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Trey Amos WAS CBCommanders' Trey Amos: No return timeline yet
13m agoAmos (ankle) still has no return timeline set, Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C. reports.
Amos suffered an ankle injury last Monday and has not practiced since the issue occurred. The 2025 second-rounder has likely not progressed well in his recovery if there is still no timeline for a return. The Commanders may be preparing for Amos to miss the start of the regular season, in which case veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas will likely start opposite Mike Sainristil in the team's secondary.
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John Bates WAS TECommanders' John Bates: Set to practice Tuesday
19m agoBates (hamstring) is set to begin practicing Tuesday, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Bates suffered a hamstring injury in late July and has not practiced since the issue developed. The tight end is recovering well and is set to see at least a limited practice session Tuesday. While Bates has been absent, Ben Sinnott has been expanding his route tree in the hopes of obtaining the No. 2 tight end role. Bates will need to prove he can maintain his position behind Chig Okonkwo as he works his way back throughout the remainder of the preseason.
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Mark Gronowski MIA QBDolphins' Mark Gronowski: Signs with Miami
27m agoThe Dolphins signed Gronowski to a contract Sunday.
Gronowski's signing will bolster the Dolphins' quarterback room due to the absence of Quinn Ewers (groin). Ewers went down during the team's 20-7 preseason loss to the Commanders on Friday, making Gronowski the current No. 3 quarterback behind Malik Willis and Cam Miller. The undrafted free agent was waived by the Dolphins in early August, so this second stint with the team will likely only last until Ewers regains his health.
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Javon Bullard GB SAFPackers' Javon Bullard: Sheds walking boot
41m agoBullard (foot) is still not practicing but has removed his walking boot, Weston Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
Bullard suffered a bone bruise on his right foot last Sunday and appears to be progressing well in his rehab. The starting slot cornerback is not yet ready to put the pads back on, but walking on his own power a week after the inciting incident is a very good sign for Bullard's chances of playing in the Packers' Week 1 matchup against the Vikings.
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Tucker Kraft GB TEPackers' Tucker Kraft: Expects to be on snap count early in season
45m agoKraft said Sunday that he expects the Packers to limit his reps "probably until halfway through the season," Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Kraft has been trending toward returning Week 1 following a season-ending torn ACL suffered during Week 9 of the 2025 campaign, and he also returned to 11-on-11 drills for the first time Sunday. The fourth-year tight end added that he's hoping not to be on a rep count for the regular-season opener, per Demovsky, so it'll be worth monitoring his status leading into that game versus the Vikings on Sunday, Aug. 13. Kraft played at least 88 percent of the Packers' offensive snaps in each of their first seven games before going down last year. He finished with 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns over 8 contests in 2025. Kraft was also asked whether he expects a new contract by Week 1, saying "that's the goal," according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
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Lukas Van Ness GB LBPackers' Lukas Van Ness: Absent with shoulder issue
1h agoVan Ness (shoulder) did not participate in Sunday's practice, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
It is unclear when Van Ness suffered the injury. The starting weakside linebacker will likely sit out Friday's preseason contest against the Broncos if there is even a small chance of further aggravation. If the 2023 first-rounder does not play Friday, Brenton Cox should see more reps with the first-team defense while Collin Oliver and Nyjalik Kelly may receive more depth snaps.
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Jacob deGrom TEX SPRangers' Jacob deGrom: Plays catch without issue Sunday
5m agoRangers manager Skip Schumaker said that deGrom (triceps) responded "really well" to playing catch Sunday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
DeGrom is working through right triceps fatigue, which forced him out of his most recent start in Thursday's 7-0 loss to the Angels after just two innings. With an MRI earlier in the week revealing no major red flags, deGrom looks like he could avoid a stint on the injured list, but the Rangers have yet to lock him in for his next start. The fact that he played catch without issue is a promising sign, but deGrom may need to make it through a bullpen session Monday before the Rangers confirm him for his next turn through the rotation, which comes up Wednesday against the Nationals.
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Cam Smith HOU RFAstros' Cam Smith: Out Sunday
27m agoSmith is out of the lineup for Sunday's matchup with the Mariners.
Despite slashing .321/.345/.589 with three home runs and nine RBI in his last 15 games (58 plate appearances), Smith will sit out Sunday's rubber match. LaMonte Wade will take over in right field and bat seventh for Houston.
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Hunter Feduccia LAD CDodgers' Hunter Feduccia: Bound for bench Sunday
32m agoFeduccia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.
Feduccia will head to the bench for the series finale after he started behind the plate in both of the previous two contests. Ben Rortvedt will check in at catcher Sunday and form a battery with starting pitcher Tarik Skubal.
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Dansby Swanson CHC SSCubs' Dansby Swanson: Exits with side injury
32m agoSwanson was removed from Sunday's game against the Cardinals due to left side discomfort reports.
Swanson left the game without making an official plate appearance, as he was lifted during his first trip to the dish of the afternoon in the bottom of the third inning after he was in pain following a swing. The Cubs will likely send Swanson in for further testing and potentially an MRI before determining his availability for the start of their three-game series with the White Sox on Monday. If Swanson needs to miss time, Nico Hoerner would likely slide over from second base and take over as the Cubs' primary shortstop.
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Nolan Schanuel LAA 1BAngels' Nolan Schanuel: Idle against southpaw
38m agoSchanuel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.
The left-handed-hitting Schanuel will be given the afternoon off while the Royals send southpaw Noah Cameron to the bump. Vaughn Grissom will fill in at first base for Schanuel and will bat third.
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Tyler Heineman LAA CAngels' Tyler Heineman: Resting up Sunday
40m agoHeineman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.
Heineman had started behind the dish in the first two contests of the series but will hit the bench in the rubber match. Travis d'Arnaud will handle catching duties for the Angels on Sunday.
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Tre Mann CHA PGHornets' Tre Mann: Shipped to Cleveland
2d agoThe Hornets traded Mann to the Cavaliers on Friday in exchange for Dennis Schroder and cash considerations, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
Mann was expected to serve as backcourt depth for Charlotte before the move, and now he'll assume a similar role with his new team. He'll likely be competing in training camp with Craig Porter and Tyrese Proctor for the backup role at point guard behind James Harden, and Mann has an opportunity for a fresh start after playing a career-low 12.6 minutes per game for the Hornets last regular season.
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Dennis Schroder CLE PGCavaliers' Dennis Schroder: Heading to Charlotte
2d agoThe Cavaliers traded Schroder and cash considerations to the Hornets on Friday in exchange for Tre Mann, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
The two sides are effectively swapping backcourt depth with the move. Schroder averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game across 70 regular-season appearances between the Cavaliers and Kings in 2025-26, and he gives the rebuilding Hornets a veteran presence as a backup point guard behind Coby White.
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Bradley Beal LAC SGClippers' Bradley Beal: Returning to Clippers
3d agoBeal (hip) agreed to a two-year, $13.2 million contract with Los Angeles on Thursday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Beal declined his $5.6 million player option for the 2026-27 season and became a free agent earlier this offseason, but he's agreed to new terms with the Clippers. The 33-year-old never got going during the 2025-26 campaign, as he suffered a fractured left hip in November after appearing in only six matchups. It remains to be seen whether Beal will be healthy for the start of the season, though once he is, he'll be expected to offer key contributions in the backcourt alongside rookie Keaton Wagler.
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Ethan Thompson IND SGEthan Thompson: Cut loose by Indiana
3d agoThompson was waived by the Pacers on Thursday, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.
This move, which opens up a two-way spot on the Indiana roster, will allow Thompson to pursue opportunities overseas, per Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com. Thompson appeared in 32 games (13 starts) with the Pacers a season ago, averaging 7.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 20.4 minutes per matchup.
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Haywood Highsmith PHO SFSuns' Haywood Highsmith: Waived by Phoenix
4d agoHighsmith was waived by the Suns on Wednesday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports.
Highsmith appeared in only seven games for the Suns during the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 5.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists across 13.0 minutes. The 29-year-old has plenty of experience, and while he could find a new team ahead of the 2026-27 season, he likely won't see much playing time.
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Russell Westbrook SAC PGRussell Westbrook: Announces retirement from NBA
4d agoWestbrook announced his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday.
Westbrook is calling it a career after spending 18 years in the league. The nine-time All-Star was the 2016-17 MVP and is hanging it up as the NBA's all-time triple-double leader, compiling 209 triple-doubles over the course of his illustrious career. Westbrook, a future Hall of Famer, averaged 20.9 points, 8.0 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game across stints with the Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets and Kings.
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Brad Marchand FLA LWPanthers' Brad Marchand: Availability for start of season in doubt
1d agoMarchand (lower body) had offseason surgery and could be unavailable for the start of the 2026-27 campaign, according to George Richards of Florida Hockey Now on Saturday.
Marchand sat out the final 19 games of the 2025-26 regular season due to what is believed to be a hip and sports hernia injury. He had 27 goals and 54 points in 52 appearances before ending the year on long-term injured reserve. With Marchand's availability unclear, Sandis Vilmanis, Cole Schwindt, Cole Reinhardt and Sam Lafferty could be in the mix for a roster spot with the Panthers out of training camp.
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David Jiricek PHI DFlyers' David Jiricek: Likely to make NHL roster
2d agoJiricek is projected to make the Flyers' roster to start the 2026-27 campaign, per Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
With Philadelphia returning each of their top five defensemen from a season ago, general manager Danny Briere was asked about the last slot and had high praise for Jiricek. The 22-year-old blueliner has struggled to gain traction at the NHL level, as he has just 13 points across 85 career regular-season outings. However, the sixth overall selection from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft offers a strong shot and solid two-way potential if things click for him at the highest level. He'll likely see competition from young right-shot defenseman Oliver Bonk, but Jiricek has a real chance to receive a regular spot in the Flyers' lineup as they look to return to the postseason for the second straight year. Ahead of the 2026-27 fantasy hockey season, he might be a worthy streaming option if he proves capable of earning a consistent role in the lineup.
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Oliver Bonk PHI DFlyers' Oliver Bonk: Might earn NHL roster spot
2d agoBonk is expected to be in the mix for an Opening Night roster spot, per Jordan Hall on NBC Sports Philadelphia on Friday.
Bonk got his first taste of NHL action when he recorded a goal and an assist across 16:28 of ice time in a 4-2 win over Montreal on April 14. He also recorded a hit while logging 12:36 in a playoff appearance May 9. At the AHL level, he had six goals and 19 points in 46 regular-season outings with Lehigh Valley in 2025-26. The 21-year-old has enough offensive upside to be worth keeping an eye on. He'll probably be limited to a third-pairing role if he does make the Flyers out of training camp, but he might also get some power-play ice time in that scenario.
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Lynden Lakovic WAS LW
Capitals' Lynden Lakovic: Likely to make jump to AHL
3d agoLakovic is expected to make the jump to the AHL level for the 2026-27 campaign, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.
Lakovic was a first-round pick by the Capitals in 2025, and he was loaned to WHL Moose Jaw last year. He made 22 regular-season appearances for the club, recording 18 goals, 11 assists and eight PIM before he sustained a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. However, he's expected to be ready for training camp in the fall and has been able to add size and muscle over the past few months. The 19-year-old should spend time with the Capitals during training camp before presumably spending most of the regular season with AHL Hershey. If he makes enough of an impact with the Bears, it's possible he could make his NHL debut at some point during the 2026-27 campaign.
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Ivan Miroshnichenko WAS LWCapitals' Ivan Miroshnichenko: Could push for NHL role once again
3d agoMiroshnichenko could push for playing time in the NHL once again during the 2026-27 season, Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News reports.
Miroshnichenko has had brief stints in the NHL across the past three seasons, totaling five goals, eight assists, 97 hits, 19 blocked shots and eight PIM while averaging 10:32 of ice time across 52 regular-season appearances. He's made the most of regular playing time with AHL Hershey, most recently recording 14 goals, 20 assists and 47 PIM over 41 regular-season appearances last year. If the 22-year-old can showcase his skill set during training camp, he could make the case for more of a full-time role with the Capitals during the 2026-27 season.
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Ilya Protas WAS LW
Capitals' Ilya Protas: Likely to take on full-time role
3d agoProtas will likely take on a full-time role for the Capitals during the 2026-27 campaign, Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News reports.
Protas was productive for AHL Hershey last year, recording 29 goals, 37 assists and 40 PIM across 69 regular-season appearances. He was rewarded with a late-season call-up, and he generated a goal, three assists, two blocked shots and two PIM while averaging 15:54 of ice time across four appearances with the Capitals, marking his first taste of NHL action. Following his brief stint with Washington last year, Protas should have the opportunity to carve out regular playing time in the NHL during the 2026-27 campaign.
