Enrique Hernandez Returning to Dodgers
Free-agent infielder/outfielder Enrique Hernandez announced on his Instagram account on Thursday that he is re-signing an undisclosed one-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hernandez won't be ready for the start of the 2026 season after having left-elbow surgery this offseason. When the 34-year-old veteran returns, he'll resume his role in L.A. as a super-utility bat that mostly sees action against left-handed pitchers. Kike hit just .203/.255/.366 with a .621 OPS during 92 regular-season games for the Blue last season, adding 10 home runs, 35 RBI, and 30 runs scored in his 256 plate appearances. The Puerto Rican veteran has barely hit over the Mendoza Line the last two years in L.A., but he's been much more clutch during the postseason while helping the Dodgers win back-to-back World Series titles. Hernandez is a glue guy in L.A.'s locker room, but he won't be on the fantasy radar.
Source: FanSided.com - Robert Murray
Source: FanSided.com - Robert Murray
T.J. Hockenson Coming Off a Frustrating Year
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had an underwhelming season as the team endured poor quarterback play and inconsistency at the position. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025, starting all of them. He caught 51 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns, posting the lowest receiving yards total and fantasy points per game mark since he was a rookie. He ultimately finished as the overall TE26 in full-PPR leagues. Although it's fair to blame the trio of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer for Hockenson's frustrating year, that doesn't mean he'll magically bounce back in 2026. McCarthy is due back as the Vikings' quarterback next season. Interestingly, Hockenson also struggled with Sam Darnold as his quarterback in 2024, so he really hasn't been a trustworthy fantasy tight end since Kirk Cousins quarterbacked the Vikings in 2023. Hockenson is under contract for two more years, but the Vikings have a potential out this offseason. If Minnesota releases Hockenson post-June 1, they would create $15.96 million in cap space while taking on $5.34 million in dead money. It certainly wouldn't hurt the Vikings to keep the veteran tight end to help support McCarthy's development, but we also wouldn't be surprised to see the team's next general manager capitalize on this opportunity to create cap space.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zac Veen Unlikely to Break Camp With MLB Team
The Denver Post's Kyle Newman writes that someone would probably have to get injured for Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen to break camp with the major-league team. The Rockies are pretty set in the outfield right now with Brenton Doyle, Mickey Moniak, Jordan Beck, and Jack McCarthy, which leaves Veen on the outside looking in as things currently stand. In a 12-game cup of coffee for his major-league debut last year, the 24-year-old former ninth overall pick struck out 37.8% of the time over just 37 plate appearances before being sent back to Triple-A Albuquerque. Veen also hasn't exactly stood out in the upper levels of the minor leagues with a 94 wRC+ last year and discouraging batted-ball metrics. Speed is probably his biggest asset right now, with the potential to steal 20-plus bags at the next level if he has a full-time role. If he's back in the big leagues at some point in 2026, it will likely be in a part-time role, and he probably won't be an impact bat in mixed fantasy leagues.
Source: The Denver Post - Kyle Newman
Source: The Denver Post - Kyle Newman
Isaac TeSlaa Trending Up After Late Emergence?
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa got off to a slow start in 2025, but he seemed to turn a corner near the end of the regular season. Over the final three weeks of the season, he caught eight of 12 targets for 119 yards and two touchdowns, ranking as the overall WR17 in half-PPR leagues during that span. It was an encouraging end to his rookie campaign, and while anything could happen during the upcoming offseason, it seems like he's trending toward being the Lions' established No. 3 receiver in 2026. If TeSlaa remains the third receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, he could have occasional WR3/flex appeal while also being an appealing injury handcuff. Managers in dynasty leagues should hold TeSlaa for now, but there could be an opportunity to buy low before free agency gets underway.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ronny Mauricio a Candidate to Start At Shortstop?
New York Mets starting shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) underwent surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his hand on Wednesday and might not be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. With Lindor sidelined this spring, infielders Ronny Mauricio, Vidal Brujan, Grae Kessinger, and Jackson Cluff will take reps at shortstop. The Mets plan to leave Bo Bichette at third base for now. After missing all of 2024 due to a torn ACL in his knee, Mauricio struggled at the plate in 61 major-league games, hitting .226/.293/.369 with a .663 OPS, six home runs, 10 RBI, 15 walks, and 54 strikeouts in 184 plate appearances. The 24-year-old former top prospect is running out of time to make an impact in New York, and even if he does earn the starting nod at shortstop on Opening Day, Lindor isn't expected to miss extended time early on.
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Kyle Bradish Looking Sharp Early in Camp
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish has looked sharp early in camp and was seen striking out first baseman Pete Alonso on Thursday during live batting practice, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Although it was a small sample size of only 32 innings over six starts, Bradish looked outstanding in 2025 in his return from Tommy John surgery, allowing only nine earned runs on 23 hits (three homers) while walking 10 and striking out 47. He struck out nine or more hitters in half of his starts for a 37.3% strikeout rate. The 29-year-old surely won't be that dominant over a full season in 2026, but his work last year was extremely encouraging. Since the beginning of 2023, Bradish has a 2.78 ERA (3.03 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with 268 K's and 69 walks in 240 innings over 44 starts for the O's. He's a nice No. 2 starting pitcher target in fantasy drafts this spring.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Bo Bichette Won't Take Reps at Shortstop After Teammate's Injury
The New York Mets signed Bo Bichette this offseason to play third base, and The Athletic's Will Sammon writes that he "won't be taking reps at shortstop" following Francisco Lindor's surgery on the hamate bone in his hand. However, Sammon adds that it could change if Lindor's timetable changes. Early this spring with Lindor sidelined, infielders Vidal Brujan, Grae Kessinger, Jackson Cluff, and Ronny Mauricio will take spring training reps at the 6. The Mets are hoping that Lindor won't miss time, if any, to begin the 2026 regular season, so they'll keep Bichette locked in at the hot corner. The 27-year-old needs all the reps he can get at third, since he's never played the position professionally. Bichette rebounded nicely from an injury-plagued 2024 campaign to hit .311/.357/.483 with an .840 OPS, 18 homers, and 94 RBI in 139 regular-season games last year. He should have a high ceiling for run production while hitting for a high average and producing around 20 homers, and he'll have dual-position eligibility in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Deebo Samuel Sr. Hits Free Agency After a Decent Season
Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. continued to deliver decent contributions in the passing game last season, which was his first with the team. He finished the year with 72 catches, 727 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns, his highest marks in those categories since 2021. He also rushed for 75 yards and an additional touchdown on the ground. Although it was a good but not great year by Samuel's standards, he still finished as the overall WR25 in full-PPR leagues, cementing himself as a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3/flex on a weekly basis. Samuel restructured his contract with the Commanders to become a free agent this offseason, so he'll hit the open market in March. A return to Washington seems possible, but he'll presumably explore all of his options before putting pen to paper. Samuel fits best on a team with an established No. 1 wide receiver, so that he can operate as the No. 2 receiver with contributions as a gadget-type player behind the line of scrimmage or in the short-to-medium passing game. His 2026 fantasy outlook will depend on his landing spot and his eventual quarterback pairing, but for now, we'd expect him to remain a top-30 fantasy receiver.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darius Slayton Could Remain Stuck as No. 3 Receiver in 2026
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton has shown flashes of upside plenty of times throughout his career, but he continues to struggle to emerge as a consistent fantasy threat week over week. Part of the difficulty for Slayton has been quarterback play, but that changed in 2025 when rookie Jaxson Dart took the reins of the offense. However, the other part of the problem has been Slayton's role on the depth chart, and the outlook there remains bleak. We did temporarily jump to second on the depth chart behind Wan'Dale Robinson after Malik Nabers (knee) tore his ACL -- resulting in 37 catches, 538 yards, and a touchdown -- he'll drop back to third if Nabers is healthy for the start of 2026. Plus, tight end Theo Johnson will continue to command plenty of targets, and the same can be said about running back Cam Skattebo (ankle). If there's any glimmer of hope for Slayton, it's the fact that Robinson is an impending free agent. However, the Giants have been very outspoken about their plans to bring Robinson back. It seems likely that Slayton will remain the Giants' No. 3 receiver in 2026, leaving his value to hinge on a teammate's injury. He's not worth drafting in typical redraft leagues, and he can be stashed on the bench only in deeper dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dodgers Reach Contract Extension With Max Muncy
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Thursday that they reached a contract extension with third baseman Max Muncy for one year and $10 million guaranteed, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. The deal also includes a $10 million club option for the 2028 season. Muncy will make $7 million in 2027. The 35-year-old veteran was already under contract for 2026 after the Dodgers picked up his $10 million option. Muncy, a two-time All-Star, has missed significant time with injuries the last two seasons. But when he's healthy, he continues to be a strong left-handed power bat with excellent plate discipline in the best lineup in baseball. In 100 regular-season games last year, he hit .243/.376/.470 with an .846 OPS, 19 home runs, 67 RBI, 48 runs, and four steals in 388 plate appearances. Muncy does struggle against lefties and will almost certainly miss time with injury, but he's still an acceptable third base target in fantasy in the mid to late rounds of drafts.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Can Woody Marks be a Lead Back in 2026?
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks exceeded expectations as a rookie in 2026. He quickly took over the backfield from Nick Chubb and finished the year with 703 rushing yards, 208 receiving yards, and five touchdowns across 16 games (eight starts). Perhaps most eye-opening was a four-week stretch in the back half of the season, during which he averaged 21 touches per game with a modest 65.8 scrimmage yards. By year's end, he was averaging a suboptimal 3.6 yards per carry. Given that the Texans are a contender for years to come, they'll likely look to upgrade the running back position during the offseason. Adding a 1A running back so that Marks can be a change-of-pace or 1B option makes plenty of sense. That's not necessarily bad news for Marks or his fantasy managers; that shared backfield dynamic could allow him to be more consistent and less boom-or-bust, especially while giving him plenty of targets in the passing game. Managers in dynasty leagues should hold Marks right now, because he still has top-36 running back appeal for the 2026 fantasy football season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drew Thorpe has Hit "Road Bumps" in his Recovery
Chicago White Sox right-hander Drew Thorpe (elbow) has hit what he described as "road bumps" in his recovery process, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Thorpe visited Dr. Keith Meister last week and was told that his ligament looks solid. Doctors believe his pain is coming from some tendinitis in his elbow. The 25-year-old was placed on the 60-day injured list last March and missed all of 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The former second-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2022 out of Cal Poly made his major-league debut with Chicago in 2024 and had a 5.48 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and 21 walks in 44 1/3 innings over his nine starts. Thorpe wasn't very sharp in his first taste of the majors, which wasn't exactly a surprise after he skipped Triple-A. While he could be ready for the start of the 2026 season, fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues shouldn't expect Thorpe to contribute until maybe the second half.
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Tony Pollard's Future with Titans Up in the Air?
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard didn't quite live up to expectations during the 2025 season, finishing the year with 1,082 rushing yards, 206 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. He did still manage to finish as the RB23 in full-PPR leagues, but his fantasy scoring was a bit skewed due to a three-week stretch during which he exploded for 367 yards and three touchdowns. It seemed like Pollard's 2025 fantasy value would hinge on whether Tyjae Spears played well, but in reality, both Pollard and Spears saw their outputs depend on the state of the Titans' offense. Tennessee limped to the finish line with the second-worst offense in terms of total yards, making it difficult for either running back to make much of a fantasy impact. Heading into 2026, we can't rule out a shakeup to the Titans' backfield. The Titans structured Pollard's three-year deal to give them a potential out prior to the third season, and the clock is now ticking on that decision. The Titans could be incentivized to release the veteran running back; doing so would create $7.25 million in cap savings with just $2 million in dead money. If he does hit the open market, Pollard would likely be viewed as a 1B running back -- someone who can join a backfield with another average ball-carrier. Of course, fantasy managers would prefer that team to be a contender so that Pollard can consistently handle valuable and meaningful touches in 2026. With so much uncertainty, dynasty managers might consider selling high on Pollard and using his RB23 finish to tempt other managers into a deal.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sebastian Walcott to Have Elbow Surgery, Could Miss Entire Season
Texas Rangers shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott (elbow) will undergo elbow surgery and will likely miss most, if not all, of 2026, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Walcott was expected to start the season back in the minors, but he almost certainly would have made his major-league debut this year had he been healthy. The 19-year-old is ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect at MLB Pipeline after hitting .255/.355/.386 with 13 home runs and 32 stolen bases in 124 games last year at Double-A Frisco. Despite being the youngest qualified hitter at Double-A in 2025, Walcott posted a 110 wRC+. He also showed improvement with his strikeout rate, walk rate, and swing rate. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder has plenty of maturing to do, but he has one of the highest fantasy ceilings of any young position-player prospect in the game. Unfortunately, his timeline has been extended by a year. UPDATE: Walcott has a UCL tear in his elbow.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Jaren Jackson Jr. Will Likely Miss the Rest of the Season
Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) is likely to miss the remainder of the season and will undergo surgery on his left knee to deal with a localized PVNS growth. The issue was discovered after the Jazz acquired Jackson in a trade from the Grizzlies, and the procedure will hopefully ensure his long-term health. Jackson has been excellent in limited minutes for the Jazz, and he'll be a big part of their future plans if he's able to start next season healthy. The star big man can be dropped in re-draft formats for this season, while Kyle Filipowski, Jusuf Nurkic, Brice Sensabaugh, and John Konchar will help pick up more minutes the rest of this season.
Source: Chris Haynes
Source: Chris Haynes
No Restrictions for Andrew Painter in Spring Training
Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter has no restrictions in spring training, and the Phillies are hoping he wins a rotation spot in camp, according to John Clark of NBC Sports. It's been a long road for Painter to this point after a tear in his UCL was discovered three years ago, which led to Tommy John surgery. Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, and Aaron Nola are locked into the team's top-three rotation spots, but there's a clear opening for Painter now that we know Zack Wheeler (shoulder) won't be ready for Opening Day. In his first full season back from TJ surgery, Painter struggled, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 22 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The good news is that his stuff looked fine, and he threw a combined 118 innings at two levels. If the 22-year-old is a little sharper than he was last year and he stays healthy, he will most definitely be in play in all fantasy formats as long as he is locked into a rotation spot in Philly.
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - John Clark
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - John Clark
Luis Gil Throwing Live Batting Practice on Thursday
New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil will throw live batting practice as he looks to get ready for a full 2026 season. Gil will face Aaron Judge, Amed Rosario, and Paul Goldschmidt out of the gate. The 2024 American League Rookie of the Year got a late start to 2025, making his season debut in early August. He went 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA and 4.63 FIP with 41 strikeouts in 57 innings in the regular season. Gil is expected to compete with Clarke Schmidt for the fifth spot in the rotation for the Yankees this spring training, and the 27-year-old from the Dominican brings a high ceiling if he can return to his 2024 form. In 2024, he had 10.15 K/9, but that dropped all the way to 6.47 K/9 in his limited work last year, causing his FIP and xERA to climb even though his ERA remained low. His progress will be important to watch, and it's a great sign that he's ready to throw live BP this early in the spring.
Source: Gary Phillips
Source: Gary Phillips
Coby Mayo Headed Back to the Hot Corner?
Baltimore Orioles first baseman/third baseman Coby Mayo was the subject of plenty of trade rumors this offseason after the O's signed Pete Alonso to play 1B on a five-year deal. Mayo has been an elite power prospect for the last few seasons, but he hasn't really established himself in the majors yet. He played 85 games for the O's last year, hitting .217 with 11 homers and a .303 wOBA. He and Ryan Mountcastle will both be looking for playing time after the Alonso addition, but space could be opening up with 2B Jackson Holliday (hand) needing surgery and Jordan Westburg (oblique) behind schedule in his ramp-up to Opening Day. Mayo could be part of the solution to fill in for Holliday, since he could play 3B, while Westburg slides to 2B. Mayo played 1B mostly last season but came through the minors at 3B, where he was working out on a backfield in Orioles spring training on Wednesday. If Mayo can build on his strong September and have a strong spring at the plate, he could earn an Opening Day roster spot, and his power potential is intriguing enough to make him worth watching as a late-round flier.
Source: Andy Kostka
Source: Andy Kostka
Grant Holmes has No Restrictions, Could Claim Rotation Role
Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes (elbow) was diagnosed with a partially torn UCL last season and shut down at the end of July. He opted not to undergo surgery, instead resting and rehabbing, and now he wonders if it was a pre-existing condition, based on his quick recovery so quickly. The 29-year-old righty has no restrictions coming into spring training and could end up in the starting rotation that has already lost Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) for an extended period of time to start the season. Holms will join Reynaldo López, Spencer Strider, and Chris Sale as the established rotation pieces, with Bryce Elder, Hurston Waldrep, and Joey Wentz competing for the fifth spot. Holmes went 4-9 with a 3.99 ERA, 4.40 FIP, and 123 strikeouts in his 115 innings last season. How well his elbow responds to the spring workload will be critical to monitor to see if he breaks camp in the starting rotation for the Braves.
Source: Mark Bowman
Source: Mark Bowman
BYU's Parker Kingston Charged with Felony Rape
BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston was charged with first-degree felony rape, the Washington County, Utah Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday. This charge stems from an accusation from February 23, 2025, when a woman told officers that Kington sexually assaulted her. After a yearlong investigation, Kingston was arrested and is being held without bail. He is scheduled to appear in Utah's Fifth Judicial District Court on Friday. Last season, Kingston hauled in 66 receptions for 924 yards and five touchdowns in his fourth year with the Cougars. Needless to say, his future with the program is rightfully unclear moving forward.
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN
DJ Herz Place on 60-Day Injured List
Washington Nationals starting pitcher DJ Herz (elbow) will continue to rehab from his Tommy John surgery to start the season and won't be available until mid-season at the earliest. He underwent the procedure last April, so he could return at some point this season, depending on how the recovery goes. The young lefty showed some upside as a rookie in 2024, with 106 strikeouts in 88 2/3 innings, going 4-9 in 19 starts. His main issue was control problems in his rise through the minors, and he'll need to regain his control after the procedure if he wants to make an impact this season. He's not someone you need to worry about in drafts in almost any format, but he could be a midseason pickup or streaming option late in the year as he looks to return to fantasy relevance for 2027.
Source: Mark Zuckerman
Source: Mark Zuckerman
Julian Merryweather Joining Twins on Minor-League Deal
Free-agent relief pitcher Julian Merryweather is joining the Twins bullpen mix by signing a minor-league deal with an invite to camp. The 34-year-old righty has pitched for the Blue Jays and Cubs over the last six seasons, with his best year coming in 2023, when he went 5-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 3.52 FIP in 69 games out of the bullpen while racking up 98 strikeouts in 72 innings. He has battled injury since then, though, and only pitched in 33 2/3 innings over the last two seasons with reduced velocity resulting in a 6.15 ERA and 4.25 FIP. With the Twins bullpen still very uncertain, Merryweather i sanother name to track this spring training to see if he can earn a role in Minnesota.
Source: Dan Hayes
Source: Dan Hayes
Joel Embiid to Be Re-Evaluated After All-Star Break
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break, ESPN's Tim Bontemps reports. The big man felt soreness in his right knee last weekend against Phoenix and missed a second consecutive game on Wednesday night versus the Knicks. Philadelphia won't return to action until Feb. 19, giving Embiid a full week to shake off the soreness. The 2023 MVP has been back to his best lately, averaging 33.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across his last 10 appearances. Andre Drummond and Adem Bona have filled in as starters with Embiid out of the lineup, and both will maintain their elevated roles if he isn't able to return next week.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Caleb Martin Iffy for Thursday's Game
Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 30-year-old injured his left ankle on Tuesday night against Phoenix and could be sidelined for the first time since Dec. 20. Martin has averaged 7.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 24.1 minutes per game since Jan. 15, mostly appearing as a starter. Cooper Flagg (foot) has been ruled out, and Naji Marshall (foot) is also questionable for Thursday, meaning players like Klay Thompson, Khris Middleton, and Brandon Williams could have larger roles.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Naji Marshall Uncertain to Face Lakers
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (foot) is questionable for Thursday's clash against the Los Angeles Lakers. Marshall has tallied 30-plus points twice in his last three outings, but he may have to miss Thursday's action due to a left foot sprain. With Cooper Flagg (foot) already ruled out, Dallas could be without two of its top three scorers. P.J. Washington, Max Christie, Khris Middleton, and Brandon Williams might all enjoy additional offensive usage on Thursday night. It's a good matchup for the Mavericks offensively, as the Lakers sit 23rd in defensive efficiency.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Klay Thompson Available Thursday
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson (rest) is not on the injury report for Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran was rested by Dallas on Tuesday night versus Phoenix. Thompson's exit from the lineup coincided with Khris Middleton's team debut. On Thursday, Thompson will replace Cooper Flagg (foot) in the rotation. Dallas may also have a couple of additional absences, putting Thompson in a position to play a larger role. The five-time All-Star has shown improved form in recent weeks, averaging 13.4 points over his last 14 appearances.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Trey Murphy III Makes Early Exit Wednesday
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (shoulder) wasn't able to complete Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat. He left in the third quarter due to right shoulder soreness. Hopefully, this isn't anything serious, as Murphy III's 2024-25 campaign was cut short by a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Murphy III tallied 19 points, four rebounds, and six assists in 27 minutes on Wednesday. He has been a bright spot on a struggling team. Jeremiah Fears, who missed a triple-double by two assists against Miami, will likely rejoin the starting lineup if Murphy III isn't available after the All-Star break. There would also be additional minutes available for Bryce McGowens, who totaled 13 points, three assists, and one steal in Wednesday's loss.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans PR
Source: New Orleans Pelicans PR
Jalen Williams Exits Early With Hamstring Issue
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) missed the fourth quarter of Wednesday's 136-109 win over the Phoenix Suns. The 2025 All-Star appeared to reinjure his right hamstring, exiting the game with a few minutes left in the third quarter. Williams was on fire against Phoenix, scoring 28 points on 11-for-12 shooting in just 20 minutes of action. This was only his second outing since returning from a right hamstring strain that kept Williams sidelined for 10 games. Williams is unlikely to play on Thursday against Milwaukee and could miss further time, though he will have extra days to recover during the All-Star break. In the meantime, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe could see extended minutes for the Thunder.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Cooper Flagg Out Through All-Star Break
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg (foot) won't be available for Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers and will miss the All-Star weekend. The 19-year-old rookie sensation suffered a left midfoot sprain in Tuesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns. A source told ESPN that Flagg is expected to be available immediately after the All-Star break. Dallas will resume the season on Feb. 20 with a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With Flagg out, the Mavericks have to fill a gap in the starting lineup on Thursday. Naji Marshall (foot) is the prime candidate to step into the role, though he must first shake off a questionable tag.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Chiefs Hire DeMarco Murray as Running Backs Coach
The Kansas City Chiefs hired former NFL running back and current Oklahoma RBs coach DeMarco Murray as their RBs coach on head coach Andy Reid's staff on Wednesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Murray has been coaching at the college level since 2019 and will now make the jump to the NFL. The 37-year-old played seven years in the NFL and made three Pro Bowls, finishing his career with 7,174 rushing yards and 49 rushing touchdowns on 1,604 carries (4.5 yards per carry) with the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, and Philadelphia Eagles. He was the Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 with Dallas, when he had a league-high 1,845 rushing yards and 13 TDs. KC's RB room could look drastically different in 2026, with both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt set for free agency. Murray will be working under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
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