RADIO
Zach Charbonnet On Track With his "Aggressive" Return Timetable
Updating a previous report, Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) has an "aggressive" timetable that he is currently on target to meet as he recovers from a torn ACL that he suffered in last year's postseason, head coach Mike Macdonald told Corbin K. Smith of the Emerald Spectrum. Macdonald said that Charbonnet looks "dang good." Seattle placed Charbonnet on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the 2026 season, which means that he will miss at least the first four games. However, this report on Monday suggests that Charbonnet could be a candidate to come off the PUP and make his season debut as early as Week 5 against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 11. Rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price and George Holani are expected to share the backfield to open the year without Charbonnet, but once Charbonnet returns, he should eventually be Seattle's preferred back. He is currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues, but he deserves to be rostered in more formats, especially in leagues that have IR/PUP roster spots. Charbonnet had a bigger role alongside Kenneth Walker (now in KC) last year, carried the ball 184 times for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 20 catches for 144 yards through the air in 16 regular-season games. Charb has found the end zone on the ground 20 times in the last two years.
Source: Emerald Spectrum - Corbin K. Smith
Source: Emerald Spectrum - Corbin K. Smith
Jonah Coleman an Intriguing Rookie Waiver Stash in Denver's Backfield
Denver Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman will enter his first NFL season as the Broncos' No. 3 back behind J.K. Dobbins and second-year RB RJ Harvey. Coleman is rostered in only 34% of Yahoo leagues with the regular-season opener in just a few days. While the 23-year-old fourth-rounder from the University of Washington might not have a big role right away in the Broncos' backfield, he should at least be rostered by fantasy managers who selected Dobbins in their drafts. The 5-foot-8, 200-pounder impressed the Broncos' coaching staff at training camp this summer and is expected to be the early-down complement to the oft-injured Dobbins, with Harvey working mostly in pass-catching situations. If Dobbins continues to miss time with injuries, Coleman, not Harvey, would most likely jump into the early-down role for Denver in 2026. In his final season with the Huskies in 2025, Coleman had 156 carries for 758 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games, adding 31 catches for 354 yards and two more touchdowns as a receiver. While he probably will not realize his three-down potential in his rookie campaign, Coleman has intriguing stash upside off the waiver wire in the Broncos' ascending offense.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Terrance Ferguson One of the Best Upside TE Stashes Off the Waiver Wire
Los Angeles Rams second-year tight end Terrance Ferguson might have gone undrafted in many single-year fantasy football formats, but that does not mean that he will not be a factor in 2026. The second-round pick from Oregon finds himself in a crowded Rams tight end room again in 2026 alongside Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, and rookie Max Klare, but he arguably has the most pass-catching upside among the group. And when we are talking about upside players in an already explosive Rams offense, you should pay attention. Ferguson had only 11 receptions on 25 targets for 231 yards and three touchdowns in his first 14 NFL games in 2025, but he came alive late and scored two of his three touchdowns in his final two regular-season contests. It would not be a big surprise to see Ferguson emerge as quarterback Matthew Stafford's third option by the end of the 2026 campaign behind receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. And if Nacua faces any kind of NFL suspension this year, Ferguson could quickly become a must-start TE. The 23-year-old is only rostered in 24% of Yahoo leagues right now and is worth a pickup if you need extra depth at the position.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Giants Release Darius Slayton on Monday
The New York Giants released wide receiver Darius Slayton on Monday, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Slayton was a fifth-round selection by the Giants in the 2019 NFL draft from Auburn, and he caught 296 of his 522 targets for 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns in his seven years with the team over 106 regular-season games played (78 starts). He caught 37 of 63 targets for 538 yards and a career-low one touchdown in 14 games played last year for the G-Men, despite Malik Nabers (knee) going down with a torn ACL early in the season. The move to release the 29-year-old does not mean that Slayton will not return to the organization's practice squad ahead of the Week 1 season opener against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. But with Slayton out of the picture for now, Nabers, Darnell Mooney, rookie Malachi Fields, and veteran Odell Beckham Jr. will serve as the team's top pass-catchers. Slayton's release is more good news for OBJ as he attempts to turn back the clock in 2026.
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
Zach Charbonnet Worth Stashing Off the Waiver Wire Ahead of Week 1?
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) looks "awesome" and "dang good" in his rehab efforts, per Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune. Charbonnet is working his way back from a torn ACL, which he suffered during Seattle's NFC Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers in mid-January. The 25-year-old is set to open 2026 on the Physically Unable to Perform List, which guarantees he will miss at least the Seahawks' first four games. However, it appears Charbonnet could have a chance to make his return as soon as Week 5. Once healthy, Charbonnet has a legitimate chance to assume the Seahawks RB1 role. While the Seahawks drafted rookie running back Jadarian Price to replace the departed Kenneth Walker III, Charbonnet recorded 730 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns across 16 games in 2025 and should have the full faith of the coaching staff. In leagues where Charbonnet is available on the waiver wire, he could be worth stashing in an IR or bench spot ahead of a potential mid-October return.
Source: Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Source: Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Joey Porter Jr. Expected to be Active in Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday that the team is healthy and there is not anyone that he expects to have trouble playing on Sunday in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, which includes defensive back Joey Porter Jr., according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. It is good news for Pittsburgh's defense as they head into a favorable Week 1 matchup against Atlanta and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The 26-year-old Porter started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a back injury and missed all of the preseason while also seeking a new contract. He has been involved in trade rumors since he and the Steelers have not agreed on an extension, but at least for now, it looks like Porter will stick with the team for the season opener this weekend. The former second-rounder from Penn State had 52 tackles (35 solo), his first career sack, an interception, and 14 pass breakups in 14 starts for the Steelers in his third year in the NFL in 2025.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Brenton Strange a Worthy Deep-League Add Despite Target Competition
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange's overall production in 2025 was held down by a hip/quad injury that forced him to miss five games. However, the 25-year-old was a productive player when he was on the field, recording 46 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns on 60 targets across 12 games. Across seven games after returning from the injury in Week 12, Strange recorded double-digit PPR fantasy points four times. The Jaguars have one of the deeper wide receiver corps in the NFL, which could make it difficult for Strange to see high-volume targets on a consistent basis. Still, Strange is a talented pass-catcher with some breakout potential, especially if Jacksonville suffers a wide receiver injury or two over the course of the season. In deeper league formats, Strange could be worth stashing in a bench spot ahead of Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cardinals Optimistic on Jeremiyah Love's Status for Week 1
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said he is "optimistic" about rookie running back Jeremiyah Love's (ankle) status for Week 1, per Darren Urban of azcardinals.com. Love is working his way back from a high-ankle sprain, which he suffered in the team's second preseason game on August 13. Given that Love's participation in team activities has been very limited since suffering the injury, it seems unlikely that he would see a true workhorse snap share in Week 1. The Cardinals also have a steady veteran option at running back in Tyler Allgeier, who is expected to play a role in the team's backfield even when Love is fully healthy. Still, it's obviously a positive sign for fantasy managers that Love is making progress and has a chance to suit up in Week 1. If he does miss Arizona's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, it seems likely that Love would make his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Source: azcardinals.com - Darren Urban
Source: azcardinals.com - Darren Urban
Keaton Mitchell Back at Practice on Monday
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) was back at practice on Monday after missing each of the last six practices, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. It is a good sign that Mitchell is back at practice to begin the new week, but it does not guarantee that he will be active for Week 1 this Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Arizona Cardinals. If the 24-year-old is limited or out to begin the regular season, it would mean more backfield work for both Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal. In new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme, Mitchell, Hampton, and Vidal are all expected to be used in some sort of committee approach. However, Hampton is expected to see the majority of opportunities, with Mitchell and Vidal picking up scraps as change-of-pace options to keep defenses on their toes. Mitchell has intriguing explosiveness and big-play ability out of the backfield, but his inability to stay healthy so far at the NFL level and committee involvement make him merely a bench stash in fantasy leagues rather than a weekly start to open the 2026 campaign.
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Braelon Allen a Priority Add Amidst Backfield Injury Questions in New York
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen had his 2025 season ruined by injury, going down with a season-ending knee ailment in Week 4. While Allen is healthy ahead of 2026, he will open the year as the clear RB2 in New York behind Breece Hall (groin). Allen played a limited role behind Hall in the four games he was healthy for in 2025, recording 93 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 20 touches. However, Allen profiles as a bigger and potentially more physical back than Hall, which could lead to him seeing some goal-line and short-yardage work. Additionally, Hall is currently battling a groin injury that he suffered during training camp. While Hall is expected to be ready to go for Week 1, the Jets could choose to ease him into the season and give Allen some more touches in the early going. As a handcuff option with some standalone upside as well, Allen profiles as a worthy waiver wire pickup ahead of Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Cooper Kupp Still Worth Rostering in Deeper Leagues?
Across 16 games in 2025, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp recorded 47 catches for 593 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets. In Seattle's run-heavy offense, Kupp was still the team's second-highest target-earner behind superstar wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. However, Kupp's average of 4.4 targets per game was still the lowest of his decorated career by a sizable margin. Entering 2026, Kupp is expected to slide down to the WR3 role in Seattle behind both Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed. However, Seattle has significant questions in their backfield to open the year, which could force them to throw the ball a bit more this season. Additionally, Shaheed averaged fewer than three targets per game across nine games with Seattle last season, so there's no guarantee that he will take significant work off Kupp's plate. In deeper league formats, Kupp could be worth rostering early in the year while it's still not entirely clear what his role in Seattle will be.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brian Robinson a Top Stash Candidate Ahead of Week 1
Entering 2026, Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson appears unlikely to be a consistent fantasy producer as long as star Falcons running back Bijan Robinson stays healthy. Playing a similar role behind Christian McCaffrey for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, Robinson Jr. recorded 92 carries for 400 yards and two touchdowns across 17 games. However, Robinson Jr. has clear handcuff appeal as the obvious go-to option in Atlanta should Bijan Robinson suffer an injury. He may also see a bit more goal-line work this year, as former Falcons back Tyler Allgeier recorded eight rushing touchdowns in 2025 while playing a supporting role in the Atlanta backfield. In leagues where Robinson Jr. is available on the waiver wire ahead of Week 1, he may be worth stashing in a bench spot as a high-end handcuff running back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Woody Marks Expected to Share Plenty of Backfield Work
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks appears headed for plenty of work in Year 2. Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reported that Houston used Marks and David Montgomery nearly evenly throughout training camp, with the carry split expected to be close even if it doesn't land exactly at 50-50. Marks led the Texans with 703 rushing yards on 196 carries as a rookie, scoring twice on the ground while adding 24 catches for 208 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He also looked sharp in his main preseason appearance, turning five touches into 43 yards with a 20-yard touchdown against Las Vegas. The Texans have talked about expanding Marks' work on third downs and in the passing game as well. Montgomery will have a significant role, but Marks looks like more than a change-of-pace option heading into the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alec Pierce Should Be Good to Go for Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) "should be good" to play in Sunday's season opener against Baltimore, head coach Shane Steichen said, according to Joel A. Erickson. Pierce underwent ankle surgery in March and spent nearly all of training camp on the Active/PUP list before finally returning to practice Aug. 27. The Colts have been ramping him up since then, with Week 1 always the target. Pierce is coming off the best season of his career, catching 47 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. He also led the NFL with 21.3 yards per reception for the second straight year. After spending most of the summer rehabbing, Steichen's latest update is a strong sign Pierce will be back in the lineup when Indianapolis opens against the Ravens.
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Rhamondre Stevenson Expected to See Plenty of Work Wednesday
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to see plenty of snaps in Wednesday night's opener against Seattle, according to Chad Graff. Head coach Mike Vrabel pointed to Stevenson's pass protection Monday, saying "the protection for me is what stands out" when discussing what he values in the veteran's game. That part of Stevenson's skill set could keep him on the field regardless of how the carries are divided. He played 14 games last season, rushing for 603 yards and seven touchdowns on 130 carries while adding 32 catches for 345 yards and two more scores. TreVeyon Henderson's ankle injury could open the door to even more work, but Stevenson already has a strong case for a heavy snap count because New England trusts him to protect the quarterback.
Source: Chad Graff
Source: Chad Graff
