The New York Giants have released LB Oshane Ximines from their practice squad and signed WR Dylan Drummond to replace him.
The New York Giants made some minor changes to their practice squad on Thursday, releasing linebacker Oshane Ximines and signing wide receiver Dylan Drummond.
Ximines was a third-round pick (No. 95 overall) in 2019 out of Old Dominion, the first player in school history to be selected in the NFL draft.
The 6-foot-4, 254-pound Ximines played in 45 total games over his first four seasons with the Giants, amassing 67 total tackles (34 solo) with 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for a loss. He also had 22 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and six passes defensed.
This season, Ximines appeared in just three games, recording four tackles (one solo) and two QB hits.
The 23-year-old Drummond signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted rookie out of Eastern Michigan back in May. He spent time on and off of their practice squad, appearing in just one game where he took five offensive snaps and three special teams snaps. He did not amass any stats.
Four of the five games the Broncos won in the last six weeks were played at home. Now the team has to go on a three-game road trip.
The Denver Broncos are on a five-game winning streak that has put them right back in the playoff mix, but it’s worth noting that four of those five wins came at home.
Now the Broncos have to go on the road.
Denver has an upcoming three-game road stretch from Weeks 13-15, traveling to face the Houston Texans (Dec. 3), Los Angeles Chargers (Dec. 10) and Detroit Lions (Dec. 16).
Does playing three games on the road change anything for the Broncos?
“Not really,” coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. “It kind of is what it is. When the season comes out, you look at where you’re playing some teams. We have played a number of homes games, and you really just are looking at this week. I do know of the remaining six [games], the four away are all inside and the other two are here outside. I don’t think there’s anything different relative to playing on the road versus home or for three games. It’s not a big deal.”
Fans in Denver will hope that proves to be true, as the Broncos need to continue winning to stay in the playoff hunt. Time will tell if Denver can keep the streak alive on the road.
The Dolphins are really good on both sides of the ball. Here are five players the Commanders should be most concerned about.
The Washington Commanders have a tall task in front of them on Sunday. Washington hosts the Miami Dolphins (8-3) in a Week 13 matchup from FedEx Field.
While the Dolphins are solid on defense, their offense is arguably the best in the NFL. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill is on pace to break Calvin Johnson’s single-season record receiving yards, while quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is quietly making his case to be one of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks.
Meanwhile, the Commanders have been so bad defensively that they fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and secondary coach Brent Vieselmeyer last week.
Good luck.
Here are five Dolphins that Washington fans should get to know ahead of Sunday’s game.
They will have to beat the Pacers and one of the Lakers or Suns to do it.
The Boston Celtics surprised even their own fans as they beat the Chicago Bulls in the final game of the group play stage of the NBA’s new in-season tournament (IST) by enough to advance to the quarterfinals by their point differential.
And while that aspect of the IST certainly irked players on both ball clubs, it also put the Celtics in a position to win the IST in the very first season of its existence. Boston will face the Indiana Pacers on the road, and then if they get past the Pacers in a single-elimination match, will take on the winner of the IST’s West quarterfinals, one of the Los Angeles Lakers or Phoenix Suns, in Las Vegas.
The hosts of the CLNS Media “The Big Three” podcast recently weighed in on whether they believe Boston can win the inaugural IST.
It seems that the installation of a new staff at Michigan State may get the Spartans another look at Mesman, at least it seems like they are going to try. On Thursday night, MSU re-offered Mesman.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
We are still waiting to see what bowl game Penn State will be playing in to wrap up this season, but we can also start planning for the conclusion fo spring football practices in State College in 2024. Penn State announced the date for its annual …
We are still waiting to see what bowl game Penn State will be playing in to wrap up this season, but we can also start planning for the conclusion fo spring football practices in State College in 2024. Penn State announced the date for its annual spring game, the Blue-White Game, on Thursday so fans can start making their plans now.
Penn State’s Blue-White Game will be held in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024. An exact start time for the intra-squad scrimmage will be locked in at a later date but Penn State announced the plan is for an early to mid-afternoon start, which is typical for Penn State’s spring scrimmage.
Penn State’s Blue-White Game has typically been the final part of the spring football practice schedule for the Nittany Lions over the years. There is no reason to suspect that will change in 2024..
The spring game will be the first chance for fans to see what they hope to be a new-look offense under a new offensive coordinator. Penn State has reportedly hired Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas to fill the role of offensive coordinator.
Mark your calendars! Penn State has announced the date for the 2024 Blue-White Game.
We are still waiting to see what bowl game Penn State will be playing in to wrap up this season, but we can also start planning for the conclusion of spring football practices in State College in 2024. Penn State announced the date for its annual spring game, the Blue-White Game, on Thursday so fans can start making their plans now.
Penn State’s Blue-White Game will be held in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024. An exact start time for the intra-squad scrimmage will be locked in at a later date but Penn State announced the plan is for an early to mid-afternoon start, which is typical for Penn State’s spring scrimmage.
Penn State’s Blue-White Game has typically been the final part of the spring football practice schedule for the Nittany Lions over the years. There is no reason to suspect that will change in 2024.
The spring game will be the first chance for fans to see what they hope to be a new-look offense under a new offensive coordinator. Penn State has reportedly hired Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas to fill the role of offensive coordinator.
The season races toward Week 17 and fantasy championships (yes, I know, some use Week 18 because change is hard). That’s just five weeks away, and most fantasy leagues will begin their playoffs in either Week 15 or 16. For those of you in large contests, it probably starts in Week 14 so this is the final week of your regular season.
We’ve seen plenty of transition through the year and by this point, there aren’t many (any?) players new to starting that will make a difference. Your waiver wire is likely exhausted, and by this point, you’re swapping kickers and defenses just because it feels like you need to always upgrade.
Let’s take a look at six items for Week 13.
1.) RB Leonard Fournette (BUF) – I discussed him a few weeks back when he landed on the practice squad for the Bills, who wanted to get him into shape and versed in the offense. James Cook and Latavius Murray are currently splitting the workload, and adding Fournette may just reduce everyone’s fantasy value. But – if any player suddenly appeared on the scene and made a difference, it would be Fournette as a productive veteran landing in a capable offense. HC Sean McDermott said he didn’t elevate him last week because they needed other players against the Eagles. The Bills are on bye this week, and Fournette could get the call up for Week 14 at home against the Rams.
2.) QB Aaron Rodgers (NYJ) – The almost-starting quarterback for the Jets has nursed his torn Achilles and said that it was “possible” that he could return in the coming weeks. He was designated to return from injured reserve and that opened his 21 days to be activated or he must remain on IR for the balance of the season. He could play in Week 16 if it happens, but the Jets are 4-7 with a slate of ATL, HOU, and @MIA before Week 16 against WAS. Even if he did, he would carry no fantasy reliability but could potentially help Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson right when you need them most. That seems overly optimistic, but the Jets wouldn’t have activated him if they hadn’t thought he had a chance to play. They must end the season on a high note, no matter what.
3.) Those amazing rookies – The 2023 class of wide receivers wasn’t considered a top class, and there were no drafted until the 1.20 pick. There were 14 taken over the first two days (Rounds 1-3). And 17 were taken in 2022 during those rounds, and six were selected before the 1.20 pick. That was considered a great class for wideouts and three went on to be Top-40 last year – worthy of being a fantasy starter. This year? There are SEVEN wideouts currently in the Top 40. That’s more than one-in-six top wideouts who are rookies from a “weaker” class.
4.) QB Joe Flacco (CLE) – Dorian Thompson-Robinson has a concussion and may not be cleared in time to play the Rams. If he cannot play, Joe Flacco will take the start. That would change the offense dramatically. Flacco will not be running. He is a pocket passer, and he’ll probably get hurt if he leaves the safe pocket protected by the Browns’ formidable O-line. The 38-year-old veteran is drawing raves from Amari Cooper on the quality of his passes. Imagine the Browns’ passing game with a passer who won’t take off on a run and who started three games for the Jets last year with 285+ yards in each. He could boost the receiving stats for several players.
5.) WR Noah Brown (HOU) – The veteran wideout has been out with a bruised knee since Week 10 when he posted a career-best 172 yards on seven receptions at the Bengals. Brown had limited practices to start the week and should be on track to return this week. His last two games helped C.J. Stroud throw for 470 yards and five scores versus the Bucs, then 356 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals. The Broncos this week will be a bigger challenge but the trio of Brown, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell has been devastating.
6.)Packers passing game – There’s been an upturn in stats for Jordan Love and the wide receivers. He threw for 322 yards and two scores against the Chargers and then 268 yards and three touchdowns on the Lions. Christian Watson and Jayden Reed scored in both games. This week they face the Chiefs and their challenging defense. If the Packers can show continued improvement against the Top-5 pass defense of the Chiefs, the Packers have a very advantageous remaining schedule.
About Last Night…
Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle 35, Dallas 41
Well. Thursday night games are typically sloppier and lower scoring than Sunday games. Not this week, apparently the sloppy play was limited to the defenses.
The Cowboys were favored by eight points and had held visitors to Dallas to under 20 points. But the Seahawks led 21-20 at the half thanks to DK Metcalf scoring twice. The Cowboys had to settle for four field goals because they had a problem punching in touchdowns, and the Cowboys were on the Seattle 20-yard line or closer on every kick. The Seahawks led 35-27 to start the fourth quarter before the Cowboys posted 17 unanswered points to win.
No one expected Geno Smith to throw for 334 yards and three scores – by far the best passing performance allowed by the Cowboys this year. It helped that DK Metcalf (6-134, 3 TD) opened the game with a 73-yard touchdown. No opposing wideout had scored more than once against that defense. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (7-62) and Tyler Lockett (5-47) chipped enough to keep the stocks moving. Zach Charbonnet ran for 60 yards on 19 carries and rushed in a touchdown while catching a 39-yard pass. The Seattle offense was far better than expected and couldn’t quite hang on for a win.
The Cowboys posted very similar stats. Dak Prescott passed for 299 yards and three touchdowns with CeeDee Lamb (12-116, TD) as the top receiver and he also ran for 30 yards on two rushes. Jake Ferguson (6-77, TD) and Brandin Cooks (4-45, TD) were the only other receivers with more than 17 yards. Tony Pollard ran for 68 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and added three receptions for 15 yards. It was shockingly high-scoring and a treat to see on a Thursday.
On this day in Celtics history, Paul Pierce went off against the Nets, Kemba Walker revealed he’d had a knee procedure and Loscy left us.
On this day in Boston Celtics history, iconic Hall of Fame small forward Paul Pierce scored 48 points in a 105-98 win over the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets in 2001. The Californian guard helped carry the Celtics to the hard-fought mid-season victory in overtime with his offensive eruption, putting up 34 field goal attempts and making just 13 of his shots from the floor that night.
The Kansas alum was especially sizzling from beyond the arc in terms of efficiency, nailing five of his 8 attempts from 3-point range, and getting to the free throw line an absurd 18 times.
Pierce converted an equally-sizzling 17 of his shots from the stripe that night.
With his son cleared to play college basketball, LeBron James says he would prioritize seeing his son play over playing for the Lakers.
About four months after he went into cardiac arrest, Bronny James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, has been cleared to start his freshman year of college basketball.
He committed to play at the University of Southern California months ago, and he could help what is already a strong Trojans team become that much more competitive. While the Trojans have never won an NCAA championship, the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins, the Trojans’ huge crosstown rivals, have won the national championship 11 times.
The elder James commented on the recovery of his son, and he indicated that if his son’s first game conflicts with a Lakers game, he would skip that Lakers game to see his son play.
“I definitely gotta see Bronny’s first college game whenever he’s cleared and ready to go.” LeBron James let #Lakers fans know he'll be out of the office for Bronny's debut. pic.twitter.com/kCBf9Ut0TJ
LeBron on Bronny James’ impending return to college basketball: “It’s exciting. I’m looking forward to his first game. … I already told my [Lakers] teammates that if they’re playing on the same day we’re playing then I’m going to catch them the next game. Family over everything”
The younger James likely will not play for a little while. It would make sense for him to require multiple full practices and workouts to build chemistry with his teammates and get into basketball shape.
Both the Trojans and Lakers are scheduled to play on Dec. 28, Dec. 30, Jan. 3, Jan. 13 and Jan. 17. The Lakers are sputtering with an 11-9 record and have been unable to get or stay healthy, so the elder James skipping a game to see the younger James run with the Trojans may not be a good idea as far as the Purple and Gold are concerned.
