September 4, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Isiah Pacheco said he is "on a revenge tour" this year, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones said, "Yeah, let's go! (bangs on the table with his right hand). We need him on a revenge tour!" Pacheco's violent running style finally came back to bite him in 2024 when he fractured his fibula in Week 2 and ended up playing in only seven regular-season games in his third year with the Chiefs. The 26-year-old averaged a career-low 3.7 yards per carry on his 83 rushing attempts during the regular season. He's back to 100 percent health in 2025, though, and remains KC's unquestioned lead back going into a Week 1 matchup in Brazil versus the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Friday. There are questions as to whether Pacheco can return to his pre-injury form, but at worst, he should be considered a low-end RB2 fantasy back.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
September
4,
2025
Kansas
City
Chiefs
wide
receiver
Xavier
Worthy
will
take
on
the
Los
Angeles
Chargers
in
Sao
Paulo
for
their
Week
1
matchup.
The
22-year-old
had
a
solid
rookie
season,
coming
on
strong
down
the
stretch,
and
read more...
September
4,
2025
Kansas
City
Chiefs
running
back
Isiah
Pacheco
will
start
the
season
against
the
Los
Angeles
Chargers
on
Friday.
The
Chiefs
will
have
the
first
international
game
of
the
year
in
Sao
Paulo,
Brazil.
Pacheco
should
be
read more...
September 4, 2025
New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) will not practice on Thursday, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Thomas practiced on Wednesday, but Daboll said Thomas sitting out on Thursday is "part of the team's plan as the left tackle ramps up activity ahead of Week 1" against the division-rival Washington Commanders this Sunday. Injury news aside, the Giants freed up roughly $12.2 million in salary cap space by restructuring Thomas' contract on Thursday. The move puts the team around $2.6 million under this year's cap. Thomas was limited in his return to practice on Wednesday, although it's still unclear if he'll suit up on Sunday. If he does play in Week 1, the G-Men could limit the number of snaps he plays as they continue to ramp him up.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL.com
September 4, 2025
New York Mets infield/outfield prospect
A.J. Ewing delivered his second consecutive three-hit performance on Wednesday for Double-A Binghamton, extending his current hit streak to 12 games for the Rumble Ponies. During that time, he's gone 25-for-53 (.472), and is now slashing .386/.424/.482 at that level with 11 steals in 19 games. After starting out the season at Single-A, he was promoted to High-A, and now he's performing at Double-A. In all, the Mets' seventh-ranked prospect owns a .322/.412/.438 slash line with 25 doubles, nine triples, three home runs, 69 steals, and a strong 12.8 percent walk rate complemented by a better-than-average 17.7 percent strikeout rate. If he can grow into more power, he's got some mult-category fantasy potential in his bat and is an under-the-radar prospect for dynasty managers to consider.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
September 4, 2025
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) remains out of practice on Thursday, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Gonzalez's continued absenc puts his status for the season opener on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders in more doubt. If Gonzalez does not play in Week 1, which is becoming more and more likely, Alex Austin, Marcus Jones and D.J. James are the candidates to start across from Carlton Davis III in New England's secondary. Gonzalez is the team's top cornerback, so not having him available to kick off the season wouldn't be ideal for the Pats as they look to slow down the Raiders' new look offense, which will be led by veteran quarterback
Geno Smith.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
September
4,
2025
Kansas
City
Chiefs
tight
end
Travis
Kelce
will
face
the
Los
Angeles
Chargers
on
Friday
in
Week
1.
Kelce
had
a
down
year
in
2024,
finishing
as
the
TE5
in
total
points
and
TE7
in
points-per-game
read more...
September 4, 2025
League sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Philadelphia Eagles "made a strong push" to trade for All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons, who was eventually traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers. Understandably, the Cowboys had no interest in trading the two-time All-Pro within their division, especially to the rival Eagles. After trading two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas for Parsons, the Packers locked him up with a record-breaking four-year, $188 million deal, which includes $120 million fully guaranteed and $136 million in total guarantees. The Eagles adding Parsons would have made an already stout defense that led the league in total defense in 2024 that much stronger. With the addition of Parsons, the Packers quickly have become a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
September 4, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates infield prospect
Yordany De Los Santos was promoted to High-A Greensboro on Wednesday after a productive 116 games at Single-A Bradenton. The Pirates' 14th-ranked prospect hit just .249 with a .699 OPS, but belted 11 home runs and stole 51 bases for the Marauders, which was second-most in the Florida State League. The 20-year-old will need to work on limiting his strikeouts at High-A if he's going to have any success, as he held a 26.8 percent K% this season at Single-A, which was combined with a slightly below-average walk rate of 7.8 percent. The 6-foot-2 Dominican is still a few years away from the majors, though.
--Jarod RuppSource: Bradenton Marauders
September 4, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Patrick Mahomes is set to take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1 of the 2025 season. The Chiefs will face off against the Chargers on Friday in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the first international game of the year. Mahomes is coming off a disappointing season from a statistical standpoint, but Kansas City still made it to the Super Bowl last year, so it wasn't all bad. That said, fantasy managers are anticipating a return to MVP form for Mahomes since he was drafted as the consensus QB6 across multiple platforms this offseason, despite finishing as the QB12 in 2024. There are reasons for optimism since the Kansas City offense looked in top form during their preseason game, and Mahomes looks to have a rejuvenated
Travis Kelce to throw to. Mahomes is ranked QB9 in our RotoBaller rankings this week, making him a solid QB1 option.
--Joshua CostelloSource: NFL - Twitter
September 4, 2025
New York Yankees pitching prospect
Kyle Carr was promoted to Double-A Somerset on Wednesday after a strong season at High-A Hudson Valley. The Yankees' 13th-ranked prospect recorded a 1.96 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts in 119 1/3 innings pitched over 22 starts for the Renegades. Things began smoothly in his Double-A debut, not allowing a hit over the first three innings, but the southpaw ended up yielding four earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out four in 3 2/3 innings of work. The former third-round draft pick will likely start at Double-A next year and has an outside chance of making his big league debut if he hits the ground running, but a low 8.05 K/9 for his minor league career dampens his potential fantasy outlook.
--Jarod RuppSource: Hudson Valley Renegades
September 4, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals are hoping that right-handed reliever
Riley O'Brien (shoulder) will be available out of their bullpen this weekend during their series against the visiting San Francisco Giants, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. O'Brien has been dealing with a right-shoulder injury and hasn't pitched for the Cardinals in over a week, but he was cleared to resume throwing earlier this week and it looks like he will avoid a trip to the injured list. How effective the 30-year-old will be in his return is another question, but he should continue to be in the mix for saves for St. Louis the rest of the way if he can stay healthy. O'Brien has been fantastic in his second season for the team in 2025 with a 1.69 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, his first two career saves, 35 strikeouts and 17 walks in 37 1/3 innings of relief. He also had three holds last month.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
September 4, 2025
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect
Jaxon Wiggins has been promoted to Triple-A Iowa following a successful 10-game stint at Double-A Knoxville. The Cubs' fourth-ranked prospect (MLB No. 81) began the season at High-A, pitching to a 1.71 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a 17.1 percent K-BB% over six appearances (five starts, 26 1/3 innings pitched), then followed that up with a 1.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 21.3 percent K-BB% at Double-A in 42 innings pitched. The 6-foot-6 hurler is now in a position to make a run at a big league debut next year and has the potential to be a solid starter in the majors. With big strikeout stuff, he could be fantasy relevant as soon as next year, but he'll need to limit the walks to be successful.
--Jarod RuppSource: Tommy Birch
September 4, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Marquise Brown (ankle) practiced in full on Thursday and has been officially removed from the team's injury report. Brown, who managed only two games in 2024 due to injury, will look to bounce back after posting just nine receptions for 91 yards a year ago. Now healthy, the Chiefs expect Brown to pair with rookie
Xavier Worthy as their top outside threats in
Patrick Mahomes' offense. While the seventh-year veteran has flashed upside in the past, he owns only one career 1,000-yard season and has struggled to stay consistent. Fantasy managers should view Brown as a late-round flier with speculative upside in deeper formats, especially if he can stay healthy and carve out a steady role as Kansas City's vertical weapon.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Jeremy Fowler
September 4, 2025
Baltimore Ravens tight end
Isaiah Likely (foot) missed practice again on Thursday, putting his Week 1 availability in serious doubt. The 25-year-old has not practiced since undergoing foot surgery on August 1, and it appears unlikely he will be ready for the opener. Likely carved out a meaningful role in 2024, appearing in 16 games (nine starts) and recording 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. The expectation entering this season was that Likely would continue to complement star tight end
Mark Andrews, but his absence to start the year should consolidate targets for Andrews in Baltimore's passing game. Fantasy managers should confidently deploy Andrews as a TE1, while Likely profiles more as a stash option who could regain relevance once healthy and gradually work back into a secondary role in the Ravens' offense.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Jeff Zrebiec
September 4, 2025
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced Thursday that offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will resume play-calling duties for the 2025 season. Daboll took over the role in 2024, but the offense continued to struggle, finishing 30th in total yards, 28th in passing, and 23rd in rushing. Kafka previously called plays in 2023, when the Giants ranked 29th in total offense, 31st in passing, 16th in rushing, and 30th in scoring despite
Saquon Barkley shouldering the workload. The Giants are hopeful new personnel, most notably veteran quarterback
Russell Wilson, can provide stability under center and elevate a unit that has lacked consistency for years. With Kafka back in charge and Wilson at the helm, the Giants' offense could see modest improvement, though fantasy managers should still approach the passing game with caution until proven otherwise.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Jordan Raanan
September 4, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder
Nick Castellanos will retreat to the bench for Thursday's series finale against the hosting Milwaukee Brewers. The left-handed-hitting
Max Kepler will make the start in right field for the Phillies and will bat seventh against Brewers right-hander
Freddy Peralta. This will be the fourth time in the last 10 games that Castellanos will start on the bench for the first-place Phillies. Since Aug. 6, the 33-year-old veteran has fallen on hard times at the plate, going 12-for-75 (.160) with only one home run, two doubles, one RBI, 12 runs scored, six walks and 19 strikeouts in 20 games. Castellanos last homered on Aug. 17, although he did go 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-3 loss. Kepler has only faced Peralta seven times in his career, but he's hitting .429 against him with a 1.214 OPS.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
September 4, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays infield prospect
Orelvis Martinez (undisclosed) was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, retroactive to September 2. The nature of the injury is not known, but at his point in the season, it will all but end his 2025 campaign. The Blue Jays' 12th-ranked prospect has had a rough go of it in 2025 and even worse up until the injury, going hitless in 14 of his last 18 games, during which time he went 4-for-54 (.074). The 23-year-old owns a .176/.288/.348 slash line with 13 home runs in 99 games for the Bisons and will look to make another attempt to get back to the majors in 2026 after making a one-game debut there in 2024, but right now, his arrow is pointing down.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com - Transactions Page
September 4, 2025
The Seattle Seahawks have signed starting right tackle Abraham Lucas to a three-year contract extension. Lucas, a 2022 third-round pick, has battled injuries the past two seasons but has remained a reliable starter whenever on the field, logging 13 appearances across that span. The Seahawks view the 26-year-old as a cornerstone piece of their offensive line, particularly in the run game. Lucas is expected to play a key role in improving a rushing attack that ranked just 28th in the league last season, with
Kenneth Walker III and
Zach Charbonnet leading the backfield. Seattle also invested in its line by drafting first-round pick Grey Zabel, signaling a commitment to establishing a more physical identity up front. If Lucas stays healthy, his presence should boost the Seahawks' ground game while providing stability for quarterback
Sam Darnold.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Mike Garafolo
September 4, 2025
The Chicago White Sox announced on Thursday that they recalled right-hander
Jonathan Cannon and left-hander
Tyler Gilbert from Triple-A Charlotte and placed left-hander
Bryan Hudson (back) on the 15-day injured list with a lower-back strain in a corresponding move. Right-hander
Bryse Wilson was also designated for assignment. Cannon is expected to serve in a bulk-relief role for Thursday's contest against the division-rival Minnesota Twins at Target Field behind left-handed opener
Fraser Ellard. Although Cannon has more streaming appeal than Ellard in this one, fantasy managers should still have better options than Cannon despite the small slate of games on Thursday. The 25-year-old has gone 4-9 at the big-league level in 2025 with a 5.34 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and a 76:35 K:BB in 96 innings over 19 outings (17 starts) in his second MLB season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chicago White Sox
September 4, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Amari Cooper has informed the team that he intends to retire ahead of Week 1, citing a lack of desire to continue playing. Cooper, who joined the Raiders this offseason in hopes of competing for a starting role, was listed behind rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr. on the initial depth chart. The five-time Pro Bowler spent last season with the Browns and Bills, starting 10 of 14 games while recording 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper leaves the NFL after a decorated career, finishing with over 10,000 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns across stops with the Raiders, Cowboys, Browns, and Bills. His departure opens additional opportunities for Thornton and fellow rookie
Jack Bech to carve out meaningful roles in the Raiders' passing game this season.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Ian Rapoport
September 4, 2025
Kansas City Royals left-hander
Cole Ragans (shoulder) threw a two-up live batting practice session at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday that consisted of around 30 pitches and could embark on a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend if everything checks out in the coming days, according to MLB.com. It was the first time that Ragans has faced hitters since being diagnosed with a torn left rotator cuff and placed on the injured list on June 11. The Royals are taking it slow with the 27-year-old left-hander, who is in the midst of an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. Ragans has a shot to rejoin the Royals before the end of September as they look to get into the postseason, but at this point, fantasy managers shouldn't be holding their breathe for him. He was an All-Star in 2023 but pitched to a 5.18 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 76 K's and 16 walks in 10 starts before being shut down.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
September 4, 2025
The Atlanta Braves announced on Thursday that they reinstated outfielder
Jurickson Profar from the paternity list and also recalled right-hander
Daysbel Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett. In corresponding moves, the team designated infielder
Luke Williams for assignment and released right-hander
Cal Quantrill. Right-hander
Wander Suero was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets. Profar will return to Atlanta after he missed the final two games of the series in Chicago this week against the Chicago Cubs, but he's back now and will be in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the visiting Seattle Mariners. The 32-year-old veteran switch-hitter has played in only 58 games in his first season with the Braves due to a PED suspension and is slashing .258/.362/.472 with 12 homers, 37 RBI, 44 runs and eight steals.
--Keith HernandezSource: Atlanta Braves
September
4,
2025
With
Houston
Texans
wide
receivers
Christian
Kirk
(hamstring)
and
Braxton
Berrios
(hamstring)
currently
sidelined
with
injuries,
KPRC
2
Sports'
Aaron
Wilson
suggests
that
rookie
Jaylin
Noelread more...
September 4, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Jayden Reed (foot) returned to practice on Thursday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. It's unclear if Reed was limited or a full participant, but the fact that he's on the field at all is good news for his chances of playing in the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Detroit Lions. The 25-year-old is working his way through a Jones fracture in his left foot and was listed as a DNP on the first injury report of the year. With all that said, even if Reed is able to suit up this weekend, there's a chance he'll be somewhat limited if he's still not 100 percent. Already a boom/bust fantasy wideout, especially after the addition of first-round rookie
Matthew Golden, Reed would be a shaky WR4/flex starting fantasy option against Detroit. It's most likely that Reed will end up listed as limited on Thursday's final report.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
September
4,
2025
Houston
Texans
wide
receiver
Christian
Kirk
(hamstring)
was
not
seen
practicing
with
the
rest
of
the
team
on
Thursday
in
the
portion
of
practice
open
to
the
media,
according
to
Sam
Warren
of
the
Houston
Chronicle.
read more...
September 4, 2025
The Buffalo Bills signed free-agent veteran kicker
Matt Prater to their practice squad on Thursday, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Fantasy managers that drafted
Tyler Bass (hip) as their starting kicker need to pay close attention heading into this weekend. Although Bass was limited in Wednesday's practice, he could be in danger of missing the Week 1 game on Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens. If Bass is questionable on Friday's final injury report, we'd suggest going in another direction at the position unless you want to get stuck choosing from a kicker from the Monday night game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. Bass has been managing a hip injury since the end of July, although he was able to take part in the preseason finale two weeks ago.
--Keith HernandezSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
September 4, 2025
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver
Matthew Golden has done nothing but impress since the team selected him in the first round out of Texas in April. "Phenomenal," one team source said of Golden's presence. "Makes a wow play every day." The 22-year-old is already listed as a starter on Green Bay's depth chart, and the Packers "aren't hiding their affection for him." Although the Packers will use plenty of two-tight end sets, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Golden's "talent looks undeniable." With
Jayden Reed (foot) up in the air to play in Week 1 against the division-rival Detroit Lions this Sunday, Golden could be a big part of Green Bay's passing attack right away, putting him in the WR3/flex conversation immediately in fantasy.
Dontayvion Wicks and
Savion Williams have also been banged up, giving Golden a clear path to opportunity.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
September
4,
2025
The
New
York
Mets
will
promote
right-handed
pitching
prospect
Brandon
Sproat
to
start
Sunday
against
the
Cincinnati
Reds.
Struggling
righty
Kodai
Senga
had
been
penciled
in
for
that
game,
but
the
Mets
will
read more...
September
4,
2025
Dan
Graziano
of
ESPN
says
that
he's
drafting
Tampa
Bay
Buccaneers
rookie
wide
receiver
Emeka
Egbuka
"everywhere
I
can."
Not
only
did
Tampa
fall
in
love
with
the
former
Ohio
State
star
before
taking
him
in
read more...
RADIO
