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JD Bertrand 2005 LB
Falcons' JD Bertrand: Heads home to Atlanta
4m agoThe Falcons selected Bertrand in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 143rd overall.
A metro Atlanta native, Bertrand comes home to the Falcons after spending his college career at Notre Dame. Bertrand led the Irish in tackles each of his last three seasons, topping out at 101 in 2021. A foot injury prevented him from testing during the pre-draft process but the film shows him to be an instinctive 'backer and sure tackler. He has some thump at 235 pounds but has been knocked for short arms (30.63-inches), which raise questions about his ability to shed blocks and find the ball carrier. Kaden Elliss and Troy Anderson block Bertrand's path to starting, so special teams may be his quickest route to the field early in his career.
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Anthony Gould 2005 WR
Colts' Anthony Gould: Added by Indy
7m agoThe Colts selected Gould in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 142nd overall.
Gould will join Adonai Mitchell as rookies in the Colts' receiver room, though Gould is far less likely to make an immediate offensive impact. He didn't break out until his fifth season with Oregon State, when he posted 44 receptions for 718 yards and two touchdowns. However, Indianapolis may have opted for Gould due to his skills on special teams, as he was an elite punt returner with the Beavers -- earning All-American and All Pac-12 Honors in 2022 after leading the nation with a punt return average of 18.3 yards.
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Cam Hart 2005 CB
Chargers' Cam Hart: Los Angeles adds in fifth round
14m agoThe Chargers selected Hart in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 140th overall.
Hart was a productive three-year starter on a dominant Notre Dame pass defense, and at 6-foot-3, 202 pounds he's one of the most athletic cornerbacks in the draft (4.5-second 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical, 130-inch broad jump). The problem with Hart is the classic problem afflicting nearly any corner 6-foot-3 or taller, which is that his athleticism is more linear than lateral. With legs that long it can be difficult to start/stop and change direction like some of the NFL's quicker receivers can. The fix is usually to run Cover-3 principles and keep the player's responsibilities concentrated downfield and toward the sideline, and that might be the Chargers' plan with Hart.
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Sedrick Van Pran-Granger 2005 IOL
Bills' Sedrick Van Pran-Granger: New starting center in Buffalo?
15m agoThe Bills selected Van Pran-Granger in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 141st overall.
A four-star recruit in the 2020 high school class, Van Pran-Granger became a three-year starter for Georgia, tallying multiple All-SEC honors and a second team All-American nomination last year as the team's mainstay along the offensive line. He's hardly the most athletic center and likely won't move up and attack the second level, but Van Pran-Granger comes equipped with the necessary experience and leadership skillset to compete for the starting job with Connor McGovern, as Mitch Morse is gone via free agency.
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Xavier Thomas 2005 EDGE
Cardinals' Xavier Thomas: Headed to desert
19m agoThe Cardinals selected Thomas in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 138th overall.
Thomas was a top recruit and ultimately landed with Clemson, where he impressively found the field regularly as a freshman. However, he had sporadic production from there due to injury and a serious bout with COVID-19, which explains his dip into the later rounds of the draft. Thomas will head into the pros with a wide range of outcomes, but he could become part of the Cardinals' rotation along the defensive line behind the likes of Zaven Collins and BJ Ojulari.
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Jordan Magee 2005 LB
Commanders' Jordan Magee: Nabbed by Washington
20m agoThe Commanders selected Magee in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 139th overall.
The Bobby Wagner signing will be a bridge at the inside linebacker spot while Magee develops. Magee, a Temple product, had two seasons over 80 tackles and had 23 tackles for loss over his last two seasons with the Owls. Like several of the off-ball linebackers in this class, Magee is on the lighter side for the position at 228 pounds on a 6-foot-1 frame, but he can fly to the ball with 4.55 speed. He and Jamin Davis could combine to give Washington an uber-athletic linebackers group.
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Framber Valdez HOU SP
Astros' Framber Valdez: Taken off IL
6m agoThe Astros removed Valdez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, per the MLB transaction log.
Valdez is set to start in Sunday's game against the Rockies as part of a two-game series in Mexico City. The 30-year-old southpaw landed on the Astros' 15-day IL on April 9 due to left elbow inflammation. Valdez threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and he will likely be on a pitch count over his first few outings.
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Nolan Jones COL LF
Rockies' Nolan Jones: Back in lineup
6m agoJones (back) is starting in left field Saturday against the Astros.
Back stiffness caused Jones to exit Tuesday's game early and has kept him sidelined for the Rockies' last two games. Now seemingly healthy, the 25-year-old will look to turn things around at the dish after starting the year with a .469 OPS through 96 plate appearances.
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Nick Senzel WAS 3B
Nationals' Nick Senzel: Returns to lineup Saturday
14m agoSenzel (illness) will serve as the Nationals' designated hitter Saturday against the Marlins.
A stomach illness has kept Senzel from playing in Washington's last two games, but the issue appears to have subsided prior to Saturday's contest. The 28-year-old is slashing .200/.259/.440 with two homers across 27 plate appearances this season.
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Trey Cabbage HOU 1B
Astros' Trey Cabbage: Appointed as 27th man by Astros
15m agoThe Astros appointed Cabbage from Triple-A Sugar Land to be the 27th man for the two-game series against the Rockies in Mexico City, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.
Houston was given permission to add a 27th man for its two-game series in Mexico City. The Astros opted to call up Cabbage, who will provide depth in the outfield and at first base. Cabbage played 22 games in the majors last season with the Angels, slashing .208/.321/.553 with three doubles, one stolen base, one home run and seven RBI over 56 plate appearances.
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Jesus Sanchez MIA RF
Marlins' Jesus Sanchez: Resting versus lefty
19m agoSanchez isn't in the Marlins' lineup for Saturday's game against Washington.
The lefty-hitting Sanchez will begin Saturday's game in the dugout with the left-handed Mitchell Parker set to start on the bump for the Nats. Avisail Garcia will cover right field instead while batting fifth.
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Nick Gordon MIA LF
Marlins' Nick Gordon: Sitting against lefty
22m agoGordon isn't in the Marlins' lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals.
Gordon will retreat to the dugout as the Nationals prepare to send left-hander Mitchell Parker to the mound to start Saturday's contest. Gordon's absence will move Bryan De La Cruz into left field while Josh Bell serves as the DH and Emmanuel Rivera starts at first base.
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Damian Lillard MIL PG
Bucks' Damian Lillard: Game 4 in doubt
2h agoLillard suffered a strained Achilles in Friday's loss to the Pacers and there is serious doubt over his availability for Game 4 on Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Lillard was able to return to Game 3 after suffering the injury and finished the contest with 28 points (6-20 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 12-12 FT), eight assists, three steals and one rebound over 45 minutes. Final confirmation on his status Sunday will presumably come closer to game time. AJ Green, Andre Jackson and Malik Beasley would all be candidates to see increased minutes alongside Patrick Beverley in the backcourt should Lillard indeed need to sit out.
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Mitchell Robinson NY C
Knicks' Mitchell Robinson: Does not practice Saturday
2h agoRobinson (ankle) was a non-participant at Saturday's practice, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
Robinson was seen wearing a walking boot on his sprained left ankle following an early exit in Thursday's 125-114 loss to the 76ers. He had accumulated two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 FT) and seven rebounds across 12 minutes before leaving. His absence from Saturdays' practice is not a good sign for his status for Sunday's Game 4, but the team has not ruled the big man out. If he ultimately does not get the green light, Precious Achiuwa figures to serve as the primary backup behind Isaiah Hartenstein.
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Devin Booker PHO SG
Suns' Devin Booker: Delivers eight dimes in Game 3 loss
4h agoBooker accumulated 23 points (8-15 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds, eight assists and two steals in 42 minutes during Friday's 126-109 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Booker finished just two assists away from recording a double-double in Game 3, and the star guard will need to be at his best Sunday if the Suns want to avoid getting swept in the first round. Booker's scoring numbers have increased with each passing game in the series, though this was the first time he surpassed the 20-point plateau.
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Bradley Beal PHO SG
Suns' Bradley Beal: Scores team-high 28 points Friday
4h agoBeal finished Friday's 126-109 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 28 points (10-19 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and four assists in 43 minutes.
Beal led the Suns in scoring Friday, but as has been the case throughout the series, Phoenix simply hasn't been able to hang on with the Timberwolves throughout an entire game, which explains the 0-3 deficit the Suns are currently in right now. This was the first team Beal surpassed the 15-point mark in the series, and the veteran guard will need to keep the momentum going for Game 4 on Sunday if the Suns want to avoid getting swept in the first round.
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Kevin Durant PHO PF
Suns' Kevin Durant: Puts up 25 points in loss Friday
4h agoDurant had 25 points (8-18 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 8-9 FT), four rebounds and five assists across 42 minutes during Friday's 126-109 loss to Minnesota in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Durant bounced back from a subpar showing in Game 2, at least for his lofty standards, and he had a strong showing in Game 3, but once again, his contributions were not enough to lift the Suns to victory as Phoenix fell into an 0-3 deficit. Durant will need to be at his best if the Suns want to avoid the sweep in Game 4 on Sunday. He's averaging 24.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in the series.
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Rudy Gobert MIN C
Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert: Efficient performance in Game 3 win
4h agoGobert logged 19 points (6-8 FG, 7-8 FT), 14 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 38 minutes during Friday's 126-109 victory over the Suns in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Gobert's scoring numbers have increased with each passing game in the series, though the increased offensive responsibility in Game 3 was directly related to Karl-Anthony Towns being limited with foul trouble. Gobert also has two double-doubles in three games during he current series, averaging 17.0 points and 13.0 boards per contest.
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Mason Marchment DAL LW
Stars' Mason Marchment: Game-time decision Saturday
16m agoPer Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News, Marchment (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision in Vegas on Saturday, according to coach Peter DeBoer.
Marchment was injured in the third period Wednesday and did not return. Marchment set career highs in goals (22) and assists (31) in 81 regular-season games this season. Should he be unable to go, look for Mavrik Bourque to enter the lineup.
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Radek Faksa DAL C
Stars' Radek Faksa: Game-time call Saturday
19m agoFaksa (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision Saturday for Game 3 against the Golden Knights, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Faksa has yet to record a point in the playoffs after posting seven goals and 19 points in the regular season. If Faksa ultimately can't suit up, Ty Dellandrea would likely slot into the lineup in a bottom-six role.
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Spencer Stastney NSH D
Predators' Spencer Stastney: Deemed week-to-week
34m agoStastney (upper body) is considered week-to-week, Robby Stanley of NHL.com reports.
Statsney was injured in the second period of Friday's Game 3 loss to the Canucks. He hasn't picked up a point through three playoff outings while posting one blocked shot and one shot on goal. Tyson Barrie or Dante Fabbro will replace Statsney in the lineup for Game 4 on Sunday.
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Matt Martin NYI LW
Islanders' Matt Martin: Not playing Saturday
2h agoMartin (lower body) won't play Saturday in Game 4 versus Carolina, according to Stefen Rosner of NHL.com.
Martin played through the injury in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Hurricanes, logging just 8:16 of ice time. He has 16 PIM, seven hits and three blocked shots over three outings this postseason. Martin will be replaced in Saturday's lineup by Ruslan Iskhakov.
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Jeremy Swayman BOS G
Bruins' Jeremy Swayman: First off ahead of Game 4
2h agoSwayman was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports, indicating he will guard the road net Saturday versus Toronto in Game 4.
Swayman is coming off a 28-save performance in Wednesday's 4-2 victory over the Maple Leafs in Game 3. He has stopped 63 of 66 shots en route to a 2-0 record in the opening round of the postseason. If the Bruins emerge victorious Saturday, the team can take a 3-1 stranglehold in the best-of-seven series.
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Axel Jonsson-Fjallby WPG LW
Jets' Axel Jonsson-Fjallby: Recalled from Manitoba
2h agoJonsson-Fjallby was recalled from AHL Manitoba on Saturday.
Jonsson-Fjallby had two goals and five points in 26 games with the Jets this year. The 26-year-old winger will likely serve as a depth option for Winnipeg going forward in the postseason.