2 years agoMinnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (leg) remains out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals. Kepler is dealing with a right leg contusion and will now miss his third straight game this week. Fantasy managers should continue to consider him day-to-day for now. The 29-year-old German native is batting just .227/.318/.348 on the season with nine home runs, 43 RBI, 54 runs scored and three stolen bases in his 388 at-bats. Jake Cave is getting the nod in right field on Thursday and will hit ninth in the batting order against Royals left-hander Daniel Lynch. DFS gamers should be able to find better options than Cave. He's hit just .196 (18-for-92) on the year with three home runs.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoKansas City Chiefs running back Ronald Jones is once again a healthy scratch for Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. Jones was on the roster bubble in training camp, but he made the final roster and has been inactive for their first two games of the season. In the season-opening blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals, Clyde Edwards-Helaire operated as the lead back, although pass-catching back Jerick McKinnon had the exact same snap percentage as him (38.6 percent). Rookie Isiah Pacheco played only 16 of the team's 70 offensive snaps. Jones will probably need an injury to one of the backs ahead of him in order to dress up on game days. He can be dropped in redraft leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Adam Teicher

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers rookie running back Isaiah Spiller is a healthy scratch on Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. Spiller will have to wait to make his NFL debut in a regular season game. To open the year, the Bolts have decided to go with Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel as the backups to starter Austin Ekeler. In the Week 1 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Kelley played 26.9 percent of the offensive snaps, while Michel saw 23.9 percent behind Ekeler's 49.3 percentage. Spiller has plenty of long-term potential, but it might take an injury for him to become fantasy relevant outside of deeper and dynasty/keeper formats. Neither Kelley nor Michel have standalone fantasy appeal on Thursday night.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson (ankle) will play on Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a source. Jackson came into the game with a questionable tag after missing the season-opening win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but he was moving around really well during workouts this week. Against quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who threw five touchdown passes in Week 1, the return of Jackson is a big boost for the Chargers secondary. Despite the good news for the Bolts D, Jackson should be avoided in IDP fantasy leagues, while the Chargers defense/special teams unit is still one to fade in standard leagues despite their solid performance against the Raiders.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - James Palmer

2 years agoNew York Giants rookie wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (knee) missed practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Robinson is currently looking very iffy to play in the Week 2 matchup against the Carolina Panthers this weekend. The 21-year-old will need to get back on the practice field on Friday in order to have a shot at suiting up. In his NFL debut in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans, he played 15 percent of the offensive snaps and caught his only target for a five-yard gain. Robinson was extremely impressive during training camp, but this injury could set his development back early in the 2022 season. If he's unable to go this Sunday, Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard should be the team's top two receivers, with Kadarius Toney (hamstring) and Richie James battling for bigger roles.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Giants.com - Dan Salomne

2 years agoNew York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hamstring) was added to the injury report this week after getting in a limited practice session on Thursday. Toney dealt with lower body issues for much of training camp and in his rookie season in 2021, so this is not what his fantasy managers want to see early in the season. It's especially disappointing after he played only 12 percent of the offensive snaps and didn't see a single target in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans. He carried the ball twice for 23 yards. If the 23-year-old plays this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, he could see a bigger role with rookie Wan'Dale Robinson (knee) iffy to play, but it's hard to recommend him as a flex play after his Week 1 performance, outside of deeper leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Giants.com - Dan Salomne

2 years agoBaltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) was a full participant in practice for a second straight day on Thursday. It's a good sign for his prospects of making his 2022 debut in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins for the first time since 2020. Dobbins missed all of last year after tearing his ACL, so there's still a chance the Ravens ease him back into the fold if he's actually active on Sunday. As a result, he'll be an extremely shaky fantasy play against Miami if he's active, even though he's fully expected to lead this backfield when he's fully healthy. Kenyan Drake was the Ravens' primary ball-carrier in the Week 1 win over the New York Jets, with Justice Hill and Mike Davis also pitching in.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe

2 years agoNew Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ribs) was present but not participating in the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media after he was limited in practice on Wednesday with a rib injury. It's possible that the Saints are giving Kamara a day to rest, but we'll know more about his Week 2 status on Friday. Fantasy managers should have a backup plan in place just in case the 27-year-old is unable to go on Sunday in a divisional clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After a Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons in which he saw just nine carries for 39 yards on 62% of the snaps, Kamara's fantasy stock is already falling. Tight end Taysom Hill was more productive on his four carries and also scored a touchdown. Hill and veteran Mark Ingram II figure to split backfield touches if Kamara is inactive.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett

2 years agoSan Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (groin) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week. Kittle injured his groin last Monday and hasn't practiced or played since. The 28-year-old will almost certainly have to get back on the practice field on Friday in order to have any shot at making his 2022 regular season debut in Week 2 against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. With Kittle out in the Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears, Tyler Kroft saw 55 percent of the offensive snaps but caught just one of his two targets for a nine-yard gain. Ross Dwelley played just 27.9 percent of the team's 68 snaps. If Kittle misses his second straight game, fantasy managers should look to avoid the TE situation in San Fran.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Jose Mercury News - Cam Inman

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice on Thursday for the second straight day. It's good news for the Bucs after receivers Mike Evans (calf), Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Julio Jones (knee) all missed practice. Godwin was already expected to miss Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints, but if one or both of Evans and Jones are also inactive, it will just mean even more work for Fournette and rookie backup Rachaad White. The 27-year-old Fournette had 21 carries for 127 yards and also caught both of his targets for 10 yards in the Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Barring something unforeseen, Fournette should check in as a low-end RB1 for fantasy managers this weekend.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Greg Auman

2 years agoChicago White Sox starting pitcher Lance Lynn picked up the win Thursday after tossing 6 1/3 innings against the Cleveland Guardians, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out six and walking one. It was his fourth win in a row and seventh of the year across 18 starts. Lynn doesn't have the ERA fantasy managers were hoping for, posting a 3.99 mark, but his 1.07 WHIP and 113:16 strikeout-to-walk numbers are dominant. Fantasy managers should continue playing the 35-year-old veteran in every league.--Spencer Seguin - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoChicago White Sox outfielder/first baseman Andrew Vaughn joined in on the fun when his team clubbed five home runs in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians, going 1-for-3 with a solo homer of his own. It was his 16th this season, and he now has 69 RBI and 57 runs over 119 games. Vaughn has more power than he's shown thus far in his career, but the sophomore has displayed his hitting ability, batting .290. There hasn't been much talk of the 24-year-old, but his numbers look good in any fantasy lineup.--Spencer Seguin - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard (back) put in a second straight day of full practice on Thursday. On the flip side, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (hip) missed his second straight day of work. Cornerback Kenny Moore II (hip) was also listed as a DNP after being limited on Wednesday. Leonard is coming off offseason back surgery in June and was inactive for the Week 1 tie with the Houston Texans, but he's making progress and could be available to make his 2022 season debut in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If he does suit up, he'll be in play as a starting linebacker in IDP formats, but he'll still be a bit risky if the Colts choose to limit his defensive snaps in his first game back. Buckner is looking very iffy for this Sunday after tallying four tackles in the season opener.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Alec Pierce (head), who is in the league's concussion protocol, was upgraded to a limited practice on Thursday after he didn't practice on Wednesday. Pierce hasn't been cleared for contact yet, but he's clearly making progress after suffering a concussion in the Week 1 tie with the Houston Texans. Still, the 22-year-old will likely be questionable for Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (quadriceps) also on the injury report this week, Parris Campbell, Ashton Dulin and Mike Strachan could be looking at bigger roles in Week 2. Pierce, who was a standout during training camp, failed to catch his only two targets in the season opener while playing 51% of the offensive snaps.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter

2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson finished Week 1 with seven catches for 55 yards on 12 targets. Even more importantly, Johnson showed that he was over a preseason shoulder injury and has not popped up on the injury report following practice on Wednesday or Thursday leading up to a Week 2 matchup with the New England Patriots. The Patriots struggled against wide receivers in 2021, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position. Those struggles continued in Week 1 when they allowed Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to combine for 12 catches, 163 yards, and a touchdown. Treat Johnson as a rock-solid WR2 in fantasy for Week 2.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: Steelers.com

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (quadriceps) missed practice on Thursday after he was listed as limited on Wednesday. The Colts might just be resting their No. 1 receiver ahead of Friday's practice, but it's something for fantasy managers to keep an eye on heading into the team's Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The 24-year-old is the Colts clear top pass-catcher after he caught nine of his 13 targets for 121 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 tie with the Houston Texans. If Pittman is active this weekend, he's a must-start in fantasy in what could be a breakout year in 2022.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter

2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was a popular waiver pickup following Week 1 after starting running back Najee Harris (foot) left the season opener with a foot injury. Fantasy managers who added Warren are likely going to have to wait to deploy the rookie in fantasy lineups as Harris practiced fully on Thursday and appears on track to play in Week 2 against the New England Patriots. Warren still holds fantasy value as a handcuff in case Harris gets hurt again but he should not be in lineups for Week 2 unless Harris suffers a setback and is a surprise inactive on Sunday.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoDetroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (ankle) is expected to play in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders despite dealing with an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined at practice on both Wednesday and Thursday this week. A league source emphasized Swift is "good to go." "He's going to be ready," the source predicted. "He's good." Swift himself didn't sound particularly worried about his injury either. The 23-year-old handled 15 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown and also caught all three of his targets for 31 yards in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Expect Swift to return to practice on Friday. If active this Sunday, Swift will be a must-start in fantasy, but Jamaal Williams' heavy involvement in the season opener was a bit concerning.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Network - Aaron Wilson

2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (foot) got in a full practice on Thursday as his team gears up for a home matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 2. Harris left his team's Week 1 matchup early with a foot injury and practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday, but his upgrade on Thursday bodes well for his ability to suit up on Sunday. That being said, the Patriots represent a tough matchup for Harris as they allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs in 2021 and held Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert to just 41 yards on 17 combined carries in Week 1. Treat Harris as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 in fantasy for Week 2.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: Field Yates on Twitter

2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky turned in a pedestrian outing in a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Trubisky averaged just 5.1 yards per pass attempt in his debut with Pittsburgh in the overtime victory. He will look for a bigger game in Week 2 when he faces off against the New England Patriots at home. He could struggle as the Patriots allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in 2021 and held Tua Tagovailoa to 270 yards and one touchdown in Week 1. Trubisky will have to show more than he did in Week 1 to be trusted as a fantasy option, leaving him as a QB3 for Week 2.--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoThe New York Jets defense played better than the final score showed in Week 1, but they are still not a recommended fantasy option in Week 2. In Week 1, they allowed 24 points while recording two sacks and one interception. With Joe Flacco in charge of the offense, it could be another week where the Jets defense ends up being on the field often and for extended periods of time. There's not a ton of upside here, but plenty of downside clearly visible. Most leagues will have stronger options readily available on the waiver wire.--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: Rotoballer

2 years agoThe Dallas Cowboys defense makes for a risky fantasy play in Week 2 lineups. While the Cowboys defense did well against the Bucs in Week 1, allowing 19 points while recording two sacks and an interception, Week 2 could be a bit different. With Cooper Rush at quarterback, the Dallas offense may not be able to sustain long drives, which could lead to the defense being on the field for extended periods. There's still upside here, especially after opposing QB Joe Burrow turned the ball over five times in Week 1, but there's significant risk as well.--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: Rotoballer

2 years agoThe Pittsburgh Pirates designated right-hander Tyler Beede for assignment on Thursday and recalled left-hander Eric Stout from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. The Pirates also designated left-hander Dillon Peters for assignment after he was returned from his minor league rehab assignment. In 31 appearances (five starts) for the Pirates and San Francisco Giants this year, Beede has posted a 5.14 ERA (4.99 FIP), a 1.63 WHIP, 39 strikeouts and 29 walks in 61 1/3 innings. All five of his starts have come with Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old allowed 30 earned runs on 57 hits (six homers surrendered) while walking 23 and striking out 35 in his 51 2/3 frames for the Bucs.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pirates Twitter

2 years agoHouston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) is back in left field and is hitting third on Thursday against the Oakland Athletics and right-hander James Kaprielian. Alvarez shot down reports on Wednesday that he was held out of the lineup due to more hand soreness. The 25-year-old left-handed slugger is a must-start in fantasy, so he should be returned to starting lineups everywhere on Thursday. Alvarez is currently slashing .295/.403/.598 with a 1.000 OPS, 33 home runs, 84 RBI, 84 runs scored and one stolen base in 410 at-bats for the Astros. The next home run he hits will set a new career-high.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoTampa Bay Rays right-hander Shane Baz (elbow) is throwing and seems to be doing just fine in his recovery from an elbow injury, but he will not pitch in games again this year. Baz had resumed throwing late last month, but the Rays will not rush the 23-year-old back this year, even for a potential postseason run. In his first two big-league seasons, Baz has only made nine starts, going 3-2 with a 4.02 ERA (4.30 FIP), a 1.12 WHIP and a 48:12 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings. The Rays and fantasy managers will be hoping that he's fully healthy way ahead of spring training next year as he looks to lay claim to a starting rotation spot.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin

2 years agoHeavyweight Tanner Boser (20-8-1) steps back into the Octagon for Saturday's only heavyweight main-card bout and is set to battle Rodrigo Nascimento Ferreira. Rebounding after back-to-back losses, Boser scored a second-round TKO against Ovince Saint Preux back in June of last year. With knockout ability in his hands, 11 of his 20 career wins have come by KO/TKO. Boser is facing a struggling Ferreira, who is coming off of the first loss and no-contest of his career.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoLos Angeles Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux (back) will get live at-bats at Camelback Ranch in Arizona on Thursday and will rejoin the Dodgers on Friday. He's expected to play in the series against the division-rival San Francisco Giants this weekend. The 24-year-old hasn't played for the Dodgers since Sept. 1 due to a back injury, but he's nearing his return to the major-league lineup. With Lux injured recently, Chris Taylor has seen most of the playing time at the keystone in LA, with Joey Gallo getting more at-bats in left field. In 369 at-bats for the Dodgers in 2022, Lux is slashing a strong .293/.368/.428 with six home runs, 42 RBI, 62 runs scored and seven stolen bases in 418 plate appearances and 115 games in his fourth big-league campaign.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett

2 years agoDallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher is not a strong kicking option in Week 2 fantasy lineups. Maher scored the only points for the Cowboys in a rough 19-3 loss in Week 1, but with Cooper Rush set to lead the Dallas offense, it's unlikely they need Maher for many extra points and unfortunately also unlikely they even get into field goal range all that often. Most fantasy leagues will have higher floor and higher upside kickers available on the waiver wire.--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: Rotoballer

2 years agoCincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (head) is back in the starting lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Miles Mikolas, serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup. It's the first time that Fraley will return to the lineup since being drilled in the head by a pitch in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader. The 27-year-old was quickly able to pass through the league's concussion protocol and is in a great spot to produce some counting stats on Thursday. He's been much better against right-handed pitchers this year, too, hitting .263 (36-for-137) with nine of his 10 home runs and 20 RBI in 52 games. Fraley has just four hits in 26 at-bats against lefties.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoHouston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is not in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Oakland Athletics. It appears to just be a normal day of rest for the everyday second baseman, but fantasy managers must act accordingly. The 32-year-old veteran has been swinging a hot bat in the month of September, going 16-for-49 (.327) with two home runs, four RBI, 10 runs scored and five stolen bases in 12 games. Altuve remains a must-start whenever he's in the lineup. Veteran utility man Aledmys Diaz is starting at second base and is hitting second on Thursday against A's right-hander James Kaprielian. Diaz has some DFS sleeper potential in the two-hole, and he's hitting .283 (13-for-46) with a homer, seven RBI and four runs scored in his last 13 games, dating back to Aug. 1.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press