The Chicago Bears made the expected move, selecting USC’s quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. LSU’s signal-caller Jayden Daniels went second overall to the Washington Commanders, while the New England Patriots selected North Carolina’s QB Drake Maye with the third overall selection.

Sitting at No. 8, the Atlanta Falcons surprised everyone by taking Washington’s quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The move was quite a shock considering that the Falcons just signed Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. The Minnesota Vikings, the team that Cousins left to join Atlanta, ended up trading with the New York Jets to move up one spot to No. 10 and select Michigan’s signal-caller J.J. McCarthy.

However, the pursuit of quarterbacks didn’t end there. Just two picks later, the Denver Broncos ended up selecting Oregon’s QB Bo Nix, meaning that half of the players selected with the first 12 picks were quarterbacks.

From there to the end of the third round, no single quarterback was taken. This doesn’t come as a surprise, considering that the remainder of the 2024 QB class was considered less talented compared to the six players that were already taken.

Among the QBs that could still get selected before the draft wraps up are South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler, Tulane’s Michael Pratt, and BYU’s Kedon Slovis.

The post Record Five QBs Selected in the Top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Due to injuries, Nadal hasn’t played a single tournament since January, when he reached the quarterfinals at Brisbane International. He looked in good shape in his first-round win against Flavio Cobolli, but fourth-seeded de Minaur proved to be too much of a challenge.

 Nadal, who won 12 titles in Barcelona, was greeted by loud cheers from the sell-out crowd as he made his way off the court.

Speaking with reporters after the match, Nadal said that he didn’t want to take any risks and that he was just happy because he was able to play. Prior to playing in Brisbane, he didn’t play for almost a year due to a hip injury.

“The moment I lost the first set, the match was over,” Nadal told the reporters. “I can’t play a three-hour match right now. This wasn’t the place for me to give everything I have. We’ll see what happens in Paris. I want to be competitive there, that’s where I have to give it all.”

Nadal’s focus will now be on the French Open, where he’ll attempt to win his 15th Roland Garros title and his 23rd Grand Slam.

The post Rafael Nadal’s Return to Tennis at Barcelona Open Ends in the 2nd Round appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Bieber was one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, leading the league with 20 strikeouts in two starts while pitching 12 scoreless innings. As it turns out, he did this while battling through elbow soreness and inflammation.

Reportedly, Bieber felt sore after making his Opening Day start against Oakland A’s but believed he could continue pitching. However, after the same issue occurred following his second start against the Seattle Mariners, Bieber underwent additional tests and scans, which showed UCL damage.

Bieber had issues with his elbow in 2023 as well, but still managed to make 21 starts and pitch 128.0 innings. However, he will have to be sidelined for at least 16 months before being able to return to action.

“First and foremost, we feel for Shane,” Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said via MLB.com. “There’s a lot of things that he’s got to process right now and work through on the mental side because of just how set he is on wanting to pitch and contribute to the team. And not being able to do that has really impacted him.”

The post Guardians Ace Shane Bieber to Undergo a Tommy John Surgery appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters after a 124-136 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, James said that he will prioritize his long-term health over the Lakers’ seeding.

“I got to be smart with it,” James said via ESPN. “If I’m not healthy, or [anywhere] close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ballclub anyway. It’s not good for me.”

James pointed out the recent game against the Milwaukee Bucks, which he decided to sit out while dealing with an ankle injury. He said that he would have probably played in that game if he hadn’t had a long-term picture in mind.

According to James, he is being “very strategic” when deciding on whether to play or to sit out a certain game.

“Obviously, understanding and seeing how my ankle and my foot is feeling. But just being very smart about it, obviously. We are where we are, but our health has always been the most important for our ballclub,” he added.

The Lakers are currently on a five-game winning streak that alleviated some concerns that they might drop out of the play-in tournament. They are currently sitting at No. 9 in the standings with a 41-32 record, having 2.5 games in hand over the Golden State Warriors and 3.5 games over the Houston Rockets, who are outside looking in. The LA team is also just 2.5 games behind the sixth-seeded Dallas Mavericks, who hold the first automatic playoff spot.

The post LeBron James is Prioritizing Long-Term Health Over Lakers’ Seeding appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Titans gave up a 2025 third-round pick in exchange for Sneed, while the two teams also swapped seventh-round picks in this year’s draft. 

Since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Chiefs, Sneed established himself as one of the best corners in the league. His best campaign came in 2022, when he had 108 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, 11 passes defended, and three forced fumbles.

After a solid outing in 2023, which included 78 tackles, two interceptions, and 14 passes defended, Sneed was set to hit the free agency. The Chiefs were unable to sign Sneed to a new deal, prompting them to place a non-exclusive franchise tag on the Louisiana Tech product.

In recent weeks, the Chiefs made it clear to the rest of the NFL that Sneed was available, but their asking price of a second-rounder proved to be too high for interested parties. The Titans ended up swooping in with a less-desirable offer but one that still managed to push the deal over the finishing line.

The post Chiefs Trade Standout CB L’Jarius Sneed to Titans appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani underwent an elbow procedure in September. While the details of the procedure are kept under wraps, it is clear that he won’t be returning to the mound until 2025 at the earliest.

The initial plan was for Ohtani to serve as a designated hitter this upcoming season before returning to his two-way role next year. But according to Roberts, if Ohtani’s throwing program progresses well, he might see some action in the field.

“Shohei this year is primarily going to be the designated hitter,” Roberts told reporters on Monday. “Once we get back to the States, he is going to start his throwing program, which he hasn’t started yet. We’ll see how that progression goes. If his arm is healthy enough, we’ll have that conversation in the field. I do know he’s not going to pitch this year.”

Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal, the record in professional sports, with the Dodgers in December. He previously spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, where he won two unanimous AL MVP awards.

The post Dodgers Open to Possibility of Shohei Ohtani Playing in the Field This Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ridley, who played the last season with Titans’ division rivals Jacksonville Jaguars, will get $50 million in guaranteed money as part of the deal, according to his agents David Mulugheta and Reza Hesam.

Ridley missed the entire 2022 due to a suspension before returning to the field in 2023. Despite the time off, he still managed to catch 76 passes for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games with the Jags.

The move to the Titans comes as a surprise, considering recent reports indicated that a return to Jacksonville is the likeliest outcome for Ridley. The player expressed interest in remaining with the franchise, while the Jags also seemed keen on a reunion. Additionally, the New England Patriots reportedly made a strong push to sign him.

By acquiring Ridley, the Titans add another weapon for their promising second-year quarterback, Will Levis. Ridley will join the Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins and former first-round wideout Treylon Burks as primary options for Levis.

Prior to joining the Jags, Ridley spent four years with the Atlanta Falcons. He has 516 career receptions for 4,358 yards and 36 touchdowns as a pro.

The post Calvin Ridley Joins Titans on a 4-Year, $92 Million Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Votto spent all of his previous 17 years in MLB with the Cincinnati Reds. He became a free agent after the 2023 campaign when the Reds rejected the club option on his contract that would pay him $20 million next season.

While many believed that the release by the Reds would likely cause him to retire, Votto publicly stated on several occasions that he wanted to play again. He played in 65 games last season, batting a career-low .202 with 14 homers and 38 RBIs.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work my way back to the Major Leagues. It’s even sweeter to attempt this while wearing the uniform of my hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays,” Votto wrote on social media after the news broke out.

During his 17 years in Cincinnati, Joey Votto became the Reds’ legend. He was the franchise’s best player for years, earning six All-Star nods and being named NL MVP in 2010. However, he was unable to lead the Reds to postseason success, as the franchise is still looking for its first playoff series win since 1995.

The post Ex-NL MVP Joey Votto Agrees to Minor League Contract With the Blue Jays appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Nurkic had 12 rebounds in the first quarter alone, accounting for all but one rebound of the entire Suns team for that period. He ended up with 13 offensive rebounds and 18 defensive rebounds on the night while adding 14 points and four assists.

Nurkic’s 31 rebounds were the most by any player in the NBA since Kevin Love had 31 boards in 2010-11. He surpassed the Suns’ previous record posted by Tyson Chandler, who had a 27-rebound performance during the 2015-16 NBA season. The Bosnian center also improved on his previous career high of 23 boards in a single game.

“Incredible,” said Suns’ head coach Frank Vogel after the game. “The loss aside, you just look at a 31-rebound night, at any point in the NBA history, [it] is just an incredible performance. The best in Phoenix Suns history. He is a beast on the defensive end of the court.”

Since being acquired in an offseason trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic emerged as a key player for the Suns. He has brought physical presence to a star-studded roster while displaying impressive passing for a big man. Nurkic is currently averaging 11.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on the season.

The post Jusuf Nurkic Sets Suns’ Franchise Record With 31 Rebounds in Loss to OKC appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Vikings’ general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said that Jefferson won’t be traded.

“That is not something that has once crossed my mind,” Adofo-Mensah said while appearing at the NFL Scouting Combine. “You’ve got a blue player and a blue person. You try to keep as many of those as you can.”

Jefferson became extension-eligible last offseason, but the two sides couldn’t get on the same page. The negotiations were called off once the 2023 season started, but Jefferson and the Vikings have reportedly started talking again in recent weeks.

Adofo-Mensah confirmed that the Vikings are willing to break the bank for Jefferson, believing they have the best wide receiver in the game. 

“We think he’s the best wide receiver in the league, and he should be compensated as such,” he added. “We think he’s one of the best non-quarterbacks in the league, and we think he should be compensated as such.”

Justin Jefferson, Vikings’ first-round pick in 2022, earned Pro Bowl nods in each of his first three years in the NFL. He dealt with injuries last season, which limited him to 10 games, but still managed to get 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns. Jefferson is averaging 98.3 yards per game as a pro, which currently stands as the NFL record.

The post Vikings GM Says Star WR Justin Jefferson Won’t Be Traded appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The Chicago Bears made the expected move, selecting USC’s quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. LSU’s signal-caller Jayden Daniels went second overall to the Washington Commanders, while the New England Patriots selected North Carolina’s QB Drake Maye with the third overall selection.

Sitting at No. 8, the Atlanta Falcons surprised everyone by taking Washington’s quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The move was quite a shock considering that the Falcons just signed Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. The Minnesota Vikings, the team that Cousins left to join Atlanta, ended up trading with the New York Jets to move up one spot to No. 10 and select Michigan’s signal-caller J.J. McCarthy.

However, the pursuit of quarterbacks didn’t end there. Just two picks later, the Denver Broncos ended up selecting Oregon’s QB Bo Nix, meaning that half of the players selected with the first 12 picks were quarterbacks.

From there to the end of the third round, no single quarterback was taken. This doesn’t come as a surprise, considering that the remainder of the 2024 QB class was considered less talented compared to the six players that were already taken.

Among the QBs that could still get selected before the draft wraps up are South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler, Tulane’s Michael Pratt, and BYU’s Kedon Slovis.

The post Record Five QBs Selected in the Top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Due to injuries, Nadal hasn’t played a single tournament since January, when he reached the quarterfinals at Brisbane International. He looked in good shape in his first-round win against Flavio Cobolli, but fourth-seeded de Minaur proved to be too much of a challenge.

 Nadal, who won 12 titles in Barcelona, was greeted by loud cheers from the sell-out crowd as he made his way off the court.

Speaking with reporters after the match, Nadal said that he didn’t want to take any risks and that he was just happy because he was able to play. Prior to playing in Brisbane, he didn’t play for almost a year due to a hip injury.

“The moment I lost the first set, the match was over,” Nadal told the reporters. “I can’t play a three-hour match right now. This wasn’t the place for me to give everything I have. We’ll see what happens in Paris. I want to be competitive there, that’s where I have to give it all.”

Nadal’s focus will now be on the French Open, where he’ll attempt to win his 15th Roland Garros title and his 23rd Grand Slam.

The post Rafael Nadal’s Return to Tennis at Barcelona Open Ends in the 2nd Round appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Bieber was one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, leading the league with 20 strikeouts in two starts while pitching 12 scoreless innings. As it turns out, he did this while battling through elbow soreness and inflammation.

Reportedly, Bieber felt sore after making his Opening Day start against Oakland A’s but believed he could continue pitching. However, after the same issue occurred following his second start against the Seattle Mariners, Bieber underwent additional tests and scans, which showed UCL damage.

Bieber had issues with his elbow in 2023 as well, but still managed to make 21 starts and pitch 128.0 innings. However, he will have to be sidelined for at least 16 months before being able to return to action.

“First and foremost, we feel for Shane,” Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said via MLB.com. “There’s a lot of things that he’s got to process right now and work through on the mental side because of just how set he is on wanting to pitch and contribute to the team. And not being able to do that has really impacted him.”

The post Guardians Ace Shane Bieber to Undergo a Tommy John Surgery appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters after a 124-136 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, James said that he will prioritize his long-term health over the Lakers’ seeding.

“I got to be smart with it,” James said via ESPN. “If I’m not healthy, or [anywhere] close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ballclub anyway. It’s not good for me.”

James pointed out the recent game against the Milwaukee Bucks, which he decided to sit out while dealing with an ankle injury. He said that he would have probably played in that game if he hadn’t had a long-term picture in mind.

According to James, he is being “very strategic” when deciding on whether to play or to sit out a certain game.

“Obviously, understanding and seeing how my ankle and my foot is feeling. But just being very smart about it, obviously. We are where we are, but our health has always been the most important for our ballclub,” he added.

The Lakers are currently on a five-game winning streak that alleviated some concerns that they might drop out of the play-in tournament. They are currently sitting at No. 9 in the standings with a 41-32 record, having 2.5 games in hand over the Golden State Warriors and 3.5 games over the Houston Rockets, who are outside looking in. The LA team is also just 2.5 games behind the sixth-seeded Dallas Mavericks, who hold the first automatic playoff spot.

The post LeBron James is Prioritizing Long-Term Health Over Lakers’ Seeding appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Titans gave up a 2025 third-round pick in exchange for Sneed, while the two teams also swapped seventh-round picks in this year’s draft. 

Since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Chiefs, Sneed established himself as one of the best corners in the league. His best campaign came in 2022, when he had 108 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, 11 passes defended, and three forced fumbles.

After a solid outing in 2023, which included 78 tackles, two interceptions, and 14 passes defended, Sneed was set to hit the free agency. The Chiefs were unable to sign Sneed to a new deal, prompting them to place a non-exclusive franchise tag on the Louisiana Tech product.

In recent weeks, the Chiefs made it clear to the rest of the NFL that Sneed was available, but their asking price of a second-rounder proved to be too high for interested parties. The Titans ended up swooping in with a less-desirable offer but one that still managed to push the deal over the finishing line.

The post Chiefs Trade Standout CB L’Jarius Sneed to Titans appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani underwent an elbow procedure in September. While the details of the procedure are kept under wraps, it is clear that he won’t be returning to the mound until 2025 at the earliest.

The initial plan was for Ohtani to serve as a designated hitter this upcoming season before returning to his two-way role next year. But according to Roberts, if Ohtani’s throwing program progresses well, he might see some action in the field.

“Shohei this year is primarily going to be the designated hitter,” Roberts told reporters on Monday. “Once we get back to the States, he is going to start his throwing program, which he hasn’t started yet. We’ll see how that progression goes. If his arm is healthy enough, we’ll have that conversation in the field. I do know he’s not going to pitch this year.”

Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal, the record in professional sports, with the Dodgers in December. He previously spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, where he won two unanimous AL MVP awards.

The post Dodgers Open to Possibility of Shohei Ohtani Playing in the Field This Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ridley, who played the last season with Titans’ division rivals Jacksonville Jaguars, will get $50 million in guaranteed money as part of the deal, according to his agents David Mulugheta and Reza Hesam.

Ridley missed the entire 2022 due to a suspension before returning to the field in 2023. Despite the time off, he still managed to catch 76 passes for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games with the Jags.

The move to the Titans comes as a surprise, considering recent reports indicated that a return to Jacksonville is the likeliest outcome for Ridley. The player expressed interest in remaining with the franchise, while the Jags also seemed keen on a reunion. Additionally, the New England Patriots reportedly made a strong push to sign him.

By acquiring Ridley, the Titans add another weapon for their promising second-year quarterback, Will Levis. Ridley will join the Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins and former first-round wideout Treylon Burks as primary options for Levis.

Prior to joining the Jags, Ridley spent four years with the Atlanta Falcons. He has 516 career receptions for 4,358 yards and 36 touchdowns as a pro.

The post Calvin Ridley Joins Titans on a 4-Year, $92 Million Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Votto spent all of his previous 17 years in MLB with the Cincinnati Reds. He became a free agent after the 2023 campaign when the Reds rejected the club option on his contract that would pay him $20 million next season.

While many believed that the release by the Reds would likely cause him to retire, Votto publicly stated on several occasions that he wanted to play again. He played in 65 games last season, batting a career-low .202 with 14 homers and 38 RBIs.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work my way back to the Major Leagues. It’s even sweeter to attempt this while wearing the uniform of my hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays,” Votto wrote on social media after the news broke out.

During his 17 years in Cincinnati, Joey Votto became the Reds’ legend. He was the franchise’s best player for years, earning six All-Star nods and being named NL MVP in 2010. However, he was unable to lead the Reds to postseason success, as the franchise is still looking for its first playoff series win since 1995.

The post Ex-NL MVP Joey Votto Agrees to Minor League Contract With the Blue Jays appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Nurkic had 12 rebounds in the first quarter alone, accounting for all but one rebound of the entire Suns team for that period. He ended up with 13 offensive rebounds and 18 defensive rebounds on the night while adding 14 points and four assists.

Nurkic’s 31 rebounds were the most by any player in the NBA since Kevin Love had 31 boards in 2010-11. He surpassed the Suns’ previous record posted by Tyson Chandler, who had a 27-rebound performance during the 2015-16 NBA season. The Bosnian center also improved on his previous career high of 23 boards in a single game.

“Incredible,” said Suns’ head coach Frank Vogel after the game. “The loss aside, you just look at a 31-rebound night, at any point in the NBA history, [it] is just an incredible performance. The best in Phoenix Suns history. He is a beast on the defensive end of the court.”

Since being acquired in an offseason trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic emerged as a key player for the Suns. He has brought physical presence to a star-studded roster while displaying impressive passing for a big man. Nurkic is currently averaging 11.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on the season.

The post Jusuf Nurkic Sets Suns’ Franchise Record With 31 Rebounds in Loss to OKC appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Vikings’ general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said that Jefferson won’t be traded.

“That is not something that has once crossed my mind,” Adofo-Mensah said while appearing at the NFL Scouting Combine. “You’ve got a blue player and a blue person. You try to keep as many of those as you can.”

Jefferson became extension-eligible last offseason, but the two sides couldn’t get on the same page. The negotiations were called off once the 2023 season started, but Jefferson and the Vikings have reportedly started talking again in recent weeks.

Adofo-Mensah confirmed that the Vikings are willing to break the bank for Jefferson, believing they have the best wide receiver in the game. 

“We think he’s the best wide receiver in the league, and he should be compensated as such,” he added. “We think he’s one of the best non-quarterbacks in the league, and we think he should be compensated as such.”

Justin Jefferson, Vikings’ first-round pick in 2022, earned Pro Bowl nods in each of his first three years in the NFL. He dealt with injuries last season, which limited him to 10 games, but still managed to get 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns. Jefferson is averaging 98.3 yards per game as a pro, which currently stands as the NFL record.

The post Vikings GM Says Star WR Justin Jefferson Won’t Be Traded appeared first on yoursportspot.com.