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Trey Benson ARI RBCardinals' Trey Benson: Present for Monday's workout
15m agoBenson (knee) is in attendance for Monday's practice, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Benson has been in and out of practice since his left knee flared up two weeks ago, missing Thursday's preseason game at Las Vegas in the process. With rookie first-round pick Jeremiyah Love being diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain this weekend, Benson has a chance to stake a claim on the RB depth chart behind offseason addition Tyler Allgeier for as long as Love is sidelined. Moreover, fellow back James Conner continues to sit out 11-on-11 drills due to a foot injury, meaning Benson currently is the highest profile player at the position that can make a leap, assuming he doesn't suffer additional setbacks with his own health concern.
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Malik Nabers NYG WRGiants' Malik Nabers: Works in team drills for first time
1h agoNabers (knee) logged reps in 11-on-11 drills while donning a red non-contact jersey during Monday's practice, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Prior to Monday, Nabers' activity level in full-speed live team drills was capped to 7-on-7 work, which he maintained to begin this week. Having said that, he expanded his workload in the full-speed live context for the first time since tearing the ACL in his right knee Week 4 of last season. It's a another step in the right direction for Nabers, but he presumably will need to stack days with 11-on-11 drills and also ditch the non-contact jersey before the Giants will consider allowing him to suit up in games.
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TreVeyon Henderson NE RBPatriots' TreVeyon Henderson: Likely looking at '50-50' split
1h agoChad Graff of The Athletic predicts that Rhamondre Stevenson and Henderson seem likely to share New England's backfield work pretty evenly this coming season.
During the 2025 regular season, Henderson recorded 180 carries for 911 yards and nine TDs to go along with 35 catches for 221 yards and another score in 17 games, while Stevenson logged 603 yards and seven TDs on 130 carries, adding 32 catches for 345 yards and a pair of receiving scores in 14 contests. Looking ahead to the coming campaign, Graff suggests that the Patriots could lean more on Stevenson in short-yardage situations and early downs, with Henderson a candidate to check in for second- and third-and-long situations, provided his pass blocking holds up. In any case, both players should still see enough work in 2026 to generate production, with Henderson's big-play potential making him an appealing option for fantasy managers in spite of the looming time-share.
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Myles Garrett LAR DERams' Myles Garrett: May not practice this week
1h agoCoach Sean McVay said Monday that Garrett may not participate in practice this week, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.
Garrett sat out last Tuesday's joint practice with the Cowboys due to swelling in his knee, and while he was spotted working on the side Thursday, he was a DNP for this past Saturday's preseason contest at Kansas City. The Rams will continue to take a cautious approach with their biggest offseason prize to ensure he's as healthy as possible for a Week 1 matchup with the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10.
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Rhamondre Stevenson NE RBPatriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: Set to share backfield with Henderson
1h agoChad Graff of The Athletic predicts that Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson are likely to share New England's backfield work pretty evenly this coming season.
During the 2025 regular season, Stevenson gained 603 yards and logged seven TDs on 130 carries, while adding 32 catches for 345 yards and a pair of receiving scores in 14 regular-season contests. Meanwhile, Henderson recorded 180 carries for 911 yards and nine TDs to go along with 35 catches for 221 yards and another score in 17 games. With the duo once again on track to continue to share the bulk of New England's rushing load, Graff believes that the team could lean more on Stevenson in short-yardage situations and early downs, while Henderson, who brings big-play potential to the table, is a candidate to check in for second- and third-and-long situations, provided his pass blocking holds up. In any case, while any sort of backfield time-share can be tricky from a fantasy perspective, both of the Patriots' top backs should still see enough work to generate fantasy utility in 2026.
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Puka Nacua LAR WRRams' Puka Nacua: Could remain sidelined all week
1h agoCoach Sean McVay said Nacua (groin) may not practice this week, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.
Nacua has been dealing with a minor groin injury since last Tuesday, which as of Thursday was clarified to be soreness in his psoas. He didn't make the trip to Kansas City for this past Saturday's preseason game, and if he doesn't mix into drills at all this week, either, he seemingly would be trending toward another absence this Saturday versus the Saints. In the end, though, having Nacua 100 percent for Week 1 against the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10 is the key, so the Rams taking a cautious approach with him comes as no surprise
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Hunter Goodman COL CRockies' Hunter Goodman: Checking back into lineup Monday
3m agoGoodman (shoulder) will start at catcher and bat third in Monday's game against the Dodgers.
Goodman has been cleared to resume his usual duties behind plate following a three-game absence due to left shoulder inflammation. While the Rockies could look to build in an off day for Goodman during their six-game week at Coors Field, fantasy managers should have no hesitation about keeping the two-time All-Star catcher active now that he's been confirmed to start in the series opener with the Dodgers.
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Zac Veen COL RFRockies' Zac Veen: Taking seat versus lefty
4m agoVeen is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers.
The lefty-swinging Veen has started all four games versus righties and has now sat out both contests against lefties since being promoted, so he's being used in a strict long-side platoon role. Jordan Beck will cover right field for the Rockies.
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Justin Martinez ARI RPDiamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Ready for 2026 debut with Arizona
11m agoThe Diamondbacks reinstated Martinez (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday.
Martinez has been cleared to make his 2026 debut with the Diamondbacks following a lengthy recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent June 25, 2025. The hard-throwing reliever looked sharp over his four rehab appearances between Single-A Visalia and Triple-A Reno, firing four scoreless, no-hit innings while striking out six and issuing just one walk. The Diamondbacks' closer situation has been unsettled over the past three weeks after Paul Sewald lost the job and eventually, his roster spot, so Martinez could make for a viable speculative pickup for fantasy managers mining for saves. Before requiring surgery last summer, Martinez had previously been a key high-leverage arm for Arizona in 2024 and the early part of the 2025 season.
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Ryan O'Hearn PIT 1BPirates' Ryan O'Hearn: Resumes light baseball activities
12m agoO'Hearn (quadriceps) has been cleared to play catch and take some swings in the batting cage, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
It's been almost three weeks since O'Hearn landed on the 10-day injured list with a left quad strain, and he's been cleared to re-incorporate some light baseball activities. O'Hearn will report to the Pirates' spring training complex in Florida later this week to continue ramping up his rehab. He was given a 6-to-8 week timeline when he went down, and it would seem O'Hearn has a good shot to be back on a shorter end of that timetable.
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Jordan Lawlar ARI LFDiamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Officially reinstated from IL
17m agoThe Diamondbacks reinstated Lawlar (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Monday.
After batting .250 with five home runs and two steals over a nine-game rehab assignment at Double-A Amarillo, Lawlar received clearance from the Arizona training staff to rejoin the big-league roster. Given that Lawlar is returning from a left hamstring strain that kept him on the shelf for nearly two months, the Diamondbacks could look to ease him back into the mix with more frequent days off and/or some starts at designated hitter, but he should eventually settle into a regular role in center field. Lawlar hit .316 with one home run, four steals, six runs and four RBI over a small sample of 44 plate appearances on the season with the Diamondbacks before landing on the IL on June 20.
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Colson Montgomery CHW SSWhite Sox's Colson Montgomery: Exiting lineup against lefty
18m agoMontgomery is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Cubs.
Montgomery had made 19 straight starts, but he's managed a lowly .539 OPS with a 39.3 percent strikeout rate over that span. With a lefty in Shota Imanaga on the hill for the Cubs, the left-handed-hitting Montgomery will get a day to regroup. Luisangel Acuna will cover shortstop for the White Sox.
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Kawhi Leonard LAC SFRaptors' Kawhi Leonard: Trade to Toronto can proceed, reportedly
2h agoThe NBA has found no evidence showing Clippers owner Steve Ballmer used side endorsements to illegally pay Leonard, per Don Van Natta Jr., Baxter Holmes and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. However, NBA spokesman Mike Bass refuted ESPN's article, citing "numerous and significant inaccuracies."
Reportedly, the league's investigation didn't find that Ballmer or the franchise funneled money through team sponsors to circumvent the salary cap, which should help clear a major hurdle in finalizing Leonard's pending trade to the Raptors. The expectation is that the deal will be made official ahead of training camp in the fall, but fantasy managers should proceed with caution until the NBA's investigation concludes.
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Sean Pedulla NBADRAFT SGRockets' Sean Pedulla: Finds home with Houston
2h agoPedulla and the Rockets agreed on a two-way deal Monday, per Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle.
After being waived by the Clippers earlier in August, Pedulla didn't have to wait long to get attention from another team and should assume a featured role with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Pedulla, who is the reigning G League Rookie of the Year, averaged 23.6 points, 6.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Rip City Remix and San Diego Clippers during the 2025-26 G League regular season.
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Malachi Smith TOR SGRaptors' Malachi Smith: Signing with Raptors
3h agoThe Raptors announced they signed Smith to a contract Monday.
The terms of the deal aren't clear, but it's likely a training camp contract since none of Toronto's two-way roster spots are open. Smith saw some burn for the rebuilding Nets down the stretch of last season and offered glimpses of potential, averaging 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 three-pointers in 23.9 minutes per game over 15 regular-season appearances (four starts) while shooting 43.5 percent from deep.
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Trendon Watford PHI PFPelicans' Trendon Watford: Signs with Pelicans
5h agoWatford agreed to a one-year deal with the Pelicans on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The 76ers declined Watford's team option in June, but he's found a new home ahead of training camp. In New Orleans, Watford will likely provide some emergency depth in the frontcourt, and he may have a tough time carving out a consistent role.
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Tre Mann CHA PGHornets' Tre Mann: Shipped to Cleveland
3d agoThe Hornets traded Mann to the Cavaliers on Friday in exchange for Dennis Schroder and cash considerations, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
Mann was expected to serve as backcourt depth for Charlotte before the move, and now he'll assume a similar role with his new team. He'll likely be competing in training camp with Craig Porter and Tyrese Proctor for the backup role at point guard behind James Harden, and Mann has an opportunity for a fresh start after playing a career-low 12.6 minutes per game for the Hornets last regular season.
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Dennis Schroder CLE PGCavaliers' Dennis Schroder: Heading to Charlotte
3d agoThe Cavaliers traded Schroder and cash considerations to the Hornets on Friday in exchange for Tre Mann, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
The two sides are effectively swapping backcourt depth with the move. Schroder averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game across 70 regular-season appearances between the Cavaliers and Kings in 2025-26, and he gives the rebuilding Hornets a veteran presence as a backup point guard behind Coby White.
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Quinton Byfield LA CKings' Quinton Byfield: Set for larger role in 2026-27 campaign
42m agoByfield is slated to take on a larger role during the 2026-27 campaign following Anze Kopitar's retirement, Ryan Lambert of The Hockey News reports.
Kopitar had indicated last season that the 2025-26 campaign would be his last in the NHL, and his official retirement earlier in the offseason puts Byfield squarely in line to operate as the Kings' top-line center for the start of the 2026-27 season. Byfield narrowly missed out on his third consecutive 50-point season last year, recording 24 goals, 25 assists, 66 hits, 46 PIM and 44 blocked shots while averaging a career-high 20:01 of ice time across 79 regular-season appearances. The 2020 No. 2 overall pick has shown some promise early in his career, and he should have plenty of opportunities to take another step this season.
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Drake Batherson OTT RWSenators' Drake Batherson: Seeking eight-year contract
2h agoBatherson is seeing an eight-year contract extension before the mid-September deadline to sign a deal of that length, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reports Monday.
Batherson has been a strong contributor for the Senators in recent years, most recently recording a career-high 33 goals and 71 points, along with 122 hits, 33 PIM and 22 blocked shots, while averaging 17:21 of ice time across 79 regular-season appearances during the 2025-26 campaign. He's entering the final season of his six-year contract and hopes to reach a long-term agreement with Ottawa before the new collective bargaining agreement takes effect, which limits the maximum length of a contract extension to seven years, down from the previous mark of eight. Regardless of Batherson's contract status heading into the regular season, he should take on a prominent role for Ottawa once again during the 2026-27 campaign.
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Sandis Vilmanis FLA LWPanthers' Sandis Vilmanis: Could begin year on third line
3h agoVilmanis could have an opportunity to begin the 2026-27 season on the third line alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Vilmanis made his NHL debut during the 2025-26 campaign, racking up three goals, two assists, 39 hits, five blocked shots and four PIM over 19 games. He signed a two-year contract extension with the Panthers during the offseason, and he could see a larger role than expected to begin the year since Brad Marchand's (lower body) availability for the start of the regular season is in question after he underwent offseason surgery.
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Brad Marchand FLA LWPanthers' Brad Marchand: Availability for start of season in doubt
2d agoMarchand (lower body) had offseason surgery and could be unavailable for the start of the 2026-27 campaign, according to George Richards of Florida Hockey Now on Saturday.
Marchand sat out the final 19 games of the 2025-26 regular season due to what is believed to be a hip and sports hernia injury. He had 27 goals and 54 points in 52 appearances before ending the year on long-term injured reserve. With Marchand's availability unclear, Sandis Vilmanis, Cole Schwindt, Cole Reinhardt and Sam Lafferty could be in the mix for a roster spot with the Panthers out of training camp.
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David Jiricek PHI DFlyers' David Jiricek: Likely to make NHL roster
3d agoJiricek is projected to make the Flyers' roster to start the 2026-27 campaign, per Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
With Philadelphia returning each of their top five defensemen from a season ago, general manager Danny Briere was asked about the last slot and had high praise for Jiricek. The 22-year-old blueliner has struggled to gain traction at the NHL level, as he has just 13 points across 85 career regular-season outings. However, the sixth overall selection from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft offers a strong shot and solid two-way potential if things click for him at the highest level. He'll likely see competition from young right-shot defenseman Oliver Bonk, but Jiricek has a real chance to receive a regular spot in the Flyers' lineup as they look to return to the postseason for the second straight year. Ahead of the 2026-27 fantasy hockey season, he might be a worthy streaming option if he proves capable of earning a consistent role in the lineup.
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Oliver Bonk PHI D
Flyers' Oliver Bonk: Might earn NHL roster spot
3d agoBonk is expected to be in the mix for an Opening Night roster spot, per Jordan Hall on NBC Sports Philadelphia on Friday.
Bonk got his first taste of NHL action when he recorded a goal and an assist across 16:28 of ice time in a 4-2 win over Montreal on April 14. He also recorded a hit while logging 12:36 in a playoff appearance May 9. At the AHL level, he had six goals and 19 points in 46 regular-season outings with Lehigh Valley in 2025-26. The 21-year-old has enough offensive upside to be worth keeping an eye on. He'll probably be limited to a third-pairing role if he does make the Flyers out of training camp, but he might also get some power-play ice time in that scenario.
