RADIO
Riley Greene Could Begin Rehab Assignment This Weekend
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (hamstring) is hopeful to begin a minor league rehab assignment as early as this weekend, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said on Friday that Greene is doing really well, and he should be ready for game action this weekend. Greene has been out since August 12 due to a left hamstring strain. The hope is that Greene won't require a lengthy rehab stint. The expectation is that he'll be back in the Tigers lineup by early September. Fantasy managers should check back for another update after the weekend.
Source: Evan Woodbery
Source: Evan Woodbery
Deebo Samuel Sr. a Potential Steal with 12th-Round Price Tag
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. has returned to the Bay Area for his age-30 season, and he should play a key role in his first year back on the West Coast. Samuel spent six seasons with the Niners before landing with the Commanders last year. It wasn't a very flashy season for Samuel in the DMV, but he still managed to finish as the WR25 in PPR leagues with 72 catches, 727 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns. He should get a quarterback upgrade now that he's back in San Francisco, as Brock Purdy offers more reliable quarterback play than last year's combo of Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. He will face a little more competition for volume, though. Not only will Mike Evans be ahead of him in the receiver room, but George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey should also fetch a ton of targets. With that being said, Evans, Kittle, and McCaffrey have all dealt with several injury issues in years past, so there's a path to Samuel taking on a bigger role if some of his teammates get hurt. All in all, we're not sure Samuel will replicate last year's WR25 finish, but he's still a strong top-36 receiver with weekly value as a WR3/flex. With that in mind, he's somewhat of a steal at his current ADP of 136.0, which makes him the 55th receiver off the board in fantasy drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hurston Waldrep to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
According to Mark Bowman, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Waldrep had surgery in February to remove loose bodies from his elbow. He made three appearances for the Braves before heading to Triple-A Gwinnett. Waldrep suffered a setback with his elbow during his first outing back in the minors. It has been determined he'll require Tommy John surgery, which will likely knock him out until 2028. This is tough news for the 24-year-old, but hopefully he'll get healthy and back on the mound soon.
Source: Mark Bowman
Source: Mark Bowman
Spencer Strider Unlikely to Return This Season
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) is unlikely to get back on the mound this season, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. Strider has been sidelined since the middle of June due to right elbow inflammation. He has resumed throwing, but it doesn't sound like he has made enough progress to make it back to the mound this season. It's worth noting that the Braves haven't officially ruled out Strider yet, but it seems unlikely that he'll pitch again in 2026. If his season is done, Strider will finish the year with a 5.31 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 46/20 K/BB ratio across eight starts. Fantasy managers in redraft formats are probably safe to move on.
Source: Mark Bowman
Source: Mark Bowman
Spencer Schwellenbach to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
According to Mark Bowman, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a fracture in his right elbow. Schwellenbach hasn't pitched all season after he underwent a procedure to remove bone spurs earlier this spring. It sounds like the issue didn't go away, so he'll need elbow surgery to fully repair the problem. Schwellenbach hasn't pitched in 14 months, and his status for the beginning of the 2027 season is now in doubt. Schwellenbach can safely be dropped in all redraft formats now. Hopefully, the Braves will be able to get something out of Schwellenbach next season.
Source: Mark Bowman
Source: Mark Bowman
Jacob Wilson to Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) is scheduled to undergo season-ending left-shoulder surgery on Sept. 16, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. Wilson was placed on the Injured List last Friday due to shoulder soreness. It was revealed that the soreness was related to a shoulder separation he suffered earlier in the season. Wilson has elected to undergo surgery and get healthy for the 2027 season. It's a lost season for the A's anyway, so they might as well get Wilson back to full health. Across 80 games, Wilson slashed .266/.298/.388 with seven home runs, 37 RBI, and four steals. Alika Williams will likely see a majority of the playing time at shortstop down the stretch of the regular season.
Source: Martin Gallegos
Source: Martin Gallegos
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Clears Concussion Protocol, Still Won't Return Friday
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (neck) cleared concussion protocol and has returned to the sideline for the remainder of Friday's preseason game against the New York Jets. According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, Tracy won't return to the contest, but he's expected to be fine going forward. It sounds like the Giants are just keeping Tracy on the sideline because it's a meaningless preseason game and most of the team's starters have been pulled from the game anyway. Tracy had four carries for 37 rushing yards and a touchdown before his exit. Meanwhile, recently signed running back Najee Harris had 39 rushing yards on 11 carries. It will be interesting to see how this backfield shakes out once the regular season arrives. Presumably, Cam Skattebo will be the lead back, but it would be a waste of talent for the Giants not to give meaningful snaps to Tracy, Harris, and even Devin Singletary. We wouldn't be shocked to see Tracy have weekly standalone value as a low-end RB3/flex, even if he operates as the No. 2 ball-carrier behind Skattebo. He's a decent, proven option at his current ADP of 146.3.
Source: Paul Schwartz
Source: Paul Schwartz
Saquon Barkley Has Another Big Year Ahead of Him
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley cooled off a little last season relative to the year prior, but he's still worth drafting as a top-12 running back in 2026 fantasy drafts. Barkley had 1,413 scrimmage yards and a modest nine touchdowns last season, ranking as the RB14 in PPR leagues. He has been a top-14 fantasy running back in each of the last four seasons, including a finish as the overall RB2 in 2024. The 29-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down, and he's actually trending back upward in a new-look Eagles offense. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion has introduced wide zone concepts that should benefit Barkley by increasing his yards per carry and perhaps leading to more touchdown opportunities. You certainly won't be able to get Barkley at a discount, as he comes with an ADP of 14.6. However, he's still a very reasonable target in the early second round of fantasy drafts, especially for fantasy managers who spent their first pick on a wide receiver.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sandro Mamukelashvili Fills Stat Sheet for Georgia
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili filled the box score in Georgia's 101-74 rout of Montenegro on Friday in Group I of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The 27-year-old finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals while playing behind bigger scoring nights from Tornike Shengelia and Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze. The passing is the part that should carry over. Mamukelashvili averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.8 minutes with Toronto last season while shooting 38.9 percent from deep, and the Lakers gave him a four-year, $52 million deal to space the floor in a reworked frontcourt. Walker Kessler is the clear interior anchor, so Mamukelashvili needs a steady shooting role before becoming more than a low-end fantasy watch. Georgia faces Portugal on Monday.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Marvin Mims Jr. Leaves Early on Friday With Foot Injury
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (foot) suffered a foot injury in the team's preseason finale on Friday night against the Minnesota Vikings and is questionable to return, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Mims, who did not have a catch on Friday before getting hurt, almost certainly will not return to this contest, even if his foot injury is deemed minor. The 24-year-old fell down the WR depth chart in Denver when the Broncos sent multiple draft picks to the Miami Dolphins in the offseason for star wideout Jaylen Waddle, who could immediately become the team's WR1 in 2026. The former second-rounder from Oklahoma should be a roster lock, but when healthy, he might be the Broncos' WR5 behind Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, and Troy Franklin. Mims had a career-best 503 yards and six touchdowns on 39 receptions in 2024, but he fell to a 37-322-1 line in 15 regular-season games in 2025, and he should be avoided in 12-team fantasy leagues this fall, especially if his foot injury keeps him out of the Week 1 showdown on Monday night against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Stay tuned for an injury update on Mims later Friday or on Saturday.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Jared Goff a Dependable Mid-Round Quarterback for Fantasy Managers
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is a very appealing draft target for fantasy managers looking to address the position with a mid-round pick. Goff currently has a 10th-round ADP and is typically the 16th quarterback off the board in fantasy drafts. He's the QB15 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings, and he has been a top-10 fantasy quarterback in each of the past four seasons. There's a very real chance he remains a top-10 option, especially with a star-studded group around him, including Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams. While Goff doesn't have the rushing upside that many top fantasy quarterbacks possess, he's a reliable, polished passer with high touchdown and low turnover totals. Just last year, he had 34 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions, and he also took a career-low 1.12 sacks per game. For those managers who don't want to spend a premium pick on one of the top quarterbacks, Goff is a very reasonable mid-round option who can be just as productive as some of those early-round guys.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaiah Likely a Potential Steal at Current ADP
New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely's stock continues to rise this offseason, but his ADP has remained quite reasonable as fantasy football drafts are in full swing. Entering this summer, there was uncertainty about how Likely and Theo Johnson would split reps in this Giants offense. As the preseason has progressed, it has become evident that not only is Likely the No. 1 tight end here, but he has also emerged as one of quarterback Jaxson Dart's favorite targets. There are plenty of vacated targets available following the departure of wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, who was targeted 280 times over the last two seasons. While a lot of those targets should go to Malik Nabers, who is coming back from an ACL tear, Likely should also see significant volume. Presumably, his floor is what we saw from Johnson last year: 45 catches, 528 yards, five touchdowns, and a TE18 finish. Meanwhile, his ceiling is a top-five fantasy tight end. There's a lot working in his favor, including the fact that he's athletic, sits atop the depth chart, has the trust of his quarterback and head coach, and plays in an offense that is trending upward. Likely currently has a 10th-round ADP in most leagues, which is a very reasonable price tag for a tight end who figures to get in your starting lineup every week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Yang Hansen Leads China Past Qatar with 15 Points
Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen posted a game-high 15 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in China's 83-57 win over Qatar on Thursday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers Second Round. The 21-year-old shot 7-for-11 from the field and 1-for-2 from three in 20 minutes at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha. It tracks with the flashes Portland saw in Las Vegas last month, when Hansen had 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists against Phoenix. The international production is encouraging, but it does not move him up Portland's depth chart. Donovan Clingan sits atop the center mix, and Robert Williams III re-signed on a three-year deal to remain a key reserve. Hansen averaged only 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.0 minutes across 43 games as a rookie, so he stays off fantasy radars unless injuries open a clearer path.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Samaje Perine a Fine Handcuff with Receiving Upside
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine isn't expected to have a very consistent role out of the backfield behind Chase Brown. However, we should see him get involved on some passing downs, and he's also a decent handcuff option for managers who are already planning to draft Brown. Last year in Cincy, the veteran running back tallied 382 rushing yards, 87 receiving yards, and three touchdowns across 15 games, ranking as the RB57 in PPR leagues. It was an interesting year for the 30-year-old, who posted his second-highest rushing yard total since 2017 but his lowest receiving yard total since 2020. Last year seemed like an outlier season for Perine, who is well established as a pass-catching option out of the backfield. He should see his receptions and receiving yards increase this year, but whether he'll have any standalone value remains uncertain. The Bengals gave Brown 17.7 touches per game last year, and that includes games where the offense was struggling with Joe Burrow sidelined. This is clearly Brown's backfield, so anyone looking to draft Perine in fantasy football should wait until the last couple of rounds.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Karlo Matkovic Goes 8-for-8 in Croatia's Rout of Latvia
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Karlo Matkovic scored 17 points on 8-for-8 shooting in Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia on Thursday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The 25-year-old needed just under 17 minutes to finish 7-for-7 inside the arc and 1-for-1 from deep, though he did not record a rebound, steal, or block. Mario Hezonja paced Croatia with 28 points and seven assists. Matkovic averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 14.7 minutes across 62 games last season while shooting 60.4 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from three. New Orleans picked up his $2.23 million option in June, but the frontcourt remains crowded with Zion Williamson, Yves Missi, and Derik Queen ahead of him for minutes. The efficiency is useful, but Matkovic stays off fantasy radars unless his Pelicans role grows.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
