The second game of the three-game set for the Detroit Tigers against the Chicago Cubs didn’t go according to plan, as Detroit fell 11-2 in a game that was over from the beginning. Both Zack McKinstry and Jake Rogers pitched an inning; that should tell people what that game turned into.
Regardless, the Tigers have another chance at taking the series at Wrigley Field, as they’re set to take on the Cubs Wednesday at 8:00 PM EST. Sending Keider Montero to the mound, looking to eat some innings, this game could decipher how Detroit handles its business moving forward.
With the trade deadline right around the corner and the ongoing discussions of whether or not Tarik Skubal should be traded, games like these will dictate how the front office should handle that scenario. Taking a series in the Windy City would surely elevate the Tigers’ playoff odds.
Entering the game, according to FanGraphs, Detroit holds a 28.6% chance of making the playoffs, as they’re more likely to enter as a Wild Card team than a division winner. Despite being ranked fourth in the AL Central, the Tigers have better playoff odds than the third-place Minnesota Twins.
Detroit Tigers Starting Lineup
Here’s how manager A.J. Hinch will set the Tigers’ starting lineup, looking for better results against Chicago starter Colin Rea than the results they had against David Peterson on Tuesday night.
1. SS Kevin McGonigle
2. C Dillon Dingler
3. 3B Colt Keith
4. LF Riley Greene
5. 1B Spencer Torkelson
6. DH Kerry Carpenter
7. RF Zach McKinstry
8. 2B Hao-Yu Lee
9. CF James Outman
Dillon Dingler has been on a tear at the plate since the beginning of the second half of 2026. Even though the Tigers were down and out, Dingler sent his 22nd home run of the season into the left-center bleachers, ensuring that Detroit didn’t get shut out.
Dingler and Matt Vierling were the only two Tigers to collect multiple hits Tuesday night, as Kevin McGonigle, Ben Malgeri and Hao-Yu Lee collected one hit themselves. Going into the series finale, Detroit will need more production from heavier hitters in the middle of the lineup.
Getting production from both Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson, much like Detroit saw in the series opener, is the best chance that the Tigers can earn back-to-back series victories. Torkelson is 1-8 in the series while Greene is 2-8.
Pair offensive production with strong pitching from their starter, and the Tigers could be heading back to Comerica Park with their heads held high.
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]]>When the Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the NFL Draft, it didn’t come without its share of controversy. Simpson wasn’t a highly regarded quarterback prospect out of Alabama, with many expecting that he would be available later. Additionally, with the Rams on the cusp of a Super Bowl, it was expected that they would take a player who could contribute right away.
From the beginning, the Simpson pick was filled with controversy. During the initial press conference, head coach Sean McVay didn’t seem pleased with the pick. While McVay has backtracked slightly since then, the Rams have continued to downplay Simpson.
The Controversy Around Ty Simpson Hasn’t Gone Away
The Simpson pick has continued to be heavily scrutinized by the media. When the Rams restructured Matthew Stafford’s contract, adding another year, many once again called the pick confusing. That was also the case when a report following the draft came out that said the Rams would consider it a “win” if Simpson never started a game before the end of his rookie contract.
Early indicators suggest that Simpson has a good head on his shoulders and is absorbing as much as he can from Stafford in the meeting rooms. That was something that Simpson discussed during OTAs.
However, Simpson also can’t afford any more scrutiny. Given how polarizing of a draft pick that he was, Simpson will be under a microscope in the media. When it was reported that neither Simpson nor Stetson Bennett stood out during OTAs, Simpson was once again scrutinized by outside media. There’s been a double standard with Simpson all offseason. As the Las Vegas Raiders have been praised for bringing Mendoza along slowly, the Rams have been criticized for doing the same with Simpson.
The Rams have done their best to keep the attention off of Simpson. McVay complimented Bennett’s growth during OTAs while he grouped Simpson in with the rest of the rookie class. The Rams are being very calculated when it comes to Simpson and his development.
Why the Rams Need Simpson on the Practice Field
With that said, it’s also why Simpson can’t afford to miss time during training camp. As it stands, Simpson is one of six rookies from the 2026 class to not sign their contracts. Outside of Simpson, three of those players are also quarterbacks and include Fernando Mendoza, Carson Beck, and Drew Allar.
Following the introduction of the rookie wage scale, rookies not participating in the early parts of training camp have become more rare. Shemar Stewart remained unsigned until late July last year before the two sides agreed on contract language.
That’s also why it’s important for Simpson to get his deal done. With the new rookie wage scale, rookie deals are pretty straightforward. It’s simply agreeing to secondary contract language such as guarantee payout scheduling, offset language, and voiding rules.
While the Rams don’t have a lot of experience with first-round picks, they have typically done a good job getting their deals done quickly and historically have announced them all at the same time. Simpson remaining unsigned this close to training camp is uncharted territory. In all likelihood, this is about the quarterbacks behind Mendoza waiting to see the overall structure of his deal. Once Mendoza’s deal is done, the rest will likely drop quickly.
Missing Time Would Be a Tough First Impression
Still, if Simpson were to miss the early parts of training camp, it wouldn’t be a good look for a rookie that is already seen as polarizing. The Rams would certainly like to see progression from Simpson since first learning the offense during OTAs.
These snaps during training camp are crucial to Simpson’s development. It’s very possible that the Rams manage Matthew Stafford’s workload during training camp, meaning more first-team snaps and overall reps will be available for Simpson and Bennett.
Those are reps that won’t be available once the regular season starts and the majority of reps are reserved for the first-team players. It’s an opportunity for Simpson to take what he learned during OTAs and apply it in more of a live setting.
The Backup Quarterback Competition Is Already Underway
Simpson missing time also puts him behind Bennett in the battle for the backup quarterback spot. Throughout training camp, Simpson will be working to earn the backup quarterback role and compete with Bennett. It’s one of the bigger Rams position battles in training camp.
Those early days of training camp will be important for Simpson as he competes with Bennett for the backup quarterback role. It’s very possible that Simpson remains behind Bennett on the team’s initial depth chart. However, the expectation is that Simpson would be ahead of Bennett when the regular season starts. Starting even a handful of days behind Bennett could be detrimental to Simpson in the battle for QB2.
Since the Rams traded for Myles Garrett, the biggest storyline around the Rams has been speculation about an Aaron Donald return. However, it can be argued the Rams’ first-round pick remaining unsigned days before training camp is just as big of a story. That’s especially the case considering Simpson is considered the future of the franchise behind Stafford.
Ideally, the two sides are able to get a deal done before training camp. Back in 2023, the Rams worked out a contract with quarterback Matthew Stafford before he could hold out. Simpson’s contract may be slightly more complicated, but it will be crucial for both sides to come to an agreement.
Following the Rams’ selection of Simpson, the pick has been heavily scrutinized.If Simpson were to miss the beginning of training camp, it’s not the look or start that he’ll want for his career. The best path for the Rams and Simpson is for their quarterback to be on the field for the start of training camp.
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Former Penn State football player Julian Crushshon-Fleming will serve nine to 23 months in prison after being convicted of multiple offenses, including involuntary manslaughter and DUI, following a 2025 ATV crash that killed his girlfriend.
Fleming, 25, was taken into custody July 20 to begin serviing his sentence at the Bradford County Correctional Facility. He will serve 9-23 months followed by 36 months of probation, according to Bradford County District Attorney Richard Wilson. Fleming will be eligible for work release.
Fleming was driving an ATV in May 2025 when the vehicle hit a deer that jumped into the road, Pennsylvania State Police said at the time. Fleming and Alyssa D. Boyd, 23, were thrown from the ATV. Boyd was pronounced dead at the scene, and Fleming sustained serious injuries, police said.
Fleming was charged with multiple counts, including four felonies, after the incident. He pleaded guilty in April to involuntary manslaughter and DUI, both misdemeanors, in exchange for the dismissal of more serious charges.
In a statement, Bradford County District Attorney Richard Wilson called the case “extremey unfortunate.”
“While we were confident that we could prove Crushshon-Fleming committed a DUI offense, proving the connection between that and the death of the victim would be difficult,” Wilson said in the statement. “Crushshon-Fleming was originally charged with more serious felonies. However, there was no guarantee that a jury would unanimously agree that he was guilty of those after a
trial.
“While Crushshon-Fleming’s intoxication did not help matters, a jury would likely conclude that the collision with the deer caused the riders to crash, and therefore the victim’s death, not the alcohol
intoxication. Manslaughter is therefore an appropriate resolution.”
David S. Bahuriak Jr., Fleming’s attorney, told the Centre Daily Times that Fleming took accountability for the incident and apologized during the sentencing hearing.
“That says a lot about his character,” Bahuriak told the Centre Daily Times. “… Nobody comes out of a mess like this happy.”
Boyd, a 2020 Central Columbia High graduate, was working toward a degree in psychology at the University of Alabama, according to a GoFundMe organized in her honor. The GoFundMe has raised nearly $86,000, proceeds of which will be used for a scholarship in Boyd’s name, the page says.
Fleming, a former 5-star recruit from Southern Columbia High, played the 2024 season at Penn State after spending four years with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He caught 14 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown for the Nittany Lions.
Just a few weeks before the crash, Fleming competed at Penn State’s 2025 Pro Day in State College. Following the NFL Draft, Fleming signed a free-agent deal with the Green Bay Packers but failed the team physical, according to the News-Item.
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]]>Every Notre Dame season is a big deal. Each one is important and provides unique drama and questions that must be answered by the Irish.
That being said and acknowledged, it really does feel like the 2026 campaign will carry more weight than most in recent history.
The combination of the drama around how the 2025 season ended, how Notre Dame handled it, and how high the expectations are for this year puts the Irish under a microscope at a level that hasn’t been a reality in the last 25 years.
The table is set, the expectations are huge, and the only question is how well or poorly Notre Dame will handle these circumstances.
Notre Dame is a title favorite, and with that comes unique pressure
Many preseasons in recent Notre Dame history are full of “what if” narratives.
If the Irish do this or that, if this certain position group steps up and stays healthy, then maybe the Irish can find themselves in a position to make a deep playoff run. In these years, Notre Dame is the hunter, trying to rise and surprise the teams with better title odds and make a run.
This year is setting up very differently for the first time in the Freeman era. Notre Dame is a preseason title favorite. And this changes things.
The biggest overall question surrounding Notre Dame in 2026 is how the program will handle being expected to make a deep playoff push.
The Irish are garnering national preseason respect and will be a top-five team entering the season. It will be up to Marcus Freeman and his team to handle being a title favorite in every game and take care of business. The Irish must avoid the noise, avoid the hype, lean into the pressure, and deliver.
The time is now.
Nothing like a “let’s go Irish” to close the stock floor
#GoIrish
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 16, 2026
Notre Dame’s schedule sets up for success, but only if Notre Dame takes care of business
I cannot remember a start to a Notre Dame season with a more favorable schedule than what awaits the Irish in 2026.
As of now, the Irish are favorites to win every regular-season game, and while there are some tough battles to be had later in the season, the first six games of the year will set the stage for the second half.
The Irish are double-digit favorites in each of the first six contests, and a mature Notre Dame program should be able to go 6-0 and win these games comfortably.
This stretch of games is critical. Freeman and his squad must use this light front half of the slate to find themselves, build confidence, and momentum heading into the BYU, Miami, and SMU games.
If the Irish do this, a deep playoff run is to be expected. Should the Irish falter in this six-game stretch and drop another game anywhere along the way, a second straight Pop-Tart Bowl invite is in the mail.
Notre Dame has the talent, has the coaching, and has the kind of schedule needed to make a title run in 2026, but does it have the maturity to navigate these expectations? The answer to this will only come in time.
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For as generational a talent as Joel Embiid is, there is one constant that has stood in the Sixers’ way of an NBA title: his health. Many talented players have come in and out of the organization, but the 76ers have always struggled to find a backup for their MVP.
Joel Embiid has struggled to stay on the floor
In a day and age when basketball has become more positionless and players are more skilled, the art of a true center has become lost. The key pillars of a center—setting screens, grabbing rebounds, and protecting the paint—are foundational pieces to a championship team. While the Sixers employ arguably one of the best bigs on their roster in Embiid, acquiring a backup for him is crucial.
Embiid’s extensive injury history has left Philly lacking in center depth over the last several years. In the last three seasons, he has played in just 96 of 246 possible regular-season games—a mere 39% of games.
Injuries have been a part of his career dating back to his rookie season. The seven-time All-Star missed the first two seasons of his career because of foot and knee injuries. Unfortunately, his ailments haven’t dissipated much in the subsequent years.
The 76ers will have to accept that nagging injuries will likely continue with their superstar so long as he plays. No player can replicate what Embiid brings to the table, but it is on the front office to acquire a big who can at least hold down the fort when he misses time.
Philly hasn’t invested in backup bigs
The organization has historically prioritized the acquisition of star guards and forwards—James Harden, Paul George, Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler III—over centers. Andre Drummond and Dwight Howard are the only All-Star centers whom the team has brought in over the last several years.
While the Sixers do have a few in-house backup bigs—Adem Bona, Johni Broome and the newly added Ariel Hukporti—they lack an experienced center who can make an instant impact. As the incument, Bona like has the inside track to the primary backup job at the start of the season, although Hukporti will be gunning for that role.
Bona may be young and athletic, but he has yet to make his presence felt in the way the Sixers need. He’s efficient, but he’s averaged only 3.2 shots per game. Meanwhile, Broome and Hukporti will enter training camp trying to find their place on this team.
Jalen Duren would help anchor the Pistons’ second unit and give Embiid some breathing room. However, the Sixers don’t have anywhere near enough cap room to sign him. A sign-and-trade involving Embiid would be their only realistic path.
The Sixers can play out this season with their depth chart at center as it currently stands. But they don’t have enough firepower in the frontcourt to go all the way. The unpredictability of Embiid’s health only adds to the level of concern when he inevitably misses an extended period of time.
As much as the front office has avoided addressing the issue, it isn’t going away. It isn’t Embiid’s fault that he is rarely ever healthy for long stretches. But the organization must recognize the importance of getting some help in that area to win a championship.
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]]>España y Argentina disputaron la final del Mundial de 2026 con dos entrenadores promovidos desde sus propias estructuras. Luis de la Fuente llegó a la selección absoluta después de casi una década en las categorías inferiores españolas, mientras que Lionel Scaloni asumió inicialmente como interino tras haber formado parte del cuerpo técnico de Jorge Sampaoli.
México eligió una ruta parecida. El 8 de julio de 2026, la Federación Mexicana de Futbol confirmó a Rafa Márquez como sucesor de Javier Aguirre, dos días después de la derrota por 3-2 ante Inglaterra en los octavos de final.
Te puede interesar: Rafa Márquez, el DT de México que potenció a las joyas campeonas de España
El nombramiento dio continuidad al plan anunciado el 1 de agosto de 2024, cuando el antiguo central del Barcelona se incorporó como auxiliar con la encomienda de recibir al equipo después del Mundial.
Por primera vez después de varios ciclos, México no esperó a terminar una Copa del Mundo para comenzar la búsqueda de su siguiente seleccionador. Rafa acompañó a Aguirre por dos años, conoció al plantel desde dentro y formó parte del cuerpo técnico que ganó la Nations League y la Copa Oro de 2025.
La apuesta comparte elementos con los proyectos que llevaron a España y Argentina a dominar sus competencias continentales y a disputar la final del Mundial de 2026, aunque los caminos de Scaloni y De la Fuente fueron distintos.
La trayectoria más cercana a la de Márquez es la de Scaloni. El argentino fue auxiliar de Sampaoli durante Rusia 2018 y quedó al frente de la selección de manera interina después de la eliminación contra Francia y la salida del entrenador.
No había dirigido un club de primera división ni poseía un currículum que lo colocara como candidato natural al puesto.
Su etapa comenzó el 8 de septiembre de 2018 con una victoria por 3-0 sobre Guatemala. La AFA convirtió después aquella solución provisional en un proyecto que ganó la Copa América de 2021, la Finalissima de 2022, el Mundial de Catar y la Copa América de 2024.
En 2026, Argentina volvió a la final, pero cayó 1-0 ante España en la prórroga.
Scaloni renovó la selección sin desmontarla por completo. Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María y Nicolás Otamendi convivieron con jugadores que adquirieron mayor peso durante su etapa, como Rodrigo de Paul, Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández y Julián Álvarez.
El cambio consistió en modificar las jerarquías mientras se consolidaba un grupo nuevo.
Rafa llegará al cargo con una ventaja parecida: conoce las decisiones tomadas en el ciclo anterior y a los jugadores que participaron en él. La diferencia comenzará ahora, cuando deba definir qué elementos conserva, cuáles no y qué futbolistas dejarán de formar parte del proyecto rumbo a 2030.
De la Fuente representa una promoción interna más larga. Antes de recibir a la selección mayor en diciembre de 2022, dirigió a España en las categorías sub-19 y sub-21 y en los Juegos Olímpicos. Ganó los Europeos sub-19 de 2015 y sub-21 de 2019, además de obtener la plata en Tokio.
Su conocimiento no se limitaba al funcionamiento de la Federación.
Había dirigido en torneos internacionales a futbolistas como Unai Simón, Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Martín Zubimendi y Marc Cucurella. Algunos llegaron a la absoluta; otros perdieron espacio mientras aparecían jugadores como Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams y Pau Cubarsí.
De la Fuente ganó la Nations League de 2023 y la Eurocopa de 2024, antes de conquistar el Mundial de 2026. España derrotó 1-0 a Argentina con un gol de Ferran Torres en el minuto 106 y completó tres títulos con el técnico al frente de la absoluta.
La experiencia de Rafa con jóvenes proviene del Barcelona Atlètic. Dirigió al filial por dos temporadas, alcanzó los playoffs de ascenso en ambas y dejó un registro de 40 victorias, 21 empates y 21 derrotas en 82 partidos.
Sin embargo, no trabajó en las selecciones menores de México ni acompañó durante años a una generación nacional, como ocurrió con De la Fuente.
México ya replicó la parte más visible de ambos modelos: eligió a un entrenador de la estructura, preparó su ascenso y evitó comenzar otro proyecto desde cero.
Lo que falta es sostener las condiciones que permitieron funcionar a las apuestas por Scaloni y De la Fuente.
Argentina respaldó a su técnico mientras renovaba el plantel. España conectó durante años a sus categorías menores con la absoluta y entregó el equipo a un entrenador que conocía a buena parte de los jugadores.
La Copa Oro y la Nations League deberán servirle a Márquez para renovar al plantel, resolver posiciones sin relevo y probar futbolistas antes de 2030. Ganar la región seguirá siendo una obligación, pero el avance deberá medirse también por la capacidad de México para competir fuera de ella.
La Federación ya eligió una fórmula parecida a la de España y Argentina. El nombramiento de Rafa Márquez asegura una transición preparada, pero no el éxito del proyecto. Para acercarse a ambos modelos, México deberá respaldar al entrenador durante la renovación del plantel y evitar que las primeras derrotas provoquen otro cambio de rumbo.
#una #apuesta #estilo #España #Argentina #con #Rafa #Márquez #frente
It appears that WWE has added another free agent to the roster.
Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Mike Santana had been rumored to be WWE bound following the recent expiration of his contract with TNA Wrestling, and he wasted little time in proving those reports to be accurate.
Tuesday night’s edition of NXT from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida was headlined by a Street Fight for the Men’s NXT Championship. Tony D’Angelo used Naraku’s own mist against him, and took advantage of his opponent’s temporary blindness to deliver a Dead to Rights slam through a table to pick up the victory. His subsequent celebration would soon be interrupted.
WOW!!
A new face has stormed into NXT! pic.twitter.com/T0yp6lwHvO
— WWE (@WWE) July 22, 2026
Mike Santana is no stranger to NXT, having competed on WWE’s developmental brand on numerous occasions as a member of the TNA roster. It was a little over a year ago that he unsuccessfully challenged Trick Williams for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship live on The CW Network.
Just as they were with Blake Monroe, Ricky Saints and Naraku, commentary was very careful not to mention Santana by name when he arrived on screen for his official debut, despite the regular audience already being familiar with him. This could be an indication that a name change is in Santana’s future, but that has not been confirmed at this time.
Santana has not wrestled since TNA Slammiversary late last month, where he dropped the TNA World Title to Nic Nemeth. Rumors of his departure started to make the rounds not long after, and there was some heavy speculation that the native New Yorker was going to make a surprise appearance at Saturday Night’s Main Event over the weekend at Madison Square Garden.
That obviously did not end up happening, as WWE apparently has opted to start Santana out with a stint in NXT.
He provides an instant boost to a main event scene that is being rebuilt around Tony D’Angelo, following the recent main roster graduations of Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, Ethan Page, Joe Hendry, Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans.
WWE NXT Results for July 21:
TONY D WINS
@TonyDangeloWWE survives the street fight against Naraku and RETAINS the NXT Title! pic.twitter.com/6OE1FHyVKV
— WWE (@WWE) July 22, 2026
- Cutler James, Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin defeated Saquon Shugars, Romeo Moreno & Noam Dar.
- Lola Vice challenged Kendal Grey to an Underground Match for the NXT Women’s Champion on August 4, and Grey accepted.
Keanu Carver defeated Hank Walker, and EK Prosper attacked Carver after the match was over.
- Shiloh Hill bought a tooth from Danhausen using stolen crypto currency.
Jaida Parker defeated Nattie thanks to an assist from Thea Hail.
Shawn Spears defeated Niko Vance via Disqualification.
Reina Volcan defeated Skylar Raye to win her NXT debut match.
- Tony D’Angelo defeated Naraku in a Street Fight to retain the Men’s NXT Championship. Mike Santana debuted after the match, and stared down Tony D.
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For running backs, one of the biggest tells of future fantasy success lies in their offensive line.
Even the league’s most talented players can struggle behind inconsistent blocking, while a great line can turn average runners into fantasy paydays. Strong play in the trenches can create consistent rushing lanes, extend drives, and ultimately make life easier for those who run between them. And sometimes, that’s all it takes for an overlooked back to become a fantasy star.
If you’re looking for running backs with the best opportunity to exceed expectations in 2026, start with these players behind the league’s top offensive lines.
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Fantasy managers are already betting big that Omarion Hampton (#12 ADP, #9 among RBs) will take a major leap in 2026.
Despite appearing in just nine games during his rookie season for the Chargers, Hampton still flashed his potential with 545 rushing yards, 32 receptions, and four touchdowns. However, an ankle injury suffered in Week 5 significantly hurt his production. Before the injury, Hampton averaged 16 fantasy points per game through Week 4; afterward, he hit the 20s just once for the remainder of the season.
It’s also important to note that some of Hampton’s best linemen were virtually nonexistent for the 2025 season. Rashawn Slater missed the entire season due to a torn patellar tendon, and Joe Alt appeared in just six games before multiple ankle injuries derailed his season.
For 2026, however, the outlook is far more promising. Both Hampton and Los Angeles’s offensive line should return to full strength, which will immediately revitalize the Chargers’ rushing game. The addition of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator will only enhance that potential, as his zone-based scheme is notorious for giving running backs plenty of room to run.
A healthy offensive line could unlock Hampton’s full potential this season, giving fantasy managers the breakout season they’re banking on.
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving (#22 ADP, #14 among RBs), like Hampton, suffered from a myriad of injuries in 2025.
The Buccaneers were completely decimated by health issues last season, forcing their offensive line to cycle through an unbelievable nine different starting combinations. Guards Cody Mauch and Ben Bredeson both suffered season-ending injuries, while right tackle Luke Goedeke also missed several games due to foot troubles. And somehow, despite all the moving parts, Irving still managed to average almost 14 points per game.
The Buccaneers will enter 2026 with a significantly healthier offensive line, giving Irving a much stronger foundation than his sophomore season. Additionally, the departure of Mike Evans opens up even more opportunities in Tampa Bay’s offense, potentially resulting in a larger workload for Irving on both the ground and in the air.
If Irving does rebound in his third NFL season, it should not come as a surprise.
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Great offensive lines can do wonders for a running back’s career. D’Andre Swift (#49 ADP, #25 among RBs) was a prime example of that last season.
Behind Chicago’s third-ranked offensive line by PFF, Swift saw career highs in rushing yards, touchdowns, and first downs in 2025. That elite blocking played a major role in his highlight season, creating consistent rushing lanes that allowed Swift to maximize his abilities despite splitting carries with Kyle Monangai. And looking forward to 2026, that recipe isn’t expected to change.
Chicago should enter this season with a completely healthy line, which should keep the best version of Swift available to fantasy managers. And while he may have to give up some carries to Monangai, it’s hard to deny the miracles the Bears’ offensive line has done for both of them so far.
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The 2025 NFL season featured former Oregon Ducks standouts making waves across the league. While former cornerback Christian Gonzalez made the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, Oregon saw four former quarterbacks earn starts in the same week for the first time.
Ahead of the 2026 season, multiple Ducks in the NFL come off notable injuries entering training camp, including former Oregon teammates quarterback Bo Nix and running back Bucky Irving, as well as former All-American defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
Running Back Bucky Irving a ‘Full-Go’ for Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp
Irving dealt with injuries throughout the 2025 season after a breakout rookie season in 2024. He had shoulder surgery in the offseason, but it appears that there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star.
According to Fox 13 multimedia reporter Mark Skol Jr., Irving said at his annual youth football camp that “he will be good to go for training camp.”
The Buccaneers selected Irving in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he rushed for eight touchdowns and 1,122 yards. His second year, riddled by injuries, saw those numbers take a dip, with four total touchdowns and 588 rushing yards.
Irving transferred from the Minnesota Golden Gophers to the Ducks before his sophomore year of college. Under coach Dan Lanning, Irving recorded back-to-back 1,000-plus-yard rushing seasons in his two years at Oregon.
While 2025 broke up an impressive three-year stretch for Irving that carried from Oregon to the NFL, he has an opportunity to bounce back in 2026 with a healthy season.
Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner Progressing Through Rehab
Buckner, the former Ducks defensive tackle and Indianapolis Colts star, suffered a herniated disc in his neck in week 9 of the 2025 NFL season that landed him on the injured reserve. He underwent surgery at the end of the season and didn’t practice in the spring.
According to The Athletic’s James Boyd, Buckner was “noncommittal on when he could return” but said he was aiming for week 1 of the 2026 season.
Buckner is a three-time Pro Bowler and earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2020. The Colts’ pass rush struggled in Buckner’s absence at the end of the season, as the franchise fell short of the postseason.
Accolades aren’t anything new to Buckner since he joined the NFL. At Oregon, he earned back-to-back All-Pac-12 honors, including being named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. He was also named a First-Team All-American in 2015 and won the Morris Trophy.
Buckner played for the Ducks from 2012-2015. His Oregon career was capped off with a 2015 season in which he totaled 83 tackles and 10.5 sacks. He went on to get selected No. 7 overall in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
Quarterback Bo Nix Expected Back for Training Camp
Another former Oregon standout who received offseason surgery was the former quarterback Nix. The Denver Broncos quarterback sustained a broken ankle against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round, which held Nix out of the AFC Championship last season.
Nix revealed to The Denver Post in June that he received a second offseason surgery in April to deal with bone spurs. He appeared at Broncos minicamp in June, but was limited. Denver coach Sean Payton, however, told the media that “he’ll clearly be ready in time for training camp.”
The quarterback totaled 7,706 passing yards and 54 touchdowns in just his first two seasons in the NFL after being the No. 12 pick in 2024. Nix played alongside Irving at Oregon under Lanning from 2022-2023. With the Ducks, Nix left as the program’s all-time leader in competition percentage and broke three additional single-season program records (completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns).
Nix also dealt with ankle injuries during his time in college. Before he transferred to Oregon, Nix required surgery for a broken ankle at Auburn in 2021. After dealing with injuries with the Tigers, the quarterback broke out upon transferring to Oregon. When he was with the Ducks, Nix didn’t deal with any long-term injury, although he did deal with an injury scare late in his first rivalry game against the Washington Huskies in 2022.
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The Houston Texans’ rookie class has officially arrived to training camp this week after a long wait following the end of their offseason program. They’ll have about a week or so ahead on the veterans to get adjusted before things officially get rolling once everyone’s in the building on July 29th.
And this year’s Texans rookie class is an interesting one. Houston brought in several potentially impactful names on both sides of the ball throughout April’s draft that should be able to use this time in training camp to either establish a starting spot, a key placement on the depth chart, or simply just stake their claim on the 53-man roster.
Let’s dive into five rookies within the Texans’ draft class that’ll be worth keeping an eye on in the weeks ahead as ones who could inevitably steal the spotlight for one reason or another:
Keylan Rutledge | IOL
All eyes will be on the Texans’ first round pick, Keylan Rutledge, who enters the mix with high expectations of being able to not only start from Week 1 as an instantly impactful piece to this offensive line, but also translate from his natural position of right guard over to center.
Rutledge has shown flashes of being able to do just that. He lined up at center at the Senior Bowl before the draft, had reps at both guard and center during OTAs and minicamp during the Texans’ offseason program, and has voiced confidence in being able to make that transition at the pro level.
Yet, now comes the time for Rutledge to show it. If he can find his footing in the middle of this offensive line and outduel Jake Andrews for that starting spot, it’ll already make the decision to trade up for him in the first round look a little bit better before he’s even able to take the field for a regular-season game.
Kayden McDonald | IDL
Another rookie who will have a ton of attention in the early weeks of training camp: the Texans’ highest defensive selection in the second round pick, Kayden McDonald, who, like Rutledge, was someone Houston moved up two spots for via trade.
McDonald’s road to becoming a day-one starter might be a little tougher than where this offensive line competition stands. McDonald will be tasked with making a bit of an adjustment to the pro level by transitioning from a nose tackle into someone who can be utilized in a wide-nine, four-man front, while also having to battle with a tested veteran in Tommy Togiai for snaps.
McDonald will certainly have a key role on this defense for his rookie season. The question heading into camp, though, will be how quickly he’ll be able to adjust into this Texans defensive front, which can then determine how much of a workload he can secure at the start of the year.
Marlin Klein | TE
Marlin Klein, the Texans’ second-round rookie who emerged as a bit of a surprise selection on day two, came into the offseason program facing some early adversity.
Klein suffered a hamstring strain that took him out of OTAs and minicamp, and wasn’t able to really get the necessary on-field, team reps he could’ve certainly used coming in as a bit more of a raw product coming out of Michigan.
But it’s been over a month since the Texans were on the field for practice. Klein is expected to be fully healthy and can now get a fresh start on his preparation for the season. If he can get a strong few weeks going in camp, that could position him well on the depth chart in what is expected to be a competitive tight end room.
Lewis Bond | WR
The Texans’ biggest star within their rookie class at the offseason program might’ve been sixth-round wide receiver Lewis Bond, who showed up on the second and third-team units by making several impressive plays with his unique route running and YAC ability.
And he could very well ride that momentum into camp here too. He’ll certainly need to do so in order to find his footing on this roster, considering how loaded the Texans’ wide receiver room is with a dozen names currently onboard the 90-man roster in camp.
It’ll be tough for Bond to find his way much further up the depth chart than being deemed the WR6 through strictly his showings in camp. But making the 53-man roster should be the number-one goal in mind for Houston’s rookie pass-catcher. So far, he’s shown the right signs to make that possible.
Aiden Fisher | LB
The Texans drafted two linebackers onto their defense back in April. One of them came during the fourth round with Clemson’s Wade Woodaz, and the second being brought on with Houston’s last pick in the seventh round with Indiana’s Aiden Fisher. The latter could be worthy of a bit more attention throughout the next few weeks.
That’s for two reasons. For one, his roster security is far less intact than Woodaz. Nothing is guaranteed in terms of 53-man roster spots for seventh-round picks, so Fisher will have to bring his A-game here. But Fisher showed last season with the Hoosiers that he could certainly be an NFL talent with how productive he was, despite lacking the true tools in terms of athleticism.
Fisher finished his championship-winning campaign by totaling nearly 100 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions en route to back-to-back All-American selections. Especially with how wide open this Texans depth chart is at linebacker, Fisher has a ton of opportunity to work with here.
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