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Edefuan Ulofoshio 2005 LB
Bills' Edefuan Ulofoshio: Picked by Buffalo in fifth round
2m agoThe Bills selected Ulofoshio in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 160th overall.
This looks like a good pick for the Bills, who in recent years have quietly identified several standout linebackers in the middle rounds (Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams) and even among the undrafted (Tyrel Dodson). There's reason to think Ulofoshio (6-foot-1, 236 pounds) could be next. The Washington standout falls this far likely due to durability concerns, as he suffered a torn biceps in 2021 and a torn ACL in 2022, limiting him to just 27 career starts despite playing six years at Washington. When he's on the field Ulofoshio seems like an easy evaluation -- he's a high-motor defender from one of college football's best defenses, and his athletic testing was excellent (4.56-second 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical, 128-inch broad jump). Given Buffalo's prior linebacker depth Ulofoshio will likely begin his career as a special teams player, however.
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Mohamed Kamara 2005 DL
Dolphins' Mohamed Kamara: Round 5 pick for Miami
4m agoThe Dolphins selected Kamara in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 158th overall.
Miami has made a point to bolster their pass rush in the draft, as they also used the 21st overall pick on Chop Robinson out of Penn State. Kamara doesn't come with the same pedigree, but he does possess an impressive college resume that includes 45.5 tackles for loss and 30.5 sacks across 49 games. His fall came as a result of his underwhelming measurables, as he lacks the ideal height, weight and wingspan. That could limit his snap count throughout his career, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Kamara emerge as a player capable of making explosive plays with limited opportunity.
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Hunter Nourzad 2005 IOL
Chiefs' Hunter Nourzad: Joins Super Bowl champs
7m agoThe Chiefs selected Nourzad in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 159th overall.
Creed Humphrey had well-documented issues snapping the ball in the postseason, and Nourzad can help solidify that. Humphrey is too talented to fall out of the offensive line equation, but there wasn't another center on the roster before Nourzad was selected. Nourzad began his career at Cornell before transferring to Penn State, where he earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors. He has experience all across the interior and even some starts at right tackle. He adds versatile depth to a line that needed it.
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Chau Smith-Wade 2005 CB
Panthers' Chau Smith-Wade: Depth piece in Carolina
9m agoThe Panthers selected Smith-Wade in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 157th overall.
Smith-Wade is likely undersized (5-10, 184 pounds) to play on the outside at the professional level, but bumping into the slot might mask some of his lesser athletic traits (4.54 40-yard dash). A two-year starter at Washington State, Smith-Wade will be afforded every opportunity to grow into whatever role the team expects him to take as the Panthers certainly appear top heavy at the majority of the starting secondary spots.
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Jamari Thrash 2005 WR
Browns' Jamari Thrash: Cleveland ends slide in fifth round
12m agoThe Browns selected Thrash in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 156th overall.
Thrash (6-feet, 188 pounds) is a graceful wideout with good speed (4.46-second 40-yard dash) and was productive enough at Louisville and Georgia State to suspect he has real skill as a wideout. The problem for his pro projection is that Thrash looks and plays like a featherweight, meaning his otherwise graceful route running is liable to get knocked off course. Similarly, Thrash is unlikely to hold up well at the catch point if it's in the middle of traffic. Thrash might be something like Nelson Agholor at the NFL level -- a wideout ideally used situationally and one at best when the field is wide open.
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Brennan Jackson 2005 LB
Rams' Brennan Jackson: Adds needed depth in LA
14m agoThe Rams selected Jackson in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 154th overall.
The Rams have aggressively added to their defensive line in the draft, as Jackson marks the third player selected up front. Known for his pass-rushing abilities, Jackson tallied 20 sacks across four healthy seasons with Washington State -- including 8.5 in his senior campaign. While his collegiate production was excellent, Jackson is considered stiff in his movements and also had just a 25th-percentile wingspan. Despite those shortcomings, he'll almost certainly find the field immediately as a pass-rush specialist for the Rams.
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Justin Steele CHC SP
Cubs' Justin Steele: Rehab assignment approaching
4m agoManager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Steele (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Counsell didn't say how many starts the Cubs want Steele to make in the minors, but the 28-year-old southpaw is likely in for multiple rehab outings after sitting out nearly a month due to a strained left hamstring. Assuming his assignment goes smoothly, Steele will likely return to Chicago's rotation toward the middle of May.
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Adolis Garcia TEX RF
Rangers' Adolis Garcia: Not starting Saturday
20m agoGarcia is not in the Rangers' starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.
Garcia will begin Saturday's game in the dugout. His last rest day was April 16 against the Tigers, though he did pinch hit for Jared Walsh in the ninth inning. Lefty-hitting Travis Jankowski will start in right field Saturday and bat eighth against Reds right-hander Hunter Greene.
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Kyle Hurt LAD RP
Dodgers' Kyle Hurt: Moves to 60-day IL
24m agoThe Dodgers transferred Hurt (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.
Hurt has been on the injured list since April 20 due to right shoulder inflammation, and his move to the 60-day IL ensures he will be out until at least mid-June. Nabil Crismatt was selected from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Hurt's place on the 40-man roster.
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Nick Ramirez LAD RP
Dodgers' Nick Ramirez: Sent to minors
29m agoThe Dodgers optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Nick Ramirez has given up one earned run over four innings since being recalled from Triple-A last Saturday, but he will head back to the minors as the Dodgers opt to bring in a fresh arm in Nabil Crismatt. Ramirez owns a 1.29 ERA across seven MLB innings this year and figures to be back with the Dodgers at some point in the near future.
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Forrest Whitley HOU RP
Astros' Forrest Whitley: Lands on minor-league IL
1h agoWhitley was placed on the minor-league injured list Saturday with right elbow discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Whitley made his major-league debut with the Astros on April 16, allowing one hit and one walk but no runs over two-thirds of an inning against Atlanta. He was sent back to Triple-A Sugar Land after that outing, and he has thrown two scoreless innings while striking out four over his last two appearances in the minors.
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Framber Valdez HOU SP
Astros' Framber Valdez: Taken off IL
1h agoThe Astros removed Valdez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, per the MLB transaction log.
Valdez is set to start in Sunday's game against the Rockies as part of a two-game series in Mexico City. The 30-year-old southpaw landed on the Astros' 15-day IL on April 9 due to left elbow inflammation. Valdez threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and he will likely be on a pitch count over his first few outings.
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Delon Wright MIA SG
Heat's Delon Wright: Out Saturday
41m agoWright (personal) will not play in Saturday's Game 3 matchup with the Celtics, Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reports.
Wright came back too earth in Game 2 following a big performance in the first game of the series versus Boston. He will now be sidelined until at least Game 4. In his absence, Patty Mills and Duncan Robinson could see a slightly bigger workload.
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Damian Lillard MIL PG
Bucks' Damian Lillard: Game 4 in doubt
3h agoLillard suffered a strained Achilles in Friday's loss to the Pacers and there is serious doubt over his availability for Game 4 on Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Lillard was able to return to Game 3 after suffering the injury and finished the contest with 28 points (6-20 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 12-12 FT), eight assists, three steals and one rebound over 45 minutes. Final confirmation on his status Sunday will presumably come closer to game time. AJ Green, Andre Jackson and Malik Beasley would all be candidates to see increased minutes alongside Patrick Beverley in the backcourt should Lillard indeed need to sit out.
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Mitchell Robinson NY C
Knicks' Mitchell Robinson: Does not practice Saturday
3h agoRobinson (ankle) was a non-participant at Saturday's practice, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
Robinson was seen wearing a walking boot on his sprained left ankle following an early exit in Thursday's 125-114 loss to the 76ers. He had accumulated two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 FT) and seven rebounds across 12 minutes before leaving. His absence from Saturdays' practice is not a good sign for his status for Sunday's Game 4, but the team has not ruled the big man out. If he ultimately does not get the green light, Precious Achiuwa figures to serve as the primary backup behind Isaiah Hartenstein.
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Devin Booker PHO SG
Suns' Devin Booker: Delivers eight dimes in Game 3 loss
5h agoBooker accumulated 23 points (8-15 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds, eight assists and two steals in 42 minutes during Friday's 126-109 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Booker finished just two assists away from recording a double-double in Game 3, and the star guard will need to be at his best Sunday if the Suns want to avoid getting swept in the first round. Booker's scoring numbers have increased with each passing game in the series, though this was the first time he surpassed the 20-point plateau.
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Bradley Beal PHO SG
Suns' Bradley Beal: Scores team-high 28 points Friday
5h agoBeal finished Friday's 126-109 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 28 points (10-19 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and four assists in 43 minutes.
Beal led the Suns in scoring Friday, but as has been the case throughout the series, Phoenix simply hasn't been able to hang on with the Timberwolves throughout an entire game, which explains the 0-3 deficit the Suns are currently in right now. This was the first team Beal surpassed the 15-point mark in the series, and the veteran guard will need to keep the momentum going for Game 4 on Sunday if the Suns want to avoid getting swept in the first round.
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Kevin Durant PHO PF
Suns' Kevin Durant: Puts up 25 points in loss Friday
5h agoDurant had 25 points (8-18 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 8-9 FT), four rebounds and five assists across 42 minutes during Friday's 126-109 loss to Minnesota in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Durant bounced back from a subpar showing in Game 2, at least for his lofty standards, and he had a strong showing in Game 3, but once again, his contributions were not enough to lift the Suns to victory as Phoenix fell into an 0-3 deficit. Durant will need to be at his best if the Suns want to avoid the sweep in Game 4 on Sunday. He's averaging 24.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in the series.
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Sergei Bobrovsky FLA G
Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Facing Lightning
42m agoBobrovsky will be between the visiting pipes in Tampa Bay on Saturday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Bobrovsky has been solid in net, as the Panthers have taken a 3-0 stranglehold on the best-of-seven series. Bobrovsky has allowed seven goals on 71 shots (.901 save percentage) against the Lightning in the opening round. Bobrovsky had a stellar regular season, going 37-22-6 with a 2.42 GAA and a .921 save percentage. The Lightning have to come out strong in Game 4, as they are on the verge of elimination.
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Logan Thompson LV G
Golden Knights' Logan Thompson: Set to start Saturday
1h agoThompson is expected to start at home in Game 3 against Dallas on Saturday, per Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Thompson has helped Vegas win the opening two games of the first-round series by stopping 46 of 50 shots (.920 save percentage). That's part of a larger hot streak in which he's posted a 2.12 GAA and a .925 save percentage over his past 13 appearances. Dallas ranked third offensively in the regular season with 3.59 goals per contest, so the Stars shouldn't be taken lightly even after being defeated by Vegas twice.
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Mason Marchment DAL LW
Stars' Mason Marchment: Game-time decision Saturday
1h agoPer Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News, Marchment (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision in Vegas on Saturday, according to coach Peter DeBoer.
Marchment was injured in the third period Wednesday and did not return. Marchment set career highs in goals (22) and assists (31) in 81 regular-season games this season. Should he be unable to go, look for Mavrik Bourque to enter the lineup.
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Radek Faksa DAL C
Stars' Radek Faksa: Game-time call Saturday
1h agoFaksa (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision Saturday for Game 3 against the Golden Knights, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Faksa has yet to record a point in the playoffs after posting seven goals and 19 points in the regular season. If Faksa ultimately can't suit up, Ty Dellandrea would likely slot into the lineup in a bottom-six role.
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Spencer Stastney NSH D
Predators' Spencer Stastney: Deemed week-to-week
1h agoStastney (upper body) is considered week-to-week, Robby Stanley of NHL.com reports.
Statsney was injured in the second period of Friday's Game 3 loss to the Canucks. He hasn't picked up a point through three playoff outings while posting one blocked shot and one shot on goal. Tyson Barrie or Dante Fabbro will replace Statsney in the lineup for Game 4 on Sunday.
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Matt Martin NYI LW
Islanders' Matt Martin: Not playing Saturday
3h agoMartin (lower body) won't play Saturday in Game 4 versus Carolina, according to Stefen Rosner of NHL.com.
Martin played through the injury in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Hurricanes, logging just 8:16 of ice time. He has 16 PIM, seven hits and three blocked shots over three outings this postseason. Martin will be replaced in Saturday's lineup by Ruslan Iskhakov.