2 years agoTampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (shoulder) will likely make his return from the injured list to start the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, Sept. 15, after missing the minimum 15 days on the injured list. McClanahan threw a simulated game of around 50 pitches at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 9 and came out of it feeling "really good." The All-Star southpaw landed on the IL on Aug. 31, a day after he was scratched from his start against the Miami Marlins. "I think I made the right decision to shut it down early when it was still very, very minor," McClanahan said. "And I think I'm seeing that benefit right now." The 25-year-old has gone 11-5 this year with a 2.20 ERA (2.64 FIP), a 0.86 WHIP and 182 strikeouts in 147 1/3 innings over 24 starts for the Rays in 2022.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell is currently listed as the No. 2 option on the depth chart. However, Michael Pittman Jr. stole the show during the Week 1 matchup with the Houston Texans. Campbell finished with three receptions on four targets for 37 yards in what ended up being a tie game. Honestly, Nyheim Hines looked better in the receiving game than Campbell during this contest. There is still some upside with Campbell because the lack of competition at his position. He might be worth a dart throw in DFS contests against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. Outside of that, fantasy managers should wait until he proves himself to be more reliable.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoAfter a huge weigh-in miss by main-eventer Khamzat Chimaev, Tony Ferguson was bumped to the main-event slot at UFC 279 to face Nate Diaz in his farewell bout on Saturday. Entering the contest on a four-fight losing streak, Ferguson was in dire need of a big win while moving up in weight, especially after being placed against an opponent like Li Jingliang. After a late shuffle at the top of the card, Ferguson was set to face the dangerous jiu-jitsu ace in Diaz. In 17:52 of action before being caught in a fight-ending guillotine choke, Ferguson tallied 80 significant strikes, 21 less than Diaz. The move up in weight is still probably the best avenue for Ferguson, but a step down in competition is what he really needs for a victory.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines didn't make much of an impact on the ground during Sunday's Week 1 matchup with the Houston Texans. Hines rushed three times for four yards, but was much more involved in the passing game. He hauled in all six of his targets for 50 yards in what ended up being a tie with Houston. There's a chance that Hines ends up being the third wideout in Indy. He's worth considering in PPR formats due to his involvement in the passing game. Hines might be able to carry some RB2 value in certain formats for their Week 2 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoDallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott looked spry and powerful in Week 1, but that didn't amount to much production in what was a rough performance by the Cowboys as a whole. Elliott ran the ball 10 times, gaining 52 yards, and was targeted twice, catching one pass for a three yard loss. The good news is that he did look much better than he did for most of the 2021 season, but with quarterback Dak Prescott (hand) expected to miss up to two months, the Cowboys offense might not have too many positive game scripts which could lead to fewer touches for "Zeke". He's shaping up to be more of an RB2/3 until Dak returns.--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoMiami Marlins outfielder Avisail Garcia (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup on Monday for the first game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. Garcia is dealing with a hamstring injury that previously put him on the injured list for a month, and he aggravated the injury on Saturday. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day with left hamstring discomfort, but if he doesn't return to the lineup soon, he might have to be shut down for the rest of the season. Jerar Encarnacion is starting in right field and hitting eighth, while Garrett Cooper is serving as the designated hitter and batting third for Game 1 on Monday against Rangers right-hander Glenn Otto.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was heavily involved in the passing attack during Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. The stud wideout hauled in nine of his 13 targets for 121 yards and a touchdown in a tie with Houston. Honestly, Pittman was really the only receiver on this team making noise in this game. It looks like Pittman is going to see heavy targets each week, assuming they continue with this gameplan. He should be on the WR1 radar for the Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was projected as one of the best fantasy options heading into the season. He showed in Week 1 that he is well deserving of being the No. 1 pick in fantasy leagues. On Sunday, Taylor rushed 31 times for 161 yards and one touchdown in what ended up as a tie with the Houston Texans. The superstar back also added four receptions on seven targets for 14 additional yards. Fantasy managers should consider him an elite RB1 for their matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLas Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller caught four of six targets for 79 yards in the team's season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Waller operated as a downfield weapon most of this game, averaging 19.8 yards per catch. This is encouraging to see from the tight end, who dealt with an injury and wasn't able to do much this preseason. Waller's ability to stretch the field has always given him the upside most tight ends don't possess. Quarterback Derek Carr also missed Waller on a wide-open crossing route in the end zone, which could have made this a big game for the tight end. Regardless, the opportunities will be there with receiver Davante Adams opening up the field and dictating coverages. Lock Waller in as a high-end TE1 at home against the Cardinals in Week 2.--Al Calo - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense/special teams allowed 244 yards of total offense and limited the Dallas Cowboys to just three points in Sunday night's win. The Bucs' defense was stout, racking up four sacks and one interception on Sunday. Devin White led the way with two sacks, while Vita Vea and Anthony Nelson each had one. Cowboys star quarterback Dak Prescott (thumb) exited early, and the offense struggled to move the ball against Tampa Bay. The Bucs' defense is off to a great start and will look to shut down quarterback Jameis Winston and the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Focus

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan attacked through the air quite a bit during Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. The 37-year-old completed 32-of-50 passing attempts for 352 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. It wasn't an ideal debut for Ryan, but it was his first game with a new team. The game resulted in a tie, so he'll hope for better results next week. The good news is, he'll get another favorable matchup in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He should be considered a low-end QB1 for that contest.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (hamstring) caught both targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury but was able to suit up for Sunday Night Football. The 26-year-old could see an uptick in targets in Week 2 if Chris Godwin (hamstring) cannot suit up against the New Orleans Saints. He signed a three-year, $30 million contract this offseason but is behind Mike Evans, Julio Jones, and Chris Godwin on the depth chart, making him flex play in deep-league formats against the Saints.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Focus

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Ryan Succop went 4-for-5 in field goal attempts and converted his only extra-point try in Sunday's 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He made attempts from 44, 38, 29, and 47 yards out, missing a try from 36 yards. The 35-year-old was productive on Sunday night and is one of the more reliable kickers in football. Succop should continue to see plenty of opportunities and is a high-end option in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Focus

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Julio Jones caught three of five targets for 69 yards while also rushing twice for 17 yards in Sunday's 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He was second on the team in targets behind only Mike Evans (seven). Jones also logged two carries on Sunday, his first rushing attempts since 2019. The veteran could see an increased role if Chris Godwin (hamstring) misses any games. Jones is mainly a flex option against New Orleans Saints in Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Focus

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette rushed 21 times for 127 yards and caught both targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He was efficient with his workload and averaged 6.0 yards per carry. The 27-year-old's longest run of the night was for 17 yards. He had 15 more carries than his teammate Rachaad White. Fournette will look to build on his Week 1 performance and is a must-start against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Focus

2 years agoDallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (thumb) is set to undergo surgery after suffering an injury during Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 29-year-old is set to undergo thumb surgery, which will sideline him 6-8 weeks. He'll reportedly have a pin and plate inserted to stabilize the joint in his thumb. The Cowboys have a bye week in Week 9, so Week 10 is sounding like the timetable for Prescott's return. In the meantime, Cooper Rush is set to be the starter. It's uncertain if the Cowboys will get another quarterback with Prescott sidelined. CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliott, and Dalton Schultz will all take significant hits in fantasy leagues with Prescott sidelined.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Todd Archer

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans caught five of seven targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in Sunday night's 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Tom Brady connected with Evans on a five-yard strike during the third quarter for the Bucs' first touchdown of the game. Evans led the team in receptions and targets in Sunday's win. The 29-year-old could see even more of an uptick in target share if Chris Godwin (hamstring) misses any games. He will look to build on Sunday night's performance when the Bucs take on the Saints in Week 2. Although Evans has struggled against the Saints in the past, he remains a borderline WR1 for Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Focus

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady completed 18-of-27 passes for 212 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Sunday night's 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. He also rushed for -1 yard on two attempts. Tampa Bay's offense was able to move the ball down the field, but most of their drives ended in field goals. The 45-year-old did connect with Mike Evans for a five-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Chris Godwin exited with a hamstring injury so Brady could be without one of his top targets next week against the New Orleans Saints. Despite the modest line, Brady is a borderline QB1 against the Saints in Week 2.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Focus

2 years agoSeeing an elevation in his status on the UFC 279 main card after his new opponent, Khamzat Chimaev, missed his welterweight weight goal at weigh-ins, Kevin Holland was shuffled to meet Chimaev in Saturday night's co-main event. Given a perfect opportunity to derail a hype train, Holland was run over on the tracks, landing zero significant strikes, and was on the receiving end of a D'Arce Choke, which led to the bout's end. The loss denied Holland his chance for a third straight win and his chance for a huge victory.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoSetting off the whole UFC 279 main-card-bout shuffle on Saturday, Khamzat Chimaev missed weight, which resulted in the top-three fights on the card being shuffled around. Chimaev would drop to the co-main-event slot to face Kevin Holland in a 180-pound matchup. As expected, Chimaev dominated with his wrestling, absorbing zero significant strikes and earning the D'Arce Choke victory 2:13 into the first round. It looks like regardless of who or where he fights on the card, Chimaev is a must-roster fighter until we see see otherwise.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoAnother victim of Khamzat Chimaev missing weight and delivering a backstage debacle was welterweight Li Jingliang, who was given a huge co-main-event spotlight to face Tony Ferguson. Instead, Jingliang was moved down to the third fight from the top against a middleweight in Daniel Rodriguez. Though Jingliang only suffered a split-decision loss, he fought hard against Rodriguez and landed 78 significant strikes and his lone takedown try on the night. Though he has losses in two of his last three bouts now, they have come against Chimaev and this close encounter with Rodriguez.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoAfter a backstage scuffle nixed the UFC 279 presser and the drama of a main-eventer missing weight by a big margin, a three-fight shuffle took place, which caused Daniel Rodriguez to meet Li Jingliang on Saturday. In 15 minutes of close action, Rodriguez was able to squeeze out the split-decision win (28-29, 29-28, 28-29). Rodriguez was also able to earn the slight striking edge by landing 88 significant strikes, compared to that of Jingliang's 78. Rodriguez was the much bigger fighter, normally competing at middleweight, while Jingliang competes as a welterweight. The win gives Rodriguez four in a row, and hopefully we can see him compete against a big name like Kevin Holland in a proper fight build-up.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoIn a close contest that saw Macy Chiasson standing over her foe on the main card of UFC 279 on Saturday, an upkick to her liver by Irene Aldana would bring a sudden and unexpected stop to the action. In 7:21 of total action in the 140-pound catchweight matchup, Chiasson tallied 39 significant strikes (72 total strikes) to hold the striking edge over Aldana. After a takedown by Chiasson, Aldana remained on her back and landed a perfectly placed liver kick just as Chiasson walked into the striking zone. Chiasson has now suffered finishing losses in two of her last three contests.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoWe have seen the damage a liver shot can cause in competition, but we have yet to see it work in this fashion. On Saturday's main card of action at UFC 279, Irene Aldana nailed a perfectly placed upkick to the liver to instantly finish opponent Macy Chiasson. In 7:21 of total action, Aldana landed 37 significant strikes (51 total strikes) and was actually out-struck by Chiasson. After a Chiasson takedown in the second round, Aldana delivered the devastating liver kick, sending Chiasson to the mat and leading the referee to call a stop to the 140-pound catchweight battle.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoComing off of a first-round submission, you would think Ion Cutelaba would be finished the same way again, right? Cutelaba was unable to shake it and found himself locked in a rear-naked choke in the first round of his UFC 279 main-card opener against Johnny Walker on Saturday. In 4:37 of action, Cutelaba only tallied three significant strikes and spent half of the matchup in the control of Walker. In his last six Octagon appearances, Cutelaba has only been on the winning end once. As long as he faces an opponent with any kind of ground game or submission game, look for Cutelaba to be on the end of a potential finish every time.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoWith losses in four of his last five contests entering UFC 279 on Saturday, Johnny Walker was in dire need of a big victory to regain any foothold he had in the light-heavyweight division. Walker did just that, opening up the main card with a first-round submission win over a tough opponent in Ion Cutelaba. In 4:37 of total action, Walker tallied only three significant strikes but locked in over two minutes of control time with three submission attempts. As long as Walker is not facing the very top tier of the division, it's possible we see more performances like this out of him.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoSan Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould went 1-for-1 kicking field goals and 1-for-1 on extra points in the 49ers' 19-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. The 49ers scored 10 points in the first half, including three on Gould's 25-yard field goal. They struggled to move the ball in the second half after running back Elijah Mitchell left the game with a knee injury. Quarterback Trey Lance did not look good, completing less than half his passes and throwing an interception at a key time during the Niners' comeback attempt. San Francisco's next game against the Seahawks could be a chance for Lance and the offense to get in gear. If the Niners offense doesn't improve, then Gould will not get many chances to score points.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoThe San Francisco 49ers defense and special teams unit limited the Chicago Bears offense to 204 yards and 19 points. While they did a good job slowing down the Bears offense, they did not add many big plays. They produced just two sacks and one interception. Hence, the strong defensive performance did not score many fantasy points. Big defensive plays are hard to predict from week to week, and the 49ers still have playmaker potential in DE Nick Bosa and young emerging players like SS Talanoa Hufanga and DB Samuel Womack III. Hufanga, who, in his second season, is starting for the first four games in place of the injured Jimmie Ward, had a breakout game, making 11 tackles and an interception.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoSan Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. ran for 22 yards on nine carries in his team's 19-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. He was also targeted twice and caught both passes for eight yards. The Niners' No. 2 RB, Wilson, took most of his snaps in the second half after No. 1 RB Elijah Mitchell left the game with a knee injury. Wilson will probably have a bigger workload for as long as Mitchell is out. But Wilson will not be a bellcow. Coach Kyle Shanahan spread the Niners' rushing work between him, WR Deebo Samuel, who shined as a wide-back last season, and QB Trey Lance, who led the team with 13 carries. Wilson is worth claiming off the waiver wire if you are in trouble at running back.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoDallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush was forced into the game in Week 1 after Dak Prescott had to leave with a hand injury. After the game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated that Prescott would be out for "several weeks," meaning that Rush will be the starting quarterback for likely the next month. In this one, he completed seven passes on 13 attempts, totaling 64 yards. Despite decent pass catchers available, Rush will almost certainly struggle to move the Cowboys offense behind a suddenly rough offensive line. The Prescott news is a huge blow to the fantasy value of everyone on the Cowboys offense.--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com