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Sam Darnold MIN QB
Vikings' Sam Darnold: Vikings won't rush to name starting QB
8h agoThe Vikings could begin the season with Darnold as the team's starting quarterback despite taking J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, ESPN reports. "We're not going to rush his development," said general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. "We're just going to do what's best for the Vikings in the short and long term."
Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings as a short-term veteran starter or backup. It's hard to handicap when McCarthy may take over the starting job this soon after the draft, but it's notable the Vikings are trying to reduce expectations. Expect the quarterback battle for the Week 1 starting job to commence this summer. Still, odds are Darnold will only be the starter for a few weeks at most if McCarthy is healthy and making progress.
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Trey Knox 2005 TE
Vikings' Trey Knox: Lands in Minnesota
10h agoKnox signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent Saturday.
After four years at Arkansas, Knox transferred to South Carolina for his fifth-year senior season. He compiled a 37-312-2 receiving line for the Gamecocks. He switched positions from wide receiver to tight end in 2021. Knox joins a tight end room that includes T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse in Minnesota.
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Lideatrick Griffin 2005 WR
Raiders' Lideatrick Griffin: Signs with Silver and Black
11h agoGriffin signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent Saturday.
"Tulu" stands at 5-foot-10 and 181 pounds and ran a 4.43 forty at the combine after leading Mississippi State in receiving with a 50-658-4 line as a senior. His main selling point for the Raiders could be his returner skills after he showed some electricity with the ball in his hands during college.
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Carter Bradley 2005 QB
Raiders' Carter Bradley: Finds work with Las Vegas
11h agoThe Raiders signed Bradley as an undrafted free agent Saturday.
Bradley has good size at 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds and spent the final two years of his college career at South Alabama following four years in Toledo's program. He threw for 5,996 yards at South Alabama, amassing 47 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. In Las Vegas, Bradley slides in at the bottom of the depth chart behind Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell and Anthony Brown.
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Daijun Edwards 2005 RB
Steelers' Daijun Edwards: Inks deal with Pittsburgh
11h agoThe Steelers signed Edwards as an undrafted free agent Saturday.
Edwards was just a one-year starter at Georgia and overall functioned as part of a backfield committee. He concluded his four-year collegiate career with a 391-2,082-24 rushing line. Edwards is strong in pass-protection and joins a Pittsburgh backfield that is led by Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and newcomer Cordarrelle Patterson.
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Blake Watson 2005 RB
Blake Watson: Lands with Denver
12h agoWatson is slated to sign with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.
Watson spent five years at Old Dominion before transferring to Memphis for his super-senior season. He led the Tigers in rushing with 192-1,152-14 on the ground and added 53-480-3 as a receiver, earning All-AAC honors. Watson joins a crowded Denver backfield depth chart that includes Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin and fifth-round rookie Audric Estime.
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Blaze Alexander ARI SS
Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Doubles, scores in loss
3m agoAlexander went 1-for-2 with a walk, double and run scored in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Seattle.
Alexander walked with two outs in the eighth inning and came around to score Arizona's lone run on Jake McCarthy's triple. The rookie shortstop has hit safely in six of the last seven contests, going 9-for-24 with six extra-base hits, nine RBI and four runs. Alexander's bat has played well, but defense could cost him opportunities. He ranks last among shortstops with minus-7 outs above average and minus-5 runs prevented.
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Jose Soriano LAA SP
Angels' Jose Soriano: Beat up early in loss
7m agoSoriano took the loss against the Twins on Saturday, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks over 1.2 innings while striking out one.
Soriano struggled right out of the gate, allowing two walks and a hit in the opening frame while also hitting Ryan Jeffers with a pitch. Things only got worse in the second when the right-hander beaned the leadoff man and managed to retire only two of the next six batters he faced before being relieved by Jose Suarez. It marked the shortest outing for Soriano this season and his third time allowing at least three runs in the campaign. He's also issued three or more walks in three consecutive starts.
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Cal Quantrill COL SP
Rockies' Cal Quantrill: Tagged for six runs
7m agoQuantrill (0-3) was charged with the loss Saturday against the Astros after he surrendered six runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out two.
Quantrill generated just six swinging strikes on 95 total pitches and served up multiple home runs in a start for the third time this year. He also walked multiple batters for the fourth time through six outings, and the poor performance ended a run of three straight quality starts. The 29-year-old righty has limited fantasy appeal with a 5.34 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 17:14 K:BB across 32 innings this season.
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Ronel Blanco HOU SP
Astros' Ronel Blanco: Picks up third win
12m agoBlanco (3-0) earned the win Saturday in Colorado after he gave up two runs on five hits and two walks across 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.
The right-hander surrendered a two-run homer to Ryan McMahon in the opening frame but otherwise had no issues pitching at altitude. Blanco came up an out short of extending his streak of quality starts to five, but it was yet another strong performance. The 30-year-old has been a bright spot amid a horrible start to the season for Houston with a 1.65 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 30:14 K:BB across 32.2 innings.
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Zac Gallen ARI SP
Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen: Plans to make next turn
14m agoGallen (hamstring) expressed optimism Saturday that he will make his next scheduled start, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
A day after Gallen was removed from a start, the right-hander said he was "encouraged" by the progress made overnight. His next projected turn comes Wednesday at home against the Dodgers.
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Yordan Alvarez HOU DH
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Launches two massive homers
18m agoAlvarez went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI during Saturday's 12-4 win at Colorado.
The Houston slugger busted out of a 5-for-25 slump Saturday with two homers that each went 461 feet. Alvarez is off to a bit of a slow start in 2024 with what would be a career-worst .867 OPS, but he's still been plenty productive with seven homers, 17 RBI and 18 runs through 27 games.
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Luke Kornet BOS C
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Gets five minutes in return
17m agoKornet (calf) tallied two points (2-2 FT) and one rebound across five minutes Saturday in the Celtics' 104-84 win over the Heat in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series.
After Kornet was ruled out of the Celtics' playoff opener April 21, head coach Joe Mazzulla labeled the backup center as week-to-week after he strained his right calf during a practice. Ultimately, Kornet missed just two games on account of the issue, as he took back a small role in the Boston rotation in his return to action Saturday. Kornet is unlikely to see his playing time grow substantially as the Celtics' playoff run continues.
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LeBron James LAL SF
Lakers' LeBron James: Shines with 30-point game Saturday
9h agoJames ended with 30 points (14-23 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, four assists, one block and three steals over 39 minutes during Saturday's 119-108 victory over the Nuggets in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The Lakers are still alive in the series against the Nuggets, and James became just the fourth player in NBA history to record a 30-point playoff game at the age of 39 or older, joining Reggie Miller, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on that exclusive list. James has surpassed the 25-point mark in each of the four games in this series, and the Lakers will need him to be at his best once again if they want to avoid elimination in Game 5 on Monday.
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Anthony Davis LAL C
Lakers' Anthony Davis: Massive stat line in Game 4 win
9h agoDavis provided 25 points (11-17 FG, 3-4 FT), 23 rebounds, six assists and one block in 42 minutes during Saturday's 119-108 victory over the Nuggets in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Davis was efficient from the field and active on the glass en route to posting his first 20-point, 20-rebound performance since the win over the Bucks on March 28. Davis has been magnificent in the series despite the fact the Lakers are down 1-3, as he's scored at least 25 points and grabbed double-digit rebounds in each of the four contests. He needs to continue at a high level as a two-way threat if the Lakers want to have a shot at pulling the upset in Game 5 of the series.
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D'Angelo Russell LAL PG
Lakers' D'Angelo Russell: Bounces back in Game 4 win
9h agoRussell ended Saturday's 119-108 win over the Nuggets in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 21 points (8-15 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, four assists and one steal in 41 minutes.
Russell faced tons of scrutiny following a woeful effort in a Game 3 loss during which he finished scoreless (0-7 FG, 0-6 3Pt), but he bounced back admirably and reached the 20-point mark for the second time in this series. Russell will need to carry his hot hand into Game 5 if the Lakers want to avoid elimination Monday.
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Michael Porter Jr. DEN SF
Nuggets' Michael Porter: Records double-double in Game 4
9h agoPorter chipped in 27 points (10-20 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 40 minutes during Saturday's 119-108 loss to the Lakers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Porter was Denver's second-best player in this game, as he trailed only Nikola Jokic in scoring and rebounding while notching his second consecutive double-double in the series. Despite playing a secondary role on offense behind Jokic and Jamal Murray, Porter has scored at least 20 points while grabbing nine or more rebounds in his last three contests, a run he'll aim to continue in Game 5 on Monday.
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Nikola Jokic DEN C
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Massive triple-double not enough
9h agoJokic closed Saturday's 119-108 loss to the Lakers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 33 points (10-20 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 11-11 FT), 14 rebounds, 14 assists, one block and one steal over 41 minutes.
Jokic has two triple-doubles and two double-doubles in the current series against the Lakers, but unlike in the previous three contests, he was unable to carry Denver to victory following yet another slow start. Jokic's individual numbers have been amazing in the series, though, as he's averaging 29.0 points, 15.3 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game. He'll aim to lift the Nuggets to close the series out Monday in Game 5.
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Bo Horvat NYI C
Islanders' Bo Horvat: Two helpers in 2OT win
1m agoHorvat picked up two assists Saturday during a 3-2 double-overtime win over the Hurricanes in Game 4.
The 29-year-old helped set up both of Mathew Barzal's tallies on the afternoon, including the winner in the second OT period. Horvat has a goal and three points through four playoff games, but he could be due to light the lamp again -- he took five shots on net Saturday and has 15 in the series so far, tied with Kyle Palmieri for the team lead.
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Mathew Barzal NYI C
Islanders' Mathew Barzal: Plays hero in Game 4
4m agoBarzal scored two goals including the game-winner Saturday in a 3-2 double-overtime victory over the Hurricanes in Game 4.
With the Islanders facing the prospect of getting swept out of the playoffs, Barzal stepped up, beating Frederik Andersen through traffic midway through the second period before tipping home a point shot early in the second OT frame. Barzal had managed just one assist through the first three games in the series, and the 26-year-old will likely need to stay hot if New York is going to stay alive beyond Tuesday's Game 5 back in Carolina.
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Semyon Varlamov NYI G
Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Busy in Game 4 win
8m agoVarlamov stopped 42 shots Saturday in a 3-2 double-overtime win over the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Islanders' first-round series.
The 36-year-old netminder wouldn't let the Isles get swept, making 17 saves in the first OT period alone to give Mathew Barzal a chance to pot the winner. Varlamov has started three of New York's four playoff games so far, posting a stellar 2.08 GAA and .930 save percentage despite a 1-2 record, and he should get the nod again Tuesday for Game 5 as the series shifts back to Carolina.
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Frederik Andersen CAR G
Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen: Falls to Isles in 2OT
12m agoAndersen made 32 saves Saturday in a 3-2 double-overtime loss to the Islanders in Game 4 of the Hurricanes' first-round series.
Carolina had a chance to sweep the series on the road but couldn't find a winner in the first OT period despite firing 17 shots at Semyon Varlamov, opening the door for Mathew Barzal to save New York's season. Andersen has played brilliantly to begin the playoffs, posting a 2.07 GAA and .920 save percentage through four games, and he should be in the crease again for Game 5 on Tuesday as the Canes try to punch their ticket to the second round.
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Robert Bortuzzo NYI D
Islanders' Robert Bortuzzo: Nabs assist in season-saving win
14m agoBortuzzo delivered a primary assist during the second overtime Saturday, culminating as a 3-2 win over the Hurricanes in Game 4.
Bortuzzo found an open lane from the point and allied skater Mathew Barzal ever-so slightly changed the puck's direction near the top of the crease for the winning goal. This was the first playoff point for Bortuzzo since 2019, when the right-shot defenseman won the Stanley Cup with the Blues. The Isles will be back on the road for Game 5 on Tuesday.
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Steven Stamkos TB C
Lightning's Steven Stamkos: Two goals help extend campaign
31m agoStamkos deposited two goals, including a power-play tally, in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Panthers to stave off elimination in the conference quarterfinals.
After receiving an incredible backhand feed from Brayden Point for the game's first goal, Stamkos would rip one of his patented wrist shots to put the Lightning up 5-3 at 9:34 in the third period. The electrifying forward has five goals and an assist in this first-round series, and his impressive showing Saturday left the door open for more playoff action for the Bolts. Game 5 is set for Monday.