The Seahawks have claimed Kellen Diesch off of waivers from the Chiefs, according to the league’s daily transaction wire.
Diesch, 29, has bounced around since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He’s spent time with the Dolphins, Bears, Steelers, Browns, Patriots, Titans, and Chiefs.
He’s also played for the UFL’s Arlington Renegades, Memphis Showboats, Houston Gamblers, and Louisville Kings.
The Seahawks and Chiefs will play each other for their preseason finale on Friday.
Cutter Gauthier was never the wrong choice for the Philadelphia Flyers with the fifth pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, but things never worked out that way, and in hindsight, Gauthier never would have made it that far to begin with.
Gauthier, 22, scored 20 goals, 24 assists, and 44 points in 82 games during his rookie year with the Anaheim Ducks in 2024-25, but exploded in a big way last year, erupting for 41 goals, 48 assists, and 69 points in only 76 regular season games.
The former Flyers draft pick was equally productive in the playoffs, producing 12 points in 12 games as the Ducks surprisingly advanced to the second round before being quelled by former Flyers head coach John Tortorella and the eventually Stanley Cup runners-up Vegas Golden Knights.
Of course, the Flyers went on to exchange the previously disgruntled Gauthier for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick that later became Jack Murtagh, but if we re-did the 2022 NHL Draft all over again today, things would be a bit different.
The Athletic prospects expert Corey Pronman recently released his re-ranking/re-draft of the 2022 draft class, and there no controversies atop the list this time.
Juraj Slafkovsky remained No. 1, where he went to Montreal, while Logan Cooley jumped from No. 3 to No. 2.
Below them, Lane Hutson jumped from 62nd to third, and Gauthier bumped up to fourth from fifth.
So, with no Gauthier on the board here for the Flyers, Philadelphia ends up with another power forward who quietly made major strides to finish out the 2025-26 season: St. Louis Blues winger Jimmy Snuggerud.
And yes, this would mean that Pronman and the Flyers passed on Shane Wright, Simon Nemec, Denton Mateychuk, Conor Geekie, Noah Ostlund, and Marco Kasper, who are all centers or defensemen.
Snuggerud would be one of the Flyers' best wingers
For those who may be unfamiliar, Snuggerud, 22, was drafted 23rd overall by the Blues in 2022 out of the U.S. National Team Development Program and spend three years with the University of Minnesota in the NCAA before joining St. Louis at the tail-end of the 2024-25 season.
Snuggerud twice scored 20 goals and 50 points twice in his three years with Minnesota; for reference, Flyers rookie Porter Martone scored 25 goals and 50 points in 35 games with Michigan State last season.
The 6-foot-1 winger had a so-so rookie year with St. Louis last year until around midseason. In the 27 games he played after Feb. 1, Snuggerud posted a sizzling 12-goal, 18-assist, 3-point stat line with an impressive +23 rating.
Much like Matvei Michkov with the Flyers post-Olympic break, this was indicative of a player who was finally starting to figure things out and got his legs underneath him.
Including the likes of Michkov and Martone, the Flyers already boast a robust group of wingers, both young and old, but it's easy to picture Snuggerud's fit in Philadelphia in a hypothetical re-draft.
He, along with Tyson Foerster, Michkov, and Martone, would give the Flyers one of the very best groups of young wingers in the entire NHL, and would subsequently allow them to move veterans like Owen Tippett and Travis Konecny to address other needs; remember, without Gauthier, there is no Drysdale here.
Fortunately for the Flyers, things are beginning to take a bright turn with Drysdale finally developing into a legitimately good two-way defenseman, as the last few years subjected the rearguard to endless and unreasonable comparisons to Gauthier with the Flyers attempting to navigate an impossible situation.
Snuggerud's continued development made it possible for a team like the Blues to make Jordan Kyrou expendable via trade, which only further proves the value of what the Flyers are doing with the development of their own young players.
Devon Witherspoon's contract extension with the Seahawks has not closed the gap between the Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
The Patriots do not appear willing to go to the benchmark four-year, $132 million deal established by Witherspoon, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
"The Patriots haven't gone there," Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. "They weren't there before, and they don't appear to be going there right now."
Witherspoon and Gonzalez share the same agency, the Win Sports Group, so it's unlikely the Patriots will sign Gonzalez to an extension without matching the deal the Seahawks corner received.
The season begins Sept. 9 with the Patriots and Gonzalez opposite the Seahawks and Witherspoon.
Gonzalez is scheduled to make a base salary of $2.259 million this season.
The 17th overall pick in 2023, he made second-team All-Pro in 2024 and the Pro Bowl in 2025. He has totaled 145 tackles, two interceptions, 24 pass breakups and a sack in three seasons.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Malachi Toney #10 of the Miami Hurricanes warms up prior to a game against the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Miami Hurricanes aren’t short on star power entering the 2026 college football season.
Toney exploded onto the national scene as a freshman, helping Miami reach the national championship game while establishing himself as one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football.
Now, the expectations are significantly different.
Toney isn’t a breakout candidate anymore.
He’s one of the players ESPN expects to be among the best in the sport.
Toney is arguably the best football player in the country and has a huge sophomore year ahead of him with championship expectations.
No. 18 — Ahmad Moten
Miami’s defensive front gets represented by Ahmad Moten at No. 18.
Moten enters the season as one of the most highly regarded interior defensive linemen in the country and could be one of the biggest reasons Miami’s defense remains among the nation’s best.
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
He returned to Coral Gables after flirting with the idea of declaring for the NFL Draft. Moten was a beast and made his presence known nationally during the CFP run.
He recorded 31 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and four QB hurries last season.
I expect another huge year and his draft projection to be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
No. 23 — Darian Mensah
Perhaps the most intriguing ranking is Darian Mensah at No. 23.
Mensah has yet to take a snap for Miami, but ESPN clearly believes his production at Duke wasn’t a fluke.
And you can make an argument that he should be higher, especially with the quarterbacks that are ranked ahead of him.
After throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2025, Mensah enters his first season in Coral Gables with Heisman Trophy and national championship expectations.
With defenses forced to account for Mensah and Toney through the air, Fletcher could have plenty of opportunities to improve on those numbers.
In my opinion, Fletcher should be ranked better.
No. 63 — Damon Wilson II
The final Hurricane on the list is Damon Wilson II at No. 63.
Wilson is coming off a nine-sack season at Missouri and gives Miami another legitimate pass-rushing threat on a defensive line that has massive expectations.
His presence could be particularly important after Miami lost Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor to the NFL.
He is already on the radar for a lot of NFL scouts, and he has a great opportunity on a big stage to prove his worth.
The Snubs
For all five players who made the list, there are a few names that Miami fans can reasonably argue deserved consideration.
Cooper Barkate is the biggest one, especially with the production he had last year at his former school.
The Duke transfer caught 72 passes for 1,106 yards and seven touchdowns last season and was Mensah’s top target. ESPN previously ranked Barkate No. 38 on its list of the top newcomers entering 2026, making his absence from the overall Top 100 somewhat surprising.
Bryce Fitzgerald deserved to be on this list, as I don’t see how he is not one of the top 100 players in college football right now. After recording six interceptions as a true freshman, he was the young stud on the defensive side of the ball that proved his worth early.
The shocking one was DL Justin Scott. He has been on NFL scouts’ radar for this upcoming season and has been projected to be a 2027 first-round pick on multiple mock drafts early into the season. His opportunities were limited last season due to the abundance of talent on that defensive line, but he still had flashes of greatness.
He recorded 13 QB hurries in just the last seven games of the season and is primed to be one of the best defensive linemen in the country alongside Moten this season.
Then there’s Omar Thornton, who enters the season with an opportunity to become a major piece of Miami’s secondary and has been the camp darling for the Canes. Another camp star and has been raved about by coaches and teammates thus far.
None of those omissions are necessarily egregious, but worth mentioning as some of the best players in the country.
Atwell, 26, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Rams after being selected in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The 5-9, 165-pound wide-out served as a situational speed threat for Los Angeles and generated 105 catches for 1,535 yards and five touchdowns across 64 games (27 starts) with the franchise.
Atwell signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Dolphins in 2026 free agency after his most recent deal with the Rams expired. Now, he will return to Los Angeles to provide Sean McVay experienced depth at the receiver position.
Here's everything to know about the Atwell trade and how he fits with the Rams.
Tutu Atwell trade details
Rams get:
WR Tutu Atwell
Dolphins get:
RB Jarquez Hunter
The Rams brought Atwell back in a rare, player-for-player trade, as Los Angeles sent Hunter to Miami to consummate the deal.
The Rams selected Hunter in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Auburn product appeared in five games during his rookie campaign but played exclusively on special teams, logging 22 snaps. The 23-year-old was given extensive run during the 2026 preseason, generating 103 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, and will compete with Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright for playing time behind Dolphins starter De'Von Achane.
Rams WR depth chart
Meanwhile, Atwell will provide an extra layer of depth behind Los Angeles' top two wide-outs, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Below is a look at the current projected pecking order within the Rams' receiver room, according to the team's unofficial depth chart.
Atwell ranked sixth on the Rams in offensive snaps played last season behind Nacua, Adams, Whittington, Mumpfield and Smith. However, it's worth noting he missed seven regular-season games due to injury and likely would have out-snapped Smith if healthy.
Nonetheless, Atwell will find himself competing for the top backup job in Los Angeles' receiving corps. Mumpfield, Smith and Daniels, a sixth-round rookie, will serve as the 26-year-old's main competition for a roster spot and playing time.
Tutu Atwell contract details
Atwell is on a modest, one-year deal worth just a bit more than the veteran minimum. Below are the full details of his contract, per Spotrac.com.
Term: 1 year
Total value: $1.4 million
Average annual value (AAV): $1.4 million
Guaranteed money: $1.2 million
The cost of Atwell's 2026 deal is far cheaper than the one-year, $10 million contract the Rams gave him for the 2025 NFL season.
Tutu Atwell stats
Atwell is coming off a 2025 season during which he made only six catches while logging 192 yards and a touchdown.
For his career, Atwell has made 105 catches for 1,535 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 14.6 yards per reception. He also has totaled 72 yards and a touchdown on 16 career carries, though he hasn't logged a rushing attempt since 2024.
Atwell also returned kicks and punts as a rookie in 2021. He averaged 17.4 yards per kick return and 5.4 yards on punt returns.
Aug 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston (31) warms up before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Bills at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Buffalo Bills close out their 2026 NFL preseason schedule with a home tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Joe Brady has said some starters will play this evening, but that quarterback Josh Allen will not be among that group. Despite anyone’s insistence that Allen and the offense need as many reps as reasonably possible, the best news is that Allen won’t be put in harm’s way on the field this evening.
Instead, look for quarterback Shane Buechele taking all the offensive snaps tonight. Despite a game that’s meaningless in the box score, it’s a very important game for a lot of guys on the field of play. Who plays when and for how long tends to go a long way towards their path to a roster spot. At least that was true in prior seasons under former head coach Sean McDermott.
All of Bills Mafia wants tonight’s game to come and go as quickly as possible, and with little necessary drama attached. That said, there are a lot of intriguing story lines to watch for, perhaps none bigger in this game than that of second-year cornerback Maxwell Hairston. With a defensive scheme change, are Hairston’s days as a starter numbered, or can he succeed as needed in man-cover looks and hold back rookie cornerback Davison Igbinosun? Tonight could tell us a lot about Hairston’s immediate future whether he doesn’t play, or plays and plays a lot of snaps.
There’s a battle at running back behind James Cook III, Ty Johnson, and Ray Davis. Obviously each of that trio has a lock on starting snaps, however a pair of young running backs in Frank Gore Jr. and Ian Wheeler will do their best to earn significant consideration for the regular season and beyond. Is this Gore’s year despite the noise that Wheeler’s tracks have made?
The top of the wide receiver depth chart seems fairly settled, but there are a lot of options to consider behind starting wideouts DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Joshua Palmer. Keep your eyes on rookies Skyler Bell, Ja’Mori Maclin, and Max Tomczak, plus veteran receivers Mecole Hardman Jr., Trent Sherfield, Stephen Gosnell, Dante Pettis, and Quentin Skinner — especially when and where each player takes snaps against the Steelers.
On defense, focus on how defensive tackle Greg Gaines is deployed, and what his contributions bring to Buffalo’s trenches. Plus, is the battle at linebacker settled? Will the Bills march on with Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams as the team’s starting inside ‘backers, or will Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Joe Andreessen, Keonta Jenkins, Jimmy Ciarlo, Theron Gaines, or even Otis Reese IV give new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard pause before naming starters inside?
There are a lot of guys battling for a spot at outside linebacker/edge rusher behind Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, and Michael Hoecht. Will rookie EDGE players in TJ Parker and Cade Denhoff make a move up the chart this evening, or will it be Javon Solomon? What about veteran defenders like Mike Danna and Andre Jones Jr.?
With that, here’s your open thread for all of tonight’s action during Bills vs. Steelers. Remember, we only have one game thread for each matchup this season so you can sit tight in this space all game long. As always, be kind to one another — and in all things… Go Bills!
Most Week 3 preseason games don't have any juice, but there's an in-stadium rivalry on the line when the New York Giants play the New York Jets at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night.
The Giants have shown more interest in playing starters and potential contributors on both sides of the ball, which is why I'm taking them as a 60-cent favorite at Kalshi in my Giants vs. Jets predictions.
Let's take a closer look at my free NFL picks for Friday, Aug. 28.
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TOP PICK
Who will win Giants vs Jets: New York Giants
Kalshi probability: 60%
While both the New York Jets and New York Giants are still going to give reps to players who may play important roles for their teams this season, its the Giants who are turning more to their starters on Friday.
Giants coach John Harbaugh has said that he's considering giving starting quarterback Jaxson Dart at least one series to avoid a long layoff for one of his key offensive players ahead of the regular season. He's also said that the starting defense will get some reps to work on communication.
Comparatively, the Jets will be working on determining backups and keeping many of their ailing offensive starters out to try to get them ready for Week 1. The Giants have a significant edge, and I like them at up to 65 cents.
TOP PICK Giants vs Jets Over/Under pick: Over 36.5
Kalshi probability: 51%
The Giants will have a fair amount of offensive talent on the field Friday, whether Dart ultimately plays or not. That includes veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who looks likely to snag a roster spot for New York.
On the other side, the Jets are likely to give significant time to rookie Cade Klubnik, who has already shown the ability to move the offense, going 10-for-14 for 75 yards so far in the preseason. Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe also have significant NFL experience at quarterback, and Geno Smith might even get limited playing time.
With both teams rotating in defenders fighting for roster spots, the relatively notable names on offense will have the better of the play on Friday night. I'm backing the Over up to 37.5 points.
On a partly cloudy night with temperatures cooling from a daytime high of 83 degrees, the weather should have minimal impact on this game.
How to watch Giants vs Jets
Location
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Date
Friday, Aug.28, 2026
Kickoff
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Giants vs Jets latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The San Jose Sharks have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, and they added quite a bit of talent to it this summer. Over the next few weeks, we'll be taking a look at their top 20 prospects and how they project to impact the organization in the long-run.
Note: Due to the lack of consistency for what constitutes a prospect, for this list we're excluding anyone who is no longer considered a rookie by the NHL. As a result, players like Igor Chernyshov will not be included.
Kicking off the countdown is a bit of a polarizing player, Alexander Karmanov isn't expected to be an impact player at the NHL level, if he ever plays an NHL game at all. With that being said, if he's able to overcome the odds and develop perfectly, he could become one of the most unique players in league history.
Karmanov was the Sharks' 201st overall selection this past summer, and realistically there were a few players who could've overtaken him on this list, but I opted to include him simply due to the intrigue of his development. As a 7-foot-1 defenseman, if he plays a single NHL game, he'll make history as the tallest player in league history.
With that being said, it's going to take a lot of effort and coaching to even give Karmanov a slight chance to make it to the show, to put it simply. His skating leaves quite a bit to be desired:
On top of that, the NHL is faster than ever and Karmanov's game certainly isn't defined by blazing speed. If he's able to become even a below-average skater though, his size and reach could make him an interesting prospect to watch as he reaches the ECHL and potentially the American Hockey League.
With that being said, Karmanov's size gives him a major advantage if he happens to be in the right place at the right time. His reach significantly limits options for opposing players and makes it very difficult to get around him.
"Even without speed, all he has to do is get in the way of an incoming rusher, or lean on them as he's skating back to his zone, to erase them from the play," Lauren Kelly wrote in a scouting report for Elite Prospects. "He angles well with his stick, checking and poking at puck carriers or disrupting passing lanes."
It's very difficult to really see where Karmanov's ceiling is at this stage, as he's such a unique prospect. More than likely, he'll top-out as an AHL or ECHL level defenseman, but if he's able to somehow make it to the NHL, he could be a very effective stay-at-home defenseman, assuming his skating allows him to keep up with the opposition. Regardless, we'll see where he ends up, but it'll likely be quite a while before we even see him in the conversation for a role at any professional level.
The charges – one for battery and the other for criminal damage to property – were filed via a complaint from Brown County District Attorney David L. Lasee on Thursday, Aug. 27. Both charges stem from Jacobs' arrest in Brown County, Wisconsin, on May 26 after an incident occurred on May 23.
"On May 23, 2026, at approximately 8:37 a.m., the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department was dispatched to a disturbance complaint involving Josh Jacobs," Hobart-Lawrence Police Chief Michael Renkas said in a statement on May 26.
Jacobs faced five counts after his initial arrest: battery (domestic abuse), criminal damage to property (domestic abuse), disorderly conduct (domestic abuse), strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. The Packers' veteran running back denied the initial allegations in a statement from his attorneys – David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld and Clarence Duchac – following his arrest in May.
"Josh vehemently denies the allegations, and this matter is in the early stages of investigation with important evidence that has not yet been made public," the statement, via NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, read. "We ask for fairness and restraint while the judicial process takes its course."
Months after his arrest, Jacobs now faces the two misdemeanor charges after the formal complaint: one for battery, one for criminal damage to property. An initial appearance in court for Jacobs is set for Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m.
It is unclear whether Jacobs will face discipline from the NFL or the Packers.
"We are aware of the matter involving Josh Jacobs," a Packers spokesperson said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports in May. "As it is an ongoing legal situation, we will withhold further comment."
Jacobs is due to enter his third season with Green Bay in 2026 after joining the Packers on a four-year, $48 million deal in 2024. In two seasons with the Packers, the 28-year-old has tallied 2,258 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns across 3 games.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 22: Kedon Slovis #12 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to throw the ball during a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at State Farm Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Arizona Cardinals will play the Green Bay Packers Friday night at Lambeau Field in the first “LaFleur Bowl.” It could be coined the “Melton Bowl,” as Max Melton is a cornerback for the Cardinals while his brother Bo Melton is a Packers receiver.
Newly minted head coach Mike LaFleur of the Cardinals will face off against his older brother Matt, head coach of the Packers. The two have faced off twice when Mike was the OC of the Los Angeles Rams, but this will mark the first time the siblings have squared off while each was an NFL head coach.
Traditionally, NFL teams do not play any starters in the final preseason game. The coaching staff already knows what they have with their starting players, and the big question marks are involved within the bottom third of the roster.
“The Turk” arrives on Sunday, August 30, as NFL teams must announce their 53-man rosters. Currently, teams can have as many as 90 guys in camp. The difficult aspect for the coaches is to find out which players to retain. No coach wants to cut a guy who becomes a valued member of another franchise at some point. Think Kurt Warner.
With this in mind, how many starters on offense, defense, and special teams will be playing?
The Arizona version of LaFleur answered that question and stated that none of the starters will play. That includes rookie RB Jeremiyah Love, who is still nursing an ankle injury.
As far as the quarterback room, only Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis will play. Rookie Carson Beck hasn’t thrown a pass in any recent practice as he is healing from a rib injury he suffered in the Hall of Fame Game and has been sidelined ever since. Because Jacoby Brissett is the starting QB, he will not even suit up.
Mike LaFleur confirmed that most of the starters will not play, but might be a couple exceptions of a player or two starting Sept 13 playing Friday in Green Bay #AZCardinals
Although we stated that none of the other starters will play, well, that just might be incorrect. It is possible to see DE Josh Sweat out there for a couple of series. He hasn’t been practicing and has zero snaps in the three other exhibition games. Perhaps the coaching staff will want him to dust off the rust a bit. Then again, they could just sit him and let the Week 1 outing become his dust-off.
LaFleur did touch a bit on Sweat despite him getting in only one workout:
“It was great to have him out there. When you get some of those pieces out there, you can feel it with the other guys, too. They were happy to see him again. He’s according to plan. It’s right on schedule in terms of when he was going to get out there. He’ll be out there again today doing some individual drills, and we’ll just kind of take it one practice at a time.”
This match will be strictly for jobs. The game will feature backup players, rookies, and roster bubble candidates fighting for final spots on both sides of the ball before roster cuts. That includes backup punter Jack Browning, who played for the Orlando Storm of the UFL this past spring.
How to catch the game
Watch
@ 7:00 p.m. (Eastern), 4:00 p.m. (Mountain)
Arizona Family / KPHO Ch. 3
ABC/NBC affiliates in the Packers broadcast regions: WKOW
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 28: Rigoberto Sanchez #8 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Thursday, the Indianapolis Colts announced that they have re-signed longtime punter Rigoberto Sanchez to a contract extension that will currently make him one of the top five highest paid punters in the NFL:
Two-year extension for #Colts P Rigoberto Sanchez that makes him a top-5 paid punter at age 32. https://t.co/LH5DjvMr6U
Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, it’s confirmed to be a 2-year contract extension, which will keep the otherwise pending free agent punter, in Indianapolis through the 2028 campaign.
Originally signed by the Colts as an undrafted rookie in 2017 out of Hawaii, the 9-year veteran has become one the league’s better punters, if not arguably among the best players at his position.
While Sanchez may not have quite the booming leg of some of elite punting peers, he makes up for it with his elite accuracy and ball placement off his leg, as 50% of his punts were pinned with the 20-yard line last season (which was a career high). His punting skill-set plays really well with half his games inside a roof under Lucas Oil Stadium, where he can play the home turf to his punting advantage.
Last season, he had 44 punts for the Colts, averaging 48.8 yards per punt (*8th most in the NFL in 2025), as well as handled a few kickoffs (9) in relief for Indianapolis’ special teams units. Per PFF, he was their 9th best graded punter with a +76.7 overall grade.
Even though Sanchez surprisingly hasn’t made a Pro Bowl yet, it’s good to see that the Colts will be keeping one of their longstanding special teams standouts in Indianapolis for at least three more seasons.
The Lions gave Jahmyr Gibbs a new contract this month that made him the highest-paid running back in the NFL. Packers outside linebacker Micah Parsons thinks that was a wise investment.
"He's the fastest person I've ever seen on the field," Parsons said of Gibbs as part of the NFL's Top 100 Players feature.
Parsons has seen Gibbs on the field three times: Twice last year when the Packers faced the Lions, and once in 2023, when Parsons and the Cowboys faced Gibbs as a rookie. Gibbs hasn't had big numbers in any of those games, which Parsons attributes to the whole defense being focused on him.
"You need 11 people running to the ball every play," Parsons said. "If you don't rally tackle, there's no way you're beating the Lions with him at running back."
The Packers and Lions play in Week 7 and Week 18 this season. Parsons says he and his teammates will have their hands full.
"You're watching the tape like, 'We've got this dude again this week?'" Parsons said. "He's for real."
A’ja Wilson and Olivia Miles. (Photo by Matt Krohn) | Getty Images
Last year, in addition to becoming the first four-time MVP in WNBA history, A’ja Wilson became just the second back-to-back MVP. Cynthia Cooper accomplished the feat 27 years earlier in the league’s first two seasons.
Now, Wilson is the frontrunner to win an unprecedented third MVP in a row. It would be her fifth total, which is mind-boggling, especially considering she just turned 30 years old and likely has quite some time left in her career.
𝑀'𝑽𝑃 in her element 🫡
For the 32nd time in her career, A’ja Wilson earns @wnba Western Conference Player of the Week honors. pic.twitter.com/cKQcE61mac
Wilson leads the player many consider to be second in the running, Olivia Miles, by a whopping 8.3 statistical points when you add up their averages in points, rebounds, assists times 1.5, steals and blocks. Miles has a slightly higher effective field goal percentage and a slightly higher free throw percentage, but Wilson’s lead in stat score is overwhelming.
Should voters think outside the box and give the MVP to Olivia Miles?
Miles has led a Minnesota Lynx team that nobody expected to have best record in the league. The Lynx are 3.5 games ahead of the next closest team in the current WNBA standings and five games ahead of Wilson’s Las Vegas Aces, who were considered to be one of the frontrunners at the beginning of the season.
Miles has done it all, all while facing the pressure of being a rookie. These circumstances will undoubtedly be factored in when the media votes; already, major media outlets have been portraying the race as closer than the numbers indicate it should be.
"Wins. I love helping my team win."
Impacting the game on every level, Olivia Miles takes the most pride in helping her team earn the dub ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/GkAXj5HGFx
Then there’s the historic bias against guards that has to be taken into consideration. Miles, a 5-foot-10 point guard, shouldn’t be expected to rebound the ball at the same rate as Wilson, a 6-foot-4 forward/center. That’s not part of her job description.
As I wrote about in my 2025 MVP ladder 2.0, the WNBA MVP award has only been given to a true guard three times: Cooper twice and Diana Taurasi once.
Clearly, the stat score method I use when determining my MVP favors frontcourt players, even though I multiply assists by 1.5. Other analysts have their own formulas or considerations when trying to capture a player’s statiscal impact, but they keep coming up with the same answer: The most-deserving MVP candidates are almost always versatile 3s, 4s and 5s.
Shooting guard Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever is a great example of someone whose stat score is always low for a star because she doesn’t fill out the box score beyond scoring. But she is rightfully in the MVP conversation this season alongside Wilson and Miles because basketball experts who watch the games can see that she affects the game beyond the box score because of how much of a threat she is to score. Sometimes doing one job (in this case scoring) really well is all a player should need to gain consideration.
Miles is probably a more gifted passer than she is a scorer, and that may always be the case. But she has turned into someone who loves to score. As a result, her assist average (6.1 per game) isn’t a top-five mark in the league, but it’s still very good. Plus, she’s averaging nearly 20 points per game, which good enough to be in the conversation for the scoring title most years.
And the intangibles have been phenomenal. “The Spectacle” has electrified the league with thrilling performance after thrilling performance. Again, all this has come while dealing with the challenge of getting used to the professional level.
“I haven’t seen anything like her coming in as a rookie and being as dominant since Candace Parker.”@tinacharles31 is a big Olivia Miles fan 👏 pic.twitter.com/tVqQb2jbvA
What if it’s not yet someone else’s turn? Isn’t A’ja Wilson still the best?
Let’s argue Wilson’s case though.
It seems Miles has a legitimate shot at getting some first place votes. But if Miles wins the award, that won’t properly reflect that Wilson is still in the midst of her reign as the best player in the world.
Are we subconsciously discriminating against Wilson because we think it’s someone else’s turn?
The MVP award can only go to one person, and years from now, when we see that one name listed, we will automatically think that player was the clear-cut best player in the league that year. The name on the list doesn’t tell the true story of all the arguments that were had for other players. When future generations look back on 2023, they will see Breanna Stewart’s name and not be aware of the intense debate that occurred between Stewie, A’ja and Alyssa Thomas. It’s unlikely many people will dig deeper, look at the voting and realize that AT actually got the most first-place votes.
So Miles’ name may go down in history as the MVP this year. She would be the second rookie to win the award, after Candace Parker in 2008. And she might be deserving.
But it would be a shame for people to not remember how close Wilson came to three MVPs in a row and five in seven years.
We should celebrate the accomplishment that has been A’ja showing up and being A’ja Wilson yet again.
We shouldn’t take it for granted.
Yet, it will likely be forgotten if she doesn’t win MVP.
In my stat score, what Wilson gains in having 9.5 rebounds per game is pretty much canceled out by multiplying Miles’ assists per game by 1.5, which comes out to 9.2.
The real difference between the two is Wilson’s incredible scoring average of 26 points per game being 6.3 pointes higher than Miles’ scoring average. Wilson is on track for the second-highest points per game in the history of the W, trailing only her own mark of 26.9 in 2024. It’s hard to vote against that.
Personally, I’m a fan of both players.
I’m happy my prediction that Miles would be a great player in the W has come to fruition so quickly. I’m also enjoying watching Wilson ascend to GOAT status in real time. On the men’s side, most experts have, unfairly or not, refused to crown a new GOAT, instead insisting that Michael Jordan is still better than LeBron James.
On the women’s side, A’ja has left no doubt in surpassing Taurasi, and we’re lucky to be witnessing it.
Diehard Jordan fans in the 90s didn’t get tired of him winning award after award. That’s what I’m experiencing with A’ja right now. It just doesn’t get old.
Gabriel Bannigan said he was "disappointed" to be stepping down from his role as Monaghan manager after two years at the helm but said the "goalposts have been moved" and he could not continue.
Bannigan initially joined Monaghan as part of Vinny Corey's management team in 2022 before succeeding Corey as boss in 2024.
Under Bannigan, Monaghan won the Division Two title in 2025 and reached successive All-Ireland quarter-finals where they were knocked out by Donegal and then Louth.
The Farney men were relegated from Division One this year after a tough league campaign in which they failed to pick up a point.
They bounced back well in the Ulster SFC with wins over Cavan and Derry but suffered an extra-time defeat against Armagh in the decider.
"I ma very disappointed to announce that I am stepping down as manager of the Monaghan senior football team," Bannigan said in a statement.
"When I was appointed two years ago, I accepted the challenge of leading the Monaghan team through an inevitable period of transition and it has been an absolute privilege to do so.
"I have always been 100% honest with the Monaghan people since I was given the honour of managing our senior footballers, I did not want to walk away from this project that I have put so much into.
"Over the last number of weeks, I worked hard on my plans for 2027 to build on the excellent foundations now in place. During this period, I have come to realise that the goalposts have moved, and the conditions are not right for me to continue and therefore I believe a new management team and fresh voices are now required to take Monaghan football forward."
The Steelers head to Orchard Park tonight to close out their preseason slate against the Bills (7:00 p.m. ET, NFL Network).
Even with starter workloads up in the air, Buffalo is laying -2.5 on home turf. Our Steelers vs. Bill prediction and NFL picks are backing Joe Brady's squad to cover the short spread and cap off a perfect 3-0 preseason run on Thursday, Aug. 27.
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Who will win Steelers vs Bills: Bills -2.5
The Buffalo Bills are 2-0 and have outscored opponents 60-21 in Joe Brady's first preseason at the helm.
Though Brady did say, "There will be some guys who are starters that are going to be playing in the game," backing Buffalo to cover against the Pittsburgh Steelers is all about the backup. Ninth-year vet Kyle Allen has been efficient behind center for the Bills, putting up a spectacular 96.2% adjusted completion percentage and committing zero turnover-worthy plays.
Allen has had support from his backfield, too, with running backs Ray Davis, Ian Wheeler, and Frank Gore Jr. combining to rush for 231 yards and three scores this preseason. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's young and inexperienced backups on offense could struggle to keep up.
Drew Allar and Will Howard both struggled in a loss last week and will likely see the bulk of the snaps again. Allar was sacked three times and had an adjusted completion percentage of just 56.5%, while Howard had two turnover-worthy plays.
The loss took Mike McCarthy's preseason record since 2020 to 5-10.
TOP PICK Steelers vs Bills Over/Under pick: Over 35.5
In Brady's three preseasons as the Bills' offensive coordinator/head coach, Buffalo's average final game total has been 41. Only once in those eight games has the game total hit a number below 35.5, and with the way Allen and Buffalo's running back room has played this preseason, the high-scoring should continue.
Those receivers could put in work in the second half against a Steelers third- and fourth-string secondary full of undrafted rookies who were torched by the New York Jets late in Week 2.
Pittsburgh's offensive depth is less proven, but if Allar or Howard can settle in, the Steelers' pass catching depth could shine. Rookies Germie Bernard and Kaden Wetjen have made splashy plays while veterans Robert Tonyan and Ben Skowronek have been consistent threats.
Buffalo has allowed 22.3 PPG across its last three preseasons.
There's a chance weather has an impact in Buffalo on Thursday night, with the forecast calling for rain earlier in the day and the potential for thunderstorms around 8 p.m. ET. In wet conditions (and a delay due to thunderstorms) last week, the Bills still managed to win 31-7.
How to watch Steelers vs Bills
Location
Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Date
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026
Kickoff
7 p.m. ET
TV
NFL Network
Steelers vs Bills latest injuries
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