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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
David Njoku Hard to Trust in Crowded Tight End Room
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku landed with a much better quarterback this offseason, but the fantasy setup around him is a lot less comfortable. Njoku caught 33 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games for Cleveland last season, well below the 81-882-6 line he posted in 2023. Justin Herbert gives him a chance to rebound, especially near the goal line, where 26 of Njoku's 34 career touchdowns have come. The problem is finding enough work between the 20s. Oronde Gadsden II is coming off a 49-catch, 664-yard rookie season, Charlie Kolar was added in free agency, and the Chargers' first unofficial depth chart lists all three with an OR designation at tight end. Njoku has flashed in the red zone during camp, but there still isn't much separation in this group. RotoBaller has him at TE33 in half-PPR. The quarterback upgrade is real, but without a clearer route and target advantage, Njoku looks more like a touchdown-dependent TE3 than someone to trust in standard redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
AK Dear Suffers Ankle Injury, Set to Miss Time
Sophomore Alabama running back AK Dear suffered an ankle injury in Alabama's latest scrimmage on Thursday, per On3's Pete Nakos. Dear is currently looking at a six-week timetable before he can return to football activities, meaning that this injury will leak into the season. The sophomore rushed 19 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman, playing sparingly despite his status as a highly-rated recruit. He was reportedly looking great at camp, and had scored a touchdown in the scrimmage before suffering the injury. With Dear set to miss time, Alabama's backfield should be a committee of juniors Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley, freshman EJ Crowell, and freshman Trae'shawn Brown.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Islam Makhachev Set For His First Welterweight Title Defense
Former lightweight champion and current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is scheduled for his first title defense against Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330 on Saturday. Makhachev holds several UFC lightweight records. Among them include longest winning streak at 14, the most title fight wins at five, and the most successful lightweight title defenses with four. He was last seen in action in November at UFC 322, where he became the new welterweight champion by beating Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision. DraftKings sees Makhachev as a big favorite with a salary of $9,200.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Mackenzie Dern Set To Defend Her Title
Women's strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern is scheduled for her first title defense against Gillian Robertson in the co-main event of UFC 330 on Saturday. Dern was last seen in action in October at UFC 321, where she became the new women's strawweight champion by defeating Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision. She is currently on a three-fight winning streak, having beaten Loopy Godinez, Amanda Ribas, and the already-mentioned Jandiroba. DraftKings sees Dern as a big favorite with a salary of $9,000.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Colts Coach Brian Mason Tears Several Knee Ligaments
Indianapolis Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason suffered multiple torn ligaments in his knee after being rolled up on during Thursday night's preseason game against the New England Patriots, according to Joel A. Erickson. The injury happened on the final play of the 13-13 tie, when two players engaged near the sideline ran into Mason. Head coach Shane Steichen said after the game that Mason was being evaluated for a knee injury, and Erickson reported Friday that the damage includes multiple torn ligaments. Mason is entering his fourth season as Indianapolis' special teams coordinator and has been with Shane Steichen's staff since 2023. There has been no reported timetable for Mason's recovery, and the Colts have not announced whether the injury will keep him away from the team once practices resume.
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Gillian Robertson Set For UFC 330 Co-Main Event
Gillian Robertson will try to become the new women's strawweight champion when she faces off against Mackenzie Dern in the co-main event of UFC 330 on Saturday. Since losing to Tabatha Ricci back in 2023, Robertson has looked incredible, winning five consecutive fights. Robertson was last seen in action in March at UFC Vegas 114, where she extended her win streak by beating Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision. DraftKings sees Robertson as the underdog with a salary of $7,200.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Josh Jacobs Could Return to Practice Late Next Week
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (groin) could return to practice late next week. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that Jacobs could "potentially" get back on the field during the upcoming week, according to Rob Demovsky, but added that it would not be until later in the week. Jacobs has been out since Aug. 6 with the groin injury and was already ruled out for this week's practices. He is coming off a 2025 season in which he rushed 234 times for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns in 15 games, while adding 36 catches for 282 yards and another score. Green Bay has been able to give MarShawn Lloyd extended first-team work while Jacobs is sidelined, but there has been no indication that Jacobs' lead role is in question. LaFleur's latest comments are encouraging, though his wording still leaves some uncertainty. Jacobs does not have a firm return date yet.
Source: Rob Demovsky
Source: Rob Demovsky
Kaue Fernandes Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Kaue Fernandes will look to extend his win streak when he faces off against Jalin Turner on the main card of UFC 330 on Saturday. Fernandes was last seen in the Octagon almost a year ago at UFC Paris, where he extended his win streak to three by beating Harry Hardwick via first-round TKO. He is currently 3-1 in the UFC. Kaue joined the leading promotion in September 2023, starting his journey with a split-decision defeat to Marc Diakiese. DraftKings sees Fernandes as the underdog with a salary of $7,600.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
James Pearce Jr. Suspended Eight Games
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 regular season for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. The NFL announced Friday that the suspension will begin Aug. 30, and Pearce will be eligible for reinstatement Nov. 2. The discipline follows his February arrest in Florida after a domestic dispute involving his former girlfriend, Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson. Pearce later entered a pretrial intervention program that could result in the charges being dismissed if he completes its conditions. Atlanta is already without Jalon Walker, who tore his ACL earlier this month, so the Falcons will open the year missing both of their 2025 first-round edge rushers. Pearce was a huge part of the pass rush as a rookie, leading Atlanta with 10.5 sacks and adding 16 quarterback hits. RotoBaller had him 90th overall in its latest IDP rankings, but an eight-game absence makes him difficult to carry in standard IDP redraft leagues.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Jalin Turner Returns At UFC 330
Jalin Turner will try to win back-to-back fights when he takes on Kaue Fernandes on the main card of UFC 330 on Saturday. Turner was last seen in action in December at UFC 323, where he returned from retirement, taking on UFC legend Edson Barboza and finishing him via first-round TKO. He has only won two of his last five bouts under the promotion. DraftKings sees Turner as the favorite with a salary of $8,600.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
