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Bills Defensive Tackle Phidarian Mathis Suspended Three Games
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis has been suspended for the first three games of the 2026 season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. The suspension stems from an alcohol-related incident that occurred in the spring of last year. Mathis, a former second-round pick in 2022 by the Washington Commanders from the University of Alabama, was with the New York Jets at the time of the incident. It will not help the 28-year-old's cause as he competes with DeWayne Carter for one of the final spots on the roster on the Bills' defensive line this summer. Mathis will be eligible to play in the preseason and will be eligible for reinstatement on Sept. 28. He played in six regular-season games in Buffalo last year and one of their playoff contests.
Source: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
Source: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
Anthony Richardson Sr. The Early Favorite for Backup Spot?
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. had moderate success in the air and on the ground during Thursday's preseason opener 13-13 tie to the New England Patriots. As the Colts' starter with Daniel Jones (Achilles) on the mend, Richardson Sr. completed 11 of his 14 attempts for 145 yards. He also reminded fans of his dual-threat abilities and tallied 53 yards on the ground off his six carries, scoring one rushing touchdown from the goal line. However, in Richardson Sr.'s first and only half of play, he threw one interception and lost a fumble. The Colts' 2023 first-round pick will have another opportunity next week against the Atlanta Falcons to improve his ball security and try to earn the backup role behind veteran quarterback Daniel Jones.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Winston Watkins Jr. Logs Limited Practice
LSU sophomore wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr. has missed recent practices with an undisclosed injury but was seen practicing on Friday, per Cory Diaz of The Daily Advertiser. Watkins was wearing a non-contact jersey, but did progress through all drills with media present. The Ole Miss transfer is expected to be a big part of Lane Kiffin's offense after logging 373 yards and a touchdown last season. His availability for the Clemson game on September 5th remains a question at this time, as we do not know the extent of his injury, but his involvement in today's practice is encouraging.
Source: Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser
Source: Cory Diaz, The Daily Advertiser
Isaac Brown Fully Participating in Friday's Practice
Louisville star running back Isaac Brown has spent the offseason recovering from a lower-body issue but for the first time this fall, he fully participated in practice on Friday. Brown is reportedly looking like his old self, appearing faster than he did when working off to the side earlier in the week. He is the key to Louisville's offense, as he has rushed for 2,057 career yards (7.7 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns through his first two seasons. Brown's involvement in practice is encouraging for the Cardinals as they gear up for the season opener against Ole Miss.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Kayshon Boutte Plays With Backups, Not Targeted in Preseason Opener
The New England Patriots held out their offensive starters in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, but wide receiver Kayshon Boutte played 16 snaps on offense. Boutte wasn't targeted at all by quarterback Tommy DeVito in the 13-13 tie against Indy. Quarterback Drake Maye and starting receivers A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and DeMario Douglas were in street clothes, with Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism getting reps with the backup offense. The 24-year-old Boutte, who was a sixth-round pick in 2023 from LSU, had a career-high six touchdowns in 14 regular-season games last year, but otherwise he failed to stand out for fantasy purposes, catching 33 of 46 targets for 551 yards in his third year in the league. The offseason additions of Brown and Doubs officially put Boutte off the fantasy football radar in all single-year leagues and make him a potential trade candidate before Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. Boutte likely needs an injury or two in New England to become interesting again or a trade out of town.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Quinn Clark Breaking Out at Nebraska Practice
Nebraska sophomore receiver Quinn Clark is reportedly breaking out at practice. The 6-foot-5 receiver played sparingly as a true freshman, catching five passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. He operated as a seldom-used field stretcher but with an offseason in the program, Clark is emerging as a legitimate weapon in Lincoln. Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has been forced to rethink the personnel groups, stating that Clark "deserves to be on that field a lot." Clark will continue to compete with the likes of Nyziah Hunter, Kwazi Gilmer, Cortez Mills Jr., and Jacory Barney Jr. for playing time.
Source: Sam McKewon, Omaha.com
Source: Sam McKewon, Omaha.com
Virginia Running Back Room Rounding Out
With J'Mari Taylor off to the NFL, Tony Elliott has to replace 1,062 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. It sounds as if the Cavaliers' running back room is starting to take shape. Middle Tennessee State transfer Jekail Middlebrook has been receiving hype, and looks to be poised for a large role after rushing for 752 yards and four touchdowns a season ago. UAB transfer Solomon Beebe, who ran for 338 yards and six touchdowns, also seems to be involved in the mix for touches. It sounds as if Tennessee transfer Peyton Lewis may not be as involved as many had thought, as Elliott stated that he "has shown some tremendous upside, flashes," but is still learning the system. Middlebrook and Beebe are currently looking to be on top of the Cavaliers' depth chart.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Dorance Armstrong Suspended One Game
Washington Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong has been suspended one game for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, according to Adam Schefter. The reason for the discipline was not included in the initial report. Armstrong is coming off a torn ACL suffered against Dallas in Week 7 last season, cutting short what had been a strong year for the veteran pass rusher. He finished with 5.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits in only seven games, and his sack total still led Washington for the season. Armstrong opened training camp on the Active/PUP list but passed his physical and returned to the active roster on Aug. 7. Washington added Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson during the offseason, and Armstrong is currently listed behind Chaisson on the team's first unofficial depth chart. After missing most of last season because of the knee injury, Armstrong will now also have to sit out one regular-season game.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Jose Altuve Returns From Foot Injury on Friday
Houston Astros second baseman/outfielder Jose Altuve (foot) is starting at second base and batting fifth on Friday for the series opener at Daikin Park against the division-rival Seattle Mariners and right-hander George Kirby, per MLB.com. Altuve fouled a ball off his left foot on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants and was held out of the series finale on Wednesday as a result. Tests came back negative, though, and Altuve is back in action on Friday after a scheduled day off on Thursday. The 36-year-old Venezuelan veteran and nine-time All-Star will return to face a pitcher that he is pretty familiar with. Altuve has faced Kirby 24 times in his career and is hitting .208 against him with a .488 OPS and just one RBI. Fantasy managers are hoping he can continue his strong month of August in which he has gone 11-for-34 (.324) with an .841 OPS, a homer, a double, five RBI, and five runs scored in only 10 games played. Overall, the former MVP has shown his age in 2026, slashing a mediocre .240/.304/.391 with 13 homers, 35 RBI, 54 runs, and only two steals in 96 total games played in his 16th year in the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Tony Elliott Not Against Two-Quarterback System
Virginia head coach Tony Elliott recently named Missouri transfer Beau Pribula as the starting quarterback for the 2026 season. Pribula had been competing with Eli Holstein, who came in from Pitt after starting 10 games in 2024 and four games last season before being benched. On Holstein, Elliott stated: ""I think he has shown throughout the course of fall campus thus far -- and I anticipate that he'll continue to show -- that we can go win football games with him as well. I want to be able to honor that and maximize the skill set that he brings because he brings a little bit of a different skill set at times than Beau that I think can help our team." While Elliott has committed to Pribula as the starter, it sounds as though he is not against potentially deploying Holstein into packages at times.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Duke's Quarterback Competition Continues
After the departure of Darian Mensah to Miami, Duke head coach Manny Diaz remains unsettled on who will line up under center this season for the Blue Devils. Dan Mahan was a freshman on the team last season, but saw no game action. He's competing with Walker Eget, who comes in after throwing for 3,051 yards and 17 touchdowns at San Jose State a season ago, for the starting job. "They're both competing, which I love for our quarterback position right now," stated star tight end Jeremiah Hasley. "They're both slinging the ball great, throwing certain positional balls. Especially the different tempos we're going at, they're both doing exceptionally in what they're asked to do." Duke kicks off against Tulane on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3:30 PM.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Cardinals Promote Top Outfield Prospect Joshua Baez to Major Leagues
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the St. Louis Cardinals are promoting top outfield prospect Joshua Baez to the major leagues. Baez has enjoyed a dominant showing at the Triple-A level and is finally being rewarded with a promotion to The Show. Baez has spent the entire 2026 season at the Triple-A level, where he has flashed elite power and speed upside. Across 103 games with the Memphis Redbirds, the No. 44-ranked prospect in the sport (per MLB.com) has held a .256/.328/.573 line with 22 doubles, 34 home runs, and 21 stolen bases. Last summer, Baez hit just 20 home runs but swiped 54 bags over 117 games shared between High-A and Double-A. While his hefty 29.6% K% could translate to some going pains in the majors, his five-category profile makes him a top waiver wire target across all formats ahead of his debut.
Source: Jim Bowden
Source: Jim Bowden
Penn State Running Back James Peoples Standing Out at Practice
Penn State junior running back James Peoples has reportedly been standing out at practice, according to head coach Matt Campbell. Peoples transferred in from Ohio State, where he ran for 344 yards and three touchdowns a season ago. Campbell stated: "If you said who was the star of yesterday's practice, I think there's no question James had a really special day. The great tailbacks that we've also had can do three things very well." Peoples is competing for a role in Penn State's backfield alongside Iowa State transfer Carson Hansen, who came along with Campbell after rushing for 952 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Source: Bob Flounders, Penn Live
Source: Bob Flounders, Penn Live
Edrees Farooq Suffers Leg Injury, Taken to Hospital
Tennessee starting safety Edrees Farooq (leg) suffered a leg injury in practice on Friday, leaving the session in an ambulance headed to UT Medical Center. Not much else is currently known about the extent of the injury. Farooq has impressed new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who recognized the safety as the defender of the day per his X account just two hours before the injury. The junior started all 13 games last season, finishing third on the team with 76 tackles and raking in two interceptions. If he misses significant time, it will be a big loss for the Volunteers before the season kicks off.
Source: Adam Sparks, Knoxville News
Source: Adam Sparks, Knoxville News
Ian Machado Garry Can Become The New Welterweight Champion
Ian Machado Garry will try to become the new welterweight champion when he faces off against former lightweight and current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 330 on Saturday. Machado Garry has suffered only one loss in his entire career, and it was to Shavkat Rakhmonov back in December 2024. Since his loss to Rakhmonov, Machado Garry has won back-to-back fights, having beaten Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad. DraftKings sees Machado Garry as a big underdog with a salary of $7,000.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
