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Calvin Anderson NE OT
Patriots' Calvin Anderson: Re-works deal
28m agoThe Patriots and Anderson have agreed to a restructured contract, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
The agreement slightly reduces the base value of Anderson's deal down from $3.35 million, with the move in line to create $990,000 in salary cap space for New England. In his second season with the Patriots, the 28-year-old -- who finished the 2023 campaign on IR -- figures to compete for a swing tackle role along the team's offensive line, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
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Deshaun Watson CLE QB
Browns' Deshaun Watson: Making 40-yard throws
2h agoBrowns GM Andrew Berry said Thursday that Watson (shoulder) has been making throws of up to 40 yards, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
While not quite willing to guarantee that Watson will be ready for the regular-season opener, Berry did confirm that's the expectation and said the Browns are "pretty optimistic" about the QB's rehab process so far. Watson spoke with reporters Tuesday, mentioning that the team medical staff favors a cautious approach that would see him wait until training camp before returning to full practice participation. The 28-year-old thus figures to be limited during OTAs, giving free-agent additions Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley more chances to throw to the team's top receivers. The Browns traded for WR Jerry Jeudy in March and still have WRs Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore as well as TE David Njoku. There's also a strong chance of improved blocking this season, after 2023 saw the Browns lose their top three OTs to season-ending knee injuries. Watson is the biggest variable though, perhaps more so because of his disappointing 2022-23 performance than the ongoing rehab from Nov. 21 surgery to repair a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder.
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Nick Chubb CLE RB
Browns' Nick Chubb: Running on land again
2h agoChubb (knee) resumed running on land within the last week, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Chubb took his rehab to the next level shortly after agreeing last Thursday to a contract alteration that converted a large portion of his scheduled $11.75 million base salary into incentives. He's entering the final season of a three-year extension and still faces a long path to complete his rehab from surgeries in September and November to address ACL, MCL and meniscus injuries in his left knee. It's the same knee in which he suffered a major injury Oct. 2015 -- his sophomore season at Georgia -- and he later had an MCL sprain in the knee Oct. 2020. The Browns hope the 28-year-old is ready for Week 1, but they're also preparing for the possibility of missed time, having added RBs D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines (knee) to a roster that still has Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong.
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Cam Brown NYG LB
Dolphins' Cam Brown: Inks deal in Miami
16h agoBrown agreed to a contract with the Dolphins on Wednesday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Brown appeared in 60 career games as a special-teams ace during his first four seasons with the Giants, tallying 24 tackles over that span. The 26-year-old played exclusively on special teams in 16 games during the 2023 campaign, so he'll more than likely fulfill a similar role for Miami in 2024.
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Justin Murray CLE OT
Justin Murray: Hangs it up
16h agoThe Browns placed Murray on the retired/reserve list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Murray played for the Raiders, Cardinals, Bills and Titans during his six-year NFL career, appearing in 41 games with 20 starts during his professional tenure. The soon-to-be 31-year-old joined Cleveland's practice squad last November and then signed a futures contract in January, but he never played in any games for the team.
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J.K. Dobbins BAL RB
Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Slated to join Chargers
18h agoDobbins (Achilles) is in line to sign a one-contract with the Chargers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
A second-round pick of the Ravens in 2020, Dobbins had two of his first four pro seasons cut short due to an ACL tear in 2021 and then a torn left Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. In his 24 career appearances, he's averaged a robust 5.8 yards on 234 carries, gathered in 27 of 35 targets for 177 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache penned a letter to NFL teams in late March that Dobbins had received medical clearance to participate in football activities, but his new contract will be contingent on a physical. Once the move west to L.A. becomes official, Dobbins will join forces with former teammate Gus Edwards at the top of the RB depth chart, giving him some sway in fantasy working alongside QB Justin Herbert.
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Gunnar Henderson BAL SS
Orioles' Gunnar Henderson: Keeps slugging Wednesday
2m agoHenderson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Twins.
Henderson has six homers on the year, including one in each of the last three games. He's also posted four straight multi-hit efforts. The shortstop is thriving as the leadoff hitter in a strong offense, slashing .288/.346/.603 with four stolen bases, 15 RBI and 13 runs scored through 18 contests overall.
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Wes Parsons CLE RP
Guardians' Wes Parsons: Back in Columbus
4m agoThe Guardians optioned Parsons to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.
Parsons was pushed off the big-league roster in order to make room for Pedro Avila, who was acquired from San Diego on Wednesday. Parsons has given up six earned runs in nine innings this season between the Guardians and Blue Jays, and he may return to Cleveland later in the year as a multi-inning relief option.
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David Festa MIN P
Twins' David Festa: Hot start at Triple-A
4m agoFesta has a 1.46 ERA and 11.2 K/9 through four games (12.1 innings) at Triple-A St. Paul.
Festa threw four scoreless innings in his last start Wednesday. Festa is perhaps Minnesota's top pitching prospect and his early success is notable with the last two spots in the big league rotation struggling (Louie Varland and Chris Paddack). However, Festa has an ugly 8.2 BB/9 and hasn't gone more than four innings in any start. He may not be seen as an option this early in the season if Varland and Paddack continue to struggle as a result.
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Patrick Bailey SF C
Giants' Patrick Bailey: Picks up first steal
5m agoBailey went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Marlins.
Bailey's steal was his first of 2024, matching his total from 97 contests in 2023. As a catcher, speed is often not high on the list of priorities. He's cooled off after posting three multi-hit effort over his first five games this season, but Bailey is still batting .286 with a .765 OPS, one home run, four RBI, three runs scored and two doubles over 51 plate appearances in a starting role.
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Rob Refsnyder BOS LF
Red Sox's Rob Refsnyder: Returns from IL
28m agoThe Red Sox reinstated Refsnyder (toe) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.
Refsnyder isn't included in the lineup for Thursday's series finale with the Guardians, but he should see regular playing time versus left-handed pitching as a possible platoon mate for the lefty-hitting Wilyer Abreu in the corner outfield. The 33-year-old also made a start at first base during his four-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester, making him a possible option at that position if Triston Casas should need a day off. Refsnyder, who missed the first three weeks of the season with a fractured left pinkie toe, produced a .682 OPS in 242 plate appearances for Boston in 2023.
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Tyler O'Neill BOS RF
Red Sox's Tyler O'Neill: Goes on 7-day IL
32m agoBoston placed O'Neill on the 7-day concussion injured list Thursday.
O'Neill collided with teammate Rafael Devers in Monday's 6-0 loss to the Guardians, and while he cleared initial concussion protocol, he's now been diagnosed with a mild concussion, per Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican. O'Neill also required stitches for a laceration on his forehead. He will be eligible to return from the IL next Tuesday. Rob Refsnyder (toe) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list to take O'Neill's spot on the 26-man active roster.
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Nicolas Batum PHI PF
76ers' Nicolas Batum: Shines off bench Wednesday
3h agoBatum provided 20 points (7-12 FG, 6-10 3Pt), five rebounds and one block in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 105-104 Play-In Game victory over the Heat.
It was widely known that Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey were going to carry the Sixers in this matchup against the Heat, but the truth is that Philadelphia wouldn't have gotten the win hadn't it been for Batum's impressive effort off the bench. The 20-point output was a season-high mark for the veteran, and even though his role is not going to change drastically in the first-round matchup against New York, he should continue to see decent minutes on a regular basis. Perhaps surprisingly, he went scoreless in the four times he faced the Knicks during the regular season.
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Joel Embiid PHI C
76ers' Joel Embiid: Plays big minutes in Play-In win
3h agoEmbiid logged 23 points (6-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 9-10 FT), 15 rebounds, five assists and one steal over 38 minutes during Wednesday's 105-104 Play-In Game victory over Miami.
Embiid had a complicated matchup against Bam Adebayo, arguably one of the best defensive centers in The Association, and even though his efficiency was subpar, he still led Philadephia in scoring while coming through with a clutch performance from the charity stripe. Embiid should be in line for a productive first-round series against the Knicks, and even though he only faced them once in the regular season, he delivered a 30-point, 10-rebound, three-block performance on Jan. 5.
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Tyrese Maxey PHI PG
76ers' Tyrese Maxey: Scores 19 in win over Miami
3h agoMaxey accumulated 19 points (6-16 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds and six assists across 44 minutes during Wednesday's 105-104 Play-In Game victory over the Heat.
Maxey had a rough night from three-point range, but he still salvaged his stat line by sniffing the 20-point mark and dishing out six assists. Maxey is expected to play a prominent role on offense in the first-round matchup against the Knicks, and it's worth noting he averaged 26.3 points per game in three games vs. New York during the regular season.
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Jaime Jaquez Jr. MIA SF
Heat's Jaime Jaquez: Decent stat line in loss
3h agoJaquez closed Wednesday's 105-104 Play-In Game loss to the 76ers with 15 points (6-11 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal across 22 minutes.
Jaquez looked good despite coming off the bench and was one of Miami's top contributors on offense. He's widely expected to move into the starting lineup for Friday's matchup against the Bulls due to the absence of Jimmy Butler (knee), and that would translate into an uptick in his usage rate.
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Bam Adebayo MIA C
Heat's Bam Adebayo: Double-double in loss Wednesday
3h agoAdebayo posted 10 points (5-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 12 rebounds, one assist and two blocks across 31 minutes during Wednesday's 105-104 Play-In Game loss to the 76ers.
Adebayo wasn't as involved as expected on the offensive end of the court, as he had to deal with a tough matchup against Joel Embiid, but he still found a way to finish with a double-double even if the Heat came up short of winning. Knowing the Heat will be without Jimmy Butler (knee) for Friday's game against the Bulls, Adebayo should experience an uptick in usage rate and volume while dealing with the matchup of Nikola Vucevic, who's nowhere near as good as Embiid on the defensive end of the court.
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Tyler Herro MIA PG
Heat's Tyler Herro: Paces team in scoring in loss
3h agoHerro registered 25 points (9-27 FG, 4-14 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds and nine assists over 41 minutes during Wednesday's 105-104 Play-In Game loss to Philadelphia.
Herro might have needed 27 shots to score 25 shots, but the uptick in usage rate happened since Jimmy Butler suffered a knee injury in the first quarter, which limited him considerably, and Bam Adebayo had a rough matchup with Joel Embiid. Herro has reached the 20-point mark in four of his last six outings, and considering Butler will miss Friday's win-or-go-home matchup against the Bulls, he should be in line for another heavy usage rate vs. Chicago.
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Adam Lowry WPG C
Jets' Adam Lowry: Sitting out Thursday
4m agoLowry (rest) won't be in the lineup Thursday versus Vancouver, per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press.
Coach Rick Bowness is giving the 31-year-old center the night off to get ready for the playoffs, which begin on the weekend. Lowry had 12 goals, 23 assists and 181 hits in 81 outings this season.
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Devin Cooley SJ G
Sharks' Devin Cooley: Gets nod Thursday
7m agoCooley will guard the road crease in Thursday's regular-season finale against Calgary, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.
Cooley struggled tremendously in his last start, allowing eight goals on 22 shots in a 9-2 loss to Edmonton on Monday. The 26-year-old has recorded an .882 save percentage and a 2-2-1 record in five NHL appearances. He will attempt to end the season on a good note with a win against the Flames.
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Kyle Connor WPG LW
Jets' Kyle Connor: Not playing Thursday
8m agoConnor (rest) will be held out of the final game of the season versus Vancouver on Thursday, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.
Connor finished the season with 34 goals and 61 points in 65 games, after going on an eight-game scoring streak -- picking up four goals and 12 points during the streak. Look for Connor to return to the lineup on the weekend when the Jets open their opening-round series.
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Dustin Wolf CGY G
Flames' Dustin Wolf: Starting Thursday
12m agoWolf will start Thursday's regular-season finale at home against San Jose, per Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan.
Wolf stopped 30 of 35 shots in his last start Sunday in a 6-5 win over the Coyotes. The 23-year-old has been sub-par this season, recording an .891 save percentage and a 6-7-1 record in 16 appearances. He will have a favorable matchup against San Jose, which is 8-24-4 on the road this year.
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Derek Forbort BOS D
Bruins' Derek Forbort: Won't play Saturday
31m agoForbort (undisclosed) will be reevaluated after Game 1 against the Leafs on Saturday, Ty Anderson 98.5 The Sports Hub reports.
Forbort is currently with AHL Providence on a conditioning assignment and could be in the lineup against AHL Springfield on Friday. Barring any setbacks, the blueliner could link back up with Boston ahead of a Game 2 matchup, perhaps challenging Andrew Peeke for a spot in the lineup.
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Zach Parise COL LW
Avalanche's Zach Parise: Retiring at end of playoffs
37m agoParise said that Thursday's game versus Edmonton will be the last regular-season game in his career, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.
Parise hopes to win a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche to complete his NHL career. The winger inked a deal with Colorado in the middle of the season and had four goals and nine points in 29 contests. Parise played 19 seasons in the NHL and was one of the best players in the NHL while playing for the Islanders in 2008-09 and the following year. He has 433 goals and 455 assists in 1,253 career NHL games.