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Darius Slayton NYG WR
Giants' Darius Slayton: Seeking new deal
31m agoSlayton (thumb) -- who is reportedly seeking a contract extension -- hasn't reported to the Giants' voluntary workouts, Jordan Raanan of ESPN reports.
The report notes that Slayton, who led the team with 770 receiving yards (on 50 catches) in 17-regular season games in 2023, has attended the Giants' voluntary offseason program in the past. The 27-year-old wideout is in line to earn $6.2 million in the final year of his contract with New York this coming season, but evidently Slayton is looking to amend those terms. At this stage, the 2019 fifth-rounder -- who is bouncing back from an offseason procedure on his right thumb -- is poised to retain a key role in a Giants' WR corps that also currently includes Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, with further depth likely to arrive via the upcoming NFL draft.
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Jaelan Phillips MIA LB
Dolphins' Jaelan Phillips: Set for fifth-year option
5h agoThe Dolphins plan to pick up the fifth-year contract option of Phillips (Achilles) before May's deadline, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN reports.
General manager Chris Grier said Tuesday that Miami intends to pick up the fifth-year options of both Phillips and Jaylen Waddle. A right Achilles tear limited Phillips to just eight games last season, but he's reportedly on track to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 campaign. He's been one of the Dolphins' more impactful pass rushers over the past three seasons, and the team will be more in need of those talents than ever with Christian Wilkins having moved on to Las Vegas.
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De'Von Achane MIA RB
Dolphins' De'Von Achane: Bulks up during offseason
5h agoAchane looks more muscular after working out this offseason, Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post reports.
A photo of Achane showing up for OTAs went viral, with some saying he looks much larger than he did during his rookie campaign. It's his second offseason bulking up for football without also considering track and field, though at this point it's unclear how much he's added relative to his weight from the 2023 NFL Combine (where he ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at 188 pounds). Achane averaged 7.8 yards per carry and scored a TD per game last season, albeit with injuries (six missed games) and Raheem Mostert's presence (209 carries) limiting the rookie to 103 carries and 27 catches in his 11 appearances. The Dolphins still have Mostert under contract -- along with backups Jeff Wilson, Salvon Ahmed (foot) and Chris Brooks -- but they'll presumably task Achane with more of the backfield work in his second pro season.
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Royce Freeman LAR RB
Cowboys' Royce Freeman: Picked up by Dallas
21h agoFreeman signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys on Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Freeman spent his first three seasons with the Broncos before stops with the Panthers, Texans and Rams the last three years. The journeyman tallied 319 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in Los Angeles last year across 14 games. Dallas lost Tony Pollard to free agency, so its running back room currently consists of Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn (ankle), Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and Freeman. Freeman could get an opportunity to carve out a role for himself, but the Cowboys still seem likely to invest in the position during the 2024 Draft.
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Trent Taylor CHI WR
49ers' Trent Taylor: Returns to Bay Area
1d agoTaylor signed a one-year contract with the 49ers on Tuesday, Lindsey Pallares of the team's official site reports.
Taylor started his career in San Francisco before a two-year stay with the Bengals, and he spent the 2023 campaign with the Bears. The 29-year-old will have the opportunity to earn a role in the return game with the Niners after the departure of Ray-Ray McCloud in free agency this offseason.
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Trent Taylor CHI WR
Trent Taylor: Could return to Bay Area
1d agoTaylor has talked to the 49ers about a potential return to the team, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Taylor was selected by San Francisco in the fifth round of the 2017 Draft and spent three seasons there before stops in Cincinnati and Chicago. The 49ers do currently have a void in their return game, with Ray-Ray McCloud now in Atlanta, which is likely where the interest in Taylor lies.
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Joe Jacques BOS RP
Red Sox's Joe Jacques: Recalled from Triple-A
5m agoJacques was recalled from Triple-A Worcester by the Red Sox on Wednesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Jacques made 23 appearances for the Red Sox last season, collecting a 5.06 ERA and 20:10 K:BB over 26.2 innings. He will provide manager Alex Cora with another left-handed relief option.
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Cedric Mullins BAL CF
Orioles' Cedric Mullins: Walks off Twins
6m agoMullins went 1-for-4 with a walk-off, two-run home run during Wednesday's 4-2 win against the Twins.
Mullins extended his hit streak to nine games and has clubbed homers in three of the past four contests. The 29-year-old has rebounded from a poor start to the season and has a .259/.308/.552 slash line with five home runs, three steals, 15 RBI and 14 runs through 17 games.
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Garrett Whitlock BOS SP
Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Lands on injured list
6m agoWhitlock was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Red Sox on Wednesday with a left oblique strain, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Whitlock suffered the injury during Tuesday's start against the Guardians. It sounds like it's a low-grade strain and the Red Sox are just being safe, as the hope is that the right-hander will be ready to return when first eligible. It's not yet clear who will take Whitlock's spot in the rotation, but Chase Anderson is a candidate.
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Elijah Morgan CLE RP
Guardians' Eli Morgan: Shelved with shoulder inflammation
11m agoThe Guardians placed Morgan on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Morgan presumably was diagnosed with the injury after he struck out two batters over two scoreless frames of relief in Tuesday's 10-7 win over Boston in 11 innings. The Guardians called up Wes Parsons from Triple-A Columbus to replace Morgan on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen.
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Craig Kimbrel BAL RP
Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Earns third win
12m agoKimbel (3-0) earned the win Wednesday against the Twins after he retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning. He had one strikeout.
The veteran right-hander entered for the top of the ninth in a 2-2 tie and retired the side in order on 12 pitches, and he picked up the win when Cedric Mullins launched a walk-off homer in the bottom of the frame. Kimbrel allowed a run in his season debut but has since delivered seven straight scoreless appearances, and he has a 0.29 WHIP and 12:0 K:BB with four saves and two wins during that stretch.
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Angel Martinez CLE SS
Guardians' Angel Martinez: Shifts to 60-day IL
13m agoThe Guardians transferred Martinez (foot) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday due to a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Martinez opened the season on the IL with what the Guardians listed as a right foot contusion, but he appears to have been diagnosed with the broken hand upon being lifted early in his third rehab game with Triple-A Columbus this past Saturday. As a result of the move to the 60-day IL, Martinez won't be eligible for activation until late May. Martinez has two minor-league options remaining and is likely to be assigned to Columbus once he completes a rehab assignment and is ready for activation.
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Dean Wade CLE PF
Cavaliers' Dean Wade: Doesn't practice, unlikely to play
1h agoCoach J.B. Bickerstaff said Wade (knee) didn't practice Wednesday and is unlikely to play in Saturday's Game 1 against the Magic, Evan Dammarell of FearTheSword.com reports.
Wade carved out a substantial role when the Cavaliers dealt with multiple injuries, mainly to Evan Mobley, earlier in the season, but he hasn't played since March 8 due to a knee injury. In Wade's likely absence, Georges Niang and Marcus Morris are candidates for a few extra minutes off the bench.
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Damian Lillard MIL PG
Bucks' Damian Lillard: Still not practicing, status TBD
1h agoLillard didn't practice Tuesday or Wednesday due to lingering groin and abductor injuries, Jamal Collier of ESPN.com reports.
Lillard has been dealing with the injuries for the last three weeks and missed four of the Bucks' final nine regular-season games. The superstar sharpshooter said Tuesday he won't be 100 percent for the postseason but added that no one is at this point in the campaign. Coach Doc Rivers said tests on Lillard's lower body returned clean but added that he still wanted to give his point guard "a little more rest."
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Kawhi Leonard LAC SF
Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Not cleared for 5-on-5
1h agoCoach Tyronn Lue said Wednesday that Leonard (knee) is progressing but hasn't been cleared for 5-on-5 drills yet, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Leonard missed the final eight regular-season games due to right knee inflammation but returned to practice Monday, albeit in a limited fashion. His official status for Sunday's Game 1 against the Mavericks won't be known until Saturday afternoon, but Lue said he's preparing as if Leonard will be available to start the postseason.
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Zion Williamson NO PF
Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Out at least two weeks
2h agoThe Pelicans announced Wednesday that Williamson was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks.
Williamson suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Tuesday's Play-In Tournament loss to the Lakers and was already ruled out for the win-or-go-home matchup versus the Kings on Friday. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick's career has been defined by injuries, but he showed off his unique skill set when healthy this season and was dominant before leaving Tuesday's game, posting 40 points (17-27 FG) and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes. If Williamson is cleared right at the two-week mark, he could return late in a potential first-round series versus the Thunder, but the Pelicans must defeat Sacramento first to keep their season alive.
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Sam Merrill CLE SG
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Participates in practice
3h agoMerrill (neck) went through Wednesday's practice without issue, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill missed the final three games of the regular season due to a neck strain. However, Merrill's participation in practice is a good sign of his availability for Saturday's Game 1 against the Magic.
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Zion Williamson NO PF
Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Won't play Friday
3h agoWilliamson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Friday's Play-In Game against the Kings, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Williamson suffered a left hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's Play-In Tournament loss to the Lakers and won't be available for the win-or-go-home matchup versus Sacramento on Friday. This is a huge blow for Williamson, who shined during his first playoff exposure by posting 40 points (17-27 FG) and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes before leaving the contest. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick's career continues to be defined by injuries, but the extent of his latest one remains unclear. If the Pelicans defeat the Kings and advance to the opening-round series against the Thunder, Williamson's next chance to suit up would come Sunday night.
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Adam Ginning PHI D
Flyers' Adam Ginning: Moved to minors
9m agoGinning will report to AHL Lehigh Valley, the team announced Wednesday.
Ginning scored a goal in nine appearances with the Flyers in 2023-24. He also has two goals, 13 points and 82 PIM in 56 contests with Lehigh Valley. The 24-year-old forward will fight for a bottom-six roster spot with the Flyers during training camp.
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Ronnie Attard PHI D
Flyers' Ronnie Attard: Will report to AHL
12m agoAttard was moved to AHL Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.
Attard registered two assists in 12 appearances with the Flyers this year. He also has appeared in 46 outings with Lehigh Valley, collecting 10 goals and 25 points in that span. The 25-year-old might not be able to make the 2024-25 NHL roster out of training camp, but even if he falls short of that mark, Attard is likely to see time with the Flyers at various points during the campaign as an injury replacement.
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Olle Lycksell PHI RW
Flyers' Olle Lycksell: Returns to minors
15m agoLycksell was reassigned to AHL Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.
Lycksell supplied a goal and five points in 18 appearances with the Flyers in 2023-24. He also has 19 goals and 38 points in 36 outings with Lehigh Valley. Philadelphia's season is over, but Lycksell will link back up with the team for training camp to compete for a bottom-six roster spot.
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Bobby Brink PHI RW
Flyers' Bobby Brink: Heads to AHL
18m agoBrink was sent to AHL Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.
Brink had 11 goals and 23 points in 57 contests with the Flyers this season. Now that Philadelphia's campaign is over, the 22-year-old will help Lehigh Valley. He has provided six goals and 11 points in 11 appearances with the minor-league club in 2023-24.
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Alex Pietrangelo LV D
Golden Knights' Alex Pietrangelo: Unavailable for Thursday
22m agoPietrangelo (illness) will miss Thursday's tilt versus Anaheim, according to Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Pietrangelo hasn't been in the lineup since April 2, but it wouldn't be surprising if he dressed for Game 1 of the playoffs. The 34-year-old defenseman will finish the 2023-24 campaign with four goals and 33 points across 64 outings.
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Anthony Mantha LV RW
Golden Knights' Anthony Mantha: Set to miss out Thursday
24m agoMantha (undisclosed) is expected to remain on the shelf against the Ducks on Thursday, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Mantha was skating in a non-contact jersey Wednesday, which raises doubts regarding his availability for the postseason -- though he hasn't been officially ruled out for Game 1 yet. In his last 11 contests, the Quebec native notched two goals on 15 shots and seven helpers.