March 7, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren (illness) has been ruled out for Saturday's clash against the Golden State Warriors. Holmgren wasn't on the initial injury report, but an illness has now sidelined him for the game.
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) also won't play on Saturday, putting the spotlight once again on
Jaylin Williams. The Arkansas product has averaged 27.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in two games without Holmgren and Hartenstein this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 7, 2026
Boston Celtics center
Nikola Vucevic (finger) underwent successful surgery on Saturday to stabilize a fracture in his right ring finger. The team will re-evaluate him in 3-4 weeks. Vucevic injured his finger in Friday's win over the Dallas Mavericks. Unfortunately, we won't see Vucevic back in action until at least late March, but Boston will be glad to know that the two-time All-Star will be available to help the team in the playoffs. In the meantime,
Luka Garza will take on a larger workload behind starting center
Neemias Queta. While Garza has been a beast in the G League for years, he hasn't had many opportunities in the NBA. On Friday, he made good use of his minutes, contributing 10 points, three rebounds, one assist, and two blocks off the bench.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
March 7, 2026
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (lower body) is expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks. The Finnish forward suffered a lower-body injury in Friday's loss to the Colorado Avalanche. "It's going to be a couple of weeks for sure. We don't know exactly how much but it's not a couple of days, so we'll see how long that is," Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan told reporters on Saturday, adding the team hopes to see Hintz return before the playoffs. Hintz has been Dallas' fourth-highest scoring forward this season, amassing 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 53 games. Mavrik Bourque is set to move back to the first line to fill in for Hintz.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (leg) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the New Jersey Devils. He is considered day-to-day after suffering a leg injury in Friday's loss to Florida. The good news is that Larkin is expected to travel with the team for a four-game road trip, and it's possible he can return to action before the Red Wings return home. Larkin is second on his team with 28 goals and ranks third with 55 points in 63 games. Andrew Copp is expected to take over as the first-line center on Sunday, with Marco Kasper and J.T. Compher also moving up in the depth chart. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard was recalled from the minors on an emergency basis to fill the void in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Seattle Kraken defensemen Adam Larsson (illness) and Ryan Lindgren (illness) might not be in the lineup on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. Both are considered game-time decisions, along with forward Frederick Gaudreau (illness). The trio is affected by an illness bug spreading in the locker room. Larsson and Lindgren are top-four regulars in defense and will be badly missed if they can't play. Josh Mahura and Cale Fleury are poised to jump into the lineup as their replacements. At the same time, Vince Dunn, Brandon Montour, and Jamie Oleksiak could be required to take on a heavier workload on the blue line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny (upper body) will miss a third consecutive game on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers recently lost their top scorer to an upper-body injury, and Konency practiced on Friday with a non-contact jersey. Across 58 appearances this season, Konecny has contributed 23 goals and 34 assists. With him on the shelf, Denver Barkey will work in a top-six role on Saturday. The 20-year-old rookie has managed 10 points (two goals, eight assists) through his first 26 career appearances this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) is a game-time call for Saturday's matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets. After sustaining a lower-body injury, Sergachev missed his first game of the season on Thursday versus the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergachev plays a crucial role on Utah's blue line, recording 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists), 128 shots, 100 blocks, and a plus-three rating in 61 outings this season. If Sergachev isn't healthy enough to return on Saturday, Dmitri Simashev is poised to remain in the lineup. Meanwhile, Sean Durzi will continue to fill in for him on the first power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (lower body) will play on Saturday against the Utah Mammoth. He sustained a lower-body injury on Thursday against the Florida Panthers and couldn't finish the game. Fortunately for Columbus, Marchment won't miss additional time. He will skate with Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko on the first line. Marchment is also a contributor on the first power-play unit in Columbus. The 30-year-old has tallied 10 goals and 17 points in 19 appearances since the Blue Jackets acquired him from the Seattle Kraken in December. With newly arrived Conor Garland ready for his team debut, Dmitri Voronkov will sit out Saturday's game as a healthy scratch.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (illness) will return from a three-game absence on Saturday against the Utah Mammoth. The star blue-liner missed time due to a stomach bug. Werenski will rejoin the first defensive pairing, bumping Ivan Provorov down to the second. He will also play a key role on the first power-play unit. Before exiting the lineup late last month, Werenski set a new franchise record for the longest point streak by a defenseman, getting on the score sheet in nine consecutive games. He has finished scoreless only twice in his last 24 appearances, posting 65 points (20 goals, 45 assists) in 54 games across the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 7, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers announced that right-hander
Brandon Woodruff (lat) is making his first Cactus League start on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels. Woodruff missed all of the 2024 season while recovering from right-shoulder surgery, and he didn't make his 2025 debut until early July due to a few injury setbacks. The 33-year-old veteran then ended last season on the injured list with a right-lat strain. When on the mound for the Brew Crew last year, Woodruff was solid, going 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 83 strikeouts, and only 14 walks in 64 2/3 frames over 12 starts in the regular season. The Brewers haven't officially said that Woodruff will be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation, and if he is, fantasy managers should expect a short leash as he's eased back in. He was still successful last year with diminished velocity, but Woodruff is much more of a risk due to injury concerns. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 46 fantasy starting pitcher in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Brewers
March 7, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) felt "strong" while throwing off the mound in camp on Saturday morning, according to Grace Del Pizzo. "So far, so good," Wheeler said. The 35-year-old veteran is progressing on schedule after having venous thoracic outlet surgery last year. Wheeler will start the 2026 regular season on the injured list, but there's a chance he won't miss a ton of time to begin the year. The three-time All-Star has been one of the most reliable fantasy aces in recent years with the Phillies, but he heads into this season as a big-time question mark after undergoing surgery for an issue that many pitchers have struggled to come back from. Before his injury in 2025, Wheeler had a 2.71 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 195:33 K: BB in 149 2/3 innings over 24 starts. There has been more optimism surrounding Wheeler of late as he ramps up his throwing program, but he'll be a risk/reward No. 3 fantasy starting pitcher in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Grece Del Pizzo
March 7, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys placed the second-round, $5.76 million tender on free-agent kicker
Brandon Aubrey on Saturday, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Aubrey can now sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Cowboys will have the right to match any offer he receives. If they don't match an offer from another team, the Cowboys would get a second-round pick in return for Aubrey leaving. ESPN's Todd Archer reported last month that the 30-year-old placekicker is looking for a contract that exceeds the $6.4 million average that Chiefs kicker
Harrison Butker gets. Aubrey has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three years in the NFL with Dallas and has also been one of the best fantasy options at the position. The Notre Dame alumnus has made 88.2% of his 127 field-goal attempts in three years and was the No. 3 kicker in overall fantasy points in 2025 in an explosive Cowboys offense. He'll be one of the first kickers off the board in fantasy football drafts this fall if he stays in Dallas.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 7, 2026
Houston Astros infielder
Carlos Correa (neck), who was scratched from the Grapefruit League lineup on Friday with a neck injury, will start at shortstop on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The 31-year-old's neck injury is not serious, and he's day-to-day for now. With regular shortstop
Jeremy Pena (finger) up in the air to be ready for Opening Day in late March due to a fractured finger, the Astros are going to give Correa some reps at the 6. In the event Pena starts the year on the injured list, Correa would slide over to shortstop, opening up playing time for
Isaac Paredes at third. The Minnesota Twins shipped Correa back to Houston last year, and he immediately improved his production in Houston, hitting .290/.355/.430 with six homers and 21 RBI in 51 games. Fantasy managers will be hoping that a full season back with the 'Stros will help Correa return to the 20-homer mark, but durability is a major concern.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
March 7, 2026
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Marvin Mims Jr. improved as a pass-catcher in his second NFL season in 2024, when he caught 39 of his 52 targets for 503 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. But the 23-year-old former second-rounder out of Oklahoma regressed in Year 3 in 2025, finishing with 37 catches on 51 targets for a career-low 322 yards and just one touchdown in 15 regular-season games. Mims did pace the Broncos' pass-catchers in their AFC Championship loss to the New England Patriots, but more often than not last year, he was the odd-man out in the passing attack behind
Courtland Sutton,
Troy Franklin, and rookie
Pat Bryant. Even tight end
Evan Engram finished with more yardage than Mims in 2025. Mims has big-play abilities and is a two-time Pro Bowler on special teams, but on offense, he's likely to be inconsistent again in 2026 with limited playing time.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 7, 2026
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson had seven rushing touchdowns for the second straight season during the regular season and helped the team advance to the Super Bowl. However, the 28-year-old took a step back in 2025 with 603 rushing yards on a career-low 130 carries (4.6 yards per attempt) in 14 regular-season games. Rookie
TreVeyon Henderson led New England's backfield with 911 rushing yards and nine TDs on 180 carries (5.1 yards per tote). The 28-year-old Stevenson was the Patriots' No. 1 back by default last year, but Henderson was more productive and almost certainly will have the opportunity to pass Stevenson on the RB depth chart in 2026. That will be especially true if Stevenson's ball-security issues resurface -- he lost two more fumbles last season. Stevenson might be more of a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex in 2026 with less volume.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 7, 2026
Green Bay Packers quarterback
Jordan Love showed his upside in the Wild-Card playoff loss to the Chicago Bears in his last game of the season, throwing for 323 yards and four touchdowns on 24-for-46 passing. In 15 regular-season starts in 2025 in his fifth year in the league, the 27-year-old completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdown passes, and six interceptions. The former first-rounder has had his ups and downs in his three full seasons as Green Bay's starting signal-caller, but it was a good sign to see him drop his interceptions from double digits each of the previous two seasons. Love can be a QB1 for fantasy managers in the right matchups in head coach Matt LaFleur's offense, but he's best drafted as a high-end QB2 going into his sixth season this fall. He finished as the QB16 in overall fantasy points last year, averaging 16.5 fantasy points per game.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Terrance Ferguson was selected with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft out of Oregon. In his first NFL season, the 23-year-old only caught 11 passes on 25 targets for 231 yards and three touchdowns in 14 regular-season games (three starts) while serving primarily as the TE3 behind
Tyler Higbee and
Colby Parkinson. He did finish off the regular season last year with five catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets in the last two games of the regular season, but he caught just one pass for 19 yards in two playoff games to end his first year in the NFL. The Rams recently re-signed Tyler Higbee for another season, so Ferguson's path to fantasy relevance will be difficult as he enters his sophomore season in L.A. Ferguson isn't a bad dynasty stash, but in redraft leagues this fall, he'll be avoidable.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 7, 2026
Cleveland Guardians right-hander
Gavin Williams had another solid Cactus League outing on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits while walking none and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings of work. Williams threw 41 of his 56 pitches for strikes and didn't allow a walk for the second straight appearance. That's a big deal, since the 26-year-old led the league with 83 walks in 167 2/3 innings a season ago. Williams went 12-5 last year with a career-best 3.06 ERA (4.39 FIP) and 1.27 WHIP with 83 free passes and a career-high 173 punchouts over his 31 starts. So far this spring, Williams has issued just one walk in eight innings. If he's able to improve his control in 2026, Williams could take another step forward as a more reliable mid-rotation starter for fantasy managers. Williams' strong finish to the 2025 campaign gives hope for more going forward.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 7, 2026
The Houston Astros are signing free-agent catcher
Christian Vazquez to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league camp on Saturday, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Vazquez played in Houston for part of the 2022 campaign and will now return to the Astros as catching depth behind
Yainer Diaz in 2026. The 35-year-old veteran hit just .189/.271/.274 with a .545 OPS, three home runs, 14 RBI, and 14 runs scored in 214 plate appearances over 65 games played last year for the Minnesota Twins. Vazquez is a career .250/.299/.367 hitter in his 11 big-league seasons and has 71 home runs in 993 regular-season games. He will report to Astros camp after playing in the World Baseball Classic with Team Puerto Rico. With a limited offensive profile and in a backup role, fantasy managers can avoid Vazquez in the vast majority of leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
March 7, 2026
LSU quarterback
Garrett Nussmeier came into the 2025 collegiate season with first-round buzz, but after a disappointing final season in the bayou, the 6'2", 203-pound gunslinger is working to separate himself from a cluster of Day 2 and Day 3 prospects in this year's NFL Draft. Nussmeier showed well at the NFL Combine and was able to shed some light on the cloudy injury situation that impacted his senior season. The 24-year-old signal caller has above-average athleticism, and in a class with no clear standouts behind expected first overall pick
Fernando Mendoza and potential first-rounder
Ty Simpson, Nussmeier has the potential to be the third quarterback selected in April.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 7, 2026
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton (elbow) was removed from Friday's World Baseball Classic game early against Brazil after being hit by a pitch on his elbow in the fifth inning, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Team USA replaced Buxton in center field with Chicago Cubs outfielder
Pete Crow-Armstrong. The severity of Buxton's elbow injury is unclear, and it remains to be seen if the 32-year-old veteran will be able to play in the next game in the tournament. Before leaving, Buxton had gone 0-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored in a game that Team USA won in a 15-5 blowout. Before joining Team USA for the WBC, Buxton had gone 3-for-13 (.231) with two RBI and a stolen base in six Grapefruit League games. Buxton was named an All-Star in 2025 for the second time in his career and had a career-high 35 homers, 83 RBI, and 24 stolen bases as he managed to stay healthy for 126 games. His lengthy injury history makes him a risk/reward No. 2 fantasy outfielder, though.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
March 7, 2026
Undersized Georgia wide receiver
Zachariah Branch tested extremely well at the NFL Combine, running a 4.35 40-yard dash while his vertical and broad jumps reinforced the explosiveness shown on film. Working primarily out of the slot, his short arms and imprecise route-running led to a handful of off-the-mark targets in college, but he showed rare explosiveness with the ball in his hands. Given his profile, he may find himself as more of a gadget player than an every-down receiver early in his career, contributing more as an NFL player than a fantasy asset. Branch is currently clustered with a large group of receivers in the second or third tier of this rookie class, and NFL draft capital should help to further clarify rookie draft rankings.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 7, 2026
Baltimore Orioles second baseman
Jackson Holliday (hand) is hitting off a tee and took 40 swings in camp on Saturday, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Holliday said his hand feels good. He will hit flips on Sunday and could progress to batting practice in a week. The 22-year-old left-handed hitter is recovering from hamate-bone surgery in his hand and is expected to open the 2026 regular season on the injured list. However, as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, Holliday should have a minimum IL stay and be ready to make his season debut in early April after initially having surgery on his hand on Feb. 12. The former first overall pick in 2022 showed improvement in Year 2 in 2025, slashing .242/.314/.375 with a .690 OPS, 17 home runs, 55 RBI, 70 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 649 plate appearances. It was encouraging that he cut his strikeout rate considerably. Fantasy managers are now hoping he can take another step forward in 2026. RotoBaller has Holliday ranked just inside the top 15 fantasy second basemen.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
March 7, 2026
New York Mets outfield prospect
Carson Benge is making a case this spring for why the right-field job should be his to lose, according to Danny Abriano of SNY. Abriano writes that Benge "has looked the part of someone ready for the majors." Others vying for playing time in right field include
Mike Tauchman,
MJ Melendez,
Tyrone Taylor, and
Brett Baty. The Mets have been adamant all offseason that Benge would have a real chance to make the Opening Day roster, and he's done nothing in camp to really hurt his chances. Benge has had a three-hit day, hit an opposite-field homer in his most recent game, is making loud contact, and has looked very good in right field. The 23-year-old former first-rounder hit .282/.389/.467 with 14 homers and 24 steals in 116 games between Double-A and Triple-A last year and should make an impact in mixed fantasy leagues if he's on the strong side of a platoon for the Mets in right field in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY - Danny Abriano
March 7, 2026
Tennessee receiver
Chris Brazzell II ran a blazing 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine after measuring in at 6'4". That rare combination of size and speed contributed to the types of downfield explosive plays that littered his senior film. While the wide-open offensive scheme of the Volunteers has not always translated well to the NFL, Brazzell's traits are undeniable, and the fact that he was able to produce as a redshirt freshman at Tulane before his transfer is another feather in his cap. He has been on the rise throughout the pre-draft process, and he could work his way into the early parts of the Day 2 NFL Draft conversation.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 7, 2026
Notre Dame wide receiver
Malachi Fields measured in at over 6'4" and 218 pounds at the NFL Combine, and while he put up impressive numbers in the vertical and broad jumps, his 4.61 40-yard dash reinforced some of the slow releases seen on his tape. The fifth senior has had an up-and-down pre-draft showing, consistent with some of the inconsistencies that marred his college career. He profiles as a physical boundary receiver who might struggle to create separation but will hold an advantage in most contested catch situations. After the top three receivers come off the board in rookie drafts, Fields could be in play in the next tier but will likely fall into the mid rounds.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 7, 2026
New Orleans Saints quarterback
Spencer Rattler started the first eight games of the 2025 season before being benched in favor of rookie
Tyler Shough. Questions now exist about how the 25-year-old, who is still under contract through the 2027 season, fits into the team's future plans, but according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell, the Saints have not received any calls about his potential trade value. Rattler is now 1-13 as an NFL starter, largely assuming the role out of necessity, but it would seem that his future in the league will be that of a backup, either in New Orleans or elsewhere.
--Patrick McGrathSource: ESPN
March 7, 2026
Los Angeles Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko (knee) won't return to action before the end of the 2025-26 regular season. A week ago, the Russian forward underwent meniscus surgery, and it's unclear whether Kuzmenko will have a chance to return when the Kings make the playoffs. Kuzmenko ends his first full campaign in L.A. with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 52 games. The Kings have also lost Kevin Fiala (lower leg) for the season, and Joel Armia (upper body) will be out for several weeks. This has led to expanded roles for Trevor Moore and Alex Turcotte, while new additions Scott Laughton and Mathieu Joseph could also play an important part down the stretch.
--Taavi PailkSource: The Mayor
March 7, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve, paving the way for him to rejoin the lineup on Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks. The talented blue-liner sustained an upper-body injury at the Olympics and has missed five games since the Jets resumed their season. Morrissey's return will mark a boost at both ends of the ice for Winnipeg. He has recorded 42 points, 104 shots, and 94 blocks with a plus-10 rating across 56 contests this season. Ville Heinola will be bumped from the first power-play unit with Morrissey's return, while Dylan Samberg and Haydn Fleury will also see less ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
March 7, 2026
Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (ear) is not expected to return this season, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports. He has been out since Nov. 1 due to a blood clot in his ear. "He's continuing to get treatment," Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Friday. "Our main concern, obviously, is his well-being and long-term health, and second, when he can be back as a hockey player. But he's progressing but most likely he'll be out for the season." Kulich was knocked out of the lineup after recording five points (three goals, two assists) in 12 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Bill Hoppe
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