July 28, 2025
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jayden Struble signed a two-year, $2.825 million contract on Monday. The 23-year-old restricted free agent had a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Aug. 3 before reaching a new deal with the Canadiens, who selected him in the second round of the 2019 draft. Struble has just finished his second NHL campaign, registering 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) and 124 hits in 56 appearances. While the American blue-liner brings physicality to the Canadiens lineup, he needs to improve in other areas to lock down a regular spot in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
July 28, 2025
Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker dropped a split decision to former two-division ONE champion Reinier de Ridder in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Despite a strong opening round and then Whittaker dropping and nearly finishing de Ridder on the ground in the third round, in the end, the judges awarded de Ridder a split-decision victory. In 25 minutes of action, Whittaker landed a knockdown and 66 significant strikes. This is the first time in Whittaker's career that he's lost back-to-back fights.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
July 28, 2025
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that linebacker Drew Sanders (foot) is dealing with a ligament injury in his foot and will be out "north of four to six weeks." However, the Broncos are relieved it's not a tendon injury, which means the 23-year-old could return to the team before the start of the regular season on Sept. 7 against the Tennessee Titans. Sanders suffered the foot injury in training camp practice on Saturday. Fellow linebacker Alex Singleton broke his thumb in practice on Monday and is going to miss at least a week as well, so the Broncos are running a little thin at the linebacker spot in camp. The good news is neither Sanders nor Singleton are expected to miss the start of the regular season. The 24-year-old Sanders has played in 21 games (four starts) since debuting in 2023 and has 32 tackles (17 solo) and a sack.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
July 28, 2025
Former two-division ONE champion Reinier de Ridder extended his win streak by beating former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker via split decision in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. De Ridder had a lot of success with landing knees to Whittaker's body and draining his gas tank. It was an extremely close, back-and-forth fight, with two out of the three judges scoring rounds 2, 4, and 5 for de Ridder. In 25 minutes of action, de Ridder landed two takedowns and 67 significant strikes. With the win, de Ridder extended his win streak to five, and he's now a fight or two away from a title shot.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
July 28, 2025
Denver Broncos inside linebacker Alex Singleton (thumb) suffered a broken thumb in training camp practice on Monday but is expected to miss only seven to eight days before he can put a club on his hand and return to the field, a source told Mike Klis of 9 News. Singleton will not need to miss any time to begin the 2025 regular season, which is great news for the Broncos defense. The 31-year-old had four straight seasons of 100-plus combined tackles before tearing his ACL in 2024 and being limited to only three games. He had a career-best 177 tackles (106 solo), two sacks, six tackles for loss, six QB hits and two fumble recoveries in 17 games played in 2023. Singleton has been fantasy relevant as a tackling machine, but outside of that there isn't much fantasy upside, and he could lose a step after coming back from a major knee injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: 9 News - Mike Klis
July 28, 2025
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins has agreed to a two-year, $4.4 million deal with his new team. The 26-year-old was a restricted free agent and scheduled for salary arbitration. Timmins is a fresh face in Buffalo after the Sabres picked him up in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the draft. Last season, Timmins made 68 appearances between the Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs, recording 15 points (three goals, 12 assists), 69 shots, and 90 blocks with a plus-11 rating. He's been an effective player for teams but doesn't have enough in his game to make a difference in fantasy hockey.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 28, 2025
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that running back
J.K. Dobbins' transition to the offense has been "swift." It appears that the Broncos' decision to sign Dobbins in early June so that he could enter the offseason break with the playbook was a good move. Dobbins is going to share the backfield with rookie second-rounder
RJ Harvey in his first year in Denver, but so far in training camp, the 26-year-old former Raven has seen most of the work with the first-team offense. Harvey could easily take over the early-down role for the Broncos sooner than later in 2025, but if Dobbins can stay healthy, he should be in play in PPR fantasy leagues as an RB3/flex option. Dobbins played in just nine games from 2021-23 due to injuries and also missed four games in 2024 with the Chargers due to an MCL sprain, so the lengthy injury history is certainly concerning.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
July 28, 2025
The New York Giants have agreed to a contract with wide receiver
Gunner Olszewski, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. Raanan notes that the move comes after the Giants lost wide receiver and core special-teamer
Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles) for the season. Olszewski last appeared in an NFL game for the Giants in 2023 and has also played for the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. He's most known for his work on special teams as a kick and punt returner. In 65 career games, Olszewski has recorded just 15 catches for 180 yards and one touchdown. He'll have a chance to earn a role in New York as a returner, but it's unlikely that he factors in the passing game for the Giants.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Jordan Raanan
July 28, 2025
Marcus McGhee suffered a unanimous decision loss to former bantamweight champion Petr Yan in the co-main event of UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. McGhee had some success with his striking in the first round, but Yan started pushing the pace in the last 30 seconds of the first round. Yan's momentum continued into the second, while McGhee started to slow down. In the end, McGhee won the first round while Yan won the second and the third round. In 15 minutes of action, McGhee landed 64 significant strikes. McGhee's loss snapped a six-fight winning streak.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
July 28, 2025
According to Michael Scotto of USA Today, the Toronto Raptors waived center
Colin Castleton on Monday. Castleton posted averages of 7.2 points and 6.9 rebounds in 26 minutes across 11 contests in 2024-25. With the 25-year-old out of the picture, there will be available frontcourt minutes for players like
Jonathan Mogbo and
Sandro Mamukelashvili to compete for. Rookie
Collin Murray-Boyles, selected by the Raptors No. 9 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft last month, will also be in line to see more playing opportunities with Castleton no longer on the team's roster.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Michael Scotto
July 28, 2025
Baltimore Orioles closer
Felix Bautista (shoulder) has "a lot of swelling" in his shoulder, and team doctors can't make a diagnosis until the swelling goes down, according to interim manager Tony Mansolino. The skipper also said it's going to be "weeks not days" of Bautista being on the injured list. The Orioles aren't going to rush the 30-year-old back since they aren't anywhere close to the playoff race, so fantasy managers might not get him back until mid to late August. Baltimore traded left-handed reliever
Gregory Soto to the New York Mets over the weekend, ensuring that righty
Seranthony Dominguez is the club's primary ninth-inning option until Bautista is able to return. Bautista was a first-time All-Star in 2023, missed the entire 2024 campaign due to injury, and has bounced back with a 2.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 19 saves in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
July 28, 2025
Former bantamweight champion Petr Yan extended his win streak to three when he dominated Marcus McGhee en route to a unanimous decision win in the co-main event of UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. As usual, Yan had a slow start, but he took control in the second round, and he pushed the pace till the end of the fight. Yan again displayed his beautiful striking and has shown once again why he's one of the best boxers in the UFC. In 15 minutes of action, Yan landed a takedown and 81 significant strikes. "No Mercy" has now improved to 19-5 as a pro and is now 11-4 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
July 28, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Jerome Ford (undisclosed) returned to practice in a limited capacity on Monday, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Oyefusi reports that Ford completed individual drills and then worked with a trainer on a separate field during the team portions of Cleveland's practice. The team never disclosed what caused Ford to miss time, but it appears as though he's close to returning to full strength. The fourth-year back is competing with rookies
Quinshon Judkins and
Dylan Sampson for touches, but Judkins remains away from the team after being arrested on domestic violence charges. In 14 games last season, Ford recorded 790 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. Particularly if Judkins misses significant time, Ford has a chance to seize the RB1 role in Cleveland and put up the best numbers of his career.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
July 28, 2025
Marc-Andre Barriault dropped a unanimous decision loss to Shara Magomedov on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. It was an exciting, back-and-forth fight, and Barriault had his moments, like breaking Magomedov's nose, but in the end, Magomedov did enough to take a 30-27,30-27 and 30-27 unanimous decision win. In 15 minutes of action, Barriault landed two takedowns and landed 39 significant strikes. With the loss, Barriault dropped to 6-9 with one NC in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
July 28, 2025
The Tennessee Titans have waived/injured wide receiver
Treylon Burks (collarbone), according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Burks fractured his collarbone over the weekend and appears likely to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season. A former first-round selection by Tennessee back in 2022, Burks never found his footing with the organization. Injuries limited him to just 27 games in three seasons, and he recorded 92 catches for 699 yards and one touchdown in those appearances. Tennessee has veterans
Calvin Ridley and
Tyler Lockett atop their wide receiver depth chart, with rookies
Chimere Dike and
Elic Ayomanor competing with
Van Jefferson for the WR3 job. Burks may have to wait until late this season or even 2026 for a chance to salvage his career, and it seems unlikely that he'll get that opportunity in Tennessee.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
July 28, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton (rib cage) remains out of the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the visiting Boston Red Sox at Target Field. Buxton felt irritation in his side on Saturday and was held out of the series finale on Sunday against the Washington Nationals before an MRI exam showed left-side rib cartilage inflammation. The 31-year-old All-Star escaped any sort of serious injury and is considered day-to-day, which means he could be back in action in the series against Boston as soon as Tuesday. Fantasy managers will want to keep him out of their lineups another day and check back on Tuesday.
DaShawn Keirsey Jr. is starting in center field for the Twin and will bat ninth on Monday against Red Sox right-hander
Richard Fitts. Keirsey should be avoided in DFS. He's gone 7-for-71 (.099) on the year with a homer and eight steals.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 28, 2025
UFC prospect Shara Magomedov returned to the win column by defeating Marc-Andre Barriault via unanimous decision on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi. It was a truly gruelling war of attrition, but Magomedov managed to get the better of Barriault throughout three rounds, as he was just too fast for him. In 15 minutes of action, Magomedov landed 93 significant strikes, compared to Barriault, who landed 39. By defeating Barriault, Magomedov has bounced back and improved his UFC record to 5-1.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
July 28, 2025
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Rashod Bateman (illness) was sent home on Monday due to an illness, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. There's no reason to think this will be a long-term absence for Bateman, but he could conceivably miss the next few days of practice as well. The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in 2024 when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. Baltimore added some talent to the wide receiver room with the offseason addition of
DeAndre Hopkins, but Bateman still profiles as an important piece of the team's offense. The Ravens' low-volume passing offense limits Bateman's fantasy upside, but he has some boom/bust appeal as a flex option in deep leagues due to his ability to make plays down the field.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com
July 28, 2025
The New York Mets have been discussing third baseman
Mark Vientos in trade talks this week, and rival executives think that the team is willing to move him by this Thursday's July 31 deadline, league sources told SNY's Andy Martino. The Mets aren't looking to move any of their young infielders -- they've also received interest in
Brett Baty and
Ronny Mauricio -- but rival executives think Vientos is more available than Baty and Mauricio. The 25-year-old hit 27 home runs with an .837 in a breakout 2024 campaign. He might not be as good this year, but interested teams view Vientos as a player that can carry a team when he gets hot. The former second-round has struggled on both offense and defense in 2025, but he's currently on a six-game hitting streak and could see more playing time with a change of scenery to finish this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY - Andy Martino
July 28, 2025
Jose Ochoa suffered a unanimous decision loss to Asu Almbayev on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Ochoa could not seem to get going, as he was dominated and taken down time and again. In the third round, Ochoa attempted to land an armbar submission, but Almbayev defended well and was never in danger. In 15 minutes of action, Ochoa landed a takedown and 26 significant strikes. With the loss, Ochoa dropped to 8-2 as a pro and is now 1-2 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
July 28, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Najee Harris (eye) is on the mend from a fireworks-related eye injury that has landed him on the non-football injury list to start training camp. However, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz says there's "no rush" to get Harris back on the field at this point in the summer. Harris signed a one-year deal with the Chargers this past offseason after spending the first four years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's never missed a game in his career, and he rushed for over 4,300 yards and 28 touchdowns in Pittsburgh. The Chargers used a first-round pick on running back
Omarion Hampton in the 2025 draft, and Hampton and Harris project to share touches in the team's backfield this season. However, with each day Harris misses, Hampton could be getting closer and closer to seizing the lead role.
--Will BradySource: Joe Hortiz - SiriusXM NFL Radio
July 28, 2025
Asu Almbayev got back in the win column by defeating Jose Ochoa via unanimous decision on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Almbayev delivered a dominant performance, outwrestling and outgrappling Ochoa en route to a unanimous decision win. Prior to this bout, Almbayev suffered a third-round TKO loss to Manel Kape. In 15 minutes of action, Almbayev landed seven takedowns and 22 significant strikes. With the win, Almbayev improved to 22-3 as a pro and is now 5-1 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
July 28, 2025
The San Francisco Giants aren't expected to trade closer
Camilo Doval by this Thursday's July 31 trade deadline. However, rival executives think the Giants would be smart to move him. Opportunistic teams could take advantage, and the Giants' bullpen has been such a team strength this year that they could probably afford to lose him. San Fran's bullpen ranks second in ERA (3.23), third in opponents' OPS (.643) and first in WHIP (1.16). The 28-year-old Doval is also under team control through the 2027, which makes him even much more valuable around the league. If Doval were to be dealt this week, All-Star
Randy Rodriguez, who has emerged as one of the best relievers in MLB, would almost certainly take over the closing duties for the Gigantes. Doval has incredible arm talent and has bounced back nicely from a disastrous 2024 that saw him sent to the minors.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon and Andrew Baggarly
July 28, 2025
The difference between what the Washington Commanders are willing to offer and what wide receiver
Terry McLaurin (ankle) is asking for in contract negotiations is "vast," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. McLaurin ended his holdout and reported to Commanders' training camp on Sunday, but he was immediately placed on the active/physically unable to perform list, so this could be a hold-in situation. McLaurin will turn 30 in September and has been remarkably durable throughout his career, playing in 17 games in each of the last five seasons. He caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns in 2024, his first season playing with Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels. McLaurin profiles as a high-end WR2 in fantasy as long as he's ready to go for the regular season, but it appears as though his return to the practice field is not particularly close.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
July 28, 2025
Nikita Krylov suffered a first-round knockout loss to Bogdan Guskov on the UFC Abu Dhabi main card opener on Saturday. As Krylov entered the boxing range, he threw a leg kick, leaving himself open to Guskov's counter right hand. Guskov dropped Krylov with a big right hand and followed up with a barrage of punches, knocking Krylov out shortly after. In 4:18 of action, Krylov landed 16 significant strikes. With the loss, Krylov dropped to 30-11 as a pro and is now 11-9 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
July
28,
2025
The
Detroit
Tigers
are
acquiring
right-hander
Chris
Paddack
from
the
Minnesota
Twins
in
exchange
for
an
unnamed
minor-leaguer,
according
to
multiple
team
sources.
Paddack
is
the
first
of
several
players
the
Twins
are
expected
to
trade
by
read more...
July 28, 2025
Bogdan Guskov extended his win streak when he defeated Nikita Krylov via first-round knockout on the UFC Abu Dhabi main card opener on Saturday. After Krylov threw a slow leg kick, Guskov countered with a massive punch that knocked Krylov down. Guskov immediately followed up, knocking Krylov out as his head bounced off the canvas. In 4:18 of action, Guskov landed 23 significant strikes. With the win, Guskov extended his win streak to four.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
July 28, 2025
Denver Broncos tight end
Evan Engram is forming a nice combination with quarterback
Bo Nix early in training camp. Engram, who joined the Broncos as a free agent in the offseason, was Nix's go-to target during the team's first padded practice on Monday. Previously with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Engram is only two years removed from piling up 114 receptions, 143 targets, 963 yards, and four touchdowns in 2023. The 30-year-old was unable to replicate that production last season, though, as he missed eight games with multiple injuries and caught 47 balls (64 targets) for 365 yards and one score. Healthy again and playing for a much better team, Engram looks to have intriguing rebound potential in 2025 with the ascending Nix as his quarterback.
--Connor ByrneSource: Zac Stevens - DNVR Sports
July 28, 2025
Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Hunter Greene (groin) is scheduled to throw four innings in his next minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, according to Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Greene pitched in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League last Wednesday and threw two scoreless innings while striking out four and walking one for his first appearance in a game since June 3. The 25-year-old hurler is recovering from a strained right groin and could need a third rehab outing before the Reds feel comfortable having him rejoin their starting rotation for the final two months of the season. The hard-throwing righty should be rostered in all fantasy leagues, especially now that he's nearing a return to Cincy. The former first-rounder looked strong before his injury with a 2.72 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 73 K's in 59 2/3 frames over 11 starts.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
July 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback
Baker Mayfield has agreed to a reworked contract that will guarantee him $30 million in 2026, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Mayfield's deal previously included no guarantees for the 2026 campaign, which is the final season of his contract. After bouncing around with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams from 2018-22, the former No. 1 overall pick has finally realized his potential in Tampa Bay. He's coming off back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons, including a career-high 4,500 in 2024, and hasn't missed a game as a Buccaneer. Along with his lofty yardage total, Mayfield established new personal-bests in completion percentage (71.4%), touchdowns (41), and quarterback rating (106.8) last season. He also rushed for a career-best 378 yards and added three more scores on the ground. With a quality supporting cast around him, Mayfield is going into 2025 as RotoBaller's ninth-ranked QB.
--Connor ByrneSource: Adam Schefter
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