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Player News
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Tyson Bagent CHI QBBears' Tyson Bagent: Tracking to be Chicago's QB2
1h agoFollowing the selection of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, Bagent is viewed as the favorite to open the season as the Bears' QB2, USA Today's Vincent Parise reports.
With Justin Fields traded to the Steelers earlier in the offseason, it leaves Bagent and Brett Rypien behind Williams. There's a chance Chicago adds an experienced veteran to what is currently a pretty young quarterback room, but Bagent showed well enough as a rookie last year to enter 2024 with a chance to claim backup duties. Bagent went 2-2 in four games as a starter, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 859 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. He added 23-109-2 as a rusher.
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Kirk Cousins ATL QBFalcons' Kirk Cousins: Joined by first-round rookie QB
1h agoCousins (Achilles), who signed a four-year deal with Atlanta in March, is slated to be joined in the team's QB corps by Michael Penix, who was taken with the No. 8 overall pick in Thursday's NFL draft, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.
Despite the franchise's surprising decision to select Penix, Cousins, who is rebounding from an Achilles tear that he sustained Oct. 29, remains locked in as the Falcons' No. 1 QB for the foreseeable future. Regarding that topic, GM Terry Fontenot noted Thursday, "Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. We're very excited about Kirk, very excited about this team. (With) Michael Penix we're talking about the future. The draft is you look at the future and you look at big picture." In terms of his injury recovery, Cousins relayed last month that he's progressing well and is "optimistic that (he) can be full speed at practice before (the Falcons) break for the summer." In any case, barring any setbacks, Cousins -- who turns 36 in August -- is entrenched atop Atlanta's depth chart, with Penix providing the team with both an insurance policy for the veteran signal-caller, as well as a potential successor down the road.
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Jonathan Mingo CAR WRPanthers' Jonathan Mingo: Bumps down the depth chart
3h agoWith the Panthers' selection of Xavier Legette with the No. 32 overall pick Thursday night, Mingo is pushed down the wide receiver depth chart, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Carolina has made it a point to upgrade its wideout room this offseason, first trading for Diontae Johnson before then trading up into the final pick of the first round for Legette. Adding those two to veteran slot man Adam Thielen pushes both Mingo and Terrace Marshall down in the pecking order for targets. Mingo -- who is bouncing back from a late-season foot issue -- started 14 of 15 games he appeared in as a rookie, but he posted an uninspiring 43-418-0 receiving line on 85 targets. He was one of the least productive starting receivers in the league in 2023.
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Jaycee Horn CAR CBPanthers' Jaycee Horn: Fifth-year option to be picked up
4h agoThe Panthers have elected to pick up Horn's fifth-year contract option, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Horn, who the Panthers took eighth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, is thus slated to remain under contract with the team through the 2025 campaign. Injuries have hampered the starting cornerback over his first three years as a pro, but when available, the 24-year old has made his mark in Carolina's secondary by racking up 85 tackles and four picks over the course of 22 regular-season outings.
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Deebo Samuel SF WR49ers' Deebo Samuel: Drawing interest from Pats, Bills
5h agoThe Patriots and Bills have interest in trading for Samuel, Michael Giardi of Boston Sports Journal reports.
There's been a lot of trade chatter around Samuel's teammate, Brandon Aiyuk, but Giardi reports Samuel is "more likely to be traded" and has a couple interested suitors in Buffalo and New England. Both offenses are in dire need of wideout help, and the Bills (33rd overall) and Patriots (34th) hold picks atop the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday night. Samuel has two years left on his contract but has been more prone to injuries throughout his career, missing six regular-season games and parts of several others across the last two seasons. Aiyuk, meanwhile, is coming off a career year and a second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season. The Niners used their first-round pick Thursday night on Florida WR Ricky Pearsall, further fueling trade chatter on the team's veteran wideouts.
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Jacoby Brissett NE QBPatriots' Jacoby Brissett: Set to compete with Maye
6h agoBrissett is in line to compete with newcomer Drake Maye for the Patriots' starting QB job ahead of the upcoming NFL season, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.
Given that New England selected Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it's only a matter of time before the North Carolina product is installed as the team's starter. That said, it's possible that the rookie begins the season as Brissett's understudy, with coach Jerod Mayo noting Thursday of the Patriots' signal-caller situation that "at the end of the day, our philosophy is the best players will play. We will compete and the best player will start." Brissett rejoined the franchise that drafted him in 2016 on a reported one-year, $8 million deal, providing New England with an experienced option who can either helm the offense until Maye is deemed ready to do so, or alternatively serve as quality backup and mentor to Maye, who doesn't turn 22 until Aug. 30. Meanwhile, 2022 fourth-rounder Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke are also on hand to provide the Patriots with QB depth ahead of training camp.
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Kyle Nicolas PIT RPPirates' Kyle Nicolas: Recalled by Pittsburgh
23m agoThe Pirates recalled Nicolas from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Nicolas ended the 2023 season as part of the Pirates' bullpen. He struggled in his four outings, giving up seven runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out seven over 5.1 frames. Nicolas has looked better in Triple-A this season, posting a 0.84 ERA and 2.06 WHIP over 10.2 innings, and he'll get another shot in Pittsburgh's bullpen. The move corresponds with Ryder Ryan being optioned by the Pirates to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
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Thairo Estrada SF 2BGiants' Thairo Estrada: Not starting Friday
35m agoEstrada (hamstring) is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Estrada went 0-for-2 in Wednesday's game against the Mets before being pulled due to left hamstring tightness. The Giants had their off day Thursday, but the 28-year-old will sit out for at least one more game while managing his injury. Tyler Fitzgerald will start at second base Friday and bat eighth against Pirates right-hander Quinn Priester.
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Richard Palacios TB RFRays' Richie Palacios: Rare day off against righty
36m agoPalacios is not in Friday's lineup against the Mets.
Palacios rarely sits against righties, but he's on the bench to start this one against righty Chris Flexen. Randy Arozarena, Jose Siri and Amed Rosario will start in the Rays' outfield from left to right.
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Jeremiah Estrada SD RPPadres' Jeremiah Estrada: Back to big club
1h agoThe Padres recalled Estrada from Triple-A El Paso on Friday./
Estrada was sent down to Triple-A following the two-game Korea Series against the Dodgers. He's appeared in eight games with El Paso, registering a 2.08 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 20:3 K:BB and three saves over 8.2 frames, and the right-hander is set to bolster the Padres' bullpen. Estrada's move to the majors corresponds with right-hander Randy Vasquez being optioned to Triple-A El Paso
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Randy Vasquez SD SPPadres' Randy Vasquez: Sent to minors
1h agoThe Padres optioned Vasquez to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.
Vasquez made two starts with the Padres after being recalled from El Paso last Saturday, allowing five earned runs across 7.2 innings while striking out five batters and walking three. He'll now head back to the minors, and Jeremiah Estrada will come up in his place to add depth to San Diego's bullpen.
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Bobby Witt KC SSRoyals' Bobby Witt: Drives in three runs
1h agoWitt went 1-for-4 with a triple, three RBI and a run scored during Friday's 8-0 win at Detroit.
The 23-year-old started the scoring with a sacrifice fly during the third inning and added a two-run triple as part of a seven-run ninth for the Royals. Witt is in a bit of a power drought with no homers in his past 14 games, though he does have six RBI and three steals over his last four contests.
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Kawhi Leonard LAC SFClippers' Kawhi Leonard: Good to go for Game 3
18m agoLeonard (knee) is available for Friday's Game 3 against the Mavericks, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
After missing Sunday's Game 1 win due to knee inflammation, Leonard returned for Game 2 on Tuesday and put up 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block in 35 minutes during a 96-93 loss, marking his first appearance since March 31. With the series tied at 1-1, Leonard's health and impact will be key to the Clippers' success. Despite suiting up for back-to-back games, the questionable tag may stick with Leonard for the rest of the postseason.
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Damian Lillard MIL PGBucks' Damian Lillard: Returns to Game 3
31m agoLillard (knee) has returned to Friday's Game 3 against the Pacers, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Lillard went straight to the locker room after suffering an apparent left knee injury with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter, but he was back on the court to start the second period. Khris Middleton is playing through an ankle sprain he suffered in Game 2 and Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has yet to play this postseason, so Lillard's return is a major relief. The All-Star has scored 69 points through the first two games of the series but struggled in the second half on both matchups, which allowed Indiana to even the series with a Game 2 win Tuesday.
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Damian Lillard MIL PG
Bucks' Damian Lillard: Heads to locker room
40m agoLillard left Friday's Game 3 with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter due to an apparent left knee injury and went to the locker room, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Lillard drove to the basket for a layup and gently collided with Pascal Siakam but landed awkwardly and had to be helped to the bench. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has yet to play this postseason, and Khris Middleton is playing through an ankle injury he suffered early in Game 2, so Lillard's potential absence couldn't come at a worse time. AJ Green subbed in for Lillard, but Pat Connaughton and Malik Beasley are also candidates for increased roles until the All-Star point guard can return.
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Terry Rozier MIA SGHeat's Terry Rozier: Remains out for Game 3
1h agoRozier (neck) won't play in Saturday's Game 3 against the Celtics.
Rozier's absence streak will extend to nine games Saturday due to neck spasms. With Delon Wright (personal) questionable, Patty Mills could receive his first minutes of the series against Boston. Rozier's next chance to suit up is Game 4 on Monday.
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Delon Wright MIA SGHeat's Delon Wright: Iffy for Game 3
1h agoWright is questionable for Saturday's Game 3 against the Celtics due to personal reasons.
Wright starred off the bench during the Game 1 loss and posted 17 points, three assists and two steals in 26 minutes. However, he finished the Game 2 win with just five points and four rebounds in 20 minutes. Either way, his potential loss could be costly to a backcourt already playing without Terry Rozier (neck) and Josh Richardson (shoulder). Jimmy Butler also remains out.
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Larry Nance Jr. NO PFPelicans' Larry Nance: Good to go Saturday
2h agoNance (ankle) isn't on the injury report for Saturday's Game 3 against the Thunder.
Nance was held to just 14 minutes of action in Game 2 due to an apparent right ankle injury. However, Nance should be available and serve as one of New Orleans' primary frontcourt options off the bench in Game 3.
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Nick Jensen WAS DCapitals' Nick Jensen: Unavailable Friday
16m agoJensen (upper body) will not suit up against the Rangers on Friday, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.
Jensen has now missed five straight games. The veteran blueliner tallied 14 points in 78 games during the regular season. He could return for Game 4 on Sunday.
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Rasmus Sandin WAS DCapitals' Rasmus Sandin: Out Friday
19m agoSandin (upper body) will not play Friday against the Rangers, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.
Sandin will miss his eighth consecutive game Friday. The 24-year-old was considered a game-time call Friday, so he should have a good chance at returning Sunday for Game 4 versus New York.
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Ryan Suzuki CAR CHurricanes' Ryan Suzuki: Up from AHL
3h agoSuzuki was recalled from AHL Springfield on Friday.
Suzuki has 14 goals and 30 points in 51 outings with Springfield in 2023-24. Although he'll join the Hurricanes for the time being, the 22-year-old is not expected to play for Carolina during the postseason.
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Nicolas Hague LV DGolden Knights' Nicolas Hague: Unavailable for Saturday
4h agoHague (lower body) will miss Game 3 against Dallas on Saturday, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Hague had two goals, 12 points, 43 PIM, 154 hits and 111 blocks in 73 regular-season appearances in 2023-24. He also missed Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Stars due to the injury. Alec Martinez is likely to remain in the lineup for Game 3 due to Hague's continued absence.
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Cam Talbot LA GKings' Cam Talbot: Set to start Friday
4h agoTalbot is expected to start at home against Edmonton in Game 3 on Friday, per Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period.
Talbot has struggled against the Oilers, allowing 10 goals on 75 shots (.867 save percentage) over two playoff contests. Edmonton ranked fourth offensively with 3.56 goals per game in the regular season, so the Oilers are likely to continue to give the veteran goaltender trouble, especially because Talbot's been floundering for a while now. He has a 2.92 GAA and an .897 save percentage over his past 17 outings dating back to March 7.
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Igor Shesterkin NYR GRangers' Igor Shesterkin: Slated to face Capitals
5h agoShesterkin is slated to start on the road against Washington in Game 3 on Friday, according to Seth Orlemann of USA Today.
Shesterkin won the first two contests of the series while stopping 42 of 46 shots (.913 save percentage). The Capitals ranked 28th offensively with just 2.63 goals per game in the regular season, so it's not surprising that they haven't given Shesterkin much trouble in the first round. That said, the series moving to Washington might help the Capitals, who were 22-12-7 at home compared to 18-19-4 on the road during the 2023-24 campaign.
