Could the Chicago Bulls have finally found a trading partner interested in their star guard?
Chicago has failed to move Zach LaVine for months, which has disabled the Bulls from making further deals to power a rebuild.
As long as LaVine is still on Chicago’s books, the team is stuck in NBA purgatory until 2027.
The Bulls should still be actively seeking out a trade for LaVine. Sending the two-time All-Star to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, and Jonathan Kuminga works financially, but would Golden State bite?
LaVine would provide the Warriors with a scoring punch that none of Wiggins, Payton, and Kuminga do, not to mention one that could be useful in the wake of Klay Thompson’s departure.
Kuminga, whose contract expires after this season, will likely demand a beefy new contract that Golden State (and most teams) might not be crazy about paying. It therefore behooves the Warriors to listen to offers for Kuminga.
There’s also the Andrew Wiggins question for Golden State. It should be said that while Wiggins isn’t the scoring talent that LaVine is, he’s still a career 18.5 points per game scorer who has won a title with the Warriors. Would Golden State be upgrading to a huge extent by swapping Wiggins’s production for LaVine’s?
Hoops Habits’ Treyvon Hastings isn’t very keen on the LaVine idea, from the Warriors’ perspective.
“While Golden State could certainly match salary to get LaVine, they would be forced to trade one of Andrew Wiggins or Draymond to feasibly get a deal done,” Hastings said.
“Even then, the Warriors would have to trade three players for one, significantly diminishing their depth, which made them so dominant for so long. A Lakers or Clippers style ‘Big 3’ has proven to be unsuccessful for those franchises, and there’s no reason to believe it would work for Golden State as currently constructed.”
“Moving Wiggins or Green for a defensive liability and constantly injured player could harm Golden State’s future success. With that in mind, a trade for LaVine makes little sense for the Warriors, and acquiring the former All-Star would be a sign of ‘damage control’ from losing Thompson in free agency. Although LaVine is a ‘last hope’ for the Warriors to acquire a high-level player, he’s not their only option.”
The Bulls are hoping that Golden State’s front office doesn’t align with the kind of thinking provided here by Hastings. Chicago would love nothing more than to offload LaVine’s contract ($138M remaining) for a more manageable remaining three years (Wiggins, $54.5M) and two expirings in Payton and Kuminga.
The 22-year-old Kuminga would even have a chance of sticking in Chicago and receiving a big payday next summer from the Bulls.
The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to balance past, present, and future.
A franchise that’s been home to some of the most recognizable names in basketball history, their jerseys are as gold as their standard.
Even now, the Lakers employ future Hall of Famers. LeBron James, who’s entering his 22nd season, has the most decorated NBA career on record. Anthony Davis, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, is a nine-time All-Star.
However, there’s a reasonable amount of concern about whether Los Angeles has what it takes to win another title before James retires.
The Lakers could presumably keep their championship window open after James hangs it up, acquiring another star to play alongside Davis. Yet, their best chance of raising their 18th banner is by maximizing the remaining years of James’s unforgettable career.
This has helped lead to questions about whether LA should add another star, like Chicago Bulls wing Zach LaVine.
Among the Lakers’ potential targets, LaVine arguably has the best combination of availability and talent. There are concerns with LaVine —injury, salary, and on-court —but there’s no denying he’s a high-quality scorer.
What exactly would it take for the Lakers to pull the trigger on a LaVine deal though?
For starters, there would have to be a definitive need. As a result, Los Angeles could wait until D’Angelo Russell or Austin Reaves shows that they’re not ready to be the third option.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick is determined to get the best out of both Russell and Reaves. Nonetheless, Russell’s career history suggests that he’s unreliable while Reaves’s underscores his inexperience.
The advantage LaVine has over both of them is proof that he can consistently score at a high volume and efficiently. If the Lakers believe they have enough playmaking and defense around him, and with James and Davis they may, he can be a valuable addition.
LaVine’s price tag is also worth consideration. The 29-year-old will make $138 million over the next three seasons, which certainly stands out. Yet, when the Bulls were deep in the weeds this offseason, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that they were willing to attach a first-round pick to LaVine to move him. Not only does this soften the perception of his salary but it prevents LA from digging into their desolate draft cupboard.
In theory, the Lakers could swap Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt for LaVine, Torrey Craig, and a first-round pick. With the roster spot that opens up, free agents like Marcus Morris could become targets.
Role players may not always garner the respect they deserve from the public, but their contributions are always needed.
Judging by the Los Angeles Clippers’ recent decision to offer a contract extension to an important role player, they feel the same way.
“We place tremendous value on the competitiveness, consistency, durability and hard work that T (Terance) Mann continues to demonstrate year after year,” Clippers’ president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Wednesday. “Since we drafted him in 2019, T Mann has turned himself into the ultimate glue guy, a two-way player who takes tough assignments and hits big shots. When we think about the qualities that make a young player a Clipper, we often wind up with a description of T Mann, and we’re thrilled he will remain a vital part of us.”
Last season, Mann averaged 8.8 points per game on 51.5% shooting from the field and 34.8% shooting from three.
The Clippers bowed out in the opening round of the playoffs, but Mann had a solid showing in the postseason, notching 9.3 points per contest while connecting on 41.3% of his field goals and 45.5% of his long-range jumpers. He was also responsible for keeping Luka Doncic in check efficiency-wise during the Clippers’ first-round matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Florida State product was selected No. 48 overall by the Clippers in the 2019 draft. During his second season in Los Angeles, Mann made a statement in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, pouring in 39 points on 71.4% shooting from the field and 70% shooting from deep. That incredible performance propelled the Clippers to a 131-119 series-clinching victory over the Utah Jazz.
Offensively, Mann is helpful as an off-ball cutter who can make stress-free decisions in the paint. For instance, If James Harden beats his initial defender off the dribble and causes the defense to collapse, Mann will bolt into the lane and prepare to finish with either hand at the rim.
He also isn’t afraid to step up and knock down open triples after several ball reversals on the perimeter. Defensively, Mann will match up against any opponent and make them work for every basket. Essentially, he isn’t a defender that teams can expose regularly.
With the departure of Paul George in July, it’s reasonable to assume Mann’s role will increase with the Clippers this season.
Second chances aren’t guaranteed in the NBA. When players get in trouble off the court and receive the appropriate punishment, they may never step on an NBA court again.
A Los Angeles Clippers guard was fortunate enough to return to the big leagues after a necessary one-year absence, and he’s refusing to take the opportunity for granted.
“I got to learn myself, experience some things,” Kevin Porter Jr. told ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk on Monday.
“And I feel like this is the best version of myself, so it’s been good. I can’t say everything, but just my upbringing, the triggers and things and with experiences. The meaning of the experience and learning from it. This is the, if not No. 1, top two best jobs you can ask for as an athlete, as a person. So I’ve seen that get taken away, and then it just puts you in a place with what you want to do for the rest of your life. So I’m very grateful to be back, and I’m going to do everything I can and stay as long as I want.”
Porter signed with the Clippers in July after logging zero minutes of NBA action a year ago. He was a member of the Houston Rockets before the start of the 2023-24 season, but a domestic violence charge quickly changed that status.
The Rockets traded the former first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in October, and the Thunder didn’t hesitate to waive him shortly after.
In January, Porter pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation to avoid spending time behind bars. By then, though, Porter had missed the first three months of the season and was inching closer to sitting out a full year of professional basketball. Porter evaded that nightmare by signing with the Greek club PAOK in April.
During his most recent NBA season, Porter averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds per contest. The 6-foot-4 guard is a smooth ball handler who understands the importance of going with the flow offensively. If his initial move doesn’t give him his preferred outcome, he’ll go off schedule and adapt to his opponent’s defensive game plan. He’s also an underrated passer who can dish out dimes while moving at rapid speeds.
Everyone may not agree with the Clippers’ decision to add Porter to their roster during free agency, but he’s determined to prove he’s a changed individual during the 2024-25 season.
Watching other players succeed can cause extreme envy. It may not always be warranted, but it’s ordinary in the NBA.
While a former No. 1 overall pick is eight years removed from the NBA, he can still recall the moment that almost caused him to lose his composure.
“The year I retired was the year that Timofey Mozgov — no disrespect — got that 50 mil [contract with the Los Angeles Lakers], and I wanted to kill everybody in the (expletive) world,” Greg Ogden said Tuesday on the OGs podcast. “I hated life, I was depressed. If they threw him 50 mil, I’m like, ‘All I need to do is be on the team. That’s 20 (million) easy.”
Oden, who retired from the NBA in 2016, is referencing the four-year, $64 million deal Mozgov inked with the Lakers three months after he called it quits. Oden made over $20 million during his playing days, but his career was a massive disappointment.
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Oden No. 1 overall in the 2007 draft. Unfortunately, Oden required surgery on his right knee in September and missed the 2007-08 season. Oden made his NBA debut for the Trail Blazers on Oct. 28, 2008, but only recorded 13 minutes of action due to a foot injury he suffered early in the contest.
Despite suffering a knee injury later that year, Oden had a relatively healthy season, appearing in 61 of Portland’s 82 regular season games. Regarding his production, Oden averaged 8.9 points, seven rebounds, and 1.1 blocks for the year.
However, 21 games into the following season, Oden experienced the third knee injury of his young career and was forced to watch the Trail Blazers’ final 61 contests from the bench.
Additional setbacks caused Oden to sit out the next 230 regular season games, which prompted Portland to waive the 7-foot big man in 2012. Oden signed a one-year deal with the Miami Heat shortly after, but he only appeared in 23 contests before continuing his professional career in China.
Oden wasn’t the most polished big man when he was healthy, but he possessed an endless motor and a relentless approach to rebounding.
Oden’s recent comments helped NBA fans comprehend his mindset in 2016. Oden knew he could achieve greatness at the highest level of basketball, but sadly, his unreliable body prevented him from reaching his full potential.
The Celtics will begin their title defense without a key member from last year’s historic run.
Kristaps Porzingis is still a member of Boston’s roster but will begin the 2024-25 season on the inactive list as he recovers from a rare leg injury suffered during the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Porzingis played through the pain in the championship-clinching Game 5 but the injury required surgery. The 29-year-old proved to be one of the missing pieces to the Celtics’ championship puzzle as the franchise won its 18th NBA title in Porzingis’ first season in Beantown.
What is Porzingis’ injury and how much time will he miss this season? Here is the latest on the Celtics big man’s status.
MORE: NBA’s top 30 players, ranked: Where stars land ahead of 2024-25 season
What is Kristaps Porzingis’ injury? Porzingis’ injury is a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg. The medial retinaculum stabilizes the tibialis tendon, which is the most superficial structure on the medial side of the ankle.
Here is an explanation of the injury from medical expert Dr. Michael S. George of the KSF Orthopaedic Center in Houston: “The injury to the medial retinaculum allowed the tendon to be unstable and dislocate to the side of the medial malleolus. Dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon causes medial-sided pain and weakness.”
MORE: Expert medical analysis on the nature of Kristaps Porzingis’ injury
How long will Kristaps Porzingis be out? The Celtics announced that Porzingis underwent surgery on June 27 to repair the injury, adding that he would be expected to return in 5-6 months.
At media day, Porzingis told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne “The expectation is (to return) sometime in December,” adding that he hopes he can return sooner. A return in December would align with the 5-6 month timeline outlined in June.
In his first season with Boston, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds over 57 regular season games. He was limited to seven playoff games but averaged 12.3 points per game, including an awe-inspiring 20-point performance off the bench in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
SN’s NBA HQ: NBA scores | Full NBA schedule
Celtics schedule 2024-25 Boston opens its five-game preseason schedule with a pair of games against Denver in Abu Dhabi. The Celtics will receive their championship rings on opening night against the Knicks and play 19 games before December.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ injuries on the offensive line continue to mount. On Saturday, the Steelers placed rookie right tackle Troy Fautanu on injured reserve after the first-rounder suffered a knee injury in practice on Friday.
Fautanu is the third major injury Pittsburgh has suffered on the offensive front, as center Nate Herbig is out for the year with a torn rotator cuff, while offensive guard Isaac Seumalo has yet to play this season due to a pectoral injury. Another former first-round pick in Broderick Jones is expected to replace Fautanu on the right side.
The former Washington Husky was selected with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fautanu won the Morris Trophy in 2023, and was a First Team All-Pac 12 player who registered the fifth-best PFF pass-blocking grade among FBS offensive tackles with an 88.2. He allowed just two sacks in 1,161 pass-blocking snaps over the past two seasons.
The other facet of this unfortunate development has to do with the quarterback situation. With a short-handed offensive line, it could reinforce the idea in Mike Tomlin’s mind that the Steelers should continue to move forward with the mobile Justin Fields as opposed to the 35-year-old Russell Wilson when he heals from his calf injury. The 2-0 Steelers play host to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase did not receive the long-term lucrative extension he was after this offseason, and now, he finds his wallet a bit lighter due to his outburst during the Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones, Chase has been fined $31,599 for his third-quarter verbal tirade against an official. After a 4-yard reception on a second-and-11, Chase exploded on an official because he believed the Chiefs defender utilized the now-illegal hip-drop tackle on him.
The NFL fined Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase $31,599 for his verbal tirade against an official in last week’s loss to the Chiefs. Chase was also flagged on the play. pic.twitter.com/ZHNAMxHiJf
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) September 21, 2024 Official Alex Kemp said in the Chiefs-Bengals pool report that the flag was thrown on Chase for language toward the official.
“It’s pretty clear-cut. It’s just simply abusive language toward a game official,” Kemp said. “That’s all it was. And there was really no interpretation. I’m not going to repeat to you what he said, but there was no interpretation with the language that he used — just abusive language.”
While this specific tackle probably did not meet all of the criteria for a hip-drop tackle, Chase isn’t alone in his frustration about this play. The hip-drop tackle has yet to be penalized in a game, but it is being fined after the fact. Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards and New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley were both reportedly fined $16,883 for hip-drop tackles that went uncalled in Week 2.
Two star quarterbacks will be game-time decisions on Sunday. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is dealing with a high ankle sprain, while Packers signal-caller Jordan Love’s rapid recovery from his knee injury has made his status for Sunday a possibility.
Herbert and Love are the headliners, but there are plenty of other notable injuries to sort through. Here’s a look at every team’s final injury report for Week 3, along with some analysis as to what those injuries could mean for Sunday.
All NFL odds courtesy of SportsLine consensus.
Giants at Browns (-6.5) Giants: CB Nick McCloud (knee) OUT; OLB Brian Burns (groin), ILB Darius Muasau (knee) QUESTIONABLE Browns: TE David Njoku (ankle), RB Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) OUT; OT Jack Conklin (knee), OT Jedrick Wills (knee) QUESTIONABLE
Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) has no injury designation for Sunday after appearing on the injury report this week. For the Browns, Wills was limited all week in practice, while Conklin was limited after not appearing on the injury report the previous two days. Fortunately for the Browns, they have a very capable backup tackle in James Hudson III, a four-year veteran who started in the team’s first two games.
Packers at Titans (-3) Packers: OT Jordan Morgan (shoulder) OUT; DB Carrington Valentine (ankle) DOUBTFUL; QB Jordan Love (knee) QUESTIONABLE Titans: RB Tyjae Spears (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Love, who was initially slated to miss at least two weeks, could be out just one game if he is able to suit up on Sunday. Love was limited all week during practice after missing last Sunday’s win over the Colts. Love will be a game-time decision, but Malik Willis (who went 12 of 14 in last week’s win) is prepared to face his former team if Love can’t go.
For the Titans, the arrow is pointing up for Spears, who was a full practice participant on Friday.
Bears at Colts (-1) Bears: WR Keenan Allen (heel, personal), FB Khari Blasingame (hand/knee), DL Zacch Pickens (groin), RB Travis Homer (finger) OUT; OL Nate Davis (groin) QUESTIONABLE Colts: None
With Allen still out, this should give rookie Rome Odunze more targets after he was targeted just once during the Bears’ first two games. Davis was a full participant on Friday, so the odds of him playing on Sunday appear to be good.
Texans (-1.5) at Vikings Texans: RB Dameon Pierce (hamstring), RB Joe Mixon (ankle) OUT; C Jarrett Patterson (calf), C Juice Scruggs (groin), S M.J. Stewart (knee) QUESTIONABLE
Vikings: WR Jordan Addison (ankle), OLB Dallas Turner (knee), LB Ivan Pace Jr. (quad) OUT
Mixon didn’t practice all week, so Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale will get the carries for Houston. Patterson didn’t practice on Friday, while Scruggs was limited the past two days.
While Addison’s absence hurts, the Vikings will have Justin Jefferson (quad), who was a full practice participant on Friday. Look for Jalen Nailor to get more targets with Addison out.
Eagles at Saints (-2.5) Eagles: WR A.J. Brown (hamstring) OUT; CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (foot) QUESTIONABLE Saints: DT Khalen Saunders (calf) OUT; TE Taysom Hill (chest) DOUBTFUL; LB D’Marco Jackson (calf), T Landon Young (foot), S Will Harris (shin), WR A.T. Perry (illness) QUESTIONABLE
The Eagles desperately need a wideout other than DeVonta Smith to step up with Brown out. That player could be Britain Covey, who has caught each of his six targets through two games. Expect Smith, Saquon Barkley and tight end Dallas Goedert to receiver the most of Jalen Hurts’ targets, though.
New Orleans will have to battle through some injuries if it’s going to be 3-0. Perry was a full practice participant on Friday, while Harris, Jackson and Hill were limited. Young did not practice for a third straight day.
Chargers at Steelers (-2.5) Chargers: Junior Colson (hamstring) OUT; QB Justin Herbert (ankle), WR Josh Palmer (elbow/calf), OLB Bud Dupree (illness), S Alohi Gilman (knee), CB Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) QUESTIONABLE Steelers: G Isaac Seumalo (pec), TE MyCole Pruitt (knee), OT Troy Fautanu (knee) OUT; QB Russell Wilson (calf) QUESTIONABLE
As noted earlier, Herbert revealed Friday that he is currently dealing with a high ankle sprain. Herbert didn’t practice Friday, was limited Thursday and did not practice on Wednesday. Backup Easton Stick, who went 0-4 as the team’s starting quarterback in 2023, would start against Pittsburgh if Herbert can’t go.
For the Steelers, Fautanu’s injury occurred on Friday, which means former first-round pick Broderick Jones will get the start after he was benched during last week’s win over the Broncos. Rookie wideout Roman Wilson is set to make his NFL debut after an ankle injury kept him sidelined throughout the preseason.
Broncos at Buccaneers (-6) Broncos: OLB Baron Browning (foot), S JL Skinner (ankle) OUT Buccaneers: T Luke Goedeke (concussion), DL Calijah Kancey (calf), S Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) OUT; WR Kameron Johnson (ankle), NT Vita Vea knee) DOUBTFUL; DL William Gholston (knee), DB Josh Hayes (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
Tampa Bay will need some reserves to step up on Sunday, including Christian Izien, who is again slated to start in place of Winfield. A former undrafted rookie, Izien has played well when called upon. He had a pick in last week’s win over Detroit and had two during his rookie season (2023).
Panthers at Raiders (-6) Panthers: NT Shy Tuttle (foot) DOUBTFUL; DE A’Shawn Robinson (knee), cornerback Lonnie Johnson (thigh), S Nick Scott (neck) QUESTIONABLE Raiders: LB Divine Deablo (oblique/concussion) OUT; CB Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) DOUBTFUL; DE Maxx Crosby (ankle), DE Tyree Wilson (knee), DT Christian Wilkins (knee) QUESTIONABLE
All three of Carolina’s questionable players were limited on Friday. For the Raiders, head coach Antonio Pierce said that he expects Crosby to play despite being limited throughout this week’s practices.
Dolphins at Seahawks (-4.5) Dolphins: WR Grant DuBose (shoulder) OUT; RB Raheem Mostert (chest), WR Malik Washington (quad) DOUBTFUL Seahawks: LB Uchenna Nwosu (knee) OUT; LB Jerome Baker (hamstring), RB Kenneth Walker III (oblique), T George Fant (knee) DOUBTFUL; S K’Von Wallace (shoulder), TE Pharaoh Brown (foot), LB Boye Mafe (knee), WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (foot) QUESTIONABLE
A lengthy injury report for Seatlte. With Walker doubtful, expect Zach Charbonnet to continue to get the majority of Seattle’s carries. De’Von Achane will handle the workload for Miami with Mostert doubtful. Jeff Wilson should also get some work after averaging 5.2 yards per carry against Buffalo in Week 2.
Ravens (-1) at Cowboys Ravens: G Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu (personal) OUT; WR Deonte Harty (calf), LB David Ojabo (quad), CB Nate Wiggins (neck/concussion) QUESTIONABLE Cowboys: WR Jalen Brooks (ankle), DT Mazi Smith (back), TE John Stephens Jr. (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
Harty and Ojabo were full practice participants on Friday, while Wiggins was limited for a second straight day. As expected, Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (foot) are good to go after being on this week’s injury report. Each of the Cowboys’ questionable players were limited on Friday.
49ers (-6.5) at Rams 49ers: WR Deebo Samuel (calf), TE George Kittle (hamstring) OUT; CB Charvarius Ward (hamstring/knee), DE Nick Bosa (rib) QUESTIONABLE
Rams: TE Davis Allen (back), WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) OUT; K Joshua Karty (groin), CB Cobie Durant (toe), NT Bobby Brown III (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
With Samuel out and Kittle out, the 49ers will need big outputs from Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, who caught a combined 13 of 19 targets during San Francisco’s first two games. Tight end Eric Saubert is also in line for more targets if Kittle can’t go.
The NFL’s most injured team, the Rams are going to have to rely more on wideouts Tyler Johnson, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and tight end Colby Parkinson with Kupp not in the lineup. Los Angeles also needs more from its running game, as Kyren Williams is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry.
Lions (-3) at Cardinals Lions: S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle), CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring) OUT; LB Alex Anzalone (concussion), CB Terrion Arnold (illness), G Graham Glasgow (knee), WR Isaiah Williams (abdomen) QUESTIONABLE Cardinals: DT Dante Stills (shoulder), OT Kelvin Beachum (hamstring), WR Greg Dortch (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
Each of Detroit’s questionable players were limited on Friday. Wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (quad) has no injury designation after being on this week’s injury report. In Arizona, Beachum did not practice Friday after starting the week without an injury designation. Jackson Barton, who was recently elevated from the practice squad, would likely start in Beachum’s place if the veteran is unable to play.
Chiefs (-3) at Falcons Chiefs: None Falcons: None
We’ve got the rare game that has zero injury designations.
Jaguars at Bills (-5) (Monday night) Jaguars: TE Evan Engram (hamstring) OUT; RB Tank Bigsby (shoulder), DB Darnell Savage (quadricep), WR Tim Jones (foot) QUESTIONABLE Bills: LB Terrel Bernard (pectoral), CB Taron Johnson (forearm) OUT Engram will not suit up this week, as he missed every practice session with a hamstring injury. Bigsby, Savage and Jones all were limited participants in practice on Saturday.
There were no surprises on the Bills injury report, as both Bernard and Johnson were ruled out after not practicing all week. Quarterback Josh Allen was still listed on the injury report with his left hand injury, but he was a full participant every day.
Commanders at Bengals (-7.5) (Monday night) Commanders: DE Clelin Ferrell (knee) OUT; CB Emmanuel Forbes (thumb) QUESTIONABLE Bengals: TE Tanner Hudson (knee), DT Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) OUT; DT B.J. Hill (hamstring) DOUBTFUL; S Vonn Bell (back), DT Kris Jenkins Jr. (thumb) QUESTIONABLE Washington will be without its sack leader, as Ferrell has been ruled out with a knee injury. In fact, he’s the only Commander who has recorded a sack this year. Forbes is surprisingly listed as questionable with his thumb injury. Coach Dan Quinn said they will wait until Monday to make a final decision, but next week may be when he suits up.
The big news for the Bengals is that wide receiver Tee Higgins is not listed on their final injury report, so he will make his 2024 debut after missing the the first two games with a hamstring injury. Tight end Mike Gesicki was not given a game designation either after being limited earlier in the week with a calf injury. According to The Athletic, Jenkins Jr. (thumb) will play with a wrap on his hand, and they’ll monitor how he does.
