The Rundown — Sports News, Analysis & Culture

The wire

Sources: Big Ten to bar NFL players from return

The Big Ten is set to pass a rule Tuesday that doesn't allow players to return from the NFL and play for one of its schools, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

ESPN/NFL/just now

Commanders S Harris released, LB Jackson to IR

The Commanders released veteran safety Will Harris on Tuesday, one year after he had opened the season as a starter.

ESPN/NFL/just now

Watson, now Browns' QB1, regrets ripping fans

Deshaun Watson will open the season as the Browns' starting quarterback, coach Todd Monken announced Monday.

ESPN/NFL/just now

Police close case into death of Bills DT Oliver's son

A police investigation into the death of Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver's son has resulted in no criminal findings and the case is now considered closed, the Harris County Sheriff's Office in Texas announced Monday.

ESPN/NFL/just now

Texans acquire WR Boutte in trade with Patriots

The Texans acquired wide receiver Kayshon Boutte in a trade with the Patriots on Monday.

ESPN/NFL/just now

✍️ Grading all of the offseason trades

We're sizing up post-June 1 deals, including the blockbuster A.J. Brown and Myles Garrett trades along with Kayshon Boutte going to Houston.

ESPN/NFL/just now

Barnwell: Five NFL teams -- including the Broncos -- that will take a step back this season

Are the Bears getting too much hype? Did the Panthers and Jaguars overachieve last season? And will the Broncos and Patriots come up short of expectations this season?

ESPN/NFL/just now

Five teams most likely to improve this season: Why the Chiefs lead Barnwell's annual list

Can the Giants and Jets improve? Will the Chiefs, Lions and Ravens all make it back to the playoffs?

ESPN/MLB/just now

Is Ohtani or PCA the MVP? Here's what MLB players had to say

The battle for the NL's biggest honor is a tight one. Here's which star has most impressed those who face them.

MLB Trade Rumors/MLB/2m ago

Athletics Claim Chris Roycroft

The Athletics announced that they have claimed right-hander Chris Roycroft off waivers from the Rays. Tampa had designated him for assignment in recent days. To open a 40-man spot, the A’s transferred shortstop Jacob Wilson to the 60-day in

Defector/Culture/6m ago

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Jacksonville Jaguars

Some people are fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars. But many, many more people are NOT fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars. This 2026 Defector NFL team preview is for those in the latter group. Read all the previews so far here . Your team: Jack

Yahoo Sports/NFL/10m ago

NFL to reportedly continue to enforce strict crackdown on taunting in 2026

The NFL wants players to celebrate big plays, but tastefully.

NFL

All NFL →

ESPN/NFL/just now

Late-round rookies who could become fantasy steals

Whether you're in a standard league or a deeper league, these rookies could emerge in 2026 and beyond.

ESPN/NFL/just now

ESPN Fantasy Football Hall of Fame inducts its first two players

A celebration of the best players and moments since ESPN's fantasy game was introduced in 1995.

ESPN/NFL/just now

York pinged fake prostitute 3 times before arrest

49ers owner Jed York used a pseudonym and responded multiple times to a fictitious ad for a prostitute prior to his arrest in Ohio over the weekend.

ESPN/NFL/just now

Study: 25% of NFL players in sample had CTE

A new study published Tuesday by the British Medical Journal showed that at least 25% of NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE.

NBA

All NBA →

Yahoo Sports/NBA/51m ago

NBA Offseason News/Trade/Free Agent Rumors 2026: Teams still eyeing Kyrie Irving, Heat plans

Also, some LeBron James and Simone Fontecchio news.

Yahoo Sports/NBA/1h ago

Klay to Miami, DeMar to Denver! Atlanta Dream are ROLLING, Valkyries-Lynx takeaways + DeWanna Bonner landing spots

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss Klay Thompson heading to Miami, DeMar DeRozan’s fit in Denver and Angel Reese’s record-breaking performance.

ESPN/NBA/2h ago

Clippers offseason recap and early-season preview: Big questions still remain for LA

The Kawhi Leonard-Aspiration saga continues to roll on, leaving the Clippers' 2026-27 season in turmoil. What's next in LA?

ESPN/NBA/2h ago

Offseason recap and early-season previews: Team-by-team primers

We're looking back at the offseason and taking an early look at the regular season by rolling out team profiles.

MLB

All MLB →

ESPN/MLB/just now

Is Ohtani or PCA the MVP? Here's what MLB players had to say

The battle for the NL's biggest honor is a tight one. Here's which star has most impressed those who face them.

MLB Trade Rumors/MLB/2m ago

Athletics Claim Chris Roycroft

The Athletics announced that they have claimed right-hander Chris Roycroft off waivers from the Rays. Tampa had designated him for assignment in recent days. To open a 40-man spot, the A’s transferred shortstop Jacob Wilson to the 60-day in

MLB Trade Rumors/MLB/15m ago

Nationals Designate Trevor Williams For Assignment

The Nationals announced today that right-hander Matt Waldron, who they recently claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays, has been added to the active roster. Fellow righty Trevor Williams has been designated for assignment in a corresponding

MLB Trade Rumors/MLB/24m ago

Yankees Select Justin Topa

August 25: The Yankees officially added Topa to the roster today and moved Stanton to the 60-day IL. August 24: The Yankees are planning to call up veteran reliever Justin Topa, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post. He’s not on the 40-

NHL

All NHL →

Yahoo Sports/NHL/48m ago

Former Blackhawks Draft Pick Kevin Hayes Is Headed To KHL

Kevin Hayes, a former Chicago Blackhawks draft pick, is officially headed to the KHL.

Yahoo Sports/NHL/1h ago

Sabres Top 40 Prospects - #15

The 2019 first-rounder played all but three games for AHL Rochester last season

Yahoo Sports/NHL/2h ago

Former Flyers Forward Takes Surprising Next Step in Playing Career

A turbulent end to his NHL career sees the veteran center end up in the KHL.

Yahoo Sports/NHL/2h ago

Flyers' Future Franchise Defenseman Could Shake Loose from Eastern Conference Rival

With Detroit’s front office still in flux, another window has opened for the Flyers to weaponize their cap space.

Culture

All Culture →

Defector/Culture/6m ago

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Jacksonville Jaguars

Some people are fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars. But many, many more people are NOT fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars. This 2026 Defector NFL team preview is for those in the latter group. Read all the previews so far here . Your team: Jack

Deadspin/Culture/27m ago

Stan Wawrinka bids farewell to New York after U.S. Open rejection

Denied a chance to compete in a final U.S. Open, former champion Stan Wawrinka bid an emotional farewell to New York on Tuesday.,Wawrinka, who announc

Deadspin/Culture/32m ago

Report: Veteran RB Kareem Hunt visits with Lions

Free agent running back Kareem Hunt visited the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, ESPN reported.,Hunt, 31, rushed for 611 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 gam

Deadspin/Culture/1h ago

Report: Cards C Hjalte Froholdt gets 2-year, $20M extension

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with center Hjalte Froholdt on a two-year, $20 million contract extension, NFL Network reported Tuesday.,The dea

Every sports take worth your time, in one place

Late-round rookies who could become fantasy steals

ESPN Fantasy Football Hall of Fame inducts its first two players

York pinged fake prostitute 3 times before arrest

Study: 25% of NFL players in sample had CTE

Sources: Cards, center Froholdt reach $20M deal

The wire

Sources: Big Ten to bar NFL players from return

Commanders S Harris released, LB Jackson to IR

Watson, now Browns' QB1, regrets ripping fans

Police close case into death of Bills DT Oliver's son

Texans acquire WR Boutte in trade with Patriots

✍️ Grading all of the offseason trades

Barnwell: Five NFL teams -- including the Broncos -- that will take a step back this season

Five teams most likely to improve this season: Why the Chiefs lead Barnwell's annual list

Is Ohtani or PCA the MVP? Here's what MLB players had to say

Athletics Claim Chris Roycroft

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL to reportedly continue to enforce strict crackdown on taunting in 2026

NFL

Late-round rookies who could become fantasy steals

ESPN Fantasy Football Hall of Fame inducts its first two players

York pinged fake prostitute 3 times before arrest

Study: 25% of NFL players in sample had CTE

NBA

NBA Offseason News/Trade/Free Agent Rumors 2026: Teams still eyeing Kyrie Irving, Heat plans

Klay to Miami, DeMar to Denver! Atlanta Dream are ROLLING, Valkyries-Lynx takeaways + DeWanna Bonner landing spots

Clippers offseason recap and early-season preview: Big questions still remain for LA

Offseason recap and early-season previews: Team-by-team primers

MLB

Is Ohtani or PCA the MVP? Here's what MLB players had to say

Athletics Claim Chris Roycroft

Nationals Designate Trevor Williams For Assignment

Yankees Select Justin Topa

NHL

Former Blackhawks Draft Pick Kevin Hayes Is Headed To KHL

Sabres Top 40 Prospects - #15

Former Flyers Forward Takes Surprising Next Step in Playing Career

Flyers' Future Franchise Defenseman Could Shake Loose from Eastern Conference Rival

Culture

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Jacksonville Jaguars

Stan Wawrinka bids farewell to New York after U.S. Open rejection

Report: Veteran RB Kareem Hunt visits with Lions

Report: Cards C Hjalte Froholdt gets 2-year, $20M extension