Puka Nacua Has Picked Up The Offense Quickly

Los Angeles Rams rookie fifth-round wide receiver Puka Nacua earned steady praise from head coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford and fellow receiver Cooper Kupp during offseason workouts. The BYU product seems to have picked up the offense quickly and has a knack for getting open, which bodes well for him carving out a role […]

SirVocea Dennis Battling For Third Inside Linebacker Job

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fifth-round rookie linebacker SirVocea Dennis got ESPN.com's Jenna Laine's attention this offseason for a defense that has struggled to get interceptions. Dennis is known more for his pass-rushing ability than his coverage skills in college at Pittsburgh, but he had two pick-sixes during offseason practices -- one in rookie minicamp and one […]

Foster Moreau Could Compete For Targets With Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Foster Moreau had 12 touchdowns in four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, but nobody knew when he'd be returning to football after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in the offseason. But he wasn't limited in organized team activities and minicamp and was a frequent target of quarterback Derek Carr […]

Diontae Johnson Building Chemistry With Kenny Pickett

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who disappointed in 2022 in the first season without Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, thinks having stability and a working relationship with second-year QB Kenny Pickett will be a big advantage as he looks to bounce back in 2023. "Repetition is for real," Johnson said. The 26-year-old had more of […]

Nicholas Petit-Frere Suspended Six Games For Gambling

Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere is being suspended six games for violating the league's gambling policy. Petit-Frere is adamant that he didn't bet on NFL games, but he is being suspended by the NFL for betting on other sports at the workplace. The 23-year-old former third-round pick last year out of Ohio State made […]

Isaiah Rodgers Sr., Rashod Berry Waived After Suspensions

The Indianapolis Colts waived cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. and defensive end Rashod Berry on Thursday after it was announced that they have been suspended indefinitely by the league through at least the 2023 season for betting on NFL games last season. Free-agent defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor has also been suspended. It's bad timing for Rodgers, […]

Corey Seager Not In Rangers Lineup Thursday

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is out of the team's starting lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers. In his place, Josh H. Smith will start at shortstop and bat ninth against Tigers right-hander Reese Olson. It will just be a normal day of rest for Seager, who has been one of the best all-around […]

Oneil Cruz Throwing Up To 75 Feet

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (leg) is playing catch up to 75 feet and is gaining confidence, strength and range of motion in his rehab from surgery in early April to fix a fractured fibula. Cruz still has a long ways to go before the Pirates think about returning him from the injured list. Barring […]

Bryan Reynolds Hits On The Field Thursday

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (back) hit on the field on Thursday and will return from the 10-day injured list "in the coming days." Reynolds said himself that he's hoping to return on Friday for the start of a big series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Even if the 28-year-old isn't able to return Friday, he […]

Ke'Bryan Hayes Expected To Miss Minimum Time On Injured List

The Pittsburgh Pirates expect third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) to miss the minimum time on the 10-day injured list after he was placed on it on Wednesday with a lower-back injury. Hayes hadn't played since last Saturday, so the Pirates decided to give him a little rest. But the 26-year-old should be able to rejoin […]

Jonah Heim Getting A Breather Against Tigers

Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim will be given the day off on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers. Heim will get a day to rest after serving as the starting catcher for each of the team's last five games. He went 6-for-19 (.316) in those five contests with a homer, RBI, double and a run scored […]

Guardians Option Logan Allen To Triple-A

The Cleveland Guardians optioned rookie left-hander Logan Allen to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday and recalled pitcher Michael Kelly from the minors in a corresponding move. Allen tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday while walking two and striking out five, but he wasn't very efficient at all. The 24-year-old southpaw […]

Michael Wacha Throwing Bullpen Thursday

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael Wacha (shoulder) is throwing a bullpen session on Thursday before the team's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With Yu Darvish (illness) questionable to make his next start this weekend on the road against the Cincinnati Reds, the Padres are really hoping Wacha's bullpen goes well so he can […]

Fernando Tatis Jr. Leading Off On Thursday

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is serving as the designated hitter and is batting leadoff for the Friars on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Luis L. Ortiz. Ha-Seong Kim, who had hit leadoff the last couple days, will drop to seventh in the batting order while starting at second base. With […]

Marquis Haynes Sr. Stands Out This Offseason

ESPN.com's David Newton writes that nobody stood out more this offseason in the Carolina Panthers' quest to find an edge rusher opposite Brian Burns than sixth-year outside linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr. He was constantly in the face of rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who said Haynes has "been great." The Panthers are still expected to add […]

Josh Ali Steps Up Out Of Nowhere

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Josh Ali, who was on the practice squad last year after suffering a knee injury late in his college career at Kentucky, has stood out this offseason in a wide open receiver room after Drake London. Ali worked a lot with quarterback Desmond Ridder in 2022, and their chemistry was obvious […]

Josh Metellus Moving To Slot Corner?

Minnesota Vikings defensive back Josh Metellus has been a backup safety and special teams ace in his first three seasons in the NFL, but Minnesota's new defensive staff made a clear effort to find him a place to play this offseason. Metellus worked extensively as the slot cornerback in the team's nickel set during offseason […]

Ifeatu Melifonwu Making Serious Progress At Safety

Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu was limited to 17 total games in his first two NFL seasons due to injuries, but head coach Dan Campbell said he's seen growth in the 2021 third-round selection. Melifonwu made the switch from cornerback to safety before his second season, and he's making serious progress in adapting to the […]

Tyrique Stevenson Looks Primed To Start

Chicago Bears rookie second-round cornerback Tyrique Stevenson quickly grabbed hold of first-team repetitions in offseason practices this spring and looks primed to start opposite Jaylon Johnson in his first NFL season. The former Miami product's confidence is "a little bit ahead" of that of a typical rookie, according to head coach Matt Eberflus, and it […]

Khaleke Hudson Impresses Coaches This Spring

Washington Commanders linebacker Khaleke Hudson has been a backup/special-teamer in his first three NFL seasons, but he worked with the starters during spring practices in part because Jamin Davis was recovering from offseason knee surgery and free-agent signee Cody Barton was working with backups as he learned the defense. Hudson impressed the coaching staff and […]

Christian Elliss Makes Highlights In Offseason

Philadelphia Eagles third-year linebacker Christian Elliss made several highlight plays during offseason practices in the spring, including intercepting quarterback Jalen Hurts and returning it for a touchdown during 7-on-7 drills on the final day of organized team activities. The Eagles lost both of their starting linebackers in free agency this offseason, so it would be […]

Darren Waller A Difference-Maker For Giants Offense

ESPN New York's Jordan Raanan writes that it took all of one play this offseason to see the difference that tight end Darren Waller can make for the New York Giants offense this year. On the first play of organized team activities with the media in attendance, Waller blew by the nickel cornerback and caught […]

Domingo German Makes History Wednesday Night

New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German accomplished what only 23 other pitchers have ever done in the history of the game on Wednesday night when he tossed a perfect game in the 11-0 win over the Oakland Athletics. In doing so, he struck out nine of the 27 batters he faced. What a turnaround […]

Braves Option Jared Shuster To Triple-A

The Atlanta Braves optioned rookie left-hander Jared Shuster to Triple-A Gwinnett following their game on Wednesday. It comes after the young southpaw allowed four runs on seven hits while walking none and striking out two in just 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds on June 24. Shuster certainly has things to […]

Blue Jays Expect Alek Manoah To Pitch In Big Leagues Again This Year

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said he "absolutely" expects right-hander Alek Manoah to pitch in the big leagues again this season. Manoah has a bullpen session coming up on Friday, after which the team will determine where he will pitch next. It's hard to imagine right now after the 25-year-old coughed up a […]

Jose Urquidy Throws Bullpen Session

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (shoulder) said he felt good after throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday. Urquidy hasn't pitched since April 30, though, while dealing with right-shoulder inflammation, and he's going to need some time to build his arm back up. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect the 28-year-old to return until after the All-Star […]

Michael Brantley Hits Again Wednesday

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) hit on the field on Tuesday and hit in the batting cages on Wednesday. He was also fielding balls in left field before Wednesday's game. Believe it or not, but Brantley has yet to play in a game in 2023 after having shoulder surgery last August. The 36-year-old was […]

Yordan Alvarez Hits Off Tee Wednesday

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (oblique) hit off a tee on Wednesday and also did soft toss in the batting cages. Alvarez has been out since early June with a right-oblique strain, but he's making some progress. There's still no timetable for his return to the Astros' lineup, though, and fantasy managers shouldn't get […]

Nolan Arenado Leaves With Back Tightness

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (back) left Wednesday's game early against the Houston Astros with lower-back tightness and is day-to-day. The good news is that Arenado went 1-for-3 with his 16th home run of the season, three RBI and a run scored to help his fantasy managers before departing prematurely. He was replaced […]

Dustin May Begins Throwing Program

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that he thinks right-hander Dustin May (forearm) has resumed playing catch after being shut down for six weeks following a platelet-rich plasma injection. There still remains no timetable for May's return from a right-forearm strain that landed him on the injured list on May 18, but it's nevertheless […]