September 18, 2025
Ottawa Senators center Lars Eller (abdomen) may have to sit out the start of training camp, general manager Steve Staios told reporters on Wednesday. The Danish veteran, who celebrated his 36th birthday in May, had a minor abdomen procedure in the summer. Eller is preparing to start his first season with the Senators after signing a one-year, $1.25 million contract as a free agent in July. He split last season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, registering 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 80 games. Eller lacks fantasy appeal but typically does a solid job for teams as a bottom-six center.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
September 18, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver
Xavier Restrepo could be elevated from the practice squad this week. The undrafted free agent out of Miami has prior chemistry with Titans quarterback and No. 1 overall pick
Cam Ward, generating plenty of buzz during training camp. While Restrepo initially landed on the practice squad, an injury to wideout
Bryce Oliver (knee) has opened the door for him to see game action against the Indianapolis Colts. If Restrepo can translate his rapport with Ward onto the field, he could work his way into a larger role and become a name to monitor for fantasy managers later in the season.
--Nathan HarveySource: Tennessee Titans
September 18, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Tai Felton is still searching for his first offensive snap as Minnesota prepares to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. The rookie from Maryland has seen the field, but exclusively on special teams, even as Minnesota has needed extra help at receiver with
Jordan Addison (suspension) out for the first three games. It's not a great sign for either Felton or the Vikings, who passed on receiver
Elic Ayomanor and running backs
Cam Skattebo and
Bhayshul Tuten, among others, to select Felton in the third round. Felton is a safe drop in redraft leagues, but still a possible taxi-squad stash in dynasty formats.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 18, 2025
Ottawa Senators defenseman Nick Jensen (hip) may not be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season. According to Senators head coach Travis Green, it's "too early to tell" whether Jensen can recover in time for the season opener. The veteran blue-liner had hip surgery during the offseason. Jensen was Mr. Reliable on the blue line for Ottawa last season, posting 21 points (three goals, 18 assists) in 71 games with 95 blocks and a team-high plus-18 rating. Jensen's absence at the beginning of the season would give more playing time to highly-rated prospect Carter Yakemchuk.
--Taavi PailkSource: Alex Adams
September 18, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Christian Watson praised rookie wide receivers
Savion Williams and
Matthew Golden this week, saying the pair of first-year players are "already putting really good stuff on film," according to The Athletic. Watson, who is still rehabbing from another knee surgery, is eyeing a return later this season. For now, the Packers could use a helping hand while Watson and
Jayden Reed (collarbone) are out, and Williams certainly could be one of the players who sees more work. Williams drew two designed runs for 24 yards in Week 2 and has flashed as a kicker returner. For now, he's mostly a dynasty stash, but he could become a hot waiver-wire addition if he keeps earning more playing time.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: The Athletic
September 18, 2025
Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour (ankle) will be sidelined for two weeks. He underwent surgery for ankle bursitis earlier this month. This may cause Montour to miss training camp and the preseason games. However, Montour should be ready for the regular-season opener, which comes on Oct. 7 for the Kraken against the Anaheim Ducks. After winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024, Montour played his first season in Seattle last year. He set a franchise record among defensemen with 18 goals and finished the year with 41 points in 81 games. The 31-year-old has averaged 0.5 points per game for two seasons in a row, but his 73-point campaign from 2022-23 shows Montour has the potential to be much more productive.
--Taavi PailkSource: Curtis Crabtree
September 18, 2025
Houston Astros outfielder
Chas McCormick (side) has been unable to play in Triple-A for the last week due to a side issue, according to manager Joe Espada. McCormick has played 66 games in the majors this year and 11 games in the minors. He came off the injured list after an oblique injury in mid-July but was optioned to Triple-A in early September. He has played sparingly since losing his starting role to
Jake Meyers in spring training. McCormick hit only .210 with one homer and two stolen bases in his limited action this year and seems to have faded from the team's plans in the last two seasons after a big year in 2023 when he hit .273 with 22 homers and 19 stolen bases. Even if he does recover in time, his role on the team is uncertain the rest of this season, leaving him well off the fantasy radar.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Chandler Rome
September 18, 2025
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Jake Fraley (oblique) will not return this season after the team moved him to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday. Fraley was designated for assignment by the Reds in mid-August and claimed by the Braves. He went 7-for-23 (.304) in nine games with the Braves before landing on the injured list with a right oblique strain on Sunday. He'll miss the rest of the season, so the Braves chose to open up a spot on their 40-man roster by moving him to the 60-day injured list. He is arbitration-eligible this offseason, so the Braves will decide whether to tender him an offer or allow him to become a free agent. As a left-handed hitter, he could still offer enough upside to draw attention as a veteran platoon option for the Braves or if he hits the open market this offseason.
--Zach ThompsonSource: David O'Brien
September 18, 2025
Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog will face no restrictions at the start of the season. "Right now, he's full go," Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday. "I'm not going to limit his minutes. I'm not going to sit him out games when he's feeling good or taking practices off when he's feeling good." The Avalanche captain has missed three regular-season campaigns due to a knee problem, but he returned to action during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bednar's words suggest Landeskog is fully healthy for the start of the 2025-26 season. Despite sitting out three years, Landeskog made a positive impact in the postseason, tallying four points (one goal, three assists) with 10 shots in five games and delivering 16 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: Evan Rawal
September 18, 2025
New Orleans Saints quarterback
Spencer Rattler's apparent improvement in Year 2 has sufficiently quieted any QB controversy rumblings, with Nola.com reporting that Saints coach Kellen Moore hasn't fielded a single question about replacing Rattler with rookie
Tyler Shough since naming the former the starter. To his credit, Rattler won the competition in the offseason and has played better than expected in the first two games, completing 65% of his passes for 421 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Saints are 0-2 and among the worst rosters in the league, but Rattler is coming off a three-touchdown performance against a solid San Francisco defense and has shown some sneaky streaming appeal for Superflex leagues and as a backup in one-QB formats.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: NOLA.com
September 18, 2025
Former NFL Most Valuable Player
Cam Newton said on his podcast, 4th&1 with Cam Newton, that Cleveland Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders also declined to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. It was reported last week that the rookie turned down the Baltimore Ravens, though Newton said the initial reports failed to include that Sanders informed Philly he would prefer to be drafted by another team where he had a more realistic chance to play. One of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 draft, Sanders slipped into the fifth round to Cleveland, which already had taken Oregon's
Dillon Gabriel earlier in the draft. The Browns dealt
Kenny Pickett to Las Vegas prior to Week 1, leaving the two rookies as the only other healthy options behind stopgap starter
Joe Flacco. For fantasy purposes, Sanders' only value this year is as a stash in dynasty formats.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: 4th&1 with Cam Newton
September 18, 2025
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher
Kyle Finnegan (adductor) will make a rehab appearance on Thursday for the Toledo Mud Hens, as he looks to return to the Tigers' bullpen in time for the last few series of the regular season. After joining the Tigers at the trade deadline, the 34-year-old righty made 12 scoreless appearances with four saves and 19 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings. He could be an impact arm for Detroit out of the bullpen if he can return from the right adductor strain that has sidelined him since August 31. He has only missed a few weeks, so he shouldn't need many rehab appearances and could even return this weekend if all goes well. If Finnegan is available in your league and you need saves or relief innings, he's an excellent addition.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Chris McCosky
September 18, 2025
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (lower body) is expected to miss parts of training camp, but the team is hopeful that he will be ready for the start of the regular season, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. Girard has been part of the Avalanche core for many years, but he hasn't really made an impact in fantasy hockey. The 27-year-old finished last season with 24 points (three goals, 21 assists), 95 shots, 111 blocked shots, and 62 hits in 73 regular-season games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Evan Rawal
September 18, 2025
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body) has been labeled as week-to-week by head coach Jared Bednar. "Things seem to be going good," Bednar said Wednesday. "Week-to-week I would say right now, but he's going to be limited and missing some time in camp as well. We're hoping he's ready to go for the start of the season; if not right at the start, then maybe the first week or two." Blackwood's injury means that we will likely see a lot of Scott Wedgewood in exhibition games. Nonetheless, Bednar seems confident that his No. 1 won't miss much time at the start of the regular season, if any. Blackwood had a superb start to his Avalanche career last season, going 22-12-3 in 37 appearances. He posted three shutouts and had a 2.33 goals-against average with a .913 save percentage.
--Taavi PailkSource: Evan Rawal
September 18, 2025
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Tyler Anderson (oblique) may not be able to return this season since he hasn't been able to make much progress since ramping up his throwing program. He originally injured his oblique while returning home from being on paternity leave. He pitched on August 29, but the next day, he was placed on the IL. The veteran lefty went just 2-8 in 26 games with a 4.56 ERA, 5.61 FIP, and 104 strikeouts in 136 1/3 innings. Anderson will be a free agent after the season and has proven he can be an innings-eating option towards the back of the rotation. He has spent the last three years with the Angels after starting his career with the Dodgers and Rockies. He can be safely dropped in all formats since there are other options that make more sense, especially with Anderson's return uncertain.
--Zach ThompsonSource: MLB.com
September 18, 2025
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) will test the injury pregame Thursday at Buffalo as there is growing optimism the receiver will be able to play. The Alabama product is officially listed as questionable for the Dolphins, who are double-digit underdogs against the Bills and facing the real prospect of an 0-3 start. Waddle has been decent in spite of the Dolphins' poor start, registering nine catches for 98 yards and a touchdown through two games. But given the injury, a Buffalo defense that has fared well against fantasy receivers, and a Miami offense that is going through a rough patch, Waddle is a low-end WR3/flex play while playing on a short week.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: NFL Network
September 18, 2025
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (undisclosed) may miss Day 1 of training camp on Thursday. According to Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, Tuch is dealing with a minor injury. "He may not be out there tomorrow or the next day or two, but nothing significant," Adams said Wednesday. "Just a little bit of a minor thing." It appears highly unlikely that the injury will impact Tuch's status for the start of the season. He's set to start his fifth year in Buffalo and has a lot to live up to after tying his career high with 36 goals last season and earning 67 points, the fourth most on the team.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
September 18, 2025
Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway (lower body) will not be available for training camp, general manager Kevyn Adams announced. Greenway underwent a second surgery in July to address an issue that had affected him throughout last season. According to Adams, Greenway is expected to be available "around opening night." Greenway can be an effective two-way force on the ice, but he was limited to only eight points (three goals, five assists) in 34 appearances last season. The 28-year-old power forward hasn't played more than 67 games in any of the past four seasons but has still recorded at least 100 hits each year.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
September 18, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Matt Wallner (back) left Wednesday night's game against the Yankees in the fifth inning after going 0-for-1 with a walk. Wallner is considered day-to-day, but since the Twins have a day off Thursday, he could return to action Friday without missing a start. The 27-year-old lefty is hitting only .202 on the season, but does have a new career-high 22 homers in his 104 games. He has a .262 ISO and .334 wOBA and is a solid source of lefty power in the Minnesota outfield despite his low average. He has been part of a crowded rotation in the outfield, so he could get fewer games over the last couple of series if his back continues to be an issue.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Bobby Nightengale
September 18, 2025
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) is considered day-to-day. Luukkonen reported to training camp with a minor injury, and it looks like it will take some time before he can fully participate in practice sessions. Buffalo signed Alexandar Georgiev to a one-year deal last week, in case Luukkonen's injury is more serious than initially feared. "There's no alarms right now saying that it's a significant injury [to Luukkonen]," Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said Wednesday. "There was a tweak that he just didn't feel great. So, we just have to make sure that we protect ourselves." As Buffalo's starting goaltender, Luukkonen finished last season with a 24-24-5 record, allowing 3.20 goals with a .887 save percentage and two shutouts.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
September 18, 2025
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (lower body) will be out for a couple of weeks, general manager Steve Yzerman announced. It's a blow for the young blue-liner, but he's on track to be healthy for the start of the season. "We'll have him ready to go sometime around the start of the regular season," Yzerman said. Edvinsson enjoyed a solid rookie year last season, producing 31 points (seven goals, 24 assists) in 78 contests. Additionally, he racked up 144 blocks and delivered 86 hits. The 22-year-old has the potential to become a very valuable defenseman in fantasy hockey if he continues to develop.
--Taavi PailkSource: Helene St. James
September 18, 2025
Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund has signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract extension. His current deal was set to expire in 2026. Backlund has spent his entire 17-year NHL career in Calgary, becoming the team captain in 2023. He has put up 563 points (215 goals, 348 assists) in 1,066 career games. During the last campaign, Backlund contributed 15 goals and 17 assists in 76 appearances. Backlund has been a consistent performer for the Flames for many years, but in recent seasons, he hasn't been productive enough to make a significant impact in fantasy hockey.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
September 18, 2025
Utah Mammoth goaltender Connor Ingram is set to move on to another team. He did not report to training camp on Wednesday, and Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong announced that Ingram will be waived. "We had a mutual agreement where we said, 'Hey, listen, we have our goaltenders,'" Armstrong said. "It's probably best for him not to come to camp and put himself in a [tough] situation." Ingram's performances were inconsistent last season as he dealt with personal issues. The 28-year-old went 9-8-4 with a 3.27 goals-against average and a .882 save percentage. In March, Ingram entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, but he was cleared from the program last month, allowing him to continue his NHL career.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
September 18, 2025
Edmonton Oilers right wing Zach Hyman (wrist) won't be available for the start of training camp and remains without a timetable for his return. However, it seems that he has a good chance to be ready for the season opener. "He's not going to miss much time, if he misses any," Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said Wednesday. "I'm not worried about Zach Hyman." Hyman, who is recovering from offseason wrist surgery, told reporters that he's skating, just not yet with the team. Both fantasy managers and the Oilers brass will be hoping for a bounce-back season from Hyman in 2025-26. He finished last season with just 44 points (27 goals, 17 assists), which was by far his lowest scoring total since joining the team in 2021.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
September 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nick Paul (upper body) is expected to be out of action until November. He had surgery last Friday to fix an upper-body issue. "It's something he had been dealing with most of last season, to be honest," Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said Wednesday. "We tried every conservative method of getting him back to 100 percent over the course of summer, and everything we tried just wasn't working. And as we got closer to the start of the season, we decided this was probably best to be addressed through surgery." In 2024-25, Paul had a second consecutive 40-point campaign, notching 22 goals and 19 assists in 76 outings. Zemgus Girgensons may get a chance to work on the third line until Paul's return, although he doesn't have any significant fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
September 18, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (chest) appears to be ready to fully participate in training camp, as the team has not listed him among injured players. The six-time All-Star had surgery in April to close a small hole in his heart. Letang had a tough season last term, settling for 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in 74 appearances. He'll try to bounce back in his 20th pro season, but considering his age, fantasy managers shouldn't bank on it.
--Taavi PailkSource: Pittsburgh Penguins
September 18, 2025
Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak is dealing with tendinitis and will miss the first few practices of training camp, general manager Don Sweeney said Wednesday. The Czechia star is expected to return to full practice next week. Pastrnak has three straight 100-point campaigns under his belt and hasn't missed a single regular-season game during that span, adding to his fantasy value. His performances in 2024-25 were especially impressive, given that the Bruins struggled as a team for most of the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
September 18, 2025
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (groin) will be sidelined until December, general manager Bill Zito said Wednesday. The star forward battled several injuries last season and had surgery in August. Initial reports suggested that Tkachuk will be out until 2026. Despite battling injuries, Tkachuk was still a point-per-game player last season, notching 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists) in 55 regular-season appearances and contributing 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in as many games during his team's run to a second consecutive Stanley Cup win. In Tkachuk's absence, Brad Marchand might begin the season as part of the top-six group.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
September 18, 2025
Shooting guard
Trevelin Queen will move to China for the upcoming campaign, having agreed to a deal with the Guangdong Southern Tigers. The 28-year-old has spent the last two seasons with the Orlando Magic, averaging 4.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 13.2 minutes across 45 games. Queen has also suited up for the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers, making 62 total regular-season appearances in the NBA. While he has never fully established himself in the NBA, Queen has earned several accolades in the G League, including the MVP award in 2022.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportando
September 18, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers point guard
Damian Lillard (Achilles) plans to take his time with rehab and aims to be in top shape when he returns. "I'm going to take my time to get all the way back, get it fully healed, get it strong, and feel confident on it," Lillard said on an episode of The Sideline with Andy Katz. "I want to get my body all the way back in shape so that when I return to the floor, I'm not coming back as a shell of myself. I plan to return and be myself." Lillard is expected to sit out the entire 2025-26 season due to a torn Achilles. He'll be 36 by the time the 2026-27 campaign comes around, but the veteran star seems confident about his ability to return in All-Star form.
--Taavi PailkSource: Andy Katz
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