Kelvin Gutierrez Optioned, Maikel Franco Back Soon?

The Baltimore Orioles optioned infielder Kelvin Gutierrez to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, which could indicate that third baseman Maikel Franco (ankle) is nearing a return from the injured list. Gutierrez had been splitting time at the hot corner with Domingo Leyba, but he had just four hits in 23 at-bats (.174) with no homers and […]

Reid Detmers Promoted To Triple-A

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Reid Detmers was promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, according to a source. Detmers, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had a 3.50 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 97/18 K/BB in 54 innings of work over 12 starts for Double-A Rocket City to earn the promotion to the highest […]

Yandy Diaz Returns, Mike Zunino Still Out

Tampa Bay Rays corner infielder Yandy Diaz (neck) is back in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Cleveland Indians, but catcher Mike Zunino (hip) remains out. Diaz is playing first base and batting sixth against Indians right-hander Cal Quantrill after he missed a few games this week with neck spasms. Diaz has been pretty […]

Franchy Cordero Expected To Be Called Up

Boston Red Sox outfielder Franchy Cordero is expected to be called up from the minors on Thursday, according to a source. He'll likely be replacing utility man Danny Santana, who injured himself again on Wednesday night. Cordero hit just .179/.228/.274 with a homer and nine RBI in 95 at-bats before he was sent down to […]

Panthers Defense On The Rise

The Carolina Panthers defense showed some improvement last year when they shut out the Detroit Lions and also held Green Bay Packers MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to less than 200 yards. But they also were lacking experience, depth and a consistent pass rush. The team addressed those issues by signing Haason Reddick, Da'Quan Jones, Denzel […]

Christian McCaffrey Healthy And Poised For Big Workload

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is healthy now after missing all but three games in 2020, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady said last month that he doesn't plan to use McCaffrey any less this year just because of his previous injuries. The entire offense runs through McCaffrey, as he's their running game, a threat […]

Blake Jarwin Expected To Practice Thursday

Dallas Cowboys tight end Blake Jarwin (knee) is expected to practice on Thursday for the first time since suffering a torn ACL in the 2020 season opener. With Jarwin sidelined all of last year, Dalton Schultz stepped up and broke out to the tune of 63 catches, 614 yards and four touchdowns on 89 targets. […]

Amari Cooper, Greg Zuerlein Going On PUP List

The Dallas Cowboys will place wide receiver Amari Cooper (ankle), defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence (back), defensive lineman Trysten Hill (knee), kicker Greg Zuerlein (back), defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (hamstring) and offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt (knee) on the Physically Unable to Perform list to open training camp, according to a source. Cooper had surgery on his […]

No. 3 Job Is Bisi Johnson's To Lose

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bisi Johnson has "a huge advantage and head start" for the No. 3 receiver job behind Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson because of his highly touted route-running skills, in the opinion of Vikings analyst Ben Leber. Johnson will be competing with fifth-round rookie Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Chad Beebe. Smith-Marsette is more […]

Ihmir Smith-Marsette Brings Top-End Speed To Vikings Offense

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, the team's fifth-round selection this year, was praised for his body control heading into the NFL draft. He ran track and also played water polo in high school, and he'll likely be asked "to do things that maybe are less sexy" and flashy than typical receivers. Smith-Marsette may not […]

Ben Roethlisberger Slimmer Heading Into 2021 Season

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has been one of the heavier quarterbacks in the league during his 13-year career, is looking slimmer as he heads into training camp in what will likely be the final season of his career. Roethlisberger attempted the third-most passes (608) last year, but he also averaged 6.3 yards per […]

Darren McCaughan Likely To Start Monday

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that rookie right-hander Darren McCaughan would likely start on Monday against the Houston Astros. "He's earned a second chance with his performance yesterday," Dipoto said. McCaughan allowed one run on no hits while walking three and striking out none in five innings in his major league debut against […]

Nick Castellanos Could Miss A Couple Weeks

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos (wrist) could be out for a couple of weeks with a right wrist microfracture. Castellanos has been out since last Friday after he was hit by a pitch on his right wrist. Initial X-rays didn't reveal any break or fracture, but a CT scan taken on Wednesday revealed the microfracture. […]

Mike Boone Likely To Fill A Special Teams Role

Denver Broncos running back Mike Boone, who came over in free agency from the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason, is likely to fill a special teams role in 2021 after playing 456 special teams snaps in 2019 and 2020 in Minnesota. But don't be surprised if he gets some carries as well after he averaged […]

Miguel Cabrera Taking The Day Off

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera is not in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Texas Rangers. The 38-year-old veteran is likely just taking a routine day to rest and get off his feet. Jonathan Schoop will serve as the DH and bat second, while Harold Castro is playing first base and batting sixth […]

Melvin Gordon III To Be Part Of Tandem Attack?

The Denver Broncos likely plan this year will be to use running backs Melvin Gordon III and rookie Javonte Williams as a tandem that can equal parts control the clock and produce big plays, increasing their per-carry average. One possible scenario is Gordon starting the season opener against the New York Giants, and maybe beyond, […]

Broncos Think Javonte Williams Is Special

The Denver Broncos were ecstatic when they traded up five spots on April 30 to take running back Javonte Williams in the second round this year. Williams was identified as the draft's top running back after he averaged 7.3 yards per carry in 2020 for North Carolina. "We just think he's a special back," general […]

Broncos Leaning Teddy Bridgewater Over Drew Lock?

The Denver Broncos are leaning towards quarterback Teddy Bridgewater over Drew Lock in the competition to be the team's Week 1 starter in 2021 against the New York Giants, in the opinion of The Denver Post's Ryan O'Halloran. The Broncos could rely on a potentially elite defense in Weeks 1-3 against the Giants, Jaguars and […]

Rhamondre Stevenson Placed On NFI List

New England Patriots rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson (undisclosed) was placed on the active Non-Football Injury list on Wednesday, meaning that he is not cleared for practice ahead of training camp. However, Stevenson, who was drafted in the fourth round, can come off the NFI list at any time. Stevenson impressed as a pass-catcher during […]

Dak Prescott Expected To Be A Full Participant In Camp

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that he anticipates quarterback Dak Prescott (ankle) being a "full participant" when training camp begins. It's not a foregone conclusion, and the Cowboys will keep a close eye on their franchise signal-caller, but it's great news as he attempts to have a bounce-back season after his gruesome broken […]

Baker Mayfield Not Worried About Possible Extension

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield reiterated on Wednesday that he's "not worried at all" about a possible contract extension with the team this summer. Mayfield is only worried about winning after leading the team to a playoff berth in 2020 without star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (knee). The 26-year-old signal-caller is under contract through […]

Diontae Spencer Expected To Make Team As Sixth Receiver

Denver Broncos wide receiver Diontae Spencer is expected to make the team this fall as the sixth receiver, but he'll mainly be active on game days because he's the team's primary kick returner. Spencer is an afterthought on offense, as he's hauled in nine of his 14 targets for 57 yards and no touchdowns in […]

K.J. Hamler Was A Tease In His Rookie Year

Denver Broncos wide receiver K.J. Hamler was a tease for fantasy managers in his rookie season. He gives Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur all kinds of options when he's healthy, as Hamler can be lined up anywhere from the slot to the backfield because of his quickness and speed. But nagging hamstring injuries stunted his […]

Jerry Jeudy Should Benefit From Return Of Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy went against No. 1 cornerbacks in his rookie season after Courtland Sutton (knee) suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2. Jeudy was able to bring in 52 catches for a team-high 856 yards and should benefit from Sutton drawing the attention of the opponent's top cornerback in 2021. However, […]

Josiah Gray To Start On Sunday Against Rockies

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-handed pitching prospect Josiah Gray will make his first major league start on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies. Gray served as the team's bulk arm on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants in his major league debut and allowed four runs on four hits (three home runs), […]

Courtland Sutton Could Be Eased In During Camp

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (knee), who tore his ACL in his 20th snap of the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, could have his workload managed in training camp after he was limited to individual work during the offseason program. Sutton was the team's best offensive weapon a year ago […]

Rams Unlikely To Revisit Todd Gurley II

The Los Angeles Rams clearly don't believe that free-agent running back Todd Gurley II can be effective in the running game anymore, even in a rotation, due to the knee injuries that they had to deal with for the entire 2019 season. It's why they eventually cut him early in 2020 despite owing him a […]

Xavier Jones May Be One Of Rams Better Assets

Los Angeles Rams running back Xavier Jones, a former undrafted free agent, may quietly be one of the team's better assets this fall, depending on Darrell Henderson Jr.'s health and the depth at the position. The team's decision (for now) not to look outside the organization to replace Cam Akers (Achilles) points strongly toward their […]

Vince Williams Announces His Retirement

Long-time Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Vince Williams announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday. The former sixth-round pick out of Florida State in 2013 played his entire eight-year career with Pittsburgh, racking up 479 tackles (333 solo), 45 QB hits, two interceptions (one for a TD), five passes defensed, six fumble recoveries and 20.5 sacks […]

Offensive Line Could Struggle In Front Of Ben Roethlisberger

The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line is young and inexperienced going into the 2021 season after they overhauled the unit after an atrocious 2020 season (last in the NFL) running the football. A best-case scenario this year would be some growing pains that are masked by rookie running back Najee Harris and a new-look offensive scheme. […]