“If they come out tomorrow and say only biological females are eligible to play, I’d drop everything,” Kanter said. “Until then, I am eligible to play.”
Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom watches Indiana Fever players warm up before a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky on Sunday, August 23, 2026, in Chicago. AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement says only players who are women are eligible but does not publicly define the term further. Kanter has seized upon that absence, declared himself eligible and challenged the league to tell him otherwise.
The dispute escalated during the recent Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever game. Kanter sat along the baseline wearing a shirt defining a woman as an “adult human female” before an exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud led security to remove him.
The Sky subsequently banned Kanter from Wintrust Arena. Owner Michael Alter said his appearance appeared designed to provoke a reaction, while Kanter maintained that he had done nothing warranting removal.
Kanter nevertheless says he will continue preparing for the draft and has offered to meet league officials. His stated demand remains simple: Put biological sex expressly into the eligibility rule and he says the campaign ends immediately.
Former basketball player Enes Kanter Freedom and Natasha Cloud of the Chicago Sky yell at one another during the second half of a game against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Getty Images
Whether this is sincere activism or an elaborate and desperate bid for relevance is harder to determine. Kanter presents his declaration as an attempt to protect women’s sports, but every new challenge, interview and courtside confrontation also returns the national spotlight to a retired center with no realistic basketball future.
The two motives are not necessarily mutually exclusive. A publicity stunt can still make a political point, and Kanter has designed one that keeps him at the center of the controversy regardless of how the WNBA responds.
The WNBA’s reported position is already that Kanter cannot play. Until it states that position publicly in the language he is demanding, however, he says the campaign will continue.
Kanter insists his exit is only one word away. Whether he truly wants that word—or is exploiting a deeply controversial issue to keep himself in the spotlight—remains the real question.
Throughout this season I have praised Cubs manager Craig Counsell for handling a bullpen devastated by injuries extremely well. He’s rested guys at the right time and used pitchers successfully who ordinarily would not have had any chance of being in the major leagues but were there of necessity due to injury.
In Friday’s 10-8 loss to the Reds, though, I did not understand why Counsell didn’t turn to Aaron Civale in the sixth inning with the Cubs actually ahead 3-2. Civale has been really good out of the pen for the Cubs, hadn’t pitched since Sunday, and with David Peterson having thrown five innings in which he struggled somewhat, it would have been useful to get some length out of the pen, maybe two innings from Civale.
Instead, Counsell called on Trent Thornton. In fairness, Thornton has also been pretty good this year, but on this day he was not, allowing five runs including a pair of home runs. Civale then came in and gave the Cubs that length, and yes, they nearly did come back. Civale did get charged with two runs — because of an error by Alex Bregman, not his fault.
Perhaps you disagree. That’s a subject for discussion here.
Okay, now here’s your game recap.
Peterson had a rough first inning, allowing a pair of baserunners but eventually striking out the side. Then the Cubs put a run on the board in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Seiya Suzuki doubled, and one out later, Bregman doubled him in [VIDEO].
Peterson struggled again in the second and third, allowing more baserunners but running up a high pitch count. The Cubs extended the lead to 3-0 in the third. Pete Crow-Armstrong led off with a single and then the Reds pulled the play Nico Hoerner has made a couple of times — deliberately dropping a popup by Suzuki to get the faster runner, PCA, forced at second.
This, perhaps, is a good sign for Busch, whose power numbers have been down this year. That’s three homers in his last nine games, and perhaps he can finish the year strong in that department. This was his 17th — only half as many as he hit in 2025.
The Reds scored one off Peterson in the fourth and Sal Stewart homered off him in the fifth to make it 3-2. So Peterson was done after five innings and 88 pitches, which I think was the right call by Counsell. As I noted above, in my view starting the sixth with Thornton was the wrong call, and it wound up with the Cubs trailing 7-3 after the end of that inning, the key blow a three-run homer by Tyler Stephenson. Civale had to come in to get the last out, then he would have been out of the seventh scoreless if not for the error by Bregman. That play didn’t score a run — but set up a two-run single by Elly De La Cruz that made it 9-3.
There was one other homer in the sixth, by Jose Trevino, that tied the game before Stephenson’s. About that, from BCB’s JohnW53:
Jose Trevino’s game-tying solo home run in the sixth inning was the 200th surrendered by Cubs pitchers this season. Going into today, only the Athletics had served up more, 204. The Cubs’ previous high through 135 games was 192, in 2021. They gave up 191 in 2000, 185 in 1999 and 181 in 2022. Last year, they allowed 169, their eighth most.
Credit to the Cubs, they did mount a comeback. With two out in the seventh, Carson Kelly walked, went to second on a wild pitch and took third on a single by PCA. This single by Suzuki made it 9-4 [VIDEO].
The Cubs still had the bases loaded after that, but Bregman struck out to end the inning.
That was Ramirez’s fourth home run, but first at Wrigley Field.
Okay! Now it’s a ballgame, the Cubs down just two runs. The Reds brought in lefty Sam Moll to pitch to Michael Conforto, and Counsell countered with Matt Shaw, just activated from the IL today. Shaw doubled, went to third one out later on a ground out, and scored on this double by Suzuki [VIDEO].
Now the tying run is in scoring position, but with two out, and Busch grounded to third to end the inning.
Daniel Palencia made his first appearance at Wrigley since being activated from the IL last weekend and struck out the first two Reds he faced, hitting 100 on the Wrigley pitch speed meter… but unfortunately, TJ Friedl homered off him to give the Reds a two-run cushion and that was that, as Reds closer Emilio Pagan set the Cubs down in order in the ninth.
Credit to the Cubs for mounting the comeback. But I can’t help thinking that the decision to bring Thornton in instead of Civale might have cost the Cubs this game. A couple more game notes from John:
Today’s game was Hoerner’s 12th of the season with at least three hits. Bregman and PCA have 10; Suzuki, eight, including today; Busch, seven; and six others from five to two, for a team total of 67. The Cubs began the day tied with the Brewers for second most. The Dodgers had 78. …. Pedro Ramirez’s three-run homer was the Cubs’ 28th of the season with two men on base. That ties them with the 2008 club for their second most in a season. They hit 29 in 2017.
At this point, I suspect the Cubs can forget about the NL Central title, now 7.5 games behind pending the result of the Brewers/Rangers game this evening. More important are the Phillies in the rear-view mirror, now 1.5 games behind and facing the Angels in Anaheim tonight. Fortunately, the Cubs have the tiebreaker over the Phillies — if those two meet in a Wild Card series, I do not want those games in Philadelphia.
The Cubs will try to even up the series Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Kevin Gausman will start for the Cubs and Andrew Abbott goes for Cincinnati. Game time is again 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 26: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) looks on from the dugout during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on August 26, 2026 at TRUIST Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Dodgers (80-54) look to bounce back after being swept by the Braves in Atlanta. They visit the Tigers (62-71) for a three-game series starting Friday night in Detroit.
Tarik Skubal (8-7, 2.91 ERA, 0.95 WHIP) faces his former team for the first time at Comerica Park.
Drew Anderson (4-5, 4.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) starts for the Tigers.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 26: Rasul Douglas #26 of the Miami Dolphins is charged with pass interference as Darnell Mooney #1 of the Atlanta Falcons fails to pull in this reception during the third quarter of the game between the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’ll get a quick look at the starters in this one and then roughly three-and-a-half quarters of reserves, and all we can really ask for is a reasonably entertaining game where everyone exits healthy and the coaching staff has everything they need to make the tough decisions ahead for the roster.
You’ll discuss the game right here, as is custom, and then we’ll gear up for the cutdown to 53 players. Go Falcons!
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 11: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game between the Houston Astros and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (67-67) and New York Mets (60-74) begin a 3-game series tonight at Citi Field.
RHP Hunter Brown (3-3, 3.51 ERA) will start for the Astros vs. Mets RHP Christian Scott (4-3, 3.73 ERA).
ASTROS-METS: Since 2017, the Astros are 13-3 vs. the Mets, with a 4-1 mark at Citi Field. They took 2 of 3 from NYM in their last visit to Citi Field, June 28-30, 2024.
Common Bond: The Astros and Mets both entered the Major Leagues in 1962, with both clubs competing in the NL at that time (HOU moved to the AL in 2013). Both clubs have won two World Series Championships and five pennants. The Astros hold the edge in the all-time regular season series with a 322-263-1 record, while the Mets were victorious in the one postseason series between the two clubs, taking the 1986 NLCS in what was a thrilling, 6-game series.
NY STATE OF MIND: Tonight is the 4th game of a 6-game road trip for the Astros (2-1 thus far), with all 6 games being scheduled in the Big Apple. Prior to the current series vs. NYM, the Astros took 2 of 3 from the Yankees in the Bronx (Tues-Thur).
Last Time It Happened: The Astros had a similar road trip in NYC, June 23-29 of 2022, during which they played 4 games at Yankee Stadium (2-2) and 2 games at Citi Field (2-0), respectively.
BROTHER BROWN: Tonight will be the 15th start of the season for RHP Hunter Brown. In his last 6 starts, he has posted a 2.88 ERA (11ER/34.1IP), pitching through the 5th inning in all 6 starts.
First Time: Tonight will be Brown’s 1st career app. at Citi Field and his 3rd career start/app. vs. the Mets (0-2 thus far). Brown missed over 2 months dur to lengthy stint on the Injured List (April 1-June 15)earlier this season due to a right shoulder strain.
2025: Last season, Brown finished 3rd in the AL Cy Young Award voting after posting a 12-9 record with a 2.43 ERA and 206 K’s in 185.1 IP.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP: The Astros won last night’s rubber match of their 3-game series at Yankee Stadium, 5-1. RHP Hayden Wesneski (4-1) was solid, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits in 5.0 innings of work. The Astros bullpen combined to hurl 4.0 shutout innings following Wesneski. Christian Walker had a banner day on offense, going 3×4 with a HR and 2 RBI. Isaac Paredes (2×4, RBI) and Jeremy Peña (solo HR) also contributed on offense.
BIG WES: With last night’s win, in his last 2 starts, RHP Hayden Wesneski has now allowed just 1 run and 4 hits in 10.0 IP. Wesneski, who missed the 1st 4 months of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, has pitched through the 5th inning in 5 of his 6 starts and has had a decision on 5 of those 6 starts (4-1).
UP TO THE CHALLENGE: Astros hitters are tied with the Yankees and Reds for the most successful ABS challenges in the Majors, all with 84. The Astros 55% success rate is T-2nd in the AL. Among individual players, Jose Altuve’s 20 successful challenges are T-1st in the AL.
ON THE OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank 1st in SLG (.412), 2nd in HR (179), 3rd in runs scored (613) and T-3rd in OPS (.729).
TRIPLE THREAT: Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently leads the AL in several categories, including all three Triple Crown categories. He enters tonight leading the AL in batting avg. (.319) and HR (36) and T-1st in RBI (91). Additionally, Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.044), SLG (.609), OBP (.434) and TB (290).
Rare Feat: Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown winner in the Majors, Miguel Cabrera in 2012 (AL).
MEASURING UP: The Astros are 25-14 (.641) vs. teams currently at .500 or above. Some clubs that they have winning records against include BOS (5-1), CHC (3-0), CWS (2-1), CLE (4-2), MIA (3-0), and TB (2-1). HOU is 9-4 vs. TEX, who are in 2nd place in the AL West.
SLOW AND STEADY RECOVERY: Since starting the season with a 20-31 record after 51 games, the Astros are 47-36 (.566) in their last 83 games (since May 22). That is the 2nd-best record in the AL in that span, behind only the Red Sox (51-33).
ROAD WARRIORS: Since posting a 1-9 record on the 1st road trip of the 2026 season, the Astros have been one of the best road teams in the Majors. They are 33-23 (.589) on the road since April 14, which is 3rd-best in the AL in that span. More recently, they are 17-11 (.607) on their last 5 road trips combined (includes current trip)…overall for the season, HOU is 34-32 on the road.
THE HIT MAN: Jose Altuve enters tonight’s game needing just 10 hits to reach 2,500 for his career. Among active players, his 1,490 hits rank 2nd to Freddie Freeman’s 2,579.
IN GOOD COMPANY: In MLB history, Altuve is one of just 3 players with a .300 career batting avg. to reach both 250 HR and 300 SB. The other 2 are HOFers Willie Mays and Derek Jeter.
WALK OF FAME: Yordan Alvarez’s ML-high 28 intentional walks this season are a franchise record. Jeff Bagwell had held the club record with 27 IBB in 1997. Alvarez was intentionally walked 3 times on Sunday vs. ATH.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Recently, Joe Espada moved into the top 10 in wins by an Astros manager. Currently at 242-215, he needs 13 more wins to pass Hal Lanier (254-232) to move into sole possession of 9th place on the Astros all-time managerial wins list.
NEW ADDITION: Former Astros pitching coach Brent Strom will join the Astros in NY today to begin his new role as a pitching consultant. Strom served as the Astros pitching coach from 2014-21 as well as in 1996.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY:2023 – Jose Altuve hits for the cycle during in a 13-5 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. He ends up 4×6 on the night with a double, single, triple and HR, respectively. He also drives in 4 runs. Not to be outdone, Yordan Alvarez goes 4×4 with a HR and 4 RBI.
2000 – Catcher Tony Eusebio hits safely in his 24th consecutive game, which was, at the time, the longest hitting streak in franchise history. Impressively, Eusebio’s streak spanned from July 9-Aug. 28. Six years later, Willy Taveres would set a new franchise record with a 30-game hit streak.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, August 28, 6:10 p.m. CT
Location: Citi Field, Queens, NY
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Will Howard #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers passes during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on August 27, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome back to BTSC’s Friday night open thread:
The Steelers preseason ended Thursday night. Who do you feel raised their stock the most following the game?
There’s a bye week between now and the NFL’s regular season kickoff. Will you be missing NFL football over Labor Day, or too locked in with college football to care?
Ryan put together an NFL waiver wire explainer that’s worth the read. Even if you’ve been watching it for years, pro football has a surprising number of bells and whistles. What’s something that’s still a little confusing?
There aren’t many surprises expected when it comes to the Steelers cutting down to a 53-man roster, but the practice squad is always difficult to predict. What are some names you’re confident will make the cut?
It’s Isaac Redman Award season. Please campaign as needed in the comments below.
This week, we sadly lost Dolly Parton, Tim Curry and Peter Cullen. Any favorite stories, or moments from albums/movies/TV etc. to share?
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 26: Defensive tackle Naquan Jones #91 of the Houston Texans warms up during a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers at Carolina Panthers Practice Fields on August 26, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It seems only fair to end the preseason that we let another team host a Houston Texans preseason game. The Texans have traversed the Appalachians and arrived in Charlotte to take on the Panthers in a game that will make the difference between who makes the roster and who doesn’t (gee, how insightful), so expect to see a lot of future grocery shelf stockers giving it their all tonight.
But after this, all the football counts. We’re so close to the end of The Empty Season, I can almost taste it.
Who: Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers What: Preseason Week 3 Where: Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC When: Friday August 28, 2026 Why: To determine which players will get to call themselves Houston Texans to start the season. How:TV: KTRK 13 ABC (local-live), NFL Network (national-will be played midnight August 30); Radio: 95.7 The Fan (local-English), Mega 101 FM (local-Spanish); Streaming: Audacy app, Houston Texans app, NFL+
Enjoy the game y’all. Because the next time we see y’all, it’ll be Texans game day for real!
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 09: Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) warms up prior to the start of the Indiana Hoosiers versus Oregon Ducks College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on January 9th, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
This is a celebration that both NFL and college football are back, and there is no better indicator than finding one 2027 NFL Draft prospect from the AP Preseason Top 25 and manifesting them into the red and black next season. This is a long exercise, so we’re not going to waste any time; let’s get into it:
Ohio State – DT John Walker
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 324
John Walker (6’4 324) Ohio State
✅ 79.0 run defense grade in 2025 ✅ Knock-back power in his hands ✅ 9.4% missed tackle rate ✅ Holding the point of attack ✅ Bull rush power pic.twitter.com/0K9bO7yups
It’s the first school, and I’ve already gone off the beaten path, but hear me out. If we’re in the running for Jeremiah Smith, Atlanta likely needs a quarterback more than a wide receiver. Julian Sayin and Austin Siereveld, who is probably best inside, are not one-to-one fits for their needs. So, let’s look to a potential day-two pick in defensive tackle/nose tackle John Walker. Powerful hands and is a fantastic asset at holding the point of attack against the run, a skill the Falcons desperately need on early downs. There are only so many exotic looks Jeff Ulbrich can throw at an offense; at some point, it’s going to have to be my best against your best in the run game, and Walker can be a good start in shoring that up for Atlanta.
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) August 4, 2026
New York Jets fans are still kicking at the fact that Moore returned to Oregon this year instead of becoming the second quarterback off the board last draft cycle. Moore has a beautiful, easily catchable ball that falls into your hands as a receiver. The hope for 2027 is that he is more consistent and handles pressure better than last season. If he does, and the Falcons’ quarterback position does end up horribly, Moore would be a perfect fit for Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees’ plans in Atlanta.
Georgia – CB Ellis Robinson IV
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 180
Ellis Robinson IV is a top 10 talent. Still needs some polish, but he’s ahead of schedule for a 1-year starter with 550 career snaps pic.twitter.com/ORtYmkrakl
All the sites where you find his information are saying that he’s 6’0”, 180 pounds, but Ellis Robinson IV plays a lot bigger than that. A physical corner with some long arms, Robinson has the potential to be the second-best corner in this draft, behind the next player on this list. Robinson is only a one-year starter, but his ability to get his hands on the football and fight through the receiver to make a play while the ball is in the air is special. He’s also quite the willing run defender. Someone is going to really enjoy having Robinson on the boundary of their defense. With Hughes getting up there in age and Terrell not far behind, it may be time to look for new blood on the outside.
Notre Dame – CB Leonard Moore
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 197
Leonard Moore vs. USC is my favorite game for a prospect I've watched.
It perfectly encapsulates Moore's lockdown nature as he follows Makai Lemon on practically every play. Truly an insane performance. pic.twitter.com/st73XQQ6QJ
A true lockdown corner. Leonard Moore will follow your number-one receiver to the ends of the earth, if he has to. Moore is an insanely talented cornerback whose large frame and elite athleticism make him a problem against the shiftier receivers, like Makai Lemon, and the bigger, more physical receivers. Him and safety Tae Johnson in the same secondary is honestly unfair, but it will be a ton of fun to watch.
Jake Matthews has to ride off into the sunset at some point. To make it easier on him, the Falcons should take a good, hard look at a guy like Trevor Goosby. He won’t be there for the first few weeks of this season due to a non-contact knee injury, but by the end of September, you’ll be able to see why Goosby is rated as some people’s OT1 in this class. A massive human being with fleet feet and heavy hands, Goosby has the potential to be a game-changer as an offensive tackle. He does have warts in his game; he just turned 21 in May, but he’s going to be a solid tackle prospect that has fantastic upside in next year’s draft.
Indiana – DT Tyrique Tucker
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 298
When you can generate pressure up the middle, it makes life easier for everyone else on the defense. That’s exactly what Indiana DT Tyrique Tucker (@TuckerTyrique) brings to the Hoosiers.
One of several impactful JMU transfers, Tucker has 24 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks this… pic.twitter.com/G7vD44r2de
On day two, you’re looking for guys that can contribute early and often for your defense, and a guy like Tyrique Tucker can do that. A bit smaller than the average NFL defensive tackle, but Tucker’s production far outweighs his size. 12 tackles for loss and 6 sacks in 2025, on the way to a national championship, are definitely a great way to get your name out there.
Excited to watch this player this season. Disruptive interior defender that plays with explosive power and violent hands. High effort, upfield penetrator that can cause constant chaos. pic.twitter.com/WvBEkzu5Ym
Throughout Miami’s run to the national championship game, the talk was all about the two edges who went in the first round of last year’s draft: Rueben Bain and Ahkeem Mesidor. But my eyes couldn’t leave the middle of the defense as Ahmad Moten looked unblockable throughout the run. He has to learn to play the run better, but if he does, he could be this year’s DT1.
Texas A&M – EDGE Anto Saka
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 255
Anto Saka (6’4 255) Texas A&M
✅ Explosiveness off the snap ✅ Freakish athleticism ✅ 28.9% win rate on true pass sets ✅ 12 career sacks in a heavy rotation ✅ Converting speed-to-power pic.twitter.com/TQXKd6HP08
The losses of both Jalon Walker and James Pearce, Jr. showed just how important it is to have depth in your EDGE rotation. Saka is making the jump from Northwestern to Texas A&M this season to help Mike Elko fortify yet another intimidating defense. It will be interesting to see how Elko uses Saka’s explosiveness and where he ultimately falls in this year’s draft.
Ole Miss – DT Will Echoles
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 315
Will Echoles | IDL | Ole Miss | 6-3, 309
Well rounded, disruptive DT. Active hands, explosive power, and finishing ability. Just turned 20 years old this week. pic.twitter.com/c2AVb9uNgj
Will Echoles and Walter Nolen being on the same defensive line feels like a crime against humanity. But with Nolen gone, Echoles gets a chance to be the guy on that Ole Miss line and I doubt he’ll disappoint. Echoles is already potentially this class’ best run defender, but can he continue to take that step to become a true three-down threat and be a consistent problem in the pass rush department, as well?
312 pounds is not supposed to move this fluidly. David Stone is my personal DT1 in next year’s class, as he has a jaw-dropping mix of agility, quickness and strength at the point of attack. Stone has that ability to beat the interior offensive lineman with a quick inside move while also eating up a gap or two in the run game. Whatever you need from the interior, Stone can do it, and he would be a perfect addition to the Falcons’ defense.
Alabama CB Zabien Brown (#2) has a high level and well rounded game -He can erase any WR in coverage and remains physical in the run -Pair that with great instincts and high end athleticism and you get a dominant corner.
✅ Just a 39.7% completion rate allowed against entering 2026 ✅ Competitive at the catch point ✅ 4 interceptions during 2025 ✅ Reliable tackler pic.twitter.com/Yt3zfASoQz
Washington DT Elinneus Davis (#90) is incredibly difficult to uproot in the run game. Won’t add anything as a pass rusher, but an early down role in the NFL is clear. pic.twitter.com/UjscEO7Cuz
New Penn State safety Marcus Neal Jr. (#31) is a demon around the line of scrimmage. When he sees it, he hits it … and he sees it really well and he hits it really hard.
Neal was top 10 nationally among DBs in run stops last season at Iowa State (21). pic.twitter.com/LmAibamCNh
The last two 1,000-yard rushers for Josh Heupel at Tennessee became top 130 draft picks … is DeSean Bishop next? His lateral explosion is super impressive.
Bishop was fourth in the SEC last season in rushing yards after contact (649). pic.twitter.com/Wk4DhI8hPI
✅ Aggressive run defender ✅ Good athleticism ✅ 81.5 coverage grade in 2025 ✅ Ball production with 4 interceptions during 2025 season pic.twitter.com/Ip5fSbRrye
Aug 28, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) celebrates his rushing touchdown during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The New York Giants finish the 2026 preseason with a 2-1 record after a 23-6 win over the New York Jets.
In-game updates
Second half updates
The Giants drive the ball down to the goal line, then take a knee three times to end the game.
Jason Sanders misses his second kick. He previously missed an extra point and now misses a 54-yard field goal to keep the score 23-6. The Giants still haven’t let Ben Sauls see the field…
The Giants cut Jason Sanders because they didn't think his leg was strong enough anymore. He was so shaky that they were compelled to make Dominic Zvada a priority undrafted signing. If Sanders had better before the draft, the Giants may not have made Zvada as much of a priority.…
“Let’s Go Giants” chants sparking after the Giants get a sack and force a 3-and-out following the Zvada field goal. Trace Ford has made his presence felt.
Dominic Zvada hits a 53-yard field goal to extend the Giants’ lead to 13-6.
Dominic Zvada from 53. Good with about 10 yards to spare. 13-6.
The Giants force a 3-and-out to start the second half, just in time for Tyrone Tracy to jog back to the Giants’ sideline.
Tyrone Tracy is back on the Giants' sideline, obviously a good sign given the way he left the field. We'll see what the official word is from the team, but clearly not as worrisome as initially appeared.
GIANT Sack. Trace Ford flattens Cade Klubnik on a bad pass to knock the Jets well out of field goal range. The Giants call a time out to try to get something done in 35 seconds.
Trace Ford has put some quality stuff on tape the past two games. Sacks Klubnik there. Harbaugh calls timeout with 43 seconds left, Jets to punt.
You know Harbs is hoping for a long FG attempt from Zvada.
Catch No. 3 from Odell Beckham. Got open on a slant, but QB Brandon Allen threw behind him. Beckham had to slow down and ended up making the 17-yard catch in traffic.
The Giants sprint down the field on the back of big runs by Tyrone Tracy Jr. as well as a long catch by Odell Beckham Jr. for the touchdown. The Giants take the lead after the extra point from Dominic Zvada.
The Giants’ backup CBs rotate in, Cade Klubnick is 0-2 on the way to a 3-and-out.
Colton Hood and Korie Black now at CB on this second drive after Deonte Banks and Paulson Adebo started. Greg Newsome not playing tonight, he's been the best at the position this summer.
A promising drive is cut short by another turnover. Braxton Berrios has the ball punched out while he tries to pick up yards after the catch.
Braxton Berrios loses the fumble inside the 5 after a 16-yard catch from Winston. McCrary-Ball for Jets now has a pick and a forced fumble, punched it away from Berrios as he was fighting for more yards.
This list is a pretty good tell when it comes to players who will make the roster.
Giants players not in uniform during pregame warmups:
• RB Cam Skattebo • RB Devin Singletary • FB Pat Ricard • WR Malik Nabers • WR Jalin Hyatt (injured) • TE Isaiah Likely • TE Theo Johnson (injured) • TE Chris Manhertz • OL Andrew Thomas • OL Jermaine Eluemunor •…
It looks like Jaxson Dart won’t play, though some starters apparently will.
The Giants main starters (including QB Jaxson Dart) will have gone from Aug. 15 to Sept. 13 without any live game reps. Twenty-nine days.
It's something coach John Harbaugh said he was weighing as a major factor. But so too was how much benefit there would be for a drive or two… https://t.co/4gTR42xlUD
Dart and other starters will go without game action for nearly a month leading up to the Sept. 13 season-opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
The New York Giants face the New York Jets in the 2026 preseason finale Friday night at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff it at 7:30 p.m. ET in one of those awkward games where the Giants will be the visiting team in their own stadium.
Will head coach John Harbaugh play quarterback Jaxson Dart and at least some other frontline players? I wrote previously that he believes Harbaugh should. Giants fans who voted in our poll overwhelmingly agree.
With teams having to trim their rosters to 53 players by Sunday at 6 p.m., there are still a handful of roster spots to be won or lost. Who will step forward, or play themselves out of a job, Friday night?
Follow this thread for updates during the game, and to discuss the action with other Giants fans.
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, walks off the field after a throwing session before Thursday's game against the Atlanta Braves. (Erik S. Lesser / Associated Press)
Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani threw a bullpen Friday at Comerica Park before the team opened a three-game series against the Tigers, as scheduled. But it was not immediately clear if it put him in line to start Sunday.
“I really don’t know what to make of it because I didn’t put eyes on it,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “Obviously I’ve got to talk to Shohei, talk to [pitching coach Mark Prior] and then we’ll make a decision for Sunday. But again I have to have that conversation.”
Ohtani threw about 20 pitches in the side session, which Roberts noted was “short,” but he said he hadn’t had any expectations for pitch counts.
Ohtani’s between-start side sessions are usually closer to 30 pitches, but that alone isn’t necessarily a reason to sound the alarm, especially without a clearer picture of the initial plan for Friday’s session. The Dodgers will continue to monitor Ohtani’s recovery as well.
If he does start Sunday, it will likely be one inning in front of right-hander Tyler Glasnow, Roberts said.
Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3 against the Padres, managing swelling and discomfort in his left knee.
Barring a setback, the schedule allows for Ohtani to make five starts on at least five days’ rest before the end of the season.
Glasnow, who threw five innings and 89 pitches on Tuesday in his first start back from the injured list, is scheduled to start on regular rest Sunday.
“Glas felt good going on regular,” Roberts said when asked why the Dodgers didn’t push his start to Tuesday, “and also looking at the calendar and where other guys line up.”
Tomas Nido has spent most of his career with the Mets.
Tomas Nido is back.
The longtime former Met catcher is extending his baseball career, has signed a minor league deal to play in the Red Sox organization, according to his MLB player page.
Nido hasn’t been on a major league roster since a 10-game stint with the Tigers in 2025, when he hit .343 across 35 at-bats with two RBIs while putting up a .704 OPS.
The move comes after he spent the first several months of the 2026 season in the Tigers organization before being released on July 21.
Tomas Nido has spent most of his career with the Mets. Getty Images
Nido, 32, will provide additional organizational depth behind the plate for Boston and is expected to report to Triple-A Worcester.
Nido played 43 games for Triple-A Toledo this season, batting .236 with a .317 on-base percentage and .368 slugging percentage.
He recorded 34 hits in 144 at-bats, including 10 doubles and three home runs, while driving in 10 runs.
Nido’s career is primarily associated with his tenure as a Met.
Tomas Nido played 10 games with the Tigers last season. MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Mets selected Nido in the eighth round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Orangewood Christian School in Florida. The Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, native spent several years developing in the Amazin’s minor league system prior to his MLB debut in September 2017.
Nido remained with the organization through his June 2024 release, spending parts of eight seasons with the big league club and becoming a mainstay in the catching rotation.
Nido was a longtime Mets backup due to his proficiency behind the plate and occasional serviceable bat.
His biggest opportunity came in 2022, when he appeared in a career-high 98 games for a Mets team that won 101 games and reached the postseason before losing to the Padres in the wild-card round.
Nido hit .239 with a .276 on-base percentage and .324 slugging percentage that season with 68 hits, 15 doubles, three home runs and 28 RBIs.
Welcome to the life of a professional athlete, Darryn Peterson.
The No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft is off to a great start in his pro career, but immediately before that? Not so much.
In an interview earlier this month with ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike, Peterson shared his unfortunate wake-up call leading up to the draft.
Darryn Peterson of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the Washington Wizards during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 9, 2026, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
“Crazy story: my whip, during the pre-draft, got [stolen] out of the driveway at the Airbnb I was staying at,” Peterson revealed when asked what he purchased with his first pro paycheck. “After it got took, I was like, ’I’m about to just get something else.’”
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson controls the ball against the Houston Cougars during the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 13, 2026. Getty Images
His new ride? A custom matte black Range Rover. And yes, he’s learned to keep it in the garage.
The Jazz rookie erupted onto the pro scene with 28 points in his NBA Summer League debut. Over five games, he averaged 23 points — good enough for sixth best on the summer circuit — with 3.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.
He’ll get his first shot on an NBA court in the Jazz’s preseason opener on Oct. 4 against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Utah opens the regular season on Oct. 21 at Memphis.
Darryn Peterson looks on during the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Peterson was in the mix for the top pick and ultimately fell to Utah after the Wizards took AJ Dybantsa No. 1 overall.
TORONTO, ON - MAY 8: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners is celebrates after throwing a no-hitter during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Likely Cy Young winner vs. the 2026 Seattle Mariners. What could go wrong? The last time the Mariners ran into the Cease buzzsaw, he came away with nine strikeouts over seven innings, with a walk, two singles, and a double. The Mariners’ offense has showed a little more life lately, so maybe they’ll be able to adjust.
The Blue Jays will also be facing their opposing pitcher for the second time this season. When Emerson Hancock faced Toronto in January, it was one of his better starts amid his mid-season slide. He went a full seven, striking out five and giving up just a single, a double, and two walks.
The Mariners and Jays really are mirror images of each other.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 23: Tomoyuki Sugano #11 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Sunday, August 23, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
After splitting the four-game series with the Washington Nationals, the Colorado Rockies head south to the Peach State to take on the Atlanta Braves in a new series.
The last time these two teams met was back in May, when the Braves swept a three-game series at Coors Field. The Braves currently hold a five-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East standings. Once again, the Rockies face a tough road challenge against a good big league team.
Tomoyuki Sugano (12-7, 4.96 ERA) is looking to rebound after the oddity of his last start at Coors Field. Sugano lasted just three innings against the Cleveland Guardians, having thrown 93 pitches and allowed five runs on nine hits. The Guardians did an excellent job running up his pitch count with an absurd amount of foul balls and the contact they made kept finding holes for base hits. Sugano scuffled in his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers before that, allowing seven runs on seven hits across five innings.
At this point in the season, teams that are elite at making contact have proven troublesome for Sugano, especially those that can waste pitches. Sugano is at his best when he can work quickly and induce weak contact for ground balls. Atlanta is a tough match-up in that regard and he will have to establish the zone early and put batters away quickly.
The Braves will turn to Grant Holmes (8-5, 3.64 ERA) to make his 25th start of the season. With all of the injuries the Braves have dealt with in their rotation, Holmes has proven a reliable arm all season. He can get strikeouts, but has mostly averaged about four per game this season. Meanwhile, the walks can fluctuate but typically average two to three per game. He last faced the Rockies at Coors Field on May 1 and had one of his worst starts this season, allowing six runs on seven hits over five innings.
He comes into this game, however, on the heels of a start where he allowed just one hit over six innings. In fact, he has allowed just six runs over 21.2 innings this month, all of which came in a 3.2 inning performance on August 15 against Arizona. Hopefully, the Rockies can replicate the success from May and actually secure the win
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 27: CJ Abrams #5 and Daylen Lile #4 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after a 7-1 victory against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park on August 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Marlins have owned the Nats all season, and now they are coming into town for four games. This is a series Blake Butera has to be targeting after the Nats just got swept in Miami. We know the deal with the Marlins now. They are a gritty, fundamentally sound bunch. Can the Nats stop them?
CJ Abrams is back in the field, but at shortstop. Blake Butera would not commit to a timetable when I asked him when he would play second base. Nasim Nunez is getting a day off, which means Jorbit Vivas is at second and Brady House is at third. Abimelec Ortiz and Harry Ford are also back in the lineup. Jackson Kent is on the mound.
Since the last series between these teams, Marlins slugger Kyle Stowers has returned from the IL. He will be playing first base. The pesky middle infield duo of Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards will be players to watch. Utility man Javier Sanoja has also been hot lately. Marlins young ace Eury Perez is on the mound.
The Nats problems with divisional foes have been well documented. However, they will have a chance to change the narrative a bit this weekend. With just a month left in the season, the Nats look to finish strong. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
