have added responsibilities, starting in Week 8 in their Sunday night showdown against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. Burks, a former 18th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 from Arkansas, has caught only nine of 17 targets this year for 152 yards, but he has found the end zone twice and should be a waiver-wire target in deeper leagues this week. He is currently rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Marcus Mariota to Return to Practice This Week
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) will return to practice as the team comes out of their Week 7 bye, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Mariota is recovering from a sprained right MCL in his knee and missed the two games before the Week 7 bye. The 32-year-old veteran could be back on the practice field this week, but it does not guarantee that he will be active for the Sunday night game in Week 8 against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. Before his knee injury, Mariota was forced into action early on in 2026 after Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. In three games played (two starts), Mariota threw for 340 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. If he does not do enough in practice this week to return for Sunday night's game against the Eagles, rookie signal-caller Athan Kaliakmanis will work as the backup to Daniels for a third straight game.
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Cataurus Hicks a Deep-League Streaming Option in Week 9
Pittsburgh wide receiver Cataurus Hicks has deep-league streaming appeal for his Week 9 matchup against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are allowing 30.3 points per game, along with 407.6 total yards - 210.4 of those yards are coming on the ground, but the matchup is still very favorable for the wide receiver. Hicks has 31 receptions for 649 yards and five touchdowns this season. He has five or more catches in three straight games. Hicks has tallied 50 or more receiving yards in five straight games and is coming off two straight 100-plus-yard outings, so he's trending up, giving fantasy owners another reason to try him in Week 9.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Javian Mallory Worth Streaming Heading into Favorable Week 9 Test
Miami running back Javian Mallory has served as a secondary option in the team's backfield, but has delivered enough to now be considered a fantasy streaming option for Week 9. Add in a pretty favorable matchup against North Carolina this week and Mallory becomes an even better option. UNC is allowing 372.7 total yards and 20.9 points per game this year, and 154.7 of those total yards are coming on the ground. Mallory has 59 carries this season, but has racked up 444 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 155 rushing yards and four scores over his past two games. Mallory has chipped in three catches for 32 yards this season. The running back is a better fantasy option the deeper a fantasy league is.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
