10 hours agoNew York Knicks forward
Karl-Anthony Towns is available and starting for the Knicks on Friday in their matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Towns was originally listed as questionable with a wrist injury but will be able to play through the pain. The 28-year-old will have a tough matchup against the Pistons who have been strong defensively against forwards. Towns has been sporadic in his offensive production so far, posting up point totals of 12, 21, 13 and 44 on the season. He's providing much more consistency from a rebounding perspective, averaging 11.3 RPG. Fantasy managers will certainly still want him in their starting lineups no matter what. DFS managers may want to take caution with adding him in their lineups given the volatility of tonight's matchup.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Stefan Bondy
10 hours agoDallas Cowboys defensive back Trevon Diggs (calf) is reportedly going to be a game-time decision for the Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The young defensive back reportedly has a tear in his calf, but was able to get through some practice work on Friday. It sounds like the Cowboys are going to wait and see how Diggs feels closer to Sunday. The loss of Diggs would be a significant hit to the Dallas defense that is already without pass rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) and defensive back DaRon Bland (foot) for Sunday's game.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
10 hours agoWinnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie will guard the crease in Friday's matchup against Columbus. The 29-year-old gets his third start of the campaign. He has previously beaten Pittsburgh and Calgary in high-scoring games, allowing three goals on both occasions. Comrie has saved 65 of 71 shots to register a solid .915 save percentage. The Jets have dropped only one game so far and are expected to cruise past the hosts on Friday. However, the Blue Jackets are riding a bit of momentum with three wins in four games and boast a hot goalie in Elvis Merzlikins, who has allowed only one goal across his last two starts.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Mark Scheig
10 hours agoNew Orleans Pelicans center
Daniel Theis (ankle) is on track to play Friday against the Indiana Pacers, according to head coach Willie Green. The 32-year-old exited early in Wednesday's loss to Golden State with a right ankle issue, but it appears he'll be able to suit up without any missed time. Over his first five games of the season, Theis has averaged 4.0 points and 4.4 rebounds as a reliable role player. Expect him to resume his usual role barring any last-minute setbacks.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: Madeline Adams
10 hours agoMontreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard took a maintenance day on Friday and didn't practice. The veteran defenseman had a busy night on Thursday against the Capitals, finishing with one assist and five blocks in 20:46 of ice time. Savard is second on the team with 31 blocks but has also upped his offensive game lately. Following a pointless start to the campaign, Savard has tallied four assists in the past five games. He has so featured in all 11 games this season and is expected to be available when the Canadiens visit Pittsburgh on Saturday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Montreal Canadiens
10 hours agoGolden State Warriors guard
De'Anthony Melton (back) won't play on Saturday against Houston due to inflammation in his lower back. It will be the third consecutive game he will miss. Melton has played in three games this season after he was limited to 38 contests with the 76ers last season because of a back injury. With
Stephen Curry (ankle) also out Saturday, Lindy Waters and
Moses Moody will likely see more action.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
10 hours agoNew York Giants kicker
Greg Joseph (abdomen) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Washington Commanders. The Giants are already without
Graham Gano (hamstring) who injured himself attempting to make a tackle in Week 1. That being said,
Jude McAtamney is likely to be elevated from the practice squad to make his debut this weekend. He looked solid in the preseason, so maybe he can be a viable option for them. Sadly, the Giants offense has struggled to move the ball down the field, which means McAtamney isn't a strong streaming option for Week 9.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Dan Salomone
10 hours agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard
Jordan Hawkins (back) is expected to be available for Friday's matchup against the Indiana Pacers, according to head coach Willie Green. The young guard has been managing back spasms but is expected to play through the issue in a depleted backcourt. With
CJ McCollum (thigh) and
Dejounte Murray (hand) both sidelined, Hawkins is set for an expanded role. Over five regular-season games, he has averaged 16.2 points per game and could take on even more responsibility Friday.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: Madeline Adams
10 hours agoGreen Bay Packers tight end
Tucker Kraft looks to keep his awesome run of fantasy production going as the Packers host the Detroit Lions in Week 9. Kraft has been awesome for fantasy managers this season, but especially since Week 4, as Kraft has been a top-12 or better fantasy tight end in four of the last five weeks with five touchdowns in that span. He's averaged almost five receptions and 53 receiving yards in that span as well, so despite having the touchdowns propping him up a bit, the volume has been there for him each week in this potent Packers offense. Packers quarterback
Jordan Love (groin) was listed as questionable in the team's final practice report and if he doesn't play in Week 9,
Malik Willis will start. Willis at quarterback downgrades the pass-catchers across the board, but Kraft should be a near-universal TE1 start in fantasy no matter who is starting at quarterback for the Packers in Week 9.
--Kevin Tompkins - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
10 hours agoNew York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov (upper body) will return from a three-game absence on Friday against Buffalo. He was initially regarded as a game-time decision. However, it has now been confirmed by Stefen Rosner of NHL.com that Romanov will play on Friday. Romanov racks up defensive stats for fun but doesn't provide offense very often. In seven appearances this season, he has registered two assists, 10 shots, 19 hits, and 14 blocks. Romanov's return to the lineup pushes Mike Reilly back to the third defensive pairing while Dennis Cholowski exits the lineup.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Stefen Rosner
10 hours agoTampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) has been added to the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Oh no, Winfield missed four games earlier in the season due to a foot injury. Possibly, Winfield re-aggravated the issue which could be a problem especially this late in the week. The loss of Winfield would be a significant hit to a Bucs secondary that is already struggling. Christian Izien figures to start in his place if Winfield is unable to play. The 24-year-old has 40 tackles and one interception so far this season. The Bucs defense already wasn't an appealing streaming option but the loss of Winfield would only make them worse.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Scott Smith
10 hours agoBoston Celtics center
Al Horford (rest) won't play on Friday against Charlotte. Horford has averaged 9.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steals this season. He's also shot 60.0% from behind the arc. But the veteran will take the night off before presumably suiting up for the rematch with the Hornets on Saturday. With that said,
Luke Kornet will likely take over at the five and is worth starting in all fantasy formats.
Xavier Tillman Sr. and
Neemias Queta will also draw value attention from DFS participants.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
10 hours agoPittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin sat out Friday's practice for maintenance purposes. Malkin has played in all 12 games so far this season and is expected to remain in the lineup on Saturday versus Montreal. However, it looks like the Russian veteran is a bit banged up. Malkin enjoyed a red-hot start to his 19th NHL campaign but has been slumping lately. He's finished on the score sheet just once in the past seven games. Even moving up to the first line hasn't given Malkin a spark, despite Sidney Crosby shining next to him with two goals and three assists in two games this week. For the season overall, Malkin is still averaging over a point per game, sitting on three goals and 11 assists.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Michelle Crechiolo
10 hours agoGolden State Warriors forward
Andrew Wiggins (back) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Houston Rockets. Wiggins has missed two consecutive contests with a lower back strain. If the 29-year-old can go, he will provide a spark to the Warriors' rotation, as
Stephen Curry (ankle) and
De'Anthony Melton (back) will be sidelined on Saturday once again.
Moses Moody,
Brandin Podziemski, and
Jonathan Kuminga will take on extra minutes if Wiggins cannot suit up.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
10 hours agoFormer champion Rose Namajunas is scheduled to take on Erin Blanchfield in the co-main event of UFC Edmonton. In her last bout, Namajunas faced off against Tracy Cortez at UFC on ESPN 59 where she defeated Cortez via unanimous decision. Prior to that bout, Namajunas defeated Amanda Ribas by unanimous decision. Namajunas is the underdog, as DraftKings has her at a salary of $7,800 while in her UFC career, she's averaging 77.5 fantasy points per fight.
--Alen Kurbasic - RotoBallerSource: UFC
10 hours agoLos Angeles Lakers guard
D'Angelo Russell (back) will play against the Raptors on Friday night. He continues to battle back soreness. However, it hasn't cost him any games yet this season. Unfortunately, Russell has struggled in the Lakers' five games, averaging 10.8 points, 5.8 assists, and 25.0% shooting from behind the arc. He should break out of his funk at some point. But until then, fantasy managers may want to consider keeping Russell on the bench.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Dave McMenamin
10 hours agoBaltimore Ravens running back
Keaton Mitchell (knee) is currently listed as questionable ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Mitchell has yet to play this season after suffering a significant knee injury last year. However, the Ravens opened his 21-day practice window on October 23. He has been practicing this week and looks to be trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game. It remains to be seen how Mitchell would be used in the rotation.
Derrick Henry has been the workhorse back and that is unlikely to change. Mitchell was fantastic when healthy last season, so he's worth stashing if available on the waiver wire.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Ravens
10 hours agoBuffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi will make his first start in five games on Friday when the team hosts the Islanders. After struggling in the first few games, the 22-year-old has seen limited action this season. Levi carries a 1-2-0 record and has allowed 3.79 goals with a .874 save percentage. However, on Friday, he gets a new opportunity as the Sabres kick off a back-to-back set. Levi is in a terrific position to regain some confidence because the Islanders have badly struggled for goals this season. They currently sit last in the league with a 2.10 goals-for-average, and Patrick Roy's team has already been shut out four times in 10 games. To make matters worse, the Islanders have also just lost their star man, Mathew Barzal (upper body).
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Paul Hamilton
10 hours agoGreen Bay Packers wide receiver
Romeo Doubs has been on a solid run of production and that should continue this week when the Packers host the Detroit Lions in Week 9. Since returning from a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team in Week 6, Doubs has double-digit fantasy points in each of his last three games. Doubs has 18 targets in his last two games and has been the most targeted Packer in the last three weeks. Of course, Doubs remaining heavily targeted in the Packers' offense is contingent on
Jordan Love (groin) being able to play. Love was listed as questionable in the team's final practice report and if he doesn't play,
Malik Willis will start. Doubs would take a big hit if Willis does play, where he would be a flex play. If Love starts in Week 9, fantasy managers should slot Doubs into lineups as a low-end WR3.
--Kevin Tompkins - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
10 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Clayton Kershaw is set to undergo two surgeries on Wednesday, one on his toe and the other on his meniscus in his left knee according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The 36-year-old was able to only log 30 innings of work this season as he was limited by numerous injuries. As a result the 36-year-old remains without a definite timetable heading into the 2025 campaign. Earlier in October, the three-time Cy Young Winner and now two-time World Champion noted that he intends to pitch in 2025 as he sits just 32 strikeouts away from 3,000. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the southpaw's progression over the offseason as he may have another delayed start to his season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
10 hours agoLos Angeles Lakers center
Anthony Davis (hip) will play on Friday versus Toronto. Davis' appearance on the injury report is nothing new for fantasy managers. However, he was listed as probable, so the latest update confirms what most had anticipated. The 31-year-old is having an MVP-caliber season, averaging 30.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.6 steals. Of course, fantasy managers should keep him starting. Yet, Davis may exceed production in a favorable matchup with the Raptors.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Blake Murphy
10 hours agoErin Blanchfield is set to return to the Octagon against former champion Rose Namajunas in the co-main event of UFC Edmonton on Saturday. In her prior outing, Blanchfield faced off against Manon Fiorot, but it didn't go his way as she lost via unanimous decision and suffered her first UFC loss. DraftKings sees Blanchfield as the favorite with a salary of $8,400. Throughout her UFC career (seven bouts), she averages 98.9 fantasy points per contest.
--Alen Kurbasic - RotoBallerSource: UFC
10 hours agoBaltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson (knee, back) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Jackson missed back-to-back practices to open the week due to minor knee and back issues. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried as it seemed like his absence was more for rest purposes. Jackson will officially be ready to go for this weekend for a tough matchup against the Broncos secondary. Despite the tough matchup, Jackson has been playing at an MVP-type level and remains a strong QB1 for this weekend.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Ravens
10 hours agoThe Tampa Bay Rays have picked up the 2025 club option on second baseman
Brandon Lowe according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Lowe is coming off another solid season where he hit at least 20 home runs for the second-straight campaign. He also held a .244/.311/.473 slash line with 58 RBI and five stolen bases. Under the hood, he held an above-average 44.7% hard-hit rate and a 12.4% barrel rate which suggest his power numbers should continue to remain stable heading into 2025. Fantasy managers should view Lowe as a solid late-round option for power as a middle infielder.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Feinsand
10 hours agoMinnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman (upper body) will return from a five-game absence on Friday versus Tampa Bay. Hartman was sidelined early in the campaign by an upper-body injury after he scored two goals in four games. He re-enters the lineup on the fourth line, as the team doesn't want to break up its current third line, which has been performing well. Hartman's presence adds fantasy value to Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, although there's going to be only limited action available for the fourth line.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Michael Russo
10 hours agoChicago Bulls guard
Zach LaVine (shoulder) will play on Friday versus the Brooklyn Nets. The veteran was questionable because of an AC joint sprain. However, he'll be out there for the Bulls. LaVine has played well this season, averaging 23.0 points, 6.4 boards, and 2.8 assists. He's also shot a career-high 43.6% from deep. With that said, LaVine should be featured in all fantasy starting lineups.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Chuck Swirsky
10 hours agoCincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Nick Martinez opted out of his contract and will test free agency according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Martinez is coming off the best season of his seven-year MLB career where he held a solid 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, with a 18:116 BB:K ratio. Martinez was deployed as both a starter and reliever but took significant strides this summer. He showcased elite command with a 3.2% walk rate and was able to limit hard contact at a strong 30.5% hard-hit rate and 5.1% barrel rate. Martinez will likely continue to operate as a back-end starter and could be worth a look in deeper formats this upcoming season given his progression.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Sheldon
10 hours agoJacksonville Jaguars running back
Tank Bigsby (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Bigsby has been limited in practice all week due to a lingering ankle issue. Fellow back
Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) has been limited in practice as well, but is hopeful to get back on the field this week. If that happens, Bigsby and Etienne would likely split up the workload in the backfield. If one back sits out then the other would see increased snaps and become a viable RB2 for this weekend. Bigsby has done well enough lately that the return of Etienne won't completely destroy his fantasy value.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jacksonville Jaguars
10 hours agoTampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (upper body) will play in Friday's contest against Minnesota. Cernak was forced to make an early exit due to an upper-body injury against Colorado on Wednesday, but he won't miss any additional time. The 27-year-old skates on the second defensive pairing and mostly does the dirty work. Cernak has recorded 15 blocks and 16 hits in 10 outings this season. Offensively, he has contributed three assists. Tampa's defense faces a major test on Friday against an in-form team that averages close to four goals per game (3.78), spearheaded by the red-hot Kirill Kaprizov.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Gabby Shirley
10
hours
agoGreen
Bay
Packers
wide
receiver
Christian
Watson
has
been
hit
and
miss
this
season
but
can
turn
things
around
with
a
good
game
when
the
Packers
host
the
Detroit
Lions
in
Week
9.
Watson
has
been
entirely
touchdown-dependent
this
season
as
his
two
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