Tue Jul 9 9:59pm ET
Field Level Media
Brett Favre's legal team was back in court on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports, trying to convince the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans to reinstate the former quarterback's defamation lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe.
The case was dismissed by a federal judge in Jackson, Miss., in October.
The dispute involves comments Sharpe made on the Fox Sports show "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed" in September 2022. At the time, Favre was at the center of an alleged corruption scandal involving the state of Mississippi's welfare system.
Among his broadcast comments, Sharpe said Favre was "taking from the underserved," that he "stole money from people that really needed that money," and, "The problem that I have with this situation, you've got to be a sorry mofo to steal from the lowest of the low."
The lower court ruled that Sharpe's remarks were "rhetorical hyperbole" and "loose, figurative language." Favre's lawyers are arguing that the comments represent "actionable defamation."
Favre was never charged with a crime, but the state of Mississippi still has a lawsuit pending against him and others involved in the welfare scandal. State representatives maintain that he received more than $1 million for planned speaking engagements to which he was a no-show. He paid back that money but is being pursued for interest.
Sharpe has since left Fox Sports and now works for ESPN.
The Jacksonville Jaguars released wide receiver Denzel Mims on Sunday morning, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Mims has bounced around several NFL teams throughout his young career. Originally a Jets second-round pick, the Baylor product has also been rostered by the Lions, Steelers, and Jaguars. However, he hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2022 with New York. He played in 10 games that year, catching just 11 passes for 186 yards. He's still searching for his first NFL touchdown.
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Los Angeles Chargers backup quarterback Easton Stick has very little job security as the preseason wraps up, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. While Popper projects that Stick will make the team's initial 53-man roster, he notes that the Chargers could look to upgrade the backup quarterback role by signing someone who is cut by another team when rosters trim down on Tuesday. Los Angeles previously signed Luis Perez to compete with Stick, and while Perez likely didn't do enough to win a roster spot, all signs point to the Chargers seeking an upgrade over Stick. Of course, this news has minimal fantasy football implications as Justin Herbert is the Chargers' starting quarterback and has an incredibly firm hold on his job. He ranks as a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback heading into the 2024 campaign.
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Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones has been given permission to seek a trade, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Jones, a team captain, is heading into a contract year, and the two sides have not made significant progress on an extension. As a result, Jones gets to explore his options on the trade market. The 24-year-old made a significant impact on defense last year, registering 145 tackles and 4.5 sacks over 15 games. If traded, he would represent a major addition to an NFL roster with less than two weeks until the regular season gets underway.
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New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson is expected to have a significant role in the receiving game, especially with Lawrence Cager (groin) missing extended time, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Johnson, a rookie, is in line to open the year as New York's top pass-catching tight end after Darren Waller retired during the offseason. The Penn State product caught 34 passes for 341 yards and seven touchdowns in his final collegiate season last year. He ranks as a low-end TE2 in most redraft leagues ahead of the 2024 campaign.
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Daniel Popper of The Athletic projects that Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal will make the roster and be listed third on the depth chart behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. The competition for the third running back slot appeared to be wide open heading into the Chargers' final preseason game, with Vidal, Jaret Patterson, and Isaiah Spiller all competing for the role. Vidal didn't play in the preseason finale, which could suggest that he's already locked up a roster spot. The rookie led the team in rushing yards during Week 2 of the preseason, and he also caught two passes. Even if Vidal is confirmed as the Chargers' No. 3 running back, he should be avoided in fantasy football given his depth role behind Edwards and Dobbins.
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Los Angeles Rams running back Boston Scott rushed 11 times for 34 yards in the team's final preseason game against the Houston Texans on Saturday. He was targeted once in the passing game but did not record a catch. Scott wasn't very efficient on his touches as he closed out his preseason. He is competing with Zach Evans for a backup role behind Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum. There wasn't much to see here as the Rams struggled to move the ball on offense as they went deep into their depth chart in the last preseason tuneup. Although Evans scored twice, neither Scott nor Evans really separated themselves in the preseason.
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Los Angeles Rams running back Zach Evans led the team's backfield with 14 carries for 45 yards and two rushing touchdowns in Saturday's preseason finale against the Houston Texans. Evans scored on runs of 4 and 3 yards. It wasn't an extremely efficient game for Evans, but he was able to find the end zone twice and out-rushed his competition in Boston Scott (11 carries for 34 yards). Evans and Scott are competing for a backup role behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
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Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins made his lone field goal attempt in a 37-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in preseason action on Saturday. Hopkins made his preseason debut in the game, booting a 37-yarder before calling it a night and letting Lucas Havrisik take over kicking duties. Hopkins was dealing with an undisclosed injury earlier in training camp, so his availability on Saturday is a good sign that he will be ready for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. The veteran kicker was productive for the Browns last season, hitting 33 of his 36 field goals and adding 24 extra points but he's probably not worth considering as a top-12 fantasy kicker for the upcoming season.
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Michael Woods II had a big night in his team's 37-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in preseason action on Saturday. Woods caught five of his nine targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns in the contest. The veteran wideout did his damage in the second half, catching both of his touchdowns from Tyler Huntley after halftime as he made a final push for a roster spot on Saturday. Woods wound up catching seven passes for 75 yards and two scores in preseason action for the Browns this year. If he doesn't make the Browns' final roster he could be a candidate to be added to the team's practice squad.
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jamari Thrash turned in a big performance in his team's 37-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in preseason action on Saturday. Thrash caught four of his six targets for 73 yards and a touchdown in the preseason finale. The rookie wideout's touchdown catch came on a 46-yard bomb from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the second quarter. Thrash, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft, wraps up his first preseason with 10 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown. While he will open the season buried on the team's depth chart, Thrash could see some meaningful snaps for the Browns this season if there are injuries in front of him. He's worth a stash on taxi squads in deep dynasty leagues.
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Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford carried the ball three times for 11 yards in his team's 37-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the preseason finale on Saturday. Ford got the start and played with the rest of the offensive starters on the Browns' first two drives of the game before calling it a night. The veteran running back appears slated for a feature role in the Cleveland offense this season, especially with Nick Chubb (knee) unlikely to be ready to return from a knee injury in time for Week 1. Ford showed chops in the passing game and a nose for the end zone in 2023 and can be trusted as an RB3 in fantasy drafts as he should have a role in the offense even when Chubb does return.
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore caught one of his two targets for seven yards and added a one-yard rush in his team's 37-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in preseason action on Saturday. Moore got the start and played with the first team in what was his first taste of preseason action. With both Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy inactive, Moore operated as the team's top receiver for the first two drives of the game before calling it a night. The addition of Jeudy to the Cleveland offense will cut into Moore's production this season, making it tough to roster him in redraft formats.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston got the start in his team's 37-33 preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday. Winston played on the Browns' first two offensive drives, completing six of his nine passes for 63 yards while adding a six-yard run before taking a seat for the remainder of the evening. Winston will break camp as Cleveland's No. 2 quarterback, an important role for the Browns with questions still surrounding the health of Deshaun Watson's shoulder. While Winston doesn't need to be drafted in redraft leagues, he should at least be rostered in all dynasty superflex formats. With the preseason games concluded, the Browns will now gear up to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyler Huntley was productive in his team's preseason finale on Saturday. Huntley completed 17 of his 22 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns while adding two carries for 14 yards in a 37-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The veteran signal-caller played the entire second half of the game, tossing two touchdowns to Michael Woods II and a third to James Proche. Huntley has been battling with Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the No.3 QB job throughout camp. The Browns have reportedly been floating Thompson-Robinson's name in potential trades, a sign that they feel comfortable with what they have seen from Huntley in the preseason.
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander caught all four of his targets for 60 yards in the preseason game on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Alexander caught two passes from Jake Fromm, who only completed six passes during the contest on Saturday, and two passes from Hendon Hooker. One of the passes from Hooker included a 29-yard bomb. After two good consecutive showings, Alexander could prove to be a dynasty stash and may have a role in this offense if the Lions need someone to come off the bench this season.
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Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk led the backfield with 10 carries for 40 yards in the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. The 26-year-old also caught one of his four targets for a two-yard touchdown. Considering Funk only has four carries in his professional career and had an underwhelming first two preseason games, this big showing could help determine his future on this Lions team. Funk is not currently listed on the Lions depth chart and may not make the 53-man roster, but it could be a wildcard and a player to keep on your watchlist.
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New York Giants running back Dante Miller led the team in rushing attempts in Saturday's loss to the Jets with 14. Miller's 45 rushing yards would have led the team had it not been for quarterback Tommy Devito's 48-yard day. With the Giants' regulars sitting in the preseason finale, the undrafted rookie out of South Carolina had plenty of runway to make his case for a roster spot ahead of Tuesday's cuts. Miller is regarded for his speed but nearly all of his handoffs were between the tackles and the Giants' o-line could not open anything up for him. Miller has been lauded for his effort in camp, though even if he makes the roster he will be buried on the depth chart and offers no immediate fantasy value.
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New York Giants running back Joshua Kelley gained 40 yards on eight carries and caught two of his three targets to net an additional yard through the air in Saturday's loss to the Jets. Kelley gained 19 yards on his first carry, benefitting from some timely blocks and showcasing his agility to make would-be tacklers miss. Kelley was nearly on the receiving end of a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but the attempt was swatted down at the line of scrimmage. The score would have been a nice way to end the preseason for the fifth-year veteran as he is not a lock to make the Giants' final roster. Teams are required to cut down to 53 players on Tuesday. Even if Kelley is included, he will be buried on the depth chart and not viable in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants quarterback Tommy Devito was called on to go the distance in Saturday's preseason finale. DeVito went 14-for-27 but gained only 103 yards through the air and took five rushes 48 yards in the loss to the Jets. All game long DeVito had to contend with an aggressive pass rush and with all of the Giants' starters sitting, the pocket was quick to break down and the Giants' down roster receivers could not get open. The result was DeVito getting sacked eight times, the last one derailing his two-minute drill at the end of the game. It was a mediocre day for the quarterback trying to prove his worth before rosters are cut to 53 players on Tuesday. Drew Lock's ailing hip might improve DeVito's odds but even if he makes the team he will have no fantasy value behind Lock and starter Daniel Jones.
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Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III made notable plays in the team's final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, recording two catches for 21 yards. However, his numbers were lower than last week when he had six receptions for 68 yards and his first professional touchdown against the New York Giants; Metchie III's performance was still impressive. He is competing with Xavier Hutchinson, Ben Skowronek, and Steven Sims for a roster spot, while injured receiver Noah Brown, when healthy, is also a key contender. With only a few spots likely remaining, Metchie III's strong preseason performance suggests he could secure a place on the main roster or land on the practice squad.
From RotoBaller