Isaiah Likely Working To Become "Chess Piece" On Offense

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely said he's focused on learning all of the receiving positions in Year 2 of offensive coordinator Todd Monken's scheme. "It's being a chess piece, being anywhere 'Monk' needs me to be in this offense – whether it's in the slot, in-line, in the backfield, split out wide by myself," […]

Shaquille Leonard Not Ruling Out Retirement

Free-agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who was released by the Indianapolis Colts last year in late November, intends to sign with a team and play in 2024, but he's also not ruling out retirement if the right opportunity doesn't come along. Since earning All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors in each of his first four seasons with […]

Will Reichard Has Been Impressive

Minnesota Vikings rookie kicker Will Reichard managed to put on a display during spring practices that confirms he has the leg to kick in the NFL for a long time. However, most of his efforts came during positional drills without a defense pressuring him and sometimes even without a snap. During the final organized team […]

Vikings Hoping To See A Jump From Jalen Nailor

It's clear that the Minnesota Vikings are hoping to see a jump from wide receiver Jalen Nailor in training camp this summer before making any final determinations about whether to acquire a veteran No. 3 wideout before the start of the 2024 regular season. Justin Jefferson is the obvious WR1 in Minnesota, with second-year pass-catcher […]

Chiefs Release Isaiah Buggs

The Kansas City Chiefs informed defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs of his release on Monday, according to a source. The move was expected after Buggs was arrested on June 16 on charges of domestic violence and burglary less than a month after he turned himself in for misdemeanor animal-cruelty charges. It remains to be seen if […]

Alek Thomas To Take Part In Live Batting Practice On Monday

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas (hamstring) played seven innings in center field and had three at-bats on Saturday in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and said his hamstring felt good. After an off day on Sunday, Thomas will take live batting practice against right-hander Zac Gallen (hamstring) on Monday and then head to Triple-A Reno […]

Zac Gallen To Throw Live Batting Practice Monday

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Monday against outfielder Alek Thomas (hamstring). If everything goes well, Gallen could be reinstated from the 15-day injured list and return during the team's series against the Oakland Athletics from June 28-30. He was diagnosed with a strained right […]

Dean Kremer May Need Another Rehab Start

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Dean Kremer (triceps) not making it past the first inning in his minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday was "not ideal." The low pitch count may require Kremer to make another rehab start before he's activated from the injured list and returns to Baltimore's starting […]

Ian Gibaut Working On Grip Strength

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Ian Gibaut (forearm) has been working on his grip strength with his right hand. Once he reaches a certain level of progress, he will be cleared to begin a throwing program. Gibaut had surgery on May 9 to relieve a compression in a forearm nerve called the anterior interosseous nerve or AIN. […]

Matt McLain Hasn't Been Cleared To Swing

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain's (shoulder) most recent visit with his surgeon went well and he was "exactly where he wants to be," manager David Bell said on Sunday. However, no timelines were revealed for a target return date for McLain's progressions. He was cleared to resume throwing and running six weeks after his […]

Emilio Pagan Could Start Throwing Program Soon

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Emilio Pagan (lat), who was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 9 with a right-lat strain, is scheduled to undergo a new can on Monday to check his healing process. If everything goes well, Pagan could be cleared to begin a throwing program this week. However, the veteran reliever isn't […]

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Will Benson

X-rays came back negative on Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson (elbow) after he was hit by a pitch in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox, according to manager David Bell. Benson went 0-for-3 and set a career-high hitless streak with an 0-for-21 slump before getting hit on the inside of his left elbow […]

Willson Contreras Expected To Return On Monday

All signs are pointing to St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (forearm) being activated from the injured list and returning to the starting lineup ahead of Monday's series opener against the visiting Atlanta Braves. Contreras fractured his forearm on May 7 and was originally slated to return by the All-Star break. Instead, he could rejoin […]

Saints Sign Mac McCain

The New Orleans Saints signed free-agent cornerback Mac McCain to an undisclosed deal earlier this week, according to executive vice president/general manager Mickey Loomis. In a corresponding move, the team waived defensive end Nathan Latu. McCain became a free agent last September when he was waived by the Carolina Panthers with an undisclosed injury. The […]

Bailey Zappe's Stock Continues To Fall

Toward the end of organized team activities this offseason, New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye overtook Bailey Zappe as the team's No. 2 QB behind veteran Jacoby Brissett. Nothing about that comes off as surprising, but with sixth-rounder Joe Milton III also in the fold in New England, is seems that Zappe's days with […]

JuJu Smith-Schuster Lacking Explosiveness

New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) said his injured knee is much healthier than last year, but to the untrained eye, The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that it didn't appear as if Smith-Schuster had the same explosiveness that he did in 2021 or 2022. If he's going to make the 53-man roster out […]

Malik Cunningham's Stock Is Up

Baltimore Ravens quarterback turned wide receiver Malik Cunningham hasn't looked out of place as he makes the position transition in offseason workouts, although he still probably faces an uphill battle to make the final roster out of training camp. Cunningham made a few plays in just about every practice this offseason and has shown good […]

Tank Bigsby Didn't Really Impress This Offseason

SI.com's John Shipley writes that Jacksonville Jaguars second-year running back Tank Bigsby had some issues with drops during offseason workouts and didn't have the standout offseason program that he had last year. The Jaguars have done nothing but insinuate that Bigsby will have a bigger role in the backfield in 2024 as they look to […]

Kyle Gibson To Make His Next Start On Tuesday

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Kyle Gibson (back) is listed as the team's probable starting pitcher on Tuesday versus the visiting Atlanta Braves. Gibson was scratched from his last scheduled outing on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins due to back tightness, but it appears the injury won't cause him to miss anymore time or put him […]

Nolan Arenado Sitting On Sunday

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (forearm) is not in the team's starting lineup on Sunday against the visiting San Francisco Giants and right-hander Logan Webb. Veteran Brandon Crawford will get the start at third base and will bat eighth against his former team. After missing a game this week already due to an […]

Eloy Jimenez Reinstated And Starting On Sunday

The Chicago White Sox reinstated outfielder/designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Sunday and optioned outfielder Oscar Colas to Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move. Jimenez is right back in the starting lineup on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers and right-hander Reese Olson, serving as the designated hitter and batting third […]

Rob Refsnyder Serving As DH Against Reds

Boston Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder (knee) will serve as the team's designated hitter and will bat in the two-hole on Sunday to face off against the Cincinnati Reds and left-hander Nick Lodolo. In his only career at-bat against Lodolo, Refsnyder hit a solo home run. The 33-year-old veteran missed each of the team's last […]

Tyler Stephenson Back In Action For Reds

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (undisclosed) is back behind the plate and is batting fifth for the Reds on Sunday against the visiting Boston Red Sox and right-hander Zack Kelly. Stephenson will return to action after missing the last two games with a minor undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old appeared as a pinch-hitter in the loss […]

Jazz Chisholm Jr. Playing On Sunday

Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (biceps) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting in his customary leadoff spot on Sunday versus the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Bryce Miller. Chisholm was removed from Saturday's game early due to right-biceps tightness, according to manager Skip Schumaker, but apparently it wasn't a very serious […]

Taijuan Walker Lands On 15-Day Injured List

The Philadelphia Phillies placed right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 22) with right index finger inflammation on Sunday and recalled right-hander Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move. Walker is officially dealing with a blister on his right index finger and will take at least the […]

Orelvis Martinez Suspended 80 Games For PEDs

Toronto Blue Jays infield prospect Orelvis Martinez, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball for violating the league's drug prevention and treatment program. Martinez tested positive for clomiphene, a performance-enhancing substance. The move comes shortly after the 22-year-old received made his major-league debut on […]

Yankees Put Giancarlo Stanton On 10-Day Injured List

The New York Yankees placed outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with a left-hamstring strain and recalled infielder Oswald Peraza from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move. The move comes after Stanton had to leave Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning while injuring his left […]

Browns Waive Lonnie Phelps

The Cleveland Browns waived defensive end Lonnie Phelps on Thursday after he was charged with drunken driving on Wednesday night after police said he crashed his SUV into a Florida restaurant. Phelps is also facing a charge for damaging property following the incident at the Red Shoe Island Bistro in Key West. The 23-year-old was […]

Packers Claim James Turner From The Lions

The Green Bay Packers claimed kicker James Turner off waivers from the division-rival Detroit Lions on Thursday. Turner will stay in the NFC North and head to Green Bay now after the Lions signed Turner as an undrafted free agent shortly after this year's draft. Given Anders Carlson's struggles with the Packers in 2023 in […]

Vita Vea Could Be Ready For A Career Year

The Athletic's Dan Pompei thinks Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea could have a career year in 2024. The seven-year veteran is entering the prime of his career at 29 years old after losing a significant amount of weight in the offseason while working out with former teammate Ndamukong Suh. Vea has been listed […]