RADIO
Seth McGowan a Priority Waiver-Wire Stash Ahead of NFL Trade Deadline
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Seth McGowan has played a limited role in his team's offense so far in 2026, recording 146 yards from scrimmage on 36 touches across seven games. The 25-year-old had his usage scaled up in Week 7, logging 11 carries for 46 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. McGowan's growing role could be a sign of things to come. The Colts still have superstar running back Jonathan Taylor firmly ahead of McGowan on the depth chart, which will not change as long as Taylor remains healthy and on the roster. However, with the Colts currently sitting at 2-5 and riding a three-game losing streak, trade speculation around Taylor has begun to heat up. If Taylor were to get moved, McGowan could be in line to assume a workhorse role in the Indianapolis backfield. In leagues where he is available on the waiver wire, McGowan profiles as a priority stash candidate as the trade deadline approaches.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Amon-Ra St. Brown Dealing With Ankle Injury
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) tweaked his ankle in Sunday's Week 7 victory over the division-rival Green Bay Packers, according to Richard Silva of The Detroit News. The plan is for the Lions to let St. Brown sit out of practice on Wednesday before he returns on Thursday. St. Brown was not really slowed down by his ankle in the 20-17 win on Sunday, as he caught nine of his 11 targets for a season-high 153 yards against Green Bay. As long as he returns to Thursday's practice, St. Brown should be just fine to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, where he would be a must-start WR1 in fantasy leagues despite the tough matchup against one of the best defenses in the NFL. St. Brown played only 78% of the Lions' offensive snaps on Sunday, but the slightly reduced playing time did not hurt his production at all. The 27-year-old four-time Pro Bowler has had exactly 11 targets in each of the last three games and has not seen double-digit targets in just one of his six games so far in 2026. After his big game against Green Bay, St. Brown is the WR3 overall in half-PPR scoring with 46 catches on 68 targets for 525 yards and five touchdowns so far this year.
Source: The Detroit News - Richard Silva
Source: The Detroit News - Richard Silva
T.J. Hockenson Emerging as a Potential Tight End Solution
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson was one of the few players on his team's offense to have a productive game in Week 7, recording four catches for 35 yards and a touchdown on five targets. The 29-year-old's overall numbers in 2026 don't leap off the page, as he's hauled in 27 receptions for 237 yards and two touchdowns on 32 targets across six games. However, Hockenson appears to be emerging as a favorite target of Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray. In the two games where both Hockenson and Murray have started and finished the contest on the field, Hockenson has logged 17 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets. The veteran tight end also has an extremely favorable matchup on paper in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions. For fantasy managers in need of tight end help, Hockenson profiles as a viable waiver wire solution.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joey Loperfido Undergoes Offseason Hip Surgery
Houston Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido (hip) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip to address an impingement and a labral injury, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Loperfido's "availability for spring training will be delayed," according to the team. The 27-year-old former seventh-round pick in 2021 from Duke University only appeared in 40 games for the Astros in his first full season with the team in 2026 and hit just .214 (22-for-103) with a homer, 12 RBI, 13 runs scored, one stolen base, 14 walks, and 32 strikeouts in 121 plate appearances. Since Loperfido will not be ready for the start of spring training in 2027, there is a chance that he will also not be ready for Opening Day, but that remains to be seen. When healthy next year, the left-handed-hitting outfielder will compete for a platoon role against right-handed pitchers in Houston. He has appeared in 162 games in his three major-league seasons with Houston and the Toronto Blue Jays, slashing .240/.300/.378 with a .678 OPS, only nine home runs, 51 RBI, 49 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 487 plate appearances.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Caleb Douglas Emerging as a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Target
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas returned from Injured Reserve with a bang in Week 7, recording two catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns on three targets in his team's victory over the New York Jets. Douglas suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 that caused him to miss three games. However, he's been productive when healthy, logging nine catches for 183 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets across three games. Even after a productive week against the Jets, the Dolphins' passing game remains highly questionable and should lead fantasy managers to approach Douglas with caution. Still, the 23-year-old has clearly proven an ability to make big plays down the field. In leagues with 12 or more teams, Douglas profiles as a viable waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topic Remain Sidelined Monday
Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports that Oklahoma City Thunder center Thomas Sorber (knee) and guard Nikola Topic (back) will remain sidelined for Monday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns. The Thunder mistakenly omitted both from their initial injury report due to a clerical error. Neither player has made an appearance this season, and there is currently no projected return date. With Sorber and Topic unavailable for the foreseeable future, neither holds much fantasy value.
Source: Andrew Schlecht
Source: Andrew Schlecht
Kaelon Black Worth Stashing Off the Waiver Wire Through Week 8 Bye
San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kaelon Black had the best game of his young career in Week 7, recording 12 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown in his team's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Black's fantasy upside is limited by the presence of star 49ers back Christian McCaffrey (thigh). Still, Black has seen relatively consistent work in a secondary role this season, recording 57 carries for 223 yards and a touchdown across seven games. McCaffrey also suffered a thigh injury in Week 7. Both he and the team have downplayed the injury, and the 49ers have their bye in Week 8, so McCaffrey may not miss any time. However, even a small increase in Black's touches coming out of the bye could put him in flex range for fantasy managers in the right matchups. Of course, if McCaffrey were to be sidelined for any reason, Black would be a must-start running back. Black should be rostered across almost all fantasy formats coming out of Week 7.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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
