Van Jefferson Next Up After Cooper Kupp

If Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring) isn't ready for the start of the 2023 regular season after suffering a setback with his hamstring injury, Van Jefferson would step into the No. 1 receiving role, with Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua becoming the second and third receivers, respectively. Ben Skowronek would also have […]

Jaylen Warren Not Surpassing Najee Harris

Steelers.com's Dale Lolley writes that the narrative that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is going to "surpass" Najee Harris as the team's lead back isn't true. Both Harris and Warren will have their roles in Pittsburgh's backfield this year. Harris is the No. 1 and Warren is the third-down back, writes Lolley. Both backs […]

Jurickson Profar Back With Padres On Minor-League Deal

The San Diego Padres signed free-agent outfielder Jurickson Profar to a minor-league deal on Friday. He's expected to report to Triple-A El Paso, but he's certainly a candidate to be called up now that rosters are expanding to 28 players on Friday. Profar became a free agent when he was released by the Colorado Rockies […]

Jarred Kelenic Reaches Twice In Rehab Game

Seattle Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic (foot) went 1-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk and two strikeouts in his first minor-league rehab game for Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday. The 24-year-old is making his way back from a fractured foot that he suffered when he kicked a water cooler in the dugout in frustration on July […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Makes MLB History Thursday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is a very special player. In Thursday's close 8-7 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, he became the first player in MLB history to reach 30 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a single season. The 25-year-old superstar went 3-for-4 at the plate with a grand slam, four […]

Mookie Betts Clubs Two Homers In Loss To Braves

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/second baseman Mookie Betts went 2-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI, three runs scored and a walk in the team's 8-7 loss to the visiting Atlanta Braves on Thursday night. The impressive performance capped off a franchise-record month in August for the 30-year-old All-Star. Betts finished the month of August with […]

Nathan Eovaldi To Throw Another Bullpen Friday

Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (forearm) threw a "light bullpen" on Wednesday in New York, which manager Bruce Bochy said went well. Eovaldi will throw a "much heavier 'pen" on Friday when the team returns to Texas. "We'll wait and see how it goes, and we expect it to go fine," Bochy said. "We expect […]

Cubs Call Up Alexander Canario

The Chicago Cubs have called up outfield prospect Alexander Canario from Triple-A Iowa with rosters expanding to 28 players on Friday. The Cubs' No. 14 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday against the Cincinnati Reds. The 23-year-old Dominican has only played in 53 […]

Hunter Greene Placed On COVID Injured List

The Cincinnati Reds placed right-hander Hunter Greene (illness) on the COVID injured list on Friday and recalled pitcher Brett Kennedy from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Greene will now miss his next scheduled start for Monday and will be forced to sit out for seven days. The 24-year-old hard-throwing hurler could return as early […]

Jake Fraley Back From Injured List

The Cincinnati Reds activated outfielder Jake Fraley (toe) from the 10-day injured list on Friday. While Fraley has returned to the Reds for a big weekend series against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, he won't be in the starting lineup for Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday. The 28-year-old will eventually need surgery to fix […]

Justin Herbert Could Be Primed For Career Year

ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks that Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert could be ready to set statistical highs across the board in 2023 while working with new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Moore helped Dak Prescott become a top QB in his time in Dallas, but Herbert has more raw talent. The Chargers are hoping that […]

Davante Adams Could Be On The Trade Block

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that we shouldn't be surprised if Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams' name is thrown around as the trade deadline approaches in October. It's unknown if the Raiders would even consider moving Adams, but they unlikely to be in contention in 2023, and Adams initially went to Las Vegas to […]

Chiefs In Danger Of Getting Off To A Slow Start?

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has missed just seven games in his seven-year career. However, he hasn't shown up to training camp all summer due to a contract dispute. At this point, even if Jones signed a contract on Thursday, there's a good chance he wouldn't play in Week 1 or maybe even […]

Samaje Perine Could Have A Big Role For A While

ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks that Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine could be the team's lead running back for a good chunk of the 2023 season. Javonte Williams (knee) has been practicing and even saw some action in the preseason after suffering a torn ACL in Week 4 of 2022. However, people close to the […]

Malik Willis Could Be A Trade Candidate

The Tennessee Titans were very pleased with quarterback Malik Willis' preseason performance and there's still a chance he'll open the season as the backup behind starter Ryan Tannehill and ahead of second-round rookie Will Levis. However, ESPN's Dan Graziano suggests the pick the Titans used on Levis strongly indicates a belief that he can be […]

Christian Kirk's Production Expected To Take A Dip

ESPN's Dan Graziano expects Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk's production in 2023 to take a dip, even if the offense as a whole improves. Calvin Ridley, who missed all of 2022 due to suspension, has been the talk of Jaguars camp this summer and is a legitimate No. 1 outside receiver who has quickly […]

Keep Expectations In Check For Anthony Richardson

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that we shouldn't be surprised if Indianapolis Colts first-round rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson leads the league in interceptions in 2023. Richardson has off-the-charts talent and has a chance to be a superstar eventually, but he started only 13 games in college and will be developing while playing in real NFL games. […]

Tre'Quan Smith Undergoes Surgery, To Miss Season Opener

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (groin) underwent surgery in August and is expected to miss the Week 1 regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans. Smith also missed most of training camp and all three preseason games due to the injury, so there's easily a chance that he misses more than one regular […]

Jaylen Warren Lurking In Pittsburgh

ESPN's Dan Graziano says not to be surprised if Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is the team's lead RB by the end of the 2023 season. Najee Harris was the team's first-round selection in 2021 and has been very productive and reliable in his first two seasons. However, Warren's performance in practice and games […]

Myles Garrett On Another Level Entering 2023 Season

ESPN's Dan Graziano is predicting that Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett will win Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. Sources from Browns training camp have said that Garrett is on another level this summer. The 27-year-old pass-rusher has been demoralizing Cleveland's offensive line in practices. Jim Schwartz is the team's new defensive coordinator […]

Chase Brown Could Have Big Role Early On

Cincinnati Bengals rookie running back Chase Brown could leapfrog Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams for the No. 2 RB spot behind Joe Mixon eventually in 2023, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano. The fifth-rounder from Illinois has impressed throughout training camp and the preseason, particularly with his pass-catching. It's not out of the question that Mixon […]

Zay Flowers Could Be Special In His Rookie Season

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that we shouldn't be surprised if Baltimore Ravens rookie first-round wide receiver Zay Flowers wins Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023. Flower's ability to create separation has stood out in training camp, and other than tight end Mark Andrews, nobody in the team's receiving corps has a ton of experience […]

Dalvin Cook To Be Jets' Leading Rusher?

ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks that New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook could be the team's leading rusher in the first half of the season. The Jets still have big plans for Breece Hall (knee), and the expectation is that Hall will be the backfield leader by the end of 2023. However, he's also being […]

DeVante Parker Could Surprise This Year

ESPN's Dan Graziano says not to be surprised if New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker has a big year in 2023. The former first-rounder by the Miami Dolphins in 2015 had an outstanding training camp as the team's top receiver and could put up some big numbers in offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien's scheme. In […]

James Cook Could Become A Star In 2023

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that Buffalo Bills running back James Cook could become a star in his sophomore season in the Bills' offense. Buffalo was 20th in rushing attempts with 430 last year, but they were second in yards per rush (5.2). The team's RBs were tied for first in yards per rush at 4.9, […]

Pedro Grifol To Stick Around For 2024 Season

New Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz said on Thursday that manager Pedro Grifol will be the team's manager in 2024. Getz also said during a press conference that "nobody is untouchable" on the team's 40-man roster. Grifol is in his first year as the skipper in 2023. There have been reports of poor […]

George Kirby To Start On Sunday

Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby (illness) will make his next start on Sunday in New York against the Mets. Kirby was scratched from his start on Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics due to an illness, but he's apparently feeling better now and will close out the weekend series against the Mets. Right-handers Logan Gilbert and […]

Brewers Sign Josh Donaldson To Minor-League Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Thursday that they signed free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson (calf) to a minor-league deal. He will report to Triple-A Nashville. The New York Yankees recently released Donaldson, who has been out with a right-calf strain since the middle of July. On top of injuries, the 37-year-old former MVP has looked […]

Dodgers Send Ryan Pepiot Down

The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned right-hander Ryan Pepiot to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday and activated right-hander Shelby Miller (neck) from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Pepiot picked up his first win of the season in his first start of the year on Wednesday, when he tossed five scoreless innings with only […]

Walker Buehler To Begin Rehab Assignment Sunday

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday and is scheduled to throw one or two innings. Buehler will need at least three rehab outings before the team evaluates him again. If all goes well in the minors, the […]