Jerick McKinnon Prefers Lead-Back Role

Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent running back Jerick McKinnon said he would ideally like to go somewhere where he can be the featured running back. “I want bigger and better things for myself. We’ll see what happens," McKinnon said. It makes sense considering McKinnon set career highs in rushing yardage (570), rushing touchdowns (three), receptions (51) […]

Dick LeBeau Won't Return As Defensive Coordinator

Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who is 80 years old, will not return to the team next season, according to a team source. Another source with knowledge of LeBeau's thinking said last week that LeBeau likely would "be comfortable retiring if it doesn't work out in Tennessee." With the Titans hiring a new head […]

Eric Washington To Be New Defensive Coordinator

The Carolina Panthers will name Eric Washington as their next defensive coordinator with Steve Wilks taking the head coaching job with Arizona, according to a source. Led by linebacker Luke Kuechly, the Carolina defense was strong yet again in 2017 and should continue to be a top fantasy option for the 2018 season under Washington.

Jets Expected To Promote Jeremy Bates

The New York Jets are expected to promote quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates to the offensive coordinator position, according to league sources. Bates did a great job with journeyman quarterback Josh McCown in 2017, and the team outperformed all expectations on offense with little talent. Bates deserves the promotion in New York, but he may be […]

Teddy Bridgewater Hopes To Start In 2018

Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater sees himself as a starter for the 2018 season. Along with Bridgewater, quarterbacks Case Keenum and Sam Bradford will also be free agents, so the Vikes have some decisions to make. It seems unlikely that the Vikes would just give Bridgewater the starting gig since he has played […]

Dalvin Cook Has Resumed Jogging

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (knee) has resumed jogging, but he doesn't have a set plan for returning to football activities. Cook tore his ACL after just four games in his rookie season, but before the injury he proved effective, running 74 times for 354 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. If […]

Patriots Optimistic Rob Gronkowski Will Be Ready For Super Bowl

The New England Patriots are optimistic that tight end Rob Gronkowski (concussion) will be cleared to play in Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4 against the Eagles, according to a source. Gronk suffered his second career concussion in the second quarter of the AFC title game against the Jaguars and didn't return to the game. […]

Koji Uehara Expects To Play One More Year

Free-agent relief pitcher Koji Uehara said he expects to retire after one more season in 2018, although he's not interested in signing a minor league deal. "I want to play this year, for one more year," the free-agent right-hander said at a baseball clinic in Fukushima. "If I get a contract, I'm more than 90 […]

Jose Bautista Working Out Hard In Offseason

Free-agent outfielder Jose Bautista has been working out diligently this offseason in hopes of bouncing back after posting a .203/.308/.366 slash line in 157 games in 2017 with the Blue Jays, according to his agent, Jay Alou. Joey Bats' OPS numbers have been on a drastic decline each of the last three years, and fantasy […]

Falcons Hire Greg Knapp As Quarterbacks Coach

The Atlanta Falcons hired Greg Knapp as their new quarterbacks coach, according to a source. Knapp served as the offensive coordinator in Atlanta from 2004 to 2006 when Michael Vick was under center, and Knapp also served as the offensive coordinator in San Francisco, Oakland and Seattle. He'll be replacing Bush Hamdan, who is leaving […]

David Wright's Future Uncertain

New York Mets third baseman David Wright (back, shoulder) admitted that his playing future is uncertain after missing all of the 2017 season after undergoing rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder and surgery to remove bone spurs and fix a herniated disc in his back. "It really hurts to say this, but I obviously […]

Vic Beasley To Move Back To Defensive End

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley, who led the league with 15.5 sacks in 2015, will move back to defensive end permanently in 2018. Beasley moved to linebacker in 2017 and had just five sacks in his third season in the league. Beasley will be better off strictly rushing the passer instead of dropping into coverage […]

Eli Rogers Tore ACL In Divisional Round

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers (knee) suffered a torn ACL in the Divisional Round loss to the Jaguars last weekend. It's a tough blow for Rogers, as he'll now be unlikely to start the 2018 season on time. The slot man took a big step backwards in his second season, catching only 18 passes […]

Randal Grichuk Likely To See Bulk Of Playing Time In Right Field

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk, who was traded over from the Cardinals on Friday, is the leading candidate to see most of the playing time in right field in 2018, according to general manager Ross Atkins. Toronto likes his defense, so he could play all three outfield positions. It makes perfect sense with the […]

Leonard Fournette Not On Final Injury Report For AFC Championship

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette (ankle) was limited in practice all week and was taken off the final injury report for the AFC title game against the Patriots. Fournette bounced back good from his ankle aggravation in the Divisional Round. He managed three touchdowns to help beat the Steelers, but he was much […]

Red Sox Make Five-Year, $125 Million Offer To J.D. Martinez

The Boston Red Sox are believed to have offered five years and roughly $125 million to free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez, according to a source. It's around the same deal that oufielder Josh Hamilton received from the Angels five years ago. Martinez, who hit .303 with 45 home runs and 104 RBI in 119 games between […]

Bryce Harper Is Extremely Focused

Texas Rangers infielder Joey Gallo has been working out in Las Vegas with Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, and Gallo says he sees something different in Harper this offseason. Gallo and Harper grew up together and played travel ball together. "At the workouts, he's as focused as I've ever seen him," Gallo said Thursday on […]

Johan Santana Not Officially Retired

Free-agent starting pitcher Johan Santana said he is not officially retired from baseball and is considering a comeback. Santana had multiple surgeries on his left shoulder and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2012. It's an extreme long shot that he makes it back if he decides to give it another shot.

New Bears Offensive Coordinator Intrigued With Mitch Trubisky

Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said he sees a lot of Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota in quarterback Mitch Trubisky, and Helfrich also like's Trubisky's attractive skills and coachability. Helfrich coached Mariota at the University of Oregon. Helfrich will be tasked with improving Trubisky in his second NFL season. “Mitchell has a tight release,” Helfrich […]

Jalen Ramsey Could Match Up Against Rob Gronkowski

Jacksonville Jaguars shutdown cornerback Jalen Ramsey could be matched up quite often with Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in the AFC title game with safety Tashaun Gipson (foot) questionable to play. "I'll do whatever is best for the team to help us get a win," Ramsey told WJXL-FM in Jacksonville, per Hays Carlyon of gridironnow.com. […]

Andrew Sendejo Expected To Play

Minnesota Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo (concussion) remains in the concussion protocol, but head coach Mike Zimmer expects him to play against the Eagles in the NFL title game. Despite the head injury, all signs point to Sendejo being out there as the Vikes attempt to advance to the Super Bowl in their home dome. Sendejo's […]

Tashaun Gipson Questionable For Sunday

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson (foot) is listed as questionable for the AFC title game against the Patriots, but he said earlier this week that he expects to play. Gipson missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, but he was able to practice Friday, giving him hope that he can play on Sunday. Gipson being […]

Tom Brady Present At Practice Friday

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (hand) was present for the start of practice Friday, and he wore red gloves on both hands for the second day in a row. However, Brady didn't participate in team drills, but he was able to make a fist with his right hand. Brady was seen at practice Thursday […]

Brian Hoyer Preparing To Pitch In

New England Patriots backup quarterback Brian Hoyer is preparing to pitch in for the AFC title game against the Jaguars with Tom Brady (hand) nursing a hand injury, although a source said Brady's hand "should be OK" for Sunday. Hoyer took all the practice repetitions in practice Thursday with Brady sitting out. It'd be a […]

Titans Interview Steve Wilks On Thursday

The Tennessee Titans interviewed Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks for their head coaching vacancy on Thursday. He led the Panthers to a seventh-place finish in total defense in 2017, including third against the run and 18th against the pass. They also ranked third in the NFL in sacks and 11th in points allowed per […]

J.J. Watt Running On Treadmill

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (leg) Tweeted a video of him running on a zero-gravity treadmill Thursday. Watt remains on track to return for training camp in the summer after breaking his leg in Week 5 against the Chiefs. "It's doing really, really well," Watt said. "[I'm] very excited about where it's going. It's […]

Case Keenum Set To Face Stiff Pass Rush

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum had the fourth best accuracy rate (69.2 percent) when under pressure in 2017, but he'll be facing the best pass-rushing team in the league in the NFC title game this Sunday. The Eagles had a total of 238 quarterback hurries and 81 hits this season. Keenum was good against pressure […]

Stefon Diggs To See A Lot Of Jalen Mills

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs will likely match up mostly with Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills in the NFC title game Sunday. Mills gave up an NFL-high nine touchdowns in coverage this year and was the only Eagles cornerback to allow a passer rating above 90.0 on the season. Diggs led all wide receivers in […]

Patriots Likely To Attack Jaguars Linebackers

The New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady are likely to attack the middle of the field with tight end Rob Gronkowski and their running backs in the AFC title game. Jaguars linebackers Telvin Smith and Myles Jack are the primary pass defenders in the second level, and they allowed a combined 949 yards in […]

Tom Brady Wearing Gloves On Both Hands

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (hand), who jammed his throwing hand in practice Wednesday, was wearing gloves on both his hands on Thursday, which is not the norm for him. "Early in my career I tried using a glove on my throwing hand a little bit. It didn't go too well. I think it's […]