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Nate Wiggins BAL CBRavens' Nate Wiggins: Back in practice Monday
2m agoWiggins (leg) returned to practice Monday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
This is a big development for the Ravens' secondary after Wiggins had an injury scare in practice on Aug. 11. Wiggins is reportedly already back in pads, which bodes well for his participation level in practice this week. The third-year player out of Clemson is the key piece of Baltimore's cornerback room.
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Brenden Bates CLE TEBrenden Bates: Waived by Browns
6m agoBates (undisclosed) was waived with an injury designation Monday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
The Browns brought in Jermaine Terry in a corresponding move to add more depth to the tight end room. Bates, a third-year tight end out of Kentucky, will now look to latch on with another team.
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Nick Mullens JAC QBJaguars' Nick Mullens: Status in question this week
10m agoMullens (undisclosed) is unlikely to return to practice this week, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.
Coach Liam Coen provided the update on Mullens on Monday, and now it appears that the vet may not be available for the Jaguars' second preseason game set for Friday against the Panthers. Mullens went 3-for-7 for 33 yards and an interception in the preseason opener against the Saints. A Mullens absence would open more reps for Carter Bradley and Joey Aguilar.
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Trevor Lawrence JAC QBJaguars' Trevor Lawrence: Could play in Friday's contest
40m agoCoach Liam Coen is considering playing starters, a group that would include Lawrence, in Friday's preseason game against the Panthers, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.
Lawrence sat out this past Saturday's preseason opener versus the Saints, but the Jaguars' franchise QB could see some action Friday. In that scenario, Coen relayed that the team's starters may "get a couple drives potentially."
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Tua Tagovailoa ATL QBFalcons' Tua Tagovailoa: Likely to sit out second preseason game
40m agoTagovailoa is expected to be rested for the Falcons' second preseason game Saturday versus the Colts, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Back on July 31, Stefanski told Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the Falcons wouldn't play starters in the second preseason game, with members of the first-team offense and defense instead banking reps in joint practices with the Colts leading up to the exhibition. Stefanski doesn't seem to have deviated from that plan a few weeks later, as he mentioned Cooper Rush and Jack Strand as the possible starting options at quarterback for the matchup with Indianapolis when he spoke to the media Monday. Tagovailoa played two drives Friday in the Falcons' 27-7 loss to the Broncos in the preseason opener, and he's expected to take snaps again in the final exhibition game Aug. 28 versus the Dolphins. Tagovailoa is currently in pole position to open the regular season as the Falcons' starter under center, as Michael Penix (knee) remains limited to taking part in 7-on-7 drills during practices.
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Caleb Douglas MIA WRDolphins' Caleb Douglas: Exits Monday's practice early
41m agoDouglas (undisclosed) exited Monday's practice early, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
The rookie was seen walking off with trainers during Monday's session but later returned to the sidelines, though his day was done from a participation standpoint. The exact nature of Douglas' issue is unclear at this point, but his ability to return to practice this week will settle that. Douglas is one of several young Dolphins looking to make a splash in a revamped receiver room this season.
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Luis Pena MIL SSBrewers' Luis Pena: Arrives at Double-A
30m agoThe Brewers promoted Pena from High-A Wisconsin to Double-A Biloxi on Monday.
Pena missed just over a month of action earlier this season after he collapsed during an April 22 game when he became overheated in the Wisconsin dugout, but fortunately, his development wasn't dramatically sidetracked by the scary incident. The 19-year-old shortstop finished his time in the Midwest League with a .298/.384/.420 slash line to go with two home runs and 27 stolen bases across 219 plate appearances.
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Cooper Pratt MIL SSBrewers' Cooper Pratt: Playing in rehab game Tuesday
40m agoPratt (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with High-A Wisconsin.
It must have been a mild hamstring strain, as he is well ahead of schedule in his recovery. Pratt is eligible to return from the injured list Wednesday at home against the Mariners, and with the Brewers' High-A affiliate located just a couple hours away from Milwaukee, Pratt could be in the lineup for Wednesday's big-league game if all goes well Tuesday.
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Quinn Mathews STL SPCardinals' Quinn Mathews: Added to roster ahead of spot start
1h agoThe Cardinals recalled Mathews from Triple-A Memphis on Monday.
Mathews will start the first game of Monday's doubleheader in Cincinnati versus the Reds. He'll be making his second MLB start, after yielding two runs with a 3:3 K:BB over five innings in his debut in Toronto earlier this month. In 21 starts for Memphis this season, Mathews has collected a 3.27 ERA and 120:61 K:BB across 99 innings. He will likely be sent back down following Monday's spot start.
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JJ Wetherholt STL 2BCardinals' JJ Wetherholt: Out of lineup for first game of twin bill
1h agoWetherholt is not in the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Reds.
The left-handed-hitting Wetherholt will take a seat for the first game of the twin bill as the Reds send southpaw Kent Emanuel to the bump. Jose Fermin will grab a start at second base for the Cardinals. Wetherholt should be back in the lineup for Monday's nightcap.
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J.J. Bleday CIN LFReds' JJ Bleday: Sitting out first game of twin bill
2h agoBleday is not in the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals.
It's southpaw Quinn Mathews on the bump for the Cardinals, so the left-handed-hitting Bleday will exit the lineup while Michael Toglia handles left field. Bleday should be back in the lineup for Monday's nightcap.
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Kent Emanuel CIN RPReds' Kent Emanuel: Added to roster for spot start
2h agoThe Reds selected Emanuel's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.
Emanuel was pitching in independent ball a couple weeks ago when the Reds signed him to a minor-league contract. He struck out eight over six innings of one-run ball in his lone start with Louisville, and the 34-year-old southpaw will now join the Reds to make a start in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. The start is the first of Emanuel's big-league career, after his first 22 appearances in the majors came in relief.
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Trendon Watford PHI PFPelicans' Trendon Watford: Signs with Pelicans
38m agoWatford agreed to a one-year deal with the Pelicans on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Watford is no longer a free agent after the 76ers declined his team option back in June. In New Orleans, Watford will likely provide some emergency depth in the frontcourt, and he may have a tough time carving out a consistent role.
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Tre Mann CHA PGHornets' Tre Mann: Shipped to Cleveland
3d 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
3d 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
4d 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
4d 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
5d 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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Brad Marchand FLA LWPanthers' Brad Marchand: Availability for start of season in doubt
2d 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
3d 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 D
Flyers' Oliver Bonk: Might earn NHL roster spot
3d 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
4d 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
4d 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
4d 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.
