February 5, 2026
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (ribs) will not travel with the team during an upcoming two-game road trip. Herro has missed 11 straight contests due to a costochondral rib injury, and there have been no encouraging updates since he exited the lineup in mid-January.
Pelle Larsson and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. should continue to be the primary beneficiaries during Herro's extended absence.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Ira Winderman
February 5, 2026
New York Knicks forward
Josh Hart (ankle) is questionable for Friday's matchup with Detroit. The veteran sprained his left ankle during a recent meeting with the Washington Wizards and wasn't available for Wednesday's double-overtime win over the Denver Nuggets.
Jordan Clarkson entered the starting lineup, finishing with 11 points. If Hart remains on the shelf against the Pistons, Clarkson would presumably remain with the first-five, although
Landry Shamet, who is coming off a 16-point effort, has a higher upside for fantasy managers.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
Washington Capitals forward Pierre-Luc Dubois (abdomen) will return to action on Thursday night against the Nashville Predators. He has been out of commission since Oct. 31, missing 47 games due to abdominal and adductor muscle surgery. Before landing on the shelf, Dubois had a slow start to the season, going scoreless in six games. He is set to center the second line and the second power-play unit on Thursday. Sonny Milano (personal) will come out of the lineup. Dubois may have struggled early this season, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on him, as he set a career high with 66 points only a year ago.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 5, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell (lower body) was injured during the morning skate and won't play on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Penguins head coach Dan Muse labeled Rakell day-to-day, so it appears he'll be fine to play for Team Sweden in the Olympics. Rakell has been quiet lately, but he's been productive overall for the Penguins, recording 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 35 appearances. Rutger McGroarty will replace Rakell on the first line. The Penguins also won't have Blake Lizotte (personal) on Thursday, while Noel Acciari (illness) is a game-time decision.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 5, 2026
New York Knicks forward/center
Karl-Anthony Towns (eye) is questionable for Friday's encounter with the Pistons. KAT suffered a laceration above his right eye during the double-overtime win over the Denver Nuggets. It forced him to briefly exit the contest, although he still finished with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double. Considering the 30-year-old played through the injury on Wednesday, it would be surpising if he didn't suit up. However, if Towns isn't out there,
Mitchell Robinson, averaging 3.7 points, 8.4 boards, and 1.1 blocks in 13 starts, is the favorite to replace him in the rotation. While those aren't the most impressive statistical marks, Robinson could be more productive if
Josh Hart (ankle) and
OG Anunoby (toe) don't play.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports that Portland Trail Blazers guard
Scoot Henderson (hamstring) will finally make his long-awaited season debut against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. Henderson was out of action due to a torn left hamstring. The 2023 No. 3 overall pick averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 26.7 minutes per contest across 66 outings last season. Initially, fantasy managers should expect the 22-year-old to operate under a minutes restriction as he works his way back into game shape. As a result, his immediate fantasy upside will be limited, and
Caleb Love should continue to hold short-term streaming appeal until Henderson is cleared for a full workload.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Sean Highkin
February 5, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (lower body) has been ruled out for the Olympics. Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis will replace him on Team Canada. Point suffered a lower-body injury on Jan. 12 and has been in a race against time to get healthy for the Olympic tournament. Unfortunately, he won't be ready to play. After a slow start to the campaign, Point had a great four-week stretch before his injury, collecting 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in 15 games. He has 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 37 games for the season. Point skated on Thursday morning but will sit out his 10th straight game against the Florida Panthers. With him back on the ice, it appears there's a good chance Point will be available after the Olympic break.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 5, 2026
Calgary Flames forward Jonathan Huberdeau will undergo season-ending hip surgery in March. He played his final game of the campaign on Wednesday night, scoring a power-play goal in a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Huberdeau has been dealing with the hip issue all year and will finish the season with a career-low 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 50 games. Overall, Huberdeau has tallied 194 points (65 goals, 129 assists) in 291 regular-season games with the Flames. He is only three years into an eight-year, $84 million contract, the largest in franchise history. The 32-year-old is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2026-27 season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 5, 2026
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Charlotte Hornets waived veteran point guard
Mike Conley on Thursday. Once he clears waivers, Conley will be free to sign with a team of his choosing, with speculation suggesting a possible return to Minnesota. Regardless of where the 38-year-old lands, his fantasy outlook is unlikely to change. Conley is posting career-low production during the 2025-26 season, averaging just 4.4 points and 2.9 assists per game.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Brett Siegel
February 5, 2026
New York Giants tight end
Theo Johnson established himself as the team's clear top option at the position in his second NFL season in 2025. Across 15 games played, the 24-year-old hauled in 45 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns on 74 targets. Johnson played at least 80% of the Giants' offensive snaps in 12 out of the 15 games he was active for. Additionally, all five of his touchdown grabs came from Giants rookie quarterback
Jaxson Dart, an encouraging sign for the chemistry between two young pieces in the New York offense who should be able to grow together in the coming years. Heading into 2026, the Giants should be getting star wideout
Malik Nabers (knee) back from the knee injury that sidelined him for the majority of 2025, which will take some targets away from Johnson. Still, New York's offense profiles as an improving unit as a whole, which should only help Johnson's overall production. He may not have a superstar ceiling, but Johnson profiles as a tight end whose stock is on the rise in dynasty fantasy formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Atlanta Falcons tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr. arguably had the best season of his career in 2025, recording 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns on 118 targets across 17 games played. The 25-year-old stepped up for Atlanta late in the season when star Falcons wideout
Drake London missed time due to a knee injury and established a good rapport with veteran quarterback
Kirk Cousins. However, heading into 2026, Pitts Sr.'s outlook is in flux. Pitts Sr. is set to hit unrestricted free agency, although Atlanta could look to keep him around via the franchise tag or with a new contract. If he remains with the Falcons, Pitts Sr. will have a new coaching staff around him and will no longer be catching passes from Cousins, who is expected to be released at some point this offseason. Pitts Sr. remains a highly talented player, and his 2025 output may be an indication that he's finally starting to put all the pieces together. However, his track record of inconsistency and uncertain future in Atlanta makes it difficult for fantasy managers to value him heading into 2026 and beyond.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers entered the 2025 season as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders and got off to a relatively slow start to the year, recording 33 receptions for 352 yards and zero touchdowns across seven games with Las Vegas. However, the 29-year-old hit the ground running after a mid-season trade sent him to Jacksonville, hauling in 42 catches for 483 yards and three touchdowns on 61 targets across nine games played with the Jaguars. Jacksonville also locked Meyers up on a three-year extension shortly after acquiring him, proving that he had earned the faith of the organization. Between wideouts
Parker Washington and
Brian Thomas Jr., tight end
Brenton Strange, and wide receiver/cornerback
Travis Hunter (knee), Meyers has plenty of competition for targets in Jacksonville. However, recent reporting indicates that the Jaguars may deploy Hunter primarily at cornerback in 2026. Additionally, Meyers established himself as arguably the favorite option of Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence even while sharing the field with Washington and Thomas Jr. in 2025. Meyers is getting closer to the wrong side of 30 years old, putting his long-term dynasty value in question, but he profiles as a reliable PPR option over the next couple of years in Jacksonville.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
After an injury-marred campaign in 2024, Kansas City Chiefs running back
Isiah Pacheco entered 2025 in need of a bounce-back effort. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old struggled with inefficiency, recording 563 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 137 touches across 13 games played. Pacheco averaged just 3.9 yards per carry, his second-straight season under four yards per rush attempt after averaging 4.7 yards per carry over the first two years of his career. Pacheco spent most of the 2025 season splitting backfield work with veteran Chiefs running back
Kareem Hunt, with Hunt dominating touches in short-yardage situations and around the goal line. Pacheco is now set to hit unrestricted free agency, so he's not guaranteed to be back in Kansas City. Based on his performance over the last two seasons, it's not hard to imagine a scenario where Pacheco finds himself in a committee backfield or even a straight RB2 role for the 2026 season. In dynasty formats, Pacheco's future fantasy value profiles as uncertain at best coming off his shaky 2025 campaign.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (elbow) was not traded at the NBA Trade Deadline and will finish out this season in Memphis. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, multiple teams did have interest based onMorant's talent, but none were willing to make a serious offer. Morant has elite talent when he's healthy and not dealing with off-court issues, but he is currently sidelined by a UCL sprain, which is expected to keep him sidelined through the All-Star break. Morant has been limited to just 20 games this year, averaging 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game.
Ty Jerome and
Cam Spencer will continue to play more minutes until he returns. When he comes back, the crowded backcourt will be tricky to figure out for fantasy purposes, especially with the team likely out of the race for the postseason.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
February 5, 2026
Green Bay Packers tight end
Tucker Kraft (knee) suffered a torn ACL in Week 9 of the 2025 season, putting an early end to a promising breakout campaign. Across his eight games played before getting hurt, the 25-year-old recorded 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns on 44 targets. Even with the injury, recent reporting indicates that the Packers have begun extension negotiations with Kraft, signaling that the young tight end remains a big piece in the team's plans. Green Bay traditionally spreads the ball around to a multitude of pass catchers, which limits Kraft's volume-related production. However, he has proven the ability to be highly efficient on a low number of targets. For his career, Kraft is averaging 13.7 yards per reception and has hauled in 15 touchdown grabs on just 154 total targets. Given the timing of his injury, Kraft has a chance to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. Despite the unfortunate injury setback, Kraft remains a high-end tight end option for dynasty fantasy managers coming out of 2025.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown posted another excellent season in 2025, recording 117 receptions for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns on 172 targets across 17 games played. The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the most consistent pass-catchers in the NFL, logging three straight seasons with at least 115 catches, 1,200 receiving yards, and double-digit touchdown grabs. Heading into 2026, St. Brown will be entering his age-27 season and should remain locked in as the top pass-catcher in the Lions' offense. Detroit should get tight end
Sam LaPorta (back) back from the back injury that sidelined him for a significant part of 2025, and the Lions have other talented receiving options in wideout
Jameson Williams and running back
Jahmyr Gibbs. Still, St. Brown has proven to be the number one option for Detroit quarterback
Jared Goff. St. Brown remains a high-end wide receiver option for both dynasty and re-draft fantasy managers as he continues his prime seasons.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired pitchers
Kade Strowd and Wellington Aracena, and infielder Jose Mejia from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday in exchange for infielder
Blaze Alexander, a source told The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro. Strowd is the primary return for the D-backs in this swap. The 28-year-old right-hander was a former 12th-round selection by the O's in 2019 out of West Virginia. Strowd was impressive in his MLB debut last year, recording a 1.71 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 24 punchouts and 13 walks in 26 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He has a good chance to open the 2026 regular season in Arizona due to injuries to bullpen arms
A.J. Puk (elbow) and
Justin Martinez (elbow), and Strowd could be a sleeper for holds in deeper fantasy leagues in his sophomore campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
February 5, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles are acquiring infielder
Blaze Alexander from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday in exchange for pitchers
Kade Strowd and Wellington Aracena, and infielder Jose Mejia, a source told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Alexander will head to the American League after slashing .237/.322/.366 with a .688 OPS, 10 home runs, 49 RBI, 50 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 135 games in his first two major-league seasons in Arizona. The 26-year-old former 11th-round pick in 2018 will most likely serve in a bench role in his new home in Baltimore, which will be a downgrade in fantasy with a less clear path to playing time. The 26-year-old is under team control through the 2030 season. Alexander saw most of the playing time in the second half last year at third base after the D-backs traded
Eugenio Suarez, but with Alexander now gone, it could be
Jordan Lawlar's spot to lose.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
February 5, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard
Cam Thomas will be waived after not being traded before Thursday's NBA Trade Deadline, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Thomas was the Nets' first-round pick in 2021 and has played five seasons in Brooklyn, but he'll now become a free agent. He's a score-first guard who has shown a high ceiling when he's the focus of the offense, but didn't seem to fit in the team's current plans. Thomas averaged 24.0 points, 3.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 three-pointers in 25 games last season, but this year, he only averaged 15.6 points, 3.1 assists, 1.8 rebounds, and 24.3 minutes in his 24 games. Thomas could be an interesting addition to a team needing volume scoring off the free agent market, and his departure opens more minutes for young players like
Drake Powell and
Ben Saraf in Brooklyn's rotation.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
February 5, 2026
New York Knicks guard
Miles McBride (abdominal) will undergo surgery on Friday on a core muscle injury, commonly referred to as a sports hernia, and he could be sidelined until the playoffs, according to reports from Fred Katz and James L. Edwards III. McBride was averaging 28 minutes per game this season for New York, producing 12.9 points, 2.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.9 3PM per contest. The Knicks added
Jose Alvarado from the Pelicans to help cover for his absence, while
Tyler Kolek and
Jordan Clarkson will still fill in depth minutes behind
Jalen Brunson as well. The Knicks will hope to get McBride back for the playoffs, but they have the depth to cover until he's back. In most re-draft leagues, better options than McBride are available, so there's no need to hold him in an injury spot.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Fred Katz
February 5, 2026
The New York Yankees announced on Thursday that they claimed right-hander
Osvaldo Bido off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels and designated infielder
Braden Shewmake for assignment in a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster. Bido has shockingly been passed around to six different teams already this offseason. The 30-year-old Dominican hurler made a career-high 26 appearances (10 starts) in 2025 with the Athletics and didn't pitch well, posting a career-worst 5.87 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, and 35 walks in 79 2/3 innings pitched. Bido has a 5.07 ERA (4.67 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP with a 20.9% strikeout rate and 9.6% walk rate in his three major-league seasons with the A's and Pittsburgh Pirates. He doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so he could wind up back on the waiver wire if he doesn't make the Yankees' Opening Day roster out of spring training.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Yankees
February 5, 2026
The Washington Nationals claimed left-hander
Ken Waldichuk off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday and designated right-hander
George Soriano for assignment in a corresponding move, according to president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. Waldichuk, 28, has not pitched in the big leagues since 2023. The former fifth-round selection by the New York Yankees in 2019 out of Saint Mary's College went 6-11 with a 5.28 ERA (5.10 FIP) and 1.49 WHIP with 165 strikeouts and 81 walks in his two seasons with the Athletics in 2022 and 2023. Waldichuk made only seven starts in 2022 and then had a 5.36 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 35 outings (22 starts) over 141 frames in 2023. He has now been with four different teams this offseason. In his first year back from Tommy John surgery in 2025, Waldichuk struggled to an 8.65 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in 51 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
February 5, 2026
Detroit Tigers left-hander and two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner
Tarik Skubal won his salary arbitration case on Thursday against the team and will make $32 million in 2026, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Skubal will make $13 million more than the Tigers argued for, and the most any player has ever taken home in arbitration. The 29-year-old dominant left-hander has been the most dominant pitcher in baseball the last two seasons, going 31-10 with a 2.30 ERA (2.47 FIP) and 0.91 WHIP with 469 strikeouts and only 68 walks in 387 1/3 innings pitched over his 62 regular-season starts. He was even better in 2025, posting a 2.21 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 241:33 K:BB over his 31 starts. Skubal will be the first pitcher off the board in the first round of 2026 fantasy baseball drafts, without a question.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
February 5, 2026
The New Orleans Pelicans are trading guard
Jose Alvarado to the New York Knicks in exchange for
Dalen Terry, two second-round picks, and cash. The Knicks will get a defense-oriented backup point guard that will give their second unit great energy, especially with the news that
Miles McBride will undergo surgery for a sports hernia and could be out until the playoffs. It will be a homecoming for Alvarado, who is from New York, and should quickly be a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden. The fifth-year guard was averaging 7.9 points, 3.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 21.9 minutes per game this season, and with him on the move, rookie
Jeremiah Fears should get more work off the bench for the Pelicans, who continue to go with a starting five that doesn't have a true point guard. Alvarado may not be as prolific a scorer as McBride, but his role off the Knicks' bench could boost his fantasy value slightly.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
February 5, 2026
MLB.com's Daniel Kramer writes that Seattle Mariners infield prospect
Colt Emerson, who is MLB Pipeline's No. 9 overall prospect, "could still need seasoning by Opening Day." Emerson, 20, will be competing with fellow infield prospect
Cole Young at second base in spring training, but Young is seen as the favorite after getting his first taste of the majors in a 77-game stint in 2025. Kramer believes that Young has as much upside as any position-player prospect in Seattle since outfielder
Julio Rodriguez, but the recent acquisition of utility man
Brendan Donovan should give the Mariners more time to let Emerson develop. Even if Emerson ends up on the Opening Day roster, Seattle is expected to avoid using him against tough left-handed pitchers. The former first-rounder reached Triple-A last year and hit an impressive .285/.383/.458 with 16 homers and 14 steals in 130 games over three minor-league levels. Emerson's power/speed upside makes him stash-worthy in 2026 fantasy leagues, even if he starts at Tacoma.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
February 5, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the biggest name on the market this year at the NBA Trade Deadline, but it looks like the perennial All-Star will stay in Milwaukee for the rest of the season. ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Bucks have indicated to teams that they are keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline. Ultimately, it seems the team is convinced they can get more for their superstar by trading him after the season, when teams have more assets available. Giannis has been sidelined by a calf injury, and he will now be in a tricky situation in which the team would likely rather improve its draft stock by resting him, but he'll be looking to return and compete to raise his offseason value. The Bucks and other teams in talks for Giannis have begun making other deals before the deadline, which indicates the star won't be on the move, at least until this coming offseason, when the rumor mill will get fired back up again.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
February 5, 2026
MLB.com's Daniel Kramer writes that Seattle Mariners infield prospect
Cole Young has the "leg up to make the team and would have to struggle mightily to lose his grip on the second-base job." The Mariners are "bullish" on the 22-year-old being their second baseman of the future now that
Jorge Polanco is out of town. Young bats left-handed, and there's a likelihood that the Mariners avoid using him against the game's better left-handed pitchers. On those days, new utility man
Brendan Donovan could shift to the keystone. Kramer has Young projected to hit eighth in Seattle's batting order against righties. The former 21st overall pick in 2022 struggled in his MLB debut in 2025, hitting .211/.302/.305 with a .607 OPS, four home runs, 24 RBI, and a 47:28 K:BB ratio in 77 games. There's not a ton of short-term upside for Young, and if he struggles, fellow infield prospect
Colt Emerson could take playing time from him.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
February 5, 2026
The Indiana Pacers are trading center
Isaiah Jackson to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that includes
Ivica Zubac and
Bennedict Mathurin, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Jackson has spent the first five seasons of his career in Indiana, averaging 7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 15 minutes per game. With the Clippers trading Zubac, the center position has opened up with 37-year-old
Brook Lopez and rookie
Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Jackson is likely to come off the bench for the Clippers and is not expected to see his fantasy value improve in this deal.
--Nathan HarveySource: Shams Charania - ESPN
February 5, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward
Peyton Watson (hamstring) was forced to leave Wednesday's game after injuring his hamstring, and the breakout star could miss significant time, depending on the results of an MRI. Watson averaged 21.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 36.1 minutes per game in his 18 games since the start of 2026, and he has helped the Nuggets fill in for multiple injuries.
Nikola Jokic is back, but Watson was still helping to fill in for
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and
Cameron Johnson (knee). If Watson also misses time,
Bruce Brown and
Tim Hardaway Jr. will have to step into more involved roles. The Nuggets also converted
Spencer Jones' two-way contract into a standard deal, which would allow him to help fill in as well.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Bennett Durando
February 5, 2026
The Indiana Pacers are trading guard
Bennedict Mathurin to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that includes center
Ivica Zubac, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Mathurin has spent the first four seasons of his career with the Pacers, averaging 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in just under 29 minutes per game. The former sixth-overall pick is heading to Los Angeles, where his offensive production should decrease with
Kawhi Leonard,
Darius Garland, and
John Collins all expected to be key pieces moving forward. With Mathurin out of Indiana,
Johnny Furphy will look to start in his place, while
Andrew Nembhard and
Aaron Nesmith should see slight boosts as well.
--Nathan HarveySource: Shams Charania - ESPN
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