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
September 18, 2025
The Brooklyn Nets have waived guard
Keon Johnson. This move is quite unexpected since Johnson was one of the team's top contributors last season. Johnson started in 56 of his 79 appearances, averaging 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steals. He was on a partially guaranteed $2.34 million salary for this season. According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Johnson is dealing with an injury, which influenced the team's decision to release him. Considering his performance last season, Johnson will likely attract interest from other NBA teams once he's healthy again.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA.com
September 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Cody Mauch is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 season after suffering a knee injury in their Week 2 win against the Texans. The injury is significant enough to require surgery and forces Tampa Bay to lose a third starter along the offensive line for the time being. Mauch is one of the best pass-blocking guards in the league and a big piece to one of the best offensive lines in football. He had the 22nd-best overall grade among guards, with the 10th-highest pass-blocking grade, per PFF. He helped fuel one of the league's best run games and provided pristine protection for
Baker Mayfield. It's a tough loss for a Tampa Bay team that has dealt with multiple injuries already.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Greg Auman
September 18, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Jeremy McNichols (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday's practice ahead of Week 3's home matchup against the Raiders. This seems to be a new injury for McNichols, and the severity is unknown at the moment. McNichols is set to step into a larger role in Washington's backfield as their primary third-down and pass-down back with
Austin Ekeler out for the season. McNichols is a highly trusted veteran in pass protection, and he showed some ability to be versatile last season, gaining tough yardage as a runner and catching some passes as a receiver. His most important skill is pass protection, which will keep him on the field a lot. That makes him worth considering as an option to pick up off the waiver wire to see how the Washington backfield shakes out.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Commanders.com
September 18, 2025
Cleveland Browns quarterback
Dillon Gabriel saw his first game action in the NFL in their 41-17 Week 2 blowout at the Ravens. He completed all three of his passes for 19 yards and a touchdown. With the offense scuffling with
Joe Flacco as the starter, discussions about a quarterback replacement are starting to pop up in Cleveland, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler says that Cleveland's situation "bears monitoring" in response to the question of which quarterback is most in danger of being benched. While Flacco is safe for now, he compared the situation to
Jacoby Brissett with the Patriots last season.
Drake Maye's first NFL start came at home against the Texans in Week 6 of last season, for reference. Gabriel has operated as the No. 2 quarterback all summer and has been praised for his mobility, quick release, and overall grasp of the offense. It will likely only be a matter of weeks before Gabriel slides in as the starter in Cleveland. He makes for an intriguing upside swing to stash in redraft superflex leagues and deeper formats.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
September 18, 2025
San Francisco Giants right-hander
Justin Verlander plans to pitch in 2026, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Although Verlander will turn 43 in February, the future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner remains an effective starter. He turned in seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball with three strikeouts and two walks in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, continuing a spectacular start to September. Verlander has taken the ball three times this month and allowed a mere one earned run on 10 hits and six walks (13 strikeouts) over 20 innings. Despite an unsightly 3-10 record, Verlander has registered a respectable 3.75 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP, 127 strikeouts, and 49 walks in 141 2/3 frames this season. The nine-time All-Star has pitched for four different teams since he began his decorated career in 2005, and as a soon-to-be free agent, he could add to that total over the winter. In the meantime, Verlander is scheduled to make his next start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.
--Connor ByrneSource: Bob Nightengale - USA Today
September 17, 2025
Atlanta Braves first baseman
Matt Olson homered for the fifth time in six games to help the team to a 9-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Along with his solo shot off right-hander
Sauryn Lao, Olson added two singles to finish 3-for-5 with an additional run scored. Olson has gone an eye-popping 23-for-60 (.383) with 12 extra-base hits (seven HRs, three doubles, two triples), 15 RBI, and 15 runs scored in 16 games this month. Over 153 games and 682 plate appearances this season, the 31-year-old has slashed .281/.372/.497 with 28 homers, 92 RBI, and 92 runs. With the roll he's on, Olson has a strong chance to swat 30-plus HRs for the fifth time in his career and an outside chance to reach 100 RBI for the fourth time
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
September 17, 2025
Los Angeles Angels first baseman
Nolan Schanuel (wrist) began a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, the team announced. Schanuel has been on the 10-day injured list with a left-wrist contusion since Aug. 24, but barring setbacks, he should return before the Angels' season wraps up. The 23-year-old has hit a modest .266/.355/.383 with 10 homers, 49 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five stolen bases over 535 plate appearances in his second full season in the majors. The Angels have started five different players at first base in Schanuel's absence.
--Connor ByrneSource: Los Angeles Angels
September 17, 2025
Chicago Cubs closer
Daniel Palencia (shoulder) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. The right-hander has been on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain since Sept. 8, leaving
Andrew Kittredge as the Cubs' primary choice for saves over the past week-plus. Palencia was tattooed for five earned runs on four hits (including two homers) in his most recent appearance on Sept. 7, when he failed to record an out in a loss to the Washington Nationals. However, the 25-year-old has still logged an impressive 3.00 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP, 59:16 K:BB, and 22 saves in 51 innings. There's no word on how many rehab appearances he'll need before the playoff-bound Cubs activate him.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
September 17, 2025
Kansas City Royals right-hander
Ryan Bergert (forearm) will head to the 15-day injured list with forearm tightness, manager Matt Quatraro announced. Bergert's season will come to an end after he began feeling discomfort during a bullpen session on Wednesday. He had been in line to start Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays, but righty
Michael Lorenzen will get the ball instead. Acquired from the San Diego Padres in July, the 25-year-old Bergert totaled 19 appearances (15 starts) and went 2-2 with a 3.66 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and 73:35 K:BB over 76 1/3 innings in his first major league season. Without Bergert, the Royals still have five healthy starters in Lorenzen,
Michael Wacha,
Cole Ragans,
Noah Cameron, and
Stephen Kolek.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jaylon Thompson - The Kansas City Star
September 17, 2025
Texas Rangers right-hander
Tyler Mahle (shoulder) will come off the 60-day injured list to start on Friday against the Miami Marlins, according to Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News. Mahle, who last pitched for the Rangers on June 10, has missed over three months with shoulder fatigue. The Rangers are convinced that the 30-year-old is ready to return after he looked sharp in his final rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock on Sept. 12. Mahle tossed four scoreless innings in that game, and while he only threw 52 pitches, manager Bruce Bochy believes he'll be good for 75 or more against the Marlins. Across 14 starts and 77 innings this season, Mahle has gone 6-3 with a 2.34 ERA (4.35 xERA), a 1.13 WHIP, 56 strikeouts, and 27 walks.
--Connor ByrneSource: Shawn McFarland - Dallas Morning News
September 17, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Taijuan Walker will start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, while fellow righty
Walker Buehler will follow in relief. The Phillies are going with a Walker-Buehler piggyback arrangement to line up left-hander
Cristopher Sanchez for Tuesday and Sunday starts next week, which will put him on schedule to toe the rubber in their first playoff game. Walker has made 31 appearances (20 starts) this season and gone 5-8 with a 4.17 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP, and 79:37 K:BB in 116 2/3 innings. Buehler struggled so badly with the Boston Red Sox that they released him in late August, but the Phillies scooped him up shortly after that. He started and won in his Phillies debut on Sept. 12, tossing five innings of one-run, five-hit ball with 3:1 K:BB against the Kansas City Royals.
--Connor ByrneSource: Todd Zolecki - MLB.com
September 17, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman
Junior Caminero (back) left the team's game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday with mid-back tightness and is considered day-to-day, according to Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Florida. The Rays subbed outfielder
Jake Mangum in for Caminero and reshuffled their defensive alignment in the seventh inning. Caminero ended his night 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts, though the 22-year-old has been on fire in September. He entered the game slashing .311/.354/.566 with five homers, 14 RBI, and nine runs scored this month. During a breakout campaign, Caminero has put together a .259/.302/.537 line with 44 homers, 108 RBI, 89 runs scored, and seven stolen bases over 620 plate appearances. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday to see if Caminero is in the lineup for the Rays' series finale against the Jays.
--Connor ByrneSource: Ryan Bass
September 17, 2025
New York Jets wide receiver
Josh Reynolds (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. Reynolds hasn't been on the practice field since last Thursday due to a shoulder issue. He sat out last week's game and is in danger of missing the Week 3 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His absence should result in a higher workload for
Allen Lazard. However, there's really no viable receiving options on this team outside of
Garrett Wilson. The Jets are going to be without
Justin Fields (concussion), so
Tyrod Taylor should be under center. Even if Reynolds plays, fantasy managers can find a better streaming option for Week 3.
--Andy WebbSource: Rich Cimini
September 17, 2025
Chicago White Sox left-hander
Martin Perez (shoulder) exited a 3-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday with shoulder soreness and will undergo an MRI on Thursday. The 34-year-old fell to 1-6 after giving up three earned runs on five hits while posting three strikeouts against three walks over 3 2/3 innings. Despite Wednesday's struggles, Perez has recorded a solid 3.54 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB over 11 appearances (10 starts) and 56 innings this year. Perez missed four months of the season with a flexor strain, though, and his latest injury may prevent him from pitching again in 2025.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
September 17, 2025
Denver Broncos tight end
Evan Engram (back) was held out of Wednesday's practice session. Engram was dealing with a calf issue last week, but still managed to play in the Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. However, fantasy managers might not have noticed he played considering he only hauled in one catch for 12 yards during that contest. The veteran tight end has a total of four catches through the first two weeks. His decrease in usage should be more of a concern than this back injury. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday and Friday for another update on his status. If he sits,
Adam Trautman would see an increased role for the Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Engram should be rostered in most formats, but is tough to trust after two straight duds.
--Andy WebbSource: denverbroncos.com
September 17, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Darnell Mooney (shoulder) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Mooney missed most of training camp and Week 1 due to a shoulder issue. He made his season debut last week, but was mostly quiet on the field. He hauled in two of his four targets for 20 yards in the victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The fact he was a limited participant on Wednesday could be the Falcons being cautious. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday and Friday to see if his status changes at all ahead of the Week 3 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The veteran wideout should be rostered in most 12-team formats despite a slow start.
--Andy WebbSource: atlantafalcons.com
September 17, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher
Will Smith (hand) will not come off the 10-day injured list when he's first eligible this weekend, manager Dave Roberts told reporters. Smith has been on the IL since Sept. 10 with a bone bruise on his right hand, and while he has been catching bullpen sessions, he hasn't resumed hitting or throwing. He suffered the injury on Sept. 3 and has only appeared in one game since then. Until the three-time All-Star comes back, the Dodgers will go with
Ben Rortvedt and
Dalton Rushing as their catchers while they attempt to fend off the San Diego Padres for an NL West crown. As one of the Dodgers' most productive players, Smith is among the main reasons they're leading their division. The 30-year-old has slashed .296/.404/.497 with 17 homers, 61 RBI, and 64 runs scored in 436 trips to the plate.
--Connor ByrneSource: Sonja Chen - MLB.com
September 17, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) was spotted doing some running on the side during Wednesday's practice. It sounds like Aiyuk is continuing to make progress, but is still going to be sidelined for a few weeks. He's currently on the physically unable to perform list through Week 4. There haven't been many updates on his status lately. The assumption is that Aiyuk should be ready to play around Week 5 or 6, but there should be a better timetable closer to that date. Aiyuk should be stashed in most 12-team formats as he'll likely be a focal point of the offense once he's ready to play.
--Andy WebbSource: Nick Wagoner
September 17, 2025
The Kansas City Royals announced that outfielder
Kyle Isbel (hamstring) exited their game against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday with left-hamstring discomfort. After Isbel grounded out in the bottom of the second inning, the Royals replaced him in center field with
Tyler Tolbert. Isbel has been a defensive standout in center this season, but the 28-year-old hasn't offered much with the bat. Over 134 games and 408 plate appearances, Isbel has hit .256/.301/.354 with four homers, 33 RBI, 42 runs scored, and four stolen bases.
--Connor ByrneSource: Kansas City Royals
September 17, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars running back
Bhayshul Tuten (shoulder) was limited during Wednesday's practice session. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried as Tuten still has plenty of time to get ready before the Week 3 matchup against the Houston Texans. Without
Tank Bigsby in the picture, Tuten was able to make a big splash last week. He rushed eight times for 42 yards while adding two receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Sadly, Tuten is going to have his value limited as the backup to
Travis Etienne Jr. right now. Despite that, Tuten should continue to see his role rise if he plays well. He should be rostered in most 12-team formats at the moment even as the backup.
--Andy WebbSource: Jacksonville Jaguars
September 17, 2025
Los Angeles Angels right-hander
Jose Soriano (forearm) left his start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday with a contusion on his right forearm. Soriano exited in the second inning after a line drive off the bat of
Jake Bauers struck him in the arm, but X-rays came back negative for a fracture. The Angels replaced Soriano with righty
Connor Brogdon. After giving up three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings on Wednesday, Soriano owns a 4.26 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP, 152 strikeouts, and 78 walks in 169 innings this season. The 26-year-old is scheduled to make his next start against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.
--Connor ByrneSource: Los Angeles Angels
September 17, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Mason is expected to be the main focus in the running game over the next few games. Recently, head coach Kevin O'Connell expressed confidence that Mason has bellcow potential. They expect Mason to handle a significant rushing workload while Aaron Jones (hamstring) is sidelined. The Vikings believe Mason is a multi-faceted player that can do just about anything on the football field. So far this season, Mason has rushed 24 times for 98 yards over the first two games of the season. There's not much competition behind Mason in the backfield right now. He should see all the carries he can handle, which should at least offer RB2 value for their upcoming matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
--Andy WebbSource: Minnesota Vikings
September 17, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Trey Yesavage will pitch in this weekend's series against the Kansas City Royals, manager John Schneider told reporters. However, Schneider is still undecided on whether Yesavage will start or work out of the bullpen.
Max Scherzer,
Shane Bieber, and
Jose Berrios are currently penciled in to toe the rubber during the three-game set, but Schneider may opt to plug Yesavage in after he dazzled in his first major league start on Monday. The highly touted 22-year-old prospect threw five innings of one-run, three-hit ball and logged nine strikeouts against two walks in a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Yesavage now owns the Blue Jays' franchise record for most punchouts in a debut.
--Connor ByrneSource: Shi Davidi - Sportsnet
September 17, 2025
Denver Broncos quarterback
Bo Nix said that second-year wide receiver
Troy Franklin is "starting to develop into the player everyone knows he can become." Franklin, who was teammates with Nix at Oregon, had a breakout game in the Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, catching eight of his nine targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. The 22-year-old wideout currently leads the Broncos in targets (15), catches (12), and receiving yards (133) through the first two games in 2025. Franklin probably won't take over WR1 duties from
Courtland Sutton, but a second-year breakout could very well be in the cards for him, especially because of his strong chemistry with Nix. His primary competition for weekly targets will come from
Marvin Mims Jr., who is more of a big-play deep threat than one who will be consistently peppered with targets. If you need WR help early on, Franklin is definitely worth a waiver-wire pickup.
--Keith HernandezSource: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
September 17, 2025
Denver Broncos rookie second-round running back
RJ Harvey is "an important piece of what we're doing," according to head coach Sean Payton. That may be true, and Harvey could see his role grow as the season progresses, but right now, his fantasy value is capped with
J.K. Dobbins serving as the RB1 in Denver. Harvey was out-touched 15-6 by Harvey in the Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and finished with only five carries for eight yards (1.6 yards per tote) while adding one catch for a nice 16-yard gain. In the season-opening win over the Tennessee Titans, the UCF product had six carries for 70 yards and one reception for a loss of a yard. The 24-year-old is slippery with plenty of big-play potential, but right now, he's merely an RB3/flex for fantasy managers with a low floor and ceiling. Harvey and the Broncos also have a difficult upcoming divisional tilt against the 2-0 Los Angeles Chargers on the road this Sunday.
--Keith HernandezSource: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
September 17, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray didn't exactly ease fantasy managers' concerns regarding second-year wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. when talking to the media on Wednesday. "There's only one ball. We've been playing this game for a long time. Some days he's gonna get 10, and some days he might get 3. You never know," Murray said when asked if he felt Harrison should have more targets through two weeks. Harrison and Murray supposedly improved their chemistry in the offseason, but through two games, we have yet to see it. The 23-year-old former fourth overall pick is tied for 49th among WRs with 11 targets through two games and has caught seven of them for 98 yards and a touchdown. It might take Harrison a bit more time to reach his true potential, but fantasy managers will be hoping he'll rebound in a divisional matchup this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
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