RADIO
Christian Watson Ascending Into a Fantasy Superstar
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson had a relatively slow start to his career, but he has recently blossomed into the fantasy superstar that managers expected when he was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Watson finished the 2025 season on a strong note, and he picked up right where he left off with a dominant Week 1 performance that included six catches, 147 yards, and two touchdowns. Watson is a playmaker who has shown that he can get open downfield, and his strong rapport with Jordan Love allows him to catch passes in stride and make big plays. Matthew Golden is also taking on a larger role offensively, but that should have no impact on Watson's outlook. The 27-year-old is a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside this season. He could feast in a favorable Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tetairoa McMillan Plays a Major Role on Offense
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan made a very positive impression as a rookie last year, and he continues to offer solid WR2 value in fantasy football leagues in 2026. McMillan opened the season with eight targets, five catches, and 75 yards in the Panthers' Week 1 contest against the Chicago Bears. He came on a little slow but finished incredibly strong, ranking second on the team in catches and yards behind Jalen Coker. He also played an impressive 82% snap share, which indicates that he should continue to occupy a major role going forward, presumably as Bryce Young's No. 1 receiver. The emergence of Coker could have a very slight impact on McMillan's stock, but we're still confident in him as fantasy WR2 with high volume and touchdown upside. He should benefit immensely from a Week 2 matchup against a suspect Atlanta Falcons team.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle Rising to Top-Tier TE1 Range After Recovery
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was limited in Week 1 due to recovery from an Achilles injury, and while he remained limited in practice on Wednesday, we expect him to take on a substantially larger role going forward. As a result, he's back in the top-12 tight end range for fantasy purposes as long as he's healthy. Last year, Kittle ranked as the overall TE2 during his healthy stretch from Weeks 8-16. A healthy Kittle catching passes from Brock Purdy will fight to be the top-scoring fantasy tight end any given week, making him a must-start in all leagues. Managers who might feel spurned by his two-catch performance last week should feel some assurance knowing that he only played 45% of the offensive snaps. If he's healthy enough to play more than 75% of the snaps this week, he's a near-lock for top-12 production at the tight end position, especially after Purdy lost young target De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) to IR.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
MacKenzie Gore Dealing With "Muscle Spasms" in Back/Shoulder
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said that left-hander MacKenzie Gore (back, shoulder) had "muscle spasms" in his back/shoulder area during his start on Wednesday in the 7-3 win over the visiting Boston Red Sox, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Gore was given a no-decision at Globe Life Field, allowing three earned runs on two hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out none in four innings of work. The 27-year-old southpaw is now up in the air for his next scheduled start, which is tentatively for next Tuesday against the New York Mets. Gore has been up and down in 2026 in his first year with the Rangers, going into Wednesday's start with an 8-11 record, career-high 4.62 ERA (3.77 FIP), and 1.35 WHIP with 172 strikeouts and 66 walks in 161 2/3 innings across his 31 starts. He has not pitched into the sixth inning since his first start of the month on Sept. 1, and he has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his last three starts.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Garrett Wilson Eyeing Larger Target Share With Rookie WR Injured
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has always had plenty of talent after the Jets took him 10th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft from Ohio State, but the problem is he has never worked with a good enough quarterback in the Big Apple to help him reach his true potential. Fantasy managers mostly overlooked the 26-year-old going into his fifth year in the league because he is working with veteran quarterback Geno Smith, who was disastrous in 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders. Wilson had a solid showing in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Tennessee Titans, catching six of his seven targets for 79 yards, although he did not find the end zone. He was already New York's unquestioned WR1, but the expected multi-week injury to rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is going to open up even more targets for Wilson as the Jets head into their Week 2 matchup at home against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday. Wilson is not in a sexy situation with Gang Green, but he will have WR1 upside in fantasy with Cooper sidelined.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Blake Snell "Should be Good" to Make Another Regular-Season Start
Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (groin) said he felt his left groin "grab" during his pre-game bullpen, and he decided not to push it after the first inning on Wednesday in the 6-2 loss to the hosting Cincinnati Reds, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Snell added that he will take things day to day, but he feels like he "should be good" to make another start before the end of the regular season. The Dodgers pulled the veteran southpaw after he threw a scoreless first inning with one hit allowed and a strikeout, but it sounds like he avoided a serious injury. The 33-year-old has a history of groin trouble, so although he might not think it is serious, the Dodgers could decide to play it safe and hold him out until the postseason in October. The 33-year-old two-time Cy Young winner has not been a picture of health in recent years and has only made 19 starts in the regular season for the Blue since joining them before the start of the 2025 season. Snell entered Wednesday's start with a nice 1.91 ERA, though, and he has also posted a 1.09 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 16 walks in 37 2/3 innings across seven starts.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Nick Kurtz Begins Hitting Progression
Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (thumb) has begun a hitting progression, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Kurtz has been sidelined since late July by a right thumb strain and has already been ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season. Still, Gallegos reports that A's manager Mark Kotsay said the team is hoping Kurtz can progress to taking batting practice at some point in the next couple of weeks. Across 434 plate appearances before suffering the injury, the 23-year-old hit .256/.396/.483 with 21 home runs, 69 RBI, 62 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Kurtz's batting average upside is limited by his elevated 32.5% strikeout rate, but he remains an OBP asset with his elite 18.2% walk rate. The lefty slugger also profiles as one of the best power hitters in baseball when healthy, posting an 18% barrel rate and a 57.3% hard-hit rate in 2026. Assuming Kurtz makes a full recovery over the offseason, he should come off the board in the first few rounds of fantasy drafts heading into 2027.
Source: MLB.com - Martín Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martín Gallegos
Chris Godwin Jr. is Proving to be Trustworthy
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. is coming off a decent performance during the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Godwin hauled in all four of his targets for 40 yards during the Week 1 loss. The 30-year-old appears to be healthy again after two injury-riddled seasons in a row. He has built good chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield throughout the years together. The loss of Mike Evans this offseason should mean that Godwin takes on more responsibility on offense. Fantasy managers should be able to plug Godwin in as a WR3 most weeks.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Sale Being Pushed Back, Will Not Start This Weekend
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale's next scheduled start is being pushed back, per Jesus Cano of The Athletic. Cano reports that the veteran left-hander is "not dealing with anything" and that there is "no need to panic." Still, it appears that Sale's next scheduled start will now be next Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds instead of this upcoming weekend against the Houston Astros. Sale has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2026, recording a 14-9 record with a 2.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 190 strikeouts across 157 innings (26 starts). He was effective in his most recent outing on September 11, allowing three earned runs while recording six strikeouts across seven innings pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies. Still, with the Braves locked into a playoff berth, it looks like the team is prioritizing having Sale as fresh as possible in October.
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Bucky Irving is Rising After Strong Opener
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving did a little bit of everything on the field during the season opener. Irving rushed the ball eight times for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in all seven of his targets for 48 yards and another score during the Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Irving was highly efficient on the ground with 5.6 yards per carry, while being a huge factor in the receiving game. The Bucs clearly trust Irving to make plays on the ground and through the air. The presence of Kenny Gainwell does not appear to be making an impact on the value of Irving. Fantasy managers should consider Irving a high-end RB2 for the upcoming matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Joshua Baez "Day-to-Day" After Leaving with Side Tightness
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Joshua Baez (side) is considered day-to-day after exiting early from his team's loss to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday with side tightness, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Baez was hitless in four at-bats before leaving the game. Across 108 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in mid-August, the 23-year-old is hitting .230/.278/.510 with seven home runs, 18 RBI, 18 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Baez hit 34 home runs across 410 plate appearances at Triple-A this season and has posted impressive barrel (12.5%) and hard-hit (48.4%) rates in the big leagues. However, he's also struck out in 30.6% of his plate appearances while logging just a 3.7% walk rate. If Baez ends up missing time, Cardinals outfielder Bryan Torres could be in line for an increase in at-bats.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Juwan Johnson is Absent on Wednesday
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (illness) did not participate during Wednesday's practice session, according to Jeff Nowak. Johnson is feeling under the weather, so he sat out of practice to begin the week. Fantasy managers should consider Johnson day-to-day with a good chance of suiting up for the Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The 30-year-old hauled in three of his seven targets for 54 yards and a touchdown during the Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions. If healthy, Johnson is an interesting starting option for Week 2. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday for another update on Johnson.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
Jackson Holliday Placed on 10-Day Injured List with Left-Wrist Inflammation
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday (wrist) has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation. Infielder Jose Barrero was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take Holliday's place on the team's active roster. While Holliday could technically return to the Orioles before the end of the regular season, his 2026 campaign may be over. Across 354 plate appearances this year, the 22-year-old hit .229/.300/.340 with seven home runs, 30 RBI, 45 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Holliday's season got off to a rough start, as he suffered a broken hamate bone in Spring Training that delayed his 2026 debut until mid-May. The young infielder has struck out in 23.7% of his plate appearances while also posting the worst hard-hit rate of his career (33.1%). With Holliday sidelined, Orioles infielder/outfielder Jeremiah Jackson will likely see an increase in playing time at second base.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Mikey Matthews Out for Week 3
UCLA wide receiver Mikey Matthews (undisclosed) is out for the Bruins this weekend against Purdue. Matthews was sidelined early during his team's Week 2 win over San Diego State, when he went down with an apparent leg injury. Matthews started the season strong with a four-reception, 88-yard performance against Cal, but his 2026 campaign has now been disrupted due to the recent ailment. He is coming off a quality year with UCLA, as he finished 2025 with 33 receptions for 348 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Without Matthews last week, Bruins wide receiver Semaj Morgan led the way with six receptions for 73 yards.
Source: Big 10 availability report
Source: Big 10 availability report
Tory Horton is a Full Participant During Wednesday's Practice
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (hamstring) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice session, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. Horton appears on track to play in Week 2 after missing the season opener due to a hamstring injury. Horton has been battling this issue during training camp, but he finally appears to be getting healthy again. Barring any setbacks, Horton should be active for the Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Fellow wideout Cooper Kupp (back) was limited during Wednesday's practice session. Horton might be asked to take on a larger role if Kupp is downgraded during the week. Fantasy managers should check back for an update on both players later in the week.
Source: Brady Henderson
Source: Brady Henderson
